Field Assessment

Before they knew it, a month had passed since the Freshman Competition.

Xue Xiao Ran's Soul Power Level had successfully risen to Level 29, just one step away from Level 30. Xiao Hong Chen had long since reached Level 30 and only lacked a soul ring to cross the threshold into Level 31.

However, Xiao Hong Chen was in no hurry. He knew he had consumed too many medicinal herbs, which was why his progress had not been particularly fast. Instead, he calmed himself and began cultivating quietly.

Meanwhile, Xue Xiao Ran happily ran back and forth between the Soul Tool Department and the Martial Soul Department every day. Though he was extremely busy, he was not particularly tired.

He could remember everything from the Soul Tool Department after hearing it once, while his many teachers had long ago taught him all the cultivation methods of the Martial Soul Department.

It could be said that Xue Xiao Ran no longer needed teachers in the Martial Soul Department. He could even become a teacher himself and guide others in their cultivation.

"In a few days, Class A and the class next door will be going out. This will count as a small assessment, and it will also be a good opportunity for you to hunt soul rings."

Gu Tian Yuan closed the textbook and began explaining the arrangements for the coming days.

Quite a few students in Class B had broken through Level 20, while Xiao Hong Chen of Class A had reached Level 30. It was the perfect time for them to obtain soul rings.

"Teacher, where will we be going for the assessment?"

A student raised his hand and asked.

Gu Tian Yuan revealed a faint smile and said calmly, "We will be conducting the assessment in the Star Dou Great Forest."

"But... isn't Shrek Academy near the Star Dou Great Forest?"

The student's voice was somewhat dry.

"That's right. Is there a problem?"

Gu Tian Yuan narrowed his eyes and smiled happily.

Xue Xiao Ran was taken aback. The Sun Moon Royal Academy's move was far too bold. There were so many places to train, yet they had to go right to Shrek's doorstep. If this was not meant as a slap in the face, then it was definitely a display of strength.

Although Xue Xiao Ran did not know the overall caliber of Shrek Academy's freshmen this year, the freshmen of the Sun Moon Royal Academy were at least no worse in his view.

"All of you had better perform well. This time, you'll be going out as representatives of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Tool Academy. Don't embarrass us in front of Shrek." Gu Tian Yuan put his hands on his waist and continued, "Also, you will no longer be acting alone. The Star Dou Great Forest is simply too dangerous. This time, you will form teams of five and enter the Star Dou Great Forest."

"The academy will dispatch one Titled Douluo and two Soul Douluo to protect you. If you encounter a crisis you truly cannot handle, activate the Alarm Soul Tool the academy gives you. Understood?"

Gu Tian Yuan took out something resembling a wristband and began demonstrating how to use it.

He lightly pressed a button, and a streak of red light suddenly shot out, illuminating the ceiling and bathing the room in crimson.

"I hope none of you will need to use this Soul Tool. And I certainly don't expect any idiot among you to rashly enter the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest."

At that, the students all laughed.

"Teacher, what should we do if we run into people from Shrek Academy?"

Another student raised his hand and asked.

The students in the classroom all nodded. The Star Dou Great Forest was close to Shrek, after all. If they encountered them, what attitude should they take? Should they attack, or pretend not to see them and ignore them?

Gu Tian Yuan stroked his chin and thought for a moment. A cold glint flashed through his narrowed eyes.

"If you encounter Shrek students, don't panic. Treat them normally. Our dean has already informed Shrek's dean beforehand. But if Shrek Academy's students dispute soul rings with you, then I only have one word for you."

"Take them!"

Gu Tian Yuan's words left the seated students startled.

"Shrek Academy's people are very protective of their own, but that doesn't mean we can't compete with them." Gu Tian Yuan frowned. "If you only encounter a student team, don't be afraid. Just take them. If they have teachers leading them, then run. You can't beat them anyway."

That made the students laugh again.

"Teams of five. We leave in three days. Dismissed!"

Gu Tian Yuan clapped his hands, then left the classroom with his textbooks.

He had explained everything that needed explaining. He had no intention of spelling out every detail like an old mother hen. What he wanted to cultivate were students who were independent, self-reliant, and capable of understanding things on their own.

The classroom suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at one another, sinking into silence.

Clearly, they had yet to recover from that explosive news.

First-year students were actually going to challenge Shrek Academy. The dean was far too...

Meng Hong Chen stood up at that moment, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

She slowly walked over to Xue Xiao Ran's desk and looked into his pair of Jade Eyes.

He was always so calm, as though negative emotions like panic and anxiety could never appear on him. Meng Hong Chen accidentally found herself staring blankly at him.

"Is something wrong?"

Seeing Meng Hong Chen walk over to his desk only to suddenly freeze, Xue Xiao Ran waved a hand before her eyes to bring her back to her senses.

Meng Hong Chen's face flushed slightly. She then spoke softly, "Xue Xiao Ran, you heard Teacher Gu say we'd be in groups of five, right? Can we be in the same group?"

She pointed at herself and Xiao Hong Chen, whose face was currently greenish-black, then pointed at Xue Xiao Ran.

"Sure. No problem."

Xue Xiao Ran nodded decisively. Being with smart people would at least not be tiring, and if the siblings' poison was used alongside his own, who knew how potent it would become?

"Brother, then it's settled." Meng Hong Chen giggled.

"Hmph." Xiao Hong Chen snorted. He was clearly sulking, but he did not object.

The others exchanged looks, then hurried over to Xue Xiao Ran's desk.

They wanted to join the strongest group. Their assessment results would be better that way, and they would be safer in the Star Dou Great Forest as well.

"Xue Xiao Ran, you don't mind if the two of us join your team, do you?"

A cool female voice spoke from the classroom doorway.

Everyone turned and saw Yan Yuyan, with her crimson ponytail, along with the long-haired girl who had used Martial Soul Fusion with her that day.

The one who had spoken was Yan Yuyan.

A trace of confusion appeared in Xue Xiao Ran's eyes. It seemed that Yan Yuyan had no connection with him, did she?

"We're very strong, and if we use our Martial Soul Fusion Skill, I imagine most people here won't be our opponents."

Yan Yuyan coldly stated the fact, causing most of the students to glare angrily at her.

"Xue Xiao Ran, what do you think?"

Yan Yuyan walked closer step by step on her long legs, and the students beside her made way for her.

"I don't mind. As long as they don't mind."

He gestured toward Meng Hong Chen, who was standing nearby, and Xiao Hong Chen, who remained seated.

"I have no problem with it." After saying this calmly, Xiao Hong Chen put all his books into his ring. His Soul Tool Department class was about to begin.

A strange emotion flashed through Meng Hong Chen's eyes. Pouting, she said, "I-I don't mind either."

"Then I look forward to working with you." Yan Yuyan crossed her arms and left after speaking.

From beginning to end, there had been no one else in her eyes.

Only that youth with ice-blue short hair and emerald-green eyes.