"Testing" 3

(Heh, this is unexpectedly good.) Long Yao glanced at Wang Dong from the corner of his eye, secretly delighted. (So Wang Dong has such a cute, shy side too? She's really too adorable. He interacted with the audience in his mind.) "I wonder what the third test is," he said, seemingly murmuring to himself, but in truth, he was watching to see whether a certain little fish would take the bait.

That seemingly self-directed murmur was actually like the most exquisite fishing hook, carrying a fatal allure as it was gently cast into Wang Dong's Heart Lake, which had long since been surging with waves.

(Heh, this is unexpectedly good.)

(So Wang Dong has such a cute, shy side too? She's really too adorable.)

Long Xiaoyao snickered inwardly as he interacted with the audience in the Livestream Room, his relaxed ease worlds apart from the chaos of the Young Girl behind him.

Wang Dong's Footsteps froze for an instant because of that line, "I wonder what the third test is." Her mind was still blank and crashed from that "beautiful" whispered right beside her ear. That warm breath, that low voice, that masculine scent close enough to touch and carrying a faint trace of sunlight, was like the most domineering curse, looping again and again through her mind, making all the strength in her body seem to drain away. Her Legs went weak, and her heart pounded wildly without stopping.

Beautiful...

To her, this word was both so familiar and so unfamiliar. In the Divine Realm, she was the lofty Little Princess, the cherished pearl of the God of Goodness and the Asura God. Everyone knew her identity, and praising her beauty was only natural. But here, on the Douluo Continent, she was a "boy." She had deliberately cut her long hair short and changed into fitted clothes precisely to experience a different kind of life.

But this Long Yao... he... had he seen through my disguise?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Not even a Titled Douluo could see through the divine power disguise Dad had set up. How could a mere Level 24 Soul Grandmaster possibly tell?

Then if he hadn't seen through it... he, a man, had called another "man" beautiful, and said it so seriously, so matter-of-factly...

The moment this thought arose, Wang Dong's cheeks flushed with a "swish," so red they could almost Bleed Out. She felt like she was about to go insane! This guy was not only an unpredictable weirdo in his behavior, but his thoughts... his thoughts also seemed very problematic!

She desperately tried to fling those messy thoughts out of her head, but the more she tried, the clearer those images and voices became. She could even recall the firm, warm sensation from his palm when he had steadied her arm.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

"I wonder what the third test is..."

That mutter echoed by her ear again, like a life-saving straw. She knew he was deliberately luring her into starting a conversation. She bit her Lips, and the pride in her heart absolutely refused to let her lower her head so easily. She decided to keep ignoring him, using silence to express her protest. She quickened her Footsteps, trying to overtake Long Yao and seize back the initiative, making herself walk in front.

However, she had only taken two steps when she discovered that he had also quickened his Footsteps, still walking unhurriedly in front of her. That leisurely Back Figure seemed to be silently mocking her childish actions.

The road leading to the Third Assessment Area was a wide corridor paved with massive blue-green stones. On both sides of the corridor, there were no longer open plazas, but Towering Ancient Trees planted one after another. These trees were of extremely rare species, and faint halos of Soul Power even flickered on their Tree Trunks. They were clearly precious ancient plants. Sunlight passed through the lush Branches and Leaves, casting mottled Light and Shadow on the ground. The air was filled with the fresh scent of Green Grass and earth, diluting much of the tense atmosphere brought by the previous assessments.

Along the way, many Senior Students wearing the official uniform of Shrek Academy could be seen. They stood in twos and threes beneath trees or beside Stone Pillars, sizing up these New Students who had passed the second round of assessment with scrutinizing gazes, occasionally whispering among themselves and making comments.

"Look, that Kid with the pink-blue hair is the one who took out his opponent in ten seconds just now. His name's Wang Dong."

"His martial soul is the Light Goddess Butterfly. It's too gorgeous, and his Second Soul Ring is already at the thousand-year level. His talent is terrifying!"

"But... why has he been following the one in black the whole time? Look at him, his face is all red, like a Little Wife."

"Shh... keep it down! That one in black isn't simple either. I watched his match. His battle awareness was frighteningly strong. He's a Ruthless Character."

These discussions, neither loud nor quiet, drifted intermittently into Wang Dong's ears, making her even more overcome with Shame and Anger. She buried her head even lower, wishing the ground would split open so she could Drill In.

Meanwhile, the Livestream Room had long since become an ocean of joy.

[I Really Only Know How to Give Freely]: Hahahaha! Streamer, that was killing the heart after killing the person! One casual self-mutter directly left the Little Princess unable to function! Look at the way she wants to start talking but doesn't dare, wants to leave but can't get away. Too classic!

[Lust is the Primary Productive Force]: Cute! Too cute! This process of a proud iceberg being melted step by step until she finally turns soft around his finger is simply art! Streamer, you understand what we want to see!

[Defeat the Hypocritical Tang San]: Satisfying! Watching Tang San's precious daughter get teased in the Streamer's palm makes my whole body feel comfortable! Let him keep using Divine Sense surveillance! Now he can't see a damn thing, right? Serves him right!

[Keyboard Warrior Ninth-Rank Elder]: Everyone, pay attention to the details. The Streamer has always maintained half a body's distance in front of Wang Dong. This distance gives her hope of catching up, but also ensures she can never catch up. In psychology, this is called "controlled frustration," and it can greatly stimulate the other party's desire to conquer and unwillingness to admit defeat!

[Keyboard Warrior Ninth-Rank Elder] tipped [Tsundere Princess Strategy Manual Platinum Edition] x1 (value: 1,500 yuan): Streamer, this is my life's work. I gift it to a kindred spirit! May it help you take down this iceberg soon!

In this strange and awkward atmosphere, the two of them walked through the corridor one behind the other. The space ahead suddenly opened up, and a massive circular building appeared before them. This was the site of the third assessment.

Unlike the first two rounds, this place was a huge indoor stadium. The dome was made of special transparent crystal, which could guide sunlight in softly, making the entire interior bright without being glaring. In the center of the venue, the field had already been divided into dozens of smaller areas, and in each area stood a stern-faced Teacher from Shrek Academy.

Hundreds of Students who had passed the second round of assessment had already gathered here, but the atmosphere was even more solemn than before. That was because everyone saw a huge Soul Guiding Screen hanging in the very center of the field, with the rules for the third round of assessment written on it in bright red letters.

[Third Round Assessment Rules: Martial Soul Fusion Skill Compatibility Test (Pairs)]

[Rule One: All Students will be randomly grouped into pairs.]

[Rule Two: Group members must attempt martial soul fusion within the time limit, clasping both hands tightly while simultaneously releasing their martial souls and Soul Power to sense their compatibility with one another.]

[Rule Three: Compatibility will be judged by the "Concentric Stone" in the center of the field. Those with compatibility exceeding thirty percent will pass the assessment. Those below thirty percent will both be eliminated!]

[Warning: Shrek Academy only recruits Monsters who understand teamwork! Individual Heroes, please go home!]

Seeing these rules, everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.

Martial Soul Fusion Skill! That was something legendary, something one could only hope to encounter by chance! And now it was actually being used as assessment content? Although it was only a compatibility test, with randomly assigned Teammates, it practically cut off the possibility of passing for the vast majority of people!

Wang Dong also saw the rules on the screen. Her already flushed Small Face instantly turned deathly pale. She had absolute confidence in her own strength, but this kind of assessment that depended entirely on luck made her feel powerless for the first time. She subconsciously raised her head and looked at the Back Figure standing in front of her, the one who had thrown her heart into utter turmoil. For the first time, an almost imperceptible trace of confusion and dependence appeared in her eyes.

That Earth-Shattering rule was like a ladle of cold water poured into a boiling oil pot, instantly making the entire third assessment venue explode into uproar. The Students' faces were filled with shock, confusion, and deep despair. A Martial Soul Fusion Skill compatibility test? With randomly assigned Teammates, no less? This was simply a thorough, all-or-nothing gamble with their futures as the stake!

"Hiss, they're starting to test whether people have Martial Soul Fusion Skills right after school starts!?"

Long Yao rested his chin on his hand. His seemingly casual remark accurately struck the doubt in everyone's hearts. This cruel rule tied everyone's fate to a roulette wheel Named "luck."

Wang Dong's cheeks, flushed from embarrassment just moments earlier, had now turned completely pale. She had absolute confidence in her own talent, but this assessment, which was completely outside her control, made her feel an emotion called "powerlessness" for the first time. Her gaze subconsciously drifted toward Long Xiaoyao beside her, and in those beautiful Pink Blue Eyes flickered traces of wavering and Flustered panic that even she herself had not noticed.

"All right."

Long Yao seemed completely unaffected by this cruel rule, still appearing calm and composed. He watched as the huge Soul Guiding Screen in the center of the field began to roll wildly, countless number plates Representing the Students' identities flashing across it at high speed like a meteor shower in the night sky, each one tugging at the hearts of the Hundreds of people below.

The entire venue fell silent, leaving only the faint buzzing sound of the Soul Guiding Screen as it operated. Everyone held their breath and stared nervously at the screen, praying they would be matched with a powerful Teammate, or at the very least one whose martial soul attributes did not clash too badly with their own.

Finally, the First Group pairing result appeared.

[No. 66] & [No. 198]

As the names locked into place, two wails erupted from the crowd. One student's Martial Soul was a Fire-Type Flame Wolf, while the other's was a Water-Type Blue Patterned Snake. Fire and water were incompatible—this was practically a death sentence for them.

The names on the screen continued to roll, pairing results appearing group after group. Some rejoiced, some despaired. The atmosphere inside the venue was as oppressive as the sea before a storm.

Finally, a familiar number appeared on the screen.

[No. 144]

When Long Yao saw his number plate freeze on the left side of the screen, he raised an eyebrow, an intrigued expression appearing on his face.

"Who will I be paired with?"

His Voice was not loud, yet it seemed to possess some kind of Magic Power, instantly drawing all of Wang Dong's attention beside him. Wang Dong's heart suddenly tightened. She stared fixedly at the number box on the right side of the screen that was still spinning rapidly, fine Cold Sweat already seeping into her palms.

The numbers on the screen began to slow, jumping from three digits to two, then growing slower and slower...

160... 158... 156...

When the number reached "155," Wang Dong nearly stopped breathing.

Time seemed to stretch infinitely in that instant, everyone's gaze focusing on the number that was about to stop.

[No. 155]

When those two digits finally came to a steady halt on the screen, the entire venue fell into a split second of Deathly Stillness. Immediately after, a tidal wave of discussion exploded!

"Oh My God! It's those two!"

"That Long Yao with insanely strong Combat Skill, and the genius Wang Dong whose Martial Soul is the Light Goddess Butterfly! The two of them actually got assigned to the same group?!"

"One has a Weapon Martial Soul, the other has an Assault System Beast Martial Soul. Their attributes don't seem related at all... This could be risky."

"Hard to say. Both of them are Monsters. Maybe they'll create a miracle?"

Wang Dong stared blankly at the two names lined up together on the screen, her Mind Blank. It was... it was him? How could it be him? Her fate had actually been tied together with this annoying guy who had been constantly disturbing her thoughts since yesterday? Was this incredible luck, or some cruel joke played by fate?

Just as her mind was in turmoil, Long Xiaoyao had already Put Away his previous carefree attitude. His expression became more serious than ever before. He turned his head, his Profound gaze looking straight into Wang Dong's somewhat dazed Eyes.

"No. 155. Looks like the two of us are pretty lucky, getting assigned together."

Long Yao's tone was calm and steady, impossible to tell whether he was relieved or mocking himself, yet it carried a kind of Unquestionable Power.

"Let's go. Let's see what kind of test this is."

After saying that, he said nothing more and took the lead, striding toward Test Area 7, which had been assigned to them.

Wang Dong froze where she was, looking at his tall Back Figure that was filled with a Sense of Security. In her heart, the high wall built from pride and Shame and Annoyance quietly crumbled at one corner in that moment. She bit her lip, and in the end suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in her heart, quickly following after him.

In Test Area 7, the Teacher in charge was a middle-aged man with a rigid face who never smiled. He looked at Long Yao and Wang Dong before him, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes. Clearly, he was also surprised by the birth of this "star pairing."

"You understand the rules, right?" he said in a procedural tone. "Stand on opposite ends of the Concentric Stone, hold each other's hands tightly, and release your Martial Souls and Soul Power at the same time. Remember, you only have one chance."

The so-called "Concentric Stone" consisted of two round black jade platforms about a meter apart, polished smooth as mirrors.

Long Yao stepped up first. He turned around to face Wang Dong, who had also stepped onto the platform, then, under Wang Dong's extremely complicated gaze, he slowly extended his Right Hand.

Wang Dong's Line of Sight fell on that open palm. It was a hand with Well-defined Joints, long and powerful. There still seemed to be a faint heat lingering in his palm after battle. Her Face flushed uncontrollably again, and her heart pounded wildly.

Hold... his hand?

The thought made her feel as if the world were spinning. This made her even more nervous than fighting a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast! Her hand trembled slightly at her side, lifting, then lowering again, unable to decide.

"Don't be afraid," Long Yao's voice came over, still calm, but carrying a trace of power that soothed the heart. "It's only a test. Trust me."

The words "Trust me" were like a Warm Current, pouring into Wang Dong's heart, which had long been under Ice Seal. She suddenly raised her head and met his deep, sincere eyes. In those eyes, she saw not the slightest frivolity or teasing, only a quiet lake, and reflected within that lake, her own helpless self.

In the end, as if she had made some kind of decision, she Took a Deep Breath and stretched out her slightly cold Small Hand, gently, tentatively placing it into his palm.

The instant their hands touched, a warm and powerful sensation traveled along her Fingertips, spreading through her entire body in an instant. His hand held hers, warm, dry, and filled with a strength that gave people Peace of Mind.

Wang Dong's body trembled imperceptibly. She had never had such intimate contact with any boy before. This feeling was unfamiliar to her, and yet... she did not dislike it.

"Are you ready?" Long Yao asked warmly.

"...Mm." Wang Dong squeezed out a voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz from her throat, her cheeks already so red they looked as if they were about to burn.

"Release your Martial Souls!" the invigilating teacher's voice rang out.

The two closed their eyes at the same time, channeling Soul Power into their bodies!

Buzz—! Buzz—!

Two completely different auras erupted from their bodies at the same time!

From Long Yao, black light shot into the sky. The sharp, tyrannical, unstoppable aura of the Soul Breaking Spear was like a king in the night.

From Wang Dong, a Dazzling, sacred, and magnificent Pink Blue light bloomed. The phantom of the Light Goddess Butterfly spread open behind her, carrying an endless aura of light and life!

The two energies, one black and one blue, one Master of slaughter and one Master of light, collided violently between their tightly clasped hands!

Time: Douluo Calendar Year 2030 Season: Autumn Next morning, 9:40 AM

Location: Shrek Academy, Third Assessment Venue, Test Area 7

Audience: 65,331

Equipment: True Vast Sea Ring (Divine Artifact)

Items: Silver Soul Coin x8, Copper Spirit Coin x90

First Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear [Traits: Armor Breaking, Soul Devouring, Penetration]

Second Martial Soul: Chaos Holy Dragon (Hidden) [Traits: Strength, Time, Space]

Soul Power: Level 45 (Soul Ancestor) [Status: True Vast Sea Ring Shielding, External Perception at Level 24]

Soul Rings: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Ring (Yellow Hundred-Year), Second Soul Ring (Purple Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year)

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Ring (Black Thirteen-Thousand-Year), Second Soul Ring (Black Twenty-Eight-Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Forty-Six-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Rose Gold Hundred-Thousand-Year)

Soul Skills: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Skill: Swift Shadow Stab, Second Soul Skill: Whirlwind Spear, Third Soul Skill: Armor Breaking Spiral, Fourth Soul Skill: Thousand Spirit Spear Rain

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Skill: Star Ring, Second Soul Skill: Holy Dragon Claw, Third Soul Skill: Void Claw, Fourth Soul Skill: Time and Space Roar

Soul Bones: None

Soul Spirit: None

Reward Temporary Storage: [Million-Year Spirit Beast Inverse Scale] x1, [Hallucinatory Perfume] x1, [Starlight Sapphire Brooch] x1, [Tsundere Princess Strategy Manual Platinum Edition]