How Far Ahead Are You Getting?

Shrek Academy's Soul Fighting Zone was located behind the Martial Soul Department's teaching building. Soul Masters often came here to spar, and recently, more Soul Engineers had begun showing up as well. The glow of Soul Tools could occasionally be seen lighting up the surrounding arenas.

"Enough, enough." Ma Xiaotao landed on one of the Soul Fighting Zone's arenas and waved toward the air.

At her words, Wang Nan controlled his Soul Tool and landed steadily at the edge of the arena.

"Your Soul Tool is way too unfair. You clearly don't have a flying martial soul, yet you're more agile in the air than I am. There's no way to keep fighting."

"Don't you Inner Courtyard Disciples have Soul Tools equipped?"

"We do, but I can't use them." Ma Xiaotao complained, "Ordinary Soul Tools simply can't withstand my soul power. They'll basically burn out after only a few uses."

Wang Nan was now a third-year student, and exactly a year had passed since he and Ma Xiaotao had obtained their third Soul Rings. Over that year, Ma Xiaotao had sought him out often. With his help, much of the Evil Qi within her body had been dispelled, her martial soul had become purer, and the flames she released had grown hotter and hotter.

A martial soul approaching Ultimate Fire—no wonder there were no suitable Soul Tools for her.

"Alright, now that we're done, I'll be setting off tomorrow to obtain my fourth Soul Ring."

Hearing this, Wang Nan gave Ma Xiaotao a surprised look.

"What do you think? Impressive, right?" Ma Xiaotao flashed a proud smile.

It really was impressive. Was this the caliber of Shrek's number one genius?

Wang Nan and Ma Xiaotao had obtained their third Soul Rings together. After a year of cultivation, Wang Nan's soul power had risen from rank thirty-three to rank thirty-eight. That was already quite good compared to other students, but there was still a sizable gap between him and Ma Xiaotao.

With Wang Nan's help, Ma Xiaotao no longer had any concerns while cultivating. Over the same period, her soul power had risen from rank thirty-two all the way to rank forty. Wang Nan did not know how much Innate Soul Power Ma Xiaotao possessed, but even if it was not Innate Full Soul Power, it could not have been far off.

"Oh, right. Did you know that the Outer Courtyard will be holding a Core Disciple selection tournament in a few days?" After resting for a while, Ma Xiaotao asked mysteriously.

Wang Nan thought about it. At this point, he should not know yet, so he lightly shook his head.

"Hehe, it's not much of a secret anymore. You know about the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition, right? It's held once every five years, and all participants have to be under twenty."

"Our academy sends seven official competitors and seven reserve competitors to every tournament. This selection tournament is meant to choose the reserve competitors for the Soul Fighting Competition, so you need to prepare well."

Seeing Wang Nan's lukewarm reaction, Ma Xiaotao suddenly changed tack. "And I heard that if you win the championship in the Soul Fighting Competition, the academy gives out generous rewards. One Inner Courtyard senior sister obtained a Soul Bone because she participated in the Soul Fighting Competition."

After spending a year with Wang Nan, Ma Xiaotao had more or less figured out what interested him.

"Then I'll do my best when the time comes."

"As long as you take it seriously, you'll definitely make it through."

"Not necessarily."

Wang Nan knew full well that the selection format was a massive free-for-all. In a battle involving so many people, no one could guarantee they would advance. Doing his best was enough.

"Oh, right. Aren't you participating in the selection tournament?"

Wang Nan asked curiously. In the original timeline, Ma Xiaotao had not become a Reserve Member due to being troubled by Evil Fire. After her Evil Fire had been suppressed, she had entered the official team directly, which had even caused Dai Yueheng some dissatisfaction.

Now that her Evil Fire was under control, she should have been able to participate in the selection tournament.

Ma Xiaotao leaned closer. Only after confirming that no one around them was paying attention did she lower her voice. "Inner Courtyard Disciples who meet the requirements can be directly selected as Reserve Members. And Teacher said that one Soul Engineer will be added to this group of Reserve Members, so they'll probably only select five disciples from the Outer Courtyard."

Wang Nan understood.

Sure enough, geniuses had privileges no matter when it was.

As expected of information obtained from the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, Ma Xiaotao's words were quickly proven true.

A few days later, all Core Disciples from the third and fourth years who were under fifteen had gathered in the Soul Fighting Zone.

In previous selection tournaments, there had occasionally been fifth-year students who met the requirements, but perhaps the fifth-years of this class had enrolled too late. Even the youngest were already fifteen and did not qualify.

Once all the Core Disciples had arrived, Xuan Zi, who had once led Wang Nan on an Inspection Mission, staggered in, looking as slovenly as ever.

Apart from Wang Nan, several Core Disciples had also participated in that Inspection Mission. Upon seeing Xuan Zi, they quickly composed themselves and stood properly.

With those few setting an example, although the other Core Disciples were puzzled, they did not dare discuss it aloud.

Xuan Zi nodded slightly. "Alright, you should all know that you were called here for the Core Disciple selection tournament. Next, I'll explain its contents."

At Xuan Zi's words, the Core Disciples all perked up and listened carefully.

"The assessment is called a group free-for-all. It will take place within the Soul Fighting Zone. You may attack however you like and fight however you like. There are no rules. Surrendering or being rescued out counts as elimination. The final five remaining will be the winners. Get ready."

Just as Ma Xiaotao had said, only five Reserve Members would be selected this time.

"Ready, burp~ begin!"

Group free-for-alls were common in the Inner Courtyard, but this was the first time for these Outer Courtyard disciples. For a moment, they were all somewhat at a loss, unsure where to begin.

Wang Nan did not want to be the first to act and draw everyone's attention either. With a slight frown, he quietly retreated to one side.

When faced with unfamiliar rules, people might freeze for a few seconds at first due to not being used to them. But everyone present was a Core Disciple, and someone quickly reacted. No one knew who started it, but soon all kinds of lights flashed continuously throughout the Soul Fighting Zone, while yellow and purple Soul Rings rose one after another.

Yet the first attack did not come from any Soul Master, but from a vast barrage of Soul Light Rays.

Before encountering Soul Tools, students of the Martial Soul Department had looked down on them with disdain. However, after the academy arranged courses related to Soul Tools, some of them had discovered their advantages.

There was no need to put oneself in danger. One only needed to stand at a distance to launch attacks. Especially in a chaotic battle involving many people, once someone charged into the center, they would face attacks from every direction. No matter how strong they were, they could not possibly withstand the siege of dozens of people.

Under such circumstances, Soul Tools became the preferred choice.

Watching the Soul Tools' light continuously flare within the Soul Fighting Zone, even Xuan Zi, who was observing from the side, stopped what he was doing. He wiped his mouth and focused intently on the arena.

He had lived for many years and presided over countless Core Disciple selection tournaments, but this was the first time he had ever seen such a scene.