First Arrival in Heaven Dou: Royal Academy Assessment, Undercurrents Begin to Stir

As the carriage entered Heaven Dou City, the midday sun blazed overhead. The streets paved with blue stone bustled with traffic, and shops on both sides displayed colorful banners. Faintly glowing components sat behind the glass cases of Soul Tool stores, while the scent of spice shops mingled with the aromas of street snacks, creating a dazzlingly lively scene.

Gu Zhinian rode ahead on a white horse, expertly leading the carriage to the post station outside Heaven Dou Royal Academy. "This is the closest place to the Royal Academy, so it'll be convenient for your assessment tomorrow. I need to deliver some components to the Soul Tool market first. I'll come find you later and bring Miss Lin some information about Mister Lin from back then."

Lin Zhixia nodded quickly. "Thank you, Brother Gu. Be careful on the road." As she watched Gu Zhinian ride away, her fingers unconsciously rubbed the Star Guidance Bell. Her cheeks were still slightly warm—Ning Rongrong's teasing in the carriage continued to echo in her ears.

"All right, stop staring. If you keep looking, Young Master Gu will disappear around the corner!" Ning Rongrong leaned over with a teasing smile. Xiao Wu nodded along, making everyone laugh. Lin Zhixia's face reddened even more, and she hurriedly changed the subject. "We should go to the Royal Academy and confirm the assessment time first!"

The gates of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were extraordinarily imposing. Golden dragon patterns were carved into the white jade pillars, while the guards at the entrance wore silver armor and royal insignias at their waists, their sharp eyes scrutinizing everyone who entered and left. Flender stepped forward and handed over the letter of introduction Qin Ming had written in advance. The guard glanced at it before stepping aside. "The vice dean is waiting for you in the council hall. Follow me."

Inside the council hall, an elderly man in a purple robe sat in the seat of honor. His beard and hair were entirely white, yet he was vigorous and alert. He was Shao Xin, the vice dean of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. When he saw them enter, Shao Xin set down his teacup and looked over Shrek's Eight Monsters, surprise flashing through his eyes—though these children were simply dressed, each had bright eyes and steady Spirit Power Fluctuations. They were even more outstanding than he had expected.

"Dean Flanders, Master Yu Xiaogang, I have long heard of your reputations." Shao Xin rose with a smile. "Qin Ming has already told me about you. The assessment will be held tomorrow morning. The test will be 'team combat confrontation.' Your opponents will be an elite squad from our academy. If you can defeat them within half an hour, you will pass the assessment."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Thank you, Dean Shao, for accommodating us. We will be prepared." He looked toward Tang San and the others, his expression somewhat stern. "Tomorrow's assessment is not only for obtaining the qualifications to compete. It is also to show the Royal Academy our strength. You must give it everything you have."

Everyone answered in unison. Tang San tightened his grip around the Mystic Star Wheel—after studying it for some time, he could now skillfully use the Star Wheel to assist Blue Silver Grass control. He could even make starlight cling to the web when releasing Spider Web Restraint, increasing its binding power. Lin Zhixia also checked the Starfall Bow and Star Rock Arrowheads, ensuring that she could unleash the greatest power of the Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow tomorrow.

After leaving the council hall, the group wandered around the academy to familiarize themselves with the surroundings. Quite a few students were conducting combat drills on the Royal Academy's training grounds, their Spirit Power Fluctuations powerful. The Assault System Soul Master in one team had actually reached Soul Power Level 42, making even Dai Mubai frown. "It looks like tomorrow's opponents won't be easy to handle."

"Their coordination is excellent, and they are balanced in both offense and defense, but they have a weakness." Tang San pointed at the team on the field and analyzed softly. "Their Support System Soul Master stands in the middle of the formation, but lacks sufficient protection. If we can break through their front-line defense and target the Support System, we can disrupt their rhythm." Lin Zhixia nodded as well. "My Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow can pierce their front-line defense and create an opening for you."

At that moment, an unfriendly gaze shot toward them. The group turned and saw a youth in a golden robe standing not far away. A royal insignia hung from his waist, and his face was full of arrogance. "You're from that backwater Shrek Academy? You dare come to our Royal Academy for an assessment? Don't embarrass Senior Qin Ming by failing to beat even our academy's reserve squad!"

"Who are you calling backwater?" Dai Mubai immediately stepped forward. His martial soul appeared in an instant as Golden Spirit Power erupted around him. "If you have the guts, settle it in tomorrow's assessment arena!"

The youth had not expected Dai Mubai's Soul Power to be so formidable. His expression changed slightly, but he still forced himself to say, "Fine! Tomorrow, I'll see just how capable you so-called backwater lot really are!" With that, he snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Shao Xin happened to pass by and saw the scene. He shook his head helplessly. "That is Xue Beng, the third prince of the royal family. He has been spoiled rotten, so don't lower yourselves to his level. Your opponents for tomorrow's assessment are not his team, so don't worry."

When they returned to the post station, Gu Zhinian was already waiting at the entrance with a cloth bundle in his hands. "Miss Lin, these are the materials I organized. Inside are sketches of the Soul Tools Mister Lin studied back then, as well as some information on Spirit Hall's Soul Tools. They may be of help to you."

Lin Zhixia accepted the bundle, her heart filled with gratitude. "Brother Gu, thank you. This is all so important to me." She opened the bundle and saw the familiar star patterns on the sketches. Her eyes reddened slightly—this was her father's handwriting. The determination in every stroke was exactly like what she remembered from when he taught her to identify components.

Gu Zhinian looked at her and said softly, "Good luck with tomorrow's assessment. I'll be there to cheer for you. If Mister Lin knew how outstanding you are now, he would definitely be very happy."

As night fell, Yu Xiaogang laid out the tactics for tomorrow's assessment in the post station room. "Tang San will handle control, Zhixia will break their defenses, Mu Bai and Zhuqing will launch a frontal assault, Xiao Wu and Hongjun will ambush the Support System, while Rongrong and Oscar will provide support throughout—the goal is a swift battle. End it within fifteen minutes and show the Royal Academy our strength!"

Everyone sat around the table and listened intently, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit. Lin Zhixia touched the Star Guidance Bell at her waist, then looked at the sketches on the table and silently swore to herself: Tomorrow, I must pass the assessment and obtain the qualifications for the Elite Competition. I must not only prove Shrek's strength, but also uncover the truth behind my parents' deaths. I cannot disappoint Father's hopes, nor Brother Gu's help.

Moonlight streamed through the window into the room, illuminating the tactical diagram on the table and the determined gazes of the group. What they did not know was that, at that very moment, Xue Beng was berating his own team inside Heaven Dou Royal Academy. "Tomorrow, you must make the Shrek people humiliate themselves! Even if you aren't their assessment opponents, find a way to cause them trouble!" Meanwhile, in the council hall, Shao Xin held the information on the Shrek Group, his brows slightly furrowed—people from Spirit Hall had come to see him today and told him to "keep a closer eye" on Shrek Academy. It seemed this assessment was not merely a contest of strength; hidden currents lay beneath the surface.