Assessment Draw: The Prince Makes Things Difficult, Qin Ming Returns to the Team

At Heaven Dou Royal Academy's assessment grounds, the morning mist had yet to disperse, and the flagstone floor was cool with dampness. Shrek's Eight Monsters stood facing the Royal Academy's elite squad. Shao Xin stood atop the platform, holding an hourglass as he loudly announced, "The assessment begins!"

The instant the sand began to fall, the Royal Academy squad launched the first attack. Their captain, Shi Feng, activated his Great Vajra Bear martial spirit and charged forward, his massive body like a small mountain, his Spirit Power Fluctuation nearing Rank 43. Two Agility Attack System Soul Masters turned into afterimages and rushed respectively at Ning Rongrong and Oscar. Meanwhile, Li Yue, the Support System Soul Master, raised her Wind Chime Grass martial spirit. A pale green glow enveloped her entire team, enhancing their soul power and defense—the strategy was exactly as Tang San had analyzed yesterday, though its execution was even more seasoned.

"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, double enhancement!" Ning Rongrong's voice rang out first, and golden light fell upon Dai Mubai and Lin Zhixia simultaneously. Dai Mubai activated the Evil Eyes White Tiger and met Shi Feng's charge head-on. The White Tiger Blazing Light Wave collided with the opponent's Vajra Bear Palm. The boom made the ground tremble faintly, and both men retreated three steps. The impact of their soul power sent ripples through the surrounding air.

Tang San released Blue Silver Grass instead. Pale blue vines surged out like a tide, wrapping around the two Agility Attack System Soul Masters. "Spider Web Restraint!" He poured soul power into his palm, and the Mystic Star Wheel glimmered faintly. The starlight attached to the web drastically strengthened its binding force, instantly trapping one of the Agility Attack System Soul Masters. Seizing the chance, Lin Zhixia raised her Starfall Bow. The Star Rock Arrowhead gathered Star River Energy as she aimed the Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow at the defensive glow before Li Yue. She knew that only by breaking the support enhancement could they disrupt the enemy's rhythm.

"Whoosh!" The arrow, trailing pale blue starlight, shot toward Li Yue, only for Shi Feng to block it in time. With a bang, cracks spread across Shi Feng's Vajra Bear Palm. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes. "The armor-piercing force of this arrow is actually this strong!" Ma Hongjun seized the opportunity. Flames ignited around his Evil Fire Phoenix martial spirit as the Phoenix Fireline shot toward the Agility Attack System Soul Master trapped in the web, forcing him to expend soul power to break free.

Xiao Wu activated the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit, teleporting behind Li Yue and launching the Waist Bow, only to be intercepted by the other Agility Attack System Soul Master. Zhu Zhuqing immediately released Nether Shadow Clone, tangling up that Soul Master and creating an opening for Xiao Wu. On the assessment grounds, the two sides traded blows, flashes from colliding soul power rising one after another. The sand in the hourglass gradually neared its end—of the half-hour time limit, only five minutes remained.

"We can't drag this out any longer!" Tang San said quietly. Soul power gathered at his fingertips, and the Blue Silver Grass suddenly accelerated its growth, wrapping around Shi Feng and Li Yue at the same time. "Zhi Xia, now!" Lin Zhixia understood at once. She formed three Star River Armor-Piercing Arrows and fired them simultaneously at Shi Feng's defense and Li Yue's enhancement glow. Dai Mubai also unleashed the White Tiger Meteor Shower. A rain of golden light descended, forcing the Royal Academy squad to focus all their strength on defense.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The three arrows struck at once. Shi Feng's defenses shattered completely, while the light of Li Yue's Wind Chime Grass martial spirit dimmed from the impact. Xiao Wu took the opportunity to teleport to Li Yue's side and activated Charm, briefly controlling her before using the Soft Bone Lock to seal Li Yue's soul power circulation. Victory was within reach when an imposing voice suddenly came from the platform. "The assessment time is up!"

The last grain of sand fell from the hourglass. Shao Xin stepped forward and looked over the situation on the field, his brows slightly furrowed. "Shrek Academy has restrained the Support System Soul Master, while the Royal Academy's defense has been damaged. The outcome remains unclear. The ruling is—a draw."

The Shrek Group froze. They had clearly gained the upper hand, yet the time limit had prevented them from determining a victor. Dai Mubai could not help speaking up. "Dean Shao, we were clearly about to defeat them. Why is it ruled a draw?" Before Shao Xin could answer, a burst of footsteps came from the assessment ground's entrance. A middle-aged man in purple royal robes approached with a guard contingent. It was Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Why? Because this prince says so!" Prince Xue Xing stepped onto the platform, his gaze sweeping across the Shrek Group, his tone arrogant. "A bunch of backwater academy students think they can compete under Heaven Dou Royal Academy's name? From what I saw, you were merely lucky not to lose in that assessment, and you still dare question the ruling?"

Flender immediately stepped forward. "Prince Xue Xing, the assessment's outcome is clear for all to see. Shrek clearly held the advantage. Why can't it count as passing?"

"What does holding the advantage matter?" Prince Xue Xing sneered. "How can Heaven Dou Royal Academy's affiliated competition team be made up of people with plain clothes and no background? I hereby declare that Shrek Academy's affiliation qualification is revoked. You are not worthy!"

"You—" Dai Mubai was so furious that he wanted to step forward, but Yu Xiaogang stopped him. Yu Xiaogang looked at Prince Xue Xing, his tone calm. "Your Highness, the assessment rules were set by Dean Shao. Why can't there be another match after a draw?"

"Rules? My words are the rules!" Prince Xue Xing shot Shao Xin a glance. "Vice Dean Shao, surely you do not intend to go against my wishes?" Shao Xin's expression changed slightly, but he could only remain silent. Prince Xue Xing held royal authority in his hands; Shao Xin had no way to refute him.

Just then, Qin Ming hurried over. Seeing the situation and hearing Prince Xue Xing's words, his face immediately darkened. "Prince Xue Xing, Shrek Academy's strength is obvious to all. Why are you making things difficult for them?"

"Qin Ming?" Prince Xue Xing raised a brow. "You are merely the leader of the Imperial Dou Team, yet you dare interfere in my affairs? Do not forget that the Royal Academy gave you your position!"

Qin Ming looked at Prince Xue Xing's arrogant expression, then at the disappointment in the Shrek Group's eyes, and suddenly made a startling decision. "Since the Royal Academy is so unfair, then I have no need to remain a team leader!" He turned to Flender and Yu Xiaogang and bowed solemnly. "Teacher Flender, Teacher Yu Xiaogang, this student, Qin Ming, respectfully requests to join Shrek Academy as a teacher! My strength may be limited, but I am willing to do my part for Shrek's children!"

His words stunned everyone. Prince Xue Xing's face turned livid with rage. "Qin Ming, how dare you! If you dare leave the Royal Academy, then do not think of ever gaining a foothold in Heaven Dou City again!"

"Whether I can gain a foothold or not, I do not care." Qin Ming raised his head, his gaze firm. "If not for the teachings of you two teachers back then, I would never have become a Soul Master. Now that Shrek is in trouble, how can I stand by and do nothing?" Flender looked at Qin Ming, his eyes full of gratification. He stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Good lad! Welcome home!"

Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing snorted coldly. "Fine! What an ungrateful fool! Since you insist on protecting this bunch of backwater students, then do not expect to obtain any competition qualification in Heaven Dou City!" With that, he stormed off with his guards.

Shao Xin watched Prince Xue Xing's retreating figure and sighed helplessly. "Dean Flender, Qin Ming, I'm sorry. I failed to protect you."

Flender shook his head. "It has nothing to do with you. We were simply unlucky to run into such an unreasonable prince." He looked at everyone, his tone resolute. "Even if we cannot compete under the Royal Academy's name, we will never give up on the Elite Competition! There will always be another way!"

Qin Ming nodded in agreement. "Rest assured, Teacher. I still have some connections in Heaven Dou City. Perhaps we can find another legitimate academy to affiliate with. Even if we cannot, we can apply directly to Spirit Hall for qualification. With Shrek's strength, we may not fail the review!"

Lin Zhixia looked at Qin Ming's determined gaze, then touched the Star Guidance Bell at her waist, her heart filled with gratitude. From Gu Zhinian's appearance to Qin Ming's return to the team, she felt not only the support of her companions, but also the strength to keep moving forward. Tang San tightened his grip on the Mystic Star Wheel, determination flashing in his eyes. "No matter how many difficulties we face, Shrek's Eight Monsters will face them together!"

Though they had failed to obtain the affiliation qualification at the assessment grounds, they had gained a teacher who would fight alongside them. Sunlight pierced through the morning mist and fell upon them, warm yet steadfast. They knew the road ahead might be rough, but as long as they trusted one another and worked together, they would surely find a path to the Elite Competition and make the name "Shrek" shine across the entire continent.