Ten Seconds to End the Match, Dimensional Strike!

The Outer Court's Martial Soul Department head, Du Wilun, walked up to Zhou Yi, who looked somewhat dazed, and said, "Congratulations on nurturing two excellent students. Report their names. I believe they are qualified to become core disciples of the Outer Court."

Zhou Yi snapped back to attention and quickly asked, "Director Du, what about Huo Yu Hao?"

Du Wilun paused slightly, then shook his head. "One soul ring, too weak. He's likely a rare spirit-attribute Soul Master. Have you considered how many spirit-attribute Soul Beasts there are?" As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and left the high platform.

As the head of the Martial Soul Department, Du Wilun was not only powerful but also had a keen eye. He naturally recognized the role Huo Yu Hao played in the match. However, as the department head, he bore heavy responsibilities and would not simply decide on a core disciple based solely on commanding ability.

Hearing Du Wilun's words, Zhou Yi's body trembled. Yes, she had overlooked this crucial issue. Although Huo Yu Hao's first soul ring's Soul Skill was strong, he was ultimately a spirit-attribute Soul Master. Spirit-attribute Soul Beasts were already rare, and powerful ones were even rarer. This meant Huo Yu Hao's potential to become a strong Soul Master in the future was greatly diminished.

"It's fine. If the Martial Soul Department doesn't want him, our Soul Tool Department does," Fan Yu said, patting her shoulder. "Powerful spirit-attribute Soul Beasts are hard to find, but more ordinary ones can still be found. As long as his soul power meets the standard, even with only the first soul ring's Soul Skill, he can become an excellent student in the Soul Tool Department. I'm taking this core disciple spot."

Sea God Island, by the lake.

"Elder Xuan, how are you feeling?" Wang Yan asked in a low voice.

Elder Xuan had finished his chicken legs and was now eating chicken wings. He took a swig of wine and said, "Those two little fellows are good. As for the little fellow with the True Body Martial Soul you mentioned, he's lacking. He should have a skill similar to Spirit Detection, but unfortunately, his first soul ring is only Ten Year level. That's an irreparable flaw."

Wang Yan said, "But Elder Xuan, he has the True Body Martial Soul!"

Elder Xuan shook his head. "You should know what's most important for a True Body Martial Soul. It's potential, the combat mutation of the Martial Soul. Today's match made it clear; under that pressure, his Martial Soul showed no mutation. That means he hasn't grasped the essence of the True Body Martial Soul. He's older, his soul power isn't enough, and his first soul ring is only Ten Year. Even if he has good potential, he's not what I'm looking for. Alright, my decision is made. The other two little fellows can be considered as backups, but as for Huo Yu Hao, forget it." With that, he stood up, holding a chicken wing in one hand and a large wine gourd in the other, and staggered away.

Watching Elder Xuan's retreating back, Wang Yan couldn't help but sigh. He was well aware of Huo Yu Hao's issues, but he always felt there was something extraordinary about the young man.

Lin Yuan and Wang Dong were indeed outstanding. Lin Yuan, in particular, at eleven years old, already possessed level thirty-nine soul power and controlled multi-elemental energies and space with exquisite precision, far exceeding Shrek Academy's upper limit for geniuses. His effortless demeanor on the field, the composure and power radiating from his every move, made even Elder Xuan sigh inwardly. This child was clearly no ordinary person; his future achievements were likely immeasurable. Wang Dong's Goddess of Light Butterfly Martial Soul was pure and powerful, his Soul Skills were skillfully applied, and he coordinated perfectly with Lin Yuan. With one attacking and the other controlling, their potential was equally boundless.

Am I really wrong in my judgment? No, I can't give up. No matter what, I will do my best to cultivate Huo Yu Hao. When he achieves something, it won't be too late to find Elder Xuan.

The elimination rounds of the freshman assessment were nearing their end. After the morning's competition, the top eight teams had been decided; they were undoubtedly the most outstanding teams. Surprisingly, two teams led by Soul Elder level students were eliminated, and more importantly, they were eliminated by the same team.

Only the final eight teams remained in the elimination rounds. When Lin Yuan, Wang Dong, and Huo Yu Hao arrived at the competition venue that afternoon, they immediately drew the attention of the other seven teams. Clearly, no one wanted to face this team that had overturned two major favorites in the quarterfinals.

"Lin Yuan's team, come forward to draw lots," Du Wilun announced.

Lin Yuan calmly walked forward and drew a lot number from the draw tube in Du Wilun's hand.

Du Wilun observed Lin Yuan up close, his heart momentarily lost. The young man stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Beneath the silver-white ribbon tying back his long hair, his purple eyes were clear and deep. As their gazes met, Du Wilun clearly caught a trace of faint disdain. It wasn't contempt for him, but indifference towards this elimination match and the so-called favorite opponents. It was as if the battle for the top eight was merely an insignificant game to him, and the formidable enemies feared by all were beneath his notice.

This disdain was not the arrogance of youth but the composure born from absolute strength. Du Wilun had lived for most of his life and seen countless geniuses, yet he had never seen such settled confidence in the eyes of an eleven-year-old boy. He even vaguely sensed a majesty that transcended all beings from the depths of those eyes, causing him, the head of the Martial Soul Department, to subconsciously restrain his aura.

"Number three," Du Wilun announced loudly after taking the lot Lin Yuan had drawn. Among the teams that had already drawn, one immediately changed its expression; Lin Yuan's opponent was them.

The two sides confronted each other within the assessment area and exchanged names. Their opponents were from Class Nine of the freshmen. All three were Great Soul Masters above level twenty. Although they were also a strong team, their strength still lagged compared to the teams Lin Yuan's team had previously defeated.

"Two agility-type, one power-type. How do we fight this?" Huo Yu Hao asked in a low voice.

"Ten seconds to send them down," Lin Yuan replied calmly.

After a brief exchange, the match officially began. Both sides simultaneously released their Martial Souls. The opponent's two agility-type Soul Masters darted forward like lightning, one to the left and one to the right, while the power-type Soul Master followed closely, condensing soul power for a frontal breakthrough.

Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and silver-white patterns instantly spread across his body as he fully activated his space authority. He didn't move an inch, merely flicked his finger twice. Two spatial rifts suddenly opened in front of the two agility-type Soul Masters. Black mist surged from the rifts, instantly entangling their ankles.

"Ugh!" The two cried out in surprise, their charge abruptly halted. Their bodies staggered as they were pulled by the spatial force.

At the same time, Wang Dong flapped his wings. His blue-purple wings, laced with golden patterns, shot forward like arrows towards the power-type Soul Master. The Winged Scythe flashed with cold light, striking directly at the shield condensed by the opponent's Martial Soul.

"Bang!" The shield cracked instantly, and the power-type Soul Master was forced to retreat repeatedly by the impact.

Golden light flashed in Huo Yu Hao's eyes as he quietly activated Spirit Interference. All three opponents felt a wave of dizziness in their minds, and their soul power circulation instantly became sluggish.

Lin Yuan seized the opportunity, raising his hand to grasp the air. The spatial rifts trapping the agility-type Soul Masters suddenly contracted. With two "thuds," the two were forcefully dragged to the ground, their Martial Souls' light instantly dimming. As the power-type Soul Master stabilized himself, Lin Yuan appeared behind him like a phantom and placed his palm on his shoulder. Spatial power surged through his arm, instantly sealing the opponent's soul power circulation.

"You lose," Lin Yuan said calmly.

From the start of the match to the point where the three lost their ability to resist, only nine seconds had passed. The entire venue fell silent. The supervising teachers were stunned for a moment before reacting and loudly announcing, "Lin Yuan's team wins and advances to the top four!"

"Is this even human?" someone at the side couldn't help but exclaim, their voice filled with disbelief. The other waiting teams turned pale. The sliver of hope they had harbored was now completely shattered by the strength of Lin Yuan's team. Ending the match in nine seconds was not a crushing victory; it was a dimensional strike.

After the match, Lin Yuan and his two companions left the arena and returned to their dormitory. After this match, they had officially entered the top four of the freshman elimination rounds. This meant that if they won one more match, they would definitely receive a reward; if they won two more, they would be the freshman champions.

The next morning, the three of them walked out of the dormitory together towards the assessment area. Today, the freshman champion of this elimination round would be decided. Compared to yesterday, there were more spectators, though they were all teachers; the students still had to attend normal classes.

The twelve freshmen who had entered the top four stood together. The person responsible for drawing lots was no longer Du Wilun, the head of the Outer Court's Martial Soul Department, but an old man in white. Upon seeing this old man, Wang Dong couldn't help but be startled. He had vaguely seen this person before when he and Lin Yuan had first encountered Ma Xiao Tao in her berserk state.

At that time, among the teachers who had rushed from Sea God Island, this old man had been the one in charge. Now that the freshman assessment elimination rounds had entered the final stage, his appearance clearly demonstrated his esteemed position within the academy. Even Director Du Wilun, who held great authority in the Outer Court, stood respectfully beside him at this moment.