Victory Reward, Core Disciple!

The results of the freshman assessment finals quickly spread throughout the entire academy. That evening, Huo Yu Hao didn't go out to sell grilled fish. Instead, he went to the wilderness with Lin Yuan, Wang Dong, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya, where he specially grilled fish for them.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya had already anticipated that Lin Yuan and the other two would win the final championship. After all, Lin Yuan was already a Rank 39 Soul Elder. Even upon learning that there were three three-ringed Soul Masters among the freshmen, they remained at ease. In other words, with Lin Yuan on their team, they could win even if they brought along random people.

"Wang Dong, do you still want to join our Tang Sect?" Tang Ya asked, remembering the important matter after finishing her grilled fish.

Wang Dong quickly nodded, "Of course, I want to join!"

Tang Ya chuckled, "Alright, considering you won the championship, I, as the sect master, will keep my word. I've specially approved your joining the Tang Sect. Lin Yuan, what about you? Are you interested?"

Lin Yuan gently shook his head, his tone calm yet undeniably firm, "No, thank you, Sister Xiao Ya. I'm used to being a loner. Joining a sect would tie my hands and isn't really suitable for me."

Tang Ya's smile froze for a moment before returning to normal. She waved her hand and said, "It's fine, it's fine. Everyone has their own aspirations! But we're friends. If the Tang Sect ever needs help in the future, you can't refuse!"

"That's only natural," Lin Yuan said with a smile, picking up a grilled fish and handing it over. "Try this. Yu Hao just finished grilling it and added some special spices."

Bei Bei looked at Lin Yuan, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. He had already noticed Lin Yuan's extraordinary demeanor and knew he wasn't someone who would be content with being subordinate. Refusing to join the Tang Sect was within reason. He changed the subject, "You've passed the freshman assessment and will be divided into classes soon. Attack Battle Soul Masters and Control Battle Soul Masters are in the same department. Since you were a team, you should be assigned to the same class. It goes without saying for Yu Hao. Wang Dong, you must have heard that our Tang Sect is famous for its hidden weapons. However, with the appearance of soul tools, hidden weapons have gradually faded from the historical stage. This is also a major reason for the Tang Sect's decline. To revitalize the Tang Sect, we must re-establish our hidden weapons, but we can't just rely on them as before. Only by combining hidden weapons with soul tools can we regain our glory. What do you think of soul tools? Once you officially become a first-year student, you can choose to major in soul tools."

Wang Dong frowned slightly. Xiao Xiao whispered from the side, "I think we Soul Masters should focus on cultivation. Researching soul tools is only for those Soul Masters with poor talent or weak Martial Souls, right? Besides, I don't want to learn soul tools; I don't even have enough time for cultivation."

Tang Ya smiled, "As expected of an excellent student from the Martial Soul Department. This is a typical thought process for a Martial Soul Department student. Actually, let alone you, Bei Bei and I also feel like we don't have enough time for cultivation, and we spend very little thought on soul tools. It's up to you. The Tang Sect won't restrict everyone's cultivation path. I was just asking if you were interested. With your great talent, it's indeed not suitable to be distracted. We can only wait to recruit disciples who specialize in researching soul tools for the Tang Sect in the future."

"Sister Xiao Ya, I want to major in soul tools," Huo Yu Hao said suddenly.

Tang Ya's eyes lit up, "Yu Hao, you're willing?"

Huo Yu Hao nodded, "Soul tools have their own marvels. They can replace our Tang Sect's hidden weapons as weapons valued by various countries on the continent, so their power must be considerable. I want to give it a try. If I don't have the talent, I'll give up. If I do have this talent, I want to learn it."

"Oh, wonderful!" Tang Ya was overjoyed. "However, it's indeed suitable for you to cultivate soul tools. Your Martial Soul is of the spiritual type and lacks offensive means. With the cooperation of soul tools, your combat power can be greatly enhanced. Moreover, in the field of soul tools, the deeper your understanding, the greater the power you can wield."

Bei Bei reminded him, "Junior disciple, you also need to grasp your cultivation pace. Your Martial Soul has great potential. Don't focus too much on soul tools. Soul power and soul rings are the foundation of a Soul Master. Even powerful soul tools require sufficient soul power to be activated."

"Yes, senior disciple brother," Huo Yu Hao quickly replied.

Just then, Tang Ya suddenly said, "However, it might not be possible for you to choose to major in soul tools. Do you know what the reward for the freshman assessment champion is?"

Upon hearing the word "reward," Huo Yu Hao and Wang Dong's eyes lit up. Shrek Academy was the number one Soul Master academy in the world, and they were the champions of the freshman assessment, so the rewards must be substantial.

"Although the rewards for the freshman assessment vary slightly each year, they are generally similar and are determined by the overall quality of the freshmen. I'm not sure about other things, but in the years I've been at Shrek Academy, I've never seen a freshman with the strength of a Soul Elder. You are the first batch. Therefore, I estimate that your rewards will be very generous. I'm not sure what the specific rewards are, but there is one reward for sure: becoming a core disciple. As the champions of the freshman assessment, becoming a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department is definitely not a problem. But once you become a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department, the academy will pour more resources into you. In such a situation, the Martial Soul Department will naturally not allow you to be distracted by choosing to major in soul tools. Our academy has always had the Martial Soul Department as the dominant force."

Huo Yu Hao and Wang Dong finally understood. The thought of eating the most nutritious meals every day after becoming a core disciple made Huo Yu Hao's face break into a smile. Bei Bei glanced at Huo Yu Hao, a hint of worry in his eyes, but ultimately said nothing.

Lin Yuan watched all of this unfold. He mused inwardly, The reward for the freshman champions should be that Soul Bone, if nothing unexpected happens. It would be interesting if there were any changes.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny. With Sea God Lake within the campus, the air at Shrek Academy was not only fresh but also very humid.

All the freshmen who passed the assessment gathered in Shrek Plaza, awaiting their upcoming class assignments. Soon, Du Wilun, the director of the Martial Soul Department, arrived in front of the students with over a dozen teachers.

Du Wilun held a folder and, after scanning the group of students with a smile, said, "I believe everyone knows that the elimination rounds of the freshman assessment have concluded, and the final top three have been determined. Now, I will officially announce the results and the rewards they will receive. The third-place team in the freshman assessment is Huang Chu Tian's team, consisting of Huang Chu Tian, Lan Su Su, and Lan Luo Luo. Please step forward."

As he spoke, led by Huang Chu Tian, the three walked out of the ranks and stood before Du Wilun. Their young faces were flushed with excitement. Achieving third place had exceeded their expectations!

All the first-year students erupted in thunderous applause. After the elimination rounds, there were over three hundred first-year students remaining, a reduction of nearly two-thirds from the beginning of the semester.

"Second place: Dai Hua Bin's team, consisting of Dai Hua Bin, Zhu Lu, and Cui Ya Jie. Please step forward."

Applause rang out again, but Dai Hua Bin and his two teammates showed no excitement as they stepped out. Dai Hua Bin, in particular, had a tense expression, his head slightly bowed as if lost in thought, his eyes even showing traces of bloodshot.

Du Wilun paused slightly before raising his voice, "Next, please give a warm round of applause to welcome the champions of our freshman assessment! They are Lin Yuan's team, consisting of Lin Yuan, Wang Dong, and Huo Yu Hao."

Immediately, thunderous cheers erupted from the entire venue. Following that, Lin Yuan and his two teammates quickly stepped forward.

Seeing the three approach, a hint of approval appeared in Du Wilun's eyes. He gestured for them to stand in the center. At this moment, Dai Hua Bin was staring at Lin Yuan, his eyes revealing no discernible emotion.

Du Wilun said, "Alright, I will now announce the rewards for the top three teams in the freshman assessment. Each member of the top three teams can request assistance from the academy in obtaining one soul ring that they can bear and that is most suitable for them when needed."

As soon as this was said, the first-year students let out a wave of astonished admiration. This reward meant the academy promised that these nine individuals' next soul rings would definitely be limit soul rings.

Du Wilun continued, "In view of the excellent performance and undefeated record of Lin Yuan's champion team throughout the competition, the academy has decided to bestow a special reward upon them. The academy will keep this reward confidential. You can go to receive it after the class assignments are completed. Alright, you may return to your positions."

As his words fell, Lin Yuan and the other eight returned to their original spots.

Du Wilun then said, "The quality of this year's freshmen is superior to previous years. We hope you will continue to strive for excellence. No matter how great your talent, without effort, you will not achieve good results. Our Shrek Academy is the number one Soul Master academy on the continent. We hope you will all successfully graduate and achieve excellent results. In view of the emergence of a group of outstanding students in this year's freshman competition, the academy has specially approved some students to become core disciples of the Outer Court. I will now announce the list."

"After the academy's final review based on the freshmen's performance in the assessment, the core disciples are: Lin Yuan, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Hua Bin, Zhu Lu, Zhou Si Chen, Cao Jin Xuan, Lan Su Su, Lan Luo Luo, Ning Tian, Wu Feng. In addition, there are some freshmen in the freshman assessment who, despite slightly lacking talent and ability, performed exceptionally well. The academy has decided to grant them temporary core disciple treatment until the end of this academic year. If they can make breakthroughs in next year's promotion exam, they will be considered for promotion to formal core disciples. The list is as follows: Huo Yu Hao, Cui Ya Jie, Huang Chu Tian, Long Xiang Yue, Nanmen Yun'er. The announcement is complete."

Huo Yu Hao didn't feel much upon hearing this. He knew he didn't truly qualify to be a core disciple. After all, he was the only one-ringed Soul Master among them. He clenched his fist lightly. Instead of feeling dejected, a stronger fighting spirit ignited within him: the current gap would eventually be closed through hard work.

Lin Yuan sensed his emotions and turned his head to give him a reassuring look, his purple eyes full of certainty.

Wang Dong, however, frowned and muttered, "Why? Don't they see how useful Yu Hao's Spiritual Detection is?"

Lin Yuan gently patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

Next was class assignment. The entire first-year was divided into four classes: Class One was for Attack Battle Soul Masters and Control Battle Soul Masters; Class Two was for Defense Battle Soul Masters and Agility Battle Soul Masters; Class Three was for Support Battle Soul Masters, referring to those who could directly provide support in combat and Artifact Soul Masters, such as Ning Tian, the owner of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul; Class Four included other special attribute Battle Soul Masters and Artifact Soul Masters, such as Food System and Healing System. Their combat power was weaker, but they often possessed remarkable abilities in special fields, with Food System and Healing System being the most important.

Undoubtedly, Class One had the strongest overall strength. Lin Yuan, Huo Yu Hao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and others were all assigned to this class. The strongest in Class Two was Xie Huan Yue, who specialized in defense.

Almost every grade was divided into classes according to this standard, but the higher the grade, the fewer students in each class. The elimination rate at Shrek Academy had always been extremely high. Even among those who successfully graduated from the Outer Court, there were no more than fifty students each year. This meant that out of the more than three hundred students currently present, it would be considered good if twenty percent made it to the end.

Following that were the introductions of the class advisors for each class. Zhou Yi became one of the advisors for the first-year Class One. Each class was equipped with two advisors, the other being Wang Yan, who greatly valued Lin Yuan's team. Even Zhou Yi didn't know that Wang Yan, who originally taught the upper grades, had been transferred to teach first-year Class One with her precisely because of Lin Yuan's team of three.