Stepping on the Head of Shrek Academy!

"Trample Shrek Academy underfoot!"

This sentence was like a spark falling into a powder keg already filled with dry tinder.

The entire First Soul Tool Proving Ground instantly erupted.

All the students' eyes turned red, their breathing grew ragged, and they were itching to rush onto the arena floor right then and there.

Soul Masters of the Sun Moon Empire had been suppressed by Shrek Academy for thousands of years; it was a frustration carved deep into their bones.

Now, someone had finally dared to stand up and shout so arrogantly that they would trample the so-called "Number One Academy of the Continent" beneath their feet.

This kind of madness was something even the most composed students could not resist.

Especially Ma Rulong, who was sitting in the senior student section.

The current School Team Captain had his fists clenched tight, his dark face flushed slightly with excitement, and a fire called "ambition" burning in his eyes.

Defeat Shrek... make a name for myself...

He muttered to himself, feeling the blood in his entire body surging in reverse.

In the stands.

Director of Education Lin Jiayi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and leaned toward Jing Hongchen with a look of concern.

"Hall Master, the selection of the Reserve Team is a major matter concerning national honor. Is it not a bit too... hasty to leave the decision entirely to Director Gu Yuejin?"

After all, Gu Yuejin had just arrived and was not familiar with the students of the academy.

"If you suspect a man, do not use him; if you use a man, do not suspect him."

Jing Hongchen remained calm and collected, his gaze glancing subtly at Xu Tianran, who was smiling at the corner of his mouth not far away.

Since His Highness found it "interesting," he, as a subject, naturally had to go with the flow.

What's more...

Jing Hongchen looked at the high-spirited young man in the arena, a flash of sharp light crossing his eyes.

"Besides, I trust his judgment."

"A monster who can reach the level of a high-ranked Soul Saint at this age and possesses such terrifying combat ability—the people he chooses will definitely not be weaklings."

Seeing that the big shots had already spoken, Lin Jiayi could only shut his mouth and silently pray that this new director wouldn't cause any trouble.

On the Battle Arena.

Gu Yuejin was not swept away by the frenzied atmosphere of the scene.

He kept his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a hawk, before landing precisely on a few familiar figures.

"Since everyone is so enthusiastic, I won't hold anything back."

"There are seven spots in total for the Reserve Team, and I am deciding on four of them right now."

The entire venue fell silent instantly; everyone pricked up their ears and held their breath.

"Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen."

Gu Yuejin's voice was clear and resonant, carrying across the entire arena.

The pair of siblings showed no surprise; they stood up immediately, heads held high and chests puffed out.

As the peerless twin stars of the Sun Moon Empire, their selection was a foregone conclusion.

"Ma Rulong."

Upon hearing his name, Ma Rulong shuddered and immediately responded in a loud voice, "Present!"

"Come up."

Gu Yuejin beckoned with his finger.

Once the three of them walked onto the Battle Arena and stood side by side with Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuejin pointed at the four of them and announced:

"Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Ma Rulong, and my disciple, Huo Yuhao."

"These four are the starting members of the Reserve Team."

"As for the remaining three spots..."

Gu Yuejin grinned, looking at the students below who were filled with longing and reluctance.

"For the rest, you will have to fight for them yourselves."

"Whoever has the biggest fist and can take the most hits gets the ticket to the tournament."

"Class dismissed!"

Following Gu Yuejin's command, the irrelevant personnel began to file out.

Although most of them were not directly selected, the temptation of the "remaining three spots" was enough to make them go back and train desperately.

Soon, the vast trial grounds were left with only Gu Yuejin and the four who had been named.

The air suddenly turned quiet, even somewhat oppressive.

Gu Yuejin put away his earlier inflammatory fanaticism, his expression becoming cold and serious.

He walked slowly around the four of them with his hands behind his back.

Finally, his gaze rested on Ma Rulong.

"Ma Rulong, is it?"

Gu Yuejin sized up the burly young man.

In the original work, this guy was the captain of the main team, and his Martial Soul was the Great Head Spirit Ape. Although it couldn't be considered top-tier, in the Martial Soul wasteland of the Sun Moon Empire, he was the best of the bunch.

He had some talent, but not much.

However, his strength lay in his steady personality and strong execution; he was a decent tool—ahem, team member.

"Since you have been chosen by me, I will state the ugly truths upfront."

Gu Yuejin stood still, his gaze like a blade as he swept across the faces of the four.

"Once you join my team, you must follow my rules."

"Starting today, besides your regular classes, you will all come here every night for special training."

"I will apply to the academy for the highest-level Soul Guidance trial clearance, as well as... live combat sparring."

At this point, Gu Yuejin revealed that "nuclear-friendly" smile that gave Xu Hu nightmares.

"Of course, I will be the one sparring with you."

"If anyone can't take it, or wants to quit, you can get lost at any time. There are plenty of people lined up waiting to get in."

Hearing the words "I will be the one sparring with you," Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, and Ma Rulong all shivered in unison.

Are you kidding me?

When Teacher Gu Yue introduced himself, he was a Soul Saint, right?

Is that special training? That's a death sentence!

"Ah? We have to train every day?"

Meng Hongchen was the first who couldn't help but complain, her little face crumpled. "Big Brother Gu Yue... doesn't that mean my shopping time is gone? Can't you make an exception..."

"No."

Gu Yuejin spat out the word coldly, leaving no room for negotiation. "If you're afraid of hardship, quit. I'll replace you with someone else."

Meng Hongchen immediately shut her mouth. Although she felt aggrieved, she wanted to stay within Gu Yuejin's sight even more.

"I have no problem with it."

Xiao Hongchen took a deep breath, a stubborn glint flickering in his eyes.

Although he was arrogant, he was also well aware of the gap between himself and true powerhouses.

"As long as I can become stronger, what is a little bit of hardship like this?"

Meanwhile, Ma Rulong, the senior big brother from the sixth grade, was currently undergoing a frantic process of self-persuasion in his heart.

This is an opportunity! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

To be able to receive personal guidance from a powerhouse of this caliber, it would be worth it even if I died on the training ground!

For the glory of the Empire, for the sake of defeating Shrek Academy, what is this level of intensity? Ma Rulong, if you're a man, hold it together!

Thinking of this, a raging fire ignited in Ma Rulong's eyes, and he shouted loudly:

"I have no problem either! Please train me ruthlessly, Teacher!"

Gu Yuejin: "..."

Why did that line sound a bit strange?

As for Huo Yuhao, he simply stood there quietly, his expression blank.

Having experienced the freezing cold of the Extreme North and the torment of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eyes, this so-called special training was practically a vacation to him.

"Very good. It seems everyone is highly motivated."

Gu Yuejin nodded with satisfaction.

He looked at the four people before him, his mind beginning to rapidly construct a tactical system.

Ma Rulong and Xiao Hongchen were typical Sun Moon Empire-style assault-type soul masters; their martial souls combined with Soul Tool Turrets provided immense area-of-effect firepower.

Meng Hongchen, with her Vermilion Clear Ice Toad martial soul, possessed lethal poison and was a top-tier control and assault hybrid capable of disrupting the opponent's formation.

Huo Yuhao, with his map-wide hacks and mental control, combined with the explosive power of Extreme Ice, was the core brain of the team.

The lineup is decent enough.

Gu Yuejin calculated in his mind.

Two assault types, two control types. The firepower is sufficient, but the tankiness is lacking, and sustainability is also an issue.

And...

He thought of the eerie Death God's Emissary from the original work, as well as the Corpse Explosion that had nearly wiped out the Shrek Academy main team.

Although his arrival had changed many things, no one could guarantee whether that Evil Soul Master would appear again, or if they would appear earlier and stronger.

"I must improve our defense and fault tolerance."

"For the remaining three spots, I need to find a decent meat shield, and it would be best to get a support who can provide buffs or healing."

"The foundation of Shrek Academy cannot be underestimated. Even if this generation of Shrek Seven Devils isn't as strong, I still have to make full preparations."

Gu Yuejin narrowed his eyes, looking at the night view of Mingdu outside the window.

"Prevention is better than cure."

"Since I want to win, I will win beautifully, and I will win flawlessly."