Journey to the Extreme North

In the blink of an eye, autumn turned to winter, winter turned to autumn, and the first semester was nearly over.

This semester at Shrek, free from sleeping rough and scheming against others, had been Wu Xuan's most comfortable time.

Their little group of three had unconsciously gained another member.

Ever since they had been assigned to the same class, Xiao Xiao would come crowd around Wu Xuan whenever she had free time. Naturally, Wu Xuan did not reject her. This somewhat looks-obsessed little girl was quite interesting.

Aside from that, their daily battles had also been extremely fulfilling. Dai Huabin was practically an unkillable cockroach, going to the Battle Soul Platform to get beaten every few days. Sometimes, Wu Xuan even brought Xiao Xiao along to give Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu a mixed-gender beating.

Although Huo Yuhao found the sight immensely satisfying, one day he saw them strolling through the snack street together. At that instant, a chill ran down his spine.

Only then did he understand. What sparring and soul battles? This was Dai Huabin's despicable way of getting close to Wu Xuan.

Standing before the grilled fish stall, Huo Yuhao stared blankly into space. He also wanted to be like his classmates, free and unrestrained, occasionally slacking off after cultivation to go shopping with friends. But he could not. He could not relax. Even though he was cultivating with all his strength, the gap between him and the rest of the class was still growing wider. He did not dare imagine what would happen if he became lazy and complacent.

Today marked the official end of the first school year. Next came the vacation. Every year, Shrek Academy's vacation lasted one month.

Of course, that month was not meant for the students to relax and travel. They were expected to fully absorb everything they had learned over the previous eleven months and cultivate diligently. After that month of rest came the promotion exams. Students who failed to pass would be eliminated directly.

Thus, the annual break was actually the hardest and busiest time for most students.

Early in the morning, Wu Xuan, Qian Gu Ming, and the Xiao Xiao they met on the way arrived at the classroom together, chatting and laughing.

Xiao Xiao had a firm and persistent personality. She was cute, but also a little absentminded. Her guileless nature was naturally endearing. After eight months together, the three in the same class had become extremely close, practically inseparable. This left Nanmen Yun'er from Class Two terribly depressed.

Nanmen Yun'er only had one thing to say about it: I do not dislike Xiao Xiao either, but I was here first, okay?

"Wu Xuan! Where are you planning to go during this vacation?" After arriving in the classroom, Xiao Xiao could not help leaning over to ask before Wu Xuan had even sat in his seat for a minute.

Talented, powerful, and exceptionally handsome—Xiao Xiao only had one thought: the opportunity was right in front of her. If she did not seize it, someone else would!

The one closest to the water got the moon first. Maybe it would work out!

"I will probably visit some remote cities around the continent," Wu Xuan said after thinking it over.

"Remote cities? You are not going home?" Xiao Xiao muttered in confusion.

By then, the students had gradually begun arriving, and nearly every student who entered the classroom made a point of greeting Wu Xuan.

As a result, Wu Xuan did not hear Xiao Xiao's last words clearly.

With the vacation approaching, everyone was naturally excited. Especially after Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan arrived, the classroom atmosphere became several times livelier.

Not long afterward, Wang Yan and Mu Jin entered the classroom together.

"Students, today is the final day of your first year. The academy has not assigned any teaching tasks. I will say a few simple words, then you can go back and pack your things."

The moment Wang Yan said this, the entire class erupted in cheers. Although they had already heard that vacation was approaching, hearing Wang Yan say it himself was different.

Wang Yan smiled. "Over the past year, everyone has worked very hard. On behalf of myself and Teacher Mu Jin, I thank you all for your efforts. Your hard work has brought Grade One Class One shared glory."

"But." At this point, Wang Yan abruptly changed his tone.

"Unlike the final exams held at other academies at the end of every school year, Shrek Academy has no final exams. I believe everyone knows why. Whether you can become qualified second-year students will be tested at the start of the next school year. Therefore, once you return home, do not relax in the slightest."

"During the coming month-long vacation, you must work even harder than you did while attending classes at the academy. Only then can you remain here next school year. I like every one of you, and I hope that when Grade One Class One begins classes next school year, not a single person will be missing."

"Next, I will explain some key points about the promotion assessment. You must remember them well. First, and this is something with no tricks whatsoever, is absolute strength—your Soul Power. To advance from first year to second year, every student must reach Level Twenty Soul Power. If you still do not have two Soul Rings by the time of the promotion assessment, then I suggest you do not bother coming next school year."

"No matter how outstanding your performance is in the other assessments, it will be useless if you have not reached two rings. No one can change the academy's rules. Therefore, those students who have not yet reached Level Twenty Soul Power must cultivate desperately over the next month. You must also obtain a Soul Ring to prove that your strength has reached the Soul Grandmaster level."

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao could not help clenching his fists. He was probably the only person in the entire class who had not broken through Level Twenty. He had only reached Level Nineteen a few days ago. Breaking through to Level Twenty within the next month would be harder than climbing to heaven.

Wang Yan continued, "Having two rings does not mean you will definitely pass the promotion exam. Even Teacher Mu and I do not yet know the exact content of the assessment. But I can share my past experience with promotion exams. Last year, the examination for advancing from first year to second year required every student to challenge a Hundred-Year Soul Beast alone under a teacher's supervision. Remember clearly: alone. You cannot rely on any outside help. The moment the supervising teacher intervenes, the assessment is over."

"This is also the academy's most commonly used assessment. If it is this type of test, everyone should consider yourselves fortunate, because it only tests your pure strength. Beyond that, there may be even more difficult assessments that require luck, strength, and wisdom working together. However, assessments of that level generally appear in higher-grade examinations."

"At the same time, the promotion assessment is not just about each of you individually. It also concerns our class. Grade One Class One must advance as well, and that promotion assessment will require you to complete additional tasks. The academy will issue the specific details only after you pass your individual promotion exams next semester."

"I also graduated from Shrek Academy, so let me share my experience. At Shrek Academy, the happiest and most exciting time every year is when you pass the promotion assessment and begin a new year of study. And whenever vacation is about to begin, it is the moment hell descends for most students. Unless you do not wish to remain at the academy, you know what you need to do after returning home."

"That is all I have to say. Class dismissed. Go back and pack your things." Wang Yan waved his hand and dismissed the class.

After hearing Wang Yan's speech, much of the excitement in the Grade One Class One students' eyes faded.

Nearly all of them possessed Hundred-Year Soul Rings, but how many of them had obtained those rings by personally hunting Soul Beasts? Not to mention the unknown class assessment.

Of course, there were also students who had absolute confidence in their own strength.

Dormitory building, Room 305.

"Going home!"

"Brother Xuan! I am leaving. See you next semester!" Qian Gu Ming said with a wave.

"See you next semester!" Wu Xuan replied.

"Little Wu Xuan! You are on vacation too. Should we set off now? I calculated it—if we head north, with your speed, we can definitely arrive within five days." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said ingratiatingly.

"North? Tian Meng, do not tell me your surprise is taking me to the Extreme North?" Wu Xuan asked in surprise.

"Yes! The Extreme North! Little Wu Xuan, you and I are truly kindred spirits! You guessed my plan so easily. The Extreme North is my hometown. If you come home with me, the benefits will be enormous." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said excitedly.

Wu Xuan's mouth twitched. What kind of ridiculous nonsense was Sky Dream Ice Silkworm spouting?

Wu Xuan lay back on the bed with one leg crossed over the other and teased, "Benefits? What benefits? If you do not explain clearly, I am not going."

"Do not!" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm immediately began jumping around anxiously.

"Little Wu Xuan! I will tell you, but if there is danger along the way, will you still go with me?" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm asked hesitantly.

"As long as you tell me the truth, no matter how dangerous it is, I will go with you," Wu Xuan said seriously as he sat up.

"Fine!" After hesitating for a while, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm finally said, "The north of Douluo Continent is covered in ice and snow year-round. It is known as the Extreme North. Countless Ice Element Soul Beasts live there, and the frigid environment provides them with uniquely favorable conditions for cultivation. In that harsh environment, few human Soul Masters dare venture deep into the Extreme North to hunt Soul Beasts. And the place we are going this time is the Core Zone of the Extreme North."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm paused before continuing, "The overall strength of the Soul Beasts in the Extreme North is no weaker than those in the Star Dou Great Forest. And on this icy, snowy home ground, their combat power is enhanced by several degrees. The three strongest among those Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are known as the Three Heavenly Kings of the Extreme North. They are the true rulers of the Extreme North!"

"And when we enter the Core Zone this time, the one we will face is the second-ranked of the Three Heavenly Kings: the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, Ice Empress, with a cultivation of as much as Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Years."

"I have known Ice Empress for a long time. As long as we can persuade her to join us this time, she can give you not only a Soul Ring infinitely close to Four Hundred Thousand Years, but also a Soul Bone of at least Three Hundred Ninety Thousand Years."

"The first Soul Ring of your Soul Breaking Spear is my Million-Year Soul Ring, and your second can be a Soul Ring close to Four Hundred Thousand Years. Whether its attributes are compatible is no longer important. Just in terms of Soul Ring quality and the Soul Skills it provides, there is absolutely nothing on the continent that can surpass it."

"Little Wu Xuan, at that time, I can say with certainty that you will absolutely be the greatest person Douluo Continent has seen in ten thousand years." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm grew more excited as he spoke, and by the end, he was even jumping up and down.

"Then let us set off! Whether I am the greatest or not does not matter. The road must be walked one step at a time. What I can do now is cultivate, grow stronger, and finally help you become a god!"

"Grow stronger, become a god, become a god!!" Hearing the last words, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm immediately began leaping about excitedly within Wu Xuan's sea of consciousness.