Group Assessment? Xu Sanshi: You're Pretty Cocky, Junior. What's Your Martial Soul, and What Level Is Your Soul Power?

What was more, judging by the depth of that purple...

It was definitely more than a thousand years!

At least two thousand years or more!

"Has he gone mad?

"How could his body possibly withstand a soul ring of that age?!"

A stormy sea of shock surged in Zhang Lexuan's heart.

As she looked at Dai Yu, it was as though she were looking at a monster.

This completely overturned everything she knew!

It shattered Shrek Academy's ironclad teaching rule that had stood for ten thousand years!

[ Ding! An important plot character, "Zhang Lexuan," has experienced intense shock and a collapse of her understanding. ]

[ Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a suppression reward: Free Attribute Points ×5! ]

[ Current bonded target Zhang Lexuan's understanding has been overturned. Suppression progress increased! ]

Hearing the system prompt, Dai Yu secretly reveled in delight.

That was more like it.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

With the White Tiger Phantom behind him and two soul rings pulsing around him, Dai Yu looked directly at the flustered Zhang Lexuan on the podium and said calmly, "Teacher Zhang, my Soul Power is currently level 23.

"With cultivation like this, I should be qualified to choose my own teammates, right?"

Level 23!

The entire class sucked in a breath again.

Even Wang Dong's eyes widened.

Hadn't this guy only been in the teens a few days ago?

How had he gone out for a while and come back at level 23?!

And he'd even gotten a thousand-year second ring?!

Was he even human?!

Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the shock in her heart.

After all, she had seen her fair share of the world, and she quickly regained her composure.

But the way she looked at Dai Yu had completely changed.

There was no longer the scrutiny of an elder toward a junior; instead, there was a trace of gravity and curiosity.

"No wonder... no wonder Dean Qian got so angry over you."

Zhang Lexuan gave a wry smile.

"You're qualified."

She nodded, her voice carrying a little more approval.

"Who do you want to team up with?"

Dai Yu withdrew his Martial Soul, and the suffocating pressure instantly vanished.

He turned around, placing one hand on Huo Yuhao's shoulder while pointing at the still-dazed Wang Dong beside him with the other.

"Those two.

"Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong."

"Huo Yuhao?"

Zhang Lexuan frowned slightly.

She knew Wang Dong; his cultivation was not weak.

But this Huo Yuhao...

"Dai Yu, you should think this through."

Out of a sense of responsibility, Zhang Lexuan reminded him, "The New Student Assessment is a team battle.

"Wang Dong is quite capable, but Huo Yuhao...

"His cultivation is too low. He may hold you back.

"You need to understand that the assessment doesn't just look at individual strength. It places even greater importance on teamwork."

"Hold us back?"

Dai Yu chuckled, patting Huo Yuhao's somewhat stiff shoulder and giving him an encouraging look.

Then he looked at Zhang Lexuan, his tone firm and confident:

"Teacher Zhang, in This World, there are no useless martial souls—only useless Soul Masters.

Yuhao may have started from a low point, but I believe in his potential.

And besides..."

Dai Yu paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire class, arrogance radiating from him:

"As long as I'm here—

Even if I brought along a dog... cough, an ordinary person, I could still win the championship.

Let alone Yuhao, who's a brother I've taken a liking to."

Mm, I can keep triggering the system through him and get good suppression rewards!

Huo Yuhao's heart had ached when he first heard Zhang Lexuan's words, and he had lowered his head.

But upon hearing Dai Yu's speech, he suddenly looked up, tears welling in his eyes as he clenched his fists tightly.

Yu Ge...

I definitely won't let you down!

I, Huo Yuhao, swear that in this life, even if I'm reduced to pieces, I'll repay Yu Ge for recognizing my worth!

Though Wang Dong had choked a little at Dai Yu's "bringing along a dog" remark, he still couldn't help puffing out his chest and snorting.

"That's right!

This Lord agrees too!

We'll choose Huo Yuhao!"

Zhang Lexuan looked at the determined expressions of the three boys and fell silent for a moment.

In the end, she shook her head helplessly, though a faint smile curved her lips.

"Fine.

Since you insist, I approve.

Dai Yu, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao.

The three of you will form a team, with Dai Yu as the team leader."

"Yes!"

The three answered in unison.

Zhang Lexuan gave Dai Yu a deep look.

This boy was not only monstrously talented; beneath his wild arrogance lay a delicate mind.

It seemed this New Student Assessment would be quite a show.

[ Ding! Detected that the Host has displayed extremely strong leadership charisma and confidence before "Zhang Lexuan." ]

[ Obtained Suppression Reward: Spirit Attribute Point *2! ]

[ Note: 10 Spirit Attribute Points can be exchanged to raise Spiritual Power cultivation by 1 level! ]

Dai Yu was overjoyed.

This was simply a Win-Win!

Not only had he shown off and won people over, he had even reaped some extra benefits.

Zhang Lexuan, this "long-term meal ticket," truly lived up to her reputation!

That evening, outside the gates of Shrek Academy.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled across the academy's bluestone paths, gilding the ancient institution in a golden rim.

It was mealtime, and people streamed in and out of the academy gates, making the place exceptionally lively.

An enticing roasted fragrance filled the air—the distinctive scent of Grilled Fish, mixed with the aromas of perilla and cumin, enough to make anyone's mouth water.

Huo Yuhao was bustling about enthusiastically.

After buying cleaned Black Carp from the cafeteria and preparing the seasonings, he had hurried over to set up his stall.

As long as he could earn money, he could buy better cultivation resources and get one step closer to that goal.

Besides, now that he had someone like Yu Ge to rely on and look up to, he was even more driven than before.

"Yuhao, business seems pretty good."

A lazy voice rang out.

Huo Yuhao looked up, and his face immediately lit up with joy.

"Yu Ge! You're here!"

Dai Yu approached with his hands tucked into his pockets, his steps unhurried and leisurely.

Beside him walked Wang Dong, wearing an awkward expression.

Wang Dong looked at the crude Grilled Fish stall, then at the noisy surroundings. He could not help wrinkling his delicate little nose.

"Hey, Dai Yu, why did you bring me here?"

"These roadside stalls are so unsanitary, and everything smells like cooking fumes..."

"You don't know how to enjoy yourself."

Dai Yu glanced at him and chuckled.

"This is Yuhao's signature specialty. Ordinary people couldn't get a taste even if they wanted to."

"What, Young Master Wang, are you looking down on it?"

"If you are, you can go back and eat the cafeteria's boiled vegetables."

"Who—who's looking down on it?!"

Provoked, Wang Dong immediately puffed out his chest and gave an arrogant snort.

"What hasn't This Lord eaten before?"

"I'm just worried the smell will cling to my clothes and be hard to wash out!"

Though he said that, the sight of the fish, grilled golden and crispy with oil sizzling from its surface, still made him swallow.

"Yu Ge, Wang Dong, have a seat first. These will be ready in a moment!"

Huo Yuhao deftly turned the fish and sprinkled on the seasonings, his movements smooth and practiced.

Just then.

A black-clad figure squeezed through the crowd and swaggered up to the stall.

"Boss, these fish smell amazing!"

"Give me two!"

"Make them extra spicy!"

The newcomer was tall and powerfully built, with dark skin and short hair standing up in stiff spikes. He looked exceptionally spirited.

He was none other than the famed "Defense Demon" of the Outer Court, Xu Sanshi.

He had originally planned to buy something to win Jiang Nannan over, but this fragrance had lured him here instead.

"Coming right up!"

"Please wait a moment, Senior Student!"

Huo Yuhao answered.

While Xu Sanshi waited, his gaze casually swept over the area.

The instant he looked around, his eyes locked onto Dai Yu beside him.

It could not be helped—Dai Yu's presence was simply too striking.

Even amid the noisy crowd, he stood out like a crane among chickens.

The faint sharpness he gave off made Xu Sanshi, also a close-combat defense-type Soul Master, instinctively sense a trace of threat.

And besides, weren't these two freshmen just too damn handsome?

One was cold and imposing; the other delicate and beautiful.

It left Xu Sanshi, who prided himself on being dashing and suave, feeling a little unbalanced.

"Hey, junior."

Xu Sanshi pointed at Dai Yu and curiously asked Huo Yuhao, who was grilling the fish.

"Are these guys here to buy fish too?"

"They look unfamiliar. Are they freshmen this year as well?"

Hearing that, Huo Yuhao immediately stopped what he was doing, straightened up, and broke into a proud smile as he introduced them loudly.

"Senior Student, he's no ordinary freshman."

"He's Dai Yu, my best big brother!"

"And he's the greatest peerless genius in our Freshman Class One!"

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao pointed at Wang Dong beside him.

"This is Wang Dong. He's Yu Ge's roommate."

"Oh?"

Xu Sanshi raised an eyebrow, his gaze passing over Dai Yu and Wang Dong.

Wang Dong had only received a brief introduction, and Xu Sanshi did not pay him much attention. He merely thought the kid looked a little like a girl.

But this Dai Yu...

"A peerless genius?"

A teasing smile curled across Xu Sanshi's lips, his eyes carrying both curiosity and provocation.

At Shrek Academy, there was no shortage of geniuses.

Anyone daring to call themselves an "unparalleled genius" while still a New Student was either truly capable—or utterly ignorant of their own limits.

He walked up to Dai Yu and gave him a once-over.

"Brother, you look pretty cocky.

Since you're this junior's big brother, you must have something special, right?

What's your martial soul?

And what level is your Soul Power at now?"

Dai Yu looked at Xu Sanshi's eminently punchable face and chuckled inwardly.

A chance to show off had practically delivered itself to his doorstep. It would be a waste not to take it.

Besides, Xu Sanshi possessed the Xuanming Turtle Shell Shield martial soul, with astonishing defensive power.

If he could display enough offensive strength in front of him—or make him suffer a setback...

How could the System Reward possibly be lacking?

Dai Yu slowly raised his eyelids. A Sharp Light flashed through his Heterochromatic Pupils, and though his tone was calm, it carried unquestionable confidence.

"My martial soul is the Sacred Beast White Tiger.

As for my Soul Power..."

Dai Yu paused, the corners of his lips lifting as he revealed a row of gleaming white teeth.

"It should be enough to beat you."

(Today's 6,000-word update. Thank you all for your support!)