Class Shock, the Three Reunite!

Early morning, Class Nine, First Year, Shrek Academy.

When Huang Fei pushed open the door and entered the classroom, the previously noisy chatter came to an abrupt halt.

Dozens of gazes landed on him in unison—some curious, some assessing, but most unable to hide their shock.

The reason was simple—Huang Fei's Soul Power fluctuations were far stronger than before he had left!

Though he had deliberately restrained them, the aura of Level 23 Soul Power still stood out like a crane among chickens amid a group of Soul Grand Masters generally around Level 20.

"He... broke through again?"

"It's only been a few days, hasn't it? I remember he had only just reached Level 20 before."

"That cultivation speed... is he even human..."

Whispers rose from the corners of the room.

Huang Fei remained calm and walked straight to his seat.

Ning Tian and Wu Feng had arrived long ago. When they saw him approach, Strange Looks flashed through both their eyes.

"Level 23?" Ning Tian lowered her voice, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief.

Huang Fei nodded. "Just luck."

Wu Feng stared at him for several seconds before suddenly asking, "Did you go hunt a Soul Ring during the days you were away?"

Huang Fei smiled faintly without confirming or denying it.

Yet Wu Feng had already found her answer in his expression. Her pupils contracted slightly, and she did not press the matter further.

Just then, their homeroom teacher, Mu Jin, entered the classroom.

Her gaze paused on Huang Fei for a moment, a trace of understanding flashing in her eyes. Yet she did not expose anything and simply began the lesson as usual.

Today's class was <Soul Beast Weakness Analysis and Practical Response>.

Mu Jin's teaching style remained sharp and intense, her information dense. The students below bent over their notes, scribbling furiously, not daring to lose focus for even a moment.

Huang Fei listened just as attentively.

Though this knowledge was basic, it was experience bought with the blood of countless predecessors. It would be immensely beneficial for his future actions in the Star Dou Great Forest.

He paid particular attention to the section on "the common traits and weaknesses of Plant Soul Beasts."

"...The weaknesses of the vast majority of Plant Soul Beasts lie in their roots and energy cores. If their roots are damaged, their movements will be restricted; if their core is destroyed, their vitality will be cut off."

Mu Jin drew a structural diagram of a plant on the blackboard and continued.

"But there are exceptions. Top-tier Life Soul Beasts such as the Ancient Spirit Tree have their energy core fused with the entire plant. Destroying one part of it may instead trigger an eruption of vitality and provoke a final desperate counterattack before death..."

Something stirred in Huang Fei's heart.

Ancient Spirit Tree... Was Teacher trying to hint at something?

Or was she guiding him?

He looked up, but Mu Jin had already moved on to the next topic, as if she had merely given a casual example.

The lesson soon ended.

When class was over, Mu Jin suddenly said, "Huang Fei, come to my office."

"Yes."

Huang Fei rose and followed Mu Jin out of the classroom beneath everyone's watchful eyes.

Inside the teachers' office.

Mu Jin closed the door, turned to Huang Fei, and got straight to the point.

"What age is your Second Soul Ring?"

Huang Fei had prepared for this. "Over a thousand years."

He was not lying.

His first ring was a Thousand Year Soul Ring, and his second was a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Ring. Both were indeed "over a thousand years"; he simply had not given the exact figure.

Mu Jin stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Old Song personally took you out just for a Thousand Year Soul Ring?"

Huang Fei remained silent.

Mu Jin did not press him further, merely saying, "If you don't wish to tell me, I won't force you."

"But remember, within the academy, keep your aura restrained whenever possible."

"Level 23 Soul Power is still considered outstanding among One Ring Soul Masters, but among those with two rings, it isn't at the very top. It won't draw too much attention."

Huang Fei nodded. "I understand, Teacher."

Mu Jin waved him off. "Go. Don't be late for practical combat class this afternoon."

"Yes."

Huang Fei left the office and gently closed the door behind him.

The corridor was empty. He slowly descended the stairs, but his mind was already calculating his next arrangements.

His Soul Power had reached Level 23, his Ten-Thousand Year Soul Skill from his second ring was complete, and he had mastered the knowledge of a First-level Soul Engineer.

What mattered most now was converting all of that into tangible Combat Strength.

As he pondered, familiar laughter and conversation suddenly drifted from ahead.

At the corner, two figures walked toward him side by side.

One had fresh blue hair and gentle eyes.

The other had short pink-blue hair and features as handsome as a painting.

They were Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.

"Huang Fei?"

Huo Yuhao spotted him first. His eyes lit up as he hurried over.

"You're back? We haven't seen you at all these past few days."

Wang Dong followed as well, sweeping his gaze over Huang Fei. His brows lifted slightly.

"You broke through again?"

Huang Fei smiled. "Just good luck. Where are you two headed?"

"To the Training Ground. We don't have class this afternoon, so we're planning to work on our coordination."

As Huo Yuhao spoke, he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Newborn Class One has already divided into teams. Wang Dong and I are in one group, and our teammate is named Xiao Xiao. She has Twin Martial Souls."

Huang Fei nodded. "Twin Martial Souls? Impressive."

Wang Dong curled his lips. "We haven't even seen her fight yet. This afternoon will be our first time training together."

Then he looked at Huang Fei, Fighting Spirit flashing in his eyes.

"I heard Class Nine started team coordination training ages ago?"

"So, how about it? Want to find a time for our two teams to spar?"

Expectation appeared on Huo Yuhao's face as well.

After pondering for a moment, Huang Fei nodded.

"Sure, but we'll have to wait until the rest of my team is here too."

"Then it's settled!" Wang Dong clapped his hands, then suddenly lowered his voice. "By the way, did you hear? The rules for the Newborn Assessment seem to be changing."

"Changing?"

"Mm." Huo Yuhao took over. "Teacher Zhou Yi said this year's assessment may add a Wilderness Survival segment. We'll have to stay in the Outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest for three days, with rankings determined by points earned from hunting Soul Beasts."

Something stirred in Huang Fei's heart.

The Outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest... That was a place he knew well.

"Is the information reliable?"

"Teacher Zhou Yi said it, so it should be true." Wang Dong shrugged. "But the specific rules haven't been announced yet. We'll have to wait for the official notice."

The three chatted for a little longer and agreed on a time to spar in the future before going their separate ways.

Huang Fei returned to the Dormitory, shut the door, and began sorting through his Thoughts.

The Newborn Assessment was adding a Wilderness Survival segment. To him, that was both an opportunity and a challenge.

The opportunity was that he knew the Outskirts of Star Dou Great Forest far better than others his age. With a divine scouting skill like Life Resonance Perception, he held every advantage in finding Soul Beasts and avoiding danger.

The challenge was that—once they entered the forest, there would be too many variables.

Soul Beast attacks, changes in weather, schemes from other teams... any of them could happen.

"I need to make some preparations in advance."

Huang Fei took out paper and a pen from his Storage Bracelet and began listing the items he needed.

Insect Repellent Powder, Antidote, Water Purification Tool, Simple Tent, Dry Rations, Signal Flare...

All of these were necessities for Wilderness Survival.

Beyond that, he planned to make a few Soul Tools for self-defense.

Though First-level Soul Tools were not particularly powerful, they might produce remarkable effects at a Critical Moment.

Just as he was writing, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Ning Tian and Wu Feng walked in one after the other.

"I heard Teacher Mu Jin called for you?" Ning Tian asked directly.

Huang Fei nodded. "She asked about my Soul Ring."

Wu Feng crossed her arms and leaned against the Door Frame before suddenly saying, "For practical combat class this afternoon, Instructor Tie Shan said we're having a Three-Team Battle."

Huang Fei's pen paused. "A Three-Team Battle?"

"Mm." Ning Tian continued, "The rules are for three teams to engage in a melee in the same arena. The final team left standing wins. Apparently... it's meant to simulate the kind of multi-sided clashes we might encounter in the wilderness."

A thoughtful look flashed through Huang Fei's eyes.

A Three-Team Battle was much more complicated than a simple confrontation between two teams.

They would not only have to consider direct combat, but also guard against ambushes from the third party. More importantly, they needed to know when to seize an opportunity and when to conserve their strength.

"Our team's advantages lie in my healing and battlefield control, your powerful offensive bursts, and Ning Tian's all-around enhancements."

Huang Fei set down his pen and looked at the two of them.

"For this afternoon's battle, we'll fight like this..."

He quietly laid out his strategy point by point.

Ning Tian and Wu Feng listened carefully, nodding from time to time and occasionally adding a few suggestions.

Sunlight streamed in through the Window, stretching the three figures' shadows long.

The sharp edge of youthful spirit was gradually beginning to show.