The Tournament Concludes

"Explode Ring!" Lin Chen shouted. His aura surged rapidly, faintly showing signs of breaking through to Soul Ancestor. Then, he grabbed the Seven Kill Sword and shattered Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo's Martial Soul Fusion Skill as easily as cutting vegetables.

Explode Ring, the Clear Sky Sect's Divine Skill, could produce terrifying power when used together with the Great Sumeru Hammer.

But Lin Chen felt that it was not only the Clear Sky Hammer that suited this Divine Skill. The Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul was also exceptionally compatible with it. Soul Rings could be transformed into the purest power and injected into the Clear Sky Hammer, so there was naturally a way to transform them into the purest attack power and inject it into the Seven Kill Sword as well. This made the Seven Kill Sword, originally the continent's number one offensive Tool Martial Soul, even more formidable. If all nine rings exploded at once, with even one Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring among them, it could even threaten a god!

Why had Lin Chen risked absorbing a Millennium Soul Ring for his Second Soul Ring? It was precisely because a Millennium Soul Ring gave him the foundation to challenge opponents above his level. Being short by a Hundred Year Soul Ring was far better than being short by a Millennium Soul Ring.

With the principle of making use of every available means, Lin Chen had also begun researching Explode Ring.

Backed by Blue Star and possessing the wisdom of Hua Xia's ancestors, Lin Chen had made some progress after several years of research. For a time, he had even felt like some kind of scientific research master.

After her initial shock, Lin Xiaolei came to her senses and hurriedly followed up with an attack, eliminating the Lan sisters.

"Pfft!" Lin Chen suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and dropped to one knee. Fortunately, the Seven Kill Sword supported him, preventing him from collapsing immediately.

The backlash is really severe. Lin Chen groaned inwardly before fainting.

"Little Earth!"

In the stands, Du Wilun said with an appreciative look, "Explode Ring? The Clear Sky Sect's Divine Skill. A first-year freshman actually comprehended such a skill on his own. That instant of attack power just now probably rivaled Beibei's, the Outer Court's strongest attacker."

Several teachers nodded as well, their gazes toward Lin Chen filled with appreciation.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mingxing was being completely overwhelmed by Huang Chutian.

"Second Soul Skill, Power Cannon Hammer!" Having failed to defeat a mere Food System Soul Master after so long made Huang Chutian feel utterly humiliated. Enraged from embarrassment, he unleashed his Second Soul Skill.

The instant the Power Cannon Hammer struck the defensive barrier, Zhou Mingxing could no longer hold on. He was knocked several meters away and coughed up blood.

Lin Chen no longer had the strength to fight. After defeating Zhou Mingxing, Huang Chutian charged straight at Lin Xiaolei.

"First Soul Skill, Great Vajra Fist." Huang Chutian threw a punch at Lin Xiaolei.

I can't let him get close. As a Control System Battle Soul Master, Lin Xiaolei naturally knew that close combat against an Attack System Battle Soul Master was extremely disadvantageous.

"First Soul Skill, Lingering Qin Sound."

Huang Chutian's movements instantly froze. The Great Ape Martial Soul was not particularly strong in Spiritual Power to begin with, and after the earlier battle, Huang Chutian had no chance of resisting Lin Xiaolei's First Soul Skill.

Using those few seconds of control, Lin Xiaolei quickly widened the distance and unleashed her Second Soul Skill, intending to eliminate Huang Chutian. However, he snapped awake. Seeing Lin Xiaolei's Second Soul Skill, Huang Chutian could no longer care about conserving Soul Power and directly unleashed his own Second Soul Skill to clash with hers.

As an Attack System beast Martial Soul user, Huang Chutian soon gained the upper hand in their exchange. Just as he prepared to control the Power Cannon Hammer to eliminate Lin Xiaolei and end the match—

At that moment, a somewhat thin figure lunged forward and met Huang Chutian's Second Soul Skill head-on.

"You're courting death!" Huang Chutian looked at Zhou Mingxing charging toward him. Without the slightest hesitation, he used the last of his Soul Power to keep controlling his Second Soul Skill.

Zhou Mingxing raised that Level Two Soul Tool Saber again and slashed at Huang Chutian's Second Soul Skill with nothing but the pure strength of his body.

Zhou Mingxing was knocked back again and vomited a large amount of blood. He had clearly suffered serious injuries.

Huang Chutian's Soul Power was finally exhausted as well, and he panted heavily.

"Little Star!" Lin Xiaolei anxiously wanted to rush over and help Zhou Mingxing up, but Zhou Mingxing struggled to his feet. Without even taking out a Soul Tool, he charged step by step toward the panting Huang Chutian.

Seeing Zhou Mingxing rushing at him, Huang Chutian was stunned. He cursed, "You lunatic!"

Zhou Mingxing grew faster and faster. When he reached Huang Chutian and tried to tackle him down, Huang Chutian beat him to it and knocked him to the ground first.

Huang Chutian was on top, Zhou Mingxing below. Huang Chutian raised his fist, as large as a sandbag, and smashed it into Zhou Mingxing's face again and again as he cursed, "Weren't you tough? Get up!"

Huang Chutian cursed as he beat Zhou Mingxing.

After who knew how many punches, a wave of exhaustion swept through Huang Chutian's entire body. Zhou Mingxing seized the opportunity and directly reversed their positions, tackling Huang Chutian to the ground.

The situation had turned around!

Zhou Mingxing seemed unable to feel pain as he smashed his fist into Huang Chutian's face again and again.

"You lunatic... Ah!" Huang Chutian roared.

"Aah!" After throwing nearly a hundred punches, Zhou Mingxing let out a roar, as if venting all the humiliation he had suffered over the years.

Then he fainted, while Huang Chutian had long since lost consciousness as well.

At that moment, the only person still standing in the arena was Lin Xiaolei.

"Winners: Lin Chen's team!"

After the proctor announced the victory, the medical staff who had been prepared in advance carried stretchers over and took away Lin Chen, Zhou Mingxing, Huang Chutian, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo. Lin Xiaolei hurriedly followed them.

Lin Chen was the first to wake up.

"Little Earth! Are you all right?" Seeing Lin Chen awaken, Lin Xiaolei asked with concern.

"I'm fine. I'm just really hungry now," Lin Chen replied. After waking up, his entire body was filled with hunger and weakness.

Upon hearing that, Lin Xiaolei burst into laughter, completely disregarding her usual image as a cool beauty. She patted her chest and said, "Come on! This young lady will treat you to a meal."

"Haha, then I'll have to make you pay dearly."

The two chatted and laughed as they headed to the Cafeteria.

Zhou Mingxing woke up the next day as well.

After breakfast, all the first-year students who had passed the assessment were notified to gather at Shrek Square.

Lin Chen's group had placed third in this tournament.

Lin Chen was very satisfied with that result. He had neither exposed all of his trump cards nor failed to display his strength, allowing him to receive a larger share of resources.

That was how it worked at Shrek. Strength and talent determined one's cultivation resources.

At that moment, many first-year students and teachers had gathered on the stage at Shrek Square. The students were all talking quietly among themselves.

"All right, quiet!" Du Wilun's steady voice instantly spread across the entire square.

The students promptly stopped talking.

Seeing the students immediately fall silent, Du Wilun continued, "This year's Freshman Assessment Tournament has concluded successfully. You have all performed very well. Next, I will announce the tournament rankings and rewards!"

"Fourth place: Huang Chutian's team, Huang Chutian, Lan Luoluo, Lan Susu."

"Third place: Lin Chen's team, Lin Chen, Lin Xiaolei, Zhou Mingxing."

"Second place: Dai Huabin's team, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Cui Yajie."

"First place: Wang Dong's team, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao."

Lin Chen subconsciously looked at Huo Yuhao.

Sure enough, Huo Yuhao's expression was extremely unpleasant.

Ah, the protagonist's path really isn't easy. Lin Chen sighed inwardly.

Of course, that was only natural. Anyone who had endured so much hardship to reach this point with great difficulty would find it hard to accept having their efforts ignored. Anyone who knew the truth would understand that the difference between "Wang Dong's team" and "Huo Yuhao's team" was far more than a single word. It showed that the academy recognized Wang Dong, not Huo Yuhao, even though they had used the name "Huo Yuhao's team" during the competition.

At that moment, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were awkwardly trying to comfort Huo Yuhao.

"The top four teams in the Freshman Competition may each request that the academy help them obtain the best possible Soul Ring the next time they acquire one."

"In addition, due to this year's freshmen's outstanding performance, the academy has decided to grant Outer Court core disciple positions. Those becoming Outer Court core disciples are: Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Lin Chen, Lin Xiaolei, Cao Jinxuan, Zhou Sichen, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng."

"Several other students are not yet strong enough to become Outer Court core disciples, but because of their excellent performances, they may temporarily receive the treatment of core disciples. They are: Huo Yuhao, Zhou Mingxing, Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, and Nanmen Yun'er."

Lin Chen was somewhat stunned as well. Zhou Mingxing had not become a core disciple?

As expected, he succeeded because of Soul Tools and failed because of Soul Tools. The academy still has prejudice against Soul Tools. Lin Chen sighed.

"Brother Lin, it's all right. With my talent, I'm already very satisfied to have come this far," Zhou Mingxing said.

"I refuse to accept this! Mingxing actually didn't become a core disciple." Lin Xiaolei indignantly said to Lin Chen and Zhou Mingxing.

Afterward, Du Wilun announced that the champion team would receive a special reward and could collect it from his office after the assembly.

Lin Chen naturally knew what the special reward was: the Void Demonic Leopard Left Leg Bone, which had ultimately gone to Xiao Xiao.

After the assembly, Xiao Xiao ran over as well, wanting to comfort Zhou Mingxing.

"Little Star, don't be too upset..."

"All right, all right, you don't need to comfort me. I got over it long ago. Go check on the Squad Leader," Zhou Mingxing said with a smile.

Hearing that, Xiao Xiao ran toward Huo Yuhao.

"That little girl, honestly." Zhou Mingxing smiled.

"Hmph, where else would you find a girl as wonderful as our Xiao Xiao? If either of you dares bully Xiao Xiao in the future, I'll beat you to death." Lin Xiaolei said, waving her little fist at the end.

The end of the Freshman Competition meant that Lin Chen's academy life would return to its usual routine of three points and one line.

However, on the day after the tournament ended, Class One also encountered a small disturbance.

In many people's eyes, Huo Yuhao was still extremely weak, yet he was directly appointed Squad Leader. This drew dissatisfaction from some students, especially Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu.

Wang Yan was not as domineering as Zhou Yi. Instead, he held a class-wide vote by show of hands.

Unlike in the original story, Huo Yuhao would fight Zhu Lu rather than Wu Feng, because Lin Chen's group had already "snatched" her away.

"I am willing to accept Zhu Lu's challenge." Huo Yuhao stood up and said.