Rewards

Mu Jin, standing on the Observation Platform, felt like she was about to take flight. Not only had Zhou Yi, whom she had always despised, fallen from grace lately, but her students had even brought home the Freshman Assessment championship.

She leaped straight down from the Observation Platform dozens of meters above, rushed onto the Arena, and scooped Ning Tian and Wu Feng into her arms, showering them with praise in utter excitement.

On the other side of the Observation Platform, Qin Yan was equally thrilled. At the same time, he did not forget to persuade the cool and aloof figure beside him.

"I didn't lie to you, did I? Anyone who sees Qin Yue's talent would call it terrifying beyond measure. He's a Soul Master with an Ultimate Attribute. Although lightning and ice do not have much to do with each other, with his help, wouldn't you at least gain a little more hope?"

Ling Luochen said nothing upon hearing this. She merely gazed quietly at Qin Yue on the stage, continuously weighing the pros and cons in her heart.

Having inquired about this junior sister's personality, Qin Yan was delighted at the sight. Sometimes, not refusing was already a statement of one's attitude. He had never expected his persuasion to succeed just as he began. The Heavenly Treasure the clan head had prepared had not even been needed.

But that was fine. It could be saved for Qin Yue to use in fostering their relationship, while also avoiding the possibility of Ling Luochen taking the item and running off.

Qin Yan shifted his gaze back to the Arena, feeling somewhat surprised. Neither he nor the clan head had expected that Qin Yue was not only quick in cultivation, but also quite fortunate with women. One look at the eyes of those two little girls from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was enough to tell—both had been utterly captivated by the Qin Clan's Hidden Dragon.

However, the clan head had said that the more talented female Soul Masters, the better. Ideally, they could pass down Qin Yue's Ultimate Lightning Martial Soul. Once Qin Yue's descendants grew up, the Qin Clan would no longer be merely a first-rate clan. They would soar to become a colossal power like Shrek Academy and the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

"Who should I approach next? Ma Xiaotao? No, no, that woman's temper is far too explosive, and her own problems are no small matter either... Wu Ming is the same, skip her for now... Senior Sister has exceptional talent, but her ties to the academy are too firmly rooted... Han Ruoruo is steady by nature; I truly can't tell what her attitude would be..."

Qin Yan continued pondering his next move, his eyes filled with a desire to develop and expand the Qin Clan.

The results of the Freshman Assessment finals soon spread throughout the entire academy. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, who were in class, exchanged a glance and felt a little better. It turned out they were not too weak; they had simply run into the champions of this year the moment they entered the competition.

Of course, what the two felt more than anything was regret. They still had trump cards they had not had time to reveal before they were hastily eliminated. Their Freshman Assessment had ended in such an anticlimactic fashion.

The next morning was another bright and sunny day. All the freshmen who had passed the assessment gathered at Shrek Square, waiting for the upcoming class assignments.

Before long, Dean Du Weilun, whose expression was not particularly pleasant, arrived before the students with more than a dozen teachers. As the homeroom teacher of this year's champions, Mu Jin was naturally among them.

Mu Jin wore a remarkably sweet smile and gave Qin Yue's group of three an adorably playful wink. Anyone could see that she was in an excellent mood.

Du Weilun held a folder in his hand and forced out a smile as he began announcing the top three teams of the Freshman Assessment, as well as the rewards they would receive.

Qin Yue looked at the delighted Mu Jin, then at Du Weilun, who was trying to make the best of a bad situation, and came to an understanding. Zhou Yi's matter had likely been completely settled. As the Dean, Du Weilun would inevitably be held accountable, while Mu Jin had received a helping hand from Qin Yan at Qin Yue's instruction and would naturally be rewarded.

Just then, enthusiastic cheers suddenly erupted throughout the square. It was time for the champion team to take the stage. Qin Yue and the other two stepped forward, ascending the platform beneath the awed and envious gazes of all the freshmen.

Du Weilun gestured for the three of them to stand in the center, then smiled. "Next, I will announce the rewards for the top three teams of the Freshman Assessment. Every member of the top three teams may submit an application to the academy when they need a Soul Ring. The academy will help them obtain one Soul Ring they can bear and that is best suited to them."

A smile played at the corner of Qin Yue's lips. He had long since selected his target for his Fourth Soul Ring: a top-tier lightning-element Soul Beast hiding within the Star Dou Forest, a Wind-Thunder Giant Ape with roughly eighteen thousand years of cultivation.

The Qin Clan could certainly help him obtain this Soul Ring with ease, but there was no reason not to use a reward when one was available. As long as Xuan Zi was not leading the team, obtaining this Soul Ring would naturally be effortless.

Du Weilun did not speak slowly. He went through the champion's additional reward, the specific class assignments, and the most important list of Core Disciples one by one.

Mu Jin's name was mentioned as well. Because Qin Yue's group had won the championship and Zhou Yi's incident had come to light, she had successfully become the homeroom teacher of Grade 1 Class 1. This credential would be extremely important for her future promotion.

After confirming that nothing had been left out, Du Weilun announced, "All right. Follow your respective homeroom teachers back to the Teaching Building according to the new class assignments. Qin Yue, you three come with me to collect your reward."

The three followed Du Weilun to the faculty office building. Du Weilun's office was on the top floor. Its decor was somewhat plain, yet it contained four bookcases, each packed full of books.

Du Weilun pointed to the sofa and had the three sit down first. Then the ruby ring on his hand flashed, and a brown Leather Pouch appeared in his grasp.

Faint Soul Power fluctuations emanated from the Leather Pouch. It was a Soul Tool whose precise function was unknown.

Du Weilun glanced at Qin Yue without changing his expression. "Children, considering that you defeated every Soul Elder team among the freshmen in succession and ultimately claimed the championship, I submitted an application to the academy. In the end, I secured the most precious prize of the past three hundred years. There is only one, but I guarantee that it is an exceptional reward."

He handed the Leather Pouch to Qin Yue and said with a smile, "Open it and take a look."

Qin Yue reached out to accept it, casually untied the cord around the Leather Pouch, and a ball of white light emerged from within, slowly floating before them.

"A Spirit Bone?" Ning Tian looked astonished, and the vigilance in her heart instantly rose to its peak. Was Shrek Academy trying to win Qin Yue over?!

Du Weilun nodded with a smile. "That's right. Your reward is a Spirit Bone. Because its attached skill is special, both Power Attack System and Support System Soul Masters can use it."

"It is a right leg bone called the Void-Splitting Flood Dragon Right Leg Bone. No matter who fuses with it, they will obtain the same Soul Skill, called Flash. Centered on the user, it allows instantaneous movement in any direction within a radius of fifteen meters, according to the Soul Master's will. Whether used for attack or retreat, its effects are outstanding."

"Unfortunately, there is only one of them. The academy cannot make this decision for you, so the three of you must decide who will fuse with this Spirit Bone."