Civil War Approaches and the Prelude to Class Assignment

Cui Yajie led Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao out through the examination passage, only to run into Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, who were waiting against the wall.

Zhu Lu was the first to step forward. She grabbed Cui Yajie's wrist and turned it over repeatedly, only letting go after confirming she was unhurt.

Dai Huabin raised his chin, his tone casual:

"You fought well."

Just three short words.

Yet Cui Yajie could tell how much weight they carried.

Since enrolling, Dai Huabin had rarely offered straightforward praise, especially when it came to tactical judgment.

"Dong'er's timing with Butterfly Goddess Light was precise. You didn't waste any Soul Power."

Dai Huabin turned to Wang Dong'er.

"After Heavenly Net collapsed, you didn't rush after Lan Susu. You first took Lan Luoluo out of the fight, then turned back to finish her off. That was the right call."

Wang Dong'er had been about to fire back with a few stubborn words, but when she heard that, the "of course" at her lips was forcibly swallowed.

She lowered her head and pretended to smooth the wrinkles on her cuff.

The tips of her ears were a little warm.

Wang Dong'er did not know why, either.

Back at the Clear Sky Sect, she had heard elders praise her countless times, and it had always gone in one ear and out the other. Yet a few offhand words from this arrogant bastard made her feel inexplicably pleased.

"And Xiao Xiao."

Dai Huabin patted Xiao Xiao's head. "Most people would have panicked while holding off a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. You kept your cool."

Xiao Xiao smiled so brightly that her eyes curved into crescents, her little face flushed red.

"It was all because the class monitor gave me confidence. He taught me how to use Cauldron Defense, as well as how to grasp the timing of Cauldron-Merging Form."

Xiao Xiao paused, then turned to her teammates on either side.

"And Yajie and Dong'er were amazing too. If Yajie hadn't kept Huang Chutian occupied, and if Dong'er hadn't helped share the pressure from Lan Susu, I never could have held on alone."

"Enough, enough. We can end the mutual praise session now." Wang Dong'er finally regained her stubborn demeanor and planted her hands on her hips. "I wasn't fighting just to be praised."

Cui Yajie covered her mouth and chuckled.

Dai Huabin ignored Wang Dong'er's tsundere act. He walked over to Cui Yajie and lowered his voice.

"Yajie, there's something I need to remind you about."

Cui Yajie put away her smile and listened seriously.

"Your First Soul Skill, Charm, is indeed useful. You controlled Huang Chutian several times today and completely disrupted his rhythm."

Dai Huabin paused. "But that skill has a fatal hidden danger."

"If you encounter a Soul Master whose spiritual power is stronger than yours, Charm will not only fail to control him, but you'll suffer spiritual backlash instead."

Cui Yajie's expression shifted slightly.

As a spiritual control-type Soul Master, she naturally understood the risks of clashing spiritual power.

But all her previous opponents had possessed weaker spiritual power than hers, so this issue had never surfaced.

"So it's best to use your Charm unexpectedly."

Dai Huabin raised one finger.

"Don't throw it around as a standard tactic. Once your opponent is prepared, and their spiritual power is higher than yours, that backlash will be enough to give you a headache so severe that you lose your fighting ability."

Cui Yajie nodded. "I understand. Before using Charm in the future, I'll first assess my opponent's spiritual power level."

"But..."

Dai Huabin changed the subject.

"Your overall awareness and command ability today really do make you suited to being captain. You barely fought head-on throughout the entire match, but you called every key moment. Restraint, repositioning, finishing blows—you controlled the rhythm perfectly."

"Keep it up. Good work."

Cui Yajie was a little embarrassed by the praise. She turned away to straighten her pink hair and gave a quiet acknowledgment.

Zhu Lu stood half a step behind Dai Huabin, silently watching the scene.

She had already grown used to Dai Huabin guiding his teammates. He was accurate and direct, never sparing their feelings, but never stingy with recognition either.

He was completely different from the Dai Huabin who used to do nothing but issue orders with a cold face.

Zhu Lu liked the Dai Huabin he was now.

"Excellent! Victorious without arrogance, just as expected from Class Nine's ace team!"

A gentle voice came from behind them, accompanied by crisp applause.

Mu Jin, dressed in her usual plain-colored gown, approached with a warm smile.

She had been watching the match from the spectator area. Having just arrived backstage, she happened to hear Dai Huabin reviewing their tactics.

"Teacher Mu Jin!" Xiao Xiao was the first to run over.

"Teacher, we won!"

Mu Jin reached out to wipe the sweat that had not yet dried from Xiao Xiao's forehead, smiling as she nodded.

Dai Huabin and the others greeted her as well.

At that moment, three people emerged from another passage.

Ning Tian walked in front. Her white school uniform was somewhat wrinkled but still neat, and she supported herself with her iconic Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda staff in her right hand.

Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er followed behind her. They looked like they had just finished their match as well.

"Ning Tian, you won too?" Cui Yajie waved.

Ning Tian gave a slight nod and came to stand beside them.

"We won, but their control-type Soul Master was rather troublesome. It dragged on for quite a while."

Wu Feng shook her wrist, where black scorch marks still lingered.

"If Yun'er hadn't finished it quickly with Jade Slash, I would have had to keep burning for another half minute."

Nanmen Yun'er pursed her lips in a smile but said nothing.

Seeing the members of all three teams gathered together, Mu Jin felt an indescribable surge of pride.

Three of the four semifinal slots belonged to Class Nine.

In the entire history of the Freshman Assessment, this was likely the first time a single class had claimed three of the top four spots.

At that moment, the staff member responsible for arranging the matches posted the new bracket on the notice board outside the arena.

Dai Huabin walked over and glanced at it.

Semifinal matchups:

First match: Cui Yajie's team versus Zhou Sichen's team.

Second match: Dai Huabin's team versus Ning Tian's team.

A Class Nine civil war.

Dai Huabin turned to look at Ning Tian, while Ning Tian was also staring at her own name on the board.

Their eyes met for an instant.

Mu Jin came over to look at the bracket as well, and the smile on her face became somewhat complicated.

"Huabin."

"Hmm?"

"Remember to go easy tomorrow." Mu Jin turned sideways and lowered her voice. "Ning Tian and the others are all girls."

Dai Huabin nodded helplessly. "Teacher Mu Jin, I understand."

Ning Tian heard that from behind him and stepped forward, her tone calm but carrying a helpless smile.

"Then Class Monitor, remember to show some mercy tomorrow."

"I'm not some thug." Dai Huabin scratched the back of his head.

Wang Dong'er muttered from the side:

"If you're not a thug, who is? You wiped out someone else's team in ten seconds. Do you even believe yourself when you say that?"

Wu Feng burst out laughing.

Zhu Lu silently reached out and tugged Dai Huabin's sleeve, likely using that gesture to say, "They have a point."

Dai Huabin gave a dry cough and decisively changed the subject.

"Enough. We'll talk about tomorrow tomorrow. Let's go."

He turned to leave with Zhu Lu. Wang Dong'er and the other two reflexively started to follow.

Mu Jin stopped everyone.

"Wait!"

All nine turned around at once.

Mu Jin clasped her hands behind her back. Her smile was gentle, but her tone held an unusually bold spirit.

"All three of our Class Nine teams made it into the semifinals. Shouldn't we celebrate something this big?"

Mu Jin paused and patted her chest.

"Dinner is on me!"

Xiao Xiao was the first to cheer.

Wang Dong'er raised her brows but did not stand on ceremony.

Wu Feng leaned close to Nanmen Yun'er's ear and whispered, "Does Teacher Mu Jin's monthly salary cover dinner for nine people?"

Nanmen Yun'er covered her mouth and pulled her two steps back.

Ning Tian seemed to think of something as well and walked up to Mu Jin.

"Teacher, if we're celebrating, why not go to Nine Treasures Pavilion?"

Mu Jin froze for a moment.

Nine Treasures Pavilion was one of the most expensive restaurants in Shrek City. It belonged to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, and ordering a few dishes at random would cost half a month of her salary.

"Nine Treasures Pavilion? But..."

"I'm the young sect master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect," Ning Tian added calmly.

"Discount."

Mu Jin's expression immediately became vivid.

"Ning Tian, you're such a thoughtful child."

Dai Huabin watched from the side, thinking that Ning Tian really knew how to handle people.

Teacher Mu Jin taught diligently, but Outer Academy teachers did not earn much.

Ning Tian's discount was naturally ideal.

The group of nine headed toward Shrek City.

The group stretched out in a long line.

Ning Tian and Mu Jin walked at the front, quietly discussing the Freshman Assessment matches.

Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er followed behind, occasionally chiming in.

Cui Yajie linked arms with Xiao Xiao in the middle, telling her about the moment in the previous match when things had nearly gone wrong. When Huang Chutian's Power Cannon Hammer came crashing down, her heart had nearly leaped into her throat.

Wang Dong'er lagged behind at the end of the group, walking side by side with Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu.

From time to time, she secretly glanced at Dai Huabin. She wanted to say something, but did not know how to begin.

In the end, she forced out a single question.

"When you said my Butterfly Goddess Light had perfect finishing timing, did you mean it?"

Dai Huabin tilted his head and glanced at her.

"Of course. When have I ever lied?"

Wang Dong'er snorted and turned to look at the roadside trees.

Zhu Lu watched Wang Dong'er's awkward expression. Her lips twitched, and she finally smiled helplessly.

How could she not see it?

Nine Treasures Pavilion.

The largest restaurant in Shrek City's eastern district, it was a three-story wooden building with two glazed lanterns at its entrance casting a warm glow through the dusk.

After Ning Tian announced her identity, the manager personally led the group to a private room on the second floor.

The dishes arrived quickly.

The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's business truly knew how to put on a show—eight hot dishes, four cold dishes, and one soup, every plate exquisitely prepared.

Xiao Xiao sat at the table. Before even lifting her chopsticks, she took a deep breath.

"It smells so good."

Wang Dong'er had already stuffed a piece of braised pork into her mouth and replied indistinctly:

"Of course. How could Nine Treasures Pavilion's food not smell good?"

Across the table, Wu Feng held up a roasted chicken leg. As she gnawed on it, she gave Ning Tian a thumbs-up.

"Young Sect Master, mighty indeed."

Mu Jin sat at the head of the table. Watching the children devour their food, she felt both warmth and a pang of sadness in her heart.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the atmosphere gradually shifted from lively to relaxed.

Mu Jin set down her chopsticks. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke.

"There's something I should tell you while everyone is here today."

All nine pairs of eyes turned toward her.

"After the Freshman Assessment ends, you'll undergo official class assignments."

Mu Jin's tone was calm, but everyone present could hear an unusual meaning in her words.