Lightning Left Leg Bone

Du Weilun continued, "In view of the Bai Cai Team's outstanding performance and undefeated record throughout the tournament, the academy has decided to bestow a special reward. The academy will keep the nature of this reward confidential. Once the class assignments are finalized, the Bai Cai Team shall accompany me to collect it."

Composed of a mix of Soul Masters and Soul Grand Masters, the Bai Cai Team first defeated the Soul Elder team led by Ning Tian of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, then overcame the Soul Elder team led by Dai Huabin of the Duke White Tiger's estate. This special reward was well-deserved.

The three teams expressed their gratitude one by one, and the nine students returned to their ranks. Du Weilun scanned the entire body of students, encouraging them, "The quality of this year's freshmen surpasses all previous years. I hope you all continue to improve, become excellent graduates, and live up to the name of Shrek."

"The freshman assessment has brought forth a batch of excellent new students. After deliberation, the academy has specially approved the promotion of several students to core disciples of the Outer Court. The list of these specially approved students is as follows."

Shrek Plaza fell into a solemn silence; it was not only the students from the top three teams who were considered to have performed excellently.

Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo of the Huang Chutian Team were certainly on the list, thanks to their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. As for the team led by Zhou Sicheng, they were the only other team of Soul Grand Masters besides the Bai Cai Team to reach the top four, so their core members were bound to be included.

In contrast, the team led by Xie Huanyue—aside from Xie Huanyue himself—saw Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba perform miserably, coasting through the entire tournament; they were not even as impressive as other students who made the top eight.

Du Weilun opened his folder and read aloud, "Based on their performance during the freshman assessment, the academy has designated the following as core disciples: Bai Cai, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Xie Huanyue, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng."

Some were joyful while others were sorrowful. Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo were overjoyed; had it not been for their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, they might not have made the list to become core disciples.

Luo Tianlong and Luo Tianba wore bitter expressions. Third place was not a height that belonged to them; stones remain stones and will not turn into gold.

Ning Tian and Wu Feng remained calm. In terms of potential, among auxiliary-type martial souls, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was peerless. Ning Tian was exceptionally gifted, having become a Soul Elder at twelve. In terms of combat record, Wu Feng had nearly fought Wang Dong to a draw, proving she was no weaker than the core members of the championship team.

Seeing the varied expressions of the students, Du Weilun added, "Although some students may lack in talent or strength, their performance during the assessment was equally excellent. The academy has decided that some students may temporarily enjoy the status of core disciples until the end of the first academic year, after which their promotion to permanent core disciples will be determined by next year's exam results."

"The list of these students is as follows: Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, Long Xiangyue, Nanmen Yun'er, and Huo Yuhao."

The first four were all standouts at the Soul Grand Master level with strong talent and decent records. Huo Yuhao had a weaker foundation, but as his Spirit Eye was a Body Martial Soul, his future was promising; coupled with the extraordinary effects of his soul skills, he was added to the end of the list.

After reading the list, Du Weilun and the teachers began assigning classes to the official students who had passed the freshman assessment.

The first year was re-divided into four classes: Class One for Power Attack and Control systems, Class Two for Defense and Agility Attack systems, Class Three entirely for the Auxiliary system, and Class Four for the Food, Healing, and special systems.

Bai Cai, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Wu Feng, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Huang Chutian, and Huo Yuhao entered Class One. Xie Huanyue and Nanmen Yun'er entered Class Two. Ning Tian entered Class Three, while Class Four remained obscure, like a transparent entity.

Of course, the class did not necessarily reflect one's combat tendencies. There were countless oddities: Agility Attack Soul Masters who fought like heavy tanks, Defense Soul Masters who fought like suicide bombers, Food Soul Masters who cooked "dark cuisine," Healing Soul Masters who used poison, and Auxiliary Soul Masters who specialized in stacking armor and taunting.

Once the assignments were complete, Du Weilun led Bai Cai, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao back to the teachers' building behind the senior teaching block.

The dean's private office was located on the top floor of the teachers' building. It was spacious with minimalist decor, and four vertical bookcases stood in the corners, filled with a complex variety of books, including many rare and ancient texts.

Du Weilun's attitude was amiable as the three members of the Bai Cai Team took their seats one by one.

After a few words of encouragement, Du Weilun raised his right hand slightly. A ruby ring flashed, and a brown leather pouch appeared in his palm.

The brown pouch was etched with dark patterns and emitted a faint, subtle fluctuation of soul power; it appeared to be a special Soul Tool.

Du Weilun handed the brown pouch to Bai Cai and said solemnly, "Children, in view of the fact that you defeated two teams of Soul Elders and won the championship, the academy has made an exception to grant you a reward—an extremely precious reward."

Bai Cai untied the string of the brown pouch, and a blue-purple ball of light impatiently burst out, hovering in mid-air. It was a long, lustrous bone, its entire body suffused with a faint blue-purple halo, and a rich fluctuation of soul power quickly swept through the office.

A Soul Bone!

A Soul Bone, which was a hundred times more precious than a Soul Ring!

The probability of a hundred-year soul beast producing a Soul Bone was almost zero, the probability for a thousand-year soul beast was only one in ten thousand, and for a ten-thousand-year soul beast, it was no more than one percent.

Once a Soul Master fuses with a Soul Bone, their strength increases significantly; their physical constitution and Soul Power Level receive an all-around boost, and it even comes with an additional soul skill.

An average Soul Master can absorb at most six Soul Bones in different locations: the head, torso, and four limbs. External Soul Bones are rare and highly sought after, and their specific locations are rarely known.

Among the six standard Soul Bones, the torso bone ranks first and is priceless. The head bone ranks second and is extremely rare. The limb bones are more commonly circulated, though their values vary greatly.

However, even for a left leg bone, which has a relatively lower value, the transaction price at national auction houses still exceeds one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. Most Soul Bone transactions do not even accept Gold Soul Coins, requiring barter instead.

Du Weilun poured a cup of tea and teased, "Are you surprised? Are you shocked?"

"That's right, this is a Soul Bone, one of the ultimate dreams of a Soul Master. Its preciousness is beyond doubt. I hope you can negotiate reasonably and not let it affect the trust between companions. If you lose a Soul Bone, you can obtain another, but if you lose a companion, the rift is difficult to mend."

"Let me briefly introduce it. This Soul Bone is called the Lightning Left Leg Bone, produced by a ten-thousand-year Lightning Rabbit. After fusion, it can slightly increase the strength of the left leg and comes with a displacement soul skill."

"The martial soul changes when fusing with a Soul Bone, and the soul skill obtained will change accordingly. Of course, it will certainly produce a soul skill suitable for the user."

"Furthermore, an innocent man may be punished for harboring a treasure. Whoever obtains the Soul Bone should fuse with it as soon as possible. Finally, this brown pouch can mask the fluctuations of soul power; I'll give it to you as well."

Du Weilun gave his earnest instructions, and Bai Cai, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao thanked him in unison before respectfully taking their leave.

"You all decide how to distribute it."

Handing over the brown pouch, Bai Cai said sincerely, "A displacement soul skill is suitable for rushing or dodging, which doesn't fit my role in the team."

Ralts's role was similar to a mage, not a melee mage like Gandalf, but a traditional turret mage; a displacement soul skill would be like a chicken rib to her.

If Wang Dong or Xiao Xiao fused with the Lightning Left Leg Bone, the team's benefits would be much more significant.