Zhang Lexuan had expected Su Qing to make an outrageous demand, so she was slightly surprised. This little bit of money was like a mosquito bite on an elephant to Yan Shaozhe. Surely he could offer at least five hundred thousand. But she quickly understood what was going on and continued asking:
"This condition was only for Ma Xiaotao to hear? What you really want is to make Yan Shaozhe owe you a favor, right?"
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's question, Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. Yan Shaozhe was a shrewd man; he wouldn't think that a mere three hundred thousand could solve a problem that had plagued him for over a decade. He was bound to suspect that Su Qing had another motive. And as the dean of the Martial Soul Department, there were far too many things he could offer that Su Qing might want.
Moreover, to avoid making himself look too eager, he definitely wouldn't come running to ask Su Qing exactly what he wanted. That meant Su Qing had secured the right to ask the dean of the Martial Soul Department to do one thing within his power, free of charge.
Although Gu Yuena had his back, even a Ferocious Beast's power couldn't be brought into the open. Yan Shaozhe was different. As a Super Douluo, the dean of Shrek's Martial Soul Department, and Mu En's personal disciple, he offered far more room to maneuver!
"You really are wise beyond your years."
Zhang Lexuan couldn't help lightly flicking his nose. Then she smiled with satisfaction.
Su Qing, who had still been resting his head on her lap, turned onto his side and wrapped both arms around her slender waist. Zhang Lexuan smiled helplessly and gently stroked his snow-white hair with her pale hand. As warmth brushed against his head, Su Qing slowly closed his eyes.
Of course, he wasn't going to sleep. He was just thinking about what other major events would happen during the first year in the original story. After turning it over in his mind, it seemed that aside from the class assignments, the only other significant event was the Soul Tool Department poaching Huo Gua. But that had little to do with him.
Then I'll spend the rest of the time cultivating. Once vacation starts, I'll take Ice Empress before Huo Yuhao...
As he thought this, Su Qing drifted off without realizing it. His ability to fall asleep at the drop of a hat left Zhang Lexuan smiling wryly. If he rested on her lap all night, her leg would definitely go numb. Fortunately, perhaps because Zhang Lexuan was beside him, Su Qing slept so soundly that he didn't wake even when she laid him on the bed.
"Not bad, that sleep of his."
Looking at Su Qing's slightly open mouth as he slept, Zhang Lexuan shook her head. Sleeping with his mouth open wasn't a good habit. She leaned over gently to close his mouth for him, but she didn't use her hand...
The next day.
All the freshmen who had passed the entrance assessment gathered on the field, waiting for Du Weilun to speak.
After the usual round of formalities, Du Weilun called the top three teams from the freshman assessment onto the stage. Perhaps because their Martial Soul Fusion Skill was still on cooldown, Dai Huabin's team had lost to Ning Tian's team in the match for third place. Now he was glaring resentfully at Huo Yuhao.
Back then, the muscles curled up by the Dragon Whisker Needles had been so painful that he'd gouged them out piece by piece with his tiger claws. He would make Huo Yuhao experience that same agony firsthand. He'd already decided to have his family arrange for someone to kill this piece of trash as soon as he got home. As for Shrek holding him accountable? The White Tiger Duke Mansion had nothing to worry about. Huo Yuhao was only a One-Ring Soul Master. What kind of trouble could he possibly cause?
"The top three teams in this freshman assessment may each have the Academy's help in obtaining one optimally matched Soul Ring. The champion's reward will remain undisclosed for now. After the assembly, the members of the champion team may come with me to the Head of Year's office to claim it. Next, I will announce the students who performed outstandingly in this assessment, as well as the list of core disciples selected after extensive consideration by the Academy."
As the students looked on eagerly, Du Weilun continued:
"The following students have been selected as core disciples in this freshman assessment: Su Qing, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Dai Huabin, Xie Huanyue, Huang Chutian, Zhu Lu, Zhou Sichen, and Cao Jinxuan. Some students haven't met the requirements for core disciple status, but in recognition of their strong performance, the Academy has provisionally decided to grant them the same treatment as core disciples. If they achieve outstanding results in the advancement assessment a year from now, they may also receive core disciple status. I will now announce their names: Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Nanmen Yun'er, Cui Yajie..."
The names Du Weilun announced made Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao glance at Huo Yuhao. Seeing that he didn't seem to have any objections, they couldn't help wondering why. Just as they were about to quietly ask him, Du Weilun changed the subject.
"Additionally, as the Soul Tool Department has taken a great interest in him, Huo Yuhao will be granted core disciple status in the Soul Tool Department as an exception."
Just yesterday, Qian Duoduo had brought Xian Lin'er to see Du Weilun. They had disregarded his objections and insisted that he add Huo Yuhao to the core disciple list. But Yan Shaozhe certainly wouldn't agree to that, so after a brief discussion, they had decided to grant Huo Yuhao core disciple status in the Soul Tool Department as an exception.
After all, they were all part of the same Academy; there was no need to let relations get too strained. Since the Soul Tool Department wasn't coveting a genius from the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe didn't mind assigning them a mediocre One-Ring Soul Master. He was a little puzzled as to why they would fight over a One-Ring Soul Master, but it didn't matter. He didn't have time to squabble with the Soul Tool Department. Right now, all he could think about was what Su Qing wanted from him.
"I see! Yuhao, you're a core disciple too now. Awesome!"
They didn't care that he was a core disciple of the Soul Tool Department. All they knew was that core disciple status meant the Academy recognized him, so they wouldn't have to worry about him being expelled by Zhou Yi on a whim anymore. This was fantastic news!
"Yeah, I have Teacher Zhou to thank for this."
Huo Yuhao nodded with a smile. He still remembered how eager Zhou Yi had been when she took him to the Soul Tool Department. She must have been afraid he'd miss out if he got there too late!
"What? That old woman? No wonder she called you out alone yesterday..."
Huo Yuhao's words of gratitude suddenly made everything clear to the two girls. They had really thought Zhou Yi meant to expel Huo Yuhao yesterday, and had been worried. But when they returned to the dormitory, Wang Dong saw Huo Yuhao cultivating on his bed and relaxed. He hadn't asked him then because Huo Yuhao was meditating, and afterward, he'd simply forgotten about it.
"Su Qing, come with me."
After speaking for two or three hours, Du Weilun called Su Qing over and headed for the office. Su Qing had won the championship by himself, so his two teammates hadn't felt comfortable going onstage. They had stayed below, watching him with grateful eyes for carrying them through the assessment.
As soon as they entered the office, Du Weilun mysteriously pulled something from his desk drawer, wrapped in animal hide. It was impossible to tell what it was.
"This is the left leg bone of a Void Leopard, around eight thousand years old. It can greatly increase your speed and grant you an offensive Soul Skill. The Academy has decided to give it to you as the champion's reward. I hope you'll cultivate diligently and join the inner court as soon as possible."
It wasn't much to look at, but it would make a decent bit of money if he sold it. Even the leg of a mosquito was still meat. Without giving it much thought, Su Qing put it into his Storage Soul Tool.