The Soul Guide's Final Seizure

Zhang Lexuan, who had expected Su Qing to make an exorbitant demand, was slightly taken aback. Such a small sum was like a mosquito bite on an elephant to Yan Shaozhe; even if he didn't offer a fortune, five hundred thousand should have been the baseline. However, she quickly grasped the underlying intent and continued to ask:

"Is this condition meant only for Ma Xiaotao to see? You actually want Yan Shaozhe to owe you a favor, don't you?"

Hearing Zhang Lexuan's inquiry, Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. A shrewd man like Yan Shaozhe would naturally not believe that a mere three hundred thousand could resolve a problem that had plagued him for over a decade. He would inevitably suspect that Su Qing had ulterior motives, and as the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, there were far too many things he possessed that could be the target of such schemes.

Moreover, to avoid appearing cheap, Yan Shaozhe would certainly never come to ask Su Qing directly what he wanted. Thus, Su Qing had effectively secured the right to have the Dean of the Martial Soul Department perform one task within his capabilities, free of charge.

Although he had Gu Yuena backing him, even the most powerful beast could not be brought into the light. Yan Shaozhe was different; as a Super Douluo, the Dean of the Shrek Martial Soul Department, and a direct disciple of Mu En, his utility was incredibly high!

"You really are a crafty little one."

Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but lightly flick his nose bridge, a satisfied smile blooming on her face.

Su Qing, still resting his head on her lap, turned to his side and instinctively wrapped his arms around her slender waist. Zhang Lexuan offered a helpless smile, her fair, jade-like hand gently stroking the snow-white silver hair on Su Qing's head. Accompanied by the warm sensation on his scalp, Su Qing slowly closed his eyes.

Of course, he wasn't sleeping; he was merely contemplating what other decisive events would occur in the first year according to the original plot. After much thought, it seemed that aside from the class assignments, the only other event was Huo Yuhao being poached by the Soul Tool department, though that had little to do with him.

Then I shall spend the remaining time cultivating well. When the holidays arrive, I must take the Ice Empress before Huo Yuhao does...

Thinking this, Su Qing drifted into a dream without realizing it. His ability to fall asleep on command left Zhang Lexuan with a wry smile. If he slept on her lap for the whole night, her legs would surely go numb. Fortunately, perhaps because he felt exceptionally secure with Zhang Lexuan by his side, Su Qing was not startled awake when she moved him onto the bed.

"His sleep quality is certainly impressive."

Watching Su Qing, whose mouth was slightly agape in his deep slumber, Zhang Lexuan shook her head. Sleeping with one's mouth open was not a good habit. She leaned down gently to help him close it, though she didn't use her hand...

The next day.

All the freshmen who had passed the assessment gathered on the training grounds, waiting for Du Weilun to speak.

After a series of platitudes, Du Weilun called the top three teams of the freshman assessment to the stage. Perhaps because their Martial Soul Fusion Skill was still in its cooldown period, Dai Huabin's team had lost the match for third place to Ning Tian and her group. At this moment, he was glaring at Huo Yuhao with intense hatred.

Back then, the muscle tissue curled up by the Dragon Whisker Needle had been gouged out piece by piece by his own tiger claws, causing him agony. He would make Huo Yuhao experience this pain exactly as he had. He had already decided that upon returning home, he would have his family arrange for someone to kill this piece of trash. As for Shrek's accountability? His White Tiger Duke Mansion had no such concerns; it was merely a one-ring Soul Master, what kind of waves could he possibly make?

"The top three teams of this freshman assessment may have the academy assist in hunting a limit-compatible soul ring. The champion's reward will not be announced yet; once the assembly concludes, members of the champion team may accompany me to the grade director's office to collect it. Next, I will announce the list of students who performed exceptionally well in this assessment, as well as the list of core disciples determined by the academy's multi-faceted evaluation."

Amidst the hopeful gazes of the students, Du Weilun continued:

"The following are the core disciples for this freshman assessment: Su Qing, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Dai Huabin, Xie Huanyue, Huang Chutian, Zhu Lu, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan. Although some students have not yet met the criteria for core disciples, the academy has decided to grant them core disciple treatment due to their excellent performance. These students may also obtain the status of core disciple if they achieve outstanding results in the promotion assessment a year from now. Next, I will announce the list: Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Nanmen Yun'er, Cui Yajie..."

The list announced by Du Weilun caused Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao to glance at Huo Yuhao beside them, but seeing no reaction from him, they couldn't help but feel puzzled. Just as they were about to ask him in secret, Du Weilun changed the subject.

"Additionally, due to being highly valued by the Soul Tool department, Huo Yuhao is hereby granted the status of a core disciple of the Soul Tool department as an exception."

Just yesterday, Qian Duoduo had brought Xian Lin'er to find Du Weilun, insisting that he add Huo Yuhao as a core disciple despite his objections. Yan Shaozhe certainly couldn't agree to that, so after a brief negotiation, they decided to grant Huo Yuhao the status of a Soul Tool department core disciple as a special exception.

After all, they were all part of the same academy, and it wouldn't do to make relations too tense. Since the Soul Tool department wasn't coveting the geniuses of the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe didn't mind giving them a one-ring Soul Master with mediocre talent. Though he was slightly puzzled as to why they would fight over a one-ring Soul Master, it didn't matter. He had no time to bicker with the Soul Tool department; his mind was entirely occupied by what Su Qing wanted from him.

"So that's it! Yuhao, you're a core disciple too! Great!"

The two didn't care why it was a core disciple of the Soul Tool department; they only knew that with this status, he was recognized by the academy and no longer had to worry about being expelled by Zhou Yi on a whim. This was fantastic news!

"Yes, this is all thanks to Teacher Zhou."

Huo Yuhao nodded with a smile. He still remembered how urgent Zhou Yi had been when she took him to the Soul Tool department; she must have been afraid he would lose out by arriving late!

"What? That old woman? No wonder she called you out alone yesterday..."

Huo Yuhao's words of gratitude made them realize the truth. They had truly thought Zhou Yi was going to expel Huo Yuhao yesterday. They had been worried, but upon returning to the dorm, Wang Dong saw Huo Yuhao meditating on his bed and felt relieved. He hadn't asked at the time, and later, he had simply forgotten about it.

"Su Qing, come with me."

After the two-to-three-hour speech concluded, Du Weilun called Su Qing to walk toward the office. Since Su Qing had won the championship alone, his two teammates were naturally too embarrassed to go on stage, so they stood below, looking at Su Qing—who had led them through the assessment—with eyes full of gratitude.

Once in the office, Du Weilun mysteriously took out an object wrapped in animal hide from his desk drawer.

"This is a left leg bone of a Void Leopard, with a cultivation age of about eight thousand years. It can significantly increase speed and provide an attack-type soul skill. The academy has decided to give it to you as the champion's reward. I hope you will cultivate diligently and join the inner court soon."

Although it wasn't particularly eye-catching, it was a decent choice to trade for money. After all, even a mosquito's leg had meat on it. Su Qing didn't think twice and stored it away in his Soul Tool.