The new students' assessment in the outer court officially began today, while Cao Longyan was personally escorted into the Shrek Inner Court by Yan Shaozhe.
At the Inner Court's Martial Arts Arena, Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, Yao Haoxuan, Gongyang Mo, Xixi, and Chen Zifeng were already waiting.
They were the Shrek Seven Devils of this generation.
Yan Shaozhe stood beside Cao Longyan and introduced him to Ma Xiaotao and the others.
"Cough, cough. Everyone, come over here. Let me introduce you. This is Cao Longyan. Although he's a new student in the outer court, he's already been designated a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department. He's been granted a place in the Inner Court as a special exception, and he'll also be one of the next generation's Shrek Seven Devils."
"During the new students' assessment in the outer court, he'll train against you, Xiaotao."
Yan Shaozhe's words echoed in the minds of Ma Xiaotao and the others. All seven wore astonished expressions.
"Y-yes, teacher/Dean Yan."
No, they recognized every word Dean Yan had said, but somehow they couldn't quite understand what he'd just told them.
Then he introduced the seven in front of him to Cao Longyan.
Cao Longyan didn't know every last detail about Ma Xiaotao and the others, but he knew quite a bit about them.
For him, Yan Shaozhe's introduction was more or less redundant.
Still, Cao Longyan listened with an earnest expression. Mainly because he was worried about some butterfly effect changing events he didn't know about.
When Yan Shaozhe finally got to Ma Xiaotao, he suddenly spoke to Cao Longyan through a private voice transmission.
"Longyan, two years ago, you saved Xiaotao when she lost control by the Sea God Lake in the outer court, and purified her Martial Soul. I'm truly grateful to you... But for the past two years, Xiaotao's been searching for the person who saved her. It's almost become a heart demon... As her teacher, it pains me to see her like this. Could you tell her the truth?"
At his words, Cao Longyan simply shook his head, refusing in an even tone.
"No need. There's no point... Besides, Dean Yan, given how I look now, even if I told her, she wouldn't believe me, would she?"
"Oh... Oh, you're right. I didn't think it through. You're very considerate, Longyan."
Yan Shaozhe was taken aback, then looked at Cao Longyan with admiration and approval.
He thought Cao Longyan didn't want to use his act of kindness to bind his most beloved disciple.
He'd made too many mistakes in his life...
If Cao Longyan really used that favor to hold Ma Xiaotao over him, then even if it cost him his life, he would stand his ground and argue against it.
But Cao Longyan's choice put his mind completely at ease and made him approve of the boy even more.
Cao Longyan noticed Yan Shaozhe's gaze and felt a little puzzled.
He couldn't be bothered to explain. Yan Shaozhe could think whatever he liked.
Although Yan Shaozhe's love life was a complete mess, and he had the stain of letting an Evil Soul Master escape because of love, there was no denying how devoted he was to Shrek and his disciples.
The seven surrounded Cao Longyan. Looking at this cool, blue-haired boy, several years younger than them and personally brought by Yan Shaozhe, they were filled with curiosity.
But none of them thought he was capable of training against them.
They simply didn't want to say anything because Yan Shaozhe was there.
In the end, the teams for the sparring session were the same as usual.
As captain, Ma Xiaotao naturally had to take responsibility. She was the first to bring Cao Longyan onto her team, then told him that if he ran into danger, he only needed to hide behind her. She would protect him.
Cao Longyan gave an awkward smile. They really had underestimated him completely, though it was only reasonable. He didn't hold it against them, since it wouldn't be long before something happened that would shock them.
The other two members of his team were Yao Haoxuan and Gongyang Mo.
The other team was led by vice-captain Dai Yueheng, with Chen Zifeng, Xixi, and Ling Luochen as his teammates.
Their Soul Power Levels were about the same as in the original story.
Only Ma Xiaotao was different: her Soul Power had already reached rank sixty-nine, the peak of Soul Emperor, just one step away from rank seventy.
Everyone released their Martial Souls, preparing to spar as usual.
They didn't take Cao Longyan seriously.
But just as everyone had revealed their Martial Souls and Soul Rings and were about to begin, something completely unexpected happened.
Usually, when outer court disciples saw them like this, cries of "Wow!" would ring out one after another. But Cao Longyan showed not the slightest surprise at their Martial Souls and Soul Rings. Instead, he calmly raised his left hand, preparing to release his own Martial Soul.
He actually wanted to fight them?!
Clouds of icy mist spread out from Cao Longyan, and a bone-chilling aura of Ultimate Ice erupted!
Ice Dragon King Martial Soul, release!
The phantom of a colossal ice-blue dragon appeared behind Cao Longyan.
Mighty draconic pressure swept over the entire arena in an instant!
Everyone with a Beast Martial Soul—including Dai Yueheng's Evil Eye White Tiger, Yao Haoxuan's Lightning Leopard, and even Gongyang Mo's Rainbow Dragon, not to mention Ma Xiaotao's purified Holy Fire Phoenix—trembled beneath the dragon's might, nearly dropping to their knees in submission!
Ling Luochen's expression changed dramatically.
Her ice Martial Soul was completely suppressed by Cao Longyan's Ultimate Ice. She couldn't release even a trace of cold air!
And this aura...
She felt it was incredibly familiar.
It was just like the terrifying aura of Ultimate Ice she'd sensed half a year ago on the outskirts of the Extreme North!
Everyone stared at Cao Longyan in shock.
But this was far from over...
Soul Ring after Soul Ring lit up beneath Cao Longyan's feet.
Black... black... black... red!
Three black Soul Rings and one red, four in total, revolved slowly.
Ten-thousand-year... ten-thousand-year... ten-thousand-year... Hundred Thousand Year!
The entire arena fell silent.
Off to one side, Yan Shaozhe saw this and couldn't help quietly stifling a laugh. It was the first time he'd seen the seven of them make expressions like that. Ma Xiaotao in particular looked adorable like this, so different from when she usually acted coquettish around him.
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, and the others were all dumbstruck. They rubbed their eyes hard, wondering if they were seeing things.
A twelve-year-old Four-Ring Soul Ancestor?
A Soul Ring Configuration of three black and one red?
And a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?
How was this possible?!
Cao Longyan looked at their stunned faces with an innocent expression and said calmly,
"Why are you all staring at me, seniors? Can we start the sparring match now?"
Only then did everyone snap out of it. They shook their heads, accepted reality, and composed themselves, finally taking Cao Longyan seriously.
The match began.
And ended just as quickly.
Ma Xiaotao's team completely defeated Dai Yueheng's team.
Cao Longyan's Ultimate Ice completely locked down Ling Luochen, leaving her unable to do anything.
He withdrew his dragon's might from his teammates, but kept it pressing down on the opposing team, suppressing them.
Beneath the dragon's might, Dai Yueheng's White Tiger was greatly weakened.
With Gongyang Mo's support, Ma Xiaotao's Holy Fire Phoenix completely overpowered Dai Yueheng.
And Cao Longyan's four Soul Skills, combined with his Self-Created Soul Skill, caught the four of them completely off guard, leaving them utterly helpless.
The battle ended.
The Martial Arts Arena fell silent.
Ma Xiaotao, Dai Yueheng, Ling Luochen, and the others looked at Cao Longyan completely differently now.
Their feelings had shifted from initial disdain to shock, and then to awe and respect.
"This guy... is way too monstrous."
Ling Luochen couldn't help murmuring.
She'd been suppressed by Cao Longyan the entire time, unable to do a thing. She had the most say in the matter.
"Even if he entered the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament this year, he could win by an overwhelming margin."
Dai Yueheng looked at Cao Longyan with admiration.
Perhaps he could help the Star Luo Empire...
Ma Xiaotao kept staring at Cao Longyan's back, the familiar feeling in her heart growing stronger and stronger.
But when she remembered Cao Longyan's Martial Soul was ice-attribute, she could only sigh to herself.
Yan Shaozhe watched this scene, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
It seemed he'd been right to bring Longyan in to spar with Xiaotao and the others. They'd had things far too easy and really needed to be knocked down a peg. Otherwise, their confidence would turn to arrogance, and they might let their guard down during their surveillance missions, leading to consequences they could never undo.
But he didn't want to be the bad guy, so naturally, he'd found Cao Longyan...
Before you continue