The guide girl walked ahead with a graceful figure and light steps. As they entered the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, an air of luxury washed over them. The golden hall was a display of extravagance.
The three were led to the second floor of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. The Treasure Appreciation Fair was being held there.
The girl in the white dress led them to a display counter. "Honored guests, this is where the Treasure Appreciation Fair is being held. If any of you see something you like, you can register to buy it. If you need to buy on credit, you can also have your eligibility assessed. The results will determine your discount and credit limit."
Lin Shuo brought the two of them over to be assessed. On the way, Wang Dong'er's gaze was drawn to a golden-red arm bone. This display was much larger than the others, and its value was obvious at a glance.
Lin Shuo looked at it and said, "A ten-thousand-year Golden Earth Dragon King left arm bone. It really suits you. The Golden Earth Dragon King has the bloodline of a Bright Sacred Dragon. The only pity is that this Soul Bone is only ten thousand years old."
"To put a Soul Bone like this on display, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion must have some connection to the academy."
Just then, a warm voice entered the three of their ears. "Young man, your guess is right. This place belongs to the academy. Whatever ratings you receive later, don't be surprised. And don't reveal the connection between this place and the academy." Elder Lin, who had sent the message from afar, looked at Lin Shuo in surprise. From so few clues, he had already deduced the relationship between the academy and the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Lin Shuo had not only peerless talent, but also a mind among the sharpest.
The three filled out their forms and submitted them. Soon, their assessments were ready.
The girl in charge of registration looked dazed as she gazed at Lin Shuo and Huo Yu'er, a few more fervent gleams in her eyes.
She was extremely respectful as she addressed the two in a soft voice. "Welcome to the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, esteemed Mr. Lin and Ms. Huo. Neither of you has a credit limit here. Ms. Huo may take one item from the Treasure Gathering Pavilion free of charge each year, while Mr. Lin may take five."
"As for you, Ms. Wang, you may buy up to one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins on credit each year, and all purchases are discounted by ten percent."
A staff member in the distance saw that the three had finished their assessments and handed them one gold, one red, and one purple card.
"These are your credentials. Purchases made with Ms. Huo's VIP card are sixty percent off, and Mr. Lin's are fifty percent off."
Wang Dong'er looked at the two beside her in shock. At the start of term, she had still dreamed of being the oldest of the three. Now, was she really going to become little Wang?
Lin Shuo nodded at the girl, took the credentials, and casually tossed them into his Storage Soul Tool. "Let's go see what they have."
As he spoke, he strode toward the Golden Earth Dragon King left arm bone. Wang Dong'er and Huo Yu'er hurried after him.
"Nine million five hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins?" Wang Dong'er stared at the price in shock.
Lin Shuo said, "Dragon bloodlines are a level above those of other Soul Beasts, and this one has the pure bloodline of a Bright Sacred Dragon. That price isn't surprising."
"Do you have enough money? Do you want me to buy it for you? Its age is a little low, but its quality is still good."
Wang Dong'er fell silent as she looked at the Soul Bone. She remembered the five-ten-thousand-year Heavenly Dragon Horse Right Leg Bone she had absorbed not long ago. That Soul Bone also had the bloodline of a Bright Sacred Dragon. She had known it was precious, but now she realized she had still underestimated its value.
"Don't you need it?" Wang Dong'er asked curiously. She knew Lin Shuo's Martial Soul could control the seven elements. This Soul Bone should suit him too.
Lin Shuo shook his head. "Its quality is too low. Absorbing it would only sully my bloodline."
Huo Yu'er nodded in agreement beside them. She had seen the power of Lin Shuo's bloodline at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and now that she had a True Dragon Martial Soul of her own, she naturally knew he was telling the truth.
Wang Dong'er's mouth twitched. A top-grade ten-thousand-year Soul Bone that would cause a sensation in the outside world was actually being dismissed by Lin Shuo as too low-quality.
She fell silent for a while, then suddenly understood.
The academy had granted Huo Yu'er and Lin Shuo such great privileges to bind them to the academy. The moment they used those privileges, they would owe the academy a favor. Sooner or later, those debts would bind them.
Just as she was about to say this, Lin Shuo seemed to anticipate her words and lightly flicked her forehead.
"Don't overthink it." Lin Shuo lowered his hand and said evenly, "If you have a chance to get stronger, don't pass it up. As for owing a favor—do you think I can't repay it?"
With that, Lin Shuo turned and walked toward the counter.
Wang Dong'er covered her forehead and stared blankly at Lin Shuo's back.
Huo Yu'er saw the look on Wang Dong'er's face and wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
"Let's go. It'll be delivered straight to the academy later. Is there anything else you want?" Lin Shuo returned to them after completing the purchase.
The three continued browsing the Treasure Gathering Pavilion. Aside from running into Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan, they found nothing else they particularly needed.
Xu Sanshi acted like a mouse seeing a cat when he spotted Lin Shuo. He hadn't forgotten what had happened before, and immediately hid behind Bei Bei.
After browsing a little longer, the three returned to their dormitory.
The next morning, they arrived in the classroom. Wang Yan immediately summoned the class's core disciples to his office. Everyone except Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu greeted Lin Shuo and the other two when they saw them.
"I called you here today because there'll be a Core Disciple Selection Tournament in three days." Wang Yan paused and looked over the group, letting his gaze linger on Lin Shuo for a moment.
"There won't be any punishment if you fail this assessment. All core disciples in the outer court under fifteen will take part. Of about thirty core disciples, only seven will win. If there are no questions, the rest of you can head back. Lin Shuo, Huo Yu'er, and Wang Dong'er, stay behind."
After the others left, Wang Yan looked at Lin Shuo and asked with a smile, "Lin Shuo, do you know why I asked you to stay?"
"Do you want me to choose my own teammates?" Lin Shuo answered without hesitation.
"The reason you're selecting seven people is that the Soul Fighting Tournament is about to begin. This tournament is to select this year's participants. But all the other core disciples in the outer court combined wouldn't be able to beat me."
Wang Yan looked at Lin Shuo in surprise.
"Exactly. The others in the second year may not even know what this assessment is for. It is indeed to select the Shrek Seven Devils Reserve Team. Although you're only a second-year student, your cultivation alone probably makes you the strongest in the outer court right now."
"The academy trusts your strength, but it's also worried you'll sweep aside some of the more outstanding core disciples. So I was asked to give you a reminder: choose teammates who get along well with you."