Choosing Teammates

Beside them, Wang Dong'er wore a look of sudden realization, but Huo Yu'er looked at Lin Shuo with eyes full of curiosity.

"Brother Lin, what is the Soul Fighting Tournament?"

Lin Shuo looked at the curious Huo Yu'er and explained, "The Soul Fighting Tournament here refers to the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament. It dates back ten thousand years, and today it is held every five years, rotating between the Star Luo Empire, the Sun Moon Empire, the Dou Ling Empire, and the Heaven Dou Empire. The tournament restricts participants to those under twenty years of age, so this selection is primarily to choose the reserve team."

Hearing this, Wang Yan gave Lin Shuo an appreciative look. "That's right. The selected students will participate in the tournament as the Shrek Seven Devils. From the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils to the present, the academy has never tasted defeat in the Soul Fighting Tournament." He paused, a touch of helpless amusement in his tone. "But with Lin Shuo here, you all only need to hold your ground until Lin Shuo eliminates the others, and there won't be any problems."

In ten thousand years, even Shrek Academy had never seen such a massive gap in strength!

One had to know that when Lin Shuo was at the third-ring level, he had been able to break the martial soul fusion skill of the three-ring Dai Huabin and two-ring Zhu Lu in a single strike without even using his soul rings! That was to say nothing of the fact that Lin Shuo was now a four-ringed soul master, the highest cultivation level in the Outer Court.

Huo Yu'er and Wang Dong'er both looked excited. Although they were only the reserve team, representing the academy to witness the geniuses from other academies across the continent would be an extraordinary experience for them!

"Since you all understand, you should head back now." Wang Yan handed a list to Lin Shuo. "This is the roster of core disciples participating in the selection. Think about your teammates in advance."

Lin Shuo took it and tucked it directly into his storage ring.

"Understood, Teacher Wang. We'll be leaving now."

The three of them left the teaching building and followed the tree-lined path to the edge of Sea God Lake. The lake breeze blew across the water, carrying a cool, damp mist and the fragrance of the grass and trees on the shore. Lin Shuo sat down on a flat rock near the water and took out the list.

"Do you two have any thoughts?"

Wang Dong'er leaned over to scan the names on the list and shook her head. "You decide. Though, I can't believe you really are the one with the highest cultivation among the core disciples."

It was worth noting that the fourth and fifth-year core disciples were two or three years older than Lin Shuo, yet their cultivation levels were still lower than his.

Huo Yu'er nodded gently as well. "Brother Lin, just decide for yourself."

Seeing that neither of them had any objections, Lin Shuo looked back at the list in his hand.

"Xu Sanshi, level 43, martial soul Black Tortoise Shield."

"Bei Bei, level 42, martial soul Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."

"Jiang Nannan, level 41, martial soul Soft Bone Rabbit."

"He Caitou, level 4 soul engineer, core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department."

"And myself, level 44." Lin Shuo picked out all the Soul Sect-level cultivators among the core disciples and read them aloud to the two girls.

"These are the ones with decent cultivation in the higher grades, but..." Lin Shuo crossed out He Caitou's name.

"Shrek Academy's main opponent is the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, and the gap between Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy in terms of soul guidance devices is well known."

"But we're still missing one. Should we pick someone from our own grade?" Wang Dong'er looked at Lin Shuo curiously; after all, the three of them weren't familiar with the other core disciples in the higher grades.

Lin Shuo reviewed the people on the list and saw Xiao Xiao, with whom he had interacted before.

"Then let's add Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao is a twin-martial soul user."

Seeing that both girls agreed, Lin Shuo put the list away.

"Let's split up then and finalize the team tonight." Lin Shuo looked at Huo Yu'er. "Yu'er, go contact Bei Bei and have him find Xu Sanshi and Jiang Nannan. Dong'er and I will go find Xiao Xiao. We'll meet back here in a bit."

Huo Yu'er acknowledged him and turned to leave. Lin Shuo and Wang Dong'er walked along the lakeside path toward the dormitory building.

"Come to think of it, I remember Xiao Xiao often sneaking glances at you in class." Wang Dong'er walked with a light step, her hands behind her back. "I wonder what her expression will be when she finds out you chose her. Do you think she has a crush on you?" After she finished speaking, she nervously touched a lock of hair by her ear, twisting the strand of powder-blue hair around her fingertip, her gaze drifting elsewhere as if waiting for Lin Shuo's answer, yet seemingly afraid to look at his expression.

Lin Shuo stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and looked at her with a faint, enigmatic smile.

"Is there any girl in the class who doesn't sneak glances at me?"

Wang Dong'er was choked by this remark, her mouth opening as she struggled to find words. Her earlobes turned a visible shade of pink, and after stammering for a long time, she finally lowered her head and muttered something only she could hear.

"Who was sneaking glances at you..."

Lin Shuo walked past Wang Dong'er, continuing forward without looking back, his pace steady and unhurried as his voice drifted back from ahead.

"I didn't say who."

"Lin Shuo, you jerk!"

Wang Dong'er's powder-blue hair swayed gently, the blush on her face spreading all the way to her ears. In the end, she could only stomp her foot and hurry to catch up.

The two arrived at the dormitory building. Wang Dong'er had Lin Shuo wait downstairs while she went up to knock on Xiao Xiao's door. A moment later, she came back down with Xiao Xiao in tow.

Xiao Xiao was dressed in simple, elegant light-green casual clothes, which made her appear even more petite. A few stray locks of hair were lifted by the evening breeze, making her delicate features look even more gentle.

Xiao Xiao followed behind Wang Dong'er, her steps faltering slightly when she saw Lin Shuo outside the dormitory. The boy's figure was outlined by the sunlight, his silver-white training suit shimmering with a faint glow.

"Lin Shuo, Dong'er said you were looking for me?" Xiao Xiao looked at Lin Shuo, feeling a bit shy.

Lin Shuo skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "Regarding the selection tournament in three days, there are some things I want to ask you. We've also arranged to meet with the seniors; do you have time?"

Xiao Xiao was clearly stunned. She looked up, a flash of surprise crossing her usually quiet and reserved eyes. Teacher Wang Yan had just kept the three of them behind, and now Lin Shuo and Wang Dong'er were coming to find her. It seemed the three of them knew something.

"I have time, but where are we going?"

"To the edge of Sea God Lake. Follow us."

Lin Shuo turned and began walking ahead. Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao followed behind, whispering to each other.

When the three returned to the lakeside, Huo Yu'er was already waiting there with the other three.

Bei Bei still wore his gentle expression. Seeing them from a distance, he cupped his hands and smiled. "Brother Lin, Yu'er said you had something to discuss with us regarding the selection tournament. I've called Xu Sanshi and Nannan over."

Xu Sanshi stood behind Bei Bei with his arms crossed. His mouth twitched when he saw Lin Shuo, but he didn't retreat. Jiang Nannan stayed beside Huo Yu'er and gave Lin Shuo a slight nod, acknowledging his presence.