Core Disciples

Before long, Du Weilun, the director of the Martial Soul Department's Academic Affairs Office, arrived at a leisurely pace with more than a dozen instructors and stood before all the students.

Du Weilun held a folder in his hand, a gentle smile on his face as his gaze slowly swept across the energetic young students before him. Then he spoke in a clear voice.

"I believe everyone already knows that this year's Freshman Assessment elimination tournament has concluded, and the final rankings and rewards have been decided. Next, I will officially announce the final rankings and their corresponding rewards."

"Third place in the Freshman Assessment goes to Dai Yueheng's team! Team members: Dai Yueheng, Xixi, and Shishi, step forward!"

This was precisely the team Yue Ling and the other two had faced in the semifinals.

The entire team was solid and powerful. Dai Yueheng, a three-ring Soul Elder, served as their main Power Attack Type fighter; Xixi was an extremely fast two-ring Agility Attack Type Spirit Master; while Shishi was responsible for the team's endurance. They were a well-balanced, highly coordinated, formidable team.

At the call, Dai Yueheng and the other two quickly stepped out of formation, their young faces filled with irrepressible excitement and pride.

Thunderous applause immediately erupted from the hundreds of remaining first-year students in the square.

After round after round of brutal eliminations, only a few hundred freshmen remained. Compared to the start of the school year, two-thirds had been eliminated. Every one of those who had made it this far was a genius among their peers.

Du Weilun continued reading, his tone carrying a trace of regret. "Second place goes to Wang Hao, He Jiajie, and Li Jingjing's team. Unfortunately, the three of them suffered serious injuries in the finals and are unable to attend today."

Ma Xiaotao, standing in formation nearby, gave a soft snort through her nose, her eyes holding faint disdain.

She knew this was the hooded man's team they had faced in the finals.

This team's raw strength was not particularly outstanding. In fact, it was somewhat weak.

Their victory over Ling Luochen's team had been pure luck. They had relied on a special Martial Soul Fusion Skill to forcibly trap their opponents before defeating them one by one, narrowly advancing.

Wang Hao, the hooded man, looked seriously injured, but his Martial Soul foundation had not been harmed.

Shrek Academy had strict rules during assessments. Students were strictly forbidden from deliberately inflicting severe injuries on their opponents.

Yue Ling's third soul skill had erupted far too quickly for the proctors to completely stop it, but he had still held back and caused no irreversible damage.

He Jiajie, the team's Power Attack Type fighter, had been struck head-on by Ma Xiaotao's Phoenix Flame. The burns covered a vast area and looked terrifying, but they had likewise not damaged his foundation.

Li Jingjing, the team's only girl, had been sent flying by the sudden eruption of Yue Ling's evil energy shockwave. She suffered internal injuries from the impact and was currently resting and receiving treatment in the academy infirmary.

Although none of the three had been left with hidden injuries or crippled cultivation, they had truly suffered terribly in that final.

If Yue Ling had not made a decisive call and had Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo leave the arena early to avoid harm, the three of them would have ended up exactly like that team.

"Although these three students could not attend, they still deserve recognition. Let us give them a round of applause!"

The students cooperated enthusiastically. Though no one could see where they were, orderly and fervent applause once again rang out across the square.

Listening to the applause around her, Ma Xiaotao knew it would soon be their turn.

She had been standing in Shrek Square for some time already, her gaze constantly sweeping the surroundings as she eagerly hoped Yue Ling would come.

She had long since piled up a whole heap of things she wanted to say to him.

Especially at the moment when Xuan Zi had taken Yue Ling away, her heart had hurt as though pierced by needles.

The feeling was strange, and even she could not explain it clearly.

She simply suddenly felt that life studying in the Outer Court had become dull and boring. She had even wanted to return to her teacher and continue cultivating.

Unfortunately, the final result could only leave Ma Xiaotao disappointed.

At the front.

After a brief pause, Du Weilun raised his voice slightly. "Now, please give a warm round of applause to welcome the ultimate champions of this Freshman Assessment."

"They are Yue Ling's team: Yue Ling, Ma Xiaotao, and Gongyang Mo!"

"However, Yue Ling's injuries are severe, and he cannot be here today. The remaining members will take the stage in his place!"

At once, enthusiastic cheers erupted throughout the square, and everyone turned in unison toward Freshman Class One.

Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo quickly stepped forward upon hearing this.

Du Weilun smiled and had them stand in the center.

Warm applause erupted from below the stage once more.

Though only two people stood on the stage at this moment, with Yue Ling absent, it was clear just how spectacular the final match had been. Unfortunately, they had not been fortunate enough to witness it.

Once Du Weilun saw that everyone had arrived, he began to announce in a clear voice, "All right. I will now announce the rewards for the top three teams in the Freshman Assessment."

"The top three teams will all receive a unified reward from the academy. Whenever each member needs a Spirit Ring, they may submit a request to the academy. The academy will assist them in obtaining one Spirit Ring that they can bear and that is most suitable for them."

The moment those words were spoken, the first-year students burst into astonished exclamations. This reward was equivalent to a promise from the academy.

The next Spirit Rings for the five people on stage would certainly be acquired at their limits. For example, if Ma Xiaotao could withstand a five-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring, then the academy would find her a suitable thousand-year Spirit Ring. Of course, even without saying so, Yan Shaozhe would have found one for her.

The same went for everyone. This reward was immensely valuable.

Hearing Du Weilun's words, the people on stage were filled with excitement.

Limit Spirit Rings...

For the same soul skill, a Spirit Ring absorbed at its maximum possible age would make it more than twice as powerful as one with a lower age. Its added effects, control duration, and attack range would all be greatly enhanced.

Moreover, the process of absorbing a Spirit Ring forcibly tempered one's bones and meridians.

Spirit Masters who had absorbed only limit Spirit Rings from an early age would have a much easier time breaking through level bottlenecks later on, almost never getting stuck at a cultivation threshold.

Du Weilun continued, "In light of the champion Yue Ling team's exceptional performance throughout the competition and their perfect record, the academy has decided to grant them a special reward."

"The academy will keep this reward confidential."

"After the class assignments are finished, the two of you may come with me to receive it."

Ma Xiaotao and Gongyang Mo's hearts skipped a beat, and excitement gradually appeared on their faces.

This was what they had been eagerly awaiting, and what they had worked so hard for.

No one in Shrek Square had any objection.

This was a team made up of three Soul Elders.

It could be said that they had won this championship without the slightest bit of trickery. It was only natural for them to receive greater rewards.

Du Weilun said, "All right, you may return to your places."

The five of them returned to their original positions and stood properly.

Du Weilun said, "The quality of this year's freshmen surpasses that of previous years. I hope you will continue striving forward. No matter how great your talent is, without hard work, you will gain nothing worthwhile."

"Shrek Academy is the continent's number one Soul Master Academy. I hope all of you will graduate successfully and achieve outstanding results."

"In view of the outstanding new students who emerged during this year's freshman tournament, the academy has specially approved a number of students to become Outer Court core disciples."

"I will now announce the list."