Shrek Plaza's mornings were always awakened by the first ray of sunlight and the presence of Soul Masters.
After yesterday's inexplicable encounter, all seven harbored an indescribable feeling in their hearts, yet no one truly mentioned it. It was as if that figure had merely been a warm dream, leaving behind only a firmer strength in their hearts upon waking.
Today was Shrek Inner Court's first team cultivation assessment for the freshman squads.
There had been no warning and no preparation. As soon as the morning bell rang, a commanding voice echoed throughout the cultivation area. "All freshman squads, proceed to the Soul Dou Arena immediately for the team coordination assessment. Those who fail will lose their eligibility for this month's core resources."
The moment the voice faded, the plaza erupted in commotion.
Xie Xie's face instantly fell as he wailed, "Seriously? We're getting assessed as soon as we get here? I haven't even adjusted yet!"
"What are you panicking for?" Ye Xinglan cast him an indifferent glance, the aura of the Stargod Sword already flowing around her fingertips. "There was never any comfort to be found at Shrek."
Yuanen Yehui stood at the far left, the aura of her Twin Martial Souls as steady as a mountain. "The assessment's content is unknown. Teamwork is the priority."
Yue Zhengyu straightened his uniform as the power of the Divine Angel faintly stirred around him. "No matter who our opponents are, the light will guide our way."
Xu Lizhi silently stuffed the last meat bun into his mouth and patted his stomach. "I-I'll do my best not to hold everyone back!"
Xu Xiaoyan smiled gently, her starlight Soul Power lightly enveloping the people around her. "Don't worry. We're in this together."
In the end, everyone's eyes fell on Tang Wulin, who stood at the very center.
The boy raised his head slightly, his golden eyes especially bright in the morning light. The words left by that figure yesterday still echoed in his ears—protect those by your side, and hold fast to your own heart.
He took a deep breath. His voice was calm and powerful, carrying the unwavering resolve of a captain.
"Listen up. For this assessment, we won't strive to be the fastest or the strongest. We'll strive not to scatter, not to fall into disorder, and not to abandon anyone. Xie Xie, you'll scout and harass. Xing Lan, you'll lead the offensive and break through. Yuanen, guard our flank. Yue Zhengyu, provide healing support and suppress them with light. Xiaoyan, control the battlefield's vision and provide crowd control. Li Zhi, prepare food supplies at any time. I'll take the hits head-on and command."
"Understood!"
The six voices answered in perfect unison, without the slightest hesitation.
Gu Yue stood at Tang Wulin's side. Her star-silver eyes were calm and still, yet from an angle no one could see, her aura quietly connected with his. The origins of the Silver Dragon and Gold Dragon silently resonated at that moment.
"Let's go."
Tang Wulin waved his hand, and the seven figures set off side by side toward the Soul Dou Arena.
At the center of the arena, the referee wore a stern expression as he looked at this newly formed squad.
"This assessment is called Hold the Line."
The referee raised a hand, and a three-meter-tall stone platform instantly appeared in the middle of the arena. At its peak sat a Soul Tool signal device flashing with blue light.
"The rules are simple—defend the signal device for thirty minutes without allowing it to be destroyed. Your opponents are four fifty-year Berserk Flame Wolf soul beasts, simulated by Soul Tools. Their strength is real, and they fear no death."
"Four... fifty-year ones?" Xie Xie swallowed. "We're starting with a group battle?"
"A fifty-year soul beast has combat power comparable to a Peak Great Soul Master. Four surrounding us would be enough to suppress an ordinary seven-person squad." Yue Zhengyu raised a brow. "Interesting."
Tang Wulin's gaze sharpened as he immediately made his decision. "Yuanen, guard the front of the stone platform and use the Titan Giant Ape bloodline to withstand them. Xing Lan, roam on the left and kill whenever an opportunity arises. Yue Zhengyu, suppress the right side with light and hinder the flame wolves' movements. Xie Xie, circle behind them and harass them, disrupting their coordinated attacks. Xiaoyan, use Starlight Chains to lock them down whenever needed. Li Zhi, immediately provide defensive and strength-enhancing food."
He paused, his gaze settling on Gu Yue beside him as his voice softened. "Gu Yue, support from the center. Cover the entire field with your elements and help everyone patch any gaps."
"Alright."
Gu Yue nodded lightly without another word.
Wind, fire, water, earth, light, darkness... countless elemental powers silently gathered around her, yet remained so restrained that not a ripple could be seen, like a tranquil deep sea.
"Assessment—begin!"
At the referee's command, Soul Tool lights flashed around the arena.
Four fiery-red figures abruptly charged out. The Berserk Flame Wolves were wreathed in blazing fire, their fangs bared as they pounced toward the central stone platform with the momentum to tear everything apart!
"They're here!"
Xu Lizhi did not dare slack off. His hands moved swiftly, and one crystal-clear bun after another flew out and landed in everyone's hands. "Strength-enhancing buns! Defense buns! Speed buns!"
The moment they ate the buns, everyone's aura surged.
Yuanen Yehui stepped forward, making the ground tremble faintly. Her Titan Giant Ape Martial Soul Possession activated, her muscles rapidly swelling as she crossed her arms before her and forcefully blocked the path before the stone platform!
Boom—!
The leading flame wolf slammed viciously into her arms. Flames exploded outward, but the mountain-like power held it firmly in place, preventing it from advancing even an inch.
"Perfect chance!"
Ye Xinglan flashed forward. The Stargod Sword left its sheath, and a sharp beam of sword light cleaved directly toward the flame wolf's head, displaying the astonishing speed of an agility-attack Soul Master.
Yue Zhengyu spread his wings, and holy light descended from above onto the other two flame wolves. Their flames were instantly suppressed, and their movements slowed by several degrees.
Like a ghost, Xie Xie circled around to the rear. His twin hammers struck repeatedly at the flame wolves' hind legs, preventing them from charging with full force.
A faint glint flashed through Xu Xiaoyan's eyes. Starlight Chains appeared out of thin air, instantly binding one flame wolf's limbs and pinning it firmly in place.
For a time, the seven worked together in perfect harmony. Their offense and defense were orderly as they forcibly kept the four Berserk Flame Wolves outside the stone platform.
The referee stood atop the elevated platform, surprise flashing through his eyes.
This freshman squad was clearly participating in formal coordinated combat for the first time, yet it was as if they had practiced together thousands of times. Every person's position, every attack, and every instance of support came at precisely the right moment.
Especially that silver-haired girl.
Gu Yue had not exerted her full strength from beginning to end, yet she always filled every gap at the most critical instant.
One flame wolf broke through the defense amid the chaos and lunged straight for the signal device. Yuanen Yehui could not rescue it in time, Ye Xinglan was tied down, and Xie Xie was too far away.
Just as the flames were about to touch the signal device—
"Wind Lock."
Gu Yue spoke those two words as casually as if it were nothing.
Invisible chains of wind instantly condensed, binding the flame wolf in midair before violently flinging it away.
The entire process took only an instant.
Tang Wulin turned his head to look at her, warmth and trust flashing through his eyes.
With her there, he never had to worry about their rear.
"Hold on, ten minutes left!" Tang Wulin called out loudly. Golden Dragon Power surged through his body as he stepped forward to meet two flame wolves head-on, throwing both fists out at once. "Golden Dragon Overlord Body!"
Golden light flared, and the two flame wolves were sent flying back by his punches as their flames scattered.
Time passed second by second.
The flame wolves' attacks grew increasingly frenzied, yet they could never come within half a step of the stone platform.
When the countdown reached zero, the four flame wolves dissolved into motes of light, and the arena returned to calm.
Thirty minutes—they had successfully held the line!
Everyone let out a breath of relief. Their foreheads were beaded with sweat, but they exchanged smiles.
Xie Xie collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily. "We survived, we survived! We actually held them off!"
"It was because everyone worked well together," Xu Xiaoyan said with a smile.
Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword, the corners of her lips lifting into a barely noticeable curve. "Passable."
Yue Zhengyu withdrew his wings and nodded in approval. "This squad is worth trusting."
Xu Lizhi rubbed his stomach happily. "Next time, I can make even more buns!"
Yuanen Yehui steadied her breathing and looked at Tang Wulin. "Good command."
Tang Wulin smiled, his gaze slowly sweeping across his six companions.
Sunlight spilled across the stone platform, and the blue signal device flashed quietly, symbolizing their first victory.
He suddenly remembered the figure from the depths of time he had seen yesterday.
That person had said their future would shine with boundless brilliance.
Tang Wulin clenched his fists, the determination in his heart growing even stronger.
He turned around and extended a hand toward everyone.
"We did it."
"Next, we still have a longer road ahead."
Gu Yue was the first to reach out, gently placing her hand atop his.
Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, Xu Lizhi, Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Yue Zhengyu placed their hands atop theirs one after another.
Seven hands, seven hearts, tightly joined together.
"Shrek Seven Monsters!"
The youths' voices were clear and resounding, echoing through the arena for a long time.
The referee on the platform watched the scene and silently wrote a perfect score on their assessment results.
He suddenly felt that this seemingly immature squad might truly astonish the entire Douluo Continent in the near future.
And what they did not know was that at the other end of the river of time, a figure was quietly watching them, feeling gratified and proud at every step of their growth.
Before you continue