Shrek Seven Monsters' First Team Cultivation Assessment

At dawn, Shrek Plaza was always awakened by the first rays of sunlight and the presence of soul masters.

After yesterday's inexplicable encounter, all seven of them 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 after they awoke.

And today was the Shrek Inner Court's first team cultivation assessment for freshman squads.

There had been no warning and no preparation. As soon as the morning bell rang, a majestic voice echoed throughout the cultivation area. "All freshman squads, proceed to the Soul Dou Arena immediately for a team coordination assessment. Those who fail will lose their eligibility for this month's core resources."

The moment the voice fell, the plaza erupted into commotion.

Xie Xie's face instantly fell as he wailed, "Seriously? An assessment as soon as we get here? I haven't even adjusted yet!"

"What are you panicking for?" Ye Xinglan gave him an indifferent glance, the aura of the Star God Sword already flowing around her fingertips. "There is no comfort to be found in Shrek."

Yuanen Yehui stood at the far left, the aura of her twin martial souls as steady as a mountain. "The assessment content is unknown. Teamwork is what matters."

Le Zhengyu straightened his school uniform, Divine Angel power faintly stirring around him. "No matter who our opponents are, light will guide our way."

Xu Lizhi silently stuffed the last meat bun into his mouth and patted his stomach. "I-I'll try my best not to hold everyone back!"

Xu Xiaoyan smiled gently, her starlight soul power lightly enveloping the people beside her. "Don't worry. We're together."

In the end, everyone's eyes fell on Tang Wulin, who stood at the very center.

The young man raised his head slightly, his golden eyes especially bright in the morning light. The words left behind by that figure yesterday still seemed to echo in his ears—protect the people around you, and hold fast to your own heart.

He took a deep breath. His voice was steady and powerful, carrying the resolve of a captain.

"Listen up. For this assessment, we do not seek to be the fastest or the strongest. We only seek not to scatter, not to fall into chaos, and not to abandon one another. Xie Xie will scout and harass. Xinglan will lead the offensive breakthrough. Yuanen will protect the flanks. Le Zhengyu will provide support, healing, and light suppression. Xiaoyan will control the battlefield's vision and restrain the enemy. Lizhi, be ready with food supplies at all times. I'll take the hits head-on and direct everyone."

"Understood!"

The six voices answered in perfect unison, without the slightest hesitation.

Gu Yue stood at Tang Wulin's side. Her silver-purple eyes were calm and still, yet from an angle no one could see, her aura quietly linked with his. The origins of the Silver Dragon and Golden Dragon silently resonated at that moment.

"Let's go."

Tang Wulin waved his hand, and the seven figures set out side by side toward the Soul Dou Arena.

At the center of the arena, the referee teacher wore a serious expression as he looked at the recently formed squad before him.

"This assessment is called Hold the Line."

With a wave of the referee's hand, a three-meter-high stone platform instantly appeared in the center of the arena. Atop it sat a soul-guided 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 Berserk Flame Wolf soul beasts with fifty years of cultivation, simulated by soul-guided devices. Their strength is real, and they fear no death."

"Four... fifty-year-old ones?" Xie Xie swallowed. "A group battle right from the start?"

"A fifty-year soul beast's individual combat strength is comparable to that of a peak Great Soul Master. Four of them surrounding us would be enough to suppress an ordinary seven-person squad." Le Zhengyu raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

Tang Wulin's gaze sharpened as he immediately made his judgment. "Yuanen, guard the front of the stone platform and withstand them with the Titan Giant Ape bloodline. Xinglan, move along the left side and kill when the opportunity arises. Le Zhengyu, suppress them with light from the right and restrain the flame wolves' movements. Xie Xie, circle behind them and disrupt their coordinated attacks. Xiaoyan, lock onto them with starlight and control them whenever necessary. Lizhi, immediately deploy defensive and strength-enhancing food."

He paused, his gaze falling 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 they were so restrained that they caused no ripples, like a tranquil deep sea.

"The assessment—begin!"

At the referee's command, soul-guided lights flashed around the arena.

Four fiery-red figures suddenly charged out. The Berserk Flame Wolves were engulfed in flames, their fangs bared as they lunged toward the central stone platform with the momentum to tear apart everything in their path!

"They're here!"

Xu Lizhi did not dare slack off. His hands moved rapidly, and one crystalline bun after another instantly flew out and landed in everyone's hands. "Strength-enhancing buns! Defensive buns! Speed buns!"

The moment they ate the buns, everyone's aura surged.

Yuanen Yehui took a step forward, and the earth trembled faintly. Her Titan Giant Ape martial soul possessed her body, her muscles swelling as she crossed her arms before her and stood firmly in front of the stone platform!

Boom—!

The leading flame wolf slammed viciously into her arms. Flames exploded outward, yet they were firmly stopped by that mountain-like power, unable to advance even an inch.

"Perfect opportunity!"

Ye Xinglan's figure flashed. The Star God Sword left its sheath, and a sharp sword light cleaved straight toward the flame wolf's head, fully displaying the speed of an agility attack-type soul master.

Le Zhengyu spread his wings, and holy light descended from the sky onto the other two flame wolves. Their flames were instantly suppressed, and their movements slowed by several degrees.

Xie Xie circled behind them like a ghost. His twin hammers struck repeatedly at the flame wolves' hind legs, preventing them from charging at full force.

A faint glimmer flashed through Xu Xiaoyan's eyes. Chains of starlight 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 seamlessly, attacking and defending in perfect order as they forcibly kept all four Berserk Flame Wolves outside the stone platform.

The referee stood atop the high platform, a trace of surprise flashing through his eyes.

This freshman squad was clearly fighting together formally for the first time, yet they seemed to have coordinated through countless battles. Every person's position, every attack, and every instance of support was perfectly timed.

Especially that silver-haired girl.

Gu Yue had not used her full strength from beginning to end, yet she always filled every gap at the most crucial moment.

One flame wolf broke through the defensive line amid the chaos and lunged straight for the signal device. Yuanen Yehui could not rescue it in time, Ye Xinglan was entangled, and Xie Xie was too far away.

Just as the flames were about to touch the signal device—

"Wind Lock."

Gu Yue spoke two casual words.

Invisible chains of wind instantly condensed, binding the flame wolf in midair before viciously flinging it away.

The entire process took no more than an instant.

Tang Wulin turned to look at her, warmth and trust flashing through his eyes.

With her there, he never had to worry about the rear.

"Hold on! Ten minutes left!" Tang Wulin shouted. Golden Dragon power surged through his body as he stepped forward and faced two flame wolves head-on, throwing both fists out. "Golden Dragon Overlord Body!"

Golden light flared, and the two flame wolves were sent flying back by his punches, their flames scattering.

Time passed second by second.

The flame wolves' attacks grew increasingly frenzied, yet they were never able to approach the stone platform by even half a step.

When the countdown finally reached zero, the four flame wolves dissolved into motes of light, and the arena returned to calm.

Thirty minutes—successful defense!

Everyone let out a breath of relief. Their foreheads were covered in a light sheen of 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 curving into a barely noticeable smile. "We were acceptable."

Le Zhengyu retracted his wings and nodded in approval. "This squad is worthy of trust."

Xu Lizhi patted his stomach happily. "Next time, I can make even more buns!"

Yuanen Yehui's breathing settled as she looked at Tang Wulin. "Good command."

Tang Wulin smiled, his gaze slowly sweeping across his six companions.

Sunlight shone over the stone platform, and the blue signal device quietly flickered, symbolizing their first victory.

He suddenly thought of that figure from the depths of time yesterday.

That person had said their future would shine with boundless brilliance.

Tang Wulin clenched his fists, the resolve in his heart growing even stronger.

He turned and extended his hand toward everyone.

"We did it."

"Next, there's still a much longer road ahead."

Gu Yue was the first to extend her hand, gently placing it over his.

Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, Xu Lizhi, Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, and Le Zhengyu placed their hands atop theirs one after another.

Seven hands, seven hearts, tightly connected.

"Shrek Seven Monsters!"

The youths' voices were clear and resounding, echoing throughout the arena for a long time.

The referee on the high platform watched this scene and silently wrote down a perfect score for their assessment.

He suddenly felt that this seemingly immature squad might truly shock 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 with every step of their growth.