It's All in the Family—Whoever Wins, Wins

After all ninety-one students had filled in their chosen cultivation paths, Wang Yan wrote the two large words "Battle" on the blackboard.

Wang Yan said, "The most important part of our Freshman Assessment is battle—battle, and more battle. The classic format of the Freshman Assessment is a small team of three."

At that moment, someone raised a hand and asked, "But Teacher, there are ninety-one of us. If we divide into teams of three, there'll be one person left over."

Wang Yan said, "That's a good question. I'm sure all of you have thought of it as well. But you should know that Shrek's Freshman Assessment system has been in place for nearly ten thousand years, and we have a solution for that extra person."

Just as Wang Yan was about to continue, Huo Yuhao raised his hand.

"Then let our little class monitor share his thoughts." Seeing that Huo Yuhao wanted to speak, Wang Yan gave him permission.

Huo Yuhao said, "Teacher Wang, I actually don't think teams necessarily have to consist of three people."

Wang Yan said with interest, "Oh? Go on."

"Teacher Wang, if there's one person left over, we can put the strongest few into teams of two. For example, there are ninety-one people in our class. Wang Dong and I can form a team, while Xue Ningbing and Xiao Xiao form another. After assigning those two-person teams, there will be eighty-seven people left."

"Those eighty-seven people can be divided into twenty-nine teams of three."

Wang Yan nodded approvingly at Huo Yuhao's suggestion. "That is indeed a good idea."

"After class, I'll report this to Director Du. If Director Du approves, we'll do it your way."

"Now that this issue has basically been settled, it's time to return to the main topic."

Wang Yan continued, "During team assignments for the Freshman Assessment, each team may have at most one assault-type Soul Master. Also, no team may have two Soul Elders at the same time."

"Therefore, the strongest possible Freshman Assessment lineup is one Soul Elder and two Grand Soul Masters."

"During the assignments, roommates will be placed on the same team first. The third student will then be decided by drawing lots."

"This Freshman Assessment will be held in the Soul Duel Zone. There were originally one thousand first-year freshmen this year, but some have already been eliminated during the first three months. There are currently around three hundred and fifty teams remaining. Only the top one hundred and fifty teams can remain at Shrek, and the rankings will be determined by points."

"The Freshman Assessment matches will be decided by drawing lots. Every student must take part in at least ten battles, and rankings will be based on the number of victories. The Freshman Assessment will proceed through the top sixty-four, top thirty-two, top four, and finally the championship round."

"Starting from the top sixty-four, it will be an elimination tournament. The top four teams in the elimination rounds will receive rewards of varying levels, while the final champions will receive even more generous rewards."

"Besides rewards, there is also the title of core disciple. Core disciples are selected based on factors such as team ranking, overall strength, individual strength, team coordination, outstanding performance, and formidable ability. Students who earn the title of core disciple will have the chance to compete for a place among the Shrek Seven Monsters."

"As reserve members of the Shrek Seven Monsters, they can participate in the Soul Master Tournament and win honor for themselves and Shrek."

"Perhaps it's a little early to tell you all this now, but doesn't it make it easier to stir up your fighting spirit?"

The moment they heard Wang Yan mention the title of core disciple, the students' fighting spirit was ignited. Over these past three months, they had gained a preliminary understanding of Shrek.

Under Wang Yan's constant promotion, all of them took pride in being able to enter Shrek. As long as it was for Shrek's glory, they would accomplish it even if they had to cheat.

If Huo Yuhao had not experienced rebirth, he would have been brainwashed by Wang Yan's words about Shrek as well.

Perhaps it was because he was an auspicious beast. To Huo Yuhao, Wang Yan's words simply went in one ear and out the other.

Huo Yuhao had never expected Shrek in his previous life to possess such powerful brainwashing methods.

Perhaps he had already been brainwashed back then, which was why he had not noticed anything unusual.

Over the past three months, Wang Yan had not been as fierce and brutal as Zhou Yi, but before every class, he would recite famous sayings and phrases related to Shrek, making them dependent on it.

At present, aside from Huo Yuhao and the naturally immune Xue Ningbing, only Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, who were always with them, had remained unaffected by those words.

"Now, I'll help you complete the team assignments." After saying that, Wang Yan began reading out the list of three-person teams he had arranged.

Other than Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xue Ningbing, and Xiao Xiao, every student had been assigned to a team.

"One last thing: before the elimination rounds begin, the academy will try its best to ensure that teams from the same class do not encounter one another."

After checking the time, Wang Yan said to Huo Yuhao, "That is all I have to say. Huo Yuhao, collect everyone's cultivation plans and hand them to me."

"Yes!" Without any hesitation, Huo Yuhao moved at lightning speed, gathering all ninety-one cultivation plans, including his own, and placing them on the podium.

It had to be said that Wang Yan managed his time well. Just as Huo Yuhao placed the papers on the podium, the dismissal bell rang.

Wang Yan said to the Class One students, "School is over from now on, and there will be no classes this afternoon. If you have any objections to the team arrangements, you can come find me at any time. As long as all of you are willing to switch teams, we'll do it your way."

"Classes are dismissed now. Before tomorrow's student assessment begins, do your best to maintain your mental condition. That is all I have to say. The rest is up to you."

After saying that, Wang Yan left the classroom.

Once they saw Wang Yan leave, the Class One students found their teammates and departed the classroom in groups of three.

Wang Dong sprang to his feet excitedly. "The Freshman Assessment is finally here! This young master finally has a chance to show what he can do!"

Xiao Xiao nodded. "But we'll be becoming opponents."

"With our strength, I'm sure the top two spots in the Freshman Assessment will belong to us. We're all family anyway—whoever wins, wins."