Freshman Assessment: Dai Huabin Asked for Humiliation

Two days later, the Shrek Outer Court's Freshman Assessment officially began.

Preparations had taken three months. The assessment grounds had been divided into small arenas, each with spectator seating.

Elders and teachers alike took this assessment seriously, because it held a surprise.

This year's competitors included Jiang Chen, a top-tier Phoenix Soul Master, someone with Twin Martial Souls, and a host of dazzling talents. The shadows of the First-Generation Shrek Seven Devils would appear in the arena once more.

A total of 930 students had entered, forming more than 300 teams. In the end, only half could stay. The rest would be eliminated.

The rules were simple: teams of three fought other teams of three.

After breakfast, all the freshmen gathered in their assigned areas and waited for the assessment to begin.

At that moment.

In Area Nine, Jiang Chen arrived on time and took his seat. Ning Tian and Wu Feng sat behind him—the two partners best suited to him in this year's assessment.

"Jiang Chen, this year's championship is ours! Ning Tian and I are ready. Now it's up to you." Wu Feng planted her hands on her hips, excited as a proud little hen.

Ning Tian said gently, "We may be the strongest team on paper, but we still can't let our guard down. I've heard there are other strong competitors this year."

"We're the strongest!" Wu Feng declared.

Jiang Chen said nothing, but he couldn't hide the pride in his eyes.

At last, the day had come to prove himself.

He refused to believe Huo Yuhao could be the protagonist forever.

Just then, a tall figure passed them with a derisive laugh.

"The matches haven't even started, and you're already thinking about the championship?"

"You've got some ability, but it's nothing special compared to me. My team is better than yours."

Wu Feng and Ning Tian frowned.

Jiang Chen looked up at the speaker and recognized the tall young man at once.

Wasn't this Dai Hao's most disappointing son, Dai Huabin? His intended girlfriend, Zhu Lu, stood beside him.

Jiang Chen couldn't be bothered with a clown like Dai Huabin. Strength would speak for itself.

Wu Feng and Ning Tian, however, were not pleased.

Wu Feng stepped forward and pointed at Dai Huabin's nose. "Cut the act. Who do you think you are? You're just the White Tiger Duke's second son, yet you dare mock my lady? Do you even know who she is?"

"And that girl beside you—what's with that ugly face? They wouldn't take her even if you threw her into a brothel."

"And you, Dai Huabin, deserve a few words of your own. You have the Evil-Eyed White Tiger Martial Soul, but you don't even have an Ultimate Attribute. What gives you the right to mock Jiang Chen? Who do you think you are? What good is a sharp tongue? See you in the arena."

Jiang Chen couldn't hold back a laugh.

Wu Feng might not have been particularly strong or clever, but she knew how to curse someone out. A few sentences had left Dai Huabin looking like a beaten dog.

Dai Huabin flew into a rage. His eyes reddened, and he breathed like an angry bull.

When had the White Tiger Duke's second son ever suffered such humiliation?

"You can run your mouth now," Dai Huabin said through gritted teeth. "Once we're in the arena, I'll kill you and teach you that a king must not be insulted!"

A king must not be insulted?

Wu Feng doubled over laughing, then pointed at his nose again. "You still think you're a king? The Dai Family fell from glory long ago. The so-called God of War didn't even leave you a God of War Bloodline, and the throne has changed hands. Are you still living in the past?"

"The past is the past, and now is now. If you're so fond of comparing them, why not compare yourself now with how you were at birth?"

"Some people have faces so ugly they look like a miscarriage of justice."

The words struck a raw nerve. Dai Huabin shook with fury.

Every word was an insult to his family.

A man could be killed, but not humiliated!

"You're courting death!"

With a roar, Dai Huabin lashed out, his tiger claws raking toward Wu Feng's head.

Jiang Chen vanished from where he stood. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Dai Huabin, gripping his wrist. "A sharp tongue won't settle anything. We'll see what you can do in the arena."

"She insulted my family, my father, and the White Tiger Duke's Mansion!" Dai Huabin shouted. "She's brought death upon herself. If you stop me, you're making an enemy of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion—and of the White Tiger Duke, who serves the nation and its people."

Jiang Chen gave a short laugh. "To be honest, it wasn't an unfair insult."

Dai Huabin clenched his fists. He bore a grudge against Jiang Chen and decided to use the White Tiger Duke's Mansion's power to get rid of him.

Jiang Chen spoke again. "Others may fear the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. I don't."

"I'll say it again: we settle this with our strength in the arena. Whoever loses admits defeat. Leave the rest out of it."

Dai Huabin pulled his hand free. "Fine! I'll be waiting for our match. Try not to lose too quickly."

With that, he turned and dragged Zhu Lu away, silently swearing to defeat Jiang Chen and teach him that the White Tiger Duke's Mansion could not be insulted.

Jiang Chen returned to his seat.

Wu Feng immediately leaned over with a grin. "You're a good person. Thanks for getting me out of that."

"I just can't stand how arrogant Dai Huabin is," Jiang Chen said without expression. "His family doesn't own this academy."

Wu Feng saw it differently.

Jiang Chen might be cold, but he had a human side. Dai Huabin was a beast through and through.

Before long, the teachers overseeing the assessment took their places in the spectator stands. Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er, representing the Martial Soul Department and Soul Tool Department, also came to watch.

Qian Duoduo and Cai Mei'er were there as well.

At the same time, Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochеn arrived, as if by unspoken agreement.

The former close friends met, and sparks flew between them.

Ling Luochеn spoke first, her voice edged with sarcasm. "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're still hung up on Jiang Chen."

"Ma Xiaotao, you brought this on yourself. Don't think you can win him back. Some things can't be undone, not even if you bow your head and apologize."

Ma Xiaotao snorted and folded her arms. "Does your family own the academy? I can come and go as I please, and no one can stop me. Besides, my Evil Fire is none of your concern. Xu Sanshi helps me suppress it. I don't need your Ice Martial Soul, and I don't need Jiang Chen."

"I came today to watch Jiang Chen make a fool of himself. Someone will beat him and show him what a mistake he made by passing me up."

Ling Luochеn scoffed. "Do you even believe that yourself?"

"Beat Jiang Chen? With this crop of Outer Court misfits? Or the young master of the White Tiger Duke's Mansion? They may be strong, but they'll only be stepping stones for Jiang Chen. You're dreaming in broad daylight."

"I'll repeat everything you said to Jiang Chen, word for word, so he knows exactly what kind of person you are."

Ma Xiaotao trembled with anger, her cheeks burning as though she had been slapped. "Ling Luochеn, don't you dare leave after the Freshman Assessment. I'll see what makes you so bold!"

"I'm saying it now: Jiang Chen will never take first place."

Ling Luochеn gave a soft scoff. "Losing your temper? You want to fight me in Soul Fighting, but do you really think I'm afraid of you? I'll be waiting in the Soul Fighting Zone after the Freshman Assessment."

"And I'm saying it now: Jiang Chen will take first place!"

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