Time flew like a shuttle, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Over those three months, Wang Dong's life was extremely regimented-so regimented it was practically outrageous.
He did only four things each day: eat, sleep, cultivate with Huo Yuhao using Haodong Power... and beat up Dai Huabin.
That was right. Beating up Dai Huabin had become a fixed part of his daily schedule. At first, Wang Dong had been the one picking fights, but later, Dai Huabin also realized that Wang Dong simply could not stand the sight of him.
Once they arrived at the dormitory, a single exchange of looks was enough for the two of them to start fighting.
It had to be said that Dai Huabin was no coward. He had the potential to become strong.
Although he ended up with a bruised nose and swollen face every time, he never once complained to a teacher or backed down. When he was knocked flat, he got up, only to be knocked flat again. This repeated over and over, and each setback only made him more tenacious.
Sometimes, even Wang Dong had to admit that this fellow really was something.
Dai Huabin's talent ranked highly throughout the Soul Master World, and his temperament was resilient enough. He had the potential to become a top powerhouse. Unfortunately, he had offended Huo Yuhao... so he could only be a villain.
However, because of Dai Huabin, several transfer students had also joined the class. The most eye-catching among them was a girl named Zhu Lu.
She was Dai Huabin's intended partner in a marriage alliance and came from the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire. Her martial soul was the Hell Spirit Cat, a perfect match for Dai Huabin's Evil-Eyed White Tiger.
After transferring into the class, she stuck to Dai Huabin's side almost all day, and there was a measure of hostility in her gaze when she looked at Wang Dong.
Wang Dong could not be bothered with her. He was busy.
The Clear Sky Sect's resources were soon delivered. A few days later, Wang Dong received a package. When he opened it, he found two exquisite porcelain bottles inside: one containing Mystic Water Pills and the other Soul Ascension Pills, with five pills in each bottle.
He took one look, then divided out half and pushed them into Huo Yuhao's hands without another word.
Looking at the pills in her hands, Huo Yuhao's eyes reddened again. "You... you're always like this..."
"Take them." Wang Dong's tone allowed no refusal. "Only when you grow stronger can I benefit too. The cultivation speed of Haodong Power depends on whichever of us is weaker."
Huo Yuhao bit her lip but ultimately accepted them. She knew Wang Dong always had a reason to make her accept his kindness.
With the boost from the pills and the assistance of Haodong Power, Huo Yuhao's cultivation speed rose once again.
Over those three months, her soul power soared all the way to Level 19!
Wang Dong's progress was even more terrifying. His soul power had already reached Level 29, leaving him just one step away from becoming a three-ring Soul Elder.
Their rise through so many levels in three months was mainly because their cultivation had still been low in these early stages, and they had ample cultivation resources.
Standing together, both of them showed clear changes in their bearing.
Wang Dong had originally been somewhat reserved, but as his strength increased, the influence of the Golden Dragon King Bloodline became increasingly apparent. His sharp edge was fully revealed, and a faint golden gleam occasionally flashed through his eyes, carrying an imposing pressure that needed no anger to command respect.
Huo Yuhao, meanwhile, was much healthier than she had been three months ago. She was no longer so thin and frail, color had returned to her face, and she looked much more spirited.
Of course, the greatest change was her dependence on Wang Dong. She had grown accustomed to going to the cafeteria with him for breakfast every morning, to cultivating while he held her hand during class, and to thinking of him first whenever something happened.
She could not say when this dependence had begun, but she knew she could no longer do without him.
Wang Dong had not forgotten Huo Yuhao's talent for soul tools, either. Three months earlier, he had found a way to let her get involved with soul tools, and she had eventually succeeded in becoming the disciple of Zhou Yi's husband, Fan Yu.
Huo Yuhao's talent for soul tools was indeed astonishing. She progressed at tremendous speed and could already make some simple soul tools independently.
With this craft, she had also saved up some money and was no longer stretched as thin as before.
Everything was moving in a good direction.
Until this day, when Zhou Yi stood at the lectern and made an announcement.
"It's been three months since you came to our academy. It's time to test the results of your cultivation. The Freshman Assessment is about to begin." Zhou Yi swept her gaze across the class.
"This will be your most important assessment since entering Shrek Academy. The academy will use your results to decide how much attention to give you going forward. Form teams of three of your own choosing. You'd best take first place!"
The classroom immediately erupted. The Freshman Assessment was a staple of Shrek Academy. Every year, a group of geniuses would stand out during the assessment and receive a greater share of the academy's resources. Everyone rubbed their fists and flexed their palms, eager to give it a try.
"Start forming your teams now." Zhou Yi tapped the lectern. "Submit your rosters yourselves, then select your Soul Master types."
The classroom immediately grew lively as everyone talked over one another, discussing whom to team up with. Sitting in his seat, Wang Dong turned to Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, team up with me."
Huo Yuhao nodded without the slightest hesitation. "Okay."
"We still need one more." Wang Dong thought for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the classroom before settling on a green-haired girl in the back row. "Xiao Xiao, join our team."
Over those three months, Wang Dong had also gotten to know Xiao Xiao. They got along well and had formed a little group.
Xiao Xiao!
The Nine Phoenix Comes to the Ceremony Flute martial soul and the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron martial soul.
Their names alone sounded extraordinary. Wang Dong had always believed that Xiao Xiao's martial souls were the most extraordinary in the original story. Unfortunately, she had squandered them through her cultivation and faded into the crowd later on.
These past few days, Wang Dong had already been considering whether to change things for Xiao Xiao... Talent this good could not be wasted.
Xiao Xiao froze for a moment before her eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes, yes! I'd love to!"
She ran over and excitedly patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. "Yuhao, with the three of us on one team, we'll definitely take first!"
Huo Yuhao smiled without speaking. She glanced at Wang Dong, and a sense of reassurance welled up inside her. As long as he was there, she feared nothing.
The three submitted their team application and filled in their Soul Master types as well.
Zhou Yi looked at Wang Dong, the corners of her mouth lifting in a faint smile. She felt increasingly that this boy was no ordinary person.
In three months, not only had his own strength advanced by leaps and bounds, but he had also brought Huo Yuhao along in her progress. Even Xiao Xiao had taken the initiative to ask to join their team.
The Freshman Assessment... She suddenly found herself looking forward to it.
That evening, the two went to the Little Woods to cultivate as usual. Moonlight spilled through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground.
Wang Dong sat cross-legged, with Huo Yuhao opposite him. Their palms met, their soul power mingled, and Haodong Power slowly circulated through their bodies.
Halfway through their cultivation, Huo Yuhao suddenly opened her eyes and said quietly, "Wang Dong... will you think I'm a burden during the Freshman Assessment?"
Wang Dong opened his eyes and looked at her. "Why would you think that?"
"I'm only Level 19. You and Xiao Xiao are both stronger than me..." Huo Yuhao lowered her head. "I'm afraid I'll hold you back."
Wang Dong fell silent for a while, then suddenly reached out and lightly knocked her on the head. "Idiot."
Huo Yuhao held her head and looked at him aggrievedly.
"Listen carefully." Wang Dong looked at her, his tone serious. "You're the teammate I chose, and the partner I've decided on. Never mind Level 19-even if you were Level 1, I'd still take you to first place. Understand?"
Huo Yuhao looked into his eyes, which glimmered faintly gold beneath the moonlight, and an indescribable warmth suddenly welled up inside her. She nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "I understand."
"Good." Wang Dong withdrew his hand and closed his eyes again. "Keep cultivating. After the Freshman Assessment, try to break through to Level 20 as soon as possible."
"Mm-hmm!"
Huo Yuhao also knew that breaking through to Level 20 was extremely important for her. Brother Sky Dream had said so many times.
She soon closed her eyes too and resumed cultivating. Beneath the moonlight, their figures intertwined, and as their soul power circulated, they seemed to have already merged into one.
P.S. I think the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm is a bug, so gender doesn't matter.
Besides, changing it would be too much trouble. What would I do about the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion-make her male? Wouldn't it be the same then? Besides, a lot of the logic later on will be easier to make work.
If you find it off-putting, I'll reduce his appearances.
Before you continue