Wang Yan looked at their young faces and slowly began:
"As we all know, Shrek Academy has never been a place for burying your nose in books. Here, actual combat always comes first."
"But you must also pay attention to your studies. Only then can you make appropriate, sensible judgments in battle."
"Now, let me quiz you. Do you know how Soul Masters are classified?"
Wang Dong raised her hand. She still wore a soft, androgynous look, appearing neat and spirited.
"They're generally divided into the power attack system, agility attack system, defense system, control system, support system, and healing system. There are also a few unusual martial souls, such as those of the food system."
Wang Yan pressed further. "Then, for a team of three Soul Masters, what composition do you think would work best?"
Wang Dong thought for a moment. "I think there should be at least one power attack or defense system Soul Master holding the front, one control system Soul Master coordinating from the middle, and one support system Soul Master providing enhancements."
"A very standard answer. Does anyone have any other ideas?"
Huo Yuhao raised his hand.
"I believe that as soul tools develop, the boundaries between Soul Masters' abilities are actually becoming increasingly blurred." Huo Yuhao slowly voiced his thoughts as he considered the question. "Many defensive soul tools give agility attack system Soul Masters, and even support system Soul Masters, some ability to fight head-on."
"So I think the premise of this question is flawed. In an age when soul tools are becoming ever more diverse, forming teams solely according to martial soul classifications is itself a skewed standard."
Wang Yan's eyes lit up. "Huo Yuhao made an excellent point. I know many of you have outstanding martial souls and are blessed talents, so you may not pay much attention to the development of soul tools."
"But Shrek Academy also tests your basic knowledge of soul tools. Even those who intend to pursue their studies in the Martial Soul Department should not neglect learning about them."
Wang Yan tapped the desk.
"Many of you have probably already heard that there will be a Freshmen Assessment Tournament in three months."
Everyone immediately straightened up.
They had all heard of Shrek Academy's hellish elimination rate. None of them wanted their journey to end at the freshmen assessment, leaving Shrek Academy with their tails between their legs.
"Of course, considering the differences in physique between different Soul Masters, this assessment will take the form of team battles, and soul tools will not be permitted."
Wang Yan's smile remained warm. "You may form teams of four, with no more than two power attack and defense system Soul Masters combined."
This took into account the fact that Shrek Academy housed two students per dorm room, preventing roommates from being unable to team up and having their little boat of friendship capsize without warning.
"There are 512 freshmen this year, divided into 128 teams. The first stage is a round robin. You'll fight eight rounds in total, spread over four days."
"The second stage is an elimination tournament, with the top sixteen teams from the round robin participating. Rewards will be awarded according to the final rankings. Any student who performs exceptionally will have a chance to be selected early as a Core Disciple. And..."
Wang Yan lowered his voice. "I hear the rewards this time even include soul bones."
A chorus of sharp gasps erupted throughout the classroom.
Every soul beast dropped a soul ring when killed, but killing a thousand soul beasts might not yield even one soul bone.
Apart from hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, there was simply no reliable way to obtain soul bones on the continent.
Their rarity made everyone across the continent covet them. Quite a few freshmen came from noble backgrounds, but at most, they had only seen soul bones. There was no way they could possess one themselves.
How could these youngsters not be excited upon hearing that the academy was offering soul bones as rewards?
Wang Yan checked the time. "Now, I'd like each student to come up and briefly introduce their martial soul and soul power level. Those listening should pay close attention, too. They might become your teammates for many years to come."
"Brother Xuan, what's our plan?" Huo Yuhao leaned over and murmured.
Qi Xuan did not hesitate for even half a second. "Go find Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao."
"Huh?" Huo Yuhao was startled. "We just had a fight with them. Is that really a good idea?"
Qi Xuan curled his lip.
Fuck, four martial soul fusion skills. Would I even be human if I didn't grab that free ride? As for whether it was a good idea...
Take that up with your Haodong Power.
Outwardly, however, he offered a perfectly serious analysis. "Wang Dong and I are power attack system, while you and Xiao Xiao are control system. We meet the requirements exactly."
Huo Yuhao was surprised. "Nice, Brother Xuan! You even found out what Xiao Xiao's martial soul is?"
"Why should we team up with you?" Wang Dong glanced at Huo Yuhao and held her head high. A slender-looking girl stood beside her, studying the two boys curiously.
After class, these two pairs received the most invitations to form teams.
The reason on Qi Xuan's side was simple: he was level thirty.
Level thirty at twelve years old. Even at Shrek, where monsters emerged in droves, only four students in this year's intake had reached that level.
Although Qi Xuan had yet to obtain his third soul ring and advance to Soul Elder, his level-thirty soul power was the real deal.
That meant even if Qi Xuan dragged along three deadweights, reaching the final stage would be a sure thing.
The reason Wang Dong was popular was also simple: she was good-looking.
And hers was an androgynous beauty that captivated boys and girls alike.
Who wouldn't want a teammate who was easy on the eyes?
Besides, the light goddess butterfly was a top-tier martial soul, and Wang Dong's strength was nothing to scoff at.
Qi Xuan spoke without a shred of embarrassment. "I want to win. Don't you want a soul bone?"
Wang Dong faltered, but remained stubborn. "Are you saying I can't win unless I team up with you?"
Facing this hopelessly stubborn tsundere, Qi Xuan continued coaxing her with his persuasive patter. "Can't you get injured in a tournament? With matches coming this fast, what if you get hurt and your teammates can't step up? Will you still be able to fight the remaining matches? You'll start out winning, winning, winning, only to end up losing, losing, losing."
That was the truth.
Without Golden Road, Wang Dong alone could never overcome Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's Hell White Tiger.
"Besides, if we face each other in the elimination rounds, can you beat me? So joining forces is how we can stand against the other classes."
Xiao Xiao blinked her large eyes. "Dong'er, I think Qi Xuan has a point."
"Fine." Wang Dong finally relented. She was only level twenty-one right now. Carrying the whole team by herself really would be a little difficult.
In fact, Wang Dong's judgment in class had been correct. The composition she had suggested for a three-person Soul Master team was perfectly sound.
But things were different with four people.
Should they add another power attack system Soul Master to strengthen their frontal combat ability, choose an agility attack system Soul Master to roam and strike, or simply go with two control system Soul Masters?
Moreover, a four-person team could even dispense with support entirely. Two power attack and two agility attack system Soul Masters could pose an enormous threat to support system Soul Masters. As long as they avoided a drawn-out battle and finished things quickly, their expenditure would not be too great.
One extra person introduced far too many variables. Handling different situations would be a serious test of the team's overall ability.
Xiao Xiao giggled. "Then let's start introducing our soul skills."
Before you continue