Yan Shaozhe's arrival

The atmosphere in Shrek Academy's Class Seven classroom was electric.

Their homeroom teacher, Mu Jin, stood before the lectern and announced solemnly:

"Listen up, everyone. In two days, the academy will hold its annual Freshman Assessment.

This assessment will use three-person teams throughout. Unlike previous years, you'll all be free to form your own teams this year and choose your own teammates.

Your assessment results are crucial, so hurry and settle on your teammates."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire class erupted, everyone eagerly inviting one another to team up.

The sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, immediately gathered around Chen Jie.

The lively younger sister, Lan Luoluo, spoke first, her eyes curving with a playful hint of smugness:

"Chen Jie, join us! With two beauties like my sister and me keeping you company during the Freshman Assessment, you can count your blessings in secret."

Beside her, the older sister, Lan Susu, stood quietly with a gentle, serene air. She gazed softly at Chen Jie, eagerly awaiting his answer.

Just then, a cool, elegant figure approached at an unhurried pace, interrupting their conversation.

It was their classmate, Ning Tian.

Ning Tian fixed her gaze on Chen Jie, completely ignoring Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo beside him. With sincerity and complete confidence in her voice, she said slowly:

"Chen Jie, team up with me.

You know my Martial Soul well. It has powerful, all-around enhancement abilities, boosting strength, speed, Soul Power, and defense. Your combat strength is already tremendous. With my support, your strength will double again.

With you attacking and me supporting, we'll complement each other perfectly. We can pick just about anyone to fill the remaining spot, and taking first place in this Freshman Assessment will be effortless."

As Ning Tian finished speaking, the Lan sisters' hearts instantly tightened.

A surge of deep worry swept through them.

The playful smile on Lan Luoluo's face froze. She quietly clenched her small hands, her eyes filled with apprehension.

The gentle Lan Susu also frowned slightly, panic stirring in her heart. She feared Chen Jie would be tempted and accept Ning Tian's invitation on the spot.

For a moment, both sisters held their breath, waiting anxiously for Chen Jie's answer.

Yet faced with this exceptionally enticing invitation, Chen Jie merely shook his head gently, his tone calm but utterly firm:

"No, thank you for the offer. I've already decided on my teammates."

At his words, Ning Tian went still, a trace of shock and disbelief appearing on her delicate face.

She had never imagined that Chen Jie would reject her personal invitation to team up without a moment's hesitation.

After a brief daze, Ning Tian's expression dimmed. She silently turned away to look for suitable teammates elsewhere.

The Lan sisters, whose hearts had been hanging in suspense, instantly felt a weight lift from their shoulders. They exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with surprise and delight as joy leaped in their hearts.

Over the next while, their classmates bustled about forming teams, gathering in twos and threes to discuss their choices. Before long, everyone had finalized their assessment teams.

Soon afterward, the bell rang right on time.

Mu Jin surveyed the class, saw that everyone had finished forming teams, and nodded slightly, preparing to dismiss them.

The classroom instantly grew noisy as the students packed their things and prepared to leave.

Chen Jie looked at the smiling Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo beside him and said:

"There are only two days left before the Freshman Assessment. We've settled on our team, but our coordination is still rough. Let's head to the Training Ground in a bit and work on it, get familiar with the rhythm of each other's Martial Souls and how we fight together, and aim to perform at our best during the assessment."

Lan Susu nodded gently and answered softly, "All right. We'll follow your lead."

Lan Luoluo's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "No problem! If we practice hard, we'll definitely get good results in this assessment!"

Just as the three were about to rise and leave, Mu Jin's cool yet gentle voice came from the lectern:

"Chen Jie, wait a moment.

Everyone else can go. Come to my office."

Just then, a steady voice sounded from the classroom doorway.

The noisy classroom quieted a little, and everyone turned to look. Yan Shaozhe stood in the doorway, dressed in a plain-colored robe, his bearing composed as his gaze slowly swept across the room.

"Which of you is Chen Jie?"

Chen Jie paused briefly, then stepped forward. "I am."

He knew why the man had come. Familiar with the plot, he wasn't surprised; he simply hadn't expected Yan Shaozhe to arrive so early.

Yan Shaozhe turned his head and gave Mu Jin a look, signaling that he would be taking Chen Jie with him. Then he looked at Chen Jie, his voice calm and solemn:

"Come with me. I need to speak with you."

Mu Jin nodded without saying anything more.

Chen Jie followed Yan Shaozhe out of the classroom and all the way to his office.

The room was simply yet tastefully furnished, clean and austere, with a strong scholarly air.

Yan Shaozhe turned around, looked at Chen Jie, and said evenly:

"Release your ice-attribute Martial Soul."

Chen Jie didn't hesitate. With a thought, he set his Soul Power circulating.

A clear, jade-green chill slowly spread outward. A translucent scorpion tail, jade-green from end to end, emerged from his back. The temperature plummeted, and a pure, icy aura filled the entire room. It was the Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion Martial Soul.

Yan Shaozhe carefully sensed the chill, his expression gradually growing grave.

"This aura... there's no mistaking it. It's Ultimate Ice."

He looked at Chen Jie's Martial Soul, his eyes filled with genuine shock, and murmured in wonder:

"The Ultimate Ice attribute, and a top-tier Martial Soul at that. I always thought this kind of Martial Soul had long since vanished. To think a human really could awaken it."

After a brief silence, Yan Shaozhe collected himself, his expression turning serious. He said no more about the Martial Soul.

"Come with me. There's another important matter I need your help with."

With that, he took the lead and walked outside.

Chen Jie withdrew his Martial Soul and silently followed.

As soon as they left the teaching building, Yan Shaozhe raised a hand, drawing Chen Jie along as gentle Soul Power supported his body.

In the next instant, the two rose into the air and swept straight toward the Shrek Inner Court.

Below them lay the vast, clear Sea God Lake. Emerald waves rippled across its shimmering surface, and a breeze stirred layer upon layer of tiny ripples. The water was clear to the bottom. From afar, the entire Inner Court could be seen resting on an island at the lake's center, surrounded by green trees, its pavilions scattered throughout, tranquil yet majestic.

Yan Shaozhe carried Chen Jie low over the lake, flying swiftly and steadily. In mere moments, they crossed the whole of Sea God Lake and landed smoothly on the Inner Court's central island.

The Inner Court was far quieter than the Outer Court. Ancient trees towered overhead, and the spiritual energy was much denser. Almost no clamor of voices could be heard; a calm, solemn atmosphere pervaded every corner.