The number of Core Disciples from the second through fifth years, plus He Caitou from the Soul Tool Department, came to thirty-two.
Second-year Core Disciples accounted for half of them. This also proved that Jiang Hai's cohort was somewhat more talented than the preceding classes. Otherwise, the academy would not have assigned veteran teachers like Wang Yan and Zhu Tianming to lead their classes. The academy had placed considerable hopes in them as well.
The thirty-two waited on the grounds of the Soul Fighting Zone. Although most of their teachers lacked Zhu Tianming's remarkable insight and could not directly guess the purpose of this Core Disciple assessment, the academy would not loose an arrow without a target. Seven people would be selected from among the Core Disciples this time. Anyone who made it into those seven would surely earn the academy's attention and receive benefits.
Dai Huabin, for instance, had suffered one setback after another at the hands of Huo Yuhao and Jiang Hai, and was now itching to prove himself. His Soul Power had reached rank thirty-seven. Few of the third- and fourth-year Core Disciples had stronger Soul Power than he did. Judging by Soul Power alone, he could already rank among the top seven. This was also why the academy was unwilling to give up on him. Dai Huabin's talent was certainly not weak, while many of his fellow second-year Core Disciples were still at the two-ring stage.
Just then, a swaying figure approached from afar, staggering along as though he might fall at any moment.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Wang Yan, Mu Jin, and the others all adopted respectful expressions and greeted him deferentially. "Elder Xuan."
The newcomer was none other than Xuan Zi.
"Little Wang, is everyone here?" Xuan Zi raised his head, his eyes bleary