The Freshman Competition!

Su Yu held Little Gray and deliberately lifted its front paws to wave them:

"Did you hear that, Little Gray? Your owner has spoken. You'd better keep a close eye on me."

Little Gray seemed to understand. It barked twice at Qian Renxue, its tail wagging merrily.

Watching the boy and dog, Qian Renxue felt the weight of parting in her heart ease considerably. She took a deep breath, turned, and climbed into the carriage:

"I'm off."

The carriage curtain fell, blocking the view from outside.

Su Yu stood there holding Little Gray until the carriage's silhouette vanished completely at the end of the road. Only then did he lower his head and poke Little Gray's head:

"See? Your owner still cares about you. She just won't admit it."

Time slipped like sand through the fingers, and half a year passed in a flash.

Su Yu gradually discovered that Little Gray seemed to harbor some sort of magic.

Not only had it once made Qian Renxue shower it with care, but even the usually aloof Bibi Dong had taken a particular liking to it.

Now, it would hardly have been an exaggeration to say that Bibi Dong's greatest daily pleasure in the Pope Hall was stroking Little Gray's soft fur.

Basking in Her Holiness the Pope's favor, Little Gray's standing in the hall rose like a boat on a swelling tide.

It had long since ceased to be the little dog that simply ran and bounced around wherever it pleased. It now even had someone assigned to tend to its meals and daily needs.

That day, Su Yu finished his training and returned to the Pope Hall through the gathering dusk.

The moment he stepped through the entrance, a familiar bark struck his ears. Immediately afterward, a gray blur shot straight toward him like a little cannonball.

"Hey, my good boy! Come let Daddy hold you and see whether they've fattened you up again lately!"

Su Yu spread his arms with a laugh and securely caught Little Gray as it leaped at him, cradling the fluffy bundle in his arms.

He lifted the little fellow and hefted it twice, deliberately clicking his tongue in exaggerated surprise:

"Oh, you really have gotten heavier. Looks like your meals have improved quite a bit lately!"

Little Gray wriggled in his arms, its tail wagging as though fitted with a motor.

It stuck out its tongue and licked the back of his hand twice, affectionate whimpers rising in its throat.

"Where have you been running wild this time?"

Su Yu set Little Gray down and scratched its chin with his fingertips. His gaze swept across the hall, where Bibi Dong sat in the seat of honor,

still holding a small comb, evidently having just groomed Little Gray's fur.

Bibi Dong glanced up at him. Her tone was indifferent, but it lacked its usual cold hardness:

"It was chasing butterflies on the lawn outside the hall and got grass clippings all over itself."

As she spoke, she set the comb aside. Her gaze settled on Little Gray's cheerful figure, and a trace of softness flickered in her eyes:

"Come here."

Little Gray seemed to understand. It trotted eagerly to her feet and rubbed its head against the hem of her robe. Bibi Dong reached down and stroked its back.

Watching this, Su Yu was secretly amused-who could have imagined that Little Gray would have such immense charm!

He stepped forward and bowed properly. "Teacher, Nana and I have completed today's training."

Bibi Dong gave a quiet hum of acknowledgment, her gaze still resting on Little Gray:

"I hear your Martial Soul has improved again recently?"

"Yes. I was fortunate enough to break through a bottleneck, and my Wood Release has grown a little more powerful!"

"Mm, good."

Bibi Dong nodded faintly, her fingertips still gently stroking Little Gray's furry head.

The gray bundle nuzzled docilely against her palm, faint whimpers rising in its throat.

She raised her eyes to Su Yu, her gaze as still as a deep pool, and spoke slowly:

"Spirit Hall Academy holds a Freshman Competition every year. You and Nana are my disciples. I do not wish to see either of your names outside the top three."

Her words were not forceful, yet they carried unquestionable authority.

"Yes, your disciple understands," Su Yu replied with a bow.

She looked out the window. Dusk had deepened, and the spires of the nearby Worship Hall traced cold, hard outlines against the night.

Her fingertips brushed through Little Gray's soft fur, her voice betraying no emotion:

"Your Martial Souls are both of superior quality. What you lack is polishing."

"The Freshman Competition is not merely a contest. It is also an opportunity for you to see your own shortcomings clearly."

"Do not go to Spirit Hall Academy for the next few days. I will arrange for someone to guide your training!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

"Mm. You may leave!"

The next morning-

Following Bibi Dong's arrangements, Su Yu and Hu Liena arrived at the Pope Hall's plaza.

As soon as they arrived, they saw a figure standing there with his hands behind his back.

Only upon hearing their footsteps did the man slowly turn around.

A square face came into view, its contours hard and angular, its brows slightly furrowed, its eyes as sharp as a hawk's.

"Your Highness Su Yu, Your Highness Hu Liena, Her Holiness the Pope has sent me to instruct you!"

"My name is Xiao Yi. My Martial Soul is the King Kong Wolf King, and I am a rank eighty-three Power Attack System Soul Douluo!"

Su Yu took the opportunity to study Xiao Yi closely. The man stood as straight and tall as a pine.

His fitted black training clothes outlined solid muscles, and several faint scars marked his exposed forearms, clearly traces left by years of actual combat.

His hands were clenched into fists behind his back, their knuckles pronounced, conveying an undeniable sense of strength.

He did not look particularly old. Having cultivated to become a rank eighty-three Power Attack System Soul Douluo, he had hopes of breaking through to Titled Douluo in the future.

That Bibi Dong had sent him to guide them showed just how much importance she placed on the Freshman Competition.

He exchanged a glance with Hu Liena, and they bowed together:

"Greetings, Senior Xiao Yi."

Xiao Yi nodded slightly, his tone calm yet authoritative:

"There is no need for such ceremony. You should understand Her Holiness the Pope's requirements-in the Freshman Competition, you may only win, never lose."

"The Freshman Competition consists of two events."

He paused and held up two fingers.

"The first involves working in pairs to seize Command Tokens. The pair with the most Command Tokens at the end takes first place."

"The second is a series of Soul Master duels. The winner advances, while the loser enters the losers' bracket-you are allowed only one defeat."

"Both events award points according to placement and performance. Whoever has the highest combined score takes first place in the Freshman Competition."

His tone shifted as he emphasized, "The first event is also called the Wilderness Trial."

"All freshmen must form pairs and enter an area designated by Spirit Hall Academy."

"There are two ways to obtain Command Tokens: first, hunt specified Soul Beasts; second, seize Command Tokens that other teams have already acquired."

"The time limit is one day. The pair with the most Command Tokens when time runs out takes first place in this event."

"The two members of the first-place team will split the points earned equally!"

"You need not fear for your lives. Several examiners will be concealed throughout the assessment area, keeping watch. They will step in to protect you if you encounter mortal danger."

"But remember: once an examiner intervenes, the student in question immediately loses their qualification to continue the trial."

"In other words, this is not merely a test of your Soul Power and coordination. It will also temper your judgment, courage, and even your ruthlessness."

"Starting today, your training will revolve around the first event, especially coordination as a pair and adapting to actual combat-understood?"

"Understood!"