Freshmen Assessment

The start of the Freshmen Assessment drew ever closer.

Everyone had already chosen their teammates and was quietly awaiting the assessment.

The atmosphere in the classroom was slightly tense, as though final exams had arrived and everyone was desperately trying to squeeze out a few more points.

In his previous life, Gu Xingyue probably would have been affected by the atmosphere too, but he was no longer the same person he had been.

After all, Shrek Academy hardly tested theory. It tested combat strength instead.

This was the rise of the athletes.

And Gu Xingyue did not even need time to build himself up. He was already on the official payroll, after all.

He was now Shrek Academy's retired emperor.

At that moment, Wang Yan stood at the lectern like a teacher reassuring her students before an exam. She spoke slowly, her voice gentle and steady. "I know you're all nervous, but remember, the assessment is only a way to test the results of your cultivation over this period. It isn't the finish line. Just relax and bring out your strength."

After class, Wang Yan asked Gu Xingyue, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao to stay behind.

Wang Yan told the three of them, "I expect you three to win the championship. Aside from you, there are three Soul Elder-level opponents. The only thing you need to watch out for is the White Tiger and Netherworld Spirit Cat combination that was famous ten thousand years ago. Be careful of a possible martial soul fusion skill." As she spoke, Wang Yan glanced at Gu Xingyue.

"As for the other two Soul Elders, don't worry about them! One is a defense type, and the other has the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Neither is anything to fear. Just steamroll them."

The three nodded.

Then, after Wang Yan went over a few more things to watch out for, the three left the classroom.

Once outside, Xiao Xiao asked, "Do we need to practice working together beforehand?"

"No need. They're just a bunch of speed bumps." Gu Xingyue waved a hand.

Wang Dong, who had been about to show off, swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue when he heard that. Almost forgot. There's an even bigger show-off here.

Xiao Xiao said nothing and simply left in silence.

Early the next morning.

The Freshmen Assessment had arrived.

That day, all the freshmen classes assembled in Shrek Square.

Looking at the scene, Gu Xingyue could not help feeling a little wistful, as though he had dreamed his way back to school in his previous life.

Still, having fun in another world was the most carefree way to live. There was nothing to worry about; all he needed to do was have fun.

At that moment, a Phoenix so enormous that people dared not look straight at it descended from the highest heavens, countless feathers drifting down like snowflakes.

Even the surroundings seemed to grow warmer.

That... was none other than the dean of the Martial Soul Department-Yan Shaozhe!

Dressed with sumptuous elegance, she stood on high and addressed all the students. "Students, you truly are a group of lively, spirited children. Seeing you reminds me of my youth. That scene of flourishing life, of all things striving to surge ahead, is before my eyes once more."

The students below were undoubtedly thrilled as they looked at Yan Shaozhe.

Some of the sexy ones had even raised both hands, tears streaming down their faces.

Yan Shaozhe, who seemed to have become a sun upon the earth, raised her hand. "Children! The Freshmen Assessment has begun. Go and meet the challenges that belong to you! The future belongs to you!"

Yan Shaozhe spoke with such impassioned fervor that many were swept up in it.

Whatever the outcome might be, at least they were brimming with confidence now.

They were the strongest!

And what about Gu Xingyue at that moment? He only wanted to say: his fists were thirsty for blood (doge)...

Looking at the excited students, Yan Shaozhe smiled. "Students, give it your all. The reward for this competition is soul bones-and three of them, at that!"

Yan Shaozhe's words exploded through the crowd like a bomb.

The students' eyes instantly widened.

Just like Liangzi spotting braised pork knuckle, or a hajimi spotting a tire.

They wanted nothing more than to teleport over and snatch the soul bones for themselves, while also savagely tearing into their competitors.

The low murmuring was instantly replaced by waves of startled cries and exclamations.

Even Wang Dong, the Clear Sky Clan's young master and the God King's son, widened his eyes in disbelief beside Gu Xingyue. "Isn't the academy being way too generous? If I remember right, even the final reward for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament used to be only three soul bones. Three for a single Freshmen Assessment?!"

These were soul bones, treasures known as the jewels of rivers of blood.

Even hundred-year or thousand-year soul bones were enough to turn fathers and sons against each other.

Yet the academy was lavish enough to put up three.

And this was only the Freshmen Assessment.

So, unsurprisingly, almost every one of these students went wild!

At that moment, they all had the same thought: These soul bones might yet belong to us!

Yan Shaozhe said nothing more.

Instead, a woman wearing a single braid stepped forward from the other side.

Du Weiya, the Outer Court's director of studies.

She stepped forward and said, "I'll explain the rules of this competition."

"First, all students from the Martial Soul Department and Soul Guidance Department will form teams of three. Once everyone has been assigned, you'll enter the prepared grounds. Be aware that there may be soul beasts inside, but don't worry about your safety. Our teachers will monitor your movements in real time.

"Everyone will wear a bracelet-type soul tool. Each person starts with one point, and you earn points by defeating enemies.

"The soul bones are in different locations within the grounds. Once one is taken, the safe area will begin to shrink, and the holder's location and point total will be announced through the soul tools." Du Weiya raised a hand to quiet the rising noise before continuing.

"A few additional rules. First, if your bracelet is shattered, you voluntarily surrender, you lose the ability to fight, or the like, you will be considered eliminated, and someone will take you to the perimeter of the grounds. Your points will go to the team that defeated you."

"Second, points are shared within a team, but individual performances will also be recorded as a reference for the final merit evaluation. Third, the three soul bones have been placed in three different directions within the grounds. The higher their grade, the closer they are to the center."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.

"The assessment will last eight hours. If no team has successfully brought out a soul bone after eight hours, rankings will be determined by points. Those are the rules. Any questions?"

No one asked anything.

Everyone was still digesting the shock of the soul bones.

Du Weiya nodded in satisfaction and gestured toward the entrance to the grounds. "Then each team will enter in the order drawn. Good luck."

The teams began entering the maze-like woodland one after another according to the draw.

Gu Xingyue's team had drawn the seventh entry slot, placing them toward the back of the middle.

He leaned against a pillar at the edge of the square, watching the teams ahead disappear one after another into the thin mist at the woodland entrance, his expression calm.

The three exchanged no words, the silence between them subtly strange.

"Team seven, enter."

Gu Xingyue straightened, rolled his neck, and walked toward the entrance.

The moment they entered the woodland, the light dimmed.

The canopy overhead blotted out the sky and sun, letting through only a few scattered shafts of light.

Gu Xingyue stopped and looked around. Visibility in the woodland was poor, but with his range of perception, every stirring of wind and grass within a hundred meters was within his grasp.