Champion

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance and nodded in mutual understanding. Wang Dong said to Lin Qianyi and Xiao Xiao, "Qianyi, please buy the two of us some time with Xiao Xiao."

Lin Qianyi and Xiao Xiao agreed without hesitation. Dai Mubai and Zhu Lu clasped hands, unleashing their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. A gigantic tiger radiating dark violet light appeared before everyone.

Lin Qianyi gave Xiao Xiao a look. Xiao Xiao immediately unleashed her strongest soul skill. "Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron, national treasure, Three Cauldrons Unite!" However, Zhu Lu and Dai Mubai had already completed their fusion, and their strength was immensely formidable.

Lin Qianyi knew this well, so she had to make clever use of it. "Third Soul Skill: Phoenix Sky-Rending Slash!" The Azure Luan behind her spread its wings and cried toward the heavens. Massive Wind Blades instantly formed around them and rushed straight at the Hell White Tiger.

The Hell White Tiger refused to be outdone and forcefully blocked the attack. The two sides clashed fiercely, neither yielding an inch. Under ordinary circumstances, Lin Qianyi would never have chosen such a head-on collision, since her chances of winning were slim. But now, in order to buy time for her companions, she had to shoulder this responsibility.

"Blazing Feather Sparrow Right Arm Soul Bone Skill! Blazing Feather Pierce!" At Lin Qianyi's command, the surrounding temperature abruptly soared. Azure soul power fluctuations mixed with flickering flames swept forward. Simultaneously using a ten-thousand-year soul skill and a Soul Bone Skill while enduring such enormous pressure drained her soul power tremendously.

Just as she was about to be unable to hold on any longer, an eye-like pattern appeared behind both Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. Lin Qianyi hurriedly stepped back. The two shouted in unison, "Withering Amidst Brilliance, Path of Gold!" Zhu Lu and Dai Huabin unleashed their skills at nearly the same moment. Just as the two attacks collided,

Yan Shaozhe suddenly appeared. His Martial Soul—the Phoenix shining with golden light—was unleashed as well. Even with the strength of a Titled Douluo, he had suffered some injuries.

"Dean!" Lin Qianyi cried out. Yan Shaozhe waved a hand, indicating that it was nothing. Dai Huabin could not help asking, "Dean, who won this round?"

Yan Shaozhe announced, "I declare Lin Qianyi's team the champions of this freshman assessment!" Although Dai Huabin and the others were unwilling to accept it, they did not dare ask further questions.

Yan Shaozhe then looked at Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong and praised them. "Your Martial Soul Fusion Skill is excellent!" His gaze then shifted to Lin Qianyi. "You are still very impressive as well—intelligent and powerful. All right, the three of you will be Core Disciples from now on."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qianyi was delighted, but she also asked worriedly, "What about Yuhao?" Huo Yuhao lowered his head at her words. Yan Shaozhe explained, "He can enjoy the treatment of a Core Disciple. It's all right. Among the top four teams, there are also people who are not Core Disciples. Don't be discouraged. Keep working hard. Come to my office later, and I'll get your rewards for you." With that, he turned and left. Wang Dong called out worriedly, "Yuhao!" Huo Yuhao raised his head and forced out a faint smile. "It's fine. It's just a Core Disciple position. It's okay."

That night, the bustle of the freshman assessment gradually faded. Instead of selling grilled fish by the lively streets as usual, Huo Yuhao went into the wilderness with Lin Qianyi, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao. They built a bonfire in that tranquil place, and he personally grilled the delicious fish.

Tang Ya and Beibei joined them as well. The group sat in a circle, enjoying this rare moment of peace.

Tang Ya and Beibei had long expected Lin Qianyi's group to stand out in the freshman assessment and claim the championship. Still, they had not expected Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi's performances to be so dazzling, bringing them such a pleasant surprise.

Tang Ya took a bite of the fragrant grilled fish, her expression turning serious. "Wang Dong, do you still plan to join our Tang Sect?" Wang Dong answered without hesitation, "Of course I do." Tang Ya laughed softly, her smile carrying a hint of playfulness. "All right, since you won the championship, welcome to the Tang Sect. Xiao Xiao, are you interested in joining as well?"

Xiao Xiao asked somewhat hesitantly, "The Tang Sect? Is what you said earlier true? Can the Tang Sect teach me cultivation techniques?" Tang Ya explained, "That's right. Although the Tang Sect no longer has much in the way of generous benefits, its cultivation techniques are one of a kind."

A trace of longing flashed through Xiao Xiao's eyes. "All right, I'm willing to join. I want to learn the kind of movement technique Qianyi and Yuhao use."

Tang Ya looked at the young people before her, her heart filled with joy. Though she was usually carefree and boisterous, she could not hide her excitement now. She knew that these few were remarkably capable, and it was as though she could already see the day the Tang Sect would reclaim its former glory beckoning to them.

Beibei slowly said, "Junior Sister, you have also had some contact with Soul Tools before, and you have talent in both Martial Souls and Soul Tools. You must have your own insights into both offense and control. Our Tang Sect has always specialized in Hidden Weapons. Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, what do you plan to focus on?"

Lin Qianyi said softly, "Although I have also encountered Soul Tools, my understanding of them is merely superficial. I could take either path, but after weighing my options, I have decided to choose the Martial Soul Department for now and first raise my primary soul power."

Tang Ya nodded gently at her words, her eyes full of admiration. She greatly approved of Lin Qianyi's steady and thoughtful approach.

Xiao Xiao said with some hesitation, "If I choose Soul Tools, there will inevitably be very little time left for cultivation. My understanding of Soul Tools is also quite superficial, so I want to make the same choice as Qianyi."

Wang Dong immediately added, "I feel the same as Xiao Xiao."

Seeing this, Tang Ya lightly flicked Lin Qianyi on the forehead. They had originally thought Tang Ya and Beibei would be displeased because they had not fully followed their advice, but that was not the case.

Tang Ya smiled warmly. "You little ones really do know how to make plans for yourselves. We were only offering suggestions. But Qianyi is right—improving your own strength comes first, and only then should you consider other matters. I'm very satisfied with that."

After pondering for a moment, Huo Yuhao raised his head and said seriously, "Teacher Xiaoya, I've decided to study in the Soul Tool Department."

At his words, a flash of surprise appeared in Tang Ya's eyes. "Yuhao, have you really thought this through?"

"Yes, Teacher Xiaoya." Huo Yuhao looked at her resolutely. "Just as Senior Brother said, Soul Tool forging techniques will be of great help in crafting the Tang Sect's Hidden Weapons in the future. Moreover, after thinking about it for some time, I believe Soul Tools suit my qualities better."

Tang Ya nodded slightly, her tone gentle yet filled with concern. "Very good. Having your own judgment is a sign of maturity. However, Yuhao, you must understand that since you have chosen this path, you must weigh its advantages and disadvantages. In particular, with your Spirit Attribute Martial Soul, you may be somewhat lacking in attack power, so you must pay even more attention to improving your offensive abilities."

"Yes, Teacher Xiaoya, I understand." Huo Yuhao replied solemnly, his eyes filled with anticipation and determination for the future.

Tang Ya continued explaining the championship reward for this freshman assessment. Its value was enough to make one's heart race—it was said that it might be a Soul Bone.

At this, blazing light immediately filled the eyes of Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao. Only Lin Qianyi remained calm. She had already expected that the academy's reward would not be anything ordinary.

"A Soul Bone..." Huo Yuhao asked softly. "Was the skill Qianyi used earlier derived from the power of a Soul Bone?"

Tang Ya nodded slightly. "That's right. On the Douluo Continent, Soul Bones are supreme treasures. You must know that the chance of a soul beast producing a Soul Bone is incredibly small. That is precisely why every Soul Bone is so precious."

As soon as she said this, everyone fell into thought. For the assessment that was about to come, they were filled with both anticipation and a greater sense of reverence.

The next morning, Shrek Academy's plaza basked in gentle sunlight. The freshmen gathered on the field to undergo the first review of the new school term.

Many teachers stood before them. Among all the people Lin Qianyi and the other three saw, only the familiar figures of Zhou Yi and Wang Yan made them feel close to home.

Fate seemed to have its own arrangement. When the final class assignments were announced, their Homeroom Teachers were still those same two familiar faces. The four exchanged smiles, warmth rising in their hearts.

"The list of Core Disciples is as follows..." As the announcements rang out, the names of Lin Qianyi, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and the others were called one after another. When Huo Yuhao's name appeared only on the list of those temporarily receiving Core Disciple treatment, Wang Dong keenly caught the fleeting loneliness in her friend's eyes.