Champion's Reward

"Yuhao, are you all right?" Wang Dong asked softly. He knew well how stubborn and unwilling to concede Huo Yuhao was.

Huo Yuhao forced a smile. "It's nothing. I'm only a Level 17 Soul Master. Having this opportunity is already an honor."

Lin Qianyi looked quietly at Huo Yuhao, her tone calm yet resolute. "Yuhao, don't belittle yourself. We've all seen your efforts. Gold will shine sooner or later, so why not set your sights farther ahead?"

Xiao Xiao echoed from the side, "Qianyi is right, Yuhao. Pull yourself together."

Looking at his sincere friends before him, a trace of emotion flashed through Huo Yuhao's eyes. "Thank you. I'll work harder."

After the class assignments were completed, Yan Shaozhe had Lin Qianyi and the other three follow him to receive the rewards for winning the freshman assessment. The moment they entered Yan Shaozhe's office, its spacious interior inspired involuntary awe. Yan Shaozhe smiled slightly and said warmly, "Come, sit down first."

Huo Yuhao felt somewhat uneasy, but Yan Shaozhe seemed to see through his thoughts and reassured him softly, "Huo Yuhao, you needn't feel too burdened.

You should know that there are non-Core Disciples even among the top three teams. Besides, being able to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Wang Dong is already outstanding. Just work harder for the next assessment."

Wang Dong could no longer listen in silence and was about to explain, "Dean Yan, it wasn't Huo Yuhao assisting me—" Before she could finish, Huo Yuhao gently tugged her arm, cutting her off. Looking firmly at Yan Shaozhe, Huo Yuhao said sincerely, "Dean Yan, I'll work even harder. Thank you for your concern."

At that moment, the office fell silent, with only Huo Yuhao's determination quietly spreading through the air.

Yan Shaozhe was greatly satisfied with the performance of Huo Yuhao and the others. He took a brown pouch from his Soul Tool, dark patterns upon it faintly flowing with a mysterious aura. "Children, this is your reward for the freshman assessment." Yan Shaozhe's gentle voice rang through the office, carrying an uncontrollable note of solemnity.

Lin Qianyi symbolically accepted the pouch with both hands, her movements showing respect. When she opened it, a small piece of bone appeared before them. It was only palm-length, yet it emitted a faint yellow glow, like the brightest gleam of starlight in the night sky.

The instant Huo Yuhao and the other two laid eyes on it, an irrepressible impulse surged within them. The dense fluctuations of Soul Power seemed almost tangible, as though the very air in the office had solidified and grown viscous.

"A soul bone?" Wang Dong's voice was filled with shock and disbelief. Although Tang Ya had told them about soul bones before, seeing one for real still shook them deeply. Lin Qianyi remained as calm as still water, while Huo Yuhao's shock only flashed across his face for an instant.

Yan Shaozhe laughed heartily, his eyes full of affection and expectation. "I specially selected this soul bone for you. It can be used by both assault-type and control-type Soul Masters.

"It is a left leg bone called the 'Void-Mind Demonic Leopard Left Leg Bone.' Once fused with it, not only will it increase a Soul Master's speed, but it will also grant an attack skill activated through the left leg. The marvelous thing about soul bones is that they produce different skills depending on the Martial Soul, but they will always be the most suitable ones for you.

"Now I'm giving it to you, along with this pouch. It can conceal fluctuations of Soul Power. Fuse with it as soon as possible after you return. Although the academy is very safe, you must remember that an innocent man gets into trouble for possessing a treasure.

"At the same time, you must keep the matter of receiving a soul bone reward secret from the academy. I trust you know what to do."

Lin Qianyi and the others respectfully thanked Yan Shaozhe before leaving, their hearts filled with awe and excitement.

Holding the soul bone, Lin Qianyi had barely stepped outside when the four of them exchanged looks without a word. She sighed softly. "This soul bone won't be of much use to me. You three divide it among yourselves." With that, she handed it toward Wang Dong and the others.

Wang Dong accepted it and pondered for a moment. "This soul bone wouldn't be of much use to me either. Yuhao should have it." Xiao Xiao nodded gently at the side in agreement.

Wang Dong then handed the bag containing the soul bone to Huo Yuhao, but Huo Yuhao repeatedly waved his hands. "No, I can't take this soul bone. Didn't they say there would be rewards in the next Promotion Assessment too? Xiao Xiao should get this one first. Ladies first."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao hurriedly said, "Yuhao, you can't think like that. During the competition, if we hadn't had your shared Spiritual Detection, it would have been difficult for us to spot our opponents' weaknesses.

"Besides, your role was crucial. And since your own offensive strength is relatively weak, absorbing this soul bone would benefit you greatly." Her gaze was full of sincerity and concern.

Huo Yuhao still shook his head. "Xiao Xiao, although this soul bone could give me some offensive strength and add attack power to my Spirit Attribute, it would only give me one more means of attack.

"You have Twin Martial Souls, so you need it more. Besides, ladies first. Take it!" His words were firm yet gentle.

Seeing this, Wang Dong teased, "Yuhao, are you putting women before friends now?" Xiao Xiao said irritably, "Cut it out. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill requires a man and woman to embrace, so that's understandable. If you two men were embracing, that would be putting women before friends." Hearing this, Lin Qianyi could not help but laugh softly. "Look, Wang Dong seems embarrassed."

Wang Dong immediately became a little flustered and angry. She tossed the bag containing the Soul Tool into Xiao Xiao's arms and muttered, "Don't talk nonsense." Xiao Xiao quickly caught it and scolded her playfully, "You!"

Looking at Wang Dong's embarrassed expression, Lin Qianyi teased, "Wang Dong, your face is completely red!" Wang Dong cried helplessly, "Oh, Qianyi."

Wang Dong looked at Huo Yuhao, concern in her eyes. "Yuhao, not becoming a Core Disciple—will that affect you...?"

Huo Yuhao smiled faintly, his gaze firm and calm. "Don't worry. I've come to terms with it. Becoming a Core Disciple is important, but what matters more is the tacit coordination between us. Even without that title, I can still prove myself through my own efforts. The academy's decision was fair."

Lin Qianyi's voice carried a steadfast strength. "Yuhao, it's wonderful that you can think this way. The title of Core Disciple is only temporary glory. You shouldn't limit your sights to what is right in front of you. Look to the future—countless wonderful things await you ahead. Believe in yourself. You are already outstanding enough."

Just then, a familiar voice that had once inspired awe in them came from behind. "Well said." Everyone turned around to see Zhou Yi standing not far away.

They instinctively bowed. "Teacher Zhou."

Their hearts were full of confusion. Hadn't Zhou Yi been leading the Class One students back to the teaching building? Why was she here?

Zhou Yi's gaze swept over them, and a faint smile appeared at the corners of her lips. She did not rush to explain why she had come. Instead, she quietly watched these young figures, as though contemplating something important.

Zhou Yi's deep gaze moved between Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi as she slowly spoke. "Yuhao, I came specifically to find you. Seeing that you have such a clear understanding reassures me.

"Just as Qianyi said, don't limit yourself to this. The name of a Core Disciple is merely a title. You should not waste too much energy on such an insignificant matter. I'm very satisfied that you can understand this. As expected of my prized student." At this point, she suddenly remembered something and said with a smile, "Oh, right. Since you won the freshman championship, I have a reward for you as well."

She took an embroidered pouch from her Storage Soul Tool and handed it to Huo Yuhao and the others. Lin Qianyi asked in surprise, "Teacher Zhou, is it another soul bone?" Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were equally stunned.

Hearing this, Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "What do you mean, another?"

Only then did Xiao Xiao realize what she had said and hurriedly explained about the soul bone they had only just received.

Zhou Yi nodded, a trace of approval flashing through her eyes. "No wonder the academy's reward for you was actually a soul bone. How did you distribute it?" Lin Qianyi replied, "We gave it to Xiao Xiao."

Zhou Yi smiled slightly, her expression full of approval for how they had handled it. "Very good. Being able to distribute it so calmly reflects the spirit of a team."