Two days later, in the early morning, at Shrek Plaza.
All the new students had gathered, looking at Du Weilun with great anticipation.
The incident involving the Evil Soul Master at the Academy made Du Weilun's expression unpleasant, but when facing the new students, he still forced a smile.
"Everyone already knows what happened two days ago. Due to special reasons, the scores of Ji Tongxuan's team in the new student assessment have been canceled. The recalculated results will be announced shortly. In addition, according to past practice, students who perform exceptionally well during the new student assessment will be selected as Core Disciples of the Academy."
"Of course, in addition to these students, some students who are still somewhat lacking will temporarily enjoy Core Disciple treatment and will be promoted based on their performance in subsequent examinations."
"Next are the rewards for the top three teams. The nine students from the top three teams in the new student assessment, in addition to all being selected as Core Disciples, each person can request the Academy's assistance in obtaining a spirit ring within their personal endurance limit during their time at the school."
"Finally, here is the list of Core Disciples and the specific class assignments…"
As the champion of the new student assessment, Wang Nan, as expected, became a Core Disciple. His class was naturally Class One of the first year, primarily composed of attack system and control system students. The homeroom teacher was Wang Nan's old acquaintance, Sun He.
After the class assignments were finished, Du Weilun kept Wang Nan behind alone.
"I asked you to stay behind because of Ji Tongxuan's incident in the new student assessment," Du Weilun said after the new students had walked away. "Due to the Academy's oversight, the referee did not stop the match in time, allowing you to be attacked by an Evil Soul Master. Therefore, the Academy has decided to give you compensation."
"By the way, your spirit power is level twenty-eight, right?" Although the registration form stated this, Wang Nan's performance in the elimination rounds made Du Weilun somewhat unsure.
"Yes, Director Du."
"That's good. Your next spirit ring will be acquired by the Academy for you. Of course, this spirit ring will try to meet your wishes. If there is truly no suitable target, the Academy will make reasonable suggestions based on your circumstances. How does that sound? What do you think?"
Wang Nan knew that this spirit ring was meant to ensure he wouldn't hold the Academy responsible in the future. Compared to the brief exchange during the final stage that day, this compensation was already sufficient, so he nodded in agreement.
Perhaps because Wang Nan's championship had been too straightforward, without any particularly outstanding performance, Du Weilun only mentioned the compensation and did not prepare any extra rewards like Spirit Bone for him. Wang Nan was quite regretful about this, as he had never seen a Spirit Bone with his own eyes before.
…
Wang Nan returned to the dormitory and saw Gongyang Mo playing with a gilded red paper in his hand.
"What is that?"
"An invitation to the Treasure Appreciation Event."
"Oh." Wang Nan responded, then saw one on his own desk. "There's one for me too?"
"The person who delivered the invitations said that after the new student assessment each year, one is specially prepared for Core Disciples, so of course, there's one for you," Gongyang Mo stopped what he was doing and blinked his beautiful eyes. "Are you going? These merchants can send invitations into the Academy, so maybe there really will be good things?"
"There will definitely be good things, maybe even tailor-made for us."
"Ah? How do you know?"
"The list of Core Disciples was announced this morning, and the invitations were delivered to us before noon," Wang Nan said, opening the invitation and glancing at it. "Look, even the names were written in advance, so how could they not prepare things suitable for us?"
Hearing Wang Nan's words, Gongyang Mo quickly realized. With the strength of Shrek Academy, the Three Great Empires were all eager to curry favor, so it was impossible for anyone to have spies within the Academy. The Jubao Pavilion, which was hosting the Treasure Appreciation Event, might even be Shrek's own property.
"So you're not planning to go?"
"Where did you hear that I'm not planning to go? Since there are things suitable for us, all the more reason to go and take a look."
Wang Nan's speed was as fast as Jubao Pavilion's invitation delivery. He decided to go at noon and was already at the entrance of Jubao Pavilion by evening.
Jubao Pavilion was over twenty meters tall, with a magnificent golden exterior. Inside, there were many shops selling various items related to Spirit Masters and Soul Masters, somewhat reminiscent of the shopping malls in Wang Nan's memory.
It was currently time for the Treasure Appreciation Event. Four long-skirted maidens stood on each side of the entrance. As soon as Wang Nan and Gongyang Mo arrived, one of them came forward to greet them.
"Are the two Spirit Masters here for the Treasure Appreciation Event?" The maiden walked up to them, bowed slightly, and asked, "Do you have an invitation?"
"Please follow me." After confirming the invitation, the maiden led Wang Nan and the two into Jubao Pavilion.
Wang Nan had to admit that he was actually a vulgar person. After seeing the large expanse of golden decoration inside Jubao Pavilion, he couldn't help but look at it a few more times. Such glittering things were never tiresome to look at.
"Two distinguished guests, the Treasure Appreciation Event is being held on the second floor. You are free to browse. If you find something you like, please register and purchase it on the west side. If you need credit, you can also have it appraised there. The appraisal result will determine the discount and credit limit you can enjoy."
After saying this, the maiden bowed again, then stepped back and stood to the side.
Among all the exhibits on the second floor, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly a Spirit Bone in the central display case. This Spirit Bone appeared to be an arm bone, golden-red throughout, with five slender finger bones pointing upwards, each fingertip emitting a faint golden-red glow.
It was currently floating in the display case, quietly awaiting the arrival of its fated person.
Wang Nan only glanced at it a few times, satisfying his curiosity before no longer paying attention. This item was just for looking at; at nine million five hundred thousand gold coins, even an Emperor would have to think about it for a long time.
In contrast, a flying spirit tool on the other side was more worthy of his consideration.
"Spirit tool?" Gongyang Mo's voice was a little surprised.
"What's wrong with spirit tools?"
Gongyang Mo hesitated before speaking, "I don't know if anyone has told you, but for us Spirit Masters, pure spirit power cultivated by ourselves is the most reliable and trustworthy. Spirit tools are external objects after all, and one should not rely on them too much."
Wang Nan turned his gaze to Gongyang Mo, re-examining his roommate.
He had always known that students from Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department were very resistant to spirit tools, but this was the first time he had such a direct feeling.
Unlike the people of this world, Wang Nan had memories of another world. In his eyes, there was no either-or relationship between Spirit Masters and spirit tools. Spirit tools were just like the swords, spears, and shields in a warrior's hand, or the hammers and axes in a worker's hand—they were merely tools.