Xie Huanyue soon completed his assessment.
As the strongest student in Class Two, his soul power had risen from level 31 during the freshman assessment to level 34 now—gaining one level every three months over nine months.
This was already an impressive pace, standard for talented soul masters.
Bei Bei, a fourth-year student, was only level 37, while Tang Ya had just broken through to three rings in her fourth year. By the time Xie Huanyue reached fourth year, he would likely stabilize as a Soul Ancestor.
This didn't necessarily mean Xie Huanyue was more talented than Bei Bei—Bei Bei might have spent more time building his foundation—but it still proved Xie Huanyue's innate gifts.
For his assessment, he also chose a thousand-year soul beast: a Swift Shadow Panther, an agility-type beast faster than even most agility-system Soul Elders. Xie Huanyue relied on his formidable defense to exhaust the panther before finally defeating it.
Panthers, whether soul masters or soul beasts, were creatures of explosive speed but poor stamina.
In the end, Xie Huanyue scored 125 points. The proctors' evaluation was that his defense was solid but his offense lacking. He had missed multiple opportunities to counterattack and deal heavy damage, needlessly prolonging the fight and sustaining more injuries.
Yes, the Swift Shadow Panther had broken through his defenses. Though the wounds weren't deep, they were numerous, leaving him bloodied.
The scent of blood was highly noticeable in a soul beast forest—just as sharks could detect blood from miles away in the ocean, soul beasts were similarly drawn to it. Injuries in such an environment could easily provoke a swarm.
Combined with Xie Huanyue's drawn-out battle, he lost 25 points in technique.
Only then did he realize how difficult it was to earn a perfect score.
Next up was a student from Class One. Xiao Xiao stepped forward without hesitation, also selecting a thousand-year soul beast.
Her evolved Nine Cauldron Dragon proved formidable. Her opponent was an ice-attribute wolf—a power-type with decent speed but weak defense.
Xiao Xiao first split her Nine Cauldron Dragon into nine parts, using the "Cauldron's Repel" to form rings of repelling force. She turned the wolf into a pinball, bouncing it helplessly between the cauldrons until it was thoroughly disoriented.
Then, she seized an opening to trap it with "Cauldron's Seal" before finishing it off with "Cauldron's Quake."
Her performance was fluid and visually stunning. Even after the battle, she retained 40% of her soul power, still capable of self-defense.
Xiao Xiao's combat skills and timing were nearly flawless. Not even Yan Shaozhe could nitpick, making her the second student to receive a perfect score.
"Yun-ge, how did I do?" Xiao Xiao blinked playfully at Lin Yun after returning to the formation.
"Amazing. As expected of my Xiao Xiao!" Lin Yun didn't disappoint, praising her with a smile.
'My Xiao Xiao...'
Her cheeks flushed pink, a mix of shyness and joy blooming in her heart.
Meanwhile...
As the crowd watched Lin Yun and Xiao Xiao's affectionate display—with even Mu Jin pointedly ignoring the academy's "no romance" rule—Yan Shaozhe was having a crisis.
He remembered Xiao Xiao from the freshman assessment. She had been on Lin Yun's team, and he had personally watched their matches.
Back then, her martial soul had been the Tri-Soul Suppressing Cauldron, not the current Nine Cauldron Dragon.
With his sharp eyes, Yan Shaozhe could instantly tell her martial soul had undergone a qualitative leap. The Nine Cauldron Dragon far surpassed her previous cauldron, even bordering on a super-grade martial soul.
Without detailed testing, he could only estimate it as "near-super grade." But if examined properly, its true power would likely be even greater.
Which raised the question:
What could cause such a dramatic evolution, elevating a martial soul from a standard top-tier to near-super grade?
Martial souls were innate, nearly impossible to alter after birth.
Some might mutate slightly after absorbing high-quality soul rings, but Xiao Xiao's third ring clearly didn't come from an exceptionally powerful soul beast.
There was no bloodline pressure radiating from it!
Lin Yun, for example, had only premium rings—from a Rampaging Blood Direbear, a Titan Snowdemon, a Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear, and even a Demonic Evil Tiger. Even ignoring his Golden Dragon King martial soul and ring ages, the inherent pressure from these beasts was palpable. It was just overshadowed by his draconic bloodline.
But that power was always there, visible to discerning experts.
Xiao Xiao had none of that!
Meaning her martial soul hadn't evolved due to a soul ring—something else was at play!
Combined with her skyrocketing soul power...
Yan Shaozhe felt his heart pounding, his mouth dry and head spinning.
Immortal herbs...?!
What else could drastically alter a martial soul, enhance physical beauty, and boost soul power so dramatically?
As Shrek's dean and a once-renowned genius, Yan Shaozhe had traveled the continent in his youth. Arrogant and ambitious, he had sought out immortal herbs himself, hoping to gain the foundation for godhood.
Having grown up on tales of the Seven Shrek Monsters, how could he not have dreamed of such treasures?
Yet no matter how hard he searched, he never found those legendary relics.
And now, they seemed to be right before his eyes.
Yan Shaozhe felt himself unraveling.
A century of mental fortitude nearly shattered as his soul power fluctuated uncontrollably.
'No... That girl couldn't have stumbled upon such fortune herself. Her family wouldn't have held onto an immortal herb this long without using it earlier.'
'Then... Lin Yun?'
His thoughts raced, quickly settling on that conspicuous figure at the center of attention.
Though just speculation, Yan Shaozhe was certain—Lin Yun must possess immortal herbs!
The seed of greed took root in his heart.
(End of Chapter)
────────────────────────────────────
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."
"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension]."
"If you want early access to nearly 35+ chapters, join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"