Hearing Wang Dong's remark, Jing Qingtong surveyed the crowd. She noticed that in the eyes of every freshman, a resolve fueled by shame had ignited.
"Uh…"
What did that mean? Had she become a motivational buff for the Shrek Academy newcomers? Kind of like the final boss in a game, pushing players to train obsessively. Maybe it was boosting the Academy's foundational strength in disguise?
Jing Qingtong shrugged dramatically. "Heh, I guess I'm just too awesome—what can you do?"
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao exchanged glances before Wang said, "Go ahead—get your swagger on!"
Behind them, their homeroom teacher, Zhou Yi, gave them a pointed look. Xiao Xiao snapped to attention, Wang Dong straightened up, but Qingtong leaned casually with outstretched hands. Realizing she'd crossed a line, she awkwardly dropped her arms—respecting the teacher was non-negotiable.
One by one, freshmen were called up by Du Weilun for testing. Each student, after their trial, stole glances at Jing Qingtong. Even Ning Tian, an auxiliary system Spirit Master, personally subdued a spirit beast, then shot Qingtong a curious look.
Qingtong remained silent, thinking: Am I a checkpoint or something?
Her, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao were called last—intentionally or not.
When every other freshman had been tested, Du Weilun finally summoned Xiao Xiao.
She stepped forward, gave Qingtong and Wang Dong a thumbs-up, and chose a Level 999 Azure-Eyed Red-Stripe Tiger.
This mighty beast was nearly equivalent to a thousand-year spirit beast—only third-stage Celestial Soul Master Dai Huabin or Xie Huanyue had dared try one before.
Xiao Xiao became the first second-stage student brave enough to face such a beast.
All eyes turned toward her.
The staff unlocked the tiger's chains. The beast snarled, lunged out, locked on her, and its roar rattled the entire arena.
Despite the tiger's speed, Xiao Xiao was quicker—unleashing her Spirit Skill. Three "Three-Life Tranquilizing Cauldrons" appeared: one beneath her foothold, the others blocking the tiger's path.
Though the tiger dodged, Xiao Xiao then used the Nine Phoenix Harmony Flute. Its slow melody immediately sapped the tiger's momentum.
She seized the opportunity, drove the cauldrons into the beast, and pinned it.
Second-stage versus a Level 999 beast—everyone gasped.
So this was a twin-born Spirit Skill—truly overwhelming.
The battle swung with twin Spirit Skills delivering tactical variety and strength.
Soon, with the beast pinned under the three cauldrons, it was immobilized.
Xiao Xiao turned to Du Weilun: "Teacher, is my test done?"
Du Weilun smiled approvingly. "Yes! Excellent—your control skills among auxiliary Spirit Masters are flawless. As expected from one of the Three Arena Masters. You may rest."
"Three Arena Masters…"
Qingtong and Wang Dong exchanged amused, helpless looks.
Wang Dong said, "I think we better find a new group name."
Qingtong smiled. "Let's think about it after the test."
Wang Dong nodded—then his name was called.
Before stepping up, he leaned to Qingtong and Xiao Xiao: "You won't believe what I've got in store."
"Believe?" Qingtong narrowed her eyes. What's going to shock me? A heavenly hammer? I'm already familiar with the storyline.
Xiao Xiao looked excited. "Class rep, secret weapon?"
"Mm-hmm." Wang Dong raised an eyebrow and took to the platform.
He stood tall and said, "I choose a thousand-year spirit beast… a two-thousand-year one!"
Gasps filled the air. While Dai Huabin and Xie Huanyue had chosen thousand-year beasts, those were just slightly over a thousand years. But Wang Dong boldly picked a two-thousand-year creature!
Du Weilun warned him: "A Level 2,000 beast is no pushover—are you sure?"
Wang Dong waved confidently. "I've got this."
Du Weilun, seeing his resolve, allowed a two-thousand-year beast to be brought in.
The revolting screech of the Azure-Winged Demon Phoenix rang out—it sounded dangerous enough to pierce eardrums. Flying beasts posed unique containment challenges.
Wang Dong revealed his Spirit Skill: Goddess of Light's Butterfly. He flapped his wings and soared to intercept the Demon Phoenix head-on.
Instructor Zhou Yi frowned at this bold move: "Though his awareness and skill are good, he's only Stage 2. To challenge a two-thousand-year beast… too risky. He's too reckless."
Xiao Xiao, tense, whispered to Qingtong, "What do we do? Will his plan fail?"
Qingtong shook her head confidently: "He chose the Demon Phoenix—if he didn't have confidence, he wouldn't do it. Look—class rep's still got his ace."
High in the sky, Wang Dong tangled with the Phoenix. Du Weilun watched intently. Technically his techniques were flawless, but choosing this beast was risky—if he failed, he'd only score mediocre.
PS: Access advance (60+) chapters at
https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL