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As Xiao Yan's name was called—
Most of the students present turned to look, and even several of the examiners cast curious glances. After all, the top student of each year always drew the spotlight. This was Shrek Academy, not some obscure sect. To become the top of one's grade in a place crawling with monsters meant the student was almost guaranteed to start at the level of a Titled Douluo in the future.
Moreover, this twelve-year-old Soul Grandmaster completely dominated even second-year students.
Mu Jin's face displayed pride, while Zhou Yi's expression grew increasingly sullen.
"Hmph…"
Only Elder Gong curled his lip and let out a cold snort.
"That kid's talent is average at best, but he sure likes to show off. Anyone who didn't know better would think he's been guaranteed entry into the inner court and already outshined its geniuses."
"A twelve-year-old Soul Grandmaster does have a right to be proud," Su Wen grinned, his gaze fixed on the slender boy entering the stage. Though the boy still looked youthful, a hint of arrogance lay beneath his childish features—confidence built upon countless words of praise.
"The inner court has no shortage of geniuses. Pull out any one of them, and they'd beat him with ease. And you, brat—don't put on an act. You became a Soul Grandmaster at ten. Forget his peers—could he even survive one of your attacks right now?"
"It's good for young people to stay humble, but don't act old before your time. You're not like me—with half a foot in the grave already," Elder Gong sneered again.
"It's a shame you two aren't in the same year. Otherwise, you could've knocked that arrogance out of him. Just watching him pisses me off."
"…"
Su Wen shrugged and continued watching the match.
Meanwhile, several teachers nearby looked visibly shaken, especially Zhou Yi. Her nails dug into her palms as realization struck—this boy wasn't the son of an outer court instructor. He was… from the inner court. One of those little monsters.
Someone on par with a direct-lineage disciple like Ma Xiaotao. Though no one knew which powerhouse he was related to, his monstrous talent alone spoke volumes.
Becoming a Soul Grandmaster at ten—even in a place like Shrek, which was crawling with monsters, this was an achievement that would be recorded in the annals of history.
As long as he didn't meet an untimely end, he was certain to become one of Shrek's top powerhouses in the future.
Mu Jin, initially stunned, was now overwhelmed with joy.
She had noticed the key point—this kid was only ten! Which meant… he'd be enrolling next year!
Being the teacher of someone like this wasn't just about achieving good "results"—it was an incredibly valuable political resource.
Once Su Wen rose to a high position in the academy, a single word from him could get things done—like the "Outstanding Teacher" evaluation for the Martial Soul Department. Wasn't that award the very thing Zhou Yi was driving herself and her students crazy for?
Mu Jin wanted to laugh out loud. Zhou Yi had dug her own grave. There was no way this child would end up in her class. While it was extremely difficult for disciples from other powers to choose their own class at Shrek, this boy likely wouldn't have that problem. He probably only needed to say the word to pick whichever class he wanted.
One less powerful competitor to worry about—what a relief!
"…"
Still, Mu Jin hesitated and chose not to approach him.
The other teachers who were preparing to instruct the next year of students were also clearly tempted. They exchanged glances but kept a calm front as they continued to watch the match.
"Roar, roar, roar!"
Xiao Yan let out several roars.
His body suddenly transformed—his arms lengthened and thickened, his claws grew sharper, his legs shrank, and a blood-red tail emerged from his back. He now resembled a smaller version of a Blood-Red Baboon. Yet, one of his arms was an odd, metallic silver.
"That's his Martial Soul, the Blood-Silver Baboon. It's a variant of the Blood-Red Baboon, one of the most powerful baboon clans in the Star Dou Great Forest. His Martial Soul possesses both bloodthirsty and metallic traits," Mu Jin explained, stepping forward naturally when she noticed Su Wen's surprised expression, sensing her chance had come.
"Metallic, as in for defense?" Su Wen nodded slightly.
The bloodthirsty trait was a buff, capable of multiplying his combat power when activated, while the metallic properties enhanced both his offense and defense. Among mutated beast-type Martial Souls, Xiao Yan had definitely hit the jackpot.
Seeing Su Wen nod politely to her, Mu Jin was ecstatic.
The other teachers looked on with a hint of regret.
Such a golden opportunity…
"Hmph. So, little guy, which of your soul beasts are you gonna use to take him down?" Elder Gong sneered.
"Let's go with Xiao Jin. To be safe," Su Wen replied after a moment of thought.
"Alright, Xiao Jin it is!" Elder Gong chuckled mischievously and whispered something to a staff member behind him.
As the staff member from the Great Spirit Arena departed—
Mu Jin and the other teachers grew even more puzzled. What does he mean, 'his' soul beast? Does he have a Beast Taming-type Martial Soul?
At that moment—
A deep roar echoed from behind the iron gate.
The oppressive aura silenced the entire arena.
Xiao Yan, who had been full of momentum, suddenly froze. The roar nearly forced his Martial Soul back into his body!
As the iron gate slowly rose—
A massive Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear, over four meters tall, gradually appeared before everyone.
"Gulp~"
Xiao Yan swallowed hard, his neck stiff as he stared toward the examiner's area.
You want me… to fight that?
No, seriously…
If you want me dead, just say so!
A thousand-year Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear? Its combat power must be approaching the ten-thousand-year level!
In the examiner's area—
Mu Jin's face had also turned pale. This was a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear! Its combat strength had to be multiplied by at least ten! Using a "ferocious beast" like this to test a new student? In previous years, not even Dean Yan would have dared to pull a stunt this big!
Wait…
She suddenly recalled their conversation.
This boy's soul beast?
You're calling that thousand-year Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear YOUR soul beast?!!
She stared at Su Wen in shock, but the boy remained calm as he watched the match, his expression completely unfazed…
…
"You chose it, kid. A thousand-year soul beast is within the rules. This Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear just barely reached the thousand-year level," the referee shrugged, giving him a helpless look.
"Even you know it's a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear!!!" Xiao Yan shrieked as he watched Xiao Jin slowly approach. The hair on his body stood on end, his legs began to tremble, and his face went deathly pale. He just wanted to take the assessment—he didn't want to die here!
"The assessment will continue. You only need to last three—no, one minute against it, and the assessment will be over," the referee-teacher announced, relaying a signal he received through his earpiece.
"Then I'll give it a try," Xiao Yan said, taking a deep breath.
He still had faith in the academy's safety measures.
He didn't know where they got such a creature, but if they dared to put it on the field, they must have it under control.
"ROAR!"
Three soul rings rose from under his feet—
Yellow, Yellow, Purple.
"Silver Defense!"
"Iron Wall!"
"Blood-Red Riot!"
He then launched a fierce assault on the Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear.
And then…
There was no "and then."
With a single slap, Xiao Jin sent him flying into the barrier of the fighting arena. Mu Jin gasped in alarm, but the bear had controlled its strength with extreme precision. A normal slap could have easily shattered every bone in Xiao Yan's body and made his head explode like a watermelon. But despite the seemingly powerful blow, Xiao Yan stood back up, utterly stunned.
"Huh, my bones… aren't broken?!!"
(End of Chapter)