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"Freshman Class Two, Su Wen… wins."
It was a long moment before the referee finally forced out the words, his voice tinged with disbelief.
This was supposed to be a clash between old and new—so how had it turned into a complete one-sided domination?
If not for the tag of "freshman," he would have assumed this was some monster from the Inner Court descending just to bully the Outer Court.
"This… this guy's a freshman?!" After announcing the result, he shot a doubtful look at his colleague. The man sighed, nodding. "He's just one of those little monsters from the Inner Court. His talent is said to be absurd to the point of defying reason. Even the Dean of the Martial Soul Department and several Elders are paying close attention to him. Oh, and you know the milk tea shops in Shrek City? Supposedly he's the one behind them, with Jubao Pavilion personally endorsing…" He gave the referee a meaningful look.
"Ohhh~" The referee suddenly understood. A monster of this level was destined to stand at the very peak of the continent—or rather, in the future, to become the stabilizing pillar of Shrek itself, the strongest guardian of this land.
"This year's freshmen… really are fresh," he murmured in awe.
As his voice fell, announcing the victor, the arena froze for a heartbeat—then exploded into thunderous cheers.
The upperclassmen, however, stood stunned. They could only stare in disbelief at the battered Xu Sanshi slumped on stage and at Su Wen, who merely shook his head and walked down calmly, as though unsatisfied with how easy it had been.
Xu Sanshi's title, "Eternal Defense," was itself proof that his strength was acknowledged by all. Yet not only had he failed to hold his ground, he hadn't even managed to put up a fight—it was pure, overwhelming suppression.
"Damn! The Outer Court just gained a monster!"
"Xu Sanshi, you gone soft? You throwing the match? Losing to Bei Bei, fine, I get that. But a freshman? Where's our upperclassman pride?!"
"Hah, this big sister loves that kind of sharp, decisive little pretty-boy. Anyone know him? Hook me up with an introduction!"
"…"
In the audience, Jiang Nannan sat with lips slightly parted. Since the day she had met Su Wen, this was the first time she had seen him truly reveal his power.
"So strong…"
The beauty raised a hand to cover her mouth, trying to hide her shock. Yet the corners of her lips couldn't help but curve upward.
While the upperclassmen were left dazed and unwilling to accept it, the freshmen were set ablaze with excitement. To see "their" representative crush a famed veteran so decisively sent their blood surging with indescribable thrill.
They had already known Su Wen was ridiculously powerful—after all, he had once beaten a fully transformed Xie Huanyue bare-handed. But to see him now casually brutalize one of the Outer Court's most renowned seniors… that was something else entirely.
Just how high did his limits reach?
No one could say.
"Gulp…" Xiao Xiao stared blankly at the stage, a surreal feeling washing over her. In her clan, she was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius; even in her home city, none could compare.
Her cultivation speed, her twin martial souls—she knew exactly how rare her gifts were. She knew better than anyone how difficult soul cultivation really was.
"And this… is Shrek Academy, huh…" Her eyes sparkled with a faint glimmer of yearning.
"Tch. Making a fuss over nothing," Chen Yanjin scoffed, arms crossed over his chest. "That guy's strong, sure. But if he were up against me, the outcome wouldn't be so certain."
Xiao Xiao: "…"
Where did you get that confidence?
Still, since they were on the same team and she would have to rely on him as their main assault in future battles, she bit back her words and looked away.
This guy's temper really was foul, and his arrogance wasn't small either. No wonder…
Her gaze dimmed as Wang Dong's face rose unbidden in her mind.
"…"
Nearby, Huo Yuhao—like a transparent shadow—silently closed his eyes.
Within his spiritual sea, the Skydream Iceworm sighed, taking a long time before speaking again. "You saw that, Yuhao. This boy's talent… even across the entire continent, he belongs to the very peak of the peak. Geniuses come in grades too—and he is the kind that stands at the very tip of the pyramid."
Honestly, it regretted its choice.
Had it known this youth was such a monstrous talent, it never would have chosen Huo Yuhao. Even if Su Wen wasn't a spiritual-type soul master, once he reached the level of Super Douluo, the Iceworm was confident it could expand his spiritual sea. But what was done was done…
"…Mm." Yuhao's expression was shaken, his head dipping stiffly.
The gulf between him and Su Wen was like the distance between heaven and earth. It wasn't something hard work alone could bridge. But his goal was not to surpass Su Wen—only to surpass that man, and avenge his mother…
"I'll work hard. I'll cultivate with everything I have!" His eyes hardened with new resolve.
The Iceworm gave a gratified nod.
The boy had stepped away from the wrong path. If he had truly tried to chase after Su Wen, he would have lived his whole life in that youth's shadow. Admitting one's own ordinariness—wasn't such a bad thing.
…
"You were… seriously freakish today."
Inside the dorm.
It was deep into the night, the room pitch-black.
The girl curled beneath her quilt for a long while before finally whispering the words.
Su Wen's lips twitched. "…"
"What level are you now? Did you break through to Soul Ancestor yet?" Wang Dong tried to keep the conversation going, searching for a topic.
But the room remained silent, Su Wen lying as though already asleep.
"This time's assessment—your team took first place in everything. Do you have anything you want to say?"
Silence again.
"Then… wanna cultivate together tonight?" she asked cautiously, testing the waters.
"Sure!"
In the next instant, Su Wen had already slid over beside her.
Wang Dong: "…"
…
Neither slept a wink that night.
Only when dawn's light began to seep into the sky did Su Wen finally stir awake. Wang Dong lay curled against him, arms wrapped tightly around his arm. Though she looked every bit the tomboy, her long eyelashes trembled softly, adding a trace of gentleness. Compared to Ning Tian's earlier clumsy disguises, hers could almost fool anyone. Unfortunately, the moment she entered the academy, her martial soul had given her away to the higher-ups.
"Your soul power improved?"
Su Wen pierced through her act of feigned sleep, yawning as he spoke.
"Mhm~ yeah."
At that, Wang Dong opened her eyes, her face lit with delight.
"Call me Level Twenty-Five Grand Soul Master! I broke through a rank last night!"
"Oh? And the day before that?"
Su Wen chuckled, ignoring her excitement as he got up to wash.
"Huh? The day before?" Wang Dong blinked in confusion. Soul power didn't increase by the day like that!
Realizing he was teasing her, she fumed and kicked out angrily—but Su Wen caught her ankle with one hand. Her pale arch tensed instantly, neat and unpolished toenails gleaming.
"Pervert!"
Off balance, Wang Dong flushed red with both shame and anger.
Su Wen didn't even glance back, brushing his teeth calmly in the mirror as he let go. Wang Dong hastily pulled her foot back, planting it down before glaring at him with hands on her hips.
"I'm not into guys, thanks very much~" Su Wen said with a smirk.
"W-who said I was—!" Wang Dong's eyes went wide.
"Alright, get dressed. Today's round-robin is important. If we forfeit because someone's late, that'll be a real laugh."
With that, Su Wen left first.
Face still flushed, Wang Dong stomped her foot before hurrying after him, heading toward the arena.
(End of Chapter)