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"Area One."
Following the list Mu Jin had given him, Su Wen arrived at the examination field of Area One.
Wang Dong was assigned to Area Eleven, so the two separated once they reached the testing grounds.
Unlike the quieter areas, where only the competing teams and a handful of spectators had gathered, Area One was buzzing with activity. The viewing stands were filled with upperclassmen from grades two through five, their uniforms a colorful display of variety. Even the academy director, Du Weilun, had come personally to preside over the match.
"Su Wen!" Wu Feng waved excitedly.
Facing this guy as an enemy was too much pressure, but as a teammate… that was pure bliss. With such a thick thigh to cling to, she was already fantasizing about taking first place.
"Oh~." Su Wen's expression remained indifferent as he brushed past her, offering instead a bright smile and greeting to Ning Tian.
Wu Feng's scarlet eyes widened into perfect circles.
"Still pretending to be cold, huh?!"
She grabbed his arm and, without warning, bit down viciously.
"Hiss… Let go! Let go!" Su Wen's mouth twitched as he pressed her head away. Wasn't this girl supposed to be a red dragon? Why did she act more like a dog?
"Hmph!" Wu Feng tilted her chin proudly. "That's what you get for ignoring me."
"Should we arrange some tactics first?" Ning Tian asked softly.
"No need." Su Wen shook his head.
His eyes shifted toward the opposite side, where the other five teams were waiting.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao, and that guy called Chen Yanjin.
They were to be his opponents in the very first test—one of New Class One's strongest lineups.
At present, New Class One was rather lackluster. Forget about having a Soul Elder; even these three could already be considered trump cards.
Still, he had a fairly good impression of Xiao Xiao.
A pity, really.
In the original story, she wasted her second martial soul just for a competition, later fading into obscurity. That second martial soul wasn't entirely useless, but it was squandered. To make matters worse, she shifted from admiring Wang Dong's looks to ending up paired with the crude He Caitou—a tragic downfall indeed.
Su Wen shook his head.
Across from him, only Chen Yanjin's eyes held open provocation, leaving Su Wen puzzled.
Who was this again?
Was there really such a figure among Shrek's freshmen? A twenty-third-rank assault-type… not exactly impressive. Could there be more to it? He glanced at Wu Feng, who looked like a complete fool, and decided she could test the waters first.
Anyone bold enough to provoke him would at least earn a bit of his attention.
"I'll serve as referee for Area One," Du Weilun announced with a genial smile.
"Everyone had a full night of rest. I trust you're all at your best? In that case…"
"First match: New Class Two's Su Wen, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng versus New Class One's Chen Yanjin, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao."
"Prepare to enter the stage!"
"Gulp~."
Both Xiao Xiao and Huo Yuhao turned pale. To encounter a top-tier opponent like this in the very first match was a heavy blow. But since the draws were random, they could only chalk it up to sheer bad luck.
Exchanging glances, the three stepped onto the stage and quickly assumed their positions.
After several days of training, they had no intention of conceding without a fight. To give up before even trying would only earn them an endless string of extra drills from Zhou Yi.
"Xiao Tian, give Wu Feng your full buffs. I want to see what that Chen Yanjin can really do." Su Wen turned back to quietly instruct Ning Tian.
Though the three stood loosely spaced, no one in the audience said a word.
That was the terror of Su Wen's strength—when one could crush the entire field, the rules themselves bent around them. In truth, his mere presence had already decided the outcome. What everyone wanted to see was whether he would reveal any more of his hidden cards.
"Red Dragon!"
The instant the match began, Wu Feng charged forward.
A scorching heat burst from her body. Behind her loomed the faint image of a crimson dragon. Her arms were suddenly covered in scales, her hands twisted into claws, and flames coiled around her like serpents, dancing with her every move.
"Dragon's Fury, Dragon's Flame!"
She activated her buff first, then her primary attack skill.
From the stands, all anyone could see was a red dragon roaring as it rushed at the opposing team.
At twenty-fifth rank, Wu Feng was undoubtedly among the top ten talents of the thousand-plus new students.
"Three Lives Soul-Suppressing Cauldron!"
Xiao Xiao braced herself, summoning a massive black cauldron that floated ominously overhead.
Meanwhile, a faint light flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes as he secretly activated Spiritual Sharing with his two teammates.
"Ha! Now this is refreshing!"
Chen Yanjin let out a bellow.
The ground heaved as waves of earth surged upward. His earth-dragon attributes erupted with power, not inferior to Wu Feng's fiery dominance. Though not absolute top-tier, he was firmly in the first echelon of earth-type martial souls.
Yes—he was from the Heavenly Dragon Sect.
The Soul-Suppressing Cauldron crashed down heavily.
With the aid of Spiritual Sharing, Chen Yanjin's confidence soared. He charged straight at Wu Feng, believing that earth could somewhat restrain fire. The three's combined efforts even pushed Wu Feng back for a moment.
"Seven Treasures, shine with radiance!"
"First—Speed. Third—Strength!"
At Su Wen's side, Ning Tian's voice was calm and composed.
In her palm, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda glowed. Light streamed from its first and third layers, enveloping Wu Feng ahead.
"Damn, what the hell?!" Chen Yanjin's scalp tingled as Wu Feng's power suddenly skyrocketed.
With Ning Tian's Soul Elder-level support, Wu Feng's combat strength leapt to the realm of a Soul Elder.
Though she lacked a third soul skill, she was no opponent that a mere twenty-third-rank Soul Master could withstand.
Chen Yanjin was forced back again and again.
Even with Xiao Xiao's cauldron aiding him, he retreated step by step.
Huo Yuhao gritted his teeth.
He could accept losing to Su Wen, but to be defeated by Wu Feng and Ning Tian left him unwilling.
"Spiritual Shock!"
He called out inwardly.
In the middle of her fierce assault, Wu Feng suddenly froze mid-air, dazed for an instant, nearly toppling.
"This is… Seven Treasures, Second Ability—Resolve!" Ning Tian's face shifted as her pagoda flashed once more.
The glow swept over Wu Feng, instantly dispelling the daze in her eyes.
"You dare trick me?!"
Wu Feng roared in fury. She had almost been eliminated on the spot.
If she really lost here, how could she ever show her face in the academy again?!
"We surrender!"
Xiao Xiao raised her hand just in time.
Chen Yanjin was already injured. If they dragged it out, they wouldn't just lose this match; the next few would be doomed as well.
If Wang Dong had been here instead…
"Ah."
Xiao Xiao's face dimmed.
But still, Chen Yanjin was kicked off the stage by Wu Feng, rolling several times before Zhou Yi barely managed to catch him.
Watching the defeated trio shuffle down with their heads hung low, Su Wen yawned in boredom. He had actually expected Chen Yanjin to have some skill.
It seemed only Dai Huabin's team would offer even a little entertainment.
His gaze drifted, almost absently, toward Area Two.
Dai Huabin shivered suddenly, as if some beast had just fixed its eyes on him.
"The first match—New Class Two wins!" Du Weilun declared cheerfully.
Below, Zhou Yi glared daggers at Xiao Xiao, her meaning crystal clear—Hadn't she told her to add a soul ring to the second martial soul? What was she waiting for?!
(End of Chapter)