"Freshman Class Two, Su Wen… wins."
After a long moment, the referee finally forced out the words, still incredulous.
It was supposed to be new vs. old—how did it turn into a one-sided stomp?
If the Freshman Class Two label were covered up, he would've thought some inner court monster came to the outer court to bully people.
"This is a freshman?!" After announcing the result, he glanced suspiciously at his colleague. The latter sighed and nodded. "More like a small monster from the inner court. Rumor is his talent is freakishly absurd. Even the Martial Soul Department dean and several elders are paying close attention. Oh, and those milk tea shops in Shrek City? Supposedly his doing—Treasure Pavillion itself is backing them…" He shot a meaningful look.
"Oh~" The referee understood. A monster of that caliber was destined to stand at the continent's peak—or become Shrek's stabilizing pillar in the future, a strongest who would shelter this land.
"This year's freshmen are really something…" he murmured.
With the result announced—
The crowd froze, then erupted in feverish cheers.
The upperclassmen stood dumbfounded, staring at the slumped Xu Sanshi on stage and at Su Wen, who shook his head as he stepped down, as if he hadn't gotten his fill.
Having your own title—The Eternal Defense—naturally meant your strength was widely recognized. Yet the two hadn't even managed an even match; it was one-sided domination…
"Damn, an outer court monster just arrived!"
"Sanshi's washed? Was that a throw? I could accept you losing to Bei Bei, but to a freshman? Where does that leave us upperclassmen's pride?"
"Big sis just loves this kind of cool, sharp boy. Anyone know him? Hook me up."
"…"
Jiang Nannan sat in the stands, red lips slightly parted. Since meeting Su Wen, it was the first time she'd seen him truly unleash.
"So strong…"
The beauty lightly covered her mouth to hide her shock.
But the corners of her lips couldn't help curling up.
Unlike the upperclassmen's disbelief and frustration, the freshmen were on fire. That surge of hormones from watching your side utterly crush the opposition was addictive.
They knew Su Wen was absurdly strong—after all, he could pummel Xie Huanyue at full power with just his body. But they hadn't expected him to thrash such a renowned outer court upperclassman just as easily.
Where was his ceiling?
No one knew.
"Gulp~" Xiao Xiao stared blankly at the arena, a sense of absurdity washing over her. In her clan, she was a once-in-a-century genius. In her hometown city, no one could rival her.
Whether in cultivation speed or the potential of her twin martial souls.
Was soul power cultivation hard? She knew the answer.
"So this is Shrek Academy…" Her eyes sparkled, a hint of yearning flashing through them.
"Don't make a fuss," Chen Yanjin snorted, arms crossed. "He's strong, sure. But if he runs into me, the outcome's not set in stone!"
Xiao Xiao: "…"
Where did your confidence come from?
Still, since they were on the same team and she'd need him as a frontliner later, Xiao Xiao turned away and said nothing more.
His temper was foul and he was quite conceited—no wonder…
Xiao Xiao's eyes dimmed as she thought of Wang Dong again.
"…"
Beside them, the transparent presence that was Huo Yuhao slowly closed his eyes.
Within his spiritual sea—
The Skydream Iceworm looked thoughtful. After a long while, it exhaled. "You see that, Yuhao? That kid's talent is top-tier across the entire continent—the peak among the most monstrous. Even geniuses have grades. Anywhere you go, he's the freak at the tip of the pyramid."
To be honest, it felt a twinge of regret.
Had it known the boy was this monstrous, it wouldn't have chosen Huo Yuhao. Even if he wasn't a spiritual-type soul master, once he reached Super Douluo, the Iceworm was confident it could expand his spiritual sea. But what's done is done…
"Mm…" Huo Yuhao was shaken, nodding with difficulty.
The gap between him and Su Wen was a chasm—one effort alone couldn't bridge. But his goal was only that man—to avenge his mother…
"I'll cultivate hard!" His gaze grew more resolute.
Skydream nodded, gratified.
The kid had stepped out of a mental trap. If he'd fixated on chasing that boy, he might have lived in the other's shadow forever. Admitting one's ordinariness—good.
…
"You were… a total monster today."
In the dorm.
It was late at night, the room pitch dark.
Wang Dong huddled under the covers for a long time before slowly speaking.
Su Wen's mouth twitched. "…"
"What level are you now? Did you break through to Soul Ancestor?" When Su Wen didn't answer, Wang Dong tried to find a topic.
But the room stayed quiet, as if Su Wen had fallen asleep.
"This time your group swept first place for everything in the assessment. Any thoughts?"
Silence again.
"Then… want to cultivate together tonight?" she asked, testing the waters, cautious.
"Bring it on."
The next instant, Su Wen had already slid over.
Wang Dong: "…"
…
They didn't sleep a wink.
Until the sky lightened—
Su Wen finally stirred. Wang Dong lay curled to one side, clinging tightly to his arm. All tomboyishness—save for those long, fluttering lashes adding a touch of softness. Compared to Ning Tian's earlier clumsy makeup, this was a perfect disguise, but alas, the instant she entered the academy, her martial soul gave her away to Shrek's upper echelons.
"Soul power improved?"
Su Wen punctured Wang Dong's feigned sleep with a poke and yawned.
"Mhm~ yeah."
At that, Wang Dong's eyes opened, face alight with joy.
"Address me as a level 24 Soul Grandmaster! I leveled up last night while cultivating!"
"Oh? And the day before yesterday?"
Su Wen chuckled, ignoring her excitement as he went to wash up.
"Huh? The day before yesterday?" Wang Dong looked baffled. Could soul power be counted by the day?
Realizing Su Wen was teasing her, she huffed and kicked at him—only for Su Wen to catch her ankle. Her pale arch tensed instantly. No nail polish, but neat and delicate.
"Pervert!"
Off balance, Wang Dong blushed with shame and anger.
Su Wen didn't even turn around. Still brushing his teeth in the mirror, he let go. Wang Dong hurriedly pulled her foot back, planted her hands on her hips, and glared daggers at him.
"I don't do boys, thanks~" Su Wen smiled.
"Wh-who's—who's with you…" Wang Dong's eyes went wide.
"Alright, get dressed and let's go. Today's round-robin is important. If we forfeit because someone's late, that'll be a laugh."
Su Wen headed out first.
Wang Dong's face flushed. She stomped her foot, then hurried after him toward the arena.