Afternoon.
All freshman classes had assembled in the assessment zone.
The assessment zone of Shrek Academy was located in the northern part of the Martial Soul Department, adjacent to the Duel Zone. Compared to the cramped Duel Zone, the assessment zone was several times larger. For the outer courtyard students, this place was a paradise where the outstanding could display their talents—and a nightmare where the underperformers were weeded out. Each year, nearly 90% of assessments were held here, and countless students had left Shrek Academy in silence after failing their trials on this very field.
The assessment zone was oval-shaped. Unlike the standardized arenas of the Duel Zone, it was a wide and flat expanse. Only a low wall bordered its outermost edge. Inside, it was divided into numerous equally-sized square areas according to need, each used as a separate testing ground.
The freshman assessment had always required the highest number of divided arenas. That wasn't just because there were more students—but also because freshmen typically had limited destructive range and power. Smaller spaces were more than sufficient for them to show their capabilities. With a total area of over 20,000 square meters, the zone had now been divided into twenty arenas. Each arena was a square with 30-meter sides—900 square meters in total. For freshmen whose cultivation ranged from one to two soul rings, this was more than enough. With an average Soul Grandmaster speed of fifteen meters per second, this area gave ample room for movement. However, for agility-type soul masters, it was far from ideal.
This year, there were two hundred teams of freshmen. After drawing lots, every ten teams were assigned to one arena. Within each arena, round-robin matches would begin. That meant that in the first stage of the points ranking tournament, each team would battle nine others in their arena—nine rounds total per team. Every arena would thus hold forty-five matches.
However, time was limited. The first stage—the points ranking tournament—was only allotted three and a half days: this afternoon, plus the following three days. That meant forty-five matches needed to be completed in a very short span. It was a challenge for the referees—and an even greater challenge for the students.
Time was tight, the pressure immense. There was no room for error.
"Attention all freshmen, attention all freshmen, please enter the assessment zone immediately to prepare for the Freshman Assessment. You have ten minutes left to enter. Anyone not present will be considered to have forfeited this round." A booming announcement echoed across the area. The students' expressions immediately turned serious.
The Freshman Assessment had officially begun.
"Let's go." Zhu Ziyang smiled faintly.
"Yeah! The championship is ours!" Tang Ya shouted, her voice loud and excited. Several students around her turned to look, but none of the trio cared.
"That's right! We'll be the champions!" Jiang Nannan echoed cheerfully.
Zhu Ziyang's team had been assigned to Arena No. 12, the second arena in the second row. The trio headed there immediately.
When they arrived at Arena 12, the other nine teams had already gathered. Some recognized Zhu Ziyang on sight, and their faces instantly fell. Others, unaware of his reputation, remained composed.
A female teacher in her early thirties walked into Arena 12. She had a delicate appearance and wore a warm, approachable smile. Upon spotting the six students, she gave a small nod and said apologetically, "Oh dear, I'm late! Hello, I'm Liu Xue, the examiner for Arena Twelve."
"Hello, Teacher Liu!" all the students responded with bows.
"No need to be so formal. Time is tight, so let's begin immediately." Liu Xue smiled, took out a list, and began reading. "Arena Twelve, Points Ranking—First Match: Class Three's Lu Shaoyou, Du Shaofu, Wang Shaowei versus Class Four's Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, Tang Ya. Both teams, please enter the field."
Zhu Ziyang's team didn't hesitate. They stepped onto the battlefield and took up a triangular formation—Zhu Ziyang in front, Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya on either side.
Their opponents were all male students. The Class Three trio clearly recognized Zhu Ziyang. After exchanging bitter smiles, their captain, Lu Shaoyou, called out, "Face difficulty with courage, fear nothing!"
"Face difficulty with courage, fear nothing!" his teammates echoed.
Then, the three moved to the opposite side of the arena. The helpless smiles vanished, replaced by fierce fighting spirit. They adopted an inverted triangle formation, with Lu Shaoyou and Du Shaofu in front, Wang Shaowei in the rear.
Liu Xue observed this and nodded in satisfaction. She was pleased with their spirit—this fearlessness was the essence of being a Shrek student. She announced clearly, "Begin the assessment."
Both sides activated their martial souls simultaneously.
On Zhu Ziyang's team, Jiang Nannan's rabbit ears appeared above her head, accompanied by two yellow soul rings. Tang Ya's green Blue Silver Grass twined around her arm, also with two yellow rings behind her. Zhu Ziyang, however, simply extended his right hand. The Death Reaping Scythe materialized silently—but no soul rings appeared behind him.
Liu Xue was stunned. Her own martial soul was the Autumn Water Sword, an artifact-type weapon soul. Even she couldn't wield her soul weapon this easily. Yet a first-year student did it so casually? How could she not be shocked? She was a Soul Emperor, and she could faintly sense that her own martial soul seemed to be... afraid of his?
A top-tier weapon martial soul?
On Lu Shaoyou's team, despite their battle spirit, their eyes were filled with caution and heaviness. Behind them, six yellow soul rings floated evenly among the three.
Lu Shaoyou's martial soul was the Earth Violent Bear, a level 25 assault-type Soul Grandmaster. After activation, his body bulked up and his hands transformed into massive bear paws.
Du Shaofu's martial soul was the Golden Eagle, a level 22 agility-type Soul Grandmaster. His arms grew golden feathers and his hands morphed into sharp talons. Flapping his wings, he floated in mid-air.
Wang Shaowei's martial soul was surprisingly... Red Beans. He was a level 21 food-type Soul Grandmaster. His soul rings flashed, and six red beans appeared in his hand—he handed two each to his teammates.
A team of all Soul Grandmasters. Without doubt, this was one of Class Three's seed teams.
"Nannan, prioritize eliminating that food-type soul master! Xiao Ya, take on the Golden Eagle!" Facing an unexpectedly strong first match, Zhu Ziyang immediately gave orders before charging toward the enemy.
Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya followed close behind.
The three from Class Three reacted quickly. Lu Shaoyou and Du Shaofu consumed the red beans immediately. Lu shouted, "Shaofu, let's take on Zhu Ziyang together. Shaowei, stay alert!"
His first and second soul rings lit up at once. A yellow glow surrounded him, and his bear claws doubled in size as he charged at Zhu Ziyang.
Du Shaofu's soul rings also flared. His claws lengthened, his lower legs sprouted feathers—and with a light leap, he soared five meters into the air, diving down from above.
"Hey! You're underestimating me!" Tang Ya shouted in frustration at their tactics. Her first soul ring glowed as a massive Blue Silver Web flew from her hand, targeting Du Shaofu mid-air.
(End of Chapter)
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