During the three months leading up to the freshman assessment, Xu Zihuang had basically remained within Shrek Academy cultivating.
In truth, the time he took Tuoba Yu to the northern district casino of Shrek City was only to win a little money for living expenses.
It wasn't because he cared much about money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stopped after a single win.
Whether in his former days as the only son of a Sun Moon Empire prince with overwhelming power, or during his later three years living on Moon Pivot Island, he had never worried about money.
Occasionally he would step outside Shrek Academy only when he couldn't politely refuse invitations from classmates of the freshman Class Nine.
After setting aside his royal pride, his outstanding talent and appearance, coupled with his courteous and gentle demeanor, made it only natural that others wished to be close to him.
In the blink of an eye, the first three months of the freshmen's studies had passed.
Although Mu Jin was strict, she hadn't expelled a single student. When Class Nine began, there had been one hundred students, and there still were one hundred.
The vast majority of freshman class teachers acted the same way—whatever happened, they would still give every student a chance to participate in the assessment.
But Class One was an exception. In just three months, their number had plummeted to sixty. All thanks to their homeroom teacher Zhou Yi.
Among those expelled, many female students had wept bitterly, begging or even going to the Academic Office to complain, but it was useless. Zhou Yi seemed dead set on expelling them.
At the time, it had caused no small stir among all the freshmen.
It was worth noting that, surprisingly, Huo Yuhao—clearly the weakest in cultivation within Class One—had managed to remain until the eve of the assessment.
This only made those expelled for baseless reasons even more indignant. The Academic Office, under pressure, had been forced to intervene, which finally caused Zhou Yi to restrain herself somewhat.
—
On the top floor of the teachers' office building.
The room here was much larger than Wang Yan's office, though arranged in a similar style—no flashy decorations, bookshelves filled with volumes.
Seated behind the desk was a tall, middle-aged man who looked to be in his late forties.
He was Du Weilun, Director of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy's outer court, a man of great authority. His position was second only to the two deans of the Martial Soul Department.
With a dark face and beardless chin, his stern expression deepened as he rubbed his brow at the papers before him, saying angrily:
"This Zhou Yi is really giving me no peace. Families of the expelled students have even brought their complaints directly to me."
Standing before his desk was a young, attractive female teacher.
If any student of Class Nine had been here, they would have recognized her at a glance.
It was none other than Mu Jin, the homeroom teacher of Class Nine.
She had come today at Du Weilun's summons. Seeing him occupied, she hadn't interrupted. But now, his complaint struck directly at her heart.
"Director Du, Zhou Yi expelling students so casually is not only irresponsible to the academy, but unfair to those freshmen as well. Has she considered the harm this causes to students who entered full of dreams for the future? Just because of her baseless reasons? On the surface, expelling them makes the class's advancement rate look higher, but what she destroys are the futures of those students!"
"Ah—" Du Weilun sighed heavily, rubbing his head in frustration.
He too had long been dissatisfied with Zhou Yi's methods. But he could not casually move against her. Zhou Yi's husband, Fan Yu of the Soul Tool Department, though also a Contra like himself, was practically set to inherit the position of dean of the Soul Tool Department. As for himself, becoming Director of the Martial Soul Department was likely the peak of his career.
Fan Yu's status far surpassed his own.
"Enough about Zhou Yi." Du Weilun's face calmed.
"Mu Jin, the reason I called you today is to inform you of something. In tomorrow's freshman assessment, the two freshmen in your class who've reached Soul Elder level cannot be placed in the same team."
"What?"
Du Weilun shook his head helplessly. "This wasn't my decision. It's an order from above."
The puzzlement on Mu Jin's face shifted to surprise, but then she seemed to understand. Straightening, she said firmly: "Director Du, I will comply. Even so, I believe the champion of this freshman assessment will certainly come from my Class Nine."
As she spoke, confidence curved her lips into a faint smile.
"I've paid attention to this year's freshmen as well, and I quite admire your class." Du Weilun chuckled, picking up another document.
Mu Jin gave a respectful bow, then left the office. Noticing it was already near class time, she went straight toward the freshman teaching building.
—
Inside the classroom of Class Nine.
Though the bell for class had long since rung, lively chatter filled the room. Faces were lit with excitement and worry alike. Tomorrow was the freshman assessment, and Mu Jin had already announced yesterday that today would be the day to assign the three-person teams.
Stay or leave—all depended on the assessment results.
Since it concerned their futures, none could take it lightly.
Crisp footsteps approached, and as Mu Jin stepped onto the platform with a stack of papers, the classroom immediately fell silent.
She surveyed them from above before handing out the papers.
"Much of this I already explained yesterday, so I won't repeat myself. After the freshman assessment, we'll begin individualized instruction. Write down your intended path of cultivation and hand it in later. Now, let's begin team assignments."
"Our class has one hundred students. Gong Xinrong has already applied to transfer to the Soul Tool Department, so the remaining ninety-nine divide neatly into thirty-three teams."
"First team: Yu Tianhuang, Tuoba Yu, Nanmen Yun'er."
"Second team: Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Ya Lu."
"These groupings were chosen carefully, based on the characteristics and complementarity of your martial souls. If anyone is dissatisfied, you may raise your objection—but only this morning. Today's lesson is canceled. If you have no issues, you may leave now. I suggest you use the time to learn each other's martial souls and skills if you hope to pass the assessment. Those of the first and second teams stay behind."
Before long, many students submitted their cultivation plans, then left with their assigned teammates.
Mu Jin's arrangements were thoughtful, leaving little room for dissatisfaction. Many wished to team with top students like Yu Tianhuang or Ning Tian, but it wasn't their choice.
It was clear to all that Yu Tianhuang, Ning Tian, and the like were the seed teams Mu Jin had personally selected.
Soon, only Xu Zihuang, Tuoba Yu, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Nanmen Yun'er, and Ya Lu remained.
Other classes were also buzzing with their own discussions of team assignments, especially noisy was Class Ten next door.
Their homeroom teacher, a recent graduate, obviously lacked the authority of veterans like Mu Jin or Zhou Yi.
Gathering the six students' cultivation plans, Mu Jin glanced over them briefly before speaking:
"Today, Director Du told me not to place the two Soul Elders, Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian, in the same team. After some thought, I decided this arrangement is best. Do you have any opinions?"
With outstanding students, Mu Jin's tone was always kinder.
At her words, Wu Feng's delight was plain on her face.
"Teacher Mu, I have no objections."
As long as Yu Tianhuang wasn't with Ning Tian, she was satisfied.
Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu exchanged a look and both nodded.
Being roommates, they knew each other well. One a control-type, the other an assault-type—perfect complements. No complaints about being paired.
Ning Tian glanced at Xu Zihuang but voiced no objection either. As the heir of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, she had her pride.
Rather than winning first place through the advantage of cultivation alongside Yu Tianhuang, she preferred to lead her own team to success.
Mu Jin smiled at them.
"Since no one objects, it's settled. I hope the champion of the freshman assessment will come from these two teams. The rewards for the champion are always generous. Shrek Academy's wealth is well known. That's all I'll say. Go and prepare."