When Director of Instruction Du Weilun arrived at the high platform, he first bowed respectfully to Elder Xuan before opening the file in his hands to begin roll call.
Once roll call ended, the next step was drawing lots.
Since it was only the freshman assessment, there weren't too many elaborate rituals. Each team's representative drew a lot, and matchups were decided accordingly. The sixty-four teams entering the elimination round were split into thirty-two groups for head-to-head battles.
The students had a rest day yesterday, and the assessment grounds had been modified—mainly repositioning the partitions. They were now divided into sixteen zones, each several times larger than before, giving contestants much more room to fight.
The elimination round rules were simple: one match in the morning, one in the afternoon. Losing teams returned to class; winners stayed for the next round. In three days, the top three would be determined.
"Beibei, look—it's Tianhuang." Outside the assessment grounds, Tang Ya spotted Xu Zihuang handing over his lot result to the supervising teacher, and she tapped Beibei's shoulder excitedly.
"I see him."
Beibei smiled and nodded, but then Du Weilun's announcement left the two of them stunned.
"Zone One: Class One's Wang Dong team versus Class Nine's Yu Tianhuang team."
They knew Wang Dong was Huo Yuhao's roommate and teammate.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing worry in the other's eyes. Huo Yuhao had only just begun to build some confidence, and now he was likely to face another crushing blow.
"Yuhao has faced nothing but hardships since entering the academy. Hopefully, he can get through this." Beibei sighed softly. But he also knew that with Huo Yuhao's poor talent, setbacks were inevitable in a place like Shrek Academy, full of geniuses.
Back with Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er, Xu Zihuang also showed mild surprise at the draw. So did Huo Yuhao, who stood with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao.
Wang Dong, as if struck by a thought, patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder.
"Yuhao, on the first day of the assessment, wasn't it them who won before us? Don't worry, this time we'll definitely suppress them. Just follow my lead. Let's go."
"Mm." Huo Yuhao answered quietly, finding nothing wrong with Wang Dong's words.
He knew Yu Tianhuang might be strong, but Wang Dong was no weakling either. By now, he had a solid understanding of Wang Dong's abilities.
With a thousand-year second ring, unless they encountered a Spirit Elder-level opponent, there shouldn't be much of a threat.
But Xiao Xiao's eyes flickered with unease.
If she remembered correctly, Yu Tianhuang's team was the one Zhou Yi had said had gone undefeated in the round-robin.
"What kind of luck is this…" Xiao Xiao thought bitterly, following the two toward Zone One.
On the spectators' platform, Zhou Yi's face darkened at the announcement.
Xiao Xiao and the others didn't know, but she did: among all the freshman teams led by a Spirit Elder, Yu Tianhuang's was the most mysterious.
Through ten matches, their captain Yu Tianhuang had never once released his martial soul.
What truly infuriated her, though, was that Yu Tianhuang's team belonged to Mu Jin's Class Nine.
"Zhou Yi, what a coincidence. Your chosen seed team just happens to face mine. Should I tell my students to go easy, so you won't lose too disgracefully?"
Mu Jin approached with a broad smile.
Zhou Yi's gaze sharpened. "Are you provoking me?"
Mu Jin's smile vanished. Her voice turned cold: "And what if I am? Doesn't your Class One always brag about its high advancement rate? I'd like to see how many of your students make it into the top eight this time. Hah, dismissing weak students to boost your statistics. Look at you now—exposed for what you are."
Zhou Yi frowned deeply, eyes fixed on the field where Wang Dong's trio stood in Zone One. Her tone was flat: "Care to wager?"
Mu Jin's goal was to provoke and humiliate her. Hearing this, she immediately agreed without hesitation: "Wager? What's the stake?"
Zhou Yi turned to face her squarely. "A soul bone. Dare you?"
At those words, Mu Jin's pupils shrank.
Zhou Yi sneered. "Scared? Then get away from me—and stop choking me with your disgusting perfume."
Outwardly, she appeared confident, but inside she wasn't certain. Her intention was only to scare Mu Jin off.
But Mu Jin's chest heaved, her eyes flashing with cold light.
"Fine, I'll bet. You think to frighten me with empty threats? A single soul bone is too little. Let's add a condition.
"The loser must not only hand over a soul bone but also resign from Shrek Academy. Do you dare?! I'll fight not just for myself, but for my brother you unjustly expelled back then, and for all the freshmen whose futures you ruined with your baseless expulsions!"
To her, sharing the title of teacher with Zhou Yi was a disgrace.
"Teacher Mu, Teacher Zhou, enough," some colleagues rushed over to mediate.
"Yes, don't take it so far."
But Mu Jin stepped forward, repeating: "Zhou Yi, do you dare?"
Facing her fierce momentum, Zhou Yi's heart trembled. Those words seemed to echo in her chest.
Yet as stubborn as ever, she coldly replied:
"Why wouldn't I dare? I'll bet with you."
Besides, Wang Dong's trio might not lose.
"Good! I'll act as witness," came a deep voice. It was Du Weilun, Director of Instruction of the outer court.
Mu Jin's words had struck a chord with him, reminding him of the idealism he'd had when first taking this post.
As head of the Martial Soul Department's outer court, his duty was the academy's interests. But were Zhou Yi's actions truly in the academy's best interest?
Not necessarily.
She had produced many excellent students over the years, yes—but most had been outstanding to begin with. Meanwhile, countless talents were buried because of her expulsions.
Elder Xuan, happily chewing on a chicken leg, made no move to intervene. Instead, his eyes glowed red as he gazed toward Zone One, his brows twitching slightly.
"Oh? Interesting. Very interesting."
In the center of Zone One, Xu Zihuang suddenly felt as if he were being stared down by a peerless beast. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.
Thankfully, he withdrew his spiritual power just in time.
"What immense spiritual power… must be an expert from the Sea God Pavilion." Xu Zihuang realized, striding calmly past Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er's puzzled looks.
Few liked teachers like Zhou Yi, and he was no exception.
But his aim wasn't merely to help Mu Jin win her wager. He also intended to showcase his strength and talent in this match.
The referee teacher stepped to the field's edge. Once both sides were in place, he shouted loudly: "Contestants ready—match begin!"
Across from Xu Zihuang stood Huo Yuhao's team. As always, their formation was Wang Dong in front, Xiao Xiao in the middle, Huo Yuhao in the rear.
But when they saw Xu Zihuang walking toward them alone, their brows furrowed.
Wasn't he completely disrupting their formation?
Still puzzled, they acted swiftly.
Wang Dong tapped his toes, lunging forward. Mid-stride, his dazzling blue-gold wings spread wide.
Without needing a reminder, Huo Yuhao's lone yellow ring lit up, his golden eyes fixing on Xu Zihuang.
He didn't know what Yu Tianhuang's plan was, but suppressing him first was surely the wisest move.
Just then, a violent surge of spirit power swept across the field. Silence fell.
Purple.
Purple.
Purple.
Three majestic purple rings rose from beneath Xu Zihuang's feet, each one squeezing the hearts of those who saw them.
The third ring, tinged with black, exuded a chilling aura that froze the blood.
"Three purple rings?! A Spirit Elder?! Impossible!"
The crowd erupted in shock.
And the battle changed instantly.
Huo Yuhao, still channeling his skill, suddenly bled from nose and mouth, collapsing unconscious.
Xiao Xiao fared little better—her legs buckled under Xu Zihuang's oppressive aura, leaving her unable even to release her martial soul in time.
Wang Dong's flight faltered, his mind forcibly blanked.
Dark red ripples spread across the arena. The space around Wang Dong solidified, transforming into a sharp-edged crimson crystal that crashed heavily to the ground.