When Xu Zihuang returned to Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er's side, their dazed expressions carried a feeling as if they had lived through another lifetime.
Tuoba Yu stared blankly at the Xu Zihuang who now felt so unfamiliar, a trace of bitterness flashing through his eyes.
"You really don't make a sound until you stun the world. Soul Elder cultivation, three purple thousand-year soul rings. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe what just happened."
Xu Zihuang patted Tuoba Yu on the shoulder, smiling without a word.
Knowing his place, Tuoba Yu didn't press further. Looking at Xu Zihuang, who now felt almost unreal to him, he let out a dark sigh.
They simply weren't from the same world. With Xu Zihuang's talent, he was destined to stand at the peak of the soul master world in the future.
But he didn't feel jealousy. Because before Xu Zihuang, he had already lost the confidence to even compare himself.
Compared to Tuoba Yu, among the many freshmen present and even the majority of senior female students watching from outside the assessment area, countless burning gazes were fixed on Xu Zihuang.
Soul masters had always been a proud group, and the first criterion in choosing a partner was strength.
Not only did Xu Zihuang's strength and talent overshadow his peers, but his appearance and temperament were also flawless.
And age was never a problem. On the contrary, his young age was a plus—it meant limitless future potential.
It was easy to imagine how much attention and pursuit he would receive throughout Shrek Academy after this morning's assessment.
Among them, Ning Tian from Zone Seven was the perfect example.
If Ning Tian had only entertained the idea before, then after witnessing Xu Zihuang's three purple soul rings—far beyond normal ratios—and his overwhelming suppression of Wang Dong's team, she was already completely set on him.
She didn't believe she could ever meet a more outstanding man in the future.
As the heir of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, her partner had to be a powerful soul master. And Xu Zihuang was undoubtedly the best choice.
As for feelings, she had always believed they could be cultivated. With her noble background and confidence in her beauty and temperament, she felt no inferiority at all.
At her side, Wu Feng watched Ning Tian's azure eyes shimmer with waves of emotion, her own heart left only with powerless fury.
Outside the assessment zone, Tang Ya and Bei Bei were also shaken for a long time.
Tang Ya covered her red lips with her delicate hand in shock, blurting out:
"I never thought Tianhuang's strength was this great? Three thousand-year soul rings—how did he even do it?!"
Throughout Shrek Academy's history, countless extraordinary geniuses had appeared. Unconventional soul ring ratios were not unheard of.
But she had never heard of anyone whose first soul ring was already at the thousand-year level.
Bei Bei, no longer carrying his usual gentle demeanor, studied Xu Zihuang with a grave expression before softly sighing.
"Tianhuang will definitely be the leading figure of our generation."
Tang Ya tilted her head, surprised, then smiled playfully.
"Didn't expect you to rate him that highly, Bei Bei?"
Even when speaking of Xu Sanshi, who was on par with him, Bei Bei had never said such words.
"Bei Bei, if it were you, how much confidence would you have in defeating Tianhuang?"
Bei Bei narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering for a long moment before shrugging freely.
"Less than fifty percent."
"No way? Haven't you already broken through to Soul Ancestor?" Tang Ya frowned.
"Xiao Ya, did you notice the color of Tianhuang's third soul ring? That purple shading into black means its age is extremely close to ten thousand years—at least over eight thousand. Having seen the second soul skill he just used, I don't think I could withstand his third soul skill."
Hearing Bei Bei's analysis, Tang Ya fell into thought, then suddenly seemed to recall something. She poked her fair cheek with her finger in a dazedly cute manner.
"Right, Bei Bei, why does Tianhuang's soul skill feel so familiar?"
"Daydreaming in class again, huh? Didn't the teacher just talk about this a few days ago? The Evil Orca's innate soul skill—the Evil Orca Demon Mirror's Destruction. Ten thousand years ago, Tang Sect's ancestor Tang San obtained it as one of the abilities of his eighth soul ring from the hundred-thousand-year Evil Orca King."
Bei Bei looked helpless, then raised his gaze back to Xu Zihuang.
And who was the most excited one present?
It was none other than Wang Yan, who had been closely following Xu Zihuang. If not for Elder Xuan's presence, he would have jumped up in excitement.
Even as restrained as he was, he still rubbed his hands restlessly, unable to stay still.
"Elder Xuan, his first soul ring is already at the thousand-year level! He must have completed a secondary awakening of his Body Martial Soul! And that soul skill just now should have come from the Evil Orca, right?"
Originally eating and drinking happily, Elder Xuan also stopped chewing at this moment. He wiped his grease-stained hands on his robe, his excitement no less than Wang Yan's.
But as a level ninety-eight Super Douluo, what he saw went far beyond Wang Yan.
"Little Wang, later bring that boy to Sea God Island."
"Yes, Elder Xuan!" Wang Yan replied quickly.
Elder Xuan swayed to his feet. One moment he was still at Wang Yan's side, the next he had already appeared outside the assessment area. At the same time, his vague voice sounded in Wang Yan's ear.
"Little Wang, that unconscious kid over there is also a Body Martial Soul possessor. But his physical talent is too poor. With only rank eleven soul power now, he basically has no potential, nor has he touched the essence of the Body Martial Soul. I'm telling you in advance, so you won't come running to me all shocked later."
"What?" Hearing this, Wang Yan instinctively looked toward Huo Yuhao, who was being supported up by Wang Dong.
But with a genius like Yu Tianhuang before him, he naturally paid little attention to Huo Yuhao.
He trusted Elder Xuan's judgment.
On the platform, Du Weilun saw the scene becoming increasingly noisy and had no choice but to step forward to restore order.
"Team Yu Tianhuang from Zone One wins and advances to the next round. The other teams determined by drawing lots will continue with the elimination matches."
His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clearly in everyone's ears.
As the dean of teaching, his authority was great, and the noise instantly died down.
Casting a thoughtful glance toward Xu Zihuang's direction, Du Weilun stroked his smooth chin with a pleased expression.
To let such a genius slip away would be a true loss for the academy.
"I'd better notify Dean Yan later."
Yan Shaozhe had even greater authority and could give Yu Tianhuang the best treatment.