Shen Yi stood on the podium, gaze sweeping over the silent class.
Not a whisper stirred—all held their breath, awaiting her words.
"After these days together, you've come to know one another," her voice rang clear, crisp as winter frost. "Today—we elect class officers."
Wu Zhangkong stood at the podium's edge, face icy as ever.
His emerald eyes scanned the room, invisible pressure crushing the air.
"Shrek Academy values strength above all," Shen Yi declared.
"We'll hold a live combat trial. The victor becomes class monitor. Top performers earn deputy roles."
She listed the positions:
- 1 Class Monitor
- 2 Deputy Monitors
- 1 Forging Officer
- 1 Design Officer
- 1 Maker Officer
- 1 Repair Officer.
"Officers earn bonus Contribution Points monthly:
- Monitor: 1,000
- Deputies: 600
- Others: 500."
Her tone turned grave:
"Shrek's graduation terms are absolute:
- If you become a Battle Armor Master by 25? You'll be eligible for early graduation and qualify for the Inner Court trials.
- If you achieve it by 35? You'll be able to graduate from the Outer Court.
- Should you fail, you may never claim Shrek as your alma mater."
The room froze.
Battle Armor mastery wasn't just honor—it was survival.
Yet—Fang Yang's group remained calm, faces unreadable.
"First—Forging Officer elections," Shen Yi announced.
"Candidates, stand and introduce yourselves."
"Teacher!"
A boy in the back raised his hand.
Shen Yi nodded, smile warm: "Yang Nianxia—correct?"
"Yes, Teacher Shen!" He rose, voice booming.
"I'm Yang Nianxia—Martial Soul: Duskgold Bear, Level 37 Strength-Type Soul Elder."
He projected confidence: "Ranked #27 on the Youth Genius List—'Dark Bear'—and a Rank 3 Forger."
Murmurs erupted:
"Duskgold Bear?!"
"#27 on the Youth Genius List?!"
Every student knew the stakes:
- Duskgold Bear: A bloodline branch of the apex Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear
- Youth Genius List: Spirit Pagoda's elite ranking—only 30 slots for under-18s, judged by talent, power, secondary professions, and soul level.
Most ranked were 15+—only seven were younger. Yang Nianxia was one of them.
Rank #27 still meant prodigy status.
Yang Nianxia smirked, basking in their awe.
Fang Yang watched silently, mind churning:
"This 'Youth Genius List'… is it really the Holy Spirit Cult's assassination ledger?"
Publicizing names, martial souls, backgrounds— a target list for evil soul masters!
True geniuses like Qiangu Zhangting stayed hidden—why flaunt them?
"Any other Forging Officer candidates?" Shen Yi asked, eyes lingering on Fang Yang's group.
Wu Zhangkong shot them a glacial glare—chilling, warning.
"Wulin—it's you," Fang Yang murmured.
Encouraging looks swung to Tang Wulin.
"Understood," Tang Wulin stood, facing the class.
"I'm Tang Wulin—Twin Martial Souls: Blue Silver Emperor and Hao Tian Hammer, Level 45 Assault-Control Soul Grandmaster."
"And a Rank 4 Forger."
Since entering Shrek, Wu Zhangkong had lifted the ban on revealing his Twin Martial Souls.
Silence—then uproar:
"Twin martial souls?! Blue Silver Emperor AND Hao Tian Hammer?!"
"Rank 4 Forger at his age?!"
Yang Nianxia's face darkened, hope crumbling.
"Candidates: Yang Nianxia and Tang Wulin," Shen Yi confirmed.
"Any others?"
No one dared rise.
"Then—Tang Wulin is our Forging Officer," she declared.
No objections. Both sat down.
"Nice, Wulin!" Xie Xie elbowed him, grinning.
Tang Wulin smiled modestly: "I'll keep improving."
Fang Yang's group congratulated him warmly.
"Next—Design Officer," Shen Yi continued.
A tall, cold-eyed girl stood:
"I'm Wu Siduo—Twin Martial Souls: Nether Spirit Cat and Evil-Eyed White Tiger, Level 40 Agile-Assault Soul Elder."
(T/N: Before anyone says anything, Soul Ancestor starts from Level 41, same goes for all the other ranks. E.g. Soul Master starts from Level 11, after you get your first soul ring and not Level 10.)
Her pride cut like steel: "#9 on the Youth Genius List—Nether.' Rank 3 Mecha Designer."
Then—a handsome boy with blue hair rose:
"I'm Luo Guixing—Martial Soul: Spatial Element, Level 30 Control Soul Grandmaster."
"#17 on the Youth Genius List—'Shackler.' Rank 3 Mecha Designer."
Gasps rippled—two Genius List elites for one seat!
Fang Yang spoke softly: "Xiaoyan—go."
Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and the others nodded encouragement.
"Alright," Xu Xiaoyan rose, voice chiming like bells:
"I'm Xu Xiaoyan—Martial Soul: Star Scepter, Level 35 Control Soul Elder. Rank 4 Mecha Designer."
Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing stared, assessing.
Other students gaped—many boys openly awestruck.
Her twin blue braids, delicate features—she looked carved from jade.
Fang Yang sat silent—then hummed faintly.
A terrifying pressure crashed through the room.
The staring boys choked on suffocating dread.
Yang Nianxia, Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing—all stiffened, faces pale.
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