After hearing Wang Yan announce the end of class, the students hurriedly dispersed. However, except for those who were confident in their abilities, most of the students wore uneasy expressions. Some, feeling particularly uncertain, left with visible worry etched on their faces.
The looming threat of failing the course and being expelled weighed heavily on their minds, leaving them with no appetite to eat.
Though many in the class had initially been captivated by Wang Dong'er's beauty, Mu Jin's words quickly brought them back to the harsh reality of the upcoming upgrade assessment.
Wang Yan and Mu Jin played their roles perfectly—one gentle, the other stern—serving as a wake-up call to the less diligent students.
Wang Yan explained calmly, "The assessment for Classes One and Two will be the same. Classes Three and Four will have different assessments tailored to their martial abilities. For this upgrade assessment, you will compete against each other in the Beast Fighting Arena."
The soul beasts you choose will battle, and each beast represents a different score. The assessment will be graded by senior teachers from the Martial Spirit Department. Those who score 30 points or higher will pass."
Mu Jin added with a faint smile, "Even though these soul beasts no longer possess the wild ferocity they had in the Star Dou Forest, they still crave flesh and blood. So, act within your limits. If you're careless, casualties are very likely. Remember this."
The mention of "casualties" sent a chill down the spines of many students, their faces paling at the thought.
"Of course, there's no need to panic. Teachers will intervene at critical moments," Wang Yan reassured from the center of the room.
Mu Jin's smile turned colder. "Even so, don't rely entirely on the teachers. Mistakes happen. If a teacher fails to intervene in time, the consequences could be dire. You all understand, don't you?"
With just a few words exchanged between the two, the students grasped the gravity of the situation: facing a soul beast alone required utmost caution and preparation.
Though they all had soul rings and some experience in hunting soul beasts, it had always been under the guidance of their elders. Now, they would face these ferocious creatures alone—a daunting prospect.
Wang Yan secretly gave Mu Jin a thumbs-up. He had been too lenient before, allowing these young geniuses to grow complacent. A stricter approach was clearly needed.
…
"Wang Dong'er, let's go eat together," Xiao Xiao called out, pushing through the crowd and waving to the two.
Wang Dong'er, hearing the invitation, quickly bid farewell to the girl beside her, took Xiao Xiao's hand, and left the classroom. Huo Yuhao, smiling, also said his goodbyes and followed suit.
The commotion caused by Wang Dong'er had inadvertently drawn attention to Huo Yuhao as well. Some even questioned the nature of their relationship. Friendship, of course—what else could it be?
Thankfully, Huo Yuhao had moved out of the dormitory earlier. Otherwise, rumors of them living together might have made his stay in the class unbearable.
The trio quickly left the teaching area and headed to the outer courtyard cafeteria. Xiao Xiao, holding Wang Dong'er's hand, teased, "Wang Dong'er... huh, I'm still not used to calling you that."
Wang Dong'er rolled her eyes and snorted, "Just call me Dong'er."
Xiao Xiao glanced at Huo Yuhao walking ahead and whispered, "I can call you that, but what about Huo Yuhao? How should he address you? If he calls you 'Dong'er'..."
Wang Dong'er blushed at the thought. It did sound a bit intimate, but perhaps that wasn't so bad?
"Ahem, he can call me whatever he likes," Wang Dong'er replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Xiao Xiao tilted her head, studying Wang Dong'er. Was this tsundere behavior? It would have been normal coming from Wang Dong, but seeing Wang Dong'er's slightly shy expression made it less convincing.
Xiao Xiao found it strange. It had only been a month since Wang Dong'er returned to her true form as a girl. Had her personality changed so much?
"Well, Wang Dong'er! Dishonesty will be punished," Xiao Xiao declared, cutting off any further protests. She hugged Wang Dong'er and began tickling her waist.
"Xiao Xiao, what are you doing... No, stop!"
With just a light touch, Wang Dong'er felt as if she'd been electrocuted. Her body softened, and she trembled with uncontrollable laughter.
"Hahaha... stop... Xiao Xiao... let's talk this over..."
If not for Xiao Xiao's sudden attack, Wang Dong'er wouldn't have realized how ticklish she was.
Xiao Xiao, ignoring Wang Dong'er's pleas, intensified her efforts. She had discovered a new side to her friend, and it was too amusing to stop now.
Wang Dong, who used to be so proud and often teased Xiao Xiao, was now delicate and vulnerable. The contrast was too entertaining to pass up.
Finally, Xiao Xiao had the upper hand, and she was determined to make the most of it.
However, she didn't realize that fate had its own plans. The future would bring more surprises between the proud young lady Wang Dong'er and the mischievous Xiao Xiao.
As the Light Goddess Butterfly's martial spirit bloomed, the two future roommates fired the first shot in their playful battle.
"No, I was wrong, Dong'er! Hahaha..."
"It's too late to beg for mercy now!" Wang Dong'er, recovering quickly, retaliated by tickling Xiao Xiao's weak spots.
As for Huo Yuhao, walking ahead, he quickened his pace, silently distancing himself from the two. He couldn't help but complain inwardly.
'Hey, hey, restrain yourselves. This is a public place.'
'And don't think I can't hear your whispers. If you have time, practice your soul power transmission more.'
…
Outer Courtyard Cafeteria
Huo Yuhao had already received his exclusive extra-large food box and was enjoying his meal.
The dishes were exquisite: Stewed Gastrodia Elata with Century-Old Jade Ginseng, Braised Century-Old Earth Dragon Tendons, and Fried Bluebird Marrow in Sauce. These three dishes, known as Dragon Muscle, Phoenix Marrow, and Jade Ginseng Soup, were top-tier in both nutritional value and cost.
Even the rice was made of crystal-white corn, plump and nourishing.
This meal alone would cost over 150 gold soul coins, not including the preparation costs. And given Huo Yuhao's appetite, the price would multiply if he ate his fill.
When Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao arrived and saw Huo Yuhao's lavish spread, they were stunned.
"Wow, Huo Yuhao, what a feast!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed, a hint of envy in her voice.
"You really know how to eat, Yuhao," Wang Dong'er remarked.
The food available to core disciples of the Martial Soul Department was already excellent, but Huo Yuhao's meal was on another level.
"Is this the special meal prepared by Teacher Fan Yu's private chef? It looks amazing!" Wang Dong'er said, eyeing her own meal with a hint of jealousy. "Yuhao, I'm envious. I've known for a while that I shouldn't have left the Soul Guidance Department. When did their food become so good? I heard their core disciples don't even eat this well!"
Huo Yuhao shook his head. "Your information is correct, but that's only for ordinary core disciples of the Soul Guidance Department. Do you think I'm ordinary?"
Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao immediately remembered Huo Yuhao's unique status.
"True."
Huo Yuhao was not only a dual core disciple of the Martial Soul and Soul Guidance Departments but had also been admitted to Shrek's Inner Courtyard in advance.
With a chuckle, Huo Yuhao pushed his food toward them. "Here, let's share. That way, we can all enjoy more varieties."
Before they could protest, Huo Yuhao had already divided the dishes.
Though this meal was close to the minimum standard of the Inner Courtyard, it still couldn't compare to the variety available there. Huo Yuhao preferred dining in the Inner Courtyard cafeteria.
But since it was the start of the semester, and to strengthen their bond, he had decided to share this meal with his friends.
Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao hesitated for a moment but didn't refuse. They began eating alongside Huo Yuhao.
"Don't be discouraged. The food in the Inner Courtyard is even better and more varied. Do your best to get admitted," Huo Yuhao encouraged.
"This reserve team selection is a great opportunity. Although I won't be participating, it's the perfect stage for you two. Go for it!"
"Wow, Yuhao, you're so kind!" Xiao Xiao was deeply moved. Who wouldn't be swayed by such care? It was hard not to admire him.
Even if it was just for the food, she was determined to enter Shrek's Inner Courtyard!
"Hmph, it's just a reserve team selection. We'll win for sure! Then I'll show you how powerful Miss Wang Dong is!" Wang Dong'er declared confidently, patting her chest after a few bites of rice.
As for the upgrade assessment in the afternoon?
None of the three were particularly concerned. They were already looking ahead to the challenges that lay beyond.
…
Afternoon
Beast Fighting Area
The Beast Fighting Area was the largest exclusive zone in Shrek Academy, covering an area larger than all the teaching buildings, dormitories, and Shrek Plaza combined.
On the entire Douluo Continent, few institutions could match Shrek Academy's ability to capture and house soul beasts. Even the royal families of major empires wouldn't attempt such a feat.
Maintaining the wild nature of the soul beasts while ensuring their safety and meeting their dietary needs required immense resources. A third of Shrek City's annual tax revenue was invested in the Beast Fighting Area alone, highlighting the scale of the endeavor.
The area was divided into two main sections: the Beast Circle, where students couldn't enter, and the Colosseum.
The Beast Circle housed soul beasts, including a 20,000-year-old Silverbrave Beast captured by Xuan Zi, restrained by a powerful soul guide.
The Colosseum was where students underwent practical training and assessments. As the second-year students entered, many felt overwhelmed by the grandeur and intensity of the arena.
The interior was designed to mimic the wildness of an ancient forest, evoking a sense of primal excitement and a strong desire to fight. This was the essence of the Colosseum—to integrate theory with real combat, a key reason why Shrek graduates were highly sought after by major empires.
Students participating in the upgrade assessment first received their assessment forms, where their scores would be recorded.
As Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao approached the form collection point, they encountered Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu.
Dai Huabin had grown taller, his expression colder and more somber, unlike a typical thirteen-year-old. Zhu Lu, standing beside him, had a more mature figure, her demeanor calm and composed, befitting the owner of the Netherworld Civet martial spirit.
When Dai Huabin saw Huo Yuhao, his eyes burned with intensity, but he quickly looked away, pulling Zhu Lu along. It was better not to provoke Huo Yuhao now.
As for Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao? They were insignificant in his eyes.
Though Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu had been expelled from Class 2 by their former teacher Zhou Yi, the academy had quietly reinstated them. For Dai Huabin, losing to Huo Yuhao in the freshman assessment was acceptable, but being expelled was a humiliation he couldn't bear.
As the legitimate son of the White Tiger Duke, Dai Huabin had been raised with strict discipline and a sense of superiority. After Zhou Yi's expulsion, he had sent his family's death squad to silence her. Though Zhou Yi narrowly escaped, the incident was hushed up by the academy.
This humiliation fueled Dai Huabin's determination. He had worked tirelessly, becoming the monitor of Class 2 and reaching level 36 in soul power. In terms of cultivation, he was second only to Huo Yuhao in their grade.
Dai Huabin believed the gap between him and Huo Yuhao was narrowing. The upgrade assessment was his chance to prove it.
Huo Yuhao sensed Dai Huabin's hostility but paid it no mind.
'Those I had defeated are no longer my rivals. I would give them time to catch up—until they are out of sight.'
…
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