Shrek Academy.
It was that time of year again, the most important moment—school reopening. Early in the morning, a large crowd had already gathered outside Shrek Academy.
Aside from the returning students, the majority were parents and elders bringing their children to enroll and take the entrance exams.
Regardless of your background or recommendations, if you couldn't pass the entrance exams, you'd be sent packing.
Some senior students were at the gate assisting teachers with the assessments. Although they were only students, those representing Shrek Academy here had at least reached the level of a three-ring Soul Elder.
Reaching the level of a Soul Elder already conferred considerable status on the continent. Moreover, these students were so young that any faction would eagerly cultivate them.
The minimum graduation standard for Shrek Academy's outer court was a four-ring Soul Ancestor. If you couldn't reach the level of a Soul Ancestor, you couldn't become a sixth-year student and would ultimately be eliminated during the assessments.
It had been over twenty days since the holiday began, and the new academic year was about to start in a few days. While the new students were busy with entrance exams, the returning students weren't idle either, as their own advancement exams were approaching.
Only by completing the advancement exams could they truly progress to higher grades. Otherwise, they would end up like those who failed the entrance exams and be sent home.
Of course, students with sufficient strength didn't fear the exams; they even welcomed them, as it was a rare chance to show off in front of their peers.
If they were fortunate enough to catch the eye of a prominent faction's heir and become their partner, it would be a story of rising to glory.
For instance, two attractive figures were currently standing at the entrance of Shrek Academy, constantly looking out. The new students arriving for enrollment couldn't help but be captivated by these two beautiful women.
"Ning Tian? Wu Feng? Haha, are you waiting for Huo Yuhao? What, is he so scared of failing the advancement exam that he doesn't dare to show up?"
Three people walked up from the side: Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Cui Yajie.
Dai Huabin looked even taller and more robust, with a more somber expression that added to his maturity, far beyond his twelve or thirteen years.
Beside him, Zhu Lu had also developed more attractively, nearly matching Dai Huabin in height. She moved silently, befitting a possessor of the Hell Civet martial spirit.
The other girl with them was the Nine-tailed Fox Soul Master, Cui Yajie. Unlike Dai Huabin's attack type and Zhu Lu's agility type, Cui Yajie's role was more ambiguous. Her first soul skill, Charm, was control-type, but her second soul skill, Fox Tail Needle, straddled the line between attack and agility types.
Having transferred to Class 2 with Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, she naturally joined them, as they had been a team during the freshman assessment.
Seizing the opportunity to align with the White Tiger Duke's family, even becoming Dai Huabin's potential lover, was a rare chance for Cui Yajie.
"Oh, aren't you the loser who got kicked out of Class 1? How dare you still act so arrogant in front of us? Wasn't the humiliation last time enough?" Wu Feng retorted.
Having spent a year with Huo Yuhao, Wu Feng had picked up a fair amount of his sharp tongue. This single remark made Dai Huabin's veins bulge in anger, nearly losing his temper.
Being expelled from Class 1 was a huge disgrace for him. As the White Tiger Duke's son, he had always been brought up with rigorous training and a high-and-mighty attitude. Otherwise, he wouldn't have ordered someone to beat Huo Yuhao for blocking his way, leading to Huo Yun'er's death.
As the White Tiger Duke's heir, Dai Huabin wouldn't let this disgrace defeat him but instead used it to fuel his determination.
Not only had he become the class monitor of Class 2 through his efforts, but he had also diligently trained over the past year, significantly advancing his skills.
Already extraordinarily talented, he had reached level 39 in soul power, just a step away from becoming a Soul Ancestor. In terms of cultivation, he was unrivaled among second-year students.
Of course, he couldn't have achieved this level of power through effort alone. During the holiday, he had secretly taken some forbidden drugs from the Sun Moon Empire to boost his strength. Although these drugs would reduce his potential, avenging himself against Huo Yuhao made it worthwhile in his eyes.
Zhu Lu's eyes flashed coldly as she sarcastically said, "The new term starts soon. Don't you know the academy rules? If he doesn't report in time, he'll be expelled."
Hearing this, Ning Tian smiled mockingly and asked, "Are you sure?"
"Uh..."
Being questioned like this reminded Zhu Lu and the others of something. Huo Yuhao had broken numerous school rules before; a mere tardiness wouldn't faze him.
A strange silence fell over the group. Just then, a familiar voice came from Shrek Academy's gate.
"Senior, this is my weapon, not a coffin lid, and I don't have a habit of carrying coffins around."
Ning Tian and Wu Feng were momentarily stunned, then joy lit up their eyes. They turned towards the academy gate, where Huo Yuhao was entering.
"Yuhao, over here!" Ning Tian waved and called out loudly.
Having finally extricated himself from the senior gatekeeper, Huo Yuhao turned to see Ning Tian and Wu Feng facing off against Dai Huabin's group. He couldn't help but laugh.
Well, well, you avoid heaven's road but barge into hell's gate! I was planning to find you, but you delivered yourself to me.
"Oh, isn't this Young Master Dai? It's been a month, and you look so pathetic," Huo Yuhao said, chuckling as he approached.
"What did you say?!" Dai Huabin stepped forward and struck at Huo Yuhao with his palm.
On the surface, it seemed like he was provoked by Huo Yuhao's taunt, but in reality, he wanted to test Huo Yuhao's strength since he couldn't gauge it anymore.
Huo Yuhao sidestepped and blocked the attack, but his face suddenly turned pale, and he staggered back two steps.
Dai Huabin's eyes flashed, feeling confident. With his significantly improved cultivation, he now had the upper hand against Huo Yuhao!
"If you want to fight, meet me in the battle zone. If you want to bet, I'm ready too!" Huo Yuhao said coldly, though his hands behind his back trembled slightly.
Dai Huabin's sharp eyes caught Huo Yuhao's slight tremor, boosting his confidence. He responded coldly, "Bet on what?"
"On our advancement exam results. How about that?"