Suppressing her curiosity, Xian Lin'er chose not to press Huo Yuhao about his spirit skills and instead spoke with a warm smile.
"I can tell you very responsibly that your spirit skill is exceptionally suited for pairing with soul tools in combat. If you join the Soul Tool Department, it will fully maximize your potential."
"Uh..."
Huo Yuhao blinked, momentarily unsure how to respond.
He couldn't exactly say he was joining the assessment just to enjoy the perk of three months of free meals, could he? As for joining the Soul Tool or Martial Soul Department, it didn't matter much to him since he didn't really need anyone to teach him either cultivation or soul tools.
Still, if he had to pick, Huo Yuhao was slightly more inclined toward the Soul Tool Department. Joining the Martial Soul Department might only grant him the fully-equipped set of spirit bones promised by Yan Shaozhe in his past life, which included at least one hundred-thousand-year bone.
In his previous life, he'd been thrilled by the thought of such treasures, but after reincarnating, he valued the rare metals the Soul Tool Department could provide even more.
Luckily, he didn't have to make a decision right then, as Zhang Lexuan came over to his side.
Zhang Lexuan shot him a meaningful look, suggesting she would handle things, then turned to Xian Lin'er with a smile.
"Dean Xian, this is only the first day of school, and Yuhao hasn't even figured out the differences between the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments yet. How can he decide so soon? Why don't you give us a couple of days? I'll explain both departments to him in detail first, and then he can make a decision."
Since Xian Lin'er had already seen Huo Yuhao's potential, it was only natural for Zhang Lexuan to wait until Yan Shaozhe returned before they discussed it further.
With no competition at hand, Xian Lin'er wouldn't be offering high incentives right now. If Huo Yuhao were to join the Soul Tool Department under such conditions, the resources he'd receive would likely be much lower.
"This girl… trying to make us bleed, huh?"
Xian Lin'er easily understood the implications of Zhang Lexuan's words but wasn't offended. She looked at Huo Yuhao with an amused expression and teased, "I must say, your new homeroom teacher is looking out for you. I'm almost a little envious. Fine, since Lexuan says so, I'll come back after Yan Shaozhe returns."
She was determined to secure Huo Yuhao for the Soul Tool Department, after all. With the Soul Tool Department's abundant resources, Huo Yuhao's talent justified any cost she might need to pay.
Most importantly, she doubted Yan Shaozhe would be as eager to fight for Huo Yuhao as she was, especially after witnessing his spirit skill. While Spirit Detection and Simulation were powerful, they mainly provided a significant boost in using soul tools, whereas in the Martial Soul Department, they'd only be supplementary.
With Gu Yuena and Tang San around as well, would Yan Shaozhe compete for three students at once? Even if he wanted to, the Martial Soul Department didn't have the resources for it.
With this thought, she patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder and looked toward Du Weilun.
"Director Du, let's begin the next match."
Du Weilun wiped his forehead with a weary expression and nodded.
"Everything is according to Dean Xian's arrangements."
With how things were going, even if the Martial Soul Department could keep a few of these talents, it would cost them dearly. They were now in an auction battle for two treasures they'd hoped to snag without much effort. The pain was real.
As Huo Yuhao, Zhang Lexuan, and other spectators exited the field, the second assessment was about to start, and the students' excitement had reached its peak. They eagerly watched the direction of the waiting area.
When a silver-haired girl slowly walked out, their eyes lit up.
"First a handsome guy, now a beautiful girl—this year's freshmen are incredible…"
Ignoring the attention on her, Gu Yuena walked straight to the center of the field and stood still. Before the audience could snap out of their admiration of her beauty, three purple spirit rings unexpectedly rose around her feet, and the intense purple glow caused Xu Sanshi to stagger in shock, nearly tripping over.
"Goodness… what kind of monsters did the academy enroll this year?"
Both freshmen he'd seen so far were starting with thousand-year spirit rings! Xu Sanshi was starting to wonder if he was falling behind the times.
Facing this newcomer, who seemed even stronger than Huo Yuhao, Xu Sanshi dared not show any hint of arrogance and immediately released his martial soul.
With two yellow and one purple spirit ring appearing, his already muscular figure swelled, and his black school uniform stretched taut over his robust physique.
"Huh? Xuanwu Shield?"
Noticing the dark green, blood-red-eyed snake on Xu Sanshi's shield, Huo Yuhao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
He remembered in his previous life, Xu Sanshi had a Black Tortoise Shield during his time in the outer court since his Xuanwu bloodline had not yet fully awakened. But this time, it seemed his opponent had already awakened his Xuanwu Shield.
"Junior Brother Huo, you actually know about it?"
Bebe, noticing Huo Yuhao's interest, asked with curiosity.
"I just happened to hear about it but haven't actually seen it."
Bebe didn't care if Huo Yuhao was being truthful. He chuckled and explained, "Since you passed the assessment, I can tell you. Before you freshmen arrived, Xu Sanshi was considered the most talented in the outer court, and even I could only match him when using my full power."
Huo Yuhao nodded slightly. These two were known as the Twin Stars of the outer court in his past life, not just for their cultivation speed, but because their martial souls were more than they appeared.
One had the bloodline of the Xuanwu divine beast, and the other carried the top-tier Holy Light Dragon bloodline. Their natural talent was truly exceptional.
After explaining, Bebe's curiosity was piqued. "By the way, Junior Brother Huo, if you were up against Xu Sanshi in the assessment, do you think you'd have a chance?"
"It's hard to say."
Huo Yuhao smiled. "Xu Senior's defense-type spirit is naturally a counter to me."
Using the tactics he'd just shown against Bebe, defeating Xu Sanshi would be nearly impossible. In terms of inter-departmental restraint, control spirits were often least effective against defense spirits, which excelled at enduring attacks.
Without activating his Sin of Pride, his physical power alone couldn't break through the Xuanwu Shield.
Of course, if he used Spiritual Shock, that would be a different story. Xu Sanshi, with only Spirit Elder-level cultivation, would likely be knocked out instantly.
"Looks like you held back a lot against me, huh, Junior Brother Huo?"
Bebe laughed at himself, "Finding a strong opponent in the outer court isn't easy, so let's spar again sometime."
"Sure thing."
Huo Yuhao nodded with a smile. In the meantime, the duel on the field was about to begin.
"Come at me—"
Finally, Xu Sanshi suppressed his usual smirk and looked at Gu Yuena, his face filled with determination.
"Let me see what this freshman class can do!"
As his words fell, an aura of dark green energy surged around him, exuding the terrifying pressure of a divine beast. Xu Sanshi was not one to back down before a fight; even though Gu Yuena's spirit ring composition was intimidating, his spirit skills were also enhanced by the divine beast imprint.
"Ready—Begin!"
With Xian Lin'er's command, everyone in the arena froze at the sight before them.
Gu Yuena's first and second purple spirit rings lit up in succession, and her long, silver hair began to emit a faint glow. A silver staff appeared in her hand, and as she waved it, nearly ten fiery orange-red fireballs materialized around her.
The scorching heat swept across the field, and even the audience felt its intensity.
Seeing the fireballs, Xu Sanshi's battle spirit completely vanished. He swallowed hard and muttered despairingly.
"Hey, can we call a truce?"
But the next moment, with a wail, the fireballs swarmed toward him.
"Arrgh—!!"
Xu Sanshi's screams echoed through the arena for several minutes before dying down.
The spectators covered their eyes, unable to bear watching this one-sided battle any longer.
In addition to fireballs, an array of elemental attacks relentlessly assaulted Xu Sanshi. He managed to hold his own at first, but soon, all he could do was scream.
Finally, scorched and bruised, Xu Sanshi raised his trembling hands, shouting in anguish.
"I surrender! I surrender!"
With the battle over, Gu Yuena calmly retracted her staff and spirit, then turned to Xian Lin'er.
"I won."
(End of Chapter)