"Attention all freshmen, attention all freshmen. Please proceed to the assessment area immediately to prepare for the freshman evaluation. You have ten minutes remaining to enter. Latecomers will be considered to have forfeited this round."
Hearing the announcement, Wang Dong'er suddenly stopped in her tracks, glancing at the two people beside her with a hint of irritation.
"What's wrong with you two? Don't tell me you're actually afraid of that team?"
"Of course we are," Xiao Xiao rolled her eyes slightly. "They're the new students who defeated the Outer Court's twin stars right after enrolling. Aren't you even a bit scared?"
"Not at all. How can we improve if we shy away from strong opponents before even fighting them?" Wang Dong'er replied, glancing instinctively at Huo Yuhao. When she noticed him watching her, she pursed her lips, muttering in a somewhat uncertain tone, "Besides, who knows who'll actually win?"
"Oh, please," Xiao Xiao sighed. "Even if we lose to them, we're still strong enough to advance. But if we get injured or lose someone in a fight with them, things could get complicated. Can you think about the team for once…"
As she spoke, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but sneak another look at Huo Yuhao, murmuring to herself, "He's so handsome..."
Wang Dong'er, who had been stumped by Xiao Xiao's lecture, was now completely stunned. She turned to see Xiao Xiao blushing like a girl with a crush, and an inexplicable anger welled up within her.
"Xiao Xiao, you!"
She wrapped her arms around Xiao Xiao and gave her a playful shake, muttering through gritted teeth, "I thought you cared about the team, but it turns out you're just lovestruck! Do you think he looks better than me?"
"Well… that's hard to say." Xiao Xiao tilted her head, glancing between her and Huo Yuhao, then coughed softly. "If I'm being honest, I prefer his style! He's got that cool, aloof look, but when he smiles, it's so charming… okay, okay, I'm sorry! Stop that!"
Hearing her apology, Wang Dong'er finally let her go. Xiao Xiao rubbed her head, muttering under her breath, "You're not even a guy, so what does it matter if he's better looking?"
Wang Dong'er huffed, about to respond, when a sudden exclamation caught their attention.
"Look! It's the Bare-Chested Battle God from the Clear Sky Sect! What's he doing here?"
Immediately, everyone's gaze was drawn to Tang San, who had just entered. Upon hearing the nickname, he stumbled slightly, casting a chilling glance over the crowd, seemingly searching for the one who'd called out.
His gaze passed over Wang Dong'er and landed on Huo Yuhao, who appeared as though he was just there to watch.
Huo Yuhao wasn't paying attention to Tang San, since he knew they weren't in the same testing group. If Tang San was here, it was likely because his team was strong enough to handle the competition in his own area without him.
As Huo Yuhao pondered this, he caught a glimpse of Wang Dong'er out of the corner of his eye. The girl, who had been so confident moments ago, now blushed, looking down with embarrassment, especially when hearing others discuss the Clear Sky Sect's "bare-chested battle techniques."
I'm not! I didn't!
Wang Dong'er seemed as fragile as a leaf adrift on a stormy sea, helplessly enduring the tide of whispers around her.
Understanding dawned on Huo Yuhao, who couldn't help but smirk slightly.
Perfect!
Just then, a middle-aged teacher with a gentle expression approached them.
"Looks like everyone's here. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Wang Yan, and I'll be supervising your evaluations over the next two days."
The students visibly relaxed upon seeing Wang Yan's friendly demeanor.
"Now then, without further ado, let's begin the first match."
After explaining some evaluation guidelines, Wang Yan opened a folder and glanced down, sounding somewhat surprised as he announced, "First match: Class One freshmen—Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, and Yu Lei—versus Class Five freshmen—Huo Yuhao, Gu Yue Na, and Zhu Lu."
After he spoke, Wang Yan closed his folder, his gaze resting briefly on Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na.
"Those whose names I called, please enter the arena. You may release your martial spirits only after I announce the start."
While Huo Yuhao's team remained calm, Wang Dong'er and her companions displayed a range of emotions. Unlike the resolute glint in Wang Dong'er's eyes, her two teammates wore expressions of obvious concern.
Tang San, watching on the sidelines, frowned when he realized Huo Yuhao would be facing off against his daughter. As he met Huo Yuhao's gaze, his expression turned cold.
He remembered that, in his previous life, he hadn't yet placed restrictions on his daughter at this age. Considering that Huo Yuhao was now likely much stronger, Tang San worried that if he tried anything, Wang Dong'er might not be able to resist. Most importantly, as her father, he could only watch helplessly from the sidelines.
What could he do—reveal his identity and tell his other self in the Divine Realm that Huo Yuhao had designs on his daughter?
By the time the Divine Realm's Tang San noticed anything amiss, Huo Yuhao might have already taken full advantage of Wang Dong'er.
And sure enough, Huo Yuhao looked at Gu Yue Na and Zhu Lu beside him, nodding toward Wang Dong'er with a lighthearted smile.
"When we start, she's mine."
Beast!
Watching Huo Yuhao enter the arena, his eyes never leaving Wang Dong'er, Tang San's heart pounded, his breathing heavy. In a fit of rage, he activated two additional soul skills from his third martial spirit.
Eyes burning red, chest heaving, he shouted, "Huo Yuhao! If you dare lay a hand on her, I won't let you off!"
Huo Yuhao paused, glancing over his shoulder to take in Tang San's furious expression. After a moment's contemplation, he smirked, as if plotting how to provoke Tang San further.
Then, he raised his thumb confidently toward Tang San, grinning as he declared, "Don't worry, I'll make sure she's mine."
Seeing Huo Yuhao's complete disregard for his warning, Tang San felt a wave of dizziness, barely able to stay upright as he staggered. Before he could respond, Wang Yan frowned and issued a warning.
"Student, you're welcome to watch, but if you keep disrupting the participants, I'll have to ask you to leave."
Tang San clenched his fists tightly, knuckles turning white, though he managed to hold his tongue after a few deep breaths.
Wang Yan then nodded toward the two teams, signaling the start of the match.
As soon as he gave the command, Wang Dong'er released her martial spirit, spreading her blue wings, which shimmered under the sunlight. Though her yellow and purple soul rings didn't quite match the impact of Huo Yuhao's purple ones, they still drew gasps of admiration.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Wang Dong'er glared challengingly at Huo Yuhao, scoffing slightly.
"Just because you have a thousand-year soul ring doesn't mean I don't!"
Without hesitation, she charged at Huo Yuhao. She'd heard his earlier comment, and although she'd outwardly dismissed it, she knew that her team had little chance of beating the powerful duo of Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na.
But just because the team might lose didn't mean she couldn't best Huo Yuhao herself.
(End of Chapter)