The Examination Area.
"Le Xuan."
A sudden voice sounded, and Zhang Le Xuan instinctively turned her head. Upon seeing who had arrived, her gaze flashed slightly, and she discreetly offered a respectful bow.
"Dean Yan, what brings you here?"
Dean Yan Shao Zhe wore a faint smile. "Since I happened to have some free time, I thought I'd come and check on the two geniuses in your class. Although it's a pity they didn't join the Martial Soul Department, both the Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments strive for the academy's success, so as the Dean, I naturally have to show some concern for the children's progress."
"I see."
Zhang Le Xuan nodded lightly, her expression unchanged. "Then, Dean Yan, please observe."
As six students entered the arena and took their positions, the teacher acting as referee spoke calmly.
"Both sides, state your names."
"Freshman Class Nine, Ning Tian, Auxiliary Soul Master, Level 31."
Unlike her previous life, where the impulsive Wu Feng had spoken first, this time it was the more composed Ning Tian who led the introductions. Although she knew her team's odds of winning were slim against this formidable duo that had defeated the Shrek Twin Stars, Ning Tian had no intention of backing down.
Since her team was at a disadvantage, she decided to be straightforward and reveal her own information to get the opponent's details in return, allowing her team to make some tactical preparations.
While the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda itself has no combat abilities, its powerful enhancement could enable her two teammates, both with Spirit Grandmaster-level cultivation, to temporarily attain the strength of a Spirit Elder. If they could attack the opponent's weak points early on, they might just have a chance at victory.
After all, anyone who had made it this far in Shrek's freshman examination was a proud genius in their own right. As freshmen only a few months into their first year, they lacked a clear understanding of the significance behind defeating the Twin Stars of the Outer Academy and would hardly surrender just because their opponents were famous.
And this was no longer a round-robin stage where they could strategically avoid strong opponents; it was an elimination match. Lose here, and it was truly goodbye.
So, even if there was just a sliver of hope, they had to fight for it.
Listening to the three distinct introductions from the girls in front of him, Huo Yuhao remained calm. He had already guessed some of their strategies.
He hadn't expected that his first elimination match would be against these familiar faces from his previous life. His gaze passed over each of their recognizable features and finally rested on Wu Feng, whose hair was even more vivid than Ma Xiaotao's. She stood there, wary and tense, and Huo Yuhao spoke calmly.
"Freshman Class Five, Huo Yuhao, Control System, Spirit Level 28."
"Freshman Class Five, Zhu Lu, Agility Attack System, Spirit Level 25."
With Zhu Lu's introduction finished, Gu Yue Na finally spoke.
"Class Five, Gu Yuena, Assault System, Spirit Level 38."
"!?"
That ethereal, clear voice struck everyone present like a hammer. Not only Ning Tian and her team, but even Dean Yan Shao Zhe, watching from the spectator seats, couldn't help but have his pupils shrink.
As a Super Douluo, he had, of course, heard their self-introductions clearly. But weren't these two supposed to have entered the academy at levels 26 and 36, respectively?
If it were Huo Yuhao, a Grandmaster Spirit level, advancing by two levels in three months, it would be fast but still within the bounds of his understanding.
But Gu Yuena's rate of advancement defied all logic.
Since when did Spirit Elders level up at the same pace as Grandmasters? Why not just let Titled Douluos level up like that?
Was it possible that Xian Lin'er had given them some sort of cultivation-enhancing pill just to make sure they beat Tang San in this year's freshman competition?
At this thought, Dean Yan's face showed a hint of anger.
Short-sightedness!
A Soul Elder at barely twelve years old was already a once-in-a-millennium talent, and yet they were given medicinal enhancements just for the sake of a single tournament victory?
Focusing purely on cultivating spirit power without teaching students to dig deep into their capabilities was disregarding their future potential entirely!
As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, he shouldn't have any say in how the Soul Tool Department managed their curriculum. Still, Gu Yuena was a unique case.
After receiving advice from Elder Xuan, Yan Shao Zhe had been planning for Tang San to defeat Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue Na in this freshman tournament as a demonstration of the Martial Soul Department's strengths, after which he would offer Gu Yuena another chance. He could go without Huo Yuhao, but Gu Yue Na's talent was exceptional, and he didn't want to let it go to waste.
Instead, the Soul Tool Department seemed intent on squandering her potential—how could he not be heartbroken?
No, he couldn't wait any longer.
He needed to recruit Gu Yuena into the Martial Soul Department. Today's afternoon match would be the best opportunity; he'd arrange for Tang San to battle Huo Yuhao.
If things kept going this way, who knew what kind of rough stone the Soul Tool Department might turn this precious gem into?
While Yan Shao Zhe's anger was plainly visible, Ning Tian and her teammates were entirely in shock.
Facing a Soul Elder at Level 38 in the first round of the elimination match—what was the point of even trying?
Taking a deep breath, Ning Tian turned to her two companions and spoke in a low voice.
"Consider this the final battle; let's give it our all."
As a Soul Elder herself, Ning Tian knew better than anyone how much of a difference there was between a Level 31 auxiliary spirit master and a Level 38 assault spirit master.
"Understood."
Wu Feng's face also turned serious. Her red eyes fixated on Gu Yuena, and her hands, resting against her school pants, trembled slightly.
For some reason, Gu Yuena didn't even channel her spirit power, yet Wu Feng's body involuntarily began to shake. She even felt an inexplicable urge to kneel before her opponent.
"Ready—Begin!"
At the referee's shout, Ning Tian took the lead, summoning her Martial Soul.
"Seven Treasures, Arise from the Glazed Pagoda." With a soft chant, a brilliant, radiant pagoda appeared in Ning Tian's hand. As she noticed the three purple spirit rings beneath Gu Yuena's feet, her throat constricted.
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, witnessing this reality still filled her with a sense of powerlessness.
"First treasure, Speed; third treasure, Strength!"
Without hesitation, she activated two soul incantations, sending four beams of light from the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, which split in half and entered Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er's bodies.
Finally, casting a 'Cure' spell on herself, Ning Tian's spirit power was heavily depleted, her face turning pale.
"Wu Feng, you handle Gu Yuena. Yun'er, you take care of that black-haired girl. I still have my second skill ready, so don't worry about Huo Yuhao's control."
With a 40% increase in speed and strength, Wu Feng might struggle against Gu Yuena alone, but Nanmen Yun'er, also an agility-type, should easily overpower Zhu Lu.
"Understood."
Nanmen Yun'er nodded, her jade-green wings flaring as she charged toward Zhu Lu.
Feeling empowered, Wu Feng looked up, battle spirit in her eyes as she faced Gu Yuena.
Just then, Wu Feng met Gu Yuena's amethyst, serene gaze.
With that mere glance, Wu Feng felt as though she had witnessed something terrifying. Her entire body shuddered, and the red dragon scales on her left arm rose sharply.
And then, there was nothing.
"Wu Feng!"
Under Ning Tian's astonished gaze, Wu Feng retracted her martial soul and collapsed.
"Isn't her martial soul an elemental mage? What is this new ability?"
Yan Shao Zhe frowned deeply, finding the scene unfathomable.
Gu Yuena's soul rings hadn't even activated, nor was there a ripple of spirit power, yet Wu Feng had simply collapsed.
This incident, beyond his control, filled Yan Shao Zhe with a growing sense of dread as he fixed his gaze on Gu Yuena, fists unconsciously clenching.
Huo Yuhao, observing the situation, recalled their previous mock assessment, where he thought, If it had been Master fighting Gu Yue Na, this probably would've been the outcome too.
Setting his thoughts aside, Huo Yuhao looked at Zhu Lu. "I'll handle Nanmen Yun'er; Ning Tian is yours."
"Got it."
Without a word, Zhu Lu transformed into a shadow, charging toward the still-stunned Ning Tian.
Attempting to intercept, Nanmen Yun'er suddenly blinked and found Huo Yuhao in front of her, a calm smile that made her hairs stand on end.
"Interrupting a fight isn't polite," Huo Yuhao said in a calm voice, sending a shiver down Nanmen Yun'er's spine.
How could this be? Was he truly a control-type!?
Panicking, she spread her jade-green wings to escape Huo Yuhao's reach. But Huo Yuhao, with his spirit detection, anticipated her every move. With a swift punch, he struck her, leaving her hands numb even with Ning Tian's enhancement. Before she could recover, Huo Yuhao's figure flickered, appearing next to her with his cold, piercing blue gaze, freezing her in her tracks.
"I surrender!"
Nanmen Yun'er held back a sob, her eyes filled with tears as she glanced toward Ning Tian, only to find her knocked unconscious.
(End of Chapter)