As Wang Yan's voice faded, the students whose names were called exchanged glances, stepping into the arena and taking their positions.
"Huang Brothers?" Xiao Yan murmured to himself as he looked at the six students in the ring. "That name sounds like something from a dark cult…"
The three students from Class Three were all male. The tallest, Ouyang Junyi, had a strikingly handsome face and a strong build. Beside him was Chen Junfeng, who was shorter and slimmer, while the last, Zhao Haochen, was a chubby guy with a round belly.
Xiao Yan recognized Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao from Class One, his former classmates. Wang Dong had pink-blue hair and eyes, and a slender build, making him look somewhat feminine. Xiao Xiao, dressed in a green dress, was petite and cute, not particularly stunning but pleasantly delicate.
As for the third student, the Huang Brother from Class One, Xiao Yan had little memory of him. With mid-length black hair, a pair of black-framed glasses, and a slightly awkward expression, he was tall with a prominent Adam's apple.
Once everyone was in place, Wang Yan nodded and said, "Let the assessment begin. Remember, this is only a test—no severe injuries are allowed. Anyone who causes lasting harm will be disqualified and reported to the academy."
As soon as he gave the signal, both sides released their martial spirits. A large golden cauldron appeared above Xiao Xiao's head, while Wang Dong immediately took off, his dazzling blue-violet wings unfurling midair.
The Huang Brother from the Huang family activated his spirit too. Three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—emerged, and three black wisps of energy began to swirl around him, casting a sinister red glow that let out a chilling scream.
"The Huang Brothers, ranked third in the Huang family, spirit: ghost," he said, giving a courtly bow that clashed with his eerie appearance. "Greetings, I am the third of the Huang Brothers. Spirit: ghost. I ask for your guidance."
On the other side, Class Three had also prepared. Zhao Haochen, positioned at the back, let out a shout as his yellow soul ring flared, and he pulled out two large drumsticks, passing them to his teammates in front.
After taking a few bites, Ouyang Junyi and Chen Junfeng moved into action. Ouyang's martial spirit was the Swiftstrike Hummingbird, a bird-type spirit. Lacking wings due to his low spirit power, he rushed toward Wang Dong, who had activated his Bright Goddess Butterfly spirit. Chen Junfeng, a sword-wielding warrior with a soft blade martial spirit, engaged Xiao Xiao, though his spirit power was only at the eighteenth level.
As the energy in the arena grew intense, the students in the stands, silenced earlier by Wang Yan's presence, erupted into whispers and cheers as the much-anticipated assessment finally kicked off.
"Xiao Yan, which team do you think will win?" Lan Luoluo asked with a smile, watching the six combatants in the ring.
Leaning casually against the railing, Xiao Yan's gaze drifted over the combatants. "Class One. Their spirits and spirit power are superior to Class Three's."
In the ring, the clash of powerful attacks filled the arena, creating a cacophony of metallic clanging, sparks, and the low rumble of spirit power colliding. Though it wasn't the highest-level fight, the other students, whose spirit power was mostly around the twentieth level, watched with rapt attention.
"Go, Class One!"
"Wang Dong, I love you!" "Ouyang Junyi, defeat them!"
"Is the Huang Brother really shameless enough to attack a food-type soul master?"
The shouts echoed through the arena, growing louder with each moment. But as Xiao Yan had predicted, Class One quickly overpowered their opponents from Class Three with superior spirit and spirit power, ultimately winning the match in a decisive, nearly overwhelming victory.
"Class One, Wang Dong's team, wins the match," Wang Yan announced, marking the results in his files.
Soon after, it was Xiao Yan's turn to enter the ring. Their opponents weren't particularly strong, and Xiao Yan's role was limited to providing his teammates with Spiritual Detection. The spectators began to believe he was nothing more than an auxiliary-type soul master.
After the second day's matches concluded, Wang Yan called Xiao Yan and his teammates over. "You three did well. Though I'm only the temporary homeroom teacher for Class Seven, I'm proud of you. You've won all your matches so far, and most in a dominating manner."
"But keep up the effort. Try to break into the top sixty-four for the elimination rounds. Tomorrow, you'll face Class Nine's top team, which includes a user of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, known as the world's best support-type martial spirit. Good luck."
"We'll do our best, Teacher Wang!" Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu nodded. "With Xiao Yan's support, we're unstoppable!"
Xiao Yan gave a quiet nod in agreement, choosing to remain silent.
Wang Yan smiled, waving them off. "Alright then, rest up and prepare for tomorrow's match."
After they parted ways, Xiao Yan wandered to the lakeside path south of Shrek Square after having dinner at the cafeteria.
Crossing through the trees beside the path, he arrived at Seagod Lake. Gentle mist mixed with fresh air brushed over his face, relaxing him as he took in the sight of the lake.
Seagod Lake was man-made, yet its waters were strikingly clear and a deep azure blue. The lake's calm surface rippled softly, giving the impression of a dancer twirling gracefully.
"This place is beautiful," Xiao Yan muttered, stretching his limbs and inhaling deeply. "Teacher, when do we go to the far north as the Iceworm mentioned?"
"Once the tournament ends, in a few days," Yao Lao's voice answered in his mind. But at that moment, Xiao Yan's eyes locked onto a small red dot at the center of the lake.
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