The chaotic melee ended with a result that surprised no one. Four soul rings lit up simultaneously around Cao Jinxuan's body, and the terrifying power of his Clock of Fleeting Time revealed itself in full.
Except for his temporary teammates nearby, the rest of the participants were all at most Rank 37. Naturally, they couldn't withstand the overwhelming control of the Clock of Fleeting Time.
They didn't even get the chance to unleash their Martial Soul Fusion Skills before they were forcefully immobilized.
Even Beibei and Xu Sanshi couldn't help but feel a bit relieved that they weren't on the receiving end of Cao Jinxuan's terrifying control ability.
With the battlefield under control, the rest of the team immediately unleashed their signature abilities, each locking onto a target and going all-out!
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon roared, the Xuanming Turtle growled deeply, the Soft-Boned Rabbit darted at lightning speed, the Dragonbone Throwing Spear danced wildly, and He Caitou launched a bombardment with his soul tools!
As for Huo Yuhao, he pulled Wang Dong with him and directly activated Golden Road: Amidst Withering Resplendence against Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, who were just about to complete their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Amid the burst of soul ring light and a chaotic storm of soul skills, only nine people remained standing on the field.
Xiao Xiao barely lifted a finger—she just coasted through the fight and still won.
At the edge of the field, Elder Xuan smiled and nodded. With him personally overseeing things, even though these kids were powerful, no one had suffered any serious injuries.
The whole fight hadn't even lasted five minutes. Now, aside from the eliminated contestants, only nine remained: Cao Jinxuan, Long Xiangyue, Xu Sanshi, Beibei, Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Huo Yuhao.
Hovering above Cao Jinxuan's hand was an exquisitely ornate clock. Smiling, he looked at his temporary teammates.
"Elder Xuan said only seven can stay. There are nine of us here now, so two still need to be eliminated."
Hearing this, the joy that had just begun to rise in everyone's hearts vanished in an instant. Although they were competitors, they actually got along quite well privately. Fighting among themselves now... no one wanted to make the first move.
Elder Xuan observed their hesitant expressions with growing amusement.
Then a thought occurred to him—if that monster Zhou Sicheng were here, how would he handle this situation?
Suddenly, Elder Xuan shook his head. With how freakish that kid was, he might just kick everyone out and choose on his own—happily playing the villain.
The thought soured Elder Xuan's mood again. He shouted, "What are you dawdling for? If you don't start fighting soon, I'll throw all of you out myself!"
The shout snapped everyone to attention.
Xiao Xiao was speechless. Fight? With what strength? She was only Rank 28. Any of the Rank 40s could crush her with ease.
Huo Yuhao was even more helpless. Though he had just broken through to Rank 22, in a one-on-one duel, he might not even beat Xiao Xiao.
Besides, he had nearly exhausted his soul power during the Martial Soul Fusion Skill targeting Dai Huabin. He had no energy left to fight.
Wang Dong, while a Rank 30+ Soul Elder with a thousand-year second ring, had also used up a lot of soul power. There was no way she could stand against a Rank 40 opponent.
Still, only seven could stay. Six of the remaining nine were already Rank 40 Soul Ancestors, so Wang Dong should be safe...
Xiao Xiao waved her hand, giving up on resisting. "I forfeit. You guys go ahead."
With that, she cheerfully hopped out of the dueling area. Since she didn't stand a chance, she might as well be gracious about it.
He Caitou stared blankly as Xiao Xiao bounced away, his eyes dazed.
He had never been interested in romance, but this little girl had caught his eye today.
Aside from Huo Yuhao, this was his first time meeting most of these people. He suddenly felt like he'd fallen in love at first sight.
Still, he quickly shook off the distraction. Now wasn't the time for such thoughts. Besides, that girl was Yuhao's friend—he could always ask about her later.
Now eight people remained—one more needed to be eliminated.
The others might not know what this special test was really about, but Beibei was well aware. This was very likely the selection for the Shrek Academy Reserve Team. There was no way he was going to give up.
Cao Jinxuan and Long Xiangyue also knew about the selection ahead of time from Zhou Sicheng. With only seven spots open, it was clear what was at stake.
Xu Sanshi, He Caitou, and Jiang Nannan were all Soul Ancestors too—none of them would choose to withdraw now.
Naturally, everyone's gaze shifted to Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao didn't know exactly what the prize was, but he didn't want to give up. He needed every opportunity to grow stronger.
To go from second-year to competing with fifth-years and still only have seven selected core disciples—there had to be a reward. He couldn't bear to give up.
Wang Dong was even more determined. She saw the situation clearly. Even if she and Huo Yuhao were close, she wasn't going to back down.
Under everyone's gaze, Huo Yuhao finally spoke. "I forfeit too."
Though he didn't want to lose, the reality was that he had no chance of staying.
Before leaving, he looked at Wang Dong. "Wang Dong, you're our class's hope now. Don't let us down."
Wang Dong nodded. "You and Xiao Xiao can relax. I won't let Class One lose face!"
Seeing the matter resolved, Elder Xuan casually waved his hand. Wang Yan, Zhou Yi, Mu Jin, and a few other teachers hurried over.
"Those eliminated can head back. You seven, stay behind," Elder Xuan said, biting into a chicken leg as he spoke.
With the teachers' help, the unconscious students slowly came to. Many of them wore dissatisfied expressions.
After all, most hadn't even had the chance to show their abilities before being declared losers.
It had been an utterly unfair fight.
Cao Jinxuan's crowd control was too overwhelming. He locked them down completely—most of them didn't even get to use a single skill before being pummeled!
Dai Huabin, in particular, was fuming. His cold eyes stared at Huo Yuhao—already out of the arena—and at Wang Dong, who was still inside.
So many had been locked down, and these two had used their fusion skill just to blast him and Zhu Lu?!
A mere Rank 22 Grandmaster and a Rank 31 Soul Elder with a thousand-year second ring—so what?
He was a proud Rank 37 Battle Soul Elder! One-on-one, was he supposed to fear Wang Dong?
As for Martial Soul Fusion Skills, his Nether White Tiger wasn't afraid of any of them!
They were just riding on the coattails of those Soul Ancestors, hiding behind borrowed strength. Dai Huabin refused to accept this outcome!
Many others felt the same—especially the so-called geniuses like Huang Chutian, Xie Huan Yue, and Wu Feng.
Ning Tian stood silently beside Wu Feng, her gaze fixed on the triumphant Cao Jinxuan still in the Soul Dueling Area.
Though Elder Xuan had spoken, none of them left. Instead, their eyes all turned toward him.
Seeing this, Elder Xuan snorted. "Not satisfied? If you're going to complain in the future, then I hope you show it through your strength."
"You think this chaotic melee was unfair—that you didn't even get to display your abilities before losing?"
The core disciples said nothing, but their silence was answer enough.
Elder Xuan sighed. These kids were certainly proud. Even Zhou Sicheng wasn't this cocky!
When he used to mess with Zhou Sicheng, the kid never whined. A loss was a loss—he didn't care that Elder Xuan was a Transcendent Douluo.
Yet now these less talented kids were this arrogant?
He curled his lip and said calmly, "You really think this was unfair? This kind of melee is tailored to each of you. On a battlefield, can you decide how many enemies you'll face or what conditions you'll encounter? No—you can't."
Elder Xuan snorted coldly as he spoke, "At the very least, this chaotic brawl put all of you at the same starting line—it wasn't a desperate situation. With your current attitudes, not a single one of you is qualified to become an Inner Court disciple."
"This seemingly unfair melee was actually the best way to test your overall strength. In this brief conflict, I observed your teamwork, individual capabilities, and even your character."
"That saying, 'Those who walk the right path will gain more help,' is nonsense. If you want people to support you, you first need to have a good reputation, and second, you must have enough strength. A loner with a poor attitude can never accomplish great things."
"Combat assessments like this one are commonplace in the Inner Court. If you can't even handle this level of pressure, what right do you have to become an Inner Court disciple? Do you even know what kind of terrifying training awaits the Inner Court students every single day?"
At this point, Elder Xuan almost revealed Zhou Sichen's accomplishments but managed to hold himself back.
He changed the topic, "Don't assume that becoming a Core Disciple guarantees you a place in the Inner Court. Even if you do become an Inner Court disciple, it's not an honor—it only means that you've stepped through another door."
"Do you know what the first thing students must do after entering the Inner Court is? They have to sign a life-and-death contract."
"To pursue the peak of a Soul Master's path, one must cast aside fear of death. Only then does the impossible become possible."
"No matter your background, once you enter Shrek Academy's Inner Court, you become a true part of Shrek. You will carry Shrek's brand for life and share in its glory."
"But at the same time, you will constantly face overwhelming danger and the possibility of death at any moment. While you're still in the Outer Court, the Academy does its best to ensure your safety."
Finally, Elder Xuan let out a soft sigh. "If you enter the Inner Court, you will be subjected to the harshest of trials."
The Outer Court students stood silently, their expressions grim, unable to refute his words.
Standing beside Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao listened quietly, lost in thought.
He didn't yet understand the hardships of the Inner Court; all he knew was that he had to train hard so that one day, he could avenge his mother!
For that goal, he was willing to pay any price. So even though he didn't pass this selection, he firmly believed he would succeed next time!
What he didn't know, unfortunately, was that there would be no next time.
The many talented students fell into silent contemplation.
Elder Xuan continued, "Huo Yuhao had already found a team from the start, but now he's been eliminated. If anyone has a right to be dissatisfied, it would be him."
As soon as those words were spoken, no one else could find a response.
Elder Xuan no longer looked at these young ones and waved his hand. "Get lost, all of you!"
All complaints immediately vanished. The eliminated Core Disciples lowered their heads one by one and left the Soul Dueling Zone.
Everything Elder Xuan had said today would be deeply etched in their hearts—some might remember it for the rest of their lives.
Before leaving, Huo Yuhao gave Wang Dong a determined glance, then turned around and left without hesitation.
Xiao Xiao quickly followed behind him. Her mindset remained steady.
The other students and teachers departed, leaving only Cao Jinxuan, Long Xiangyue, Xu Sanshi, Bei Bei, Jiang Nannan, He Caitou, and Wang Dong in the Soul Dueling Zone.
Elder Xuan slowly turned around to face the seven of them. "You've all heard of the title 'Shrek's Seven Devils,' haven't you?"
"Right inside the Academy's main gate stands a statue of the Academy's founder and the first generation of Shrek's Seven Devils. But do you know where that title originated from?"
The group remained silent. Though they knew the answer, they didn't interrupt Elder Xuan.
Elder Xuan began explaining in detail the origins of the title "Shrek's Seven Devils," eventually leading into the topic of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
When he mentioned the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, Xu Sanshi could no longer hold back. "Elder Xuan, are you saying that you want us to participate in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?"
Elder Xuan snorted. "Do you think you're capable just because I said so? The age requirement for the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is under twenty years old. You're still eligible for this upcoming cycle. However, today's selection was to pick members of the reserve team. Each reserve team is selected before the current generation of Shrek's Seven Devils go to compete."
At those words, everyone instantly understood: the main requirement in today's Core Disciple selection was age. The age limit ensured that, five years from now, they would still be under twenty and qualified to participate in the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Elder Xuan continued, "You were chosen not only as the reserve team, but also as substitutes for the main lineup. This year's main team is rather special, so your chances of getting to compete are higher than in previous years."
"This will be an extremely valuable experience for all of you. But remember, today's selection doesn't decide everything."
"Over the next five years, you'll be under constant review. Only if your strength is sufficient will you be able to represent the Academy in battle. During this period, you'll go through multiple evaluations. So if you truly wish to represent Shrek, the first thing you must do is make sure you qualify for the Inner Court."
Hearing Elder Xuan's words, all of them were overjoyed.
To represent Shrek Academy in battle—and potentially become the next generation of Shrek's Seven Devils—was undoubtedly the greatest honor they could achieve within the Academy!
****
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