After returning from the Undead Demiplane, Zhu Ziyang was soon approached by Ma Xiaotao.
She wore a flowing red dress, her face partially veiled in red, and in her hands were two grilled fish that looked like they had just been roasted over hot coals.
"Sister Xiaotao, what made you suddenly want to grill fish?" Zhu Ziyang teased as he saw her.
"Please! Like your sister has that kind of free time." Ma Xiaotao scoffed with a playful smile and handed one grilled fish to Zhu Ziyang. "I bought it from a stall run by an outer courtyard student near the academy gate when I was coming back from Shrek City. That student's cooking skills are really something—you could smell it from far away."
"Really?" Zhu Ziyang smiled as he took the grilled fish, took a bite, and his eyes lit up. "Not gonna lie, this actually tastes amazing!"
"See? I wasn't wrong!" Ma Xiaotao said proudly. "When I, Ma Xiaotao, say something's delicious, it can't possibly be bad."
"Yes, yes, Sister Xiaotao is invincible!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled, teasing her while savoring the fish.
——
Time passed quickly. A few nights later, Zhu Ziyang was having dinner with Jiang Nannan.
"Brother, did you hear?" Jiang Nannan suddenly said excitedly.
"Hear what?" Zhu Ziyang paused and looked at her. "Did something fun happen in the outer courtyard again?"
"Exactly!" Jiang Nannan nodded, eyes sparkling. "I went to see Xiaoya today, and she told me something. It's currently the freshman assessment, right? Guess what kind of results Huo Yuhao has?"
Zhu Ziyang fell into thought, then said, "I'm guessing his results are amazing, even a bit shocking. Otherwise Tang Ya wouldn't have mentioned it, and you wouldn't be so eager to tell me, right?"
"Ugh, you're such a killjoy, Brother. Now it's no fun to share anymore!" Jiang Nannan pouted, her bright smile drooping a little.
"Hahaha, my bad, my bad." Zhu Ziyang laughed awkwardly. "Come on, tell me! I'm really curious now!"
"Alright." Jiang Nannan gave in. "Huo Yuhao's team actually defeated two teams that each had a Soul Elder and made it to the finals! Brother, can you believe it? His team only consists of two Soul Grandmasters and one Soul Master, while the teams they beat had a Soul Elder and two Soul Grandmasters! Isn't that insane?"
"I see!" Zhu Ziyang was mildly surprised. He had expected Huo Yuhao to stand out somehow, but he hadn't anticipated such a dramatic display of talent. For a team without even a single Soul Elder to defeat two teams that had one? The outer courtyard teachers must be utterly stunned. No doubt about it, this year's freshman champions would be Huo Yuhao's team.
He felt an urge to witness it for himself and asked, "Nannan, do you know when the final match of the freshman assessment is?"
"I asked Xiaoya—it's tomorrow." Jiang Nannan immediately caught on to his intention. "Let's go watch together!"
"Alright!" Zhu Ziyang nodded, curiosity swelling inside him.
The next day, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan arrived hand-in-hand at the outer courtyard's assessment zone.
"Ziyang, Nannan? What brings you two here?" They ran into Cai Meier, Du Weilun, and several other outer courtyard teachers outside the assessment area. Cai Meier asked in surprise.
"Elder Cai, we came to watch the freshman final!" Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. Since the teachers were present, he didn't call her 'senior sister.'
"Oh, I see. Perfect timing, then. Join us!" Cai Meier recalled how Zhu Ziyang had come to her earlier to read materials and seemed to make a connection. She smiled warmly.
Since Yan Shaozhe had gone into seclusion, all outer courtyard affairs had been left to Cai Meier. Naturally, an important event like the freshman final required her attendance as acting dean of the Martial Soul Department.
"Sure!" Zhu Ziyang immediately agreed, pulling Jiang Nannan to join the group of teachers. They also spotted Xia Yu and Liu Xue, who smiled brightly at them. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan smiled in return, equally cheerful.
"Ziyang, who is it you came to watch?" Cai Meier asked curiously. "Someone on one of the finalist teams?"
"Yes, his name is Huo Yuhao," Zhu Ziyang replied without hiding anything. He had come specifically to watch Huo Yuhao.
"Oh? You know Huo Yuhao?" Cai Meier looked surprised. She hadn't expected Zhu Ziyang to be familiar with that name.
As a Tang Sect special recruit and a freshman who had reached the final round with only one soul ring, Huo Yuhao had caught her attention. While many like Du Weilun believed he made it through because of his teammates, Cai Meier thought otherwise. She believed there was more to this boy—especially his martial soul, a body-type martial soul focused on the eyes. Shrek Academy had no precedent for training such a soul master, but as a Titled Douluo, Cai Meier's vision went far beyond the average. Even if Huo Yuhao's first soul ring was under 100 years, she believed in the potential of a body-type martial soul and felt he deserved more time and attention.
"Actually, we're not close. He's a Tang Sect special recruit, right? Since Nannan and I are close with Tang Ya, we've met him before," Zhu Ziyang explained. "He seemed interesting, and when I heard he made the finals, I figured I'd come check it out."
"I understand." Cai Meier nodded. "I'm quite curious about him too. I hope he's as tough as his actions suggest."
They arrived at the observation platform.
By then, the two finalist teams were already in position on opposite ends of the field, staring each other down.
Zhu Ziyang focused his attention on Huo Yuhao's team. He already knew Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, so his eyes landed on the third member—a petite, adorable girl named Xiao Xiao, who had twin martial souls. At that moment, Huo Yuhao's soul power was Rank 17, Wang Dong was Rank 26, and Xiao Xiao was Rank 24.
Zhu Ziyang was a bit shocked. When Huo Yuhao entered the academy, he was only Rank 11. In just three months, he had climbed six ranks. Was this the legendary luck of a protagonist? That was absurd! Wasn't his innate soul power supposed to be Rank 1? How could he cultivate so fast? And Wang Dong—he entered at Rank 21 and now was Rank 26. Five ranks in three months, just one less than Huo Yuhao! It was ridiculous!
By comparison, Xiao Xiao had only gone up one rank in three months. She looked like a totally average student.
'Unbelievable. A whole bunch of cheaters!' Xiao Xiao cursed silently and left the chat group in a huff.
Huo Yuhao's opponents were a trio as well—one male and two females: Dai Huabin, a Rank 32 Soul Elder with the White Tiger martial soul; Zhu Lu, a Rank 25 Soul Grandmaster with the Hell Spirit Cat martial soul; and Cui Yajie, a Rank 23 Soul Grandmaster with the Nine-Tailed Fox martial soul.
Zhu Ziyang's expression turned interesting. Huo Yuhao versus Dai Huabin—so fate had brought them head-to-head in the final. This would be fun.
"Ziyang, which side do you think will win?" Cai Meier asked.
"Hard to say." Zhu Ziyang shook his head. "Based on soul power levels alone, Dai Huabin's team far outclasses Huo Yuhao's. But in terms of talent and potential, Huo Yuhao's team easily surpasses them. If we only consider battle power, Dai Huabin's team has a Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Netherworld White Tiger. Unless Huo Yuhao's team also has one, it'll be hard to win."
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill?" A rough voice, tinged with surprise, joined the conversation—it was Qian Duoduo!
"Dean Qian!" Everyone greeted him respectfully.
Qian Duoduo waved his hand and turned to Zhu Ziyang. "Ziyang, how do you know Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu can use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
"Brother Yaoheng told me," Zhu Ziyang replied. "I asked him before. He said only Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu in their generation are the same age and have been close since childhood."
"I see!" Qian Duoduo's eyes brightened with realization, though a trace of concern flashed through them.
"Old Qian, why are you here?" Cai Meier asked with curiosity and suspicion. The Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments weren't exactly rivals, but they weren't known to get along either. Qian Duoduo's sudden appearance at the freshman finals felt a little unusual to her.
(End of Chapter)
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