That afternoon, all the freshmen who had passed the assessment gathered at Shrek Plaza, waiting for the upcoming class assignments.
At the very front stood the Director of the Outer Court, Du Weilun, along with over a dozen teachers.
Xu Zihuang lifted his gaze. Most of these teachers were the homeroom instructors of the ten freshman classes. Mu Jin and Wang Yan were clearly among them.
But Zhou Yi was nowhere to be seen.
It seemed she had indeed been dismissed.
Holding a folder in his hand, Du Weilun swept his gaze over the gathered crowd before speaking with a smile:
"I believe you all know by now that the freshmen assessment has concluded, and the top three have been decided. I will now announce the official results, as well as the rewards they will receive.
"Third place: the team from Freshman Class Two, led by Xie Huan Yue, with members Xie Huan Yue, Luo Tianlong, and Luo Tianba. Step forward."
Led by Xie Huan Yue, the three walked out together. The fat on Xie Huan Yue's face squeezed into a smile.
Though only third, he had no complaints. Ning Tian's team had defeated them with genuine strength, and as for Yu Tianhuang's team, there was nothing more to say.
After the elimination rounds, fewer than three hundred students had officially become first-years of Shrek Academy's Outer Court.
"Second place: the team from Freshman Class Nine, led by Ning Tian. Members: Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Ya Lu."
Du Weilun paused slightly, then raised his voice:
"The champions of the freshmen assessment: the team from Freshman Class Nine, led by Yu Tianhuang, with members Yu Tianhuang, Tuoba Yu, and Nanmen Yun'er."
At once, thunderous cheers filled the plaza.
The name Yu Tianhuang had already spread throughout the Outer Court—gifted, powerful, handsome, and with an extraordinary bearing. Not a single flaw could be found.
Aside from how harshly he had crushed Wang Dong's and Dai Huabin's teams, he was otherwise polite and gentle in demeanor. Naturally, he was well-liked among the freshmen, especially among the girls.
Of course, there were some who resented him. But they weren't foolish enough to direct it at Xu Zihuang himself. Instead, their complaints were aimed at Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er.
Some crude boys even muttered to their companions that Yu Tianhuang could have brought along two dogs and still won—and to their dismay, many agreed.
Yet such voices were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming cheers and applause.
The three advanced quickly, Xu Zihuang at the front, Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er half a step behind.
Du Weilun smiled at them, gesturing for them to stand in the very center.
Ning Tian and Ya Lu offered Xu Zihuang friendly nods and smiles, while Wu Feng kept her head lowered, lost in thought.
On the other side, even Xie Huan Yue gave Xu Zihuang a polite smile. But with his mountain of fat, the effect was less honest and more shifty-eyed.
Du Weilun continued:
"Now, I will announce the rewards for the top three teams. Each of you will receive the academy's standard prize: when the time comes for your next spirit ring, you may request the academy's aid in obtaining one that both matches your attributes and approaches the limit of what your body can endure."
The students erupted in astonished admiration.
This was essentially a guarantee that the next spirit ring of Xu Zihuang and the other nine would be perfectly suited to them in both attribute and age.
Xu Zihuang himself felt tempted. He had long since planned what his fourth ring would be. The academy's promise seemed to contain a loophole.
The spirit beast he wanted was far too rare. Even in the Star Dou Forest, the continent's largest spirit beast gathering place, there might be only a handful. But if Shrek Academy was willing to deploy manpower and resources, that would be ideal.
"Director Du, may we specify the species of spirit beast?"
Du Weilun blinked. A hint of surprise flickered in his eyes as he looked at Xu Zihuang. But recalling Yan Shaozhe's instructions earlier at noon, he decisively answered:
"You may."
Tuoba Yu opened his mouth, wanting to say—
Director Du, can I request a thousand-year Titan Giant Ape?
But after a moment's thought, he decided against it.
He feared Du Weilun might slap him on the spot.
For outstanding students, every academy showed special treatment.
Du Weilun then announced the additional rewards for the champions.
"Considering Yu Tianhuang's team's exceptional performance and flawless record throughout the competition, the academy has decided to grant two special rewards. These will remain confidential. Once class assignments are complete, you may follow me to claim them."
Two special rewards?
This was the true distinction between first place and the others.
Among the crowd of Class One freshmen, Huo Yuhao gazed enviously at Xu Zihuang standing beside Du Weilun.
He couldn't help but imagine—if he were the one standing there, what would it feel like?
At his side, Wang Dong clenched his teeth. He still firmly believed that as long as he cultivated diligently, he could catch up to Yu Tianhuang.
Moreover, he held the enormous advantage of twin martial spirits.
A life of smooth sailing had shaped his arrogance.
But he had no idea just how much Xu Zihuang was hiding.
In terms of talent, even he would have to step aside.
As for Xiao Xiao, her delicate face had gone pale. The shadow Xu Zihuang had cast over her back then was far too great. Just seeing him again made her body recall that overwhelming pressure. Her legs went weak, nearly collapsing beneath her.
No one disputed that Yu Tianhuang's team deserved extra rewards. Even if Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er had mostly coasted to victory, they were still part of the champion team.
There was no arguing that. At most, others could only grumble about their good fortune.
"All right, you may return to your teams."
Du Weilun waved them back, then faced the students once more.
"This year's freshmen surpass those of the past. I hope you all continue to work hard. No matter how good your talent, without effort you will reap nothing. Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the continent—I hope you will all graduate successfully with excellent results.
"Given the outstanding new talents revealed in this year's assessment, the academy has decided to designate some as core disciples of the Outer Court. I will now announce the list."
At once, silence fell over the plaza.
Core disciples were never limited to the top three teams. And though Du Weilun hadn't said it outright, everyone knew—being chosen meant gaining extra resources from the academy.
With so much at stake, no one dared miss a word.
Opening the folder, Du Weilun read aloud:
"Based on the academy's review of the freshmen assessment, the following have been approved as core disciples: Yu Tianhuang, Ning Tian, Xie Huan Yue, and Dai Huabin."
…
That was it?
Not only the freshmen, but even Xu Zihuang himself hadn't expected that only four had been chosen as official core disciples—and all were rank-thirty-plus Soul Elders.
Under the burning stares of the students, Du Weilun flipped to another page.
"However, some others, though lacking somewhat in talent and cultivation, displayed outstanding performance. The academy has decided to grant them provisional core disciple status until the end of this academic year. If they achieve breakthroughs by next year's promotion exams, they will be considered for official core disciple rank. The names are: Tuoba Yu, Nanmen Yun'er, Wu Feng, Zhu Lu, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Huang Chutian, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Cui Yajie, Long Xiangyue, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao."
This was, in truth, to motivate them further.
With four Soul Elders towering above them, even if they were dissatisfied, they had no grounds to object.
Huo Yuhao, hearing his teammates Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao named as provisional core disciples—especially under the strange gazes of his peers—felt hollow inside.
Even Beibei and Tang Ya's guidance hadn't been enough to resolve his deep inferiority and extremity.
A trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes. Slowly lowering his head, he buried it deep within his heart.
But who could he blame? Only himself—for lacking strength, lacking talent, lacking background.
Those stronger than him merely had better starting points.
A bitter smile twisted his lips. But when he raised his head again, his eyes carried a new chill.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao hadn't expected to be chosen at all after being eliminated in the first round. Surprise and joy shone in their faces—but to Huo Yuhao, it was blinding.
So the academy didn't care about ranking in the elimination rounds at all.
What mattered was talent and potential, determined from birth.
Heaven, why are you so unfair?
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