"This pouch is also for you. It can conceal fluctuations of soul power. Fuse it as soon as possible after returning. Though the academy is very safe, an innocent man is still guilty of holding treasures. Also, the matter of receiving this soul bone reward must remain confidential for the academy. I trust you know what to do."
Du Weilun personally escorted Yu Tianhuang and the other two to the door. Only after their figures disappeared from sight did he withdraw his gaze.
His expression showed some helplessness. Such a soul bone of extremely fine quality, yet Yu Tianhuang had not revealed the slightest sign of being tempted.
A thirty-thousand-year Fear Demon Dragon's head soul bone—even he himself would have been swayed.
Just as he was about to return to his office, a white-robed elder appeared by his side without his noticing.
Du Weilun froze for a moment, then hurriedly bowed with respect.
"Dean."
The visitor was none other than Yan Shaozhe, the Martial Soul Department's dean, who had appeared that morning during the freshman assessment semifinals.
Du Weilun thought for a moment, preparing to report Yu Tianhuang's earlier performance to Yan Shaozhe.
"Weilun, no need. I already know."
Yan Shaozhe saw straight through Du Weilun's thoughts at a glance, smiling warmly.
"If even a thirty-thousand-year Fear Demon Dragon soul bone cannot move you, then I'll just keep raising the stakes. Let's see if the Soul Tool Department can keep up. Lao Qian, trying to poach talent right under my eyes—do you think it's so easy?"
Speaking thus, he stepped into Du Weilun's office first, while Du Weilun quickly followed a few steps behind.
"Weilun, tell me what you know about this little fellow Yu Tianhuang. For example, the people or things he likes…"
Yan Shaozhe had also once been a leading figure among his own freshman generation.
In his view, no matter how exceptional a person was, they couldn't avoid being mundane in some aspects. Even he had had his little flaws when young.
The muscles on Du Weilun's face twitched slightly.
For the dean of such exalted standing within Shrek Academy to lower himself to inquire after a freshman's preferences…
But thinking of Yu Tianhuang's breathtaking talent, he found it understandable.
At once, he told Yan Shaozhe everything he knew.
As Director of the Martial Soul Department's outer court, he was indeed conscientious. He paid close attention to all students of notable talent.
Among this year's freshmen, the one he paid the closest attention to was, without doubt, Yu Tianhuang.
—
Du Weilun's office was on the top floor of the teachers' building.
Descending the stairs from there, Xu Zihuang and the others had just reached the next level when Mu Jin, who had been waiting, approached them with a beaming smile.
Not only had the champion and runner-up of this year's freshman assessment both come from her Class Nine, but also, moments ago, Zhou Yi had fulfilled their bet.
"Teacher Mu?" Except for Xu Zihuang, both Tuoba Yu and Nanmen Yun'er showed surprise.
Mu Jin smiled slightly. "Just a few days ago, I was promoted to senior teacher, and my office has already moved here. Class One is now being taught by Teacher Wang Yan. You three, come with me to my office. I have something for you."
And so, the three who had just left Du Weilun's office followed Mu Jin into hers.
Her office was somewhat smaller. Several bright and exotic flowers decorated the room, filling it with a faint fragrance. Behind her desk was a window with excellent lighting.
With her back to the window, Mu Jin's already youthful beauty seemed all the more radiant.
"You three won this year's freshman assessment championship. Not only Director Du, but I also have a prize for you." Mu Jin's eyes shone with satisfaction as she smiled at them. A silver bracelet-shaped storage soul guide on her wrist glowed faintly, and a pouch appeared in her hand.
"Teacher Mu, could it be that the prize you're giving us is also a soul bone?" Tuoba Yu grew restless again.
Hearing this, Mu Jin immediately caught on, a trace of excitement flashing in her eyes.
"So that's it. No wonder Director Du was so secretive—the reward he prepared for you was actually so extravagant."
As she spoke, her gaze inevitably shifted to Xu Zihuang.
With Yu Tianhuang's talent, the academy's heavy investment was entirely reasonable.
Mu Jin didn't ask for more details and directly opened the pouch.
A burst of light shone forth again. Unlike the bright yellow radiance of the thirty-thousand-year Fear Demon Dragon head soul bone, this soul bone emitted a deep violet glow.
Shaped like a miniature human right forearm bone, it was semi-transparent, gleaming like gorgeous amethyst.
From its surface flowed deep-violet soul power, highlighting strange vine-like patterns.
However, compared to the previous soul bone, the fluctuations of soul power this one released were far weaker. Moreover, it was only a forearm bone—thus, incomplete.
The more complete a soul bone was, the higher its quality.
Clearly, the one before them did not belong to the category of high-quality soul bones.
"This soul bone comes from an eight-thousand-year-old plant-type soul beast, the Ghost King Vine. Soul bones from plant-type soul beasts are very rare. Precisely because of this rarity, many soul masters with plant-type martial souls struggle to obtain suitable soul bones. Though its quality isn't high, to those with plant-type martial souls, this is still an invaluable treasure. My suggestion is that you might one day exchange this soul bone for another more suitable one."
"Of course, that's only my suggestion. The choice is yours. Also, I won this soul bone in a bet with someone—the bet was on your match against another freshman team. Since you won, you needn't feel burdened."
After her explanation, Mu Jin placed the soul bone back into the pouch and handed it to Xu Zihuang.
"How you divide it is up to you. Alright, you may return to class now. Yun'er, even though you've been placed into Class Two, if you ever encounter difficulties, you can still come to me."
"Thank you, Teacher Mu." The three bowed respectfully before leaving her office.
—
The teachers' building stood behind the fifth- and sixth-year teaching blocks, a certain distance from the freshman building.
Walking along the academy's main path, Xu Zihuang carried the pouch with the Ghost King Vine right arm bone in hand instead of storing it in his soul guide.
Though he could've taken both soul bones for himself, doing so would appear far too greedy.
And it wasn't worth haggling over a soul bone of such mediocre quality.
Turning, Xu Zihuang glanced at Tuoba Yu. Tuoba Yu knowingly shook his head.
"Getting to ride on your coattails to win the championship is already more than enough for me."
Though sometimes lewd, his character was solid.
Then Xu Zihuang looked at Nanmen Yun'er.
She too was about to refuse. After all, she knew their championship had come entirely through Yu Tianhuang's personal strength, leaving her undeserving.
"Yun'er, you take it. I can't hog all the benefits myself."
Xu Zihuang directly pressed the pouch into her hand, discreetly transmitting a few words through soul power.
Nanmen Yun'er fell silent for a while before finally accepting it.
"Thank you."
Xu Zihuang only smiled in reply.
The three returned to the freshman building and then separated.
Xu Zihuang, as a control-type soul master, and Tuoba Yu, as an assault-type, were naturally placed into Class One, while agility-type Nanmen Yun'er was assigned to Class Two next door.
—
"Report!"
At the doorway of Class One, Tuoba Yu was the first to call out.
"Enter," came Wang Yan's voice. Tuoba Yu and Xu Zihuang pushed the door open in succession, instantly drawing all eyes.
Of the four freshman classes, Class One's strength was undoubtedly the highest. Yet their numbers were not the largest. Combined, the assault- and control-type soul masters totaled just over sixty. The biggest class was Class Four, the mixed group.
Wang Yan smiled gently. "You've returned just in time—we're about to elect class monitors. Find seats first."
With the new class assignments, all seating had been shuffled.
Fortunately, the classroom could accommodate one hundred students, spacious enough.
At a glance, Xu Zihuang spotted many familiar faces. For instance, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Huo Yuhao, who had been eliminated in the first knockout round.
Also, Cui Yajie and Wu Feng, who had teamed with Dai Huabin, as well as Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan, who had likewise lost to them.
As for Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, still unconscious, they would definitely miss class that afternoon.
Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu casually took empty seats, directly in front of Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan.
On the platform, Wang Yan continued:
"Now we'll elect class monitor and vice monitor. Since our Class One consists solely of assault- and control-type battle soul masters, the monitor and vice monitor will be chosen from among them, alternating roles monthly. I'll nominate candidates, and you'll vote anonymously."
Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan, grinning mischievously, turned toward Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu, waggling their brows.
They had indeed lost in the assessment, but they accepted their defeat wholeheartedly.
At the mention of elections, Zhou Sichen immediately shouted:
"Teacher Wang, I don't think we even need to choose for the control side. Among control-type soul masters, who could compare to Yu Tianhuang?"
His words were blunt, but no one in Class One disagreed.
Wang Yan's teaching style was always gentle. Even when Zhou Sichen interrupted, he remained smiling.
"Zhou's point is fair. Then, let's vote by show of hands. Those who agree to Yu Tianhuang as class monitor, raise your hand."
No sooner had he spoken than nearly the entire class raised their right hands.
Even Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao.
Wang Dong stared in disbelief at his two "traitorous" teammates. Especially Xiao Xiao—during the knockout match, she hadn't even had the courage to face Yu Tianhuang. And now she was siding with him?
Besides Wang Dong, the only other one who didn't raise a hand was Wu Feng.
Though Ning Tian had repeatedly told her not to provoke Yu Tianhuang, asking her to curry favor was out of the question.
The result was obvious.
Just as Wang Yan prepared to announce it, Xu Zihuang reluctantly raised his hand.
"Yu Tianhuang, do you have anything to say?"
"Teacher Wang, I can be monitor, but may I avoid managing affairs?"
Shrek Academy always valued strength above all. He knew he likely couldn't refuse.
Wang Yan shook his head with a smile. "Alright, I'll allow it."
Next, he wrote a row of names on the blackboard:
Dai Huabin, Wu Feng, Zhou Sichen, Huang Chutian, and Wang Dong.
Though Dai Huabin wasn't present, news of the four Soul Elders among this year's freshmen had spread as soon as the assessment ended. With his Soul Elder cultivation, the others lacked competitiveness.
After all, the monitor position was always up for grabs—defeat the holder and take their place.
No one wished to invite humiliation.
Thus, Class One's two monitors were confirmed.
Control-type Yu Tianhuang, assault-type Dai Huabin.
Formal lessons would begin the next day. That afternoon, Wang Yan merely set the monitors, then explained the upcoming curriculum in general. Soon, dismissal came.
As Xu Zihuang was about to leave, a tall, burly male student blocked his path.
"My name's Huang Chutian. I heard you smashed Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu's Nether White Tiger with one punch in the semifinals. Is that true?"
"Where did you hear that?" Xu Zihuang frowned. He didn't care much, but couldn't understand why stories about him kept growing more exaggerated.
Huang Chutian glanced instinctively at Zhou Sichen in front of Xu Zihuang, who also turned to look.
Zhou's face stiffened, while his buddy Cao Jinxuan immediately sold him out with a laugh.
"Monitor, it was all Sichen spreading nonsense."
Tuoba Yu, beside Xu Zihuang, looked at them with contempt.
He clearly remembered—it had actually been Cao Jinxuan who first started spreading rumors during those first few days.
"More or less."
Xu Zihuang didn't pursue it further. With a simple answer, he brushed past Huang Chutian.
The three froze, dumbfounded.
Had he just admitted it? That he'd destroyed the Nether White Tiger fusion skill with a single punch?
The rest of Class One didn't notice, but when Wang Yan had written Dai Huabin's name on the board, Huo Yuhao, sitting in the corner, had lowered his head.
"Yuhao, want to go eat?" Wang Dong nudged him, only to see Yuhao's reddened eyes filled with chilling hatred that made Wang Dong's hair stand on end.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing." Yuhao's voice was hoarse. He suddenly stood and strode quickly out of the classroom.
Cold wind brushed his cheeks, but he couldn't calm the storm inside.
Wang Yan had just explained in class that Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu possessed the Nether White Tiger martial soul fusion skill—completely ruling out the chance of it being a namesake.
To study in the same class as the ones who had killed his mother—how cruel was that?
And yet he had no choice but to bury this hatred deep in his heart.
Don't rush. The big moment will come.
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