Chapter 12: The Beginning of the Evaluation and the Decision to Leave the Timeline
Alright… I'll head out for training. We'll meet again at the evaluation.
After saying that, I walked outside while speaking with Tianmeng.
"Well, sister, looks like you're awake."
Tianmeng said: "Hmm… it seems you're ready to obtain a new spirit.
Although I don't have any spirit bones for you, Brother Ji, I can still add a new spirit!"
She continued:"This spirit is of ice, but right now it has no true soul. That means the spirit I'll grant you only carries the attributes, not a fixed form.
Once you absorb your first ice spirit ring, your spirit will be defined. And the soul beast you absorb will determine the nature of your second spirit."
"Really, sister?"
Tianmeng nodded: "Yes, this elder sister will soon take you to find a strong spirit."
I hesitated before replying: "Alright… I'll think about it."
According to what I know about this timeline, the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress are not female, but male.
That's why I made a plan… to shift into another timeline.
Anyway, I want to obtain the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower or the Infernal Delicate Apricot for Ma Xiaotao.
After thinking it over, I headed to where Mo En was.
After walking for a while, I found him.
"Old man, get ready! I want you to take me and Ma Xiaotao to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. That will be after the evaluation, alright?"
Mo En stood and bowed slightly, saying:"Master, as you wish… I will take you there."
I nodded my head: "Good. I'll be counting on you… and I hope you won't let me down."
After that, I made my way back to the dorms.
In any case, I've benefited greatly from Mo En—especially in obtaining treasures. Thanks to him, I also gained the Life Guardian Blade, plenty of Whale Rubber, and many other treasures.
It was easy, and all the credit goes to Mo En.
I was able to obtain all the treasures from the Treasure Appraisal Auction.
The Treasure Gathering Pavilion is also known as the "Treasure Appraisal Auction," and it can serve as a substitute for the pavilion itself. This auction is designed specifically for Shrek Academy, but it's divided into various categories, such as one dedicated to Shrek's core disciples.
The auction is managed by a large trading organization in Shrek City, and it's not uncommon for merchants of different nations to visit this auction to conduct their deals. When they acquire valuable items, they present them in the academy's auction. To be honest, the academy gets first pick of the most precious items, and whatever remains is sold later to other merchants.
The only one who still piques my interest is Wang Qiu'er. In any case, I'll take her, and then I'll leave this timeline.
For now, the priority is solving Ma Xiaotao's problem.
This timeline, however, is one of the hardest for me to continue my training in—especially since Tang San will eventually notice the anomaly I've caused. And when that happens, Mo En will lose his loyalty and may even try to kill me outright.
That's why it's best to abandon this timeline and shift to another.
After all, I don't believe Tang San will ever allow me to take his daughter or ruin his plans.
Safety is better than destruction.
It was a morning filled with gatherings, all before the official evaluation began in the afternoon. A total of 310 groups had entered the evaluation, but only 150 would remain, while the rest would be eliminated.
The evaluation was divided into 50 areas, each with about six students. My two companions and I were placed in Area 33.
Most of the students here were children between twelve and thirteen years old. Their expressions were devoid of emotion, yet hostility flickered in every glance and every movement.
Then, a loud announcement echoed across the field:
"Attention, candidates! Prepare yourselves! The contest will begin in five minutes!"
The tension inside us deepened. The first round was about to start, and I could feel the heavy weight of responsibility pressing down on my shoulders.
Even Wang Dong'er clutched my hand, fear written across her face, though she tried hard to suppress it.
I stepped closer to her, patting her shoulder as I said:
"Don't worry, trust me. I'll lead you to victory!"
Wang Dong'er shot me a glare, her eyes sharp with irritation at my boastful words:"You? Let's win the first match first!"
I knew my arrogance was intentional, but it managed to ease some of the tension weighing on our team. Even Xiao Xiao, standing nearby, couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
Five minutes passed quickly, and the three of us stepped up onto the stage.
Before us stood three people: two boys and a girl.
The girl was young and beautiful, clad in a black suit. Her slender figure gave her a striking presence, unlike ordinary girls her age who still carried the air of childishness—she exuded a clear heroic aura.
The boy on her left looked to be around twelve or thirteen. He was handsome, but a sinister aura clung to him, and a dangerous light glimmered in his eyes.
The boy on her right appeared refined, holding a folding fan in his hand. His gentle demeanor radiated elegance and grace.
The three of them stood side by side, staring straight ahead, none showing any intent to attack just yet.
As soon as the signal to begin the match rang out, we unleashed our spirits without hesitation.
Each of the two boys and the girl possessed the perfect balance of yellow spirit rings, while I was the only one on my team with a white spirit ring—something that undoubtedly provoked disdain from our opponents.
Suddenly, a fiery red bird appeared behind the boy to our left. Upon closer look, his spirit was revealed to be a flamingo!
The boy on the left clutched a folding fan throughout the match, while the lone girl on their team suddenly produced a flower vase—it had to be her spirit.
"Go!"
The boy with the flamingo spirit activated his first spirit ring, shouting:"First Spirit Skill—Blazing Flame!"
At the very same moment, the boy with the folding fan released his first spirit skill as well. With a sharp flick of his fan, he cried:"First Spirit Skill—Howling Wind!"
Their timing was flawless; wind fuels fire, and together their attacks blazed with terrifying intensity.
"Impressive!" I muttered to myself, realizing that they were formidable opponents for a first match.
Without delay, I shared my spirit's power with Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao, bracing to meet their ferocious assault. Wang Dong'er released her spirit, the "Radiant Butterfly," and in the same instant unleashed her first spirit skill—Winged Guillotine!