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"Team One: Chen Junting, Qin Lan, Gao Ming."
The moment Mujin announced the first team, nearly half the classroom turned envious eyes toward Qin Lan and Gao Ming.
Pure, unfiltered jealousy.
Chen Junting leaned back in his chair, thoughtful. He'd fought every classmate—and in his assessment, these two ranked in the top ten, both Soul Grandmasters.
Mu Jin Teacher's arrangements were quite appropriate.
Ignoring the classroom's murmurs, Mujin continued:
"Team Two: Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Nanmen Yun'er."
"Team Three: Wang Dong, Dugu Xin, Huo Yuhao."
"Team Four…"
"…."
"That's the full list." Mujin straightened her stack of papers and scanned the room. Once silence fell, she asked, "Any objections to your teams? Speak now."
After a long pause—
"Thought not."
She nodded in satisfaction, then pulled out a few sheets. "I noticed some of you are wavering—likely considering switching to the Soul Engineering Department's assessment. That's fine. Think it over carefully. If you decide to switch, come find me today only. I'll reassign your teammates accordingly."
"Class dismissed. Teams One and Two, stay behind."
The classroom emptied in a rush—
Some to practice with their new teams, others sprinting toward the Soul Engineering Department to "explore options."
Soon, only seven remained.
"Captain Chen!" ×2
Qin Lan and Gao Ming hurried to greet their new captain. Qin Lan was lean and agile, his black hair streaked silver at the front, his face hidden behind a black mask. Gao Ming was slight and unremarkable—easy to overlook.
"We look forward to your guidance," they said in unison.
Chen Junting smiled warmly.
Their martial souls? Qin Lan wielded Void Ghost Panther—a high-tier mutation of the Void Demon Panther—and Gao Ming's was the Ruyi Disk. They were Class Nine's top Agility Attack and second-best Support soul master… and both commoners.
"Satisfied with your teammates?" Mujin descended from the podium, her tone gentle. Though she said "you," everyone knew she meant only Chen Junting. Qin Lan and Gao Ming stiffened under her gaze; Chen Junting remained calm.
"You've gone to great trouble for us, Teacher," he said.
Mujin chuckled, then sighed as she looked at Ning Tian. "If only Ning Tian weren't already a Soul Elder, I'd have put you all on one team. The championship would've been yours for the taking."
"What a shame…"
Chen Junting's group stayed silent. They understood the academy's unspoken rule: teams with two or more Soul Elders were forbidden—just like how no team could have two Attack-types. Why? Because two Attack-types broke balance.
And two Soul Elders?
Might as well pre-award the championship.
As Mujin lamented, Chen Junting spoke up:
"Don't worry, Teacher. The championship won't slip away." His tone was calm—but carried absolute certainty.
Mujin laughed. "Junting, you're truly arrogant at heart. But that's good. Bring me that title—it's your word."
She turned to Ning Tian, holding up three fingers. "Top three. That's my requirement for your team."
Wu Feng bristled at the "low" expectation. She pounded her chest.
"Teacher, don't just say 'top three'! With me, Ning Tian, and Nanmen Yun'er, we'll grab second place for you!"
"Feng!" Ning Tian scolded—but without real reproach.
As the future sect master of Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, Ning Tian's pride ran deep. It simply hadn't shown before—Chen Junting had always been her shield.
"I know you're all proud," Mujin said, the veteran teacher that she was. Her expression turned serious. "But this year, there are two other Soul Grandmasters: Xie Huanyue—the Defensive-type from Class Two—and Dai Huabin of Class Five, heir to the White Tiger martial soul."
Ning Tian's eyes narrowed slightly. Second place is still achievable.
But Mujin's next words revealed why she'd only demanded top three:
"Dai Huabin has a fiancée—Zhu Lu."
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Netherworld White Tiger!"
At Zhu Lu's name, Ning Tian instantly grasped their trump card.
No wonder.
Proud but not reckless, she accepted the reality.
Beside her, Chen Junting recalled the past three months—how Martial Soul Fusion Skills had dominated their combat lectures. Now he understood Mujin's intent.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Teacher, you knew all along."
"I have my sources," Mujin said lightly. "Enough talk. Go practice with your teams."
…
Outside the classroom—
"Brother Junting, Sister Xiao Tian, Sister Wu Feng!" Huo Yuhao waved eagerly, having waited with Team Three.
Chen Junting turned to Qin Lan, Gao Ming, and Nanmen Yun'er. "Come along. Let's get acquainted."
They readily agreed.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Chen Junting said.
"Wasn't long," Dugu Xin replied.
Wang Dong, ever curious, leaned in. "What did Teacher Mujin say to you inside?"
"Only that we're the championship favorites," Wu Feng declared, puffing her chest and giving Wang Dong a "you're-not-worthy" smirk.
"You what?! Big-chested woman!" Wang Dong shot back.
"Ah-ha—!"
As they squared off, Ning Tian stepped between them. Once the squabbling settled, she got serious: "The assessment is tomorrow afternoon. We should find a place to practice tactics."
Wang Dong waved a hand. "We're already in sync! No need to overthink it. Just fight our way through, right?" He glanced at Wu Feng—only to find her uncharacteristically silent.
Before he could press her—
Wu Feng's face hardened with sudden righteousness. "Wang Dong! Check your attitude! You're being reckless!"
"Huh?!"
While Wang Dong sputtered in confusion, Chen Junting's group had already made plans.
"Ordinary practice won't cut it," Chen Junting mused, rubbing his chin. Four figures flashed in his mind. "Let's ask Senior Bei Bei and his team to train us."
"Four Soul Elders—that's enough intensity, right?"
"Agreed," Ning Tian said instantly.
The others nodded.
As for Wu Feng and Wang Dong?
Their opinions didn't matter.
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