The top four teams have been announced.
To everyone's surprise, only two of the four teams advancing are led by soul elders: Huo Yuhao from Class 9 and Dai Huabin's team from Class 5.
The remaining two teams consist of three soul grandmasters.
Let's not discuss the team from Class 4 for now. Although they've been winning consistently, anyone with a discerning eye can see that their success is largely due to luck, as they haven't faced the team favored to win the championship.
However, Wang Dong's team from Class 1 is a different story.
They have a proven record, having defeated Xie Huanyue's team.
In that battle, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao delivered a brilliant performance, particularly their coordinated final assault against Xie Huanyue, which left a deep impression.
Rumors suggest that Wang Dong's final charging move could even threaten a five-ring Soul King.
The referee who blocked the light blade attack during that match can attest to this.
The overwhelming pressure was so intense that even with his Soul Emperor cultivation, he felt suffocated. Fortunately, he activated his martial soul in time and avoided injury.
This match significantly boosted Wang Dong's reputation, with many now calling him the second-strongest attacking martial soul master among the freshmen.
The title of the strongest, of course, belongs to Huo Yuhao.
Some have even gone so far as to strip the title of "Strongest Attack Martial Soul of the Outer Courtyard" from the famed twins and bestow it upon Huo Yuhao.
The crowd, ever eager for drama, seems to revel in such shifts in reputation.
After the battle with Xie Huanyue, both Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were utterly exhausted.
Xiao Xiao, in particular, had overexerted himself, depleting not only his soul power but also his physical energy, nearly collapsing on the spot.
Thankfully, the healing soul master overseeing the freshman assessment intervened in time.
After treatment, it was determined that Xiao Xiao needed at least a full night of rest, aided by medicinal pills, to avoid any lasting effects.
Both Bai Yan and Wang Dong breathed sighs of relief upon hearing this.
After their victory, Wang Dong reflected on the battle.
She realized she had been somewhat impulsive. In truth, she and Xiao Xiao could have defeated Xie Huanyue without resorting to their risky charging combination skill.
Taking such a gamble had been unwise.
Fortunately, Xiao Xiao suffered no lasting harm, or she would have deeply regretted it.
When Zhou Yi arrived, she first praised the trio, noting that the quality of this year's freshmen far surpassed previous years.
Under such competitive circumstances, winning the championship would undoubtedly prove their immense potential.
Xiao Xiao and Bai Yan were inspired by Zhou Yi's words and looked forward to the championship.
But Wang Dong knew their journey might end in the top four.
She had underestimated the strength of the soul masters here, especially at Shrek Academy, where every student is an elite among elites.
As her own strength grew, so did her understanding of the gap between herself and the truly powerful.
Once again, she was reminded of Huo Yuhao's overwhelming prowess.
Initially, Wang Dong had assumed that all soul grandmasters were roughly on the same level, and that Huo Yuhao couldn't be that much stronger.
But after witnessing Huo Yuhao defeat Xu Sanshi with just three punches, Wang Dong felt like a frog at the bottom of a well, finally glimpsing the vastness of the sky.
Now, she saw Huo Yuhao as unfathomable, a figure far beyond her reach.
All she could do was try her best.
If they were matched against anyone else, they might still have a chance to win.
…
The Third Day of the Elimination Round
The day had arrived to determine the freshman champion and the top three.
Compared to previous days, the audience had swelled significantly, with the edges of the assessment area nearly overflowing with spectators.
Not only had many senior students come to watch, but several teachers had even brought their entire classes to witness these highly anticipated battles.
Typically, Shrek Academy's assessments prioritize the privacy of each student's abilities, so they are usually closed to spectators.
However, this year's competition was exceptionally heated, with Huo Yuhao's unprecedented solo team formation drawing widespread attention.
At the request of both teachers and students, the academy turned a blind eye and opened the assessment area for observation and learning.
After all, watching the battles of talented peers is an invaluable opportunity for growth.
It not only allows students to learn but also helps them recognize the gap between themselves and true geniuses, motivating them to train harder.
Of course, the viewing platform remained reserved for teachers. Nearly all outer courtyard teachers without classes were present, though the sloppy old man who had appeared the previous day was notably absent.
Today, the responsibility of drawing lots had shifted from Du Weilun, the director of the Outer Courtyard's Martial Soul Department, to an elderly man in white robes.
Du Weilun stood respectfully beside him, a clear indication of the elder's esteemed status within the academy.
"Greetings, young ones. I am Yan Shaozhe, the 261st dean of Shrek Academy," the elderly man introduced himself with a gentle smile, his demeanor unassuming.
But Huo Yuhao knew better—this was an old fox hiding his true nature.
When Yan Shaozhe revealed his identity, everyone except Huo Yuhao instinctively straightened up.
This was the dean of Shrek Academy, a figure whose status rivaled that of any emperor on the continent.
Moreover, he was undoubtedly a Titled Douluo, one of the strongest beings on the Douluo Continent.
For the dean himself to appear at the freshman assessment was unprecedented.
"I know you're all curious about why I'm here. Typically, even in the final stages of the freshman assessment, the presence of a vice dean would suffice to show the academy's regard for you.
But I must say, I am thoroughly impressed by your performances. You are the most talented class in the past century, and I am deeply interested in you. That's why I'm here today. I will be watching all your matches, and I hope you can surprise me. Now, let the drawing of lots begin."
Du Weilun stepped forward and announced, "Freshman Class 9, Huo Yuhao, step forward to draw your lot."
Yan Shaozhe smiled gently and added, "Yuhao, I hope you can showcase your true strength today."
Huo Yuhao nodded calmly and handed the drawn lot to Du Weilun.
"Freshman Class 9, Huo Yuhao's team, lottery number one."
"Freshman Class 5, Dai Huabin's team, step forward to draw your lot."
A tall, handsome young man with long blond hair and striking dark blue eyes—each containing twin pupils—strode forward confidently.
"Freshman Class 5, Dai Huabin's team, lottery number two."
Dai Huabin shot a fierce glare at Huo Yuhao before returning to his team, his fighting spirit undiminished.
'Hmph, the strongest freshman?' Though Dai Huabin acknowledged Huo Yuhao's strength, he was confident in his team's abilities, especially with their trump card: martial soul fusion skills.
The freshman championship was as good as his!
Huo Yuhao, however, thought differently: 'You're digging your own grave.'
Soon, the matchups were decided.
Assessment Area No. 1: Huo Yuhao's team vs. Wang Dong's team.
…
On the Stands
Mu Jin approached Zhou Yi with a sly smile. "Well, well, if it isn't Zhou Yi? What a coincidence that our classes are facing off in the semifinals."
Zhou Yi's eyes turned cold. "Mu Jin, do you think your student is guaranteed to win?"
Mu Jin chuckled sweetly. "Who knows? Your class did pull off an upset by defeating Xie Huanyue's team. But I heard your team was pushed to their limits in that match."
"A bet, then? The same as yesterday—a soul bone. Do you dare?" Zhou Yi's lips curled in disdain. "If you're too scared, just stay away. I can't stand the stench of your perfume."
Mu Jin's chest heaved with anger, her eyes sharp. "Fine, I'll take your bet. A thousand-year soul bone. Do you dare?!"
Zhou Yi remained calm, though her brows furrowed slightly.
'A thousand-year soul bone? Is this woman insane?' But with her husband being an eighth-level soul engineer, she had nothing to fear.
"Fine, I'll bet with you!"
The other teachers, alarmed by the stakes, tried to intervene.
"Mu Jin, Zhou Yi, this is too much. A thousand-year soul bone is no small matter!"
But Mu Jin pressed on. "Zhou Yi, do you dare or not?"
Zhou Yi met her gaze coldly. "I dare. Let's see who regrets it."
The teachers around them gasped. For most Soul Emperors, a thousand-year soul bone was an unimaginably precious treasure.
In the world of soul masters, soul bones are not only rare but also immensely powerful, enhancing both soul power and physical fitness.
They are essential for any soul master aspiring to reach the pinnacle of strength.
Dean Yan, witnessing the scene, smiled. "Interesting. Such a high-stakes bet? Then I'll serve as the notary."
Shrek Academy's ethos was built on competition, and this was no exception.
"The bet is set. Let the competition begin, and may the best team win."
…
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