After returning from the undead demi-plane, Zhu Ziyang was soon approached by Ma Xiaotao.
She wore a long red dress with a red veil covering her face, holding two grilled fish that looked freshly roasted over charcoal.
"Sister Xiaotao, what brings you to grilling fish yourself today?" Zhu Ziyang teased upon seeing her.
"Go on!" Ma Xiaotao laughed and scolded lightly, handing him one fish. "As if I'd have the free time to grill these myself. I bought them from a stall run by an outer court student near the academy gate on my way back from Shrek City. His skills are impressive – you could smell the aroma from far away."
"Really?" Zhu Ziyang chuckled as he took the fish, biting into it. His eyes lit up instantly. "You're right, it's delicious!"
"See? I told you so," Ma Xiaotao said proudly. "When I say something is good, it never disappoints."
"Yes, yes, Sister Xiaotao is invincible in the world!" Zhu Ziyang laughed, eating his fish as he teased her.
Time flew by, and a few nights later, Zhu Ziyang was having dinner with Jiang Nannan.
"Brother, guess what!" Jiang Nannan said excitedly.
"Guess what?" Zhu Ziyang looked at her curiously. "Did something interesting happen in the outer court again?"
"That's right!" Jiang Nannan nodded vigorously. "I heard it from Xiao Ya today when I went to see her. You know it's the time for the new student assessments, right? Do you know how Huo Yuhao is doing?"
Zhu Ziyang paused to think, then smiled slightly. "I bet he's doing extremely well, so well that it surprised Tang Ya, which is why she told you, and now you're telling me, right?"
"Ugh, Brother, you're no fun at all!" Jiang Nannan pouted. "You ruined my chance to share the news with some drama."
"Hahaha, my bad, my bad." Zhu Ziyang smiled awkwardly. "Please tell me, I'm really curious."
"Fine." Jiang Nannan said, "Huo Yuhao's team actually defeated two teams that each had a Soul Elder, and they made it into the finals! Brother, can you imagine? His team has only two Grandmaster-level soul masters and one normal soul master, yet they defeated two teams whose lineups included a Soul Elder and two Grandmasters each. Isn't that unbelievable?"
"Is that so!" Zhu Ziyang was genuinely surprised. He had expected Huo Yuhao to impress the academy somehow, but he didn't expect it would be in such a dazzling way. A team of soul masters defeating teams with soul elders twice – the outer court teachers must have been shocked. Without a doubt, the championship this year would be theirs.
He wanted to watch it for himself. "Nannan, do you know when the finals are?"
"I asked Xiao Ya already – it's tomorrow!" Jiang Nannan immediately caught his intention. "Let's go together!"
"Alright." Zhu Ziyang nodded, his curiosity piqued.
The next day, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan arrived at the outer court assessment grounds, hand in hand.
"Ziyang, Nannan, what brings you two here?" Cai Mei'er asked, surprised to see them. She was with Du Weilun and other teachers.
"Elder Cai, we came to watch the finals," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. Since outer court teachers were around, he didn't call her "senior sister."
"Oh, I see. Perfect, join us then." Cai Mei'er smiled warmly, recalling how he had come to her recently to study materials, seeming to understand his purpose.
Ever since Yan Shaozhe went into seclusion, all outer court affairs were handled by Cai Mei'er. Naturally, the finals of the new student assessments required her presence as acting dean of the Martial Soul Department.
"Thank you." Zhu Ziyang agreed readily, pulling Jiang Nannan along. They spotted Xia Yu and Liu Xue nearby, who smiled at them warmly. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan returned their smiles just as happily.
"Ziyang, do you know someone in today's match?" Cai Mei'er asked curiously. "They must be on one of the teams in the final, right?"
"Yes, his name is Huo Yuhao," Zhu Ziyang replied honestly. He was indeed there for Huo Yuhao.
"Oh? You know Huo Yuhao?" Cai Mei'er seemed surprised. She remembered this special recruit from Tang Sect well – a one-ring soul master making it to the finals was rare. Unlike Du Weilun, who believed he relied on teammates, Cai Mei'er felt Huo Yuhao was extraordinary. His martial soul was a Spirit Eye – a body martial soul. Though Shrek Academy had never trained a body martial soul master before, as a Title Douluo, her insight was beyond ordinary people's. Though he was only a first-ring soul master with a less-than-hundred-year ring, Cai Mei'er believed in the potential of body martial souls and felt he was worth her time and attention.
"We're not close," Zhu Ziyang explained. "He's a special recruit from Tang Sect, and since Nannan and I are close with Tang Ya, we've met once before. I just thought he was interesting and, hearing he made it to the finals, I wanted to come see for myself."
"I see." Cai Mei'er nodded. "I'm curious about him too. Hopefully, he's as tenacious as his achievements suggest."
They reached the spectator stands.
On the arena floor, the two teams stood on opposite ends, glaring at each other with obvious tension.
Zhu Ziyang's gaze first fell upon Huo Yuhao's team. He already knew Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, but focused on their third teammate: a petite, cute girl named Xiao Xiao, a twin martial soul user. At this moment, Huo Yuhao's soul power was level 17, Wang Dong was at 26, and Xiao Xiao at 24.
Zhu Ziyang was stunned. Huo Yuhao had entered at level 11, yet in just three months had reached level 17 – the talent of a protagonist indeed. His innate soul power was only level 1, according to records. Was this really the cultivation speed of someone with innate level 1 soul power? And Wang Dong, from level 21 to 26 in three months, gaining five levels – only one less than Huo Yuhao. It was insane!
Compared to them, Xiao Xiao had gained only one level in three months, practically mediocre.
Shameless. Absolute cheats. Xiao Xiao silently cursed and left the group chat.
Their opponents were Dai Huabin (level 32 Soul Elder, White Tiger martial soul), Zhu Lu (level 25 Grandmaster, Spirit Cat), and Cui Yajie (level 23 Grandmaster, Nine-Tailed Fox).
Zhu Ziyang's expression became intrigued. So, it came down to Huo Yuhao's team versus Dai Huabin's team – interesting indeed.
"Ziyang, who do you think will win?" Cai Mei'er asked.
"It's hard to say." Zhu Ziyang shook his head. "In terms of soul power levels, Dai Huabin's team far surpasses Huo Yuhao's. But in terms of talent and potential, Huo Yuhao's team is superior. Strictly looking at combat power, Dai Huabin's team has the Ghost White Tiger martial soul fusion skill. Unless Huo Yuhao's side also has a fusion skill, it will be very difficult for them to win."
"Martial soul fusion skill?" A rough voice spoke up in surprise. It was Qian Duoduo.
"Greetings, Dean Qian!" everyone greeted respectfully.
Qian Duoduo waved them off and asked Zhu Ziyang, "Ziyang, how did you know Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu could use a martial soul fusion skill?"
"Brother Yaoheng told me," Zhu Ziyang replied. "He said only Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu in their generation were close enough in age to cultivate such compatibility since childhood."
"I see!" Qian Duoduo nodded, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.
"Old Qian, why are you here?" Cai Mei'er asked curiously. Martial Soul and Soul Tool Departments were not on the friendliest terms, and his sudden appearance felt unusual to her.