"It's just a matter of how we get along, and it seems there's a reward for the top three in the freshman assessment," Shi Yu said calmly. "What if we win and then have to argue over how to split the prize?"
"As for getting along... I don't want to be ordered around. I want to be respected. If it turns out we're incompatible, I'll choose to leave the team. I want to make that clear in advance."
He knew Dai Huabin had the temperament of a young master—arrogant and domineering. Teaming up with someone like that could bring a lot of pressure.Shi Yu wasn't about to let himself be bullied into playing the role of a sidekick.
"No problem," Dai Huabin agreed after a brief pause.
"Then there's the matter of the rewards," Shi Yu continued. "I propose we keep it simple: split everything equally between the three of us."
"If something can't be evenly divided, then we compensate with something else to make it as fair as possible."
"Fine by me," Dai Huabin nodded without hesitation.
"Then... happy cooperation?"
"Happy cooperation," Dai Huabin echoed, then lay down, closed his eyes, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Shi Yu also lay back.
With Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu, their team stood a solid chance of achieving a good result in the freshman assessment.Not only would it prevent failure, but they might even win rewards.
First place came with a soul bone, and the second and third places were bound to have generous prizes as well. These things could be sold for a lot of money.Even if he didn't profit from making soul guides, Shi Yu could still make a decent amount through the assessment rewards.
It was hard to find teammates stronger than Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu in Class 5.
Not only were they powerful individually, but they also possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Technique—which made them exceptional teammates.
Of course, that only worked if they got along.If conflict broke out, he'd have to look for another team.But for now, things were going smoothly.
That afternoon, they had a full class schedule again. Only in the evenings did they have any personal time.
Shi Yu used the evening to visit the Academic Affairs Office, where he signed up for a basic soul guide elective course.
Electives were held in the evening to avoid overlapping with daytime classes.
The next evening, Shi Yu attended his first elective.It was excellent.The lecture gave him a solid foundation on soul guides and made him even more interested.
"It would be so cool to make a mecha one day."Before going to sleep that night, Shi Yu couldn't help but imagine himself piloting a mecha.
Very few boys could resist the allure of mechas—it was a kind of romance that belonged solely to men.
Study, work, study—Every day, Shi Yu buried himself in lessons, practiced cultivating his soul power at night, and had barely any free time.
Seventeen out of twenty-four hours were spoken for.Only six hours of sleep at night, with a one-hour lunch break during the day.
This grueling pace made him grumble constantly.He often shouted that he was going to quit.
But even as his mouth complained, his body kept going. He never actually gave up.
Nearly three months passed just like that.
Shi Yu didn't even realize how fast time flew. One moment he was enrolling, and in the blink of an eye, the freshman assessment was just a week away.
That night, his soul power finally broke through to level 20.The energy fluctuations inside the dorm were quite noticeable.
Dai Huabin was awakened by the disturbance, and his eyes flashed with surprise.
From level 16 to level 20 in under three months?That was a leap of four levels—an incredible pace.
Even someone like him had never done that.
Generally, being able to improve by one level in two months was already considered genius-level cultivation.
But Shi Yu had improved by four levels in under three months.Even Dai Huabin couldn't help feeling a little envious.
Shi Yu opened his eyes, surprised and delighted—he had finally broken through.
His cultivation had gone surprisingly smoothly over the past months.He breezed past levels 17, 18, and 19 with almost no obstacles.
But breaking through level 20 was a different story.He struggled at the bottleneck for nearly a week. He had grown anxious, but tonight, something had finally clicked. He gave it one last push—and it worked.
He had become a level 20 soul master.
"Congratulations," Dai Huabin said, though his tone carried a hint of bitterness.
Shi Yu smiled and nodded.During this time, his relationship with Dai Huabin had improved significantly. They practiced together weekly to build team synergy, and their teamwork became smoother.
There had been no unpleasant friction between him and Dai Huabin or Zhu Lu. The trio had stayed intact and were going to enter the freshman assessment as a team.
"You've broken through now, so you should request leave to get your first spirit ring," Dai Huabin suggested."Once you become a Great Soul Master, our team's strength will improve even further. We'll be more likely to win."
After seeing Shi Yu's space abilities in action, Dai Huabin had developed a deep appreciation for his potential.
He had tried to recruit him multiple times—even offering excellent conditions—but Shi Yu remained independent and proud, unwilling to become anyone's lackey.
Unable to fully recruit him, Dai Huabin could only try to build a friendship, which was still a form of cooperation.
"I'll apply for leave tomorrow," Shi Yu replied.Of course he wanted to get his spirit ring as soon as possible.
Lying in bed, he couldn't help but wonder:"Will I travel back in time again after I get my spirit ring?"
This upcoming spirit ring would be a crucial test for many of his theories.
At dawn, Shi Yu went to ask for leave from his homeroom teacher, Shao Wentao.
Even though the class monitor was his roommate, Dai Huabin, it was still better to submit the request in person.
"Increased your soul power by four levels in three months?"
In the teacher's office, Shao Wentao was stunned after hearing Shi Yu's report.
He had been keeping an eye on Shi Yu, but not too closely. He hadn't noticed the rapid soul power progression.
Now he was shocked to learn that Shi Yu had already reached level 20.
Other teachers in the office overheard and turned their attention toward Shi Yu.
"Did you take any natural treasures or soul-enhancing pills?"The head teacher of Class 4 couldn't help but ask.
Shi Yu shook his head."I can't afford natural treasures or elixirs."
The teachers exchanged surprised glances—Improving so quickly without any external aid? That was extraordinary.
"I approve your leave," Shao Wentao said with a smile.He was genuinely happy to see his student grow stronger before the assessment.
With Shi Yu's breakthrough, the overall strength of their team would increase—And the chances of their class winning high rankings would improve significantly.
"So, how are you planning to obtain the spirit ring?" he asked.
Shi Yu looked a little embarrassed."I'll go to the Soul Hunting Department and ask a teacher for help—on credit."
He had no other option.
The money he'd earned from working in the cafeteria over the past few months was less than a single gold soul coin—not nearly enough to fund spirit ring acquisition.
As for soul guides—though he'd gained some theoretical understanding, he lacked the funds to purchase materials and attempt production.
For now, he couldn't make money from soul guides.
No money meant no spirit ring. He could only buy one on credit.
It was embarrassing, but what could he do?
He comforted himself inwardly:It's just a loan. He would definitely pay it back, with interest, when he had the money in the future.
He wasn't trying to freeload.
He just needed a little time.