Leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, when they saw the vast plains, Xu Zihuang and the others couldn't help but feel completely at ease.
Without the constant pressure of possible soul beast attacks, everyone finally relaxed their minds entirely.
After five or six days, they had finally come out. Everyone who needed a soul ring had successfully obtained one suitable for themselves.
That feeling of total relaxation and release filled their faces with relief.
Even Zhang Lexuan was no exception, smiling gently at the group.
"Judging from the time, we should be able to return to the academy before noon. Let's hurry now; you can relax once we're back."
"Yes." everyone replied in unison.
This trip had truly been fruitful.
The greatest harvest naturally went to Wu Ming—not only did she gain a highly compatible soul ring and advance to Soul Sage, but she also obtained a high-quality soul bone.
With that soul bone strengthening her foundation, she would surely shorten the time needed to break through to Titled Douluo. Perhaps, in the future, she might even reach above rank ninety-five and touch the realm of Super Douluo.
Chu Qingtian and Ye Liuyi had also each gained soul rings far beyond their expectations.
As for Xu Zihuang, his harvest was second only to Wu Ming's.
His first three soul skills were mainly control and support. With his fourth soul skill, the Imprint, he would now possess a far more flexible offensive means in battle.
This was undoubtedly a tremendous boost to his overall strength.
On the way back, the group traveled at an exceptionally fast pace—faster than expected by more than an hour. At last, they saw the familiar city and its familiar gates.
"Ah, finally back!" Chu Qingtian shouted in release, then burst out laughing.
He was extremely satisfied with his harvest. For an agility-attack system soul master like him, the skill granted by the ten-thousand-year Nether Shadow Tiger was practically a divine ability.
Normally, teleportation-type soul skills could only move a few dozen meters.
But his sixth soul skill, Nether Shadow, could instantly shift him a hundred meters away. In every sense, it was overwhelming.
With this skill, his future development would be greatly aided.
Wu Ming shot him an annoyed glare.
"Stop yelling like that."
Chu Qingtian immediately wilted and shut his mouth awkwardly.
Although he had broken through to Soul Emperor, Wu Ming had advanced to Soul Sage. The gap between them hadn't narrowed—it had grown even larger.
He could only pray that Wu Ming wouldn't pick him as a sparring partner in the future.
"Senior Sister, we'll be off first." After walking alongside the others for a bit, Chu Qingtian and Ye Liuyi, feeling uneasy, respectfully greeted Zhang Lexuan before each hooked an arm around Xu Zihuang's neck, dragging him toward Shrek Academy.
Wu Ming stared blankly at Chu Qingtian's back, lost in thought.
Zhang Lexuan came up beside her with a smile.
"Let's go, Ming'er."
"Mm." Wu Ming nodded lightly. The confusion in her eyes vanished, and she returned to her usual carefree self.
Xu Zihuang walked with Chu Qingtian and Ye Liuyi until they reached Shrek Square in front of the teaching buildings, where they parted ways.
Chu Qingtian and Ye Liuyi, as inner court disciples, would naturally head to Sea God Island.
Xu Zihuang, on the other hand, headed straight toward the second-year Class One classroom.
From first year to second year, he had moved from the white teaching building for first-years to the yellow building for second- and third-years.
Aside from the newly enrolled freshmen, each grade only had four classes, so it was easy to find.
When Xu Zihuang arrived at the door of the second-year Class One classroom, he heard Wang Yan's gentle voice from inside.
"The advancement assessment from first year to second year is relatively easy. Compared to higher grades, your assessment will be much simpler. The content for Class One and Class Two is the same, while Class Three and Class Four will have different assessments due to the nature of their martial souls."
Xu Zihuang lightly knocked on the classroom door. Since Wang Yan was right beside it, he opened it casually. Seeing Xu Zihuang standing at the doorway, with a subtly changed aura, Wang Yan froze, then asked excitedly:
"Everything went smoothly?"
A few days earlier, he had already heard from Du Weilun that Yu Tianhuang's soul power had broken through to rank forty.
"Fairly smooth. Teacher Wang, are you explaining the advancement exam content and key points now?" Xu Zihuang asked politely.
Wang Yan took a deep breath to calm himself, then waved him in.
"You've come back just in time. The advancement exam will be held this afternoon. Find a seat for now."
"Yes, Teacher Wang."
Xu Zihuang walked into the classroom and glanced around. He noticed that Huo Yuhao was absent, but didn't think much of it. He casually found an empty seat.
He ended up sitting beside Huang Chutian, with Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo on Huang Chutian's other side. He was fairly familiar with these three.
Their cultivation ranks were among the higher ones in Class One, and they had always treated him kindly.
Huang Chutian gave him a slight nod, while the Lan sisters lowered their heads shyly.
From the back, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, and Tuoba Yu kept making faces at him until Wang Yan glanced their way, forcing them to stop.
Wang Yan continued from the podium:
"Now, back to the advancement exam. Our class's exam will take place in the Beast Battle Zone. That's located just south of the Soul Battle Zone, within that gray castle-like wall. Inside the Beast Battle Zone are soul beasts the academy has captured over many years, specifically for upperclassmen to train and practice with. If you advance to fourth year in the future, you'll train there as well. The practical lessons there will be an important part of your grades."
"This advancement exam requires you to fight soul beasts face to face. You'll choose the soul beast you want to face. Different beasts are worth different point values—the stronger the beast, the greater the potential score. Teachers from the Martial Soul Department will grade the results. The maximum score depends on the cultivation level of the chosen beast, but only those scoring above sixty points will pass."
"And now, the most important reminders. First, don't be too timid. If you pick a soul beast that's too weak, even if you win, you may still fail. Second, don't be too reckless. If the soul beast you pick is too strong, you might not be able to perform properly."
"Third, remember: failing in battle doesn't always mean you're eliminated. If the soul beast you chose is strong enough, and your performance is commendable, your score may still be high.
Also, the grading standards differ between control-system and assault-system soul masters. In one-on-one exams like this, the requirements for assault types are higher—they must aim to defeat the beast. For control types, the focus is on how well they restrain the beast and how long they can hold out."
Wang Yan explained the details of the exam thoroughly, leaving nothing out.
Since the exam would be held that afternoon, he didn't wait for the bell to dismiss class. He ended early, telling the students to prepare themselves and gather in the Beast Battle Zone later.
The classroom instantly emptied in a rush. Aside from those confident in their strength, most students looked uneasy.
Though they all had soul rings and experience killing beasts, fighting one directly without elders present was an entirely different matter.
Those lacking confidence didn't even greet Xu Zihuang as usual, leaving in a hurry.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu also passed by Xu Zihuang.
Dai Huabin now looked taller, and his once stern face carried a darker shadow. He didn't look like a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy at all.
The contrast between him and Xu Zihuang's warm smile was striking.
The difference in bearing was clear.
As he passed, Dai Huabin shot Xu Zihuang a burning look.
After training hard over the break, his soul power had advanced by another level, reaching rank thirty-six. In the entire second year, aside from Yu Tianhuang, few could match him.
He firmly believed the gap between himself and Yu Tianhuang was narrowing.
The afternoon advancement exam would be the perfect stage to showcase the results of his hard training.
Following behind him, Zhu Lu had developed into a more shapely figure. Early-maturing, her height was nearly equal to Dai Huabin's. She moved noiselessly as she walked.
Compared to Dai Huabin, her hostility toward Xu Zihuang was even more obvious.
After long years of family indoctrination, in her eyes, Dai Huabin was her everything.
Xu Zihuang's smile didn't falter. With his vision, how could such things ever affect his mood?
He had never considered Dai Huabin his opponent. Not now, not ever.
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