That Afternoon – Beast Fighting Arena
Second-Year Classes One and Two gathered in the Beast Fighting Arena for their individual promotion exams.
The Arena comprised two main sections: the Beast Enclosure (a soul beast forest, as Wang Yan called it) and the actual Arena. As Shrek Academy's largest dedicated zone, it demanded exorbitant annual maintenance—primarily for the Enclosure, which functioned like the ancient Hunting Soul Forests but with far costlier upkeep due to powerful soul engineering restraints and the presence of 10,000-year soul beasts.
After collecting forms, Classes One and Two split to save time.
Chen Junting went first.
Under the watch of twenty instructors, he boldly selected a 10,000-year soul beast as his target.
The teachers were stunned.
Even the weakest 10,000-year soul beast equaled a Soul King in power!
Dean Du Weilun hesitated—this involved a 10,000-year beast, after all. But Chen Junting's Level 45 cultivation meant he could survive long enough for rescue if overwhelmed. After securing reluctant approval from Arena Director Gong Changlong (Elder Gong), they chose the feeblest option: a 10,000-year Wind Baboon.
Just as everyone braced for a grueling battle—
Chen Junting activated his 10,000-year soul ring.
A translucent giant sword plummeted from the sky, pinning the Wind Baboon flat. Then, ten thousand blades rained down like a storm—yet with surgical precision, they only shaved the baboon bald, leaving it unharmed.
A final, seemingly gentle palm strike followed—infused with the nascent essence of his Seven Kill Sword intent. The baboon collapsed, unconscious.
Chen Junting stood unruffled, not a hair out of place.
Two moves. One 10,000-year soul beast defeated.
The crowd was awestruck.
Even a weak, ambushed 10,000-year beast was no joke!
Dai Huabin froze in despair. His jealousy, his ambition—all deflated like a punctured balloon.
But his classmates rejoiced. With a monitor this strong, the class exam might be survivable!
Chen Junting's score? 100/100.
One by one, others took their turns.
Huo Yuhao's second martial soul was exposed—but the academy merely granted him dual Core Disciple status without fanfare, as if expecting it.
By afternoon's end, results from all four classes were in:
- Top 3 scorers (100/100): Chen Junting, Huo Yuhao, Ning Tian.
- 30 students failed and expelled. The rest passed the individual exam—but faced the final trial.
Now, the top 28 second-years, plus their homeroom teachers and Wang Yan, assembled at Shrek Square for the special exam briefing.
Wang Yan announced a critical allowance: "Due to special circumstances, you may use soul engineering devices."
Most were indifferent—
but Chen Junting's eyes lit up.
During the holiday, he'd pioneered a method to integrate arrays with soul engineering devices, lowering the requirement for Grade-5 devices to Soul Ancestor level. This rule change handed him a massive advantage.
"Next, we'll divide you into four teams," Wang Yan said. "The academy allows self-formation, but I recommend grouping the seven strongest together. The other three teams will act as decoys to ensure the main team survives two hours. You've earned this strategy—you can challenge Inner Court students."
He gestured to Chen Junting's group and Ning Tian:
- A Soul Ancestor who'd defeated a 10,000-year soul beast.
- A 10,000-year fusion skill legacy.
- An Ultimate Ice martial soul with a powerful fusion skill.
- The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—the world's premier auxiliary martial soul.
Together, they matched three Soul Kings.
Add Cao Jinxuan's time-attribute control—and the elite squad was set.
The class agreed instantly. Even "cannon fodder" like Xie Huanyue and Wu Feng voiced no objections.
"Excellent," Wang Yan nodded. "Team One: Chen Junting, Ning Tian… seven members total. Chen Junting, as the strongest, will lead."
Dai Huabin's fists clenched—then relaxed under Zhu Lu's worried gaze.
Just then—
"Teacher Wang."
Chen Junting spoke up.
"Yes?" Wang Yan smiled warmly.
"I propose removing Yuhao from our squad."
Silence.
No one thought Chen Junting held a grudge—but his reasoning baffled them.
Wang Yan frowned. "May I ask why? Yuhao's Spirit Detection could track Inner Court movements and help you evade them."
"Precisely why I suggest it," Chen Junting countered. "You mentioned seven Inner Court proctors: one Soul Emperor, six Soul Kings. Their pride ensures they'll split into four groups—three with two Soul Kings, one with the Soul Emperor."
He leaned forward. "Initially, even if attacked, Ning Tian's amplification lets us win. But Yuhao's true value is leading another team to evade pursuit and regroup with us faster. That's how we achieve 100% badge retention."
CLAP CLAP CLAP—!
Before Wang Yan could respond, Mujin applauded.
"Bravo! My little monster should have this confidence!"
Her approval settled it. Wang Yan chuckled. "Any objections?"
The other teams exchanged uneasy glances. They trusted Huo Yuhao's skill—but doubted a Soul Master could outmaneuver Soul Kings.
Chen Junting understood their hesitation.
"Yuhao."
At his cue, Huo Yuhao activated Spirit Detection. A vast, intricate mental map flooded every student's mind—pinpointing positions with impossible clarity.
No more doubts.
"We agree!" ×N
---
Later – On the Path to Dorms
"Brother Junting, I…" Huo Yuhao caught up, anxiety etched on his face.
"What?" Chen Junting smiled. "Don't tell me you lack confidence?"
Huo Yuhao nodded grimly. Evading two Soul Kings or a Soul Emperor? Even with early detection, we'd be caught.
Chen Junting stopped, eyes narrowing.
"I never said you had to save everyone."
"Huh?" Huo Yuhao, Wu Feng, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao stared, confused. Only Ning Tian smirked, already grasping his plan.
"Remember Wang Yan's words?" Chen Junting said. "The other three teams are sacrificial lambs to secure 70% completion for my squad. But I objected—claiming I wanted 100%. Was that my real goal?"
"Isn't it?" Wang Dong blurted, bewildered.
"Of course not," Ning Tian interjected, wagging a finger. "Two Inner Court students = 8 second-year badges. With our original squad's strength—equivalent to three Soul Kings—we could easily take them down. That's 15 badges already."
"Wait—!" Wang Dong gaped. "According to your plane, we're supposed to hunt the Inner Court students!?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes snapped wide.
"No!" he breathed, realization dawning. "We're going to eliminate every Inner Court proctor—one by one!"
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