Even the caster himself had suffered backlash from that strike—so one could only imagine what became of Dai Huabin, the unfortunate target.
The instant Spiritual Impact made contact, its outer shell of condensed soul power clashed violently with Dai Huabin's instinctive protective aura. Though his soul power far exceeded Huo Yuhao's, it was merely a reflexive defense, not a structured soul skill.
And Huo Yuhao's focused mental strike—amplified through the twin overlay circuits—was equivalent to the power of a two- to three-thousand-year attack skill. Even if its primary function wasn't to pierce through soul power defenses, no ordinary Soul Elder's natural barrier could withstand it.
The spiritual force shot directly into Dai Huabin's brain. Having yet to even develop a proper spiritual sea, the proud young tiger could only roll his eyes back and collapse instantly.
Blood seeped from his nose and ears—proof of the internal trauma. If not for his robust physique and the strength of his Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul, that single blow could have reduced him to a drooling fool.
From the viewing platform, Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo both noticed.
For an instant, Huo Yuhao's eyes flared with a platinum glow—and then Dai Huabin crumpled, unmoving.
"Excellent. Truly excellent," Yan Shaozhe murmured. "That wasn't one of his soul skills. His first ability is documented as a perception-type—this must be something else."
As a Super Douluo, he needed only one glance to understand. "A self-created soul skill," he concluded. "Condensing spiritual power through soul energy, directing it like a hammer into the enemy's consciousness. Refined, well-practiced—clearly not improvised. Among low-level soul masters, this technique is practically invincible."
He cast a sidelong glance at Qian Duoduo, eyes gleaming with smug amusement. Don't even think about poaching him into your Soul Tool Department, old moneybag.
After decades of rivalry, Qian Duoduo didn't need words to catch the meaning. His face twitched. He snorted coldly and stormed off without a word.
Back on the field, Zhu Lu, the Netherworld Civet soul master and Dai Huabin's fusion partner, froze in shock. Her instincts screamed to rush to him, but the referee intercepted her, checking Dai Huabin's condition first.
The boy was soon carried off. Aside from a mild concussion, there was no permanent harm—though his pride had taken a beating no healer could mend.
As for Huo Yuhao, the Spiritual Impact had drained much of his mental energy, yet he still moved calmly. Facing a single Soul Grandmaster like Zhu Lu was no challenge.
From his hands, hidden weapons flew like silver rain.
Zhu Lu's feline agility was formidable, but against Huo Yuhao's predictive precision, every dodge was already calculated—and every path of retreat was sealed.
Within moments, her movements slowed under the relentless barrage. Meanwhile, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, having already subdued Cui Yajie, joined the assault. Together, they overwhelmed Zhu Lu.
The entire championship match, anticipated for its grandeur, ended in less than a few minutes.
A fight that should have been a roaring clash of elites ended as a silent landslide victory.
On the stands, even the teachers felt a hollow frustration—like punching air.
They knew exactly what the Evil-Eyed White Tiger and Netherworld Civet combination represented: the potential for a Martial Soul Fusion Technique. Yet, before they could even activate it, the pair had been crushed.
To see such a famed duo defeated without resistance—what could they even say?
Finally, Du Weilun, director of the Martial Soul Department, coughed lightly and descended to the arena.
"Excellent. I hereby declare the winners of this year's Freshman Combat Assessment: Team Wang Dong—Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao!"
"The assessment is complete. Tomorrow morning, the Freshman Assembly will be held, during which awards and class assignments will be distributed. For now, everyone, rest well."
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao threw their hands up, cheering.
"We won!"
"We're the champions!"
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly and joined in, embracing them both—though inwardly, it was mere performance. He knew how to act his age when necessary.
Nearby, Teacher Zhou Yi approached, her rare smile showing approval.
Across the field, a groggy Dai Huabin sat up, his head still spinning from the healer's treatment. Watching his rivals celebrate ignited nothing but pure hatred in his heart.
That title should have been mine. Next time, I won't lose.
But Huo Yuhao ignored the look. He knew what kind of person Dai Huabin was—rash, predictable, and easily manipulated. Whatever he plotted, Huo Yuhao would be ready.
After all, with the Skydream Iceworm as his hidden trump card—and Electrolux still slumbering within—there was nothing to fear.
"Come on, let's head back," Huo Yuhao said lightly.
"Yeah! I've got to tell Sister Tang Ya!" Wang Dong grinned. "Hey, let's have dinner tonight—celebrate properly!"
"Fine by me," Huo Yuhao agreed.
That evening was filled with laughter and cheers. Under Tang Ya's encouragement, Xiao Xiao officially joined the Tang Sect—a development that, to Huo Yuhao, mattered little.
Tang Ya might hold the title of Sect Master, but in truth, she lacked both the strength and foundation to rebuild a real sect. Still, for Huo Yuhao, the Tang Sect was a convenient shell—a legacy name he could later use for his own purposes.
After all, he mused, wasn't that how Shrek Academy rose ten thousand years ago?
The Next Morning
Golden sunlight bathed the Shrek Academy plaza as all the new students gathered.
Du Weilun and several teachers stood at the forefront, smiling as the Freshman Assembly officially began.
"The third-place team," he announced, "Huang Chutian, Lan Susu, and Lan Luoluo—step forward."
"The second-place team: Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Cui Yajie."
"And the champions—Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao!"
The reactions were as varied as the results.
Huang Chutian's team glowed with pride. Dai Huabin's trio, on the other hand, wore dark, stormy expressions. Huo Yuhao's group smiled modestly—though in Dai Huabin's eyes, that smile was pure mockery.
As the applause erupted, Du Weilun continued, "Each member of the top three teams will receive an academy-assisted soul ring acquisition, perfectly matched to their abilities and limits."
The crowd gasped in admiration.
Huo Yuhao, however, barely reacted. Child's play, he thought. The academy's "assistance" usually meant a single sub–ten-thousand-year ring, and anyone with real backing already had access to such resources.
Still, he feigned polite gratitude as the cheers continued.
"Furthermore," Du Weilun added, "the champion team will receive an additional special reward—the details will be revealed after class assignments."
Once the flowery speeches concluded, he moved on.
"Now, regarding the Core Disciple Selection—based on overall performance, the following have been confirmed as official Core Disciples:
Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Zhou Sichén, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Additionally, several outstanding students, while not yet meeting full criteria, will temporarily enjoy Core Disciple privileges for the remainder of the year. If they show further progress, their status will be made permanent.
Those students are: Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, Long Xiangyue, and Nanmen Yuner."
Huo Yuhao nodded faintly. Good enough.
Being officially recognized as a Core Disciple would grant him access to the academy's resources—precisely what he needed.
Unlike the naïve version of himself in the original timeline, he had no intention of playing the humble fool.
Even so, he thought, Shrek's logic really is bizarre.
Granting "core treatment" without granting "core identity" in the past had only been a narrative excuse. At least this time, the system made sense.
As far as he was concerned, one Core Disciple title was enough. He had no interest in splitting time between the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department—or wasting effort learning the discarded relics of the Sun Moon Empire.
For now, the Martial Soul Division's resources would suffice to carry him through his early cultivation.
Finally, the year's class divisions were announced:
Class 1: Power Attack and Control types.
Class 2: Defense and Agility types.
Class 3: Support types.
Class 4: Food, Healing, and other special categories.
And thus, the Freshman Assembly concluded—the dawn of a new chapter for every student of Shrek Academy.
(End of Chapter)