Shrek Academy had over a thousand freshmen, divided into more than three hundred teams. Every six teams shared one arena zone, where they battled in pairs, and the results were determined by the number of victories each team achieved. Wang Nan's group was assigned to Zone Nine.
When the three arrived at their designated arena, several other teams were already waiting. No one wanted to risk being late for such an important test. Not long after, a thirty-something examiner appeared, short in stature and holding a clipboard listing all participating teams.
"I won't repeat the examination rules. Shall we begin?"
He glanced around, and seeing no objections, began reading names from his list.
"First match, first round: Class Nine—Chen Zifeng, Wen Mozhu, Qu Sheng. Class One—Wang Nan, Ling Luochen, Gongyang Mo."
After stepping onto the arena platform, Wang Nan took position at the front, carefully studying his opponents.
The most eye-catching among them was a student named Qu Sheng. Four gourds hung from his waist—two large, two small—and who knew what they contained.
As for Chen Zifeng… that name stirred something in Wang Nan's memory. Ever since rooming with Gongyang Mo, he had half expected to meet characters from his past-life knowledge of Shrek's history—but to encounter one of the future Shrek Seven Monsters in the very first match? That was unexpected.
"Begin the assessment!"
"I have a jug of wine—to comfort the weary traveler."
As the examiner's voice fell, Qu Sheng lifted one of his gourds, chanting lightly. His first soul ring glowed, and a stream of amber liquid materialized, filling the vessel. He threw it gracefully through the air, and the gourd landed perfectly in Chen Zifeng's hand.
A food-type soul master? Wang Nan instantly realized what was happening.
Without hesitation, he gripped his Coiling Dragon Staff and surged forward in a flash of azure light. The freshman arena wasn't large—within moments, he was face to face with Chen Zifeng.
He swung his staff downward, meeting the gleam of a slender, three-foot-six sword etched with three blood grooves—Chen Zifeng's martial soul, the Soul-Chasing Sword.
Chen Zifeng raised the gourd to his lips, taking a quick drink even as he parried. When Wang Nan's staff struck, it met the blade solidly—but the force was somehow redirected, dissipating harmlessly to the side.
On the other flank, Wen Mozhu also activated his martial soul. With a wave of his hand, a dark blot appeared beneath Wang Nan's feet—small as a fist at first, then rapidly spreading until it enveloped him completely.
Wang Nan reacted instantly, stepping twice to retreat out of the area. Yet the black ink patch, under Wen Mozhu's control, slid after him even faster.
This was Wen Mozhu's first soul skill—Ink Splash.
But Wang Nan had teammates too. Before the spreading ink could reach him again, Ling Luochen swung her Ice Staff, sending a wave of frost across the floor. The ink froze solid, fracturing into crystal shards that scattered like glass.
From that brief exchange, Wang Nan had already analyzed the enemy's setup. Qu Sheng, a food-type soul master, likely used his first soul skill to absorb damage or bolster defense. Wen Mozhu handled control, and Chen Zifeng was the primary attacker—a balanced lineup of power, control, and support.
Three opponents, all with two soul rings—and those abilities aren't weak. Looks like we're up against one of Class Nine's seeded teams.
Each class had a few "seed teams"—squads of the strongest and most well-coordinated students, groomed for the later elimination rounds. Clearly, this was one of them.
After gauging their power, Wang Nan glanced toward Gongyang Mo.
Understanding his silent cue, Gongyang Mo finally released his martial soul. Brilliant wings unfurled behind him, shimmering with iridescent hues, while yellow, yellow, and purple soul rings appeared in sequence. The dazzling glow instantly drew every opponent's attention.
Wang Nan had expected this. The Rainbow Dragon martial soul was famous for its beauty—and with the pressure of a Spirit Elder's aura, their opponents couldn't help but waver for a moment.
That moment was all Wang Nan needed. His first soul ring flared—Wind Control!—and, enhanced by the gale's blessing, he dashed straight toward their backline.
Simultaneously, Gongyang Mo cast his third soul skill. A yellow light ring spread outward, settling on Wang Nan and accelerating him even further. The glow of the purple ring left their enemies briefly stunned—but by the time they recovered, Wang Nan had already crossed half the arena, appearing beside Qu Sheng.
Chen Zifeng reacted fast, moving to intercept, but Ling Luochen's ice energy slowed his steps. He was a heartbeat too late.
"I drink to joy—who cares for fame!"
Even in panic, Qu Sheng recited the next verse of his incantation. His second soul ring flashed, and a surge of wine splashed outward, dousing the air with shimmering droplets.
Wang Nan twisted aside, dodging most of it, yet a few drops still brushed his arm. A sweet, intoxicating aroma filled his senses, and for an instant he truly wanted to lower his weapon and take a sip.
A control skill—on a food-type soul master, no less! If not for the dual speed boosts from his and Gongyang Mo's soul skills, he might have been trapped.
Breaking free, Wang Nan lunged again. Seeing his plan exposed, Qu Sheng hastily shouted his surrender and jumped off the platform—better to yield than face a close-range power-type head-on.
With one teammate down, Chen Zifeng didn't panic. If anything, his expression sharpened. Qu Sheng's skill was still active, and Wang Nan was now within striking distance—an opportunity if there ever was one.
He slid his left hand along his sword, cutting his palm. A drop of blood fell into the blade's grooves, and he flung the sword upward. The Soul-Chasing Sword hung suspended in midair, vibrating softly as both his soul rings flared to life. The blade gleamed, emitting a three-inch beam of light that shot straight toward Gongyang Mo.
But Wang Nan had anticipated this counter. The moment Qu Sheng left the stage, he had already begun retreating—and now, he was right beside Chen Zifeng.
"Mozhu!" Chen Zifeng barked.
"Second Soul Skill—Blank Space!"
At Wen Mozhu's call, Chen Zifeng's form turned pure white, blurring at the edges until his features vanished entirely. He stood as a featureless silhouette of light.
Wang Nan frowned but didn't hesitate—his staff swung, striking through the image and dispersing it instantly. Yet when he looked around again, Chen Zifeng was nowhere to be seen.
Ling Luochen, who had been watching closely, reacted immediately. With a flick of her staff, she scattered a fine frost into the air. The snow-like crystals fell across the stage, and the faintest movement revealed Chen Zifeng's hidden position.
Nice! Wang Nan thought approvingly, locking onto the spot.
Gongyang Mo retreated while casting his first soul skill—a red light ring enveloped Wang Nan, just as his own second soul ring flared.
Boom!
The next strike never landed on Chen Zifeng, because the examiner had already intervened, catching the descending staff with one hand.
"Chen Zifeng, eliminated."
Even the examiner couldn't entirely mask his reaction—the blow had enough force to make him wince ever so slightly.
"I forfeit," said Wen Mozhu, seeing his two teammates down. With more matches ahead, there was no point wasting soul power.
"Winners: Class One, Team Wang Nan."
(End of Chapter)