The first three months for the freshmen passed in the blink of an eye.
The curriculum during this period focused primarily on physical fitness and soul power training, supplemented by combat instruction.
Fortunatey, not a single person was expelled from Freshman Class 10. The class maintained its full roster of one hundred students, making it the most populous freshman class of the year.
However, this led to a logistical hiccup: the Freshman Competition required three-person teams. Class 10 could form thirty-three teams, leaving exactly one student extra...
Naturally, this "odd man out" position fell to Huo Yuhao, the highest-ranked student among the freshmen. It was also intended as a test by the academy's higher-ups.
Given Huo Yuhao's previous "disrespectful" remarks regarding the academy's training plans, the authorities decreed that even as a solo participant, he had to win at least three matches to pass. Only then would he be granted Core Disciple status.
As for whether he could actually win the championship... that would depend on his luck.
Huo Yuhao couldn't care less about the title of "Freshman Champion," but winning a few fights was child's play to him.
You want to test me, Shrek? Fine. I'll show you my strength. I can get stronger just fine without you lot pointing fingers and telling me what to do.
Truth be told, if it weren't for his reluctance to leave Zhang Lexuan and Ma Xiaotao, Huo Yuhao would have packed his bags and left long ago. This so-called "Holy Land for Soul Masters" was just a bunch of people who were "gold and jade on the outside, but rotten cotton on the inside."
...
Freshman Class 1.
It must be noted that since Zhou Yi had been demoted to assistant homeroom teacher, the lead position was now held by Wang Yan.
Compared to the tyrannical and irrational Zhou Yi, Wang Yan's teaching methods were far gentler and better suited for the vast majority of students. He excelled at teaching according to a student's individual aptitude.
Everything is revealed through comparison; consequently, the students of Class 1 were far more obedient to Wang Yan. This greatly displeased the "famous teacher" Zhou Yi. She frequently tripped up "disobedient" students during her classes—for instance, by forbidding Healing System soul masters from treating them after grueling physical education runs.
Wang Yan eventually discovered this. Hindered by his lower seniority and Zhou Yi's relatively powerful backing, he could only cancel most of her lectures. He took over nearly all of Class 1's courses and activities—including the current Freshman Assessment.
If Zhou Yi were left in charge, who knows what kind of mess she'd make... and since the assessment determined whether a student could stay at Shrek, Wang Yan didn't dare be careless.
"Three months have passed since the start of the term, and you are about to face your first assessment at Shrek. Only by passing can you officially become first-year students. The trials begin tomorrow. Today, I will go over the key points. Don't be nervous; I have great confidence in you."
Wang Yan scanned the faces of his students, his gaze full of undisguised pride and encouragement. He then meticulously explained every detail they needed to know for the assessment.
Everyone listened intently, but Lan Xuanyu's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to his previous life.
A three-person assessment... back then, he had led Liu Feng and Qian Lei just like this. Using his wisdom and wits, they had fought their way through the ranks to claim the championship and secure their spots at Shrek Academy.
I could do it in my past life; there's no reason I can't do it now! Especially with Aunt's cooperation. It's just a freshman title—I, Lan Xuanyu, will definitely take it!
And that Huo Yuhao! I will expose your true face and put everything back on the right track.
Speaking of which, I remember Liu Feng managed to snag a soul bone from the Spirit Transmission Pagoda back then... a pity the Pagoda hasn't been built yet. Otherwise, once my cultivation is high enough, I could blow up the Spirit Ascension Platform again.
I wonder if I can still find Xiaobao... it's really inconvenient without him.
Wang Yan continued: "Now, I will announce the tentative groupings. If there are objections, come to my office before evening. Once submitted, they cannot be changed."
"Group 1: Lan Xuanyu, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao." "Group 2: Zi Hao, Ma Qingshuang, Leng Leng."
...
After finishing the list, Wang Yan clapped his hands and smiled. "Alright, that's all. Go get a good meal today and rest up for tomorrow's battle."
"Oh, Lan Xuanyu, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao—you three stay behind for a moment."
The Other students handed in their papers regarding their future cultivation paths and left the classroom for the dorms, leaving only the three.
Wang Yan scanned them warmly. "Do you know why I kept you here?"
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao shook their heads, but Lan Xuanyu remained still, prompting Wang Yan to give him an extra glance.
In this class, the one Wang Yan paid the most attention to wasn't the one with the highest martial soul quality or the handsomest face (Wang Dong), but Lan Xuanyu.
This little guy with a Blue Silver Grass martial soul hadn't followed the typical Control System path. Instead, he had taken a route that Wang Yan found utterly inconceivable.
Using Blue Silver Grass to control elements? Who could have imagined that? And in Wang Yan's view, his control was quite decent; he could even perform impressive tricks with the opposing attributes of water and fire.
Wang Yan wanted to see just how far Lan Xuanyu could go on this path.
He smiled gently at the three. "Because you are the seed team of Class 1. Both I and the academy have high hopes for you. Therefore, it's only natural that I give you a little extra help."
He pulled out a stack of papers and handed them to Lan Xuanyu. "This contains the profiles of freshman students whose soul power exceeds Level 30. Barring any accidents, you will encounter them in the coming matches. Naturally, Xuanyu, your data is in there too."
Lan Xuanyu, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao flipped through the materials, nodding in agreement. One could see Wang Yan's meticulousness here; by comparison, that failure Zhou Yi truly made one wonder if she had gotten her job through the back door...
Wang Yan thought for a moment before adding: "In my opinion, the one you need to watch out for most is Huo Yuhao. It's a bit of a shame, really—he seems to have been targeted by the academy, so he's been forced to compete as a solo team for this competition."
At the mention of Huo Yuhao, Wang Yan noticed the expressions of Lan Xuanyu and Wang Dong turn strange. Recalling their multiple requests to change classes, it was hard not to suspect a deeper connection.
However, Wang Yan didn't overthink it, chalking it up to youthful rivalry.
"Of course, it's alright if you lose. One or two matches won't define you. Your lives are long; don't lose confidence over temporary gains or losses. Most importantly, stay safe."
Compared to Zhou Yi's constant berating and physical punishments, Wang Yan's gentleness nearly moved Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao to tears.
But Lan Xuanyu spoke with utter confidence: "Thank you, Teacher Wang. Please don't worry—we will definitely win."