Jing Shaoyu and his companions followed Shen Yi to the location of the eighth assessment.
The eighth assessment took place in a massive circular hall, significantly larger than any of the previous venues. This was appropriate, as the hall featured a fully equipped training ground.
At the edge of the training ground stood a group of people: three examiners and ten students wearing Shrek Academy uniforms, clearly second-year students.
As they approached, Shen Yi began explaining the rules and objectives of the eighth test.
"The eighth test is a comprehensive combat assessment. You must select one opponent from these ten second-year students and engage them in battle. To pass, you must endure for ten minutes without being defeated. Your performance during the battle will determine your score. The minimum passing score is six points, and the maximum is nine points based on performance. However, defeating your opponent outright will earn you the full score of ten points.
"As soul masters, combat is the most direct way to demonstrate your strength and talent. Additionally, the process of selecting your opponent is a test of your observational and analytical abilities. After all, luck is also a part of one's strength." Shen Yi explained, her gaze sweeping over Jing Shaoyu and his two companions.
Shen Yi wasn't particularly worried about this test. She vividly remembered the performance of these three during the Tianhai Alliance competition three years ago.
She believed they would perform admirably. At most, Xu Xiaoyan might encounter some difficulties, but it wouldn't affect the overall outcome.
Upon hearing the test's requirements, Jing Shaoyu and the others visibly relaxed.
The second-year students of Shrek Academy were far from exceptional, with most of them being soul elders at best. Even the most talented among them hadn't reached the Soul Ancestor level—a fact that left Jing Shaoyu disdainful.
By current standards, the oldest second-year students would be eighteen years old. Eighteen-year-olds of the past were typically at least at the Soul King level. For the current students, even considering their focus on auxiliary professions, being merely soul elders seemed unacceptable.
Jing Shaoyu suspected this decline was due to hidden agendas among Shrek's decision-makers.
This decline in standards was no joke—Tang Wulin had significantly lowered Shrek Academy's student quality ceiling in this timeline.
"Teacher Shen, are soul tools allowed in this battle?" Jing Shaoyu asked thoughtfully.
Hearing this, Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue also turned their attention to Shen Yi.
"They are allowed. This is a comprehensive combat test, which evaluates your combat abilities as a soul master. In today's world, where soul tools are so advanced, mastery of them is a critical indicator of a soul master's strength.
"Additionally, mechas and battle armor are forms of soul tools. In major competitions and real combat situations, the use of mechas and battle armor is not only permitted but encouraged.
"One of Shrek's ancestors once said: 'We can reject soul tools and uphold the pride of traditional soul masters, but our enemies will not. Instead, they will use soul tools more effectively than we ever could!'"
"Understood!" Xu Xiaoyan beamed, her eyes lighting up. "Does that mean I can use my soul tools in this test?"
Given her limited offensive options, Xu Xiaoyan had begun using soul tools under Jing Shaoyu's guidance. Her arsenal of both market-purchased and self-made soul tools was vast—so vast that even Jing Shaoyu occasionally fell victim to her surprise tactics.
"You can," Shen Yi replied, though her gaze turned cautious as she added, "But you are not allowed to use tactical-level soul tools above level five, strategic-level tools, or fixed soul-guided artillery shells. Understood?"
"Got it!" Xu Xiaoyan grinned mischievously, flashing her pearly white teeth.
"Well then..." Shen Yi sighed, pinching her brow. "Let's hope this doesn't get out of hand."
The group arrived at the training ground. The three examiners noticed their approach, and their casual expressions turned serious.
"Elder Wu!" Shen Yi respectfully greeted one of the examiners, an elderly man.
"Ah, Xiao Shen." The old man, addressed as Elder Wu, smiled kindly upon recognizing her.
"Elder Wu, I've brought them for the eighth assessment," Shen Yi explained.
"Very well." Elder Wu cast a scrutinizing gaze over Jing Shaoyu and his companions, then turned toward the ten second-year students. He called out, "Alright, kids, time to work!"
Elder Wu's voice was robust and commanding, echoing throughout the circular hall.
The ten second-year students immediately stood in a straight line. Their postures were rigid, expressions solemn, and their eyes stared ahead with various emotions.
"Xiao Shen should have explained the rules to you, so I won't waste time repeating them," Elder Wu said to Jing Shaoyu's group. "Now go ahead and choose your opponents."
Jing Shaoyu focused on the ten students, his expression serious as he evaluated them. Although he held little regard for their skills, he didn't let his guard down. After all, these were Shrek students, which meant they each had at least one notable strength.
One of the students caught his attention: a petite, inconspicuous figure labeled as "Number Two." Though her appearance was unremarkable, her steady aura made her stand out. If Jing Shaoyu remembered correctly, this might be Yuanen Yehui, a member of Tang Wulin's team in the original story.
Jing Shaoyu mused, intrigued. Was her Titan Giant Ape martial soul as formidable as legend claimed, or was it exaggerated?
"Brother Shaoyu, which opponent do you think I should choose?" Xu Xiaoyan asked, visibly conflicted.
"Do you have a preference?" Jing Shaoyu asked.
"Yes, either Number Two, Five, Seven, or Ten. They seem like agility-type soul masters, which would give me an advantage as a control-type soul master," Xu Xiaoyan analyzed.
"Your logic is sound, but are you certain Numbers Two and Seven are agility types?" Jing Shaoyu countered. "A soul master's classification isn't solely based on their physique—it's about their aura. Look at Number Two. Her build is petite, but her aura is steady and enduring, nothing like the light, elusive air of an agility-type soul master."
"You're right!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed, studying Number Two closely. "She's nothing like Xie Xie. In fact, her presence feels a bit like Tang Wulin's."
"Exactly!" Jing Shaoyu nodded approvingly. "What about Number Seven?"
Number Seven, a tall and slender girl, exuded an intense and fiery energy—likely a fire attribute strong-attack type.
"Her aura is domineering; she's probably a strong-attack type," Xu Xiaoyan concluded.
"Good observation. So, who will you choose?" Jing Shaoyu asked.
"Number Ten!" Xu Xiaoyan declared confidently.
"Alright. I'll take Number Two," Jing Shaoyu replied.
"Number One," Gu Yue stated succinctly.
"Understood!" Elder Wu nodded approvingly before addressing the students. "Numbers One, Two, and Ten, stay. The rest of you, dismissed!"
Seven students quickly dispersed, leaving the chosen three standing at attention.
Elder Wu turned back to Jing Shaoyu's group. "Who's going first?"
Jing Shaoyu exchanged glances with Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan before stepping forward. "I'll go first."
Elder Wu's eyes gleamed with approval at Jing Shaoyu's composure. "Very well. Your opponent is Number Two. Enter the arena!"
Jing Shaoyu and the second-year student stepped into the training ground, facing each other.
"Both sides, prepare!" Elder Wu's voice boomed. "During the fight, malicious harm, verbal insults, and disobedience are strictly prohibited. Begin only when I give the signal, and stop immediately when I call for it. Understood?"
Elder Wu's firm tone was clearly directed at Jing Shaoyu, who responded with a calm smile. "Understood."
"Begin!" Elder Wu commanded.
The once-passive Number Two sprang into action, charging at Jing Shaoyu with remarkable speed and focus. Her demeanor was calm and controlled, without a trace of hesitation.
Jing Shaoyu, however, remained still, holding his staff in a relaxed grip.
As the gap between them narrowed to ten meters, Number Two activated her martial soul. Three purple soul rings emerged, marking her as a Soul Elder. Her slim frame expanded rapidly, transforming into a towering, four-meter-tall figure covered in brown fur.
"An ape-type martial soul," Gu Yue observed, her tone neutral.
Jing Shaoyu observed the martial spirit-possessed Number Two with a calm and composed expression. He slowly raised his Starry Scepter, and with a thought, the gem at the tip of the scepter glowed with a bluish radiance. A massive wave suddenly appeared out of thin air before him, surging forward with tremendous momentum. As Number Two approached, the wave roared toward her.
Facing the towering wave, which was even larger than herself, Number Two showed no fear. She swung her powerful arms down onto the ground with tremendous force. "Boom!" The impact caused the ground to tremble violently, sending out a seismic shockwave that sped toward the oncoming wave.
The wave and the shockwave collided. However, in a single moment, the enormous wave, driven by Jing Shaoyu's strength, devoured and neutralized the shockwave. It continued surging forward with unstoppable force, barreling toward Number Two.
Seeing this, Number Two frowned slightly. Her powerful arms, now glowing with a brownish light, swung forward again. This time, she clenched her fists, using nearly all her strength to strike the incoming wave without hesitation.
This time, she chose to meet the wave head-on, using her fists to shatter it.
The principle of "overwhelming force conquering all" came into play, and the powerful strike of Number Two successfully dispersed the wave. The enormous wall of water scattered into countless droplets. However, before she could retract her fists, a massive green tornado emerged from the remnants of the wave. The vortex carried the shattered water upward, transforming into a water tornado.
The green wind was mixed with streaks of blue water, adding an aesthetic beauty to its appearance. However, it wasn't just visually captivating—its destructive power was significantly heightened.
The combination of wind and water gave the tornado the devastating impact of wind and the relentless persistence of water. The roaring sound echoed low and deep as it bore down on Number Two, casting an ominous shadow as if heralding the apocalypse.
For the first time, a change appeared on Number Two's previously calm face. Surprise was quickly replaced by a solemn determination. Her muscles and fur stood on edge, her entire body poised for action, as her focused gaze locked onto the swirling water tornado.
Outside the training arena, Elder Wu's face reflected surprise. "What a peculiar martial spirit," he mused. "He can manipulate both water and wind elemen
ts simultaneously, and yet there's no sign of his soul rings. Is this one of his soul skills? Or just a natural ability? Fascinating."
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