The eighth assessment concluded with Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan achieving perfect scores, leaving Shen Yi overjoyed. These results far exceeded her expectations. She had thought that if just one of them managed to score full marks, it would already be an excellent outcome. Who would have thought that all three would achieve perfect scores?
Was this because Jing Shaoyu and his companions were too powerful, or because this year's second-year students were too lacking?
In Shen Yi's view, it was half and half. Jing Shaoyu and his companions were indeed exceptionally talented, even by the standards of previous new intakes. Students who could rival them were rare. Conversely, this year's second-year students were undeniably of lower quality—a fact acknowledged by all the Outer Court instructors.
The clearest evidence lay in a simple statistic: not a single second-year student had reached the Soul King level. Many of them were already eighteen years old, whereas in past years, there had always been several Soul Kings at that age. By comparison, this year's cohort was undeniably underwhelming.
Shen Yi shook her head, dispelling unnecessary thoughts. She looked at Jing Shaoyu and his companions and smiled. "Alright, children. Let's head to the next assessment location."
"Okay," Jing Shaoyu replied on behalf of the trio.
As they exited the circular hall, the ten second-year students watched them leave with complex expressions.
Shen Yi led Jing Shaoyu and his companions into a small, dimly lit room in the teaching building. Unlike the previous assessment venues, this one was narrow and metallic. The walls were lined with curved glass screens, giving the room an industrial, futuristic vibe.
The style instantly reminded Jing Shaoyu of the Spirit Ascension Platform.
"Teacher Shen, is this the Spirit Ascension Platform? It feels very similar to the control rooms at the Spirit Pagoda," Xu Xiaoyan asked curiously.
"Haha! This isn't the Spirit Pagoda's platform, but its function is indeed quite similar," a voice chuckled from the room's depths. An elderly man emerged, followed by two instructors in their thirties. It was clear that these three would be the proctors for the ninth assessment.
"Elder Xun!" Shen Yi immediately greeted the elder respectfully.
Elder Xun nodded in acknowledgment but directed his gaze at Jing Shaoyu and his companions. With a kind smile, he said, "You've made it this far, which is no easy feat. Let me explain the details of this assessment to you."
"Thank you, Elder Xun!" the trio responded respectfully.
"Survival is the core theme of the ninth assessment," Elder Xun began. "As the young lady mentioned, this place does indeed resemble the Spirit Ascension Platform. That's because the concept is similar. You will be entering a virtual world populated with soul beasts. Unlike the Spirit Ascension Platform, however, the soul beasts here are real. The spirit rings they produce upon death are also real.
"If any of you have reached a bottleneck, you're free to absorb the rings. Moreover, there's also a chance to obtain soul bones. Should you be lucky enough to acquire one during the test, it will belong entirely to you. The academy won't take it away or interfere in how you handle it."
Jing Shaoyu's expression flickered with surprise. Real soul beasts? Was this for real? Did Shrek Academy actually keep a reserve of soul beasts? Judging by Elder Xun's tone, the numbers were significant. Doubts began to form in his mind.
"Do you have any questions? If not, we can begin the assessment," Elder Xun said, gesturing to one of the proctors. The instructor stepped forward and pressed a button on the metallic wall, causing several pods to slide out.
"Elder Xun, will the three of us be placed together or in separate locations?" Jing Shaoyu asked.
"Teamwork is also an aspect of this assessment, so all participants will be placed in the same location," Elder Xun explained. "This works to your advantage since the three of you already have a rapport. Your teamwork will undoubtedly be better than that of a hastily assembled group."
"I see. Thank you, Elder Xun!" Jing Shaoyu replied.
The three of them entered separate pods. Once the doors closed, the ninth assessment officially began.
"Teacher Shen, how have these three performed in the earlier assessments? They seem quite confident," Elder Xun asked with a smile.
"They've done exceptionally well," Shen Yi answered. "They earned full marks in five assessments, and their scores in the other three were also excellent. Even if they don't do well in this one, it won't affect their final results."
"No wonder they seem so self-assured. I see, they've already passed the threshold," Elder Xun said, his smile growing more genial. "Do you think they'll clear this stage?"
"Hmm…" Shen Yi hesitated briefly before responding, "I believe in them."
"Hahaha, good. Let's wait and see!" Elder Xun laughed.
"Uh… Elder Xun, could you not laugh like that? It feels a bit like you're gloating," Shen Yi remarked with a troubled expression. "By the way, what difficulty level is their assessment?"
"The highest," Elder Xun replied with a sly grin.
"What?!" Shen Yi froze, then exclaimed, "Why the highest? They're just kids!"
"You can't blame me," Elder Xun said innocently, raising his hands in defense. "This was Elder Cai's decision. She's the chief examiner, and I have to follow her orders."
"Alright…" Shen Yi sighed, realizing that Elder Cai had deliberately set this difficulty. It was likely her way of exacting a bit of revenge, knowing that this stage wouldn't impact their overall scores much.
Within the Virtual World
The spatial transition felt like being twisted into a vortex. However, for Jing Shaoyu, who was accustomed to the Spirit Ascension Platform, this discomfort was negligible. His strong body and mental resilience rendered such sensations meaningless.
When the light faded, the trio found themselves in a dense, vibrant forest. It resembled the Spirit Ascension Platform's simulated Star Dou Forest but felt more ancient and diverse in its vegetation.
"Wow! This place is just like the Spirit Ascension Platform!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed.
"Shh!" Jing Shaoyu raised a hand to silence her. He spoke in a low voice, "Xiaoyan, keep your voice down. This forest may look like the beginner platform, but its vegetation is far more primitive. This suggests a mid-tier platform environment, which is much more dangerous. The soul beasts here are more numerous, stronger, and far more aggressive. We must remain cautious!"
"Got it!" Xu Xiaoyan nodded, her expression turning serious. She whispered, "Shaoyu, do you think there could be ten-thousand-year soul beasts here?"
"Most likely," Jing Shaoyu replied.
Understanding the stakes, Xu Xiaoyan summoned her Star Staff, accompanied by three purple soul rings.
Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue also activated their martial souls and soul rings, ready for any threat.
"Let's move. We'll head to higher ground to gain a clearer view of our surroundings," Jing Shaoyu instructed. "Gu Yue, send out wind birds for reconnaissance. I'll monitor the immediate area."
"Understood," Gu Yue replied. She raised a hand, releasing several green birds that flew off into the distance.
The trio moved cautiously, but neither the wind birds nor Jing Shaoyu's senses detected any soul beasts. This strange quietness filled Jing Shaoyu with unease.
"This could mean two things," Jing Shaoyu thought. "Either there truly are no soul beasts nearby, or there's something terrifyingly powerful lurking."
Let's hope it's not the latter…
He racked his brain, trying to recall any details from the original story about this assessment. However, his memory drew a frustrating blank.
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