"The first group, Huo Yuhao, is a solo group." Mu Jin couldn't help but feel a little uneasy as she announced this.
Originally, with the combination of Huo Yuhao and Ning Tian, they were almost guaranteed to secure first place in the freshman assessment.
Especially after Huo Yuhao broke through as a Soul Elder, he became even more unstoppable. He could punch Xu Sanshi and kick Wu Feng even when he was only a Soul Grandmaster. Now that he is a Soul Elder, wouldn't it be a complete massacre?
However, due to the higher-ups' requirements, the situation had become more unpredictable. One against three. Even though Mu Jin had high hopes for Huo Yuhao, she couldn't guarantee his absolute victory in the final assessment.
"The second group, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Nanmen Yuner."
"The third group..."
After Mu Jin finished announcing the groupings, the students collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
"These groups have been carefully arranged based on your respective martial spirit characteristics and after thorough consideration. Today's class is canceled. If anyone is dissatisfied, you may discuss it among yourselves and raise any objections to me later, but only for today."
With Huo Yuhao being assigned to a solo group, no one dared to voice any objections publicly. Mu Jin had been thoughtful in her arrangements—most students were grouped with their dormmates, so almost no one was unhappy with the groupings.
Of course, many wished they could team up with Huo Yuhao, but that was impossible. The academy had issued a strict order: Huo Yuhao was to form a team alone, and no one could latch onto him for support.
As for the group of Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Nanmen Yuner, anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was the seed team handpicked by Mu Jin.
Given their strength and close relationships, even if others tried to squeeze in, they would only feel like outsiders.
Mu Jin's voice continued in the classroom:
"If you want to pass the assessment, I suggest you use this time to familiarize yourselves with your teammates' martial spirits and soul skills, and quickly start practicing your coordination. After submitting your future cultivation direction forms, you may leave. Only the members of the first and second groups will stay behind."
Not long after, the students of Freshman Class Nine handed in their forms, detailing their future cultivation directions, and left the classroom with their respective teammates.
In the now nearly empty classroom, only Huo Yuhao and a few others remained. Meanwhile, other classes were still buzzing with discussions about the freshman assessment groupings.
Mu Jin spoke gently, "Originally, I wanted you, Yuhao, to be in the same group as Ning Tian. However, today Director Du approached me and instructed me to place you in a solo team. After careful consideration, I believe this arrangement is the most appropriate."
As soon as she finished speaking, Wu Feng was the first to agree: "Teacher Mu, I have no objections."
She was relieved that Huo Yuhao wasn't teamed up with Ning Tian. Otherwise, following the rule that a team could only have one strong attack-type member, she would likely have been kicked out of the group.
Nanmen Yuner also nodded in agreement. She, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng had a good relationship and were already familiar with each other. Their team composition—a strong attack, a quick attack, and a support—was a classic and well-balanced combination.
Ning Tian glanced quietly at Huo Yuhao but ultimately didn't raise any objections. After all, Huo Yuhao had been forced into this arrangement by the academy.
This might even be for the best. Although she had clashed with Huo Yuhao multiple times, as the successor to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had her own pride. If she could lead her team to achieve outstanding results, she could prove the value of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support abilities and make Huo Yuhao realize her importance.
"Since it's the academy's arrangement, I have no issues with it," Ning Tian said calmly.
Huo Yuhao simply smiled.
It wasn't that he looked down on his peers. Dealing with them would be no trouble at all. Moreover, with this arrangement, he could likely complete the achievement tasks for both opponents in one go.
Over the past three months, although Ning Tian's repeated provocations had been resolved by him, their relationship hadn't deepened much. At best, they could be considered acquaintances.
Even Wu Feng, under Huo Yuhao's overwhelming strength, had become nothing more than a superficial friend.
"Since no one has any objections, it's settled," Mu Jin said with a smile. "I hope the champion of the freshman assessment emerges from among you. Let me remind you, Shrek Academy's resources are vast. Even for those of you with impressive backgrounds, the rewards for the freshman assessment champion are not insignificant. Go back, adjust your states, and prepare well. I believe in your strength. Huo Yuhao, stay behind."
As Ning Tian and the others left the classroom, Mu Jin turned to her most prized student.
"Yuhao, you must know why I asked you to stay behind again," Mu Jin said.
"Is it because I chose the Strong Attack Department?" Huo Yuhao asked.
Hearing this, Mu Jin's eyes twitched slightly. "Spirit Eyes is a spiritual-type martial soul. Wouldn't the Control Department be more suitable for you?"
Huo Yuhao explained, "That's true, but I prefer the Strong Attack Department."
Mu Jin was momentarily stunned but then carefully tried to persuade him:
"Yuhao, I know you have twin martial souls, but the first one you cultivated was Spirit Eyes. The three soul skills you currently possess aren't attack-type skills, are they? While your physical fitness is far superior to others, the further you progress, the more critical soul skills become. If you develop towards the Control Department, with the quality of Spirit Eyes, you could undoubtedly become the core of any team."
Huo Yuhao nodded. What Mu Jin said made sense, but he remained firm in his decision. "The core you mentioned, Teacher Mu, would be responsible for commanding and formulating tactics, acting as the brain of the team, right?"
Mu Jin nodded in agreement.
Huo Yuhao continued, "Compared to being the tactical core, I prefer to be the core of power! And the direct source of power is strength. The strong attack system embodies the strongest power, which is why I've chosen it."
All tactics ultimately rely on strength!
As for offensive soul skills? Huo Yuhao wasn't lacking in those. Whether it was the abilities of his Gu insect or the soul skills from his second martial soul, he had plenty.
Although Spirit Eyes currently only had one offensive soul skill—Soul Impact—that single skill was more than enough for him to dominate. With just one Soul Impact, he could handle any opponent with ease.
After a moment of thought, Mu Jin relented. "Alright, if you've chosen the Strong Attack Department, then so be it. Just remember your decision. You may go now."
After consulting with Wang Yan, she had some ideas about Huo Yuhao's development direction. However, since Huo Yuhao hadn't revealed much about Spirit Eyes' soul skills—relying mostly on his second martial soul in battles—she could only offer advice. The final choice was still his to make.
…
Meanwhile, in the first class of freshmen, Wang Dong looked at her teammates with a hint of worry.
'Help me!'
'Is this really the configuration of the top three soul power rankings in my freshman class?'
'Is this the seed team?'
How could she possibly defeat Huo Yuhao with this team?
Even seeing him in the assessment would be a challenge, let alone defeating him.
After their last trip to the Star Dou Forest, Wang Dong had gained a rough understanding of Huo Yuhao's strength. Being able to single-handedly take on a two-thousand-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear meant that Huo Yuhao's power might already be at the Soul King level.
Thinking back to her bold declaration of defeating Huo Yuhao, she felt a twinge of embarrassment.
'Forget it, forget it.'
That was the old Wang Dong speaking. It had nothing to do with her now.
Her current goal was simply to pass the freshman assessment.
When the thought of playing it safe crossed her mind, the world suddenly seemed much brighter!
…
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