By dusk, the special assessments for all four grades had concluded.
Thanks to Chen Junting's careful planning, the second-year students successfully lured five Inner Court seniors into an ambush—and defeated them all. With this victory, they secured 27 points, achieving a 100% completion rate. Every student—except those who failed the individual trials—was promoted.
The second-year class erupted in celebration.
The same couldn't be said for the other grades.
Stung by their earlier loss, the Inner Court seniors approached their remaining matches with ruthless precision, showing no mercy. Their fury crushed the hopes of the other three grades, whose completion rates plummeted.
Even Tang Ya was eliminated.
Chen Junting and his friends only learned of this while hosting Beibei and the others for dinner.
"Senior Beibei, what are your plans now?" Junting asked gently, watching the older student sit silently with a glass in hand.
Beibei forced a smile. "I'm not sure."
After the assessment, Tang Ya had told him she wanted to leave Shrek City. She planned to return to Heaven Dou City, revisit the old grounds of Tang Sect, and find a way to rebuild it—starting with making money to fund its revival.
In his heart, Beibei disagreed. But what could he do?
If it came down to it, he'd drop out and follow her.
Chen Junting poured Beibei another drink, then sipped from his own juice. Across the table, Ning Tian and the other girls tried to comfort Tang Ya—but she was silent, too distraught to touch the grilled fish on her plate.
Chen Junting's eyes narrowed.
If he remembered correctly, Tang Ya would be kidnapped not long after this point in time—eventually turning into an Evil Soul Master. Her current state only made that timeline more likely. If she left now, she might begin down the path of Devouring far sooner.
"Senior Beibei," Junting said quietly, "you're treating the symptoms, not the cause."
Beibei, despite being tipsy, looked over sharply. His eyes were still clear.
"Tang Sect…"
"Isn't the issue," Junting interrupted calmly. "Strength is."
He spoke plainly. "No force survives without strength. Without it, Tang Sect is just a dream—an illusion in water or a reflection in glass. Senior Tang Ya understands this better than anyone."
Indeed. Tang Ya knew that bitter lesson too well.
It had cost her her parents.
"Strength... strength..." Beibei murmured, his voice laced with helplessness. If only Xiaoya's martial soul weren't so weak. With enough potential, he could guide her all the way to Titled Douluo.
But Blue Silver Grass? Without a miracle—like an Immortal Herb—it was a dead end.
His thoughts turned to Junting.
Maybe the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had access to such things? After all, they'd recently reported possession of the Qiluo Tulip.
Beibei looked up hopefully, but Junting didn't respond. He offered advice freely—but immortal herbs were another matter entirely.
If Beibei wanted one, the price would be high. Perhaps even the main Golden Tree branch.
Beibei understood. His disappointment showed, but he didn't complain.
After all, if you had a true immortal herb… who would just give it away?
Then, a memory surfaced.
"Last year," Beibei muttered, "you told me Blue Silver Grass should follow the vitality route..."
Maybe there was still hope.
But how to make Tang Ya stay?
Junting had already considered that. With Tang Ya's personality, she could be persuaded—but it would require Jiang Nannan's support.
---
Seagod Lake. Inner Court.
The lake shimmered under the wind, waves reflecting the dying light of day.
Standing on the shore in pristine white was Dean Yan Shaozhe, his expression cold and unreadable.
Behind him stood the six Martial Soul Department students from the Inner Court—led by Dai Yueheng. Their bright red uniforms felt heavier than ever. None of them met his eyes.
Instead, they all looked at Dai Yueheng.
It's your fault.
You brought those second-year freaks into our mess.
Dai Yueheng sighed inwardly. But he still stepped forward.
"Dean."
Yan Shaozhe turned slowly, eyes sharp as blades.
"Shameful."
His voice cut deep. "You are the core of the next main team, yet you were beaten by a group of second-years—and one of you is still trapped!"
He paused.
"What were you thinking?"
No one dared speak. Even Yao Haoxuan, who hadn't technically been eliminated, kept his head down. He knew full well that if the assessment timer hadn't ended, he'd be on that list too.
Shaozhe's scolding continued.
"I had hoped you'd mentor the juniors who might form our reserve team. Show them tactics. Teach them teamwork. What did you show them instead?"
Silence.
His words were brutal—but fair. Every blow landed squarely on their pride.
Finally, Shaozhe's tone softened.
"I hope you've learned something. Now—what are your thoughts on this assessment?"
He expected them to list promising juniors—but what Gong Yangmo and Xixi said next surprised him.
"…We might need to rethink our stance on soul tools."
"What?!"
Shaozhe stared, stunned. He couldn't believe what he'd heard.
His own students—defeated and now acknowledging soul tools?
---
Meanwhile, in the Soul Guidance Department...
Qian Duoduo burst into laughter.
"Haha! Old Yan, you're done for!"
He had just finished reading Wang Lian's report.
"Half your proud Martial Soul students got flattened by soul tools. Let's see you suppress the Soul Guidance Department now!"
To him, this outcome was perfect.
He'd always believed the department deserved more respect. To him, real strength came from mastering both martial souls and soul tools—like Lin'er.
(TL:Xian Lin'er is Martial God Douluo, Elder of Seagod Pavilion)
But the Martial Soul Department had long kept them in the shadows.
Today, things changed.
Even if the second-years had set a trap, soul tools played a decisive role in the victory.
"No—this is my chance!"
Qian Duoduo stood up, fire in his eyes.
He needed to speak with Lin'er, and press this advantage while the Seagod Pavilion's favor could still shift.
He paused at the door, turned to Wang Lian, and said:
"Don't worry—the Academy will reimburse your soul tool losses."
Then he was gone.
As for how a group of Soul Ancestors and Soul Venerables used such advanced soul tools?
Qian Duoduo didn't ask.
He simply assumed the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had found a breakthrough.
If Shrek gave the Soul Guidance Department enough resources, they could crack the code too.
All he needed now was Seagod Pavilion's support.
---
Three days later. Morning. Dormitory 161.
The sun was up, but Chen Junting remained in his room, cultivating in silence.
Knock, knock.
His eyes opened.
A gentle flick of soul power unlocked the door.
"Come in."
A young woman stepped inside. Seventeen or eighteen. Dressed a bit boldly. Gorgeous figure. Her expression was respectful as she bowed.
Chen Junting didn't move.
"You're not from the Academy."
The girl nodded and stepped forward carefully. "You're correct, Mr. Chen. I've come on behalf of Jubao Pavilion. We sincerely invite you to attend tonight's Treasure Appraisal Banquet."
She handed him a red-gold invitation, embossed and formal.
"I see. So it's Jubao Pavilion's event."
Junting sat up, adjusting his breath. When he accepted the letter, a glint flashed in his eyes.
"Thank you."
"Would you like an escort or more information?"
He waved her off.
The girl smiled politely, bowed again, then turned and left, her steps graceful as she closed the door behind her.
Alone again, Junting lay back and turned the invitation over in his hand.
What will Shrek Academy reveal this time…?
---
(End of Chapter)
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