Jing Shaoyu never expected that the final assessment of their seven-member team would attract the personal involvement of Cai Yue'er, a Super Douluo. This level of attention was somewhat overwhelming.
However, upon reflection, it made perfect sense. After all, their team included two direct disciples of the Sea God Pavilion's master. With such a lineup, it was not at all excessive for the Sea God Pavilion master to personally intervene.
Once he understood this, Jing Shaoyu turned to Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong and asked, "So, what exactly is the content of our final assessment?"
"It's quite simple," Shen Yi replied. "You need to complete sparring exchanges with ten advanced Soul Master academies within fifteen days. The format will be seven-on-seven team battles, and your opponents will be students from these academies who are no older than twenty years old.
The specific ten advanced Soul Master academies are up to you to decide, but there's one condition: your final stop must be the Royal Sun Moon Academy. While the Royal Sun Moon Academy will allow you to issue challenges in the name of Shrek Academy, the other nine academies will only accept challenges issued in your personal names.
You are allowed one loss in the first nine academies, but you must not lose against the Royal Sun Moon Academy. If you unfortunately lose to them, don't worry—the academy won't expel you. However, your life in the academy afterward will likely be quite painful."
"Challenge ten advanced Soul Master academies?" Everyone couldn't help but show expressions of surprise.
Normally, the enrollment age for advanced Soul Master academies is eighteen, and the admission requirement is to be at the Soul Venerable level. This meant that their final assessment required them to fight and win against a group of Soul Masters who were at least four years older than them. Such a requirement was undoubtedly very challenging for first-year students who had just enrolled. However, for Jing Shaoyu's team, it was difficult but not insurmountable.
"What? Is it too difficult?" Wu Zhangkong raised an eyebrow and said, "If you feel the difficulty is too high, you can choose to give up this special assessment and opt for the same assessment content as everyone else. It's fine; there's no penalty for giving up. But if I were you, I would never give up. You should know that the students who have historically represented the academy in sparring exchanges with other academies are anything but ordinary."
"Of course not," Jing Shaoyu immediately retorted.
"We accept," Gu Yue said in a calm tone.
"I don't think it's that hard," Na'er said dismissively.
"This actually feels easier," Xu Xiaoyan chimed in.
"I have no problem with it," Ye Xinglan said quietly.
"How could we give up such an opportunity?" Wu Siduo said with gleaming eyes.
"I'm in," Mo Hentian said with a composed tone.
Seeing the seven of them respond in this manner, Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong exchanged a glance and nodded in satisfaction. Shen Yi said, "Very well. Since you've made your decision, gather at the Sea God Lake tomorrow morning. Elder Cai and I will be waiting for you there."
"Yes!" Jing Shaoyu and the others replied in unison.
Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong left the classroom, leaving only Jing Shaoyu and his team behind to discuss the matter.
"Everyone, what are your thoughts?" Jing Shaoyu asked. His own thoughts were quite simple: Cai Yue'er's actions were undoubtedly in preparation for the selection of the Shrek Seven Monsters. Although they were only first-year students and still young, the talent and abilities they had displayed made them eligible to compete for the title of Shrek Seven Monsters of this generation.
This final assessment was likely the academy's way of evaluating them, especially since Shen Yi had emphasized that they could challenge the Royal Sun Moon Academy in the name of Shrek Academy. This was almost an explicit hint.
Gu Yue, Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, and Wu Siduo all shook their heads, while Mo Hentian remained his usual silent self. Only Ye Xinglan raised her hand and said, "I have something to say."
"Go ahead, Xinglan," Jing Shaoyu said gently, turning to her.
"I think the special final assessment the academy has arranged for us might be related to the selection of the Shrek Seven Monsters," Ye Xinglan said, taking a deep breath to calm her excitement.
"The Shrek Seven Monsters!" Ye Xinglan's words shocked Xu Xiaoyan and Wu Siduo, and even the usually slow Mo Hentian couldn't help but look at her.
In the twenty thousand years of Shrek Academy's history, the legend of the Shrek Seven Monsters had long been deeply ingrained in the hearts of every Soul Master on the continent. It could be said that almost every student who enrolled in Shrek Academy aspired to become one of the Shrek Seven Monsters. Those five simple words were not just a title; they represented immense power and strength.
Every generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters had been renowned as peerless powerhouses on the continent, a fact universally acknowledged. The current master of the Sea God Pavilion, Yun Ming, and the current Tang Sect leader, Cao Dezhi, were both former members of the Shrek Seven Monsters.
"Yes," Ye Xinglan nodded. "The Shrek Seven Monsters are reselected every fifty years. In four years, it will be time to select the new generation of Shrek Seven Monsters. All Shrek Academy Inner Academy disciples under the age of twenty-five are eligible to participate. Outer Academy students who are exceptionally talented can also participate, but they need a recommendation from the Outer Academy dean."
"In four years, won't we be at a disadvantage?" Xu Xiaoyan let out a sigh. "In four years, we'll only be eighteen. Can we really compete with those Inner Academy disciples who are twenty-four or twenty-five?"
"What's wrong with being eighteen?" Wu Siduo said defiantly. "I'm already a Soul Grandmaster at fourteen. By eighteen, I'll definitely be a Soul Emperor! By then, who knows who'll be stronger?!"
"Maomao is right!" Ye Xinglan said with equal determination. "I'm determined to become one of the Shrek Seven Monsters of this generation!"
Seeing the fiery determination in Ye Xinglan and Wu Siduo, a hint of disdain flashed in Gu Yue's eyes. Of course, it wasn't directed at Wu Siduo or Ye Xinglan but rather at the title of Shrek Seven Monsters. As a direct descendant of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, Shrek Academy would never grant her the title of Shrek Seven Monster.
In the end, while the relationship between Shrek Academy and the Spirit Transfer Pagoda was close, it wasn't as intimate as the relationship with the Tang Sect. After all, the former leader of the Shrek Seven Monsters was now the Tang Sect leader. The relationship was almost at the point of merging.
"Alright, since everyone is so determined to claim the title of Shrek Seven Monsters, we'll need to give our all in this final assessment! We have to earn the right to participate in the selection first!" Jing Shaoyu said with a light laugh. He wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the title of Shrek Seven Monsters, but for him, it was a necessary step. After all, to become the master of the Sea God Pavilion, the title of Shrek Seven Monsters was essential.
"Absolutely!" Ye Xinglan said firmly.
The next morning, by the Sea God Lake.
Jing Shaoyu and his team gathered early, each of them brimming with energy and confidence for the upcoming assessment. With their current team strength, there were few advanced Soul Master academies on the continent that could muster students capable of matching them.
Their current cultivation levels were as follows: Jing Shaoyu, Level 46 Soul Grandmaster; Gu Yue, Level 42 Soul Grandmaster; Wu Siduo, Level 45 Soul Grandmaster; Mo Hentian, Level 41 Soul Grandmaster; Xu Xiaoyan, Level 39 Soul Venerable; Na'er, Level 39 Soul Venerable; Ye Xinglan, Level 39 Soul Venerable.
Four Soul Grandmasters and three Soul Venerables, all with Soul Rings of at least a thousand years. With such a lineup, they could likely sweep through most of the advanced Soul Master academies on the continent.
Before long, Shen Yi arrived.
"Huh?" Xu Xiaoyan asked softly, "Teacher Shen, why are you here?"
Shen Yi smiled slightly. "I'm your team's supervising teacher. What, don't you like having me with you?"
"Of course not!" Xu Xiaoyan immediately giggled and ran over to Shen Yi, hugging her arm affectionately. "I like you so much, Teacher Shen!"
"Alright," Shen Yi said, "This time, I'm only the nominal supervising teacher. I won't be handling specific matters, so you'll need to decide which academies to challenge and how to issue the challenges. Don't expect me to arrange the matches for you."
"Oh, okay," Xu Xiaoyan's cheerful face immediately fell. She reluctantly let go of Shen Yi's arm and returned to Jing Shaoyu's side.
"You're such a practical girl!" Shen Yi couldn't help but laugh at this, though she was also a bit exasperated.
"Tehehe!" Xu Xiaoyan giggled.
A figure swept across the lake, and a serious voice rang out: "Everyone's here. Let's set off."
The voice belonged to Cai Yue'er. Everyone turned to see her standing a few meters in front of them, her expression cold and indifferent as she looked at them.
"Elder Cai!" Shen Yi and Jing Shaoyu's team immediately bowed and greeted her.
"No need for formalities. You may proceed," Cai Yue'er said with a wave of her hand, her tone indifferent. "I won't be present except for the final assessment."
"Yes
," Jing Shaoyu responded on behalf of the team.