As Zhu Ziyang's team stepped out from the crowd, the applause grew even louder.
They walked up to Du Weilen, taking their place between Beibei's team and Chu Hua's team. Compared to Beibei's blank expressions and Chu Hua's excitement, Zhu Ziyang's group maintained humble smiles.
Du Weilen continued, "Very well. I will now announce the rewards that the Academy is granting to the top three teams in the freshmen assessment. The reward is simple: all nine students from the top three teams, regardless of level or timing, can request the Academy's help when they need a soul ring. The Academy will assist them in acquiring a soul ring of any age limit that they can bear, perfectly suited to their martial soul."
Upon hearing this, all the students let out amazed gasps of envy. This was Shrek Academy's promise to help hunt soul rings!
"In addition," Du Weilen continued, his gaze softening as he looked at Zhu Ziyang's team, "in recognition of their special achievement and honor, the champion team will receive a special reward. This reward will be given to Zhu Ziyang's team after class reassignment is complete. Please come to my office to receive it then."
A special reward?! Zhu Ziyang's heart stirred. He exchanged a glance with Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya, both of whom looked visibly thrilled and curious. Smiling, he began to guess what the reward might be.
Most likely... a soul bone, he thought.
"You nine may return to your places," Du Weilen said.
After they returned to the student group, Du Weilen addressed everyone again:
"This year's freshmen are more talented than previous years. Without exaggeration, you are the most gifted class in the past ten years. Though smaller in number, you far exceed past classes in the number of Soul Grandmaster-level students—and even include a Soul Elder! I can confidently say you are all undisputed talents.
However, talent alone is not enough. The path of a soul master is like farming—you reap what you sow. I hope you will continue to work hard in your studies and eventually graduate successfully from Shrek Academy!
"In recognition of the outstanding performance of several students in the freshmen assessment, the Academy has approved a select number to become Core Disciples of the outer court. I will now announce the list."
All the freshmen immediately held their breath, eyes blazing with anticipation. Some were nervous, some excited, others worried or hopeful. All kinds of emotions filled the air above Shrek Square.
Du Weilen opened a folder, pulled out a list, and read:
"After comprehensive evaluation of performance in the freshmen assessment, the following eight students have been selected as outer court core disciples:
Zhu Ziyang, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, Jiang Nannan, Chu Hua, Zhou Tianhe, Xue Weiwei, Tang Ya."
Eight core disciples!
The teachers in attendance all wore looks of astonishment. In the past, it was already impressive if a first-year class produced two or three core disciples. This year, there were eight—proof of the exceptional quality of this class!
Of the eight, Tang Ya was the only one promoted with relatively low soul power (Level 22), clearly due to the team championship bonus. The rest all had at least Level 25.
"In addition," Du Weilen added, "some students performed excellently despite insufficient cultivation. As encouragement, the Academy will grant them core disciple benefits for one year. These students are expected to become true core disciples in next year's assessment.
This group includes: Ye Ning, Xiao Xuan, Zhao Lei, Lu Shaoyou, Lin Ziwei, Luo Tianyou, and Li Yue."
As the announcement ended, some students cheered, others felt disappointed. Some were full of determination; others gathered themselves for the road ahead. But there was no time to dwell on feelings—class reassignment was about to begin.
This reassignment was the most important one for the new students. From this moment forward, their path as soul masters would become clear. Classes were now divided into four types, based on soul master specialization:
Power & Control Class
Agility & Defense Class
Support Class
Special Classes (Food-type, Healing-type, and other rare types)
Originally, with this method, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan would not have ended up in the same class. However, due to the Academy's preferential treatment for the champion team, all three members were automatically assigned to the Power & Control Class, known as Class One. As such, Zhu Ziyang's team didn't need to anxiously wait to hear their names called like everyone else.
Class One's two homeroom teachers were familiar faces:
Xia Yu, their former Class Four homeroom teacher, now rewarded for leading the champion team.
Liu Xue, the examiner from the twelfth match arena during the ranking competition.
"Let's go," Zhu Ziyang said. They already knew from Xia Yu where their new classroom was—the former Class Four room.
"Mhm!" Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya were both very happy and followed behind Zhu Ziyang toward the teaching building. Jiang Nannan asked, "Brother, what do you think the school will give us as our reward?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, probably a soul bone," Zhu Ziyang replied calmly.
"Soul bone?!" Both girls were stunned. Tang Ya asked in disbelief, "No way, right? It's just a freshmen assessment. Would they really give out a soul bone?"
"That's Shrek for you," Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "Don't tell me you two don't want a soul bone?"
"Of course we do!" the two girls replied in unison.
"Then it's settled," Zhu Ziyang said, waving his hand. "We'll find out after class. If it really is a soul bone, we'll need to discuss things carefully."
"Mhm!" Both girls began looking forward to it.
After school, Zhu Ziyang asked Xia Yu for the location of Du Weilen's office. Then he and the girls made their way there.
"Beibei, we're heading out!" Tang Ya said excitedly to Beibei.
"Alright, I'll wait for you at the core disciples' dining hall," Beibei replied with a smile.
As a Power-type soul master, Beibei had naturally been assigned to Class One. Interestingly, Xue Weiwei was also in Class One, while Xu Sanshi, being a Defense-type soul master, was placed in Class Two.
Du Weilen's office was on the top floor of the administrative building. Following the signs, the three quickly found it.
Knock, knock!
Zhu Ziyang knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Du Weilen's voice called out from inside.
"Director Du, we're here." Zhu Ziyang pushed the door open and stepped inside. Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya followed close behind.
"You're here!" Du Weilen stood up from behind his desk, smiling as he walked over to them. "Have a seat—I'll go get your reward."
With that, he left the office, leaving the three students a bit stunned.
"Uh…" Jiang Nannan looked at Zhu Ziyang.
"Let's sit and wait a bit," Zhu Ziyang said, taking a seat on a nearby sofa. Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya followed suit.
As they waited, they looked around Du Weilen's office. In terms of space, it was much larger than Xia Yu's office. Yet it wasn't ornately decorated—the overall style was simple and modest. There were four large bookshelves filled with all sorts of books. It was clear that Du Weilen liked collecting books, though whether he read them was another matter.