After receiving their assessment forms, the students, led by their two class teachers, entered the Colosseum one by one.
Since this was an upgrade assessment, they didn't head to the viewing platform. Instead, they lined up neatly outside the fighting area of the Colosseum, waiting for their turn.
A total of over 100 students from Class 1 and Class 2 were taking the second-year promotion assessment here. This was the first time any of them had come to the Colosseum for an assessment, so the academy took it very seriously.
To ensure the students' safety, twenty teachers were present. They were responsible for guiding the soul beasts, protecting the students, and assigning assessment scores.
Despite the large number of participants, the Colosseum wasn't divided into separate areas. Assessments were conducted one by one to familiarize everyone with the process and to allow the scoring teachers to observe more clearly.
The dean of outer courtyard, Du Weilun, was also present. He was today's chief examiner, standing on a high platform with four other grading teachers, giving them a clear view of the entire Colosseum.
Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao, as the monitors of Grade 1 Class 1, stood at the front of their class. On the Class 2 side, Dai Huabin and Xie Huanyue took the lead.
In terms of cultivation, Xie Huanyue wasn't far behind Dai Huabin, and his defensive abilities were so strong that even Wang Donger and Xiao Xiao had experienced them firsthand.
If not for Dai Huabin's interference, Xie Huanyue would undoubtedly be the real monitor of Class 2.
Wang Yan stood beside Huo Yuhao and whispered, "Yuhao, I need to tell you something. Don't use your Imitation soul skill to mimic a hundred-thousand-year soul ring later. The aura of that soul ring suppresses spirit beasts too violently, and I'm worried it might frighten the other spirit beasts in the fighting area."
Though his voice was soft, it didn't escape the ears of the nearby students. Suddenly, the expressions of everyone in the group changed, recalling the horror of being dominated by Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao's powerful soul skills were no secret, as he hadn't deliberately hidden them. Skills like Soul Impact (Mental Attack), Imitation, and Teleportation were well-known, especially among the second-year class.
During the previous academic year, at Wang Yan's request, Huo Yuhao had used his Imitation skill to mimic ten-thousand-year and even hundred-thousand-year soul rings to provide pressure training for the other students.
The first time the students faced the pressure of a ten-thousand-year soul ring, they immediately released their martial souls under the overwhelming force. Every one of them turned pale, and some of the more timid female students even burst into tears.
The subsequent hundred-thousand-year soul ring pressure training left an indelible shadow on the students. Not only did a large number of them faint on the spot, but a few even wet their pants.
During that period, everyone in Class 1 felt like they were fighting for their lives whenever they saw Huo Yuhao. They were terrified, looking weak, pitiful, and helpless.
If it weren't for his Spirit Eyes and twin martial souls, Wang Yan might have suspected that Huo Yuhao was some hundred-thousand-year soul beast who had transformed to torment them. At the same time, Wang Yan once again realized the terrifying potential of spiritual martial souls.
Truly, it was worthy of being the body martial spirit! Wang Yan's research spirit was burning! He even asked the academy to capture several ice silkworms from the Extreme North to study their compatibility with spiritual martial souls.
Was the exaggerated power of Huo Yuhao's Imitation skill due to the Spirit Eyes, or did the Ice Silkworm clan play an indispensable role? Wang Yan was deeply curious.
What Wang Yan didn't know was that the reason Huo Yuhao's Imitation skill was so incredible wasn't just due to his martial soul but also his years of experience. Additionally, the Ice Empress had lent a hand. After all, the first soul ring of Huo Yuhao's second martial soul was a 400,000-year-old entity.
Although Huo Yuhao couldn't fully utilize its power, if he relied on his Imitation skill to mimic the aura of the 400,000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion Empress, not just any soul beast could withstand it.
Of course, Huo Yuhao didn't go that far. He only simulated the pressure of an ordinary hundred-thousand-year soul ring, which alone had already given the students of Class 1 a lifetime of benefits.
"Teacher Wang, don't worry. I know my limits," Huo Yuhao replied helplessly.
In the original work, due to a bet with Dai Huabin and Skydream's instigation, there was a scene where Huo Yuhao simulated a hundred-thousand-year soul ring to scare the soul beasts. But now, he couldn't be bothered with such tricks.
The assessment was about to begin.
Nearly 20,000 seats surrounded the Colosseum, and more than ten platforms were connected to extremely heavy iron gates. The roars of soul beasts could be faintly heard from behind them.
Suddenly, the atmosphere grew tense.
Many students wore solemn expressions. They all knew that behind those iron gates were at least hundreds of soul beasts of different ages, including ten-thousand-year-old soul beasts!
At this moment, Du Weilun's voice echoed from the high platform: "Let the assessment begin. Class 1 of the second grade will send out their students first, followed by Class 2, and so on."
As soon as Du Weilun finished speaking, Wang Yan glanced at Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao.
"According to the rules of previous promotion assessments, each class monitor will take the lead and set an example for the other students. Who will go first?"
Xiao Xiao turned to look at Huo Yuhao, who gave her an encouraging nod.
"I'll go first," Xiao Xiao said, then took her assessment form and stepped forward.
"Go for it, Monitor!" Cheers erupted from the class.
"Go ahead," Wang Yan and Mu Jin also smiled at her.
Xiao Xiao walked to the edge of the platform and handed her form to a teacher, who placed it into the promotion box under the evaluation table. Soon, Du Weilun held Xiao Xiao's assessment form.
Seeing that Xiao Xiao was the first to take the assessment, Du Weilun paid closer attention. Although Huo Yuhao was the standout, Xiao Xiao, as the owner of twin martial souls and the top control-system soul master of the new generation, received no less attention than Wang Donger.
Moreover, Du Weilun had already received Xiao Xiao's application for her third soul ring. It was almost certain that Xiao Xiao would break through to the Soul Elder level at the age of twelve.
Such talent would have been among the best, if not the top, in previous years, so it was hard not to take her seriously.
Xiao Xiao walked to the center of the field, where two teachers acted as referees to ensure the students' safety.
Fighting soul beasts was completely different from sparring with fellow students. Soul beasts were naturally hostile to humans and would show no mercy during battle, presenting a life-or-death crisis!
The referee on the left asked, "What's your major?"
Xiao Xiao replied, "Control system."
The referee said, "Choose the soul beast you want to assess. Remember, as a control-system soul master, you should emphasize control. You only have one chance, so choose carefully. The soul beast's level ranges from one hundred to one thousand years."
The students of Class 1 and Class 2 were all focused on Xiao Xiao. For most of them, this was their first time facing a soul beast alone. It was impossible not to feel nervous.
Naturally, they all hoped to learn from the experiences of those who went first. After all, the upgrade assessment determined whether they could stay at the academy and continue their studies! It was hard not to take it seriously.
This was also why Huo Yuhao didn't plan to go first. Not everyone could learn from his methods of dealing with soul beasts. Since Xiao Xiao volunteered, it was a good opportunity for her to demonstrate to the class.
Unlike Huo Yuhao, who often took a backseat as monitor, Xiao Xiao had always fulfilled her duties conscientiously, completing all tasks perfectly.
It could be said that Xiao Xiao played an indispensable role in Class 1's strong cohesion. Of course, Huo Yuhao, as the benchmark of strength and appearance, also contributed.
"Will Xiao Xiao choose a thousand-year soul beast?" Wang Donger, standing behind Huo Yuhao, whispered.
As a three-ring soul master, she naturally wanted to choose a thousand-year soul beast, but Xiao Xiao hadn't obtained her third soul ring yet. Defeating a thousand-year soul beast would be very difficult. Not everyone was as monstrous as Huo Yuhao.
"Don't worry, Wang Dong. Xiao Xiao knows her limits. As a control-system soul master, she doesn't necessarily have to defeat the soul beast," Huo Yuhao reassured her.
Just as they spoke, Xiao Xiao, standing in the arena, took a deep breath and declared, "I choose the thousand-year soul beast!"
"A thousand-year soul beast? Are you sure?" The assessment teacher was surprised by Xiao Xiao's bold decision.
"A thousand-year soul beast?!" The students erupted in murmurs. Most of them had only considered hundred-year soul beasts, not daring to think about thousand-year ones.
Although thousand-year soul beasts were generally matched against Soul Elder, in reality, unless the human was a genius, thousand-year soul beasts were stronger than newly advanced Soul Elders.
Moreover, if they remembered correctly, Xiao Xiao was only a Soul Grandmaster. How could she handle a thousand-year soul beast?
Most of the doubters came from Class 2, while Class 1 was relatively confident in Xiao Xiao's strength.
Wang Yan also smiled. After all, Xiao Xiao's Three lives Soul Sealing Cauldronhad already demonstrated its power during the freshman assessment. As long as she mastered the art of control, she was sure to score highly this time.
"I'm sure!" Xiao Xiao's voice was firm and resolute.
Seeing her determination, the assessment teacher said no more. "Xiao Xiao, are you ready?"
"Ready." Xiao Xiao nodded, her expression serious as she released her martial soul in advance.
Facing a thousand-year soul beast, she naturally felt no confidence. But as a control-system soul master with the referees' protection, if she didn't challenge herself and try to face a thousand-year soul beast, how could she keep up with Huo Yuhao and Wang Donger in the future?
"The assessment begins."
The referee teacher gestured toward the distance, and the sound of mechanical clattering sounded as a massive iron gate slowly opened. A low growl emerged from the dark passage.
The students, who had been murmuring, fell silent. Facing this situation for the first time, they couldn't help but feel an inexplicable pressure.
A powerful aura emanated from the open iron gate, and a tall figure slowly emerged from the beast enclosure.
It was a massive bear, standing upright with cold red eyes, brown and yellow fur exuding a faint earthy smell, and white hair on its chest. It was a Bloodthirsty Demon Bear, a powerful earth-attribute soul beast!
Although these soul beasts were captive, their wild nature remained, especially the thousand-year-old ones, whose ferocity was extreme.
The Bloodthirsty Demon Bear instantly locked its gaze on Xiao Xiao.
However, this Bloodthirsty Demon Bear wasn't just ferocious—it was also highly intelligent. It didn't attack recklessly like other savage soul beasts but instead moved slowly toward Xiao Xiao on its hind legs, pretending to be clumsy.
Xiao Xiao wasn't fooled. She immediately distanced herself, using a time-delaying tactic.
"Roar"
Seeing that the human before it wasn't falling for its act, the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear's red eyes flashed with anger.
It dropped to all fours, and a layer of intense blood-red light enveloped its body. It suddenly accelerated, charging toward Xiao Xiao like a crimson cloud.
The bear wasn't pretending anymore!
As the distance between them closed, the two referees focused intently. If Xiao Xiao showed any signs of being overwhelmed, they would intervene immediately.
Soul beasts weren't like humans, and casualties had occurred here before. Xiao Xiao was a core disciple—they couldn't afford to lose her!
"Three lives Soul Sealing Cauldron!"
The Three lives Soul Sealing Cauldron rose, intercepting the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear. As the two collided, black ripples from the cauldron clashed with the bear's iron-hard fur, sparking and producing a harsh friction sound.
"First Soul Skill: Cauldron's Quake!"
The three giant cauldrons shook simultaneously, disrupting the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear's momentum. Its rapid charge halted, and it fell into a brief daze.
At the same time, Xiao Xiao activated her Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, creating more distance.
She then switched her martial soul to the Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute, releasing a deceleration soul skill.
The yellow soul ring flickered, and a slow, decelerating melody filled the air.
As an earth-attribute soul beast, the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear excelled in defense. Although Xiao Xiao's two soul skills controlled it, they didn't harm it.
In this brief encounter with the thousand-year soul beast, Xiao Xiao realized she was outmatched. Facing this thick-skinned and sturdy Bloodthirsty Demon Bear, a head-on fight would only end in her defeat.
So, with the help of the Nine Phoenix Worshipping Flute, Xiao Xiao relied on her Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to buy time.
The clumsy bear was played like a fiddle by Xiao Xiao.
Whenever it tried to launch a bloodthirsty attack, Xiao Xiao intercepted it with her Three lives Soul Sealing Cauldron, occasionally using her Second Soul Skill, Cauldron Sweep, to deliver a heavy blow.
As for other offensive soul skills, the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear rarely found an opportunity to use them.
Finally, it unleashed its innate skill: Bloodthirst.
With an angry roar, its massive body stood upright, its light-red eyes turning blood-red. Its already formidable body swelled further, and its speed increased, though it still couldn't catch Xiao Xiao.
Confident in her abilities, Xiao Xiao executed the kiting tactics Huo Yuhao had demonstrated, prioritizing her safety over greed.
When the enemy advanced, she retreated; when the enemy paused, she harassed.
Though the battle seemed perilous, everything was under Xiao Xiao's control.
When she felt her soul power running low, she didn't push her luck and raised her hand to concede.
At this point, the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear looked utterly defeated, lying sprawled on the ground, unwilling to move.
Bloodthirsty Demon Bear seemed to say, 'Destroy me. I'm done with this life.'
The two referees stepped in, subdued the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear, and ended the assessment.
Although the bear wasn't defeated, the judges didn't need to explain. The students could see that Xiao Xiao had passed with flying colors.
On the high platform, all the judges, including Du Weilun, showed surprise.
Facing a ferocious thousand-year soul beast, Xiao Xiao remained calm and composed. Her precise control of the battle's rhythm was something even some senior students lacked!
Du Weilun declared, "Xiao Xiao, facing the highest level of the thousand-year soul beast assessment, the base score is 100. Although you didn't defeat the Bloodthirsty Demon Bear, based on its final condition, you earn 90 base points."
"Your performance in battle was flawless, fully showcasing the advantages of a control-system soul master. However, considering that this thousand-year soul beast had some martial soul restraint factors, your combat skills score is 40 points. Therefore, your final score is 130 points, and you pass the upgrade assessment!"
In the upgrade assessment, different soul beasts had different base scores. The lowest level, a hundred-year soul beast, had a base score of 10, while a two-hundred-year soul beast had 20, and so on. The full score for combat skills was always 50 points.
To pass, a student needed at least 30 points.
In theory, choosing a hundred-year soul beast meant the total score was only 60, and half of that was required to pass. However, in Shrek Academy's history, no student had ever chosen a hundred-year soul beast and passed. If the performance was too poor, the combat skills score could even be negative.
Before Huo Yuhao could congratulate Xiao Xiao, a soul power transmission reached his ears.
"Yuhao, this upgrade assessment is too easy for you. Do you want to try the ten-thousand-year soul beast challenge prepared by the academy? It's a twenty-thousand-year Silverbrave Beast that the academy captured for you. If you can pass with a high score, there's an extra reward!"
It was Yan Shaozhe's soul power transmission.
'An extra reward?'
Following the direction of the transmission, Huo Yuhao saw Yan Shaozhe in the stands, winking at him.
Huo Yuhao nodded, indicating he had no objections.
The Silverbrave Beast, still enjoying its meal in the beast enclosure: Did anyone ask for my opinion?
I fight Huo Yuhao? Are you kidding me?
…
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