Time flies like an arrow, the sun and moon shuttle like a weaver's shuttle.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of Shrek Academy's most highly anticipated grade challenge match—the day when Grades 1 and 2 would join forces to challenge Grade 3.
This match was absolutely the most heavyweight internal competition at Shrek Academy this year.
This year's Grade 1 was hailed as the strongest in a century.
Among them, the Zero Class team had even represented the academy in battle during last year's final exams, defeating the Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy. Their reputation in the outer court was now illustrious.
The combined team of Grades 1 and 2 would challenge Grade 3, the strongest comprehensive force in the outer court.
Just this gimmick alone was enough to trigger heated discussions throughout the outer court.
On the day of the competition, nearly all outer court students flocked to the Sparring Arena.
Not only students but also outer court teachers gathered at the Sparring Arena, surrounding it so completely that not a drop of water could trickle through—the scene was extraordinarily lively.
On the main platform sat numerous academy higher-ups who had come to watch the match.
The highest-ranking was naturally the Vice Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, Holy Spirit Douluo Ya Li, followed by Outer Court Dean Silver Moon Douluo Cai Yue'er.
Sea God Pavilion Elder Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi, Blazing Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu, and several other Sea God Pavilion elders who taught in the outer court.
In the preparation areas on both sides of the Sparring Arena, the combined team of Grades 1 and 2 and the Grade 3 students stood ready respectively.
"Are you all prepared?"
Wu Zhangkong looked at the Grade 1 and Grade 2 students standing before him, his cold face showing no trace of emotion.
"Ready."
Luo Guixing answered on behalf of everyone, his voice filled with determination.
"Mhm."
Wu Zhangkong nodded slightly.
On the Grade 3 side, the class teacher was a middle-aged woman named Song Lin.
This two-word battle armor master at the Soul Saint level was a veteran teacher of the outer court who had stayed to teach after graduation.
This Grade 3 class was the second group of students she had led.
"You all know the strength of this year's Grade 1—they are indeed very strong, so you must not be careless."
Song Lin instructed solemnly, then turned her gaze to a youth of eighteen or nineteen. "First match, I'm counting on you, Wu Rui."
"Yes, Teacher Song!" Wu Rui responded in a deep voice.
As a Level 48 control-type battle soul master with the Heaven's Book martial soul, he was among the top in Grade 3.
Cai Yue'er stepped into the void, and with a flash of silver light, arrived on the Sparring Arena stage.
The first match: Yuanen Yehui of Class 1, Grade 2 versus Wu Rui of Class 1, Grade 3.
"First match, both students please take the stage."
As two figures simultaneously leaped up from both sides of the Sparring Arena, the surroundings immediately erupted in deafening cheers.
"Hello there, junior."
Wu Rui landed lightly. He had an elegant appearance, with an air of calm composure.
One hand placed before him, the other behind his back, his hair combed meticulously, revealing what he believed to be his most handsome smile.
"Boring."
Yuanen Yehui landed steadily on the Sparring Arena, stunning the audience and drawing waves of cheers from the students.
"Class 1, Grade 3, Wu Rui!"
Wu Rui was undeterred by Yuanen Yehui's cold attitude, maintaining his most handsome smile.
"Class 1, Grade 2, Yuanen Yehui!" Yuanen Yehui responded indifferently.
Wu Rui smiled: "Class monitor of Class 1, Grade 2! I've heard of you—twin martial souls, very impressive."
Seeing Yuanen Yehui remain silent, he added: "If you can't keep up, don't force yourself too much. Rest assured, this senior will show mercy."
Below the stage, Song Lin couldn't help but facepalm, regretting sending this chatterbox out for the first match.
This guy had the strength, but he loved to talk nonsense, loved to show off, and enjoyed displaying himself before others.
Now, in front of so many students, his old habit was clearly acting up again.
"Shut up, why do you have so much nonsense to spout!"
Cai Yue'er frowned and directly interrupted him.
"Uh... Elder Cai, I was just trying to express my friendliness toward the junior." Wu Rui tried to explain.
Cai Yue'er glared at him. "Begin the match."
"Junior, be careful..." Wu Rui was still talking when Yuanen Yehui had already moved.
Under Wu Zhangkong's tutelage, they had long since thoroughly understood the martial souls of the Grade 3 team.
Although this Wu Rui talked too much, he possessed the troublesome Heaven's Book martial soul and absolutely could not be underestimated.
Yuanen Yehui directly activated her Fallen Angel martial soul possession. Pitch-black wings spread behind her, and a powerful dark aura instantly enveloped the entire arena.
Relying on the agility and explosive power brought by her Fallen Angel martial soul, in just a few short exchanges, she suppressed her opponent with absolute strength.
Yuanen Yehui landed lightly, her wings folding as she coldly regarded her opponent: "Do you wish to continue?"
"Junior's strength is extraordinary, I concede." Wu Rui shook his head with a bitter smile.
He had indeed been careless, not expecting Yuanen Yehui's offensive to be so fierce, giving him no chance to utilize the advantages of a control-type soul master.
"First match, Yuanen Yehui of the Grades 1 and 2 combined team wins!"
Elder Cai's voice announced the result, and the stage immediately erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Yuanen Yehui saluted Cai Yue'er and turned to walk off the stage.
On the Grade 3 side, Song Lin's brows furrowed slightly. Losing the first match was somewhat embarrassing for the entire Class 1, Grade 3!
This loss wasn't unjust—Yuanen Yehui's strength was indeed stronger than imagined. No wonder the academy had the combined team of Grades 1 and 2 challenge Grade 3; they truly had the foundation for it.
Song Lin pondered briefly, then turned to look at Ye Wu: "You go for the second match."
She didn't give much instruction. These students had been with her for seven years; they knew her personality very well.
Flames of excitement burned in Ye Wu's eyes as he patted Wu Rui's shoulder. "Big Mouth Wu, watch me avenge you."
Wu Rui curled his lip: "I wish you encounter someone even stronger."
For him, losing to a junior was absolutely embarrassing.
Wu Siduo stepped forward voluntarily. "Teacher Wu, I'll take the second match."
Wu Zhangkong nodded slightly. "Just display your own abilities."
"Yes!"
Wu Siduo responded and leaped up, landing nimbly on the competition stage.
"Hello junior, I'm Ye Wu of Class 1, Grade 3." Ye Wu said with a smile, his previous fighting spirit actually diminishing somewhat.
"Class 1, Grade 1, Wu Siduo." Wu Siduo's answer was much simpler.
Hearing her name, a flash of surprise crossed Ye Wu's eyes. He had heard this name long ago.
Top ten of the Young Genius Rankings, twin martial souls, self-martial soul fusion technique—all indicated Wu Siduo's extraordinary talent.
"Second match, begin!" Cai Yue'er announced simply.
Subsequently, Wu Siduo and Ye Wu exchanged blows.
It didn't take long before Ye Wu succumbed under Wu Siduo's switching between her Evil Eye White Tiger and Netherworld Spirit Cat.
"Big Mouth Wu, I hate you to death." Ye Wu said to Wu Rui after leaving the stage.
"Haha."
Wu Rui couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Song Lin's expression was exceptionally ugly, and the Grade 3 students had all fallen into silence.
Two consecutive losses to start—the result surprised everyone.
In contrast, the Grades 1 and 2 side was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
Seeing this, Xie Xie couldn't help but tease: "Wow, is Grade 3 this weak?"
"Why don't you go up and try?" Fang Yang asked indifferently.
"Haha, well we're all banned from competition..." Xie Xie touched his nose sheepishly.
Everyone was speechless. "Xie Xie, this guy..."
"Mo Jue!"
Determination flashed in Song Lin's eyes as she began selecting her next fighter.
"I understand, please rest assured, Teacher Song!" Mo Jue responded in a deep voice.
As vice class monitor of Grade 3, she was currently one of the two strongest in Grade 3 and would enter the inner court before graduation barring any accidents.
Mo Jue walked calmly onto the Sparring Arena. Her appearance immediately ignited the fighting spirit and hope of the Grade 3 students, who cheered enthusiastically.
"Mo Jue, it's Mo Jue who's going to make a move!"
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