The groupings and match schedules for all competing teams had been decided by lottery at noon, ensuring as much as possible that teams from the same class would not meet too early during the subsequent ten rounds of the round-robin tournament.
Except for new student class one, which only had twenty-two groups left due to Zhou Yi's 'iron-fisted' policy, other classes basically maintained a full roster of over thirty groups.
Unless their performance was truly eyesores, most class teachers would give students the chance to take the assessment.
In the end, a total of three hundred and ten groups, nine hundred and thirty people, participated in this year's Freshman Assessment.
The cruel competitive atmosphere of Shrek Academy was fully revealed at this moment.
But it was precisely this high-pressure environment that could maximize the potential of the students and filter out the true elites.
An overly gentle environment only makes people slack off, which was also an important reason why Caelus was unwilling to stay at the Star Luo Imperial Academy back then—there, he couldn't feel the slightest bit of pressure.
Fifty assessment areas operating simultaneously meant that each area was assigned six to seven teams.
Not just today, but in the coming days, they would also play round-robin matches against other teams in the same area. Only after facing all opponents in the same district would they be regrouped to complete the final ten points-based matches.
Caelus, Gu Yuena, and Ye Guyi were assigned to District Eleven.
After lunch, the three of them followed the directions and quickly found their designated assessment area.
When they arrived, students from the other teams in District Eleven had also begun to arrive one after another.
These boys and girls, aged eleven or twelve, were mostly rubbing their hands together. Their faces were a mix of nervousness and excitement, and Battle Intent burned in their eyes. They all longed to show off their skills on this important stage and prove themselves.
The looks they exchanged were inevitably filled with scrutiny and hostility—here, everyone was a competitor. A single defeat could mean missing out on Shrek Academy, and no one dared to take it lightly.
However, when the trio of Caelus, Gu Yuena, and Ye Guyi stepped into District Eleven, the originally noisy area instantly quieted down quite a bit.
Caelus's striking silver hair and steady temperament, Gu Yuena's breathtaking appearance and cold 'keep away' aura, and Ye Guyi's pride carrying a sacred air—the combination of these three was itself highly recognizable and oppressive.
Especially for the better-informed teams, they had long heard that freshman class six had a 'monster team' composed of three Soul Elders.
Seeing them now with their own eyes and sensing the Soul Power fluctuations and unique auras that far exceeded their peers, the Battle Intent in many people's hearts was instantly dampened, leaving only heavy pressure.
Caelus's gaze calmly swept across the other teams present, his expression not changing at all.
Gu Yuena didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.
A faint, almost imperceptible curve touched the corner of Ye Guyi's mouth, a confidence and pride belonging to a holder of the Sacred Angel Martial Soul.
"Attention all freshmen, attention all freshmen. Please enter the assessment area immediately to prepare for the Freshman Assessment. There are ten minutes left to enter. Those who are late will be considered to have forfeited this assessment."
The loud broadcast voice was like an invisible ripple, sweeping through the entire Shrek Outer Court and reaching the ears of every freshman.
The originally somewhat restless atmosphere instantly became solemn. The faces of most freshmen turned serious; the first battle to decide whether they stayed or left was about to begin, and tension was inevitable.
"Let's go, finish it early."
Hearing the broadcast, Caelus spoke easily to his two companions, then looked at Ye Guyi.
"Gu Yi, I'll leave it to you today. No problem, right?"
"No problem, I alone am enough."
Ye Guyi showed a confident smile.
As the class monitor, Caelus naturally took on the role of team captain.
Ye Guyi had no objection to this. She had challenged Caelus during these three months, but after just one time, she gave up completely.
Under Caelus's seemingly sunny and gentle exterior, his Martial Soul Abilities were bizarre to an outrageous degree. She never wanted to experience that frustrating feeling of not being able to hit anyone while being struck by mysteriously appearing attacks ever again.
Gu Yuena appeared indifferent to the captaincy. She knew that after the assessment ended and classes were reshuffled, there would eventually be a fight between her and Caelus; it wouldn't be too late to determine the winner then.
In fact, there was no need for the broadcast's reminder; all the freshmen had already gathered in their respective assessment areas.
A capable-looking female teacher in her thirties walked quickly into District Eleven. She was the referee for this district.
She acted decisively. Without waiting for the students to salute or greet her, she directly announced the rules:
"The rules are simple. During the assessment, intentional crippling or killing of opponents is prohibited. Violators will be severely punished. Is that clear?"
After speaking, her sharp gaze swept over all the students present.
Receiving a silent response, she didn't procrastinate and immediately picked up the match schedule.
"First round, first match. freshman class six: Caelus, Gu Yuena, Ye Guyi versus Freshman Class Four: Wang Shuo, Li Ying, Yang Yiming. You may enter the field. Each take a corner. Wait for my command before releasing your Martial Soul."
There were six teams in District Eleven, requiring three rounds of matches, and Caelus's team was the first to appear.
The students from both sides entered the field as instructed.
On Caelus's side, he and Gu Yuena tacitly stood slightly behind Ye Guyi, a typical two-control, one-attack formation.
The three from Freshman Class Four—Wang Shuo, Li Ying, and Yang Yiming—also had a similar positioning.
"Match begin."
The Referee Teacher gave the order.
Wang Shuo, Li Ying, and Yang Yiming didn't dare to be careless. They shouted in unison and instantly released their Martial Souls.
Vines wrapped around Wang Shuo, wing-like features appeared on Li Ying's arms, and Yang Yiming's muscles swelled, emitting a fierce aura.
Beneath the three of them, uniform yellow hundred-year spirit rings rose. Their Soul Power fluctuations were around level eighteen or nineteen, which was considered good among their peers.
However, the situation on the opposing side was completely different.
Ye Guyi, standing at the front, didn't even move her feet.
She simply raised her right hand calmly. In an instant, a dazzling golden light erupted violently with her as the center.
A majestic and sacred golden angel phantom condensed behind her, as if a Divinity had descended.
At the same time, a pair of huge wings composed entirely of golden light suddenly unfolded behind her back. The holy radiance instantly dispelled all the gloom in the field, as if even the air had become pure.
What was even more heart-shaking was that in the Void Realm, there was a faint, ethereal, and sacred chanting echoing, like a hymn from heaven.
A holy sword burning with golden flames appeared in Ye Guyi's hand, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground.
And what was most suffocating was that spiraling up from beneath her feet were three spirit rings: two yellow and one purple.
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