Final Stage of the Freshman Assessment,
At this point, several high-ranking figures of Shrek Academy had arrived to observe the standout talents among this year's freshmen.
The one overseeing the draw was no longer Du Weilun, the Dean of the Outer Court Martial Soul Department, but the Dean of Shrek Academy himself.
"Greetings, students. I am Yan Shaozhe, the 261st Dean of Shrek Academy…"
Su Yunlin paid little attention to Yan Shaozhe's formal speech. It was nothing more than the usual rhetoric—this year is special, he graced them with his presence, and the freshmen should feel honored.
Instead, Su Yunlin carefully observed Yan Shaozhe. Judging by his appearance, he seemed like someone skilled in scheming.
'How did Elder Mu end up teaching someone like this? Or was he born with the tendencies of an evil soul master—beyond saving? What a waste of such a top-tier Martial Soul like the Bright Phoenix.'
'If I remember correctly, Yan Shaozhe is older than my father, and much older than my mother. Yet his cultivation is far inferior to hers. Unfortunately, my father's innate Spirit Power was only Level 8. Reaching Level 94 was already his limit.
'Because his Spirit Power couldn't advance further, he turned to studying soul tools. Still, soul tools here can't compare to those of the Sun Moon Empire. I'll have to find a way to help him in the future.'
Su Yunlin then glanced at Wang Dong beside him.
'That Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in her "back garden"… I should make some plans for it. Might as well take a bit from Tang God King's assets—consider it a dowry. I don't mind.'
Soon, it was time for the draw.
Su Yunlin stepped forward and drew number two. Shortly after, a tall, blond-haired youth stepped out.
With golden hair and double pupils in his eyes, anyone with some knowledge could recognize his background—he was from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion of the Star Luo Empire.
"Freshman Class Five, Team Dai Huabin—Draw Number One!"
Su Yunlin looked at Dai Huabin, who returned the gaze with blatant provocation in his eyes.
Su Yunlin simply shook his head. Someone who couldn't even control his temper wasn't worth his attention.
The only thing Dai Huabin had that could pose any pressure was the Netherworld White Tiger. As for everything else, Su Yunlin didn't take it seriously.
Top-tier beast Martial Soul, Evil-Eyed White Tiger? Big talk. Let it first surpass the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
Without the enhancement of the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum, the White Tiger's advantage lay in its three-stage enhancement abilities—which just so happened to be perfectly countered by Night Demon Sphere.
Returning to his team, Su Yunlin noticed that Huo Yuhao was trembling all over. His eyes were bloodshot, fists clenched tightly, and his gaze locked onto Dai Huabin with intense hatred.
"Enough. Even if you stare yourself blind, you won't kill him with your eyes. Focus on cultivating—improving your strength is what matters."
Su Yunlin's voice entered Huo Yuhao's ears through directed transmission.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
Su Yunlin turned around, wondering which unlucky team would face them next. At that moment, Wang Dong nudged him with his elbow. He had also noticed Huo Yuhao's abnormal behavior.
Wang Dong gave Su Yunlin a look that clearly meant: What's wrong with him? Has he gone crazy?
Su Yunlin gave a subtle nod in response, signaling that he would explain later.
Soon, the drawing concluded.
Su Yunlin's team was matched against another team in the semifinals. The result was obvious—there was no chance of victory against them.
Perhaps their opponents knew this as well. Rather than getting injured, they simply forfeited.
After all, reaching the top four in the freshman assessment was already a commendable result.
Thus, Su Yunlin's team advanced once more.
...
Huo Yuhao's Dormitory,
Su Yunlin and Wang Dong came over, mainly because Wang Dong was curious about Huo Yuhao's earlier outburst.
Wang Dong sat on a chair, leaning over its backrest, ready to listen. Su Yunlin stood beside him, casually leaning against the desk.
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath. "Class monitor, Wang Dong… I must win the finals!"
Su Yunlin looked speechless. "With me here, how could we not win? You think that mere second son of the White Tiger Duke can beat us?"
Wang Dong nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Don't you understand our strength by now?"
Huo Yuhao clutched his head, fingers digging into his scalp, before speaking in a hoarse voice:
"I come from the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. My mother was a servant there. I… I lost my father at a young age! It was my mother who raised me, but she…"
Hearing this, Wang Dong immediately couldn't hold back and tried to stand up, but Su Yunlin pressed him down.
Su Yunlin looked at Huo Yuhao. He knew Huo Yuhao was lying—but that was understandable. They were only classmates; there was no need to reveal everything.
"Huo Yuhao, anger alone is useless. Turn that anger into motivation for cultivation. That's enough for today. Adjust your state—the finals are this afternoon."
With that, Su Yunlin pulled Wang Dong away, leaving Huo Yuhao sitting alone on the bed.
"Turn anger into motivation… I understand! Thank you for your guidance, class monitor!"
Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, calmed himself, and entered a cultivation state.
Meanwhile, Su Yunlin and Wang Dong headed toward Sea God Lake.
"Yunlin, what are you doing? That kid's so pitiful—shouldn't we help him get justice?" Wang Dong said indignantly.
Su Yunlin looked at him, exasperated, and flicked his forehead.
"And what are you to him? Why help?"
Wang Dong clutched his head, wincing in pain. This time, Su Yunlin hadn't held back.
"Well… hearing his story just made me feel something."
Su Yunlin glanced at him. "Didn't realize you were this kind-hearted… Huo Yuhao is hiding things from us—that's normal. We're just classmates. His mother's death might be real, but his identity is definitely not as simple as a servant's son."
Wang Dong rubbed his head, feeling a lump forming, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, curiosity took over.
"How do you know? Do you know something?"
Su Yunlin looked out toward Sea God Lake, arms crossed.
"You and I both come from prominent families. Have you ever seen a servant's child suffer like that and still survive?
"In noble households, a servant's life is worthless. After his mother died, by all logic, Huo Yuhao should have died too. Yet he lived, grew up, and even awakened a Martial Soul.
"Not every servant's child is even qualified to awaken a Martial Soul. Based on that alone, his identity is definitely questionable. And when he mentioned his father earlier, he hesitated."
He paused before concluding,
"All things considered, Huo Yuhao is likely the illegitimate son of the White Tiger Duke, and his mother was probably a maid. That's why he harbors such deep hatred—his mother died without status or justice, and his father did nothing. Of course he'd hate them."
Wang Dong's mouth hung open. He hadn't expected Su Yunlin to deduce Huo Yuhao's entire background from just that information.
"Yunlin… is there anything you don't know?"
Su Yunlin turned to him with a mysterious smile. "There's a lot I know. For example, someone is hiding a big secret from me—but hasn't told me yet. I'm still waiting for him to come clean."
Wang Dong's heart skipped a beat before racing wildly. His face flushed red at a visible speed, and he couldn't bring himself to meet Su Yunlin's gaze.
"Y-you already know?"
Su Yunlin smiled faintly. "Know what? Could it be that someone really is hiding a big secret from me?"
Realizing he'd been teased, Wang Dong suddenly lifted his head and snapped, "Stupid Yunlin! You're messing with me again!"