Classes One and Two stood in two neat formations.
At the very front of Class One's line was, without a doubt, Lin Yun. Meanwhile, the head of Class Two's formation was Xie Huanyue, a defensive-type soul master genius.
Had it not been for Lin Yun and Huo Yuhao, this grade level would have been dominated by the fierce rivalry between Dai Huabin, the aggressive White Tiger soul master, and Xie Huanyue, the defensive-type Leather Elephant soul master. But now, Dai Huabin could only stand behind Lin Yun like an insignificant follower.
Watching Lin Yun bask in the spotlight at the front of the line, Dai Huabin lowered his head slightly, his sapphire-blue eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.
As the legitimate son of the current White Tiger Duke and a natural-born full soul power genius, he had been able to strut through Star Luo City without a care in the world, looking down on everyone.
Even his elder brother, Dai Yaheng—who had broken through to Soul Emperor before the age of twenty and successfully entered Shrek Academy's inner courtyard—was someone Dai Huabin sneered at. In his eyes, Dai Yaheng merely had the advantage of age. Who would be stronger in the future was still up for debate.
But ever since entering Shrek Academy, aside from the first three months, Lin Yun had loomed over him like an inescapable shadow following the freshman assessment.
No matter how outstanding Dai Huabin was, Lin Yun always overshadowed him by several levels. Within Class One, the one who received the most respect and fear was always Lin Yun.
All this glory should have been mine!
But alas…
Dai Huabin had talent and background, and under Lin Yun's shadow, he had trained like a madman.
But he didn't have cheats!
Over the past year, Dai Huabin had pushed himself relentlessly in cultivation, all for the sake of one day surpassing Lin Yun and crushing him beneath his feet.
He knew Lin Yun's soul power had already reached rank 37 during the freshman assessment. Now, he must have broken through to Soul Ancestor. So, in desperation, Dai Huabin had even resorted to taking potential-draining pills just to make a stunning impression during the advancement exam.
A Soul Ancestor before the age of fourteen—it was clear Dai Huabin had paid a hefty price.
Draining his potential was one thing, but the pills that could drastically boost soul power without damaging his foundation definitely didn't come cheap.
"Just you wait, Lin Yun!"
A cold glint flickered in Dai Huabin's eyes.
"This exam, I'll show you who the real genius of Shrek Academy is!"
But he was destined for disappointment—even despair.
After the lead grading teacher's lengthy speech, the second-year advancement exam officially began. Passing this exam meant shedding the label of "freshman" and becoming true second-year students of Shrek Academy's outer courtyard.
"Lin Yun, you're up! Remember—show them the might of Class One!" Mu Jin encouraged with a smile.
Lin Yun nodded, letting go of Xiao Xiao's hand, and strode toward the Beast Fighting Zone with his assessment form.
The Beast Fighting Arena was Shrek Academy's most expensive facility. Its annual operating costs consumed a full third of Shrek City's tax revenue—even more than the Soul Tool Department—yet it generated almost no income. The soul beasts housed within were primarily used for combat training and assessments for both inner and outer courtyard students.
Occasionally, they also served as soul rings for Shrek's teachers and students.
Given the enormous expenditure, the arena's grandeur was evident. The fighting platform alone was as large as two soccer fields, shaped in an octagon.
Surrounding it were sturdy walls over ten meters high, preventing any soul beasts from harming the spectators.
Embedded within these walls were eight heavy metal gates—passageways for the soul beasts.
Two proctors oversaw the exam, with the one on the left clearly being the head judge. After accepting Lin Yun's form, he asked:
"What is your primary specialization?"
"Offensive-type," Lin Yun replied.
"Select the age of the soul beast you wish to face."
"A thousand-year soul beast."
The proctor gave him a glance before pressing a purple button on the table.
"Assessment target: thousand-year soul beast. Demonstrate your combat style as an offensive-type soul master. Your final score will be based on your performance."
Lin Yun nodded and stepped into the arena.
Shortly after he took his position, one of the eight metal gates slowly creaked open, the sound of mechanisms clanking echoing through the space.
Lin Yun narrowed his eyes, watching the dark passageway beyond the gate. He could already hear it—the faint sound of a soul beast's paws against the ground, growing louder.
Just as the beast emerged from the shadows, everyone expected it to walk out calmly when—
ROAR—!
A deafening roar filled the arena as a blazing crimson figure shot forward in a burst of speed!
A majestic, flame-wreathed giant tiger lunged into view—the Scarletflame Tiger, one of the most elite fire-attribute feline soul beasts!
Ignoring the gasps from the audience, Lin Yun's lips curled into a smirk. His golden eyes instantly contracted into vertical slits, crimson overtaking the gold as the bloodthirsty draconic pupils of the Golden Dragon King locked onto the tiger with malice.
The once-ferocious Scarletflame Tiger froze.
Then, like a frightened house cat, it dropped to the ground, tail tucked between its legs, trembling as it stared at Lin Yun in terror.
The shocked spectators fell dead silent, their jaws dropping in disbelief.
"What the hell?!"
"The Scarletflame Tiger is actually shivering in front of Lin Yun? It doesn't even dare move?!"
"Is this normal?! The soul beast isn't attacking him?!"
"This is insane!"
The stands erupted into chaos.
Even Mu Jin and Wang Yan were stunned, exchanging baffled looks.
"Teacher Wang, do you know what's happening?" Mu Jin tilted her chin toward the arena, utterly confused.
After his initial shock, Wang Yan's eyes burned with excitement, as if he were staring at a priceless treasure.
Since becoming one of Class One's homeroom teachers, Wang Yan had naturally studied Lin Yun's Golden Dragon martial soul and Ultimate Strength. For a scholar like him, a legendary martial soul like the Golden Dragon was irresistibly fascinating.
In the original timeline, he had been intrigued by Huo Yuhao's Spirit Eyes. But in this world, Huo Yuhao's low-profile cultivation kept him under the radar, leaving Wang Yan's attention solely on Lin Yun—Shrek Academy's only Ultimate Attribute soul master.
Lin Yun had humored some of Wang Yan's harmless experiments, allowing him to glimpse a fraction of the Golden Dragon's power.
But when it came to his true abilities—like his Ultimate talents—Lin Yun kept those cards close to his chest. No matter how well-intentioned Wang Yan was, Lin Yun wasn't about to reveal all his secrets.
Which was why even Wang Yan was witnessing Lin Yun's influence over soul beasts for the first time.
"This is unbelievable! Is this the power of the Golden Dragon martial soul? The might of the Ancestor of Strength?!" Wang Yan was practically vibrating with excitement, itching to drag Lin Yun into a lab for thorough research.
Meanwhile, the exam continued.
Despite the Scarletflame Tiger's immediate surrender, the bizarre situation left the proctors at a loss. They had never encountered anything like this—how were they supposed to grade it?
Even Du Weilun, the outer courtyard's academic director seated in the central stands, was flabbergasted. He instinctively glanced at Yan Shaozhe beside him.
In this situation, Yan Shaozhe's word was law.
"Don't rush. Keep watching," Yan Shaozhe said calmly, sensing Du Weilun's questioning look.
With no other choice, Du Weilun could only sigh and return his gaze to the surreal scene below.
Fortunately, Lin Yun finally moved.
He walked toward the cowering tiger—completely unguarded, without even summoning his martial soul. Yet the oppressive draconic aura made the Scarletflame Tiger back away, a low growl rumbling in its throat—a mix of submission and warning.
'Stay back! Don't make me beg on my knees!'
That was probably what the tiger was saying.
Lin Yun stopped. Then, he curled a finger at it.
But this wasn't a taunt—it was more like calling a pet.
"Tsk tsk tsk tsk…" Lin Yun made a clicking sound, the kind used to summon a puppy.
The entire arena collectively short-circuited.
"Good girl, come here!" Lin Yun beckoned again with a smile.
At that moment, everyone in the Beast Fighting Arena turned into Spartans, their mouths hanging open wide enough to fit apples.
And what happened next made their jaws hit the floor.
After a brief hesitation, the Scarletflame Tiger actually obeyed. It padded over to Lin Yun, rubbing its massive head against his leg with a contented purr.
Emperor Engine!
Lin Yun crouched down, grinning as he scratched the tiger's head like it was an oversized house cat. Its fur was warm and soft, nothing like the stiff, needle-like texture one might expect.
Absolutely addicting!
Sensing Lin Yun's goodwill, the Scarletflame Tiger relaxed completely, rolling onto its back to expose its belly. Its sharp eyes narrowed in bliss.
"Oh? A little tigress, huh?" Lin Yun chuckled after a glance at its underside. The tiger responded with a couple of soft growls, nuzzling into his chest.
The harmonious scene between man and beast made it easy to forget this was supposed to be an advancement exam—not a heartwarming pet owner moment!
"This… Dean Yan, what do we do now?" Du Weilun felt his sanity crumbling as he stared blankly at the sky.
"Uh…" Yan Shaozhe was at a loss for words.
(End of Chapter)
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