The selection competition passed quickly, taking only five days to pick out all the talented and capable students in Shrek Academy.
Back when it was still Blue Tyrant Academy, there had not been any particularly outstanding geniuses, so according to Flender's original idea, he did not plan to let just anyone fill the numbers.
However, considering that the academy had now been renamed Shrek, and that there were many older students, plus the fact that such a selection competition could indeed motivate those with perseverance, Flender finally decided to admit a few of the more talented and capable students into Shrek Academy.
Given their ages, they would also be eligible to participate in the next Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. They were already past level thirty, and with about six years until the next tournament, there was enough time to cultivate them properly.
Besides the original eight of Shrek, including Oscar, the team now added Tyrone at level 36, age 17, Jing Ling at level 33, age 17, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu at level 32, age 17.
All four were seventeen years old. If not for the monstrous talent of Oscar and Dugu Yan, their level would already have been considered the peak among common spirit masters.
Tyrone, for example, might not be a top genius, but he barely qualified as one. At his current training speed, he would likely reach level 38 in eight or nine months, and by the age of twenty he could definitely break through level 40.
In the world of spirit masters, reaching over level 40 by age twenty already marked one as exceptionally gifted. True geniuses were always rare.
Sometimes even Liu Erlong could not help but sigh at Flender's good fortune. Though the academy had only a handful of students, they were all among the top geniuses in the spirit master world, destined to become pillars of the future.
When the Shrek team selection was finished, the Shrek team was officially established. Oscar was appointed captain, and Dugu Yan became vice-captain.
No one objected to this appointment. Their strength was undeniable. If anyone was dissatisfied, they could challenge and, if victorious, take their place.
In the courtyard of the villa, Oscar stood calmly on the battle platform, with Dugu Yan at his side. Below stood Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and the others.
Oscar's gaze swept across them, finally stopping on Tyrone, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu.
Oscar spoke calmly. "Although you four have now joined the Shrek team, I don't yet have a clear understanding of your strength. Before training begins, I need to test you."
The four looked at him, awaiting the trial.
Oscar continued. "You've seen Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu. Their spirit power is similar to yours, and I already know their abilities well. So the test is simple. Each of you will fight a duel."
Hearing this, the four brightened. Before Oscar arrived, they had been the top geniuses of the academy, admired by classmates and teachers alike.
But with Oscar's arrival, their glory vanished. Especially when they learned he was only fifteen, their shock mixed with respect.
At such a young age he had already achieved so much, and among the Shrek team, aside from Tang San and the others, the rest were all above level 40 and had not even needed to participate in the selection.
Yet Oscar could still make these geniuses submit wholeheartedly, which was further proof of his strength.
They did not yet know Oscar's exact level, but it had to be at least above 40. Against him they stood no chance, but against peers of their own level, they were not afraid.
Now hearing Oscar's words, Tyrone, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan wanted to prove themselves again. Once they too had been called geniuses, the pride of the academy.
"Captain, is this a team battle or individual battles?" Tyrone asked.
Oscar gave him a glance and replied evenly. "You have no chance in a team battle. So it will be individual duels. If even one of you wins, I'll give you a chance to show yourselves in a team fight."
The four frowned. They had worked together for years with good coordination. Tang San and the others had higher spirit power, but team battles were not decided by level alone.
Although they lacked a control-type spirit master, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was considered a useless martial spirit. They could not understand how it could grow so fast, but in their eyes, it could never truly restrain them.
Though Tang San had performed well in the earlier selection, his level 36 spirit power gave him a big advantage, surpassing everyone else in the academy.
Now that Tyrone had also reached level 36, he did not put Tang San's Blue Silver Grass in his eyes. To him, it could not possibly counter him.
Still, none of them dared show dissatisfaction openly. They knew Oscar's strength and background were extraordinary. Even the stern Liu Erlong treated him with affection, while Flender and Zhao Wuji also trusted him deeply.
Tyrone finally said, "We understand."
Oscar nodded. "Do you want to draw lots, or shall I assign the opponents?"
Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu answered, "Captain decides."
Oscar looked at Tyrone's group, saw no objection, and declared, "Tang San vs Tyrone. Zhu Zhuqing vs Jing Ling. Xiao Wu vs Huang Yuan. Jiang Zhu, during the fights, you may freely support any of the three. How you assist will be your test."
"If, with your support, all three win, I will give you an additional reward."
At these words, Tyrone's group froze, surprised.
Jiang Zhu had not expected to be tested this way. As a support-type spirit master, she thought she would be excluded. But she realized this was a test of her precision in support, a core skill of her type.
Yet since her side would be one-on-one while she added support, they would already have an advantage. Winning might seem dishonorable, while losing would be humiliating.
Tyrone and Tang San were both level 36. If she supported Tyrone, it would be like bullying Tang San, especially since his martial spirit was only Blue Silver Grass.
Jing Ling and Huang Yuan were only level 33, while Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were level 35 and 34. Supporting them seemed less unfair.
For a moment, Jiang Zhu did not know how to respond.
Tyrone and the others thought the same. If it was to be duels, why add a support? Was Oscar looking down on them?
Respecting Oscar's talent was one thing, but this felt insulting.
Tyrone protested. "Captain, what do you mean? A duel is a duel. With a support it's meaningless. If we win, it's dishonorable, and if we lose, it's shameful!"
Oscar only smiled. "I know what you're thinking. Afraid of losing face? If you worry about losing even with support, then maybe your strength isn't much after all."
Their faces darkened, but Oscar went on. "Here, strength is everything. If you feel I look down on you, then prove me wrong with your power. If you can slap me in the face with victory, I'll apologize and give each of you one hundred thousand gold soul coins. How about it?"
They still looked unhappy, but since Oscar had spoken so, there was no room to refuse. The best rebuttal was to win.
After a pause, they answered, "Fine!"
Oscar's smile did not fade. "Good. But if you lose even with support, you will obey my arrangements from then on. Agreed?"
This time they did not hesitate. "Understood!"
"Good." Oscar chuckled. "Follow me to the training hall. There are three adjacent platforms there."
The group entered Shrek's private training hall. Oscar gave them ten minutes to prepare as they wished, then sat with Dugu Yan and the others in the rest area, watching.
Tang San vs Tyrone. Zhu Zhuqing vs Jing Ling. Xiao Wu vs Huang Yuan. Jiang Zhu could support any of them without restriction.
Before entering, Oscar addressed Tang San's group. "If you win, there's no reward. But if you lose, you must each pay one hundred thousand gold soul coins to the victor. If you can't, you'll work for them instead."
Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu all twitched at this. If it were normal duels, they had no fear.
They already knew Tyrone's group's strength from the earlier selection. Though talented, they were still weaker overall.
But now, with Jiang Zhu's support, things changed. She could aid without interference, supporting until her spirit power ran dry. At level 32, she was a capable support master, not as strong as Ning Rongrong but still outstanding among her peers.
With her, the duels would be much harder.
Thus, this was not only a test for Tyrone's group, but also for Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu.
Dai Mubai moved Ma Hongjun aside and asked Oscar quietly, "Captain, do you think Zhuqing has a good chance?"
Oscar glanced at him. "What, don't trust her? Or have you prepared your hundred thousand gold coins already?"
Dai Mubai rolled his eyes. "Keep it down, don't let her hear. It's not that I don't trust her, but even though her level is one higher than Jing Ling's, if Jiang Zhu gives healing and support, that advantage could be erased or even reversed."
Oscar looked at Tyrone's group and smiled. "This test isn't just for them, but for Zhuqing and the others too. If they can't overcome such a challenge after following me so long, then I'll have to reconsider their strength and talent."
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Mubai, you're worrying like a eunuch in a hurry when the emperor isn't. Zhuqing doesn't even seem pressured, but you're stressing already."
Dai Mubai glared at him. "Shut up. If Rongrong were up there, wouldn't you be worried?"
Ma Hongjun laughed. "Not at all. Rongrong's already level 39. With the captain's clone sausages, even Tang San might not beat her."
Ning Rongrong, sitting beside Dugu Yan, smiled. "Mubai, don't worry. Zhuqing will be fine. Don't forget how strict our senior has been with us. She can handle this."
Hearing their words, Dai Mubai calmed down. He was not worried about losing the money, but about Zhu Zhuqing failing Oscar's trust.
But after thinking it through, he realized his worry was unnecessary. He knew well how tough Oscar's training was. Zhu Zhuqing would not fall from something like this.
Ten minutes passed quickly. Tyrone, Jing Ling, Huang Yuan, and Jiang Zhu had discussed much, but no one knew what they planned.
Oscar set down his cup and stood. "Tang San and Tyrone, platform one. Zhu Zhuqing and Jing Ling, platform two. Xiao Wu and Huang Yuan, platform three. Jiang Zhu, move freely."
At his command, the four opponents split into three groups and stepped onto the platforms, while Jiang Zhu positioned herself in the center, ready to assist whichever way was needed.
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