A few days later, Shrek Academy, Soul Duel Arena.
At this moment, all core disciples of appropriate age from the second grade and above who met the talent requirements were gathered here. A single glance revealed that while a few second-year students remained at the Two-Ring level, the rest were essentially at the Soul Elder rank or higher.
Among the standouts were Jiang Nannan, who "ate grass" every day, and Tang Ya, who had awakened a devouring talent and chugged "Life Essence" daily. Both had reached levels 51 and 52, respectively—their cultivation speed was bordering on the absurd.
Jiang Nannan had chosen "Blood Essence Body Cultivation," while Tang Ya opted for the "Energy Storage Ring Magic Cultivation." In terms of pure combat power, both could rival an ordinary Soul Emperor.
Beyond them were other elite talents of the Outer Court: Bei Bei, whose martial soul had successfully mutated into the Radiant Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon; and Xu Sanshi, who had awakened his Xuanwu lineage, transforming his martial soul into the Xuanwu Shield.
Huo Yuhao stood half a step behind Mu En. Beside him was Elder Xuan, who had remained by Mu En's side ever since the disappearance of the Golden Ancient Tree. Further back stood the Deans and Vice-Deans of both the Soul Tool and Martial Soul Departments, along with various high-level officials.
Clearly, everyone cared deeply about this selection for the next generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters.
Huo Yuhao looked down and saw Ning Tian quietly leading Wu Feng, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao over to Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya, forming a subtle alliance.
The only problem was... why is every single one of them looking at me?!
Jiang Nannan, Tang Ya, Ning Tian, and even Dong'er, who seemed to have sensed something. Feeling those four gazes landing on him from time to time, Huo Yuhao felt the smile on his face grow slightly stiff.
Suddenly, the nearby Mu En spoke:
"I heard that the current Sect Master of the Tang Sect is also a student of Dean Skydream?"
"Not quite; just a registered disciple," Huo Yuhao replied.
"To possess Soul King cultivation before the age of fifteen... Dean Skydream must have put in a lot of effort."
"Her own talent is simply good," Huo Yuhao said, smiling at Mu En. "Elder Mu, why don't we speak plainly?"
Mu En paused briefly before saying, "Elder Xuan has a disciple named Tang San. His ancestors were descendants of the Tang Sect. I would like him to officially return to the sect and acknowledge his ancestors."
"Because of the Tang Sect secret arts he uses?"
"Yes."
Huo Yuhao feigned contemplation for a long while before speaking: "I respect Tang Ya's wishes. If you can convince her, I will not interfere."
Hearing this, Mu En sighed softly. "I understand."
How could Mu En not realize that Huo Yuhao's words were a polite rejection? It seemed they would have to find another way.
The conversation ended, and the two fell silent, turning their attention to the arena below. Qian Duoduo stepped slowly into the center. Instantly, all chatter died down as every student's eyes instinctively locked onto him.
Qian Duoduo surveyed the students, paused, and then announced loudly:
"Listen up, all students! Today's selection will take the form of a collective free-for-all melee!
"Use every ability you have. Show off your full potential without any reservations.
"If danger arises, someone will save you. Meanwhile, the judges on the observation deck will score you based on your performance and cultivation to determine your selection.
"The battle continues until only seven students remain on the field. That will mark the end of the trial, and those final seven will receive bonus points."
After a brief pause, before the students could fully process the rules, Qian Duoduo shouted: "Begin!"
Before his voice had even faded, Qian Duoduo's figure vanished.
Huo Yuhao watched silently from the high platform. This life was different from the last. Although many students instinctively aimed at the gathered group of Jiang Nannan and the others, the moment Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya revealed their Soul King cultivation, no one dared to move against them recklessly.
Since the goal was to get a high score, attacking a Soul King might result in an instant knockout without a chance to showcase any skills, making selection impossible. Consequently, many students targeted those who looked strong but were currently alone.
Such as... Tang San.
Dai Huabin charged toward Tang San with four others, all activating their martial souls. Dai Huabin, in particular, used his full strength without hesitation. His pure killing intent made several people in the audience frown.
Facing the onslaught, Tang San merely smiled faintly and calmly summoned his martial soul. Soul rings rose from beneath his feet, and in the next heartbeat, a flash of red appeared!
Instantly, the pressure of a 100,000-Year Soul Ring swept through the arena! His Soul King cultivation was laid bare for all to see.
Without a word, Tang San used Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon to seize Dai Huabin's wrist and snapped it with a violent twist!
You dare show killing intent to me? Truly, you have found the path to your own death!
A flash of darkness crossed Tang San's eyes. The Eight Spider Lances erupted from his back as he instinctively prepared to deliver a fatal blow to Dai Huabin!
However, in the next instant, the breath of death suddenly descended!
Tang San instinctively tried to retract his lances to use the Spider Lance Armor and activate Invincible Golden Body.
But it was far too late.
A Blue Silver Longspear, constructed entirely from Blue Silver Grass, crossed more than half the arena in a flash. It hit with pinpoint accuracy, completely skewering Tang San!
Everything happened too fast—so fast that even Elder Xuan, who had been watching his disciple intently, failed to react.
No one expected Tang Ya to suddenly strike, let alone with such unhesitating lethal force!
Clearly, this was premeditated. After learning that Tang San used Tang Sect secret arts, and having been coached by "someone" over the years, Tang Ya hadn't impulsively confronted him. Instead, she had requested authorization from that certain someone to thoroughly investigate Tang San's background.
From the moment he arrived at Shrek, to his awakening at age eight with only level 2.5 soul power, to his past as a pickpocket for a gang, and even the identity of his biological parents who abandoned him—Tang Ya had uncovered it all!
With such overwhelming evidence, Tang Ya was 100% certain that Tang San could not have obtained the Tang Sect secret arts through any legitimate means! And if he didn't get them legitimately, how was it different from stealing?
Thus, the killing intent was born.
But once the investigation was complete, Tang San had already been taken as a disciple by Elder Xuan and was under constant protection. Killing him directly was impossible.
So, Tang Ya waited for this match!
She didn't care if she was punished afterward, nor did she care about being selected for the Shrek Seven Monsters. Tang Ya had only one thought:
—Kill this thief who stole the Tang Sect secret arts!
And so, this blatant assassination took place in broad daylight.