Chapter 23: The Finals Begin

After several days of round-robin and elimination matches, only four teams remained among the freshmen.

The progress of the freshman assessment had also reached the semifinals; after today's matches, the afternoon would be used for rest, and the finals would be held the next day.

Although few teams remained, with only one match per day, the spectator area was still packed.

Not only were there freshmen required by teachers to come watch, but many upperclassmen and some college leaders who usually kept a low profile.

For example, the heads of the academy's two major factions, Yan Shaoche and Qian Duoduo.

On the high platform, Yan Shaoche looked at the broad-shouldered, thick-waisted Qian Duoduo and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Why aren't you staying in the Soul Tool Department? What are you doing here?"

"Is it not okay for me to just come take a look?"

Qian Duoduo pursed his lips, putting on an air of nonchalance; he had another purpose for being here—to select some talented disciples for the Soul Tool Department.

As the vice dean of the Soul Tool Department, yet pressured by his wife, he constantly came here, thick-skinned, to ask for people.

"Fine, fine, I still don't know your purpose?"

"Alright, I won't talk more with you; I need to go down to preside over the draw and encourage my kids."

…………

Chen Qiye, Gu Yue, and Huo Yuhao's two teams each easily defeated their opponents, advancing to the semifinals. All twelve individuals who had reached the semifinals stood together, waiting for the semifinal draw.

"Hello, young people. I am Yan Shaoche, the 261st president of Shrek Academy."

Yan Shaoche, who was taking over the draw duties from Du Weilun, gave a light smile and continued: "I know you're curious why I'm appearing here…… Alright, let the draw begin!"

"Freshman Class One, Huo Yuhao's team, come up to draw lots." This time, it was actually Huo Yuhao's group that went first to draw.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong exchanged a glance; "You go." Huo Yuhao nudged Wang Dong, but Wang Dong shook his head, saying, "You go. This is what you deserve through your effort."

As soon as his words fell, Huo Yuhao was shoved forward by Wang Dong, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Huo Yuhao stepped forward to draw lots with a nervous face, but his hand trembled uncontrollably.

"Young man, don't be nervous. I wish you and your team good results." Seeing Huo Yuhao's state, Yan Shaoche gave a kind smile.

"Freshman Class One, Huo Yuhao's team, lot number, two."

"Freshman Class One, Chen Qiye's team, come up to draw lots."

Unlike Huo Yuhao, Chen Qiye casually grabbed a lot as if it were routine, didn't even look at it, bowed to Yan Shaoche and stepped down. But Chen Qiye seemed to hear Yan Shaoche's voice fading in and out: "Qiye, well done, keep working hard."

"Freshman Class One, Chen Qiye's team, lot number, one."

"Freshman Class Five, Dai Huabin's team, draw lots."

I don't know why, but Dai Huabin, who lost to Gu Yue in the elimination round, somehow also made it to the semifinals—shouldn't he have been eliminated? Seeing Dai Huabin go up to draw lots, Gu Yue wore a bewildered expression.

"They aren't Chen Qiye; didn't I defeat them? How are they up again?" Gu Yue asked Chen Qiye.

"Oh, you say this—it's just that they got lucky; due to the coincidence of team numbers, there will be a revival match before the semifinals, allowing the printed teams to continue as the fourth team." Chen Qiye explained patiently.

"I see, but with their strength, I'll defeat them each time we meet; even Huo Yuhao's team doesn't register in my eyes."

"What I'm most curious about is you, Chen Qiye; I hope you don't reveal all your trump cards before facing me."

Chen Qiye flicked a melon seed at Gu Yue's forehead.

Gu Yue rubbed his forehead, angrily saying, "What are you doing?!"

"Nothing much; just giving you, this little girl, a lesson for daring to question your older brother Qiye."

"Just you." Gu Yue glanced at Chen Qiye, "Rest assured, don't end up begging under me when the time comes."

"I'll be waiting to see……"

"Wang Dong, what's wrong? You look pale, your face so red." Xiao Xiao asked concernedly.

"Nothing." Wang Dong's gaze unintentionally drifted toward Chen Qiye and Gu Yue.

"How come they get to have fun like that? I don't believe it—ah, I hate that my big dad has nothing to do, making me dress as a guy for no reason?"

"Going back, I'll definitely shave my second dad's beard."

The Titan Giant Ape far away in the Clear Sky Sect unexpectedly sneezed.

The Titan Giant Ape sniffled, puzzled: "How did I sneeze? Could it be that Dong'er is missing me?"

"Indeed, I haven't spoiled Dong'er for nothing," he chuckled.

……

After drawing lots, Dai Huabin looked down at Gu Yue, his eyes filled with rage; it was utterly humiliating—if not for lacking the time to use his Martial Soul Fusion Technique, he didn't think he could be defeated by Gu Yue alone, but this was absolutely a disgrace and blemish on his life.

"Freshman Class Five, Dai Huabin's team, lot number, one."

Beside him, Huo Yuhao, upon seeing Dai Huabin, suddenly shuddered all over, his eyes filled with disbelief; his body trembled uncontrollably as he lunged to grab Wang Dong, but Wang Dong dodged, leaving Huo Yuhao grasping at air.

Wang Dong turned to look at him, only to see Huo Yuhao's face deathly pale, his eyes revealing an irrepressible deep hatred; Huo Yuhao gripped so hard his nails dug into his own palm.

Wang Dong's heart overflowed with shock; Huo Yuhao showing such emotion was a first for him, and he couldn't fathom what was happening to Huo Yuhao, but he was certain it had to do with Dai Huabin.

"Huo Yuhao, Huo Yuhao, calm down. What's wrong with you?" Xiao Xiao whispered soothingly, also noticing Huo Yuhao's abnormality.

Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, strove to calm his inner pain, lightly nodded, and said, "I'm fine. Just now, what lot did Dai Huabin draw?"

"He… drew number one. We happen to be facing them in this match. But I just heard someone say he is one of the two remaining three-ring Soul Elders in the freshman assessment—uh, not counting Chen Qiye."

"Three-ring Soul Elder?" Huo Yuhao's eyes flashed with a cold, sharp light.

"Exactly! A three-ring Soul Elder. With all that support and resources, how could he not be outstanding? Let's go, we're heading to the match."

Having said that, Huo Yuhao's desolate back walked toward their match arena.

Chen Qiye shook his head, having long noticed Huo Yuhao's change: "Alas, the path to becoming a god begins here; the future will be the Tang family's humanoid…"

Chen Qiye didn't continue thinking, since it had nothing to do with him…

"Let's go!" Gu Yue said, "Okay."

………

"The match begins!"……

Gu Yue team wins! Promotion finals!

Gu Yue encountered Huo Yuhao's team and showed no mercy, unleashing full firepower and winning the match.

Wang Dong's tactics were of no effect at all before Gu Yue.

…

Meanwhile, over at Assessment Zone No. 2—

The massive ice‑crystal longsword looked impeccably pure white, and it was also their first glimpse of Chen Qiye's martial soul (soul‑transformation version). A terrifying sword aura was swung, heading straight for the gigantic Nether White Tiger.

The blade, exceedingly sharp, exuded an intensely suppressed chill; wherever the energy slash passed, it left behind ice spikes.

Yan Shaozhe stepped in to block the collision between Chen Qiye's soul skill and Dai Huabin's martial soul fusion technique, then pushed his glasses up and announced loudly, "Chen Qiye's team has won, promotion finals!"

…

(End of chapter)