Shrek Academy's Fighting Soul Zone was located behind the Martial Soul Department's teaching building. Spirit Masters frequently came here to spar. Of course, recently, the number of Soul Masters coming here had also increased, and the glow of spirit tools could be seen lighting up on several surrounding arenas from time to time.
"No more, no more," Ma Xiaotao's figure landed on one of the arenas in the Fighting Soul Zone, waving her hand at the semi-transparent air.
Wang Nan heard this and controlled his spirit tool to land steadily at the edge of the arena.
"Your spirit tool is too unfair. You don't have a flying Spirit, but you're more agile in the air than I am. I can't fight anymore."
"Don't your Inner Courtyard Disciples equip spirit tools?"
"We do, but I can't use them," Ma Xiaotao complained. "Normal spirit tools can't withstand my spirit power at all. They're usually burned out after just a few uses."
Wang Nan was now in his third year, and a full year had passed since he and Ma Xiaotao acquired their third spirit ring together. During this year, Ma Xiaotao had sought him out frequently. With his help, much of the evil Qi in her body had been dispelled, her Spirit had become purer, and the temperature of the flames she released grew higher and higher.
A Spirit close to the Ultimate Fire; no wonder there were no suitable spirit tools.
"Alright, after this fight, I'll be setting off tomorrow to acquire my fourth spirit ring."
Hearing this, Wang Nan looked at Ma Xiaotao in surprise.
"How about it, impressive, right?" Ma Xiaotao showed a proud smile.
Indeed impressive. Was this the true value of Shrek's number one Genius?
Wang Nan and Ma Xiaotao acquired their third spirit ring together. After a year of training, Wang Nan's spirit power had risen from level 33 to level 38, which was already considered good compared to other students, but there was still a significant gap when compared to Ma Xiaotao.
With Wang Nan's help, Ma Xiaotao had no more worries when cultivating. In the same amount of time, her spirit power had broken through from level 32 all the way to level 40. Wang Nan didn't know what Ma Xiaotao's innate spirit power was, but even if it wasn't innate full spirit power, it was probably not far off.
"Oh, right, do you know there's a Core Disciple selection competition for the Outer Courtyard in a few days?" After resting for a while, Ma Xiaotao said mysteriously.
Wang Nan thought for a moment. He shouldn't know yet, so he shook his head gently.
"Hehe, it's not a secret anymore. You should know about the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Soul Duel Tournament, right? This tournament is held every five years, and all participating contestants must be under twenty years old."
"Our Academy sends seven official contestants and seven reserve contestants for each session. This selection competition is to choose the reserve contestants for the Soul Duel Tournament. You must prepare well for it."
Seeing Wang Nan's indifferent reaction beside her, Ma Xiaotao suddenly changed the topic. "And I heard that if you can win the championship in the Soul Duel Tournament, the Academy will give generous rewards. A Senior Sister from the Inner Courtyard even obtained a Spirit Bone by participating in the Soul Duel Tournament."
Ma Xiaotao had spent a year with Wang Nan and had roughly figured out what he was interested in.
"Then, I'll try my best when the time comes."
"You'll definitely pass if you take it seriously."
"That's not necessarily true."
Wang Nan knew clearly that the selection method was a large free-for-all. In a battle with so many people, no one could guarantee advancement. Just do your best.
"Oh, right, aren't you participating in the selection competition?"
Wang Nan asked curiously. The original Ma Xiaotao didn't become a reserve member because she was troubled by the evil fire. Later, after the evil fire was suppressed, she directly entered the main team, which even caused Dai Yueheng's dissatisfaction for a time.
Now that her evil fire was under control, she should also be able to participate in the selection competition.
Ma Xiaotao leaned closer, and seeing that no one around them was paying attention, she lowered her voice and said, "Inner Courtyard Disciples who meet the conditions can directly be selected as reserve contestants. And the teacher said that a Soul Master will be added to this year's reserve contestants, so it's estimated that only five Disciples will be chosen from the Outer Courtyard."
Wang Nan understood.
Indeed, genius always had privileges, no matter when.
...
As expected of the news from the head of the Martial Soul Department, what Ma Xiaotao said soon came true.
A few days later, all Core Disciples from the third and fourth years under fifteen years old gathered in the Fighting Soul Zone.
In previous selection competitions, there would also be a few fifth-year students who met the conditions, but perhaps this year's fifth-year students started school too late, with the youngest already fifteen, no longer meeting the requirements.
When all the Core Disciples had arrived, Xuan Zi, who had once led Wang Nan on a surveillance mission, stumbled in, still looking disheveled.
Among the Core Disciples, several others besides Wang Nan had participated in that surveillance mission. Upon seeing Xuan Zi, they quickly straightened their posture and stood properly.
With these few setting an example, the other Core Disciples, though curious, dared not discuss anything aloud.
Xuan Zi nodded slightly. "Alright, you should all know that you were called here to participate in the Core Disciple selection competition. Next, I will explain the content of the selection competition."
Hearing Xuan Zi's words, the Core Disciples all pricked up their ears and listened carefully.
"The assessment content is called a 'Mass Free-for-All,' right here in the Fighting Soul Zone. You can attack freely, however you want, with no rules. Admitting defeat or being rescued out counts as elimination. The last five remaining will be the winners. Get ready."
Indeed, just as Ma Xiaotao said, only five reserve members were to be selected this time.
"Ready, hiccup ~ Start!"
The Mass Free-for-All fighting style was common in the Inner Courtyard, but for these Outer Courtyard Disciples, it was their first time. For a moment, they were all a bit bewildered, unsure of where to begin.
Wang Nan also didn't want to make the first move and attract others' attention, so he frowned and quietly retreated to the side.
Facing unfamiliar rules, one might initially be stunned for a few seconds due to not being accustomed, but everyone present was a Core Disciple. Soon, someone reacted, and someone started it. For a time, various lights continuously flashed within the entire Fighting Soul Zone, and yellow and purple spirit rings rose one after another.
However, the first to attack was not a Spirit Master, but a large area of Spirit light rays.
Before they encountered spirit tools, students of the Martial Soul Department scoffed at them. However, ever since the Academy arranged courses related to spirit tools, some of them had discovered the benefits of these items.
There was no need to put oneself in danger; one could launch an attack simply by standing far away. Especially in such a multi-person melee, once someone rushed into the very center, they would face attacks from all directions. Even if they were strong, it would be impossible to defeat dozens of people's encirclement.
In this situation, spirit tools became the top priority.
Watching the spirit tools continuously emit light within the Fighting Soul Zone, even Xuan Zi, who was observing from the side, stopped what he was doing, wiped his mouth, and focused his gaze on the arena.
He had lived a long life and had presided over countless Core Disciple selection competitions, but this was the first time he had seen such a scene.