Several months later, the Inner Courtyard assessment arrived as scheduled.
The Inner Courtyard assessment was held on Sea God Island. As Wang Nan disembarked from the boat onto Sea God Island, he saw a familiar face.
"Junior Brother Wang, I knew with your talent, you would definitely apply for this year's Inner Courtyard assessment."
"Senior Brother Dai, you flatter me. I'm just here to try; whether I can pass is still uncertain."
"Haha, if even Junior Brother Wang can't pass, then very few people truly can." Dai Yueheng smiled. "I just hope I don't run into Junior Brother Wang in the arena, otherwise I'll have to wait until next year to try again."
A total of over a hundred Outer Courtyard Disciples applied to enter the Inner Courtyard. The initial recommendations and heart-nature tests eliminated a large portion, leaving only about forty people to participate in the practical combat assessment.
Among them, the number of attack system members was even smaller, so the probability of Dai Yueheng and Wang Nan encountering each other was not low, and his concern was not without reason.
"Everyone, quiet down." Yan Shaozhe and Cai Meier appeared before the crowd with several Inner Courtyard teachers. "Next, we will conduct the final item of the Martial Soul Department Inner Courtyard assessment: the practical combat assessment."
All the Outer Courtyard Disciples waiting for the assessment quieted down and looked at Yan Shaozhe.
As Yan Shaozhe spoke, his gaze swept over all the Disciples present, lingering slightly on Wang Nan for a moment.
"The Academy will arrange different assessments based on your different directions. All content is related to practical combat. Next, teachers will take you to different testing grounds. I hope you remember that whether you pass the Inner Courtyard assessment or not, you are all Disciples of Shrek, and you are all the most outstanding Spirit Masters on this continent."
Yan Shaozhe's few words stirred up the emotions of some Disciples, and then Cai Meier took a step forward.
"All attack system Disciples, follow me."
With that, she led the way into Sea God Island, and Wang Nan and a few others quickly followed.
Soon after, they arrived next to an arena. Compared to the Outer Courtyard's Fighting Soul Zone, this arena was much larger, and there weren't as many spectator seats around it.
Standing by the arena were several Spirit Masters they hadn't seen before, who should be Disciples from other academies.
Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard recruitment of Disciples is not only for the Outer Courtyard; some from other academies can also take the assessment at this time. However, only one or two truly pass each year, sometimes not even one.
"The practical combat assessment for the attack system is very simple." Cai Meier stepped onto the arena, gathering the Disciples participating in the assessment. "It is to defeat your opponent. Whether it's a direct defeat or knocking them off the arena, it counts as your victory. There are no restrictions on methods."
Although knocking an opponent off the arena also counted as a victory, on such a large arena, trying to knock off an opponent of similar strength was almost as difficult as directly defeating them.
"For fairness, every student participating in the assessment will draw lots from me. Those who draw the same number will be in one group." Cai Meier looked at the few Disciples from other academies. "The same applies to you."
The students came forward one by one to draw lots. Wang Nan unfolded the paper ball in his hand, which had a "3" written on it. He looked around and saw that the other students were also looking around, searching for their opponents.
"Alright, those who drew number one can come up to the stage to compete."
As Cai Meier's voice fell, two men in black school uniforms jumped onto the arena. They both appeared to be sixth-year students.
As soon as the match began, a familiar blue light suddenly lit up on one of them, and then his body rapidly rushed towards the center of the arena.
When the Academy first started promoting the combination of Spirit Masters and Soul Masters, many Martial Soul Department Disciples were still reluctant to accept it. But as more and more pure Spirit Masters were defeated by spirit tools, some students also began to try to get in touch with spirit tools.
And spirit tool thrusters, which are easy to operate and can play a big role, gradually began to become popular.
Various Spirit Ability lights continuously flashed on the arena, and time passed minute by minute. Soon, Cai Meier on the arena called out number three.
A very tall man jumped onto the arena.
Dressed in a black school uniform, he should also be a sixth-year student, over two meters tall, and exceptionally sturdy, which made Wang Nan appear somewhat small standing in front of him.
"Sixth-year, Tai Yuan, please enlighten me." Tai Yuan clasped his fists.
"Fourth-year, Wang Nan, please enlighten me." Wang Nan also clasped his fists like Tai Yuan, reported his name, and then walked to one side of the arena.
"Assessment begins!"
As Cai Meier's voice fell, Tai Yuan on the other side of the arena let out a roar. His muscles rapidly swelled, his arms lengthened to below his knees, and black fur appeared on his face and hands. Five spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black—lit up on his body, clearly indicating Spirit King strength.
Vigorous Ape.
Having studied for four years in Shrek Outer Courtyard, Wang Nan could quickly identify some Spirits. The Spirit of this student named Tai Yuan before him was indeed the Vigorous Ape, known for its strength.
The Vigorous Ape Spirit originated from the Strength Clan. This clan once served the Clear Sky Sect and later joined the Tang Sect, but as the Tang Sect gradually declined, the Strength Clan and others under its command also gradually disappeared. He hadn't expected to see the Vigorous Ape Spirit appear in the Academy.
After activating his Spirit, Tai Yuan strode towards Wang Nan, his footsteps making "thump-thump" sounds on the ground.
Wang Nan watched Tai Yuan approach, activated the spirit tool thruster behind him, and nimbly leaped into the air.
Wang Nan's fighting style had always been flexible. Since he knew the opponent was the Vigorous Ape, which excels in strength, he wouldn't confront him head-on in his strong Domain.
Tai Yuan was a pure power-type Spirit Master. Every spirit ring he obtained came from the same type of Spirit Beast, so in terms of strength, he was definitely not weaker than Spirit Masters of the same spirit power rank. But similarly, this also greatly reduced his adaptability.
At this moment, as Wang Nan ascended into the air, even though Tai Yuan was a Spirit King, he could only stand still and watch.
Wang Nan concentrated his Spirit, and his Dragon Coiling Third Form was used again, striking down from above towards Tai Yuan's head with a "point" of his staff.
However, this was exactly what Tai Yuan was waiting for. His first and third spirit rings lit up simultaneously, and he pushed off with his legs, leaving two shallow pits on the solid arena. His body had already leaped high into the air, charging towards Wang Nan.
Tai Yuan, having smoothly advanced to the sixth year in Shrek Academy without being eliminated, naturally wasn't as clumsy as he appeared. Even though Wang Nan only had four rings, he had never underestimated this Junior Brother. One must know that in Shrek, strength is never judged by the number of spirit rings. The fact that this Junior Brother could apply for the Inner Courtyard assessment in his fourth year already spoke volumes.
Therefore, from the very beginning, Tai Yuan had been waiting for Wang Nan to get close. With his Spirit and spirit power rank, he was confident he could end the match the moment Wang Nan approached.
Tai Yuan raised both arms high, his fourth spirit ring lit up, and he clapped his hands towards Wang Nan.
Facing such a fierce attack, Wang Nan's first spirit ring merely flickered, and the spirit tool thruster on his hand emitted a soft light. With the boost provided by his first Spirit Ability, Wang Nan twisted his body lightly in the air, dodging the attack.