Xiao Xiao, who had been quietly observing the three people in their ambiguous relationship, gently spoke after hearing Zhou Yi's question:"Teacher Zhou, my Soul-Suppressing Cauldron is different from ordinary Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons. This cauldron leans more toward offense... In fact, it can also be used for defense. It can be considered a more comprehensive variant of the Soul-Suppressing Cauldron after undergoing a mutation."
After hearing Xiao Xiao's explanation, Zhou Yi still frowned and said,"Xiao Xiao, I know about the mutation of your martial soul. What I mean is that if you don't specialize in the development of your martial soul, your abilities might end up in an awkward situation — you'll be well-rounded but not skilled in any one area."
"This issue is considered taboo among soul masters, so I still advise you to focus your development in a single direction. Even if your martial soul is a mutated one, you should still have a clear inclination when adding soul rings."
Listening to Zhou Yi's kind explanation to Xiao Xiao, Wang Feng and the others had slightly strange expressions.
Xiao Xiao nodded and said,"Alright, Teacher Zhou, I understand. So when I added soul rings to my Three Lives Soul-Suppressing Cauldron, I primarily chose soul beasts with strong offensive and defensive abilities. That's because I want my martial soul to focus on attack and defense."
Zhou Yi frowned even more deeply after hearing this. She seemed increasingly puzzled and asked,"Even so, this development has nothing to do with control abilities!"
Then, Xiao Xiao said something that shocked Zhou Yi, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao, who were standing nearby.
Wang Feng only heard Xiao Xiao whisper:"That's because... I actually have another martial soul. It can assist and control very well."
"Huh?" After hearing this, everyone present — except for Wang Feng — was utterly shocked!
"Twin martial souls?" Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao exclaimed in unison.
After hearing Wang Dong's surprised outburst, Xiao Xiao lowered her head shyly, not daring to meet his eyes.
Seeing Xiao Xiao like this, Wang Feng groaned in his heart and sighed, "Women…"
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yi suddenly understood and said,"Alright then, you can indeed provide control. That will actually make it easier for your team to cooperate. Your chances of winning will also be much higher..."
At this point, Zhou Yi seemed to remember something and quickly walked to Xiao Xiao's side, asking,"Xiao Xiao, your second martial soul doesn't have any soul rings attached to it yet, right?"
Noticing Zhou Yi's excitement, Xiao Xiao whispered,"No, no, my family told me I could only get soul rings for it when my level is higher..."
After hearing her reply, Zhou Yi nodded in satisfaction.
Fortunately, Xiao Xiao's family had foresight. They didn't rush for soul skills in the short term and chose to let her second martial soul acquire soul rings later.
Otherwise, the first soul skill of the second martial soul would have been useless unless it came from a ten-thousand-year-old soul beast...
"You all must know that although the freshman assessment is only your first evaluation at Shrek Academy and may seem brief, it is extremely important for your future cultivation path. Only if you achieve a high ranking in the freshman assessment will your name have a chance to appear on the academy's training list."
"In our class, I'm most optimistic about you four. I don't need to say much about Wang Feng, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao—you three have talent and strength that surpass the other students."
"As for you, Yuhao, although your cultivation isn't strong and your talent is average, you possess perseverance and courage that ordinary people can't attain, along with the special spiritual attribute of your martial soul."
Zhou Yi paused for a moment, then said teasingly, "Oh, by the way, you've got a few supporters too, haven't you?"
After saying that, she glanced at Wang Feng with a mischievous smile.
Upon hearing Zhou Yi's teasing, Huo Yuhao's ears instantly turned red—let alone his cheeks.
This was all Wang Feng's fault. One time, he shouted loudly and embarrassingly in class to Huo Yuhao: "I'll support you!"—and Zhou Yi happened to overhear it as she was passing by.
At this moment, Xiao Xiao's gaze toward Huo Yuhao and Wang Feng grew more intrigued.
After Wang Feng adjusted the awkward atmosphere, Zhou Yi continued: "Without even considering Xiao Xiao's second martial soul, your abilities complement each other well."
"This time, our class will be sending a champion team—you three. I'm giving you a task. In the freshman assessment, your only goal is to win the championship. If you don't win, you'll be in trouble. Never mind Xiao Xiao, but the rest of you will continue to train under me!"
Hearing that kind of punishment, Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao were both startled. Then Huo Yuhao nodded sincerely and said, "Teacher Zhou, even if we win the championship, we're still willing to continue training under you!"
After hearing Huo Yuhao's words, Wang Feng thought Yuhao really knew how to win people over.
Zhou Yi was also stunned for a moment by what Huo Yuhao said, then replied, "You silly child… Haven't you all been calling me strict and harsh all along? I know exactly how people talk about me behind my back. You don't have to butter me up."
Huo Yuhao then offered a few more compliments and praises, which noticeably lifted Zhou Yi's mood.
Finally, a slight smile appeared on Zhou Yi's face. Even though her old face didn't look particularly pleasant when smiling, it was the first time Wang Feng and the others felt a gentle emotion from her.
This made Wang Feng sigh to himself, thinking: Yuhao is really sweet. He knows how to talk and make everyone happy.
Wang Feng then asked Zhou Yi, "Teacher, if you only wanted to talk to the three of them, why did you call me here too?"
Zhou Yi retracted her smile and replied, "I was ordered by Dean Yan to tell you that he wants to meet you. He said there's something very important to discuss. Also, the dean asked me to relay a message: 'Wang Feng doesn't need to participate in the freshman assessment.' That's what he said."
Wang Feng nodded. He wasn't surprised that Yan Shaoze exempted him from the assessment. After all, he was already an Inner Court student. The main reason he was still living in the dorms was mostly because of Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong.
"Alright, you four can go back and rest. Remember, you must win the championship. Also, let me tell you in advance—Shrek Academy is rich and powerful, not just once or twice. Among all the assessments at the academy, the rewards for the freshman assessment champion and the graduation assessment of the outer court are the most generous. As for what they are, you'll know once you win the championship. Go on now, go back and get into condition—I believe in your strength."
"Yes." The three of them responded in unison and left the classroom together.