Douluo Continent: Starting with a Heavenly Fire Judgment

Chapter 79 Rewards

At dawn, sunlight streamed through the clouds, illuminating every corner of Shrek Academy, the air thick with a moist scent. The waters of Poseidon Lake rippled gently in the breeze, as if whispering ancient secrets.

At Shrek Square, the new students were already lined up neatly, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement. Today was the day they were officially assigned to their respective classes, which meant they would begin a brand new academic life.

Yesterday, Huo Yuhao invited Bei Bei and Tang Ya to a picnic party. Ji Lin and the others also learned a lot of inside information from Tang Ya and Bei Bei, such as the champion's reward and the core disciples.

To thank Ji Lin for leading Huo Yuhao to victory, Tang Ya and Bei Bei held nothing back.

Although Ji Lin was fully aware of all this, they all meant well, and besides, Xiao Xiao and the others needed this information.

The group got along very well. Beibei was gentle and easygoing, while Tang Ya was quirky and clever. Both of them had very likable personalities, and Tang Ya quickly became friends with Xiao Xiao and the other two girls.

Beibei and Ji Lin also had a very pleasant conversation.

Just then, a melodious bell rang, breaking the clamor in the square. All eyes turned to the high platform in the center of the square, where a dozen or so teachers in long robes stood, ready to conduct today's class assignment ceremony.

Ji Lin and the others recognized the leader as Du Weilun, the director of the Martial Soul Department's teaching office. Behind him were their former homeroom teacher Zhou Yi, Teacher Wang Yan, and several other teachers whose names they only vaguely remembered.

Holding a folder, Du Weilun smiled and surveyed the group of students for a week before saying, "As you all know, the freshman assessment elimination round has ended, and the top three have been determined. Now, I will formally announce their results and the rewards they will receive. The third place winner in the freshman assessment is Dai Huabin's team, consisting of Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Cui Yajie. Please step forward."

The entire first-year student erupted in applause. After the elimination rounds, there were approximately three hundred first-year students remaining, nearly two-thirds fewer than at the beginning of the semester.

But after Dai Huabin and the other two left, there was no excitement on their faces, especially Dai Huabin, whose expression was tense, his head slightly lowered, as if he was thinking about something. There was even a hint of resentment in his eyes.

He accepted his loss to Ji Lin; Ji Lin had decisively defeated his and Zhu Lu's combined spirit fusion technique, so there was nothing more to say. But he was unwilling to accept it. A mere third place was far below his expectations, and as proud as he was, he felt only humiliation.

"Second place, Wang Qiu'er's team, team members are Wang Qiu'er, Ma Qingshuang, and Leng Leng."

Applause rang out again, and led by Wang Qiu'er, the three walked out together to Du Weilun. Except for Wang Qiu'er, who remained expressionless, the other two were visibly excited, their young faces slightly flushed. Winning second place had exceeded their expectations!

It feels so good to win without lifting a finger.

After a slight pause, Du Weilun raised his voice slightly and said, "Now, please give a warm round of applause to welcome the final champions of our freshman assessment. They are the Ji Lin team, and the team members are Ji Lin, Xiao Xiao, and Huo Yuhao."

When Du Weilun announced that Ji Lin's team had won the championship, the entire arena erupted in cheers. Applause and cheers rose and fell, seemingly about to shake the entire academy. Ji Lin, Xiao Xiao, and Huo Yuhao stepped onto the stage to receive the congratulations and applause.

Ji Lin smiled. It felt so good to be the center of attention and the only one being surrounded by admirers. He was starting to like it.

Xiao Xiao and Huo Yuhao were equally excited. A determined light shone in Xiao Xiao's eyes; she knew her efforts hadn't been in vain. Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, felt incredibly exhilarated; he had finally proven his strength and worth.

Seeing the three men step forward, Du Weiren smiled slightly, gesturing for them to stand in the center.

Huo Yuhao looked at Dai Huabin beside him, but Dai Huabin was staring at Ji Lin. Ji Lin ignored Dai Huabin and looked at Wang Qiu'er instead.

Du Weilen said, "Alright, now I will announce the rewards for the top three teams in the freshman assessment. The top three teams will all receive a unified reward from the academy, and each member can request a spirit ring from the academy when they need one, and the academy will assist them in obtaining a spirit ring that is within their means and is most suitable for them."

Upon hearing this, the first-year students erupted in astonished praise. This reward was tantamount to a promise from the academy that the next spirit ring for Ji Lin and the other nine would inevitably be a limit-level spirit ring. For example, if Huo Yuhao's second spirit ring could withstand seven hundred years, then the academy would find him a suitable seven-hundred-year spirit ring. This would apply to everyone. This reward was undeniably substantial.

Ji Lin wasn't interested in the reward, nor did he need Shrek Academy to help him hunt for spirit rings. However, the reward would be of great use to Xiao Xiao and Huo Yuhao.

It is also useful for Wang Qiu'er, who needs to hide her identity and cannot condense her own soul ring.

Wang Qiu'er's transformation is different from other 100,000-year-old soul beasts. She only has 15,000 years of cultivation. The reason she can transform is entirely due to the one-time transformation opportunity that the Emperor Auspicious Beast brings. Therefore, she does not have the foundation of a 100,000-year-old soul beast to condense her first six soul rings on her own. She needs to hunt soul beasts to absorb soul rings.

Although her 15,000-year cultivation level is comparable to that of an ordinary 100,000-year-old soul beast, combat strength is combat strength and cultivation level is cultivation level, and they cannot be generalized.

Du Weilun continued, "In recognition of the outstanding performance and undefeated record of the champion Ji Lin team throughout the competition, the academy has decided to award them a special prize. This prize will be kept confidential by the academy. You can come with me to collect it after the class assignments are completed."

There are special rewards? That's what sets the champion apart from the second and third place winners.

Ji Lin knew what the reward was, so he wasn't surprised, but Xiao Xiao and Huo Yuhao were very excited.

Du Weilen said, "Alright, you can rejoin the team now."

Ji Lin and the other nine returned to their original positions.

Du Weilun said, "The quality of this year's freshmen is even better than before. I hope you will continue your efforts. Heaven rewards diligence. No matter how talented you are, you will not reap good rewards without hard work. Shrek Academy is the number one Soul Master Academy on the continent. I hope you will all graduate smoothly and achieve excellent results. In view of the outstanding freshmen who have emerged in this year's freshman competition, the academy has specially approved a group of students to become core disciples of the outer academy. Now I will announce the list."

Shrek Square fell silent. Core disciples weren't just those from the top three teams! Although Du Weiren hadn't said it, who didn't know that core disciples from the outer academy would receive preferential treatment in terms of academy resources? With their own interests at stake, these junior students listened intently, afraid of missing their names.

(End of this chapter)