Chapter 28: Cai Yue'er
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Wang Hao could observe the scene Xu Yuan was currently facing from the side.
The arena was similar to the Spirit Ascension Platform, and through technology, the internal scene could be displayed externally.
An elderly woman entered, leaning on a cane.
Wang Hao instinctively glanced at her, then shivered involuntarily.
"Cai Lao, you're here," he said with an awkward smile, showing great respect to the old woman.
"This child is impressive."
Cai Yue'er's gaze fixed on the screen, observing Xu Yuan's response.
"So this is Xu Yuan?"
"Cai Lao, you know him?" Wang Hao was surprised. He hadn't expected one of the academy elders to already know about this junior.
"Hmph, how could I not? That old man Zuo Shi personally reminded me about him." After muttering this, Cai Yue'er turned her attention back to the screen, approving of Xu Yuan's reaction.
For a Shrek student, this kind of reaction would only earn a low score, but it was still passable. However, Xu Yuan was only seven years old.
Even if Xu Shengqun had intended to teach Xu Yuan extensively over the past year, there was only so much he could accomplish in such a short time.
"How many points did you give this kid for the first trial?"
"Full marks." Wang Hao answered honestly.
"Full marks?"
"His willpower is incredibly strong—he can even control himself to break free from the constraints of Dragon Pressure. And his spiritual power... it's as high as 260 points." Wang Hao chuckled bitterly.
Cai Yue'er's eyes gleamed brightly.
She was now genuinely interested in Xu Yuan.
Such outstanding spiritual power, and he also specializes in elemental control?
As she watched Xu Yuan deal with the Earth Demon Rhino, she carefully observed the extent of his mastery over elemental manipulation.
Xu Yuan grimaced.
"This thing wasn't made to be killed—it's only possible to hold out for as long as possible."
Xu Yuan used the five elements to interfere with the Earth Demon Rhino's attacks, disrupting its momentum at critical moments so that each charge couldn't reach full power.
Even so, Xu Yuan was quite battered.
In truth, he was looking for opportunities.
Unfortunately, the Earth Demon Rhino's defense was naturally formidable, further amplified by the earth element. It was difficult for Xu Yuan to break through.
Unless he targeted its weak points.
Time passed, and half an hour went by.
Feeling the remaining soul power in his body, Xu Yuan made his final decision.
"Half an hour has passed—I've earned as many points as I can by playing it safe. It's time to take a risk."
It wasn't impossible for Xu Yuan's attacks to break through the rhino's defenses. After all, under the unification of his Five-Element Spear Technique, he could even attack space itself. With the evolution of his spirit soul and his grasp of the rudimentary form of spear intent, his explosive power was definitely capable of injuring the Earth Demon Rhino.
Injuring it would be easy; killing it would be hard.
If he got too close to wound it, Xu Yuan would struggle to create distance again.
This was why he had avoided using the Tianyuan Spear to attack until now.
He needed to secure his score first.
At just seven years old, participating in this trial, his approach was perfectly reasonable.
The Tianyuan Brush in his hand transformed.
With the Tianyuan Spear in hand, Xu Yuan's aura instantly changed.
It became razor-sharp, unstoppable.
Facing the charging Earth Demon Rhino, Xu Yuan didn't dodge but instead charged forward.
At the tip of the spear, the five elements collided and merged, their interactions causing ripples in the surrounding space.
The heavens and earth seemed to respond to Xu Yuan, amplifying his presence. At the same time, Xu Yuan himself was completely focused, transforming into what felt like a single spear.
Thrust!
The first soul ring glowed with purple light.
Puchi.
Bang!
Xu Yuan's Tianyuan Spear pierced through the Earth Demon Rhino's eye, directly embedding itself in its skull.
However, in order to land the strike, Xu Yuan had forcibly altered the trajectory of his spear at the last moment. This caused the rhino's horn, which should have collided with the spear, to slam into Xu Yuan's body instead.
The impact made Xu Yuan feel as though his internal organs had shattered.
His body was sent flying backward.
Concentrated wood elemental energy surrounded him, temporarily alleviating the pain.
With the Earth Demon Rhino dead, Xu Yuan exited the arena.
Though the body in the arena was simulated, returning to reality relieved Xu Yuan of the physical pain. However, the lingering sensation in his consciousness couldn't dissipate immediately.
"Kid, good performance. Consider this trial a perfect score. I hope you can maintain this level in the upcoming trials." Cai Yue'er personally graded Xu Yuan before leaving, leaning on her cane.
Xu Yuan sat cross-legged, ignoring Wang Hao, and began to recuperate on his own.
Through meditation, he quickly eased the mental pain.
"Not bad, junior brother. Your first soul ring is already at the thousand-year level."
Xu Yuan smiled modestly. "Just lucky, just lucky."
Wang Hao continued to lead Xu Yuan to the next trial.
"The third trial tests adaptability. These guillotine doors are real guillotines—if you get cut, you die. Thirty seconds to pass earns six points. For every three seconds less, you gain one additional point; for every three seconds more, you lose one point."
Wang Hao clearly explained the scoring criteria for the third trial.
Xu Yuan looked at the series of connected guillotine doors without fear.
Surely they wouldn't actually cut anyone, right?
At worst, he'd just pass through more slowly.
"Begin!" Wang Hao started the timer.
Xu Yuan dashed forward.
His speed was incredible. His spiritual power covered the area, allowing him to clearly visualize the state of all the guillotines in his mind. He instantly calculated their movements and chose the optimal path.
Twelve seconds.
In just twelve seconds, he passed through all the guillotine doors.
"Junior brother's reflexes are also excellent," Wang Hao praised, giving Xu Yuan another perfect score.
"Let's go. The next trial awaits."
Wang Hao led Xu Yuan to a room.
"The fourth trial tests your specialties. Think carefully about what you're good at. I'll go fetch the examiner while you contemplate." With that, Wang Hao left through a side door, leaving Xu Yuan alone to think.
Though he was given time to think, it wasn't very long.
Cai Yue'er was already waiting for this trial and soon entered the room.
"Xu Yuan, demonstrate your strongest abilities." Cai Yue'er sat in a chair, accompanied by two middle-aged individuals who showed obvious respect toward her.
"I've only been cultivating for a year and haven't yet specialized in any particular aspect. Right now, I have too many areas of potential strength." Xu Yuan bluntly stated his situation.
Only a year of cultivation...
Wang Hao's lips twitched.
But every ability you demonstrated in the previous trials met the standard for officially entering Shrek Academy.
"Then show off all the skills you consider decent." Cai Yue'er was accommodating, merely frowning slightly before allowing Xu Yuan to demonstrate multiple techniques.
Xu Yuan clasped his fists, and the Tianyuan Brush appeared in his hand.
A circle of purple soul rings emerged, surprising the two middle-aged teachers.
Holding the Tianyuan Brush, Xu Yuan sketched in the air.
Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth!
The five elements were drawn forth by his brush, freely combining and transforming in the air.
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