Douluo Dalu 2: Reincarnated as the Auspicious Beast

"I've kept you all here today to discuss the grouping for the freshman assessment," Mu Jin said kindly, holding a list in her hand.

"In our class, we currently have you and Ning Tian, both of whom are Soul Elders above level 30. Ning Tian has applied to be in a group with you, and I think this makes a lot of sense… There's only one first place in the freshman assessment, and I don't think Class Nine should waste energy on internal competition, right?" Facing the strongest student in her class, Mu Jin naturally spoke with a gentle and consultative tone. "Coincidentally, one of you is a strong attack type, and the other is a support type. This combination is quite suitable… I see that the two of you get along well, so this arrangement should work, right?"

The first place in the freshman assessment carries prestige, but its significance is somewhat limited. With the wealth of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Tian naturally didn't care about the meager rewards offered by Shrek Academy. However, if she could win first place in the freshman assessment, she would undoubtedly become the most prestigious among the freshmen—and could then seek some benefits for her sect.

She gave up on teaming up with Wu Feng for two reasons. First, Wu Feng's strength simply wasn't enough. After three months of studying together, although she hadn't seen Wang Rui truly fight, she understood that even if Wu Feng and she teamed up, it would be difficult to defeat Wang Rui. Second, she wanted to use this opportunity to team up and fight alongside Wang Rui to build some camaraderie.

"Although our class has two Soul Elders, first place isn't guaranteed to be ours," Mu Jin said with a slight frown, her face showing a hint of worry. "Class Five also has a level 30 Soul Elder… You all know about this, right?"

The three of them nodded simultaneously. Huo Yuqing clenched her teeth, trying not to show any unusual expression.

"That level 30 Soul Elder's soul power isn't as high as Wang Rui's, but he has a fiancée with the surname Zhu. They're likely the pair from the Dai family who can perform the Netherworld White Tiger martial soul fusion skill. The Netherworld White Tiger's ability to fight above its level is extremely strong. I estimate their martial soul fusion skill could reach the level of a Soul Ancestor… Even with two Soul Elders in our class, it might still be a bit unstable." Mu Jin turned to Huo Yuqing with a troubled expression.

This was a subtle hint that she hoped Huo Yuqing would give up on teaming up with Wang Rui.

Mu Jin actually liked Huo Yuqing very much. After all, she was the most hardworking and diligent student in Class Nine. While others were chatting, she was studying. While her desk mate Wang Rui was sleeping in class (actually researching soul tools in his consciousness), she was still studying.

… What teacher wouldn't like a hardworking student?

But for the sake of winning first place in the freshman assessment, Mu Jin felt that Huo Yuqing, with only a single white soul ring… even if it was a body-type martial soul, her strength was a bit too… lacking.

"I know the two of you have a good relationship, but would you consider switching to a more stable teammate? This would increase our chances of winning first place. Then I can arrange for Huo Yuhao to join another equally stable team. How about that?" Mu Jin asked in a consultative tone. "You can discuss it… If you really don't want to separate, I'll respect your opinion."

"Teacher Mu, don't worry," Huo Yuqing said, smiling as she saw Mu Jin's concern. "Wang Rui and I also have a martial soul fusion skill."

"What?" Mu Jin's eyes widened in shock as she looked at the two of them. "Really?"

The conditions for a martial soul fusion skill are so stringent! How could her class have been so lucky as to stumble upon a pair?

Ning Tian was equally shocked. Then, as if she had thought of something, her expression turned sour.

"It's true," Wang Rui nodded.

"Great! Then first place is definitely ours!" Mu Jin immediately beamed with joy. "If you really can win first place, aside from the school's rewards, I'll give you a private reward too! Go back and practice your coordination. My promotion to a higher rank depends on you!"

After leaving the classroom, Ning Tian looked at the two of them with a deep gaze.

"Not cool, keeping such important news from me," the young mistress of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan said, her tone casual, as they had become quite familiar by now.

"Ah, we just didn't have the chance to tell you," Wang Rui said with an awkward smile.

"Hmph, did you enjoy watching me rack my brains trying to win you over?" Ning Tian rolled her eyes in a very down-to-earth manner. "I don't believe someone as knowledgeable as you couldn't guess what the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is planning. Yet you just sat there and watched me waste my effort… That's too much. I strongly condemn you both!"

"Don't be mad," Huo Yuqing blinked at her. "After the assessment, let's go eat barbecue together, okay?"

"Not okay," Ning Tian crossed her arms. "Hmph… I'm angry, and I won't be appeased!"

"Then stay angry!"

"You—"

The three of them bickered as they walked out of the teaching building, where Wu Feng was waiting.

Her gaze was so full of resentment that the newly formed trio inexplicably felt the awkwardness of being caught in the act.

Wu Feng's expression was extremely unpleasant. She gritted her teeth and said, "Wang Rui, I challenge you."

"Sister Feng, we've already talked about this, haven't we? You agreed back then," Ning Tian sighed helplessly. "Shouldn't you be working on coordinating with your team members now?"

"I know I definitely can't beat you," Wu Feng, unusually, ignored Ning Tian's words. She stubbornly glared at Wang Rui. "But I want to know just how big the gap between us is!"

Huo Yuqing's expression stiffened slightly.

After all… the shipper in her head, Tianmeng Iceworm, was chanting: Love triangle, love triangle! Fight, fight!

Wang Rui, on the other hand, looked at Wu Feng with some hesitation. "Are you sure?"

A pseudo-dragon martial soul with ordinary fire attributes, challenging a true dragon-blooded martial soul with extreme fire… Not only would she be completely suppressed, but there was also a nearly ten-level gap in soul power.

How lightly do I need to hit her to avoid giving the kid a psychological trauma? Urgent, waiting online.

"I'm sure!" Wu Feng said.

"Alright then," Wang Rui sighed helplessly. "Go ahead."

He stood there casually, full of openings, not even planning to activate his martial soul.

"You!" Wu Feng, seeing Wang Rui's attitude, was so angry she almost gritted her teeth to dust.

Her body elongated, and her skin instantly took on a faint red glow. Accompanied by a low dragon's roar, a layer of fine dragon scales spread across the girl's body.

Red Dragon martial soul, manifest!

Her first and second soul rings flashed consecutively. A thick red flame erupted from her body, surrounding her within a one-foot radius, then turning into a darker, more terrifying red. Immediately after, crimson scales extended down her neck, thickening as they spread across her shoulders and down her left arm and hand, transforming her entire left arm into a dragon's claw!

Dragon's Fire combined with Dragon's Fury—this was the strongest state Wu Feng could achieve.

She let out a fierce cry and lunged straight at Wang Rui.