The new semester began, and the opening ceremony was brief, with Cai Yue'er's speech being concise and to the point, so it didn't last long.
After that, it was time for the internal class meetings for each grade. The first-year class meeting was still presided over by Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong. Shen Yi was responsible for the lecture, emphasizing the learning tasks for the new year and encouraging some of the top students to start crafting their One-Word Battle Armor.
The class meeting didn't last long either and ended quickly.
"Hello, Class Monitor!" Luo Guixing approached Jing Shaoyu as soon as the meeting ended.
"Hello, Guixing," Jing Shaoyu responded with a smile and a nod. "Do you need something from me?"
"Yes," Luo Guixing took a deep breath, looking at Jing Shaoyu's warm smile, and said earnestly, "I'm here to extend an invitation. The new academic year has started, and everyone has been working hard for a year. How about we have a friendly match within the class?"
Upon hearing this, Jing Shaoyu's smile remained unchanged as he replied, "Sure. Just make sure you're mentally prepared and don't let a few losses affect your future."
Luo Guixing spread his hands and said, "We've all seen your battles with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy. Honestly, I'm not very confident. But, one must always have dreams, right? What if we really can defeat the strongest opponents of our age?"
Jing Shaoyu laughed, "Alright, tell me the time and place."
Luo Guixing suggested, "How about this afternoon? The location will be the academy's sparring arena."
"Okay," Jing Shaoyu agreed readily. As the class monitor, it was his duty to guide his classmates in combat, so he had no reason to refuse.
"Ahem! Class Monitor, there's an additional request," Luo Guixing scratched his head sheepishly, "Could you not use your Martial Soul Fusion Skill? If you do, then there's really no point in us sparring."
"Heh!" Jing Shaoyu chuckled, "That's a reasonable request. I can promise not to use the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, but I can't guarantee the same for Wu Siduo."
"That's fine. As long as you, Gu Yue, or Ye Xinglan don't use it, that's enough," Luo Guixing was overjoyed and immediately responded.
"Hey! What do you mean by that? Looking down on me?" Wu Siduo, who had been listening to their conversation, was displeased and coldly shouted at Luo Guixing.
"No, absolutely not," Luo Guixing quickly waved his hands in denial.
"Hmph! It better not be! Otherwise, I'll definitely beat you guys into a pulp this afternoon!" Wu Siduo threatened with a proud wave of her small pink fist.
"Uh, haha!" Luo Guixing let out an awkward laugh, looking at Jing Shaoyu, "Well, I'll be off then, Class Monitor. See you this afternoon."
With that, Luo Guixing quickly jogged away.
After watching Luo Guixing leave, Jing Shaoyu smiled and turned to his companions, Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, and Wu Siduo, "You all heard that, right?"
"Giggle, we heard. Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing think they're up to it again," Xu Xiaoyan giggled mischievously, "Then this afternoon, we must remind them why we are the class committee!"
"Just in time, I also want to test my fourth Soul Skill," Ye Xinglan said.
"I just want to give Luo Guixing a good beating. How dare he look down on me? It's really infuriating!" Wu Siduo gritted her teeth.
"Alright then, I'll go inform Gu Yue, Na'er, and Xiao Mo," Jing Shaoyu nodded and then walked towards the back of the classroom. The seating arrangement hadn't changed; Mo Hentian was still in his original spot, while Gu Yue and Na'er sat in the very last row.
Jing Shaoyu informed the three about Luo Guixing's challenge, and none of them objected.
Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi had also heard about the Tang-Luo team challenging the class committee team again, so they called Jing Shaoyu to the office.
"I'll be your referee this afternoon," Wu Zhangkong said.
"Couldn't ask for more," Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile.
"Don't underestimate any opponent," Wu Zhangkong looked at Jing Shaoyu and couldn't help but remind him. "The basic qualities of the seven members of the Tang-Luo team are also excellent. The gap between you isn't large, and their growth is evident after learning from past experiences. They all scored full marks in last semester's final exams."
"I understand," Jing Shaoyu nodded and chuckled lightly. "Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing are indeed genius Soul Masters with exceptional temperament and talent, but that's not enough."
Wu Zhangkong glanced at Jing Shaoyu and saw an extreme confidence that brought a calm and composed demeanor. He couldn't help but fall silent, realizing that his worries were indeed unnecessary. Perhaps he should be more concerned about the Tang-Luo team rather than reminding the class committee team.
Well, he hadn't called Jing Shaoyu here for the afternoon sparring session anyway.
"Let's get to the main point," Wu Zhangkong said. "This is the second academic year. After discussions with Elder Cai, we've decided to hold a grade exchange activity with the third-year students at some point this year. The format will be similar to last year's grade exchange activity. I'm informing you in advance so that you and the class committee can be mentally prepared."
Jing Shaoyu was slightly taken aback. "An exchange activity with the third-year students?"
"What? Are you scared?" Wu Zhangkong glanced at him.
"No, it's just a bit unexpected," Jing Shaoyu shook his head and replied.
The third year could be considered a watershed for students in Shrek Academy's Outer Academy.
Since Shrek Academy's first year consists of three academic years, third-year students have at least spent six years studying and living at Shrek Academy. According to the academy's entrance exam rules, third-year students are generally close to or have already reached the age of twenty.
Typically, the third year is the strongest period for each cohort of students in Shrek Academy's Outer Academy. By the third year, students eligible for the Inner Academy usually already possess One-Word Battle Armor. As for students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years, since they've lost the opportunity to enter the Inner Academy, they often choose to graduate from the Outer Academy even after becoming One-Word Battle Armor Masters.
Thus, the top combat strength of the third year is undoubtedly the strongest in the entire Outer Academy.
This year's third-grade students have been studying at Shrek Academy for seven years. Except for a few who have already been admitted to the Inner Academy, the rest are elites who have undergone multiple rounds of selection. Among them, there are many who may enter the Inner Academy this year or next, and their strength is definitely not comparable to that of the second-grade students.
Cai Yue'er, Shen Yi, and Wu Zhangkong wanted them to engage in exchanges and sparring with the third-grade students, seemingly confident in their abilities.
"When exactly will it be?" Jing Shaoyu wiped away the chaotic thoughts in his mind and asked Wu Zhangkong.
"To be determined," Wu Zhangkong said coldly.
"Uh!" Jing Shaoyu continued to ask, "What about the format of the exchange activity?"
"To be determined," Wu Zhangkong repeated his previous statement.
"Alright, then let me know once you've decided," Jing Shaoyu sighed helplessly and said.
"Naturally," Wu Zhangkong's lips twitched slightly, then he regained his composure and said, "According to my thoughts, this exchange activity should take place in the second half of the year. You can speed up the production of your Battle Armor during this half year, striving to increase the completion rate to thirty percent, or even fifty percent.
I have looked into this year's third-grade students, and their overall strength is not outstanding. Without considering Battle Armor, you have a ninety percent chance of defeating them. But when considering Battle Armor, your chances of winning are less than thirty percent."
"Is that so?" Jing Shaoyu nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this and said, "I understand."
"Alright, you can go now," Wu Zhangkong said. "For now, don't mention this to anyone outside the class committee. Once we have discussed and finalized it with the third-grade teachers, we will inform the class members."
"Okay," Jing Shaoyu nodded, then turned and left Wu Zhangkong's office.
He arrived at the workshop, where everyone had been waiting for a long time. Jing Shaoyu informed them about the upcoming exchange with the third-grade students, and after hearing it, everyone confidently expressed that there would be no problem.
"Brother Shaoyu, I can collect some information on this year's third-grade students," Xu Xiaoyan volunteered.
"Actually, it's not necessary," Jing Shaoyu smiled and shook his head, saying, "Let's focus on making our Battle Armor. Other matters can be postponed."
"Oh," Xu Xiaoyan nodded.
"Alright, let's go for lunch first. In the afternoon, we'll spar with Tang Wulin and Luo Guixing, and then come back to work on the Battle Armor," Jing Shaoyu said.
The seven of them then left the workshop and headed towards the cafeteria. On the way, they encountered Yuanen Yehui from the second grade, who was looking for Mo Hentian.
Perhaps because of last year's grade exchange activity, Mo Hentian and Yuanen Yehui had become friends. Yuanen Yehui's Battle Armor metals were also entrusted to Mo Hentian, which made his relationship with Tang Wulin and Xie Xie not as close as in the original story.