Chapter 57: Freshman Assessment
"Isn't this good? I've been practicing really hard lately. It's because you ignored me that those girls started asking about you every day."
When Wang Dong heard about being electrocuted, her eyes lit up, but she quickly concealed it. After experiencing Lin Qinghan's Lightning of Life for the first time, she became hooked. A few more shocks left her feeling much more relaxed.
Even the soul guide she once rejected was now barely tolerable, which surprised her. But for the sake of pride, she couldn't admit she enjoyed Lin Qinghan's electric shocks—that would be too embarrassing.
"Then practice. There should be something tomorrow."
Lin Qinghan gave Wang Dong a strange look but didn't press further. She had been acting odd lately, and this wasn't the first time.
After finishing the food Wang Dong bought him, Lin Qinghan went straight to practice.
"Students, after three months of study, it's time for the first test. Starting tomorrow, the academy will hold a three-day freshman assessment. This test is tough. Those who pass will stay; those who fail will leave Shrek Academy," Zhang Lexuan announced to the freshmen at the start of class the next day.
She then explained the assessment details.
"I believe you can all pass. For those who do, there will be a promotion competition. Top performers will become core disciples and receive academy rewards."
After her announcement, Zhang Lexuan began grouping students. After three months of personalized guidance, each student had a clear training direction, and now it was time to form teams.
"The 30th group: Wang Dong, Zhou Yujie, Guo Lai. The last group: Lin Qinghan, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yutong."
Zhang Lexuan wasn't one to expel students lightly. With her teaching talent and clear guidance, no one had been expelled, leaving over 90 students in the freshman class.
The grouping was done quickly. Lin Qinghan was surprised to be included in an assessment group, given that Zhang Lexuan knew his strength. What was the point of him competing?
"Alright, if there are no objections, the groupings are final. Lin Qinghan, come to my office after class."
Anticipating his confusion, Zhang Lexuan summoned him to her office.
"Qinghan, are you surprised I put you in the assessment group?" she asked as soon as he entered, immediately hugging him with a gentle expression that seemed out of place.
"Ugh, Sister, you're taking advantage of me!" Lin Qinghan thought, but he didn't mind. After a month at the academy, Zhang Lexuan had grown less subtle about her feelings. Whenever he visited her office alone, she'd cling to him before letting go.
"I'm a little curious, but I'm sure you have a reason, right? You know my strength. What's the point of the assessment? I might as well be bullying kids."
Lin Qinghan tried to shift away from her embrace. Zhang Lexuan, a Soul Douluo comparable to a Titled Douluo, was intimidating.
"You don't need to reveal your full strength. Just help Huo Yutong advance. She lacks combat ability and can't use soul guides in the freshman assessment."
Zhang Lexuan had taken a liking to Huo Yutong, a diligent student with an orphan background like her own, fostering a special sympathy.
"That's it?" Lin Qinghan was surprised by the simple explanation. Was that really why she called him alone? He hesitated to point it out.
"Why? Afraid to show your strength to the academy's top brass? Only Mu En and I know about it. We know you're resistant to fully joining Shrek, but if your strength is exposed, it could cause trouble."
After her explanation, Lin Qinghan nodded. Exposing his strength to the academy's higher-ups could indeed be problematic. With only Zhang Lexuan and Mu En aware, and given his close bond with Zhang Lexuan, she would protect him. Mu En, being reasonable, would likely befriend him, especially knowing his connection to Zhang Lexuan.
"By the way, I have something for you. It's flower-scented toothpaste made from a thousand-year-old strange fragrant flower. Want to try it?"
Zhang Lexuan smiled softly, placing a hand on his shoulder and gazing at his face.
Lin Qinghan's features had matured with frequent contact with Zhang Lexuan, growing sharper and leaving her slightly dazed. *This is my boy!* she thought.
Their faces drew closer, the atmosphere turning intimate.
"I didn't expect you'd have to do the freshman assessment too, Qinghan, but it shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"
That evening, at Tang Ya's insistence, Lin Qinghan went shopping with her.
Tang Ya had recently broken through to level 41, and with soul power and the Gold of Life nourishing her, her figure had developed rapidly, surpassing her peers. From her earlier immaturity, her looks and figure now outshone Jiang Nannan's.
As Tang Ya's popularity grew in the outer courtyard, so did Lin Qinghan's fame. He felt envious gazes around him, but no one dared challenge him.
A month ago, Beibei, rejected by Tang Ya, had challenged Lin Qinghan. The outcome was predictable. Beibei, a prominent outer courtyard figure with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, lasted less than ten seconds against Lin Qinghan.
Lin Qinghan admitted he'd not only taken Beibei's original fiancée but also his childhood betrothed. Not wanting to humiliate Beibei further, he'd given him a spiritual thunder as a warning.
After this incident spread, no one dared challenge Lin Qinghan again.
Though he enjoyed the attention, Lin Qinghan hid his true strength, avoiding the "pig eating tiger" trope.
"Qinghan, why hasn't the schoolgirl who sells grilled fish set up her stall lately? I haven't had such delicious grilled fish in a long time," Tang Ya asked as they strolled.
She was unaware of Lin Qinghan's connection to Huo Yutong.
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(End of this chapter)