Douluo Continent: The Ruler of Time, Reigning Supreme

Chapter 80 Huo Yuhao's Resentment
The quality of this year's freshmen is indeed far superior to that of previous years. Even Du Weilun, the well-informed Dean of Foreign Languages, was pleasantly surprised.

After the applause subsided, Du Weiren announced loudly:
"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. 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 they can afford and that is most suitable for them."

This reward is already quite generous for ordinary students.

This means that the academy will use its resources and connections to help them find and hunt the soul beasts that best match their martial souls, ensuring that the age and quality of the soul rings reach the optimal level for their current level.

Ordinary students don't have this kind of treatment. Even when teachers take them out to hunt souls, it's usually just about finding something suitable, not about striving for perfection.

Du Weilin paused, his gaze falling on the champion trio, his tone carrying a hint of meaning:
"As for the additional rewards for the champion team, they will be distributed separately after the class division ceremony."

The separate champion reward... Yin Chen understood; it must be that soul bone that was being used as a gimmick.

However, he didn't have high expectations for the rewards for the new student assessment, estimating that the duration and quality were relatively ordinary and therefore not very attractive to him.

"Okay, you can return to the team."

Duveln gestured for the top three teams to return to the queue.

As the three returned to their positions, the atmosphere in the square became tense and expectant once again.

Next comes the crucial step that truly impacts each new student's learning and development over the next few years—class assignment.

Du Weiren's gaze swept over the freshmen below, who had instantly fallen silent and were eagerly anticipating his arrival, and he said in a deep voice:
"The quality of this year's freshmen far exceeds that of previous years, but I still hope that you can continue to work hard. Heaven rewards diligence. No matter how talented you are, it will be in vain if you don't work hard. Here, I wish all of you a smooth graduation."

He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of solemnity:
"Given the outstanding freshmen who have emerged in this year's freshman competition, the academy has granted special approval for a number of students to become core disciples of the Foreign Affairs Department. I will now announce the list."

Shrek Square suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The words "core disciple" seemed to possess a magical power, causing all the students' hearts to beat faster involuntarily.

Everyone knows that this is not just a title, but also represents the allocation of college resources, better faculty guidance, and a more convenient path to the inner college.

With their future at stake, everyone held their breath and listened intently, afraid of missing a single word.

Du Weiren opened the folder in his hand and read aloud clearly and forcefully:

"Based on the performance of the new students in the assessment, the core disciples who have been approved by the academy are: Yin Chen, Gu Yuena, Ye Guyi, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, ​​Wu Feng, and Xie Huanyue."

As the list was read out one by one, the students whose names were called showed expressions of surprise and pride.

The surrounding gazes were filled with envy.

This list basically includes all the most outstanding performers in the freshman assessment. Whether it is Yin Chen and his two companions who won the championship with their absolute strength, or Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu who possess the Netherworld White Tiger, or the twin sisters, rare martial soul holders Cao Jinxuan and Ning Tian, ​​their selection was all expected and there was not much controversy.

However, when Du Weiren closed the folder and finished reading the list, some observant people noticed that one name was missing—Huo Yuhao.

"How come Yuhao isn't here?"

Wang Dong almost blurted it out. He turned his head sharply to look at Huo Yuhao, whose face had turned pale instantly, his eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.

Xiao Xiao was also filled with anxiety, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. Her gaze darted back and forth between Du Weilun and Huo Yuhao. If the occasion weren't so serious, she probably would have already raised her hand to ask. Huo Yuhao stood there, feeling a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, as if the surrounding noise had instantly vanished from him.

Hearing his teammates Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao's names being called out, his initial joy for them turned into disappointment and resentment the moment he realized he hadn't been selected.

Why? He was clearly the team captain, the core of the tactics, and he gave his all for victory, sacrificing so much... Why was he the one excluded?

A surge of immense grievance and bewilderment welled up within him, causing his lips to tremble slightly.

Yin Chen took in the whole scene, his gaze calmly sweeping over Huo Yuhao's distraught face, and he shook his head slightly in his heart.

During the match, Huo Yuhao was indeed the core of the team, and his ability to share mental detection was nothing short of miraculous.

However, the Shrek Academy leadership values ​​the future and the potential for Soul Masters to grow, rather than their temporary strength.

Huo Yuhao disguised himself too well...

With a first spirit ring that appears to be only at the ten-year level and a weak initial impression, even if he performs brilliantly later, in the eyes of the academy's higher-ups who are used to measuring potential by hard standards, Huo Yuhao's "upper limit" seems to have already been set.

They might acknowledge Huo Yuhao's wisdom and the team's role, but the core disciples are betting on a future as a Title Douluo or even higher.

In their view, Huo Yuhao's foundation, especially that "white spirit ring," was hindering his future potential.

Spirit-type soul beasts are indeed rare, but given Shrek Academy's size and resources, if they truly believe Huo Yuhao is an unparalleled genius, wouldn't they be able to find a suitable soul beast to strengthen his foundation?
The problem is that Huo Yuhao's demonstrated "potential" has not yet convinced them to invest such enormous resources and expectations.

While playing dumb can hide your true strength, it can also cause you to miss out on the attention and opportunities you deserve.

Huo Yuhao was not wrong, nor were the academy's higher-ups; the one who was wrong was that ten-year white soul ring.

After all, a million-year spirit ring is indeed too astonishing, and Huo Yuhao currently does not have any simulated spirit skills to disguise his spirit ring.

Therefore, disguising it as a ten-year soul ring was a last resort.

These thoughts flashed through Yin Chen's mind only briefly.

He will not speak out or do anything about it; this is the consequence that Huo Yuhao has to bear for the path he has chosen.

In this competitive world, opportunities often coexist with risks, and how to present oneself is an art in itself.

Duveln seemed oblivious to the subtle commotion below, or perhaps he noticed it but chose not to pay attention.

He closed the folder and said loudly:

"The above is the list of core disciples for this year. I hope all core disciples will remain humble and diligent in their cultivation. Those who were not selected should not be discouraged. Shrek Academy's stage is open to all those who work hard, and there are still endless possibilities in the future."

As the words fell, a complex mix of joy, envy, disappointment, and resentment echoed across the square.

(End of this chapter)