Douluo Dalu 2: Reincarnated as the Auspicious Beast

The somewhat stoic invigilator's eyes suddenly sparkled with interest.

Flight instinct!

Only the most elite flying-type beast spirits could take to the skies without deploying spirit skills, relying solely on their spirit. In reality, most flying spirits couldn't even fully materialize wings.

Consider Wu Feng's Red Dragon spirit, for example—it's a formidable beast spirit, yet it doesn't confer the ability to fly.

The invigilator had, of course, perused Wang Rui's records—indeed, the spirit department faculty had already deliberated over him in a meeting. Yet, despite combing through millennia of records on rare spirits and dragon-type spirit beasts at Shrek Academy, they found no trace of the Yang Yan Dragon.

It appeared to be a newly emerged variant spirit, but it is often unstable and can harbor significant flaws. Thus, even as a dragon-type spirit, its potency was difficult to assess and would require further evaluation in actual combat. Shrek Academy hadn't pinned high hopes on this variant Yang Yan Dragon.

A plethora of variant spirits emerge annually, but the truly formidable ones remain those with enduring legacies, proven by time.

Furthermore, the academy has witnessed numerous geniuses throughout its storied history. While freshmen spirit masters are a rarity, they do surface periodically. The academy was still observing and hadn't hastened to engage with Wang Rui.

But witnessing his possession of a flight instinct suggested that the academy's initial appraisal of Wang Rui was somewhat conservative. The invigilator promptly decided to report this to the teaching office.

On the battlefield, Qiao Zhaoxing circumvented Luo Ling and charged directly at Ning Tian, stationed at the rear. Their tactic was transparent: their most potent and swift two-ring agility attack spirit master would assail the opponent's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile spirit master, while Luo Ling remained behind to shield their support.

The invigilator nodded in approval. It was praiseworthy for first-year students to possess the tactical acumen to first strike a support-type spirit master like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile. If Qiao Zhaoxing's initial assault failed, he could rely on his speed to retreat promptly.

However, Wang Rui, aloft in the air, disregarded Qiao Zhaoxing's charge. With a flap of his wings, he slightly retracted them and propelled himself like a missile towards Luo Ling, who was defending at the rear diagonally across from him.

Observing Wang Rui's direct approach to Luo Ling, the invigilator frowned slightly, displaying a hint of disapproval.

He deemed Wang Rui's actions overly audacious.

Unlike other teams that boasted two attackers, Wang Rui's team included two members with scant self-defense capabilities, leaning more towards support—Huo Yuhao, whose spirit was the Spirit Eye, was cataloged as a control type, but his spirit ring had been glowing incessantly without any discernible effect on the opponents, implying his skills were also support-oriented.

The opposing agility attack spirit master was directly targeting his teammate, and Wang Rui was neglecting his teammate to launch an assault. In the invigilator's view, this was highly irresponsible, demonstrating a lack of teamwork and combat awareness.

In a genuine battle, teammates could very well lose their lives!

...In truth, he was overanalyzing. If this were an actual battle, Young Master Ning and Huo Yuqing would have already brandished their spirit tools and commenced bombardment.

The invigilator now surmised that perhaps this spirit master freshman was excessively arrogant, or perhaps he was innately solitary and uncooperative... Whatever the rationale, he would have to report this to the higher-ups.

However, to his astonishment, Ning Tian, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile spirit master who was regarded as exceedingly vulnerable and physically frail in the eyes of all spirit masters, adeptly evaded Qiao Zhaoxing's attack!

The golden-haired girl, cradling her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, dodged with somewhat clumsy steps, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that her movements were the most concise and efficient possible.

This necessitated a substantial amount of combat experience to anticipate!

The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has a worthy successor.

Qiao Zhaoxing, failing in his initial strike, naturally noticed Wang Rui preparing to attack his teammate. He clenched his teeth, altered his course, and attempted to knock Huo Yuqing, who appeared to be an easier target, off the stage.

At that moment, the sound of collision and a cry of pain emanated from behind him.

Luo Ling, who had been shielding her teammate, couldn't evade. The first spirit ring behind her shone brilliantly, and a layer of golden crystal enveloped her horns as she lowered her head, directing them at the diving Wang Rui.

...A completely erroneous judgment. In terms of strength, how could she rival a three-ring power attack spirit master?

Wang Rui didn't even utilize a spirit skill, relying solely on his physical might to knock her out of the arena. Simultaneously, he spread his wings, and the hard, scaly edges struck Zhou Yi in the stomach, sending him flying.

The invigilator swiftly caught both of them, averting any injuries.

Qiao Zhaoxing: ...

"I concede, I surrender," he said dejectedly, dispelling his spirit and raising his hands.

The opponent had eliminated two of his teammates without even deploying spirit skills, and he couldn't even graze the support-type's garments. How could they fight?

"Freshman Class Nine, Wang Rui's team, triumphs," the invigilator announced impassively.

Wang Rui, however, felt a faint sense of melancholy. It was akin to the sensation of loading for two hours only to play for thirty seconds.

The remaining nine matches in the assessment didn't present any formidable opponents. Most students simply surrendered upon seeing two spirit masters on the opposing team—since they couldn't triumph anyway, it was preferable to conserve energy for the next match.

The few teams that insisted on challenging the impossible were promptly ejected from the arena by Wang Rui—throughout the ten-match assessment, Wang Rui scarcely used any spirit skills.

While it was gratifying to dominate the weak...

Wang Rui felt like a tyrant, like a human confronting three wobbly kittens. Winning wasn't something to be proud of, but there was a certain delight in overpowering the weak, akin to the so-called cute aggression psychology.

Three days later, the point matches concluded, and students with insufficient points departed Shrek Academy with regret—those unaware might think it was a variety show. Even programs like "The Voice" have comeback rounds, but this academy eliminates students more ruthlessly than any reality show.

Next, the elimination matches commenced among the top sixty-four teams to vie for first place.

The rules during the elimination matches were straightforward: one match in the morning and one in the afternoon, with opponents determined by draw. Losing teams would return to class while winning teams stayed to continue the competition. The top three would be decided in three days.

Wang Dong and An Wen's teams both achieved flawless scores, and Wu Feng's team also made it to the elimination matches, though they lost one match.

The old witch Zhou's scheme to have An Wen eliminated failed miserably, and her countenance grew even darker.

The elimination matches began in the familiar venue, though it had been rearranged. The draw was presided over by Du Weilun, the teaching director of the outer court.

A live draw? Wang Rui was amused.