Expulsion

Channeling the Soul Power within him, Huo Yuhao used the third soul skill Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had given him—Spiritual Shock. The stabbing pain in his head cleared his mind somewhat, and his speed increased again.

But there were only three minutes left, and he still had a full six laps to go. It was practically impossible to finish.

Huo Yuxi had only just recovered. Perhaps because of her condition, her legs now felt as though they had been filled with lead, each weighing a thousand pounds.

She wanted to help, but there was nothing she could do.

"Zhuzhu, what should we do? Can you help Brother?" She did not want her brother to be expelled.

At the same time, Wang Dong stood nearby, feeling rather frustrated. How had she lost to someone so weak? If Huo Yuhao got expelled, she would have to get used to a new roommate again...

What a hassle! And she might not find another fool like Huo Yuhao. She should think of a way to help him. After all, she had just declared that she would look after him.

Right. Wang Dong casually glanced at Zhou Yi. Old Woman Zhou had not said they could not help one another, had she?

A pair of dazzling butterfly wings unfolded from her back. Their colors shifted in a blue gradient, and the wings resembled a blue sky strung with brilliant halos, radiating golden-blue light.

"So beautiful!"

All the students were stunned by the breathtaking sight, Zhou Yi included. A satisfied smile appeared on her face. The Light Goddess Butterfly—the most beautiful butterfly martial soul on the continent—was also among the strongest in attack power.

With a flap of her wings, Wang Dong flew behind Huo Yuhao. She slipped both hands beneath his arms and pulled him upward, lightening his weight.

The little spider, who had been about to act, saw this and immediately turned around, reverting to its doll form before resting in Huo Yuxi's arms.

"Idiot, what are you standing around for? Quickly circulate your Soul Power and lighten your weight."

Huo Yuhao's mind went blank for a second. He forcibly steadied himself, then hurriedly did as she said.

Wang Dong was extremely fast. In less than two minutes, she brought Huo Yuhao through the remaining laps. Her toes still touched the ground from time to time, so it could not count as cheating. He had succeeded!

When they landed, Huo Yuhao was still standing, but Wang Dong staggered first, resting her face against his shoulder.

Her cultivation was considered high among children her age, but she was still only an eleven-year-old child. Her Soul Power had nearly been exhausted from running herself, and helping Huo Yuhao had pushed her past her limits. Her head spun, and her face had turned pale.

"Wang Dong, are you all right?"

Huo Yuhao forced himself to remain standing and did not dare move, afraid she might fall to the side.

Only after resting for quite a while did Wang Dong straighten up and tidy her clothes. Huo Yuhao, meanwhile, sat down directly.

Back at the Duke's Mansion, he had not even been able to eat his fill, much less exercise. Besides, he had needed to help his mother with work and had not had the time.

This sudden burst of intense exercise was more than his body could adapt to in such a short time.

It was not just him. All the students were sprawled around the square, resting without the slightest concern for appearances.

Zhou Yi did not bother with them. Instead, she began calling names. "Cheng Cheng, Qiu Jianrao, Tang Dao, Shangguan Chentian, Lin Zeyu, Zhuge Yun, Tai Long, Tang Ling, Yun Xiaopiao. The nine of you may return to your dormitories, pack your things, and leave the academy."

"What?"

The nine resting students stared at Zhou Yi in shock. A burly boy rose to his feet and roared, "Why? I was among the first to finish."

"Why?"

Zhou Yi looked at him coldly. "Good question. Let me ask you this—did you really run one hundred laps?"

"Of course," the boy answered firmly.

"You certainly sound righteous. Before I arrived at the square, you used a Soul Tool shared bicycle to fake five laps, didn't you? That means you only ran ninety-five laps. And you still have the nerve to say that!"

"Every name I called has the same problem as you. You have sufficient strength, but you refuse to use it properly. People like you, who resort to trickery and deceit, will bring nothing but disaster to the nation once you become successful."

"You need not argue. With so many students present, I am sure more than one saw what you did. If you insist on denying it, I have evidence here as well."

"As Shrek, whose Soul Tool technology is second only to the Sun Moon Empire, the academy has no shortage of replay Soul Tools. They can not only show what you did, but also record every word you said."

"But do you truly dare let me play it?"

At those words, several students lowered their heads. Zhou Yi was right—they did not dare. Being expelled was one thing, but if everyone heard the unrestrained curses they had just spewed...

"Hmph."

The boy who had spoken turned and left. The other eight followed closely behind. They were not going back to pack their things, but to report her to the Academic Affairs Office. It was only the first day of school—how could they possibly accept this?

Zhou Yi clearly knew that, but she did not care. Had there been few people who reported her? If they were counted properly, her complaint letters could fill an entire office.

Watching this, cold sweat soaked Huo Yuhao's body. If Wang Dong had not helped him, he would have been added to that group.

"All right. You have twenty minutes to return and change clothes. Then come back to the classroom and continue class."

After what they had just witnessed, the entire class did not even dare breathe too loudly. They quickly ran back to their dormitories.

"Xixi, can you still walk?"

Huo Yuxi had always known that the Soul Devouring Spider could devour Soul Power, but she had not expected it to be able to return that energy to her body as well. After being restored, she was almost fully recovered.

"I'm fine. Let's hurry."

After hastily changing clothes, the group rushed back to the classroom. The nine empty seats left them shaken, while Huo Yuxi calmly chatted with the little spider.

"Zhuzhu, why can you help me recover Soul Power, but not other people?"

Huo Yuxi was truly curious. There were no records in books about tangible beast martial souls, so she could only ask the spider itself.

How can they compare to you? Our souls are compatible, so there are no limits on Soul Power conversion.

"Oh."

When Zhou Yi arrived at the classroom and saw that everyone was sitting obediently, she nodded in satisfaction. "Your attitude is still fairly satisfactory."

"You were all admitted to Shrek Academy because, without exception, your strength is among the best of your peers. This simple assessment should have been nothing to you."

"Of course, except Huo Yuhao. His Soul Power is only at Rank 11, far lower than yours, yet he still persisted and completed the task in the end."

"I am not saying this to belittle him. I am telling you that even specially recruited students must leave the academy if they fail to complete an assessment."

These words were meant, first, to remind the specially recruited students that they were no different from the others and would be eliminated if they performed poorly; second, to tell everyone that Huo Yuhao had entered the academy because of his status as a specially recruited student. She had explained it now, and she did not want anyone causing trouble over it later.

Naturally, Huo Yuxi understood that as well, and her favorable impression of Zhou Yi instantly grew a little stronger.