Teacher Lu Song

At two in the afternoon, on the academy playground.

As the bell rang, the students of Class Three, Year One arrived at the playground under their teacher's lead. After several days at the academy, everyone understood the importance of punctuality, so naturally, no one was late.

Yan had just come from the academy library and blended into the crowd without drawing attention. Though autumn was approaching, the sun was still scorching. Just as everyone was beginning to grow impatient, Teacher Ma Xiu and another middle-aged man sauntered over.

More precisely, it was the middle-aged man who walked at an unhurried pace, forcing Teacher Ma Xiu to slow down as well.

"Students, this is your future practical combat instructor, Lu Song."

Matthew shot the middle-aged man an unhappy look before introducing him to the class. Yan frowned slightly as he looked at the man, who still reeked of alcohol. Though he did not care much about practical combat classes, ending up with such an unreliable-looking teacher was hardly something to be happy about.

"My name is Lu Song, and I'll be your practical combat instructor from now on. Students, for today's first lesson, I'd like to test your stamina first. Five laps around the playground as a warm-up. You may begin."

Teacher Lu Song paid no heed to Matthew's gaze. After stepping into the middle of the field and sweeping his eyes over the students, he immediately gave the order. His attitude was naturally off-putting, and even Matthew frowned, about to speak.

"Teacher Ma Xiu, this is my class. You may leave."

Before Matthew could say anything, Lu Song dismissed him.

"Sigh! Teacher Lu Song, drinking before class is not a good habit. Try to be more serious in the future."

Matthew was naturally displeased, but the old man had always followed the rules. At this point, he could only shake his head, sigh, and leave.

"Why are you all still standing there? Do you have questions about my orders? Start running."

Lu Song watched Matthew depart, then turned his gaze toward the playground. The students stood around in small groups, hesitating and unsure what to do. Lu Song was clearly trying to establish his authority. With a sharp shout, powerful Soul Power rippled outward.

Ding, ding, ding!

Dazzling Soul Rings rose one after another from beneath his feet. One white, one yellow, and one purple—three Soul Rings pulsed around him. This middle-aged man was actually a three-ring Soul Elder, and as he released his Soul Power aura, a dense, murderous aura swept forth.

The middle-aged man clenched his hand slightly in the air, and a sickle appeared in his palm. The blood-red sickle seemed ready to drip with blood. As the breeze swept past, it even seemed possible to smell its bloody stench.

Is he someone who has been on a battlefield? This practical combat class seems like it might be interesting.

Yan quietly observed Lu Song from within the crowd. He was a fairly capable Soul Elder, stronger than Lycett and Kent, whom Yan knew well, though still some distance from the Soul Ancestor realm. However, ordinary people could not possess such a bloody, murderous aura. This teacher's combat experience was extraordinary.

Lu Song revealed his Martial Soul and displayed a startling murderous aura. Most of those present were merely children—how could they stand up to him? Frightened by this display, none dared resist. One after another, they obediently began running along the playground, afraid that this fierce teacher would come after them.

Yan did not make himself stand out either. He simply followed the crowd and jogged at an average pace. The chubby Tuo Ba Hong remained beside him, and this fellow seemed to have noticed something as well.

The elementary academy's playground was quite large, with each lap measuring six hundred meters. Five laps meant three thousand meters for a group of six- and seven-year-old children. This was no longer a warm-up. Though Soul Masters had far better stamina than children their age, they were still undeveloped kids in the end.

During the first lap, most of the students could still hold on. However, once the second lap began, some had already fallen behind.

By the third lap, some had completely run out of strength and simply gave up, slowing to a walk. Seeing that Lu Song merely glanced at them expressionlessly without saying anything, they gradually found the courage to keep walking slowly.

Is he observing the students' stamina, then estimating certain details based on their Martial Soul traits?

Yan continued jogging among the middle of the crowd. He neither rushed to the front nor lagged behind, maintaining his stamina throughout. Even while running, he was observing Teacher Lu Song's behavior.

"Boss Yan, did you notice anything? Damn it, this sun is brutal. What awful weather."

Tuo Ba Hong ran beside Yan at the same unhurried pace. Though the chubby boy looked round, his stamina was surprisingly good. As he ran, he followed Yan's gaze and observed Lu Song as well, but found nothing. Unable to hold back, he asked.

Yan turned to glance at Tuo Ba Hong. He did not know what this fellow was after. Ever since deliberately showing goodwill that morning, he had remained so enthusiastic. Yan was quite wary of such ingratiating behavior and had kept his guard up around the chubby boy.

"Nothing major. Teacher Lu Song is probably observing the students' stamina, likely preparing to provide targeted instruction. But I imagine that won't be of much use to you."

Although Yan was somewhat wary of the chubby boy, his speculation about Lu Song was only a passing thought. It was a minor matter, not something worth hiding.

"If that's the case, then it really won't be useful."

The chubby boy nodded helplessly. "Our White Scaled Earth Dragon Clan's Martial Soul inheritance has existed for a long time. We already have well-established methods for developing it."

Yan was not surprised by this. If the White Scaled Earth Dragon Clan could later establish the Sacred Dragon Clan, they were certainly an ancient and powerful family. Such great clans generally had special training methods, not something a mere three-ring Soul Elder could casually guide.

"Alright, you can stop now."

Just as some people entered their final lap and everyone was beginning to run out of strength, Lu Song's voice rang out again. By then, he had already withdrawn his Martial Soul and returned to the lazy air of a drunkard. Yet after what had just happened, no one dared underestimate him.

"You, you, you—form a group. You, you, and you, come over here... Everyone, group up as I say. Hurry..."

Lu Song stepped before the students, pointing out people and ordering them into groups. Having established his authority with that earlier show of force, no one dared disobey him now. Everyone immediately began moving.

Yan noticed some details. The people Lu Song grouped together shared certain similarities, mainly in their Martial Soul compatibility, stamina, or personalities. This teacher had not even had them introduce themselves, yet he could group them so precisely. It seemed he truly had some real skill.

There will be a second chapter this afternoon. Please keep reading and bookmarking. During the recommendation period, please send more recommendation votes.