Running with the Wind Was Not Freedom

Shrek Academy's plaza was not particularly large. One lap around it was only about three hundred meters, so a hundred laps amounted to merely thirty thousand meters.

One shichen—two hours—was indeed a deadly challenge for ordinary people, but for Soul Masters, especially Soul Masters capable of entering Shrek Academy, it was truly nothing much. They could finish it if they gritted their teeth.

At that moment, Zhou Huan was leading Wen Xiaoshuai, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Qingya in a steady run. They were neither fast nor slow, not trying to lead the pack, nor falling behind the running crowd.

Zhou Huan understood that the biggest taboo in long-distance running was exhausting one's strength too early, so they absolutely could not start off too fast.

About ten minutes after Zhou Huan and the others began running, Huo Gua and Wang Dong finally joined the runners.

Ten laps...

Twenty laps...

Fifty laps...

Eighty laps...

In the end, unsurprisingly, Wang Dong was the first to complete one hundred laps.

She was ultimately a tsundere Godly Second Generation who refused to admit defeat. Perhaps she wanted to regain some of the pride she had lost after being defeated by Huo Gua earlier.

Zhou Huan remained inconspicuously within the running crowd, showing no intention of standing out whatsoever.

The three beside him, Wen Xiaoshuai included, had no urge to compete for first place either. Well, that was not entirely right. Wang Qingya was clearly finding it rather difficult, but with Zhou Huan setting the pace for her, she did not fall behind.

Finally, as the two-hour mark approached, only their poor Son of Destiny, Huo "Covered in Hacks" Yu Hao, was still running bitterly around Shrek Plaza.

But clearly, with only Level 11 Soul Power and having arrived more than ten minutes late, he was now about to fail to complete one hundred laps.

However, Zhou Huan was not worried in the slightest. How could the Son of Destiny be expelled so easily?

Sure enough, a blue figure suddenly flew out from the crowd, then proceeded to "carry" the weak and helpless Huo Gua through the air...

It was Wang Dong's Light Goddess Butterfly!

Even Zhou Huan, who already knew the plot, could not help but sigh. This blue Light Goddess Butterfly was damn beautiful!

The others in Class One naturally stared in amazement as well.

Xiao Xiao, in particular, was completely Stunned!

Alright, the face-lover Xiao Xiao had now "fallen for someone else." Wen Xiaoshuai was out!

Who knew why a face-lover like Xiao Xiao later ended up with the big-built He Caitou? Could it be that comradeship truly surpassed good looks?

Looking again at Wang Dong carrying Huo Gua through the air, Zhou Huan suddenly thought of a question. Why would the combination of a Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul and Twin Martial Souls of the Clear Sky Hammer and Blue Silver Emperor produce a Light Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul?

That was not how mutations worked at all.

Zhou Huan could only guess that this had to be the "legitimate" handiwork of some God King Number Three.

Because of Wang Dong's airborne assistance, Huo Gua naturally completed his hundred laps on time in the end.

Next, Zhou Yi began her "fear-based" teaching method as usual. "Zhuge Yun, Cheng Cheng, Tang Dao, Lin Zeyu, Shangguan Chentian, Qiu Jianrao, Tang Ling, Yun Xiaopiao, Tailong—you nine may leave Shrek Academy. There is no need for students who cut corners here."

Just as expected, Zhou Huan shook his head. At that moment, he was filled with contempt for Zhou Yi.

Those nine had naturally done wrong. They had slacked off and failed to complete one hundred laps, yet pretended that they had.

But they were only eleven- or twelve-year-old students, and they had not committed some terrible offense. They were being expelled over this?

If students were all upright in thought, excellent in character, and peerlessly talented, then what would they need Zhou Yi to teach them for? Any teacher could simply guide them through the basics.

Still, Zhou Huan currently had no ability to voice his opinion. First, he could not beat Zhou Yi. Second, he had no background.

His strength was still insufficient, after all!

Of course, even if he had enough strength, with no relationship to those nine, he might not necessarily speak up for them. But he would definitely rebuke Zhou Yi, simply because Zhou Huan could not stand people like her. She was practically an insult to the teaching profession.

In the end, beneath the gazes of the remaining ninety-one students in Class One, those nine were expelled.

Some among the nine resisted on the spot, but unfortunately, it was useless.

Unless they had powerful forces and influential backgrounds behind them, they would probably have no connection with Shrek for the rest of their lives.

All because of one teacher's misguided teaching methods and educational philosophy.

How utterly laughable.

But reality did not give Zhou Huan extra time to keep lamenting. The rest of the day's lessons were now the usual indoor classes.

Although Zhou Huan despised Zhou Yi, he would not reject the "academic lessons" she taught.

In truth, Zhou Yi's theoretical teaching was not bad. It could even be called very accurate, especially regarding attitudes toward the use of Soul Tools.

Perhaps that had something to do with her husband being an eighth-ranked Soul Engineer.

Therefore, Zhou Huan listened very seriously to Zhou Yi's theoretical lessons on Martial Souls, Soul Tools, and combat.

Was that not why he had come to Shrek in the first place—to learn these things better?

What Zhou Huan hated was Zhou Yi's mindless, fear-driven suppression style of teaching, but he absolutely did not reject the correct Martial Soul knowledge and Soul Tool knowledge she explained.

What should be listened to and what should not, Zhou Huan, someone who had lived two lives, naturally understood.

As Zhou Huan continuously absorbed knowledge, the first day of classes quickly came to an end.

The afternoon classes for Shrek's First Year freshmen were short, ending at only four o'clock.

It could be said that Shrek gave its students great freedom after class. No one would manage them, nor would anyone care whether they were cultivating or wasting their time.

Because on the first day, the teachers would tell them just how cruel Shrek's competition was.

Among the Nine Hundred New Students, the Freshman Assessment would begin in three months, and only half would remain in the end.

Moreover, do not think that staying meant you could rest easy. There would be a Grade Advancement Exam every year, and those who failed would still be expelled.

Thus, at Shrek, students who did not strive to improve would all be expelled, unless their talent was so heaven-defying that they could surpass others with ease.

But did such people exist on Douluo Continent?

At least Zhou Huan had never heard of any. No matter how talented you were, if you did not cultivate and spent every day lazing about, could your Soul Power increase on its own?

That was obviously unrealistic.

Therefore, Shrek would tell you that those more talented than you were often even more hardworking than you.

And at that moment, having just finished class, Zhou Huan was also thinking of working hard and preparing to visit the Outer Courtyard Library when Xiao Xiao's voice reached his ears. "Zhou Huan, to thank you for your reminder this morning, Qingya and I have decided to treat you guys to dinner."

So, it was my reminder. Why were they inviting us?

However, Zhou Huan merely complained inwardly out of habit. He was not someone who failed to appreciate kindness.

After thinking about it, he felt that refusing someone's first invitation to dinner would indeed be inappropriate. They were classmates, and it was their first day of school. Good relationships with classmates also needed to be maintained.

So, Outer Courtyard Library, you would have to wait for him a little longer.

"I have no problem with that. What about you, Old Wen?" Zhou Huan looked toward the Silent Lamb quietly standing at the side.

"I... I have no problem either." After spending the day together, Wen Xiaoshuai could finally speak in front of Xiao Xiao and Wang Qingya, though he still appeared rather shy in class.

Zhou Huan could even feel Wen Xiaoshuai's awkwardness and unease.

There was nothing to be done. They would take it slowly.

He wondered when Old Wen had developed this condition. Had he been born with it, or had it been caused by something later?

"Great!" Xiao Xiao was so happy that she nearly jumped up and punched Zhou Huan in the knee.

Wang Qingya smiled but said nothing. She was as quiet as a beautiful young girl, though it really did not suit her bun-faced image. It gave off the feeling that she was obviously the cute type, yet insisted on acting elegant.

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