Once I Get Serious, You Won't Even Have a Chance to React!

Huo Yu Hao clenched his fists, his knuckles turning slightly white from the exertion. He had been bullied since childhood in the Duke's mansion and couldn't stand such an arrogant attitude. Even though he knew his soul power was inferior to the other's, he refused to back down easily, saying coldly, "Let's try then. We'll go outside."

Wang Dong felt Huo Yu Hao's stubbornness, and a flicker of surprise and annoyance flashed in her big, powder-blue eyes. She retorted coldly, "Fine, I'd like to see what you're capable of!"

Lin Yuan stood to the side, looking at the two of them, and sighed helplessly. Huo Yu Hao and Wang Dong, this future CP pair, were already full of gunpowder on their first day. It was truly an unprecedented fated encounter.

"I still don't know your name," Wang Dong said with a hint of disdain.

Huo Yu Hao refused to be outdone, "Before asking for someone else's name, shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"

Wang Dong shrugged and said nonchalantly, "My name is Wang Dong. Remember it."

"My name is Huo Yu Hao."

Wang Dong smiled slightly and suddenly took a step closer, "Very good. I think your name will soon disappear from Shrek Academy. Let's go, idiot." With that, she turned and walked out first.

Huo Yu Hao gritted his teeth and quickly followed. Although he knew his combat strength wasn't strong, he absolutely refused to be bullied, especially since the other person would be his roommate for at least the next year. As he passed Lin Yuan, he paused and said with a hint of apology, "Lin Yuan, I'm sorry for making you watch a joke."

Lin Yuan looked at Huo Yu Hao's tense profile and gently shook his head, "It's nothing. But if you two really fight, remember not to hurt your friendship." There was a hint of teasing in his words, but a knowing look hid in his eyes. This first clash between the bickering couple was even more fiery than in the original work.

Shrek Academy occupied a vast area, with open spaces between buildings. After the two left the dormitory, Wang Dong stopped in the open space outside the dormitory and beckoned to Huo Yu Hao.

Anger burned fiercely in his chest, but Huo Yu Hao didn't rush forward rashly. The life-and-death trial in the Star Dou Great Forest had taught him to be calm and collected.

Just then, Lin Yuan slowly walked between the two. His silver hair shone faintly in the morning light, and his purple eyes held a hint of casual amusement. He gently placed a hand on Huo Yu Hao's shoulder, pulling him back half a step, and turned his gaze to Wang Dong, his tone carrying a subtle hint of playfulness, "Classmate Wang Dong, instead of competing with Huo Yu Hao, why don't I spar with you? After all, your strengths are unequal, so what's the point of winning?"

Wang Dong's eyes narrowed. He could clearly feel the seemingly gentle but soul-stirring pressure emanating from Lin Yuan. The unfamiliar, instinctive caution did not make him retreat; his youthful pride remained, "You want to stand up for him? Fine, but don't renege if you lose."

At the entrance of the new student dormitory building, Mu En, leaning on a lounge chair, slightly raised his head. A flicker of curiosity flashed in his dim yellow eyes as he watched the three with interest.

"I won't renege," Lin Yuan chuckled, stepping aside to clear a space, "You set the rules. Do you want to compete in soul power, soul skills, or actual combat?"

Wang Dong stared at Lin Yuan, his eyes full of caution and unwillingness to lose, "Then let's compete in physical combat. That would be fairer for both of us."

Lin Yuan smiled slightly, took a step back, and gestured with his hand, "Then please." He then looked at Huo Yu Hao and said, "Watch carefully, and learn well."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Dong's toes touched the ground, and his body shot towards Lin Yuan like an arrow. His speed was fast and agile, and in the blink of an eye, he was close, raising his right foot to strike directly at Lin Yuan's chest.

Facing the swift attack, Lin Yuan merely smiled slightly, his body unmoving. He clasped his right hand into a grip, accurately catching Wang Dong's ankle. He neither blocked nor counterattacked, but simply guided the momentum, neutralizing the force completely and returning Wang Dong to his original position.

"Again," Lin Yuan said calmly.

Wang Dong stabilized his body, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, then snorted coldly and resumed his attack. His movements were swift and varied, using both fists and feet, each blow aimed at vital points around his body. But no matter how he attacked, Lin Yuan could always resolve it with the least effort.

Lin Yuan's technique was not flashy. He simply used the lightest touch to alter the angle of Wang Dong's punches and kicks, using his opponent's strength against him, causing his attacks to miss time and again. He didn't even take a step back, his feet seemingly rooted to the spot.

"Is this using force against force?" Huo Yu Hao, who was watching,'s eyes lit up. Lin Yuan's movements seemed simple but contained great skill, benefiting him greatly.

Wang Dong became increasingly alarmed as he fought. He realized that no matter how he accelerated or changed his moves, he couldn't touch Lin Yuan at all. The other person was like a feather, dissolving the storm with effortless grace.

"You're not using your full strength!" Wang Dong's patience finally ran out. He stopped attacking, his powder-blue eyes filled with stubbornness, "I want you to fight seriously, otherwise this match is meaningless!"

Lin Yuan looked at Wang Dong and sighed helplessly, "If I fight seriously, you might not even have a chance to react."

"Then let me see!"

As Wang Dong's words fell, Lin Yuan's toes lightly touched the ground, and his figure vanished like a ghost. The next second, he was already behind Wang Dong, his fingers hooked like claws, precisely grasping the other's throat.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye.

Wang Dong hadn't even seen how Lin Yuan moved. He only felt a tightness in his throat, and his whole body was lifted off the ground. A sense of suffocation instantly spread through him. He instinctively tried to struggle, but Lin Yuan's hand was like an iron clamp, unmoving.

"I told you, if I fight seriously, you won't even have a chance to react," Lin Yuan's voice was calm, without any trace of triumph. He slightly loosened his grip, putting Wang Dong back on the ground, but still maintained his hold on the other's throat to prevent further impulsiveness.

Wang Dong gasped for air, his face flushed red, his eyes filled with shock and unwillingness. For the first time, he realized how vulnerable his proud talent was in front of Lin Yuan.

"You lost," Lin Yuan released his hand, his tone calm, "Can we talk properly now?"

Wang Dong took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the shock in his heart, and said coldly, "You are very strong, I admit it. But I won't let this go!"

"I'll be waiting," Lin Yuan smiled faintly and turned towards the dormitory.

Huo Yu Hao looked at the departing Lin Yuan, then at Wang Dong, who was still standing there. He took a deep breath and said softly, "The five conditions you mentioned earlier, it's not that I can't meet them. But it's not because of your threat, but out of respect for my roommate. I know your strength is above mine. But remember this, if you dare to insult me again, then even if you beat me to death, I will at least bite off a piece of you." With that, he quickly followed Lin Yuan towards the dormitory.

Wang Dong stood in place for a while before slowly walking towards the dormitory. When he reached the entrance, Mu En's aged voice sounded from the lounge chair, "Do you know why you lost?"

Wang Dong's steps paused. He turned to look at Mu En, a complex look flashing in his eyes, "His speed was too fast, I couldn't react."

Mu En narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "You lost in three aspects. First, you were impatient and eager for success, focusing only on speed and power in your attacks, neglecting rhythm and balance. Second, your judgment of the opponent was wrong. You treated him as an opponent of the same level and went all out, but forgot that true masters never follow your rhythm. Third, and most importantly, you didn't see his root."

"Root?" Wang Dong frowned.

"Your feet," Mu En pointed out, "He stood extremely steadily, his feet rooted to the ground, which made it possible to use force against force. If you could break his root first, he wouldn't be able to resolve your attacks so easily."

Wang Dong pondered, "Then how should I break it?"

Mu En smiled slightly, "Good question. There are three ways to break the root: First, use speed to counter stability, constantly changing rhythm; second, use indirect attacks to counter direct ones, attacking from the side; third, use change to counter stillness, disrupting balance. Remember, a true master doesn't hold back their strength, but uses it where it should be used."

Wang Dong was stunned for a moment, then bowed deeply to the old man, "Old sir, thank you for your guidance." With that, he strode into the dormitory.