The Match

"Hall Master Jing, forgive me."

Gu Yuejin looked at Jing Hongchen, whose expression was grave, but didn't use that astonishing hundred-thousand-year Seventh Soul Ring. Instead, the sixth black Soul Ring on his body suddenly lit up.

Since this was a friendly match, he would use conventional methods to make Jing Hongchen accept his defeat wholeheartedly.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Shattering Star!"

There was no flashy elemental surge. He simply compressed the blood and Soul Power throughout his body to their limits, gathering them in his right fist.

In that instant, Gu Yuejin's right fist seemed to become a collapsing black hole, distorting the light around it.

"Come on!"

Jing Hongchen shouted. His pride as a Titled Douluo left him no room to back down.

"Ninth Soul Skill, Gold Cannot Be Exchanged!"

The Toad Martial Soul blazed with light, transforming into a thick golden barrier that shielded him completely.

The next moment.

BOOM!!!

The seemingly tiny fist slammed into the enormous golden barrier.

Crack.

The crisp sound of breaking rang out, especially jarring in the silent Training Ground.

Then, to the utter horror of everyone watching, Gold Cannot Be Exchanged, reputed to withstand attacks from Super Douluo, shattered bit by bit like fragile glass!

Bang!

Jing Hongchen's figure flew backward. He wasn't seriously injured, but only because Gu Yuejin had held back.

The winner was clear.

"You were generous."

Gu Yuejin lowered his fist and stood still. The golden light around him slowly faded, and he once again looked completely composed.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

At the side of the arena, Lin Jiayi was the first to jump up and applaud. He clapped until his hands were red, then hurried over with a broad smile.

"Mr. Gu Yue, that punch was truly earth-shattering! You shattered Hall Master's strongest defense with a single blow. With strength like that, you must be invincible beneath the rank of Titled Douluo... No, even Titled Douluo are no match for you!"

"Director Lin, you flatter me. Hall Master Jing went easy on me."

Gu Yuejin smiled faintly, giving Jing Hongchen the respect he was due.

"Mr. Gu Yue, there's no need to be modest."

Xu Tianran rolled his wheelchair forward, his burning gaze almost tangible.

"Having seen you today, I finally understand what a true prodigy is."

"To overpower a Titled Douluo with the body of a Soul Sage—there is no one else in the world with such an achievement."

Nearby, Xu Tianzhen's beautiful eyes had already turned into hearts.

Women were naturally drawn to strength, especially an imperial princess of her Noble Status. She was long since tired of those meek, obsequious sycophants.

The man before her was powerful, mysterious, and domineering. He'd even sent a Titled Douluo flying with one punch.

Now that's a man! A prize worthy of being conquered by this princess!

"Um... Gu Yue, right? That punch of yours was so cool!"

Xu Tianzhen stepped closer and winked without the slightest reserve. "Could you teach me sometime? I want to punch those annoying flies into the air too!"

Gu Yuejin glanced at her, smiling faintly. "Your Highness Princess, you're a precious member of the royal family. Leave that kind of rough work to us rough sorts."

"All right, Tianzhen. Stop fooling around."

Xu Tianran cut off his sister's infatuated rambling at just the right moment. Then his expression turned serious as he looked at Gu Yuejin and extended the offer he had prepared in advance.

"Mr. Gu Yue, I have a request."

"Although the academy is flourishing, it does have shortcomings when it comes to Martial Soul cultivation."

"I intend to establish a separate Martial Soul Department within Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, alongside the existing Soul Engineer Department."

"Would you be willing to take up the post of its first Martial Soul Department Director?"

Department Director!

This was no ordinary Special Appointed Teacher. It was a true position of authority, one that could influence the academy's decisions!

Lin Jiayi's eyelid twitched, but he didn't dare say a word.

Gu Yuejin's gaze flickered, and a playful curve formed at the corner of his mouth.

"Since Your Highness values me so highly, it would be ungracious of me to refuse."

"I'll take the post of Martial Soul Department Director."

The next morning.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

Its academic calendar was completely different from that of the Three Kingdoms in Douluo Continent.

If Shrek Academy's school year began in September, like schools in China in my previous life, then the Sun Moon Empire was more like that island nation nicknamed "Little Japan." It began the school year in spring and had its own unique division of terms.

At that moment, in the classroom of Class One, Year One:

"Hello, everyone. My name is Huo Yuhao. I'm from the Heaven Dou Empire, and my Martial Soul is Spirit Eyes."

Huo Yuhao stood at the lectern and gave a brief introduction.

As a transfer student, and with an appearance that clearly marked him as a foreigner, he immediately attracted plenty of curious looks.

"Huo Yuhao, take that empty seat in the back."

The homeroom teacher pointed to a seat at the rear of the classroom.

Huo Yuhao nodded and headed over. As soon as he sat down, two familiar figures came into view on either side of him.

On his left, Xiao Hongchen was pretending to read, his face full of haughty pride.

On his right, Meng Hongchen rested her chin in her hand, looking eager.

Clearly, the Hongchen siblings had deliberately saved him this "auspicious seat."

"Well, if it isn't Huo Yuhao."

Xiao Hongchen glanced at him and closed his book, his tone carrying a hint of awkward concern. "As a transfer student, don't bring shame on the Hongchen Family. If you can't keep up, you can ask me for help. If I'm in a good mood, I might even give you some pointers."

"Thanks, Senior Xiao. I'll do my best." Huo Yuhao smiled honestly.

"Who's your senior? We're classmates now!" Xiao Hongchen snorted, though the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Oh, come on, brother. Give it a rest."

Ignoring her haughty brother, Meng Hongchen leaned close to Huo Yuhao's ear and asked in a hushed voice, "Yuhao, Yuhao, why did you come alone? What about Brother Gu Yue? Isn't he coming today?"

"My master..."

Huo Yuhao had just started to explain when Xiao Hongchen clapped a hand over his mouth.

"Class is starting! Be quiet!"

Xiao Hongchen glared at his sister. "All you ever talk about is Gu Yue. Can't you have a little self-respect?"

Just then, the homeroom teacher gently tapped the blackboard.

"Quiet."

"Before we begin today's lesson, there's an important announcement."

The homeroom teacher cleared his throat and spoke with a complicated expression.

"By joint decision of the academy's senior leadership and the Crown Prince, starting today, the academy will officially add a compulsory course in Martial Soul cultivation and practical applications, alongside its existing Soul Tool courses."

"An independent Martial Soul Department will also be established."

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom erupted.

"What? A Martial Soul Department?"

"We're a Soul Engineer Academy! Why should we study those outdated Martial Souls?"

"Exactly! Isn't having Soul Tools enough? What's the point of training that stuff?"

"Isn't this a waste of time? I haven't even finished carving my Core Formation!"

The students chattered among themselves, most of them baffled or even resistant.

In the Sun Moon Empire's education system, Soul Tools were paramount, while Martial Souls were merely auxiliary. Spending time on Martial Soul cultivation instead was practically turning back the clock.

The homeroom teacher didn't stop them from discussing it. He only shook his head helplessly.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept toward the window, and his body jolted.

A tall figure was slowly approaching in the hallway.

The homeroom teacher hurriedly straightened his collar and strode out of the classroom. His expression instantly turned one of utmost respect.

Inside, the students had still been chattering, but they quieted down when they saw this and curiously looked toward the door.

"What's going on? Why's the homeroom teacher suddenly acting so timid?"

"Looks like someone's here?"

A moment later.

The homeroom teacher returned to the classroom. This time, however, he didn't stand at the center of the lectern. Instead, he respectfully stepped aside and gestured for the newcomer to enter.

Then—

Under the gaze of dozens of students,

A young man in a black robe patterned with golden designs strode calmly to the lectern. He was strikingly handsome, with an unfathomable aura like the depths of an abyss.

His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Huo Yuhao and the Hongchen siblings in the corner. A faint smile curved his lips.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

"I'm the newly appointed Martial Soul Department Director, and I'll also be your Combat Class instructor."

"Gu Yuejin."