White clouds drifted lazily outside the window beneath a blazing sun. Every so often, a hot, dry breeze blew into the classroom, leaving everyone restless and uneasy.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Xu Bei. Starting today, I'll be your homeroom teacher..." Xu Bei wrote his name on the blackboard, his voice stern.
Xu Bei was in his thirties, the sort of teacher who looked stern and humorless at first glance.
Xu Lanqing thought he seemed more like a soldier than a teacher. He had the same iron-blooded military bearing as Xu Tianyuan, whom Xu Lanqing had met once before.
His calm eyes swept across the students below. Nobody dared interrupt, much less whisper or even exchange glances.
The last noble troublemaker who'd tried had been thrown out. As he'd slunk away, he'd shouted that his father was "Xu something"—but that hadn't changed a thing.
"Good. We'll start by choosing class officers. Anyone interested can come up and campaign. We'll decide by vote. As for those who don't get elected but think they're capable, the officers will rotate monthly. You can prove yourselves..."
Xu Bei surveyed the room. His gaze lingered slightly on Xu Lanqing before he continued, "Let me emphasize that ability doesn't just mean strength. It also means managing the class, assisting the teacher, earning your classmates' approval, and other qualities like that..."
Xu Lanqing noticed that Xu Bei had looked at him a little longer than the others. He must have sensed Xu Lanqing's strength.
Among students with one or two Soul Rings, and at most three, someone with four rings stood out like a crane among chickens. It was hard not to notice him.
As one student after another eagerly went up to speak, Xu Lanqing remained unmoved. He had no interest in taking part. Instead, he