Human Nature

Despite the thirty-four students present—aside from the expelled Lu Renjia and class monitor Zhu Xiyan—harboring varying degrees of shock, fear of Hals kept every single one of them from making a sound.

Zhu Xiyan's eyes narrowed slightly beneath her thick bangs, a disdainful smile curling at the corner of her lips as she slowly stepped back two paces to stand behind Hals, saying nothing more.

Scanning the assembled students, Hals said flatly, "I'm curious how the thirty-four of you, aside from Zhu Xiyan, formed groups according to my instructions—one agility attack, one strength attack, one control. From what I know, our class has only seven control-type, thirteen agility-type, and fourteen strength-type."

At Hals' words, anger flickered across many students' faces. In the world of soul masters, rank reigned supreme. The only five Soul Ancestors were all strength-type, so naturally they got first pick. That left only two control-types for the rest to choose from.

Hals quietly observed their expressions, finding it amusing.

A familiar hoarse, low voice rang out, but its content brought joy to the faces of all except the Soul Ancestors.

"Let's play a game. The control-types are the prize, and you—" Hals swept his gaze over the crowd, continuing, "I don't care what means or methods you use. In the upcoming free-for-all, win the final victory. I only want seven people, and the victors can discuss or fight among themselves to distribute the seven control-types."

Boom.

The crowd erupted. Noise filled the entrance of the Mimicry Field.

Chaos reigned. Every student dropped their harmonious facade, quietly widening the distance between themselves and those around them, eyes sharp with vigilance. Only the seven control-types looked bewildered, standing frozen, unsure what to do.

Seeing this, Hals' lips curled upward, his voice tinged with suppressed excitement: "You now have five minutes to enter the Forest Mimicry Field. No fighting within those five minutes. After that, the battle begins. When only seven remain, I'll send a signal into the sky, and the fight ends."

Hals lowered his head slightly, hiding his expression deep in shadow:

"Now, the battle... begins!"

At the signal, the students exchanged wary glances, then without hesitation each chose a direction and scattered.

Watching the students disappear, Hals seemed lost in thought for a moment before turning away.

"Now." Hals twisted his head to look at the remaining seven control-types, speaking flatly: "Don't think you can just wait here safely while they slaughter each other. As prizes, you need to prove your worth."

Flicking the hem of his robe, Hals strode toward the Mimicry Field: "I'll go with Zhu Xiyan to monitor the free-for-all's progress. You'll hold your own battle here to determine your rankings among yourselves..."

At these words, the once-harmonious atmosphere among the seven control-types grew tense. Young hearts refused to yield to one another, and their eyes gradually burned with fervor.

Ignoring them, Hals led Zhu Xiyan into the Forest Mimicry Field.

Zhu Xiyan followed silently behind Hals, a trace of confusion lingering in her heart. She opened her mouth but ultimately kept quiet.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Hals said flatly, "Feeling a bit puzzled about why I'm doing this?"

Zhu Xiyan hesitated, then replied respectfully, "No. Whatever Teacher does must have its reasons."

They moved quickly, rows of trees flashing past on either side.

"No need to hide it. I want to hear your true thoughts."

Zhu Xiyan was silent. After a moment, she nodded: "Yes... I am a little confused."

Hearing this, Hals gazed into the distance. The flames in his eyes flickered—a ghostly green light casting his face in shifting shadows, adding an air of mystery. His lips parted slightly:

"Soul masters are born to kill. This is a product of violence. Every soul master is destined for the battlefield. Killing is a mission. What's needed isn't comrades or trust, but the ability to unhesitatingly abandon a comrade's life to complete the mission when it counts. That requires them to become cold. And infighting is undoubtedly the fastest way."

"Friendship, family—these are the bonds that hinder them from completing missions efficiently and coldly. And I need them to cast all that aside."

Hearing Hals' somewhat ruthless words, Zhu Xiyan didn't feel her confusion resolved; instead, it deepened. Yet, when she was at her most lost and helpless, it was Hals who appeared before her. This made her unconsciously enshrine every word he said as sacred truth.

Quietly clenching her fist, Zhu Xiyan silently resolved: the path Teacher walks is the right one.

Bringing his focus back to the present, Hals' lips curled with a hint of amusement.

"Human nature is the most interesting thing, isn't it?"

Snapping back to reality, Zhu Xiyan looked at the figure ahead and asked in confusion, "Teacher, what did you say?"

Shaking his head, Hals resumed his cold, rigid expression: "Nothing. Let's go."

"Oh, oh." Zhu Xiyan nodded with a hint of girlishness, said nothing more, and silently followed behind Hals.

"Damn it."

Xu Ning's face was pale. Beads of sweat as big as beans rolled down his forehead. He pressed a hand against a gaping wound on his left side, its edges curling outward, cursing inwardly.

Who would have thought that twenty minutes ago, he was still commanding a few lackeys who used to grovel at his heels?

A sharp jolt of pain shot through the wound. Xu Ning stumbled, tripping over a thick root protruding from a massive tree.

"Hah... hah..."

Xu Ning gasped for air with difficulty, his mouth wide open like a fish stranded onshore, struggling to draw breath.

Swish, swish, swish.

The sound of air being cut rang out. Three figures appeared before Xu Ning.

Xu Ning forced his eyes open, staring at the figure before him—clad in green robes, idly twirling a pale green curved dagger. His heart turned to ice with the sting of betrayal.

"Zeng Gong..."

His voice was cold, cold enough to freeze someone solid.

Zeng Gong crouched down, slapping the dagger against Xu Ning's face again and again.

Zeng Gong sneered contemptuously: "Xu Ning, look at you now. I've been itching to take you down for ages. This time, I finally got my chance."

Xu Ning gave no reply. He only stared back with icy, unyielding eyes.

Feeling a bit creeped out by Xu Ning's stare, Zeng Gong's anger flared up. He reached out and slapped Xu Ning across the face.

"Still looking? I just don't like that look in your eyes. To be honest, I'm pretty grateful to that teacher for giving me this chance. I can't kill you, but beating you up is still on the table."

Slap.

Another slap.

"I told you not to look at me like that, makes me feel like some villain. This isn't betrayal, it's revenge, get it, you idiot?"

Seeming triggered by some word, the two identical-looking youths who had been standing behind Zeng Gong exchanged a glance. Soul power surged. The slightly older one's right hand turned into a bear's paw, while the younger one's left hand grew a turtle shell covered in dark green spikes. They slowly approached the squatting Zeng Gong, who was speaking with excitement. Xu Ning, watching it all, said nothing.

With a face full of arrogance and irritation, Zeng Gong gave Xu Ning one last vicious slap, then stood up and stomped hard on the huge wound on Xu Ning's ribs.

"Ugh..."

His eyes bulging, Xu Ning felt like he was about to pass out, but he kept enduring, kept waiting for something.

Having vented his anger, Zeng Gong felt a wave of relief. A grin spread across his face as he turned around cheerfully, about to say something.

"Fanzi, I feel so damn good, this—"

His words cut off abruptly. Zeng Gong's face was full of disbelief.

He lowered his head with difficulty and saw, embedded in his abdomen, a bear paw gripping him and a turtle shell with spikes piercing into his gut. He felt a bone-chilling cold, as if ice shards filled every blood vessel in his body.

Zeng Gong opened his mouth, a hoarse voice crawling out of his throat: "Why?"

Pfft.

The spikes were pulled out. The owner of the turtle shell rubbed his head with his left hand, revealing a simpleton's smile, but a hint of cunning could be heard in his voice: "Hehe, Brother Zeng, don't blame us. Look, there are only seven spots. The two of us aren't as strong as you. What if you decide to compete with us later? So..."

Fanzi spread his hands, putting on an innocent grin: "So, we had to strike first. See, you're not alone—Brother Ning here is keeping you company."

Zeng Gong was speechless. His body went stiff, and he fell backward heavily, his vision slowly fading to black.

"Damn..."

A moment later, two figures, one large and one small, emerged from the shadows, looking at the two brothers who had already vanished and the two men lying together on the ground.

Zhu Xiyan stepped forward, reached out, and pressed her fingers to their necks. After a moment, she looked up at Hals: "Still alive, teacher."

Hals nodded. Zhu Xiyan calculated briefly in her mind and said, "Teacher, this is already the eighth from the last. Should we send the signal?"

"Signal?"

Hals's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"From the very beginning, I never planned to send a signal. Saying that was just to give them a goal, to keep them motivated. Now, let's just quietly wait for this performance to end."

Without question or hesitation, Zhu Xiyan stood up cleanly and moved behind Hals, remaining silent.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Hals's mouth, but it eventually faded into the shadows as he turned and walked away...