Mu Jin wore a spring-breeze smile, warm and gentle. When her gaze swept over Dai Huabin and the others in the back row, her smile deepened.
"Hello, everyone. I'm your homeroom teacher, Mu Jin."
Mu Jin's voice was soft and pleasant, instantly winning the favor of most of the boys in the class.
She was practically the gentle female teacher of their dreams!
Compared to the legendary "old hag" Zhou Yi in the class next door, she was like heaven and earth.
"I know you've come from all corners of the Douluo Continent, and that each of you is a gifted student, selected from among the best."
Mu Jin braced both hands on the podium and looked around the room.
"Over the next three months, I'll be here with you throughout your freshman period.
"My teaching philosophy is simple: I don't care about your origins or your background. I care only about your ability. As long as you're willing to work hard, I'll be your strongest support."
A round of applause rang out from the class.
Mu Jin nodded with satisfaction, then picked up the register.
"Before I take attendance, I'd like to introduce a few new classmates.
"They were originally assigned to other classes, but because they trust and admire Class Nine, they specifically applied to transfer here.
"Let's welcome them."
She looked toward the back row. "Dai Huabin, why don't you and the others introduce yourselves?"
Dai Huabin didn't hesitate. He stood right up.
As he rose, an invisible aura spread through the room.
"Dai Huabin."
"White Tiger Martial Soul, level thirty-three Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder."
Boom!
It was like a depth charge being tossed into a fishpond.
The quiet classroom erupted.
"Level thirty-three? Did I hear that right?"
"Holy crap, a Soul Elder? We have a Soul Elder among the freshmen?"
"White Tiger Martial Soul... Could he be from the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire?"
Everyone's gazes turned shocked and awestruck, with more than a hint of disbelief.
Even Ning Tian, who had remained composed until now, twitched an eyelid.
She'd known the details already, but hearing him confirm them in person was an entirely different experience.
And how had Dai Huabin reached level thirty-three in just a few days?
Ning Tian wasn't the only one shocked. Cui Yajie, Wang Dong'er, and Xiao Xiao were all stunned, too.
Wang Dong'er muttered, "How did that damn blondie get stronger again?"
Dai Huabin ignored Wang Dong'er's muttering, quite pleased with the effect he'd made. A faint smile played at his lips as he sat back down, giving Zhu Lu's hand a pat as he did.
Zhu Lu stood up, her cool voice ringing out. "Zhu Lu, Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul, level twenty-six Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master."
A fresh round of gasps followed.
Next came Cui Yajie. "Cui Yajie, Nine-Tailed Fox Martial Soul, level twenty-four Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
Then it was Wang Dong'er's turn. She was brimming with determination.
She didn't want to be outdone by Dai Huabin, so she sprang to her feet and lifted her chin.
"Wang Dong'er, Light Goddess Butterfly Martial Soul, level twenty-one Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Though her level was lower than the others', Wang Dong'er's breathtaking beauty still set the boys in class abuzz.
Xiao Xiao went last.
"Xiao Xiao, Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron Martial Soul, level nineteen Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
Once all five had introduced themselves, Class Nine fell completely silent.
Mu Jin's smile was practically ready to spill over.
While Zhou Yi in the class next door was still using threats of expulsion to intimidate her students, Mu Jin already had two Soul Elders in her class.
With a lineup like this, winning the Freshman Assessment would be child's play!
"Good, very good." Mu Jin led the applause. "I hope you'll all learn from these classmates and help one another improve."
The rest of the routine was fairly ordinary: attendance, handing out textbooks, and explaining the school rules.
Dai Huabin listened until he was nearly dozing off.
He'd read all this stuff to death in his previous life, and now he was on his second playthrough. He really couldn't muster any interest.
Resting his cheek on one hand, Dai Huabin looked past the crowd and fixed his gaze on Ning Tian again.
That little princess of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would make an outstanding support. If I could get her on my team...
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was known as the greatest support Martial Soul under heaven, and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was an even more godlike support Martial Soul.
Dai Huabin tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, already plotting how to "lure" the young sect leader onto his side.
"Hey, what are you looking at?"
Zhu Lu suddenly leaned closer, a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"Is that short-haired girl pretty?"
Dai Huabin snapped out of it. Seeing his fiancée looking as if she'd just spilled a jar of vinegar, he couldn't help wanting to laugh.
He leaned close to Zhu Lu's ear, his warm breath brushing her earlobe. "She's pretty, but not as pretty as my Lulu."
Zhu Lu's face flushed. She shot him a fierce glare, but couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of her eyes.
Just then, Mu Jin abruptly changed the subject.
"Now that you've all had a chance to meet one another, it's time to choose a class monitor."
Mu Jin's gaze swept across the classroom before coming to rest meaningfully on Dai Huabin and Ning Tian.
"Shrek Academy believes in letting the strong rule. Whoever has the hardest fists gets the say. Anyone who wants to be class monitor can step forward."
As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room turned tense.
Before Dai Huabin arrived, Ning Tian had been the strongest student in Class Nine, and the position of class monitor had practically been hers by default.
But now...
"Lady Ning."
Wu Feng clenched her fists, a flash of Battle Intent in her eyes.
"Dai Huabin might be higher level, but that doesn't mean he's better in a real fight. You're a support-type, and I'm a Power Attack System Battle Spirit Master. If we work together, there's no reason we should be afraid of him!"
Ning Tian fell silent for a moment, then slowly rose to her feet.
As she stood, the entire class turned to look at her.
"Teacher, I'd like to run for class monitor," Ning Tian said clearly and calmly.
Mu Jin nodded. "Ning Tian, it's admirable that you've stepped forward. Anyone else?"
Everyone looked toward the blond boy in the back row.
Dai Huabin rose unhurriedly, a confident expression on his face.
"Since Teacher Mu Jin says the strong should rule, then if I don't take the position of class monitor, wouldn't I be letting my three-ring cultivation go to waste?"
The smell of gunpowder instantly filled the room.
Wu Feng spun around, slammed a hand on the desk, and pointed at Dai Huabin, furious.
"Arrogant! Don't think being a Soul Elder makes you so great! Do you dare fight us?"
Dai Huabin raised an eyebrow, looking at the fiery little red dragon with an amused expression.
"You?"
He raised one finger and gently wagged it.
"No. That would be too much trouble."
"What are you trying to say?" Ning Tian frowned.
"What I mean is..."
Dai Huabin braced both hands on the desk and leaned forward. His expression remained perfectly calm, but his voice was brimming with arrogance.
"You can all come at me together. Anyone in the class who isn't convinced can join in. Lulu and I challenge every one of you!"
Zhu Lu stood up alongside Dai Huabin and swept her gaze around the room.
"If anyone refuses to accept that, step up!"
At those words, the whole room fell deathly silent.
Even Wang Dong'er's mouth dropped open as she stared at Dai Huabin like he was insane.
This guy was seriously arrogant!
Ning Tian's expression finally changed. A flash of anger appeared on her usually graceful face.
"Dai Huabin, you're far too arrogant. You'll pay for looking down on us."
"Whether I'm arrogant or not, we'll find out after we fight." Dai Huabin straightened up and rolled his neck.
"Come on. Let's meet at the Soul Fighting Arena."
He left his seat first. As he passed Ning Tian, he paused and turned his head, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Ning Tian, how about a bet? If I win, then from now on, you and your pagoda will answer to me in this class."
Ning Tian's pupils contracted sharply.
Dai Huabin's gaze...
It was the gaze of a hunter looking at its prey!
However, Dai Huabin wasn't a reckless fool.
He wouldn't make such a bold claim without a plan.
Ever since he and Zhu Lu had grown closer that day, Dai Huabin had sensed a change in the Martial Soul Fusion Skill between them.
But it seemed the skill's transformation still needed a little outside pressure. And now, wasn't that pressure right in front of them?
Zhu Lu, walking beside Dai Huabin, was excited, too. She'd finally get to fight shoulder to shoulder with Huabin!
Before you continue