Zhou Yi: Level 29 vs. Level 13, The Advantage is Mine!

Zhou Yi stood below the stage, her chest heaving violently as she breathed as heavily as an ox, her gaze fixed gloomily and intensely upon Huo Yuhao.

Seventy-one people.

A full seventy-one students had all been defeated by Huo Yuhao alone.

From level twenty-three to level twenty-seven, from second-year students to third-year students, not a single one could last more than three moves.

Most were taken out in a single strike, and the few who managed to reach a second move were finished regardless.

Is this guy even human?

Zhou Yi's nails dug into her palms, blood dripping from between her fingers, yet she remained completely oblivious.

She had taught for so many years, seen geniuses, seen monsters, and seen those freaks destined for greatness from the moment they were born—

But she had never seen anything like this.

Level thirteen, fighting level twenty-seven, one-shot kill.

Is this f*cking level thirteen?

Are you telling me this is level thirteen?

Zhou Yi took a deep breath, struggling to calm her surging emotions.

Her gaze swept through the crowd, landing on the students who had yet to fight but were already showing signs of fear.

Those students who once obeyed her every command and swore to settle the score for her were now bowing their heads, eyes darting away, not daring to meet her gaze.

They were afraid.

They had been terrified by Huo Yuhao.

Zhou Yi gritted her teeth, a fire of rage rising in her heart, yet she had nowhere to vent it.

She had originally taught third-year students, but because her methods were too harsh, her teaching style too rigid, and her penchant for expelling students too strong, only one-tenth of her class had managed to advance to the fourth year.

After being reported by students multiple times, she was demoted to be a homeroom teacher for the freshmen.

But she did not change; instead, she became even more extreme.

In the years she had taught freshmen, she continued to expel students at the slightest issue, casting them out if they did not meet her requirements.

In simple terms—you are not a genius, so you are not worthy of being taught by Zhou Yi.

A freshman class usually had about one hundred students, and Zhou Yi would expel them until only about a dozen remained.

These dozen or so people were all exceptionally talented; even if they had been handed over to teachers of other classes, they would have still passed the freshman assessment and the advancement exams.

Therefore, the number of students she had successfully groomed was not high—only about a hundred in total.

Most of their Soul Power Levels were between ten and twenty, with very few relying on talent to reach level thirty.

However, because of her teaching methods, those who reached level thirty mostly suffered from incurable hidden injuries, leading to slow soul power growth and ruined futures.

Zhou Yi did not care.

In her eyes, these students were merely numbers on her teaching record.

If they succeeded, it was her credit; if they were ruined, it was because the students themselves were incompetent.

She never felt she was in the wrong.

But at this moment, facing the variable that was Huo Yuhao, she felt powerlessness for the first time.

Seventy-one students, seventy-one students she had personally taught, could not defeat a single level thirteen freshman even in a gauntlet match.

If this were to get out, how could she, Zhou Yi, continue to show her face at Shrek Academy?

The most critical point was the bet she had made with Huo Yuhao; if she lost, she would have to apologize to him publicly in Shrek Square—that was a humiliation she absolutely could not accept.

Therefore, she had to win.

Even if it meant using some... special methods.

"Teacher Zhou, I am here!"

A steady voice came from behind, interrupting Zhou Yi's train of thought.

Hearing this familiar voice, Zhou Yi's expression brightened, and she turned her head sharply to look at the newcomer.

It was a burly youth, about fifteen or sixteen years old, standing over one point eight meters tall with broad shoulders and thick back muscles; his arms were knotted with muscle, and he stood there like an iron tower.

His skin was a dark, bronze color, as if coated with a metallic luster—the mark left by long-term physical tempering.

His face was rugged, with thick brows and large eyes, and a layer of dark stubble on his chin.

His eyes were as sharp as a beast's, yet they held a hint of honesty and simplicity.

"Wang Gang!"

Zhou Yi's eyes lit up, a long-absent smile appearing on her face.

Wang Gang was among the highest-leveled students she had—a level twenty-nine Soul Grand Master, only one step away from breaking through to level thirty and advancing to the fourth year.

But what was truly terrifying about him was not his Soul Power Level, but his Martial Soul.

Wang Gang's Martial Soul was a mutated beast-type Martial Soul known as the Thousand Jun Steel Ant.

The Thousand Jun Steel Ant, as its name suggests, is known for its strength.

This martial soul grants Wang Gang terrifying power far beyond soul masters of the same level. Combined with his steel-like physique, honed through countless trials, his combat prowess is astonishing.

With this mutated martial soul, Wang Gang's strength is not inferior to an ordinary level thirty Soul Elder.

Challenging opponents above his level is as common as eating a meal for him.

Zhou Yi watched Wang Gang, her eyes full of confidence.

So what if there were seventy-one people?

So what if it was a series of consecutive battles?

In front of Wang Gang, none of that mattered.

Level twenty-nine against level thirteen, the advantage is mine!

This battle is a sure win.

Zhou Yi's heart settled, and the gloom on her face vanished.

She strode quickly to Wang Gang's front, reached out, and patted his solid arm, saying in a deep voice:

"Wang Gang, he's all yours."

Wang Gang nodded, his gaze passing over Zhou Yi to land on the slender figure on the Soul Fighting Platform.

His eyes were calm and steady, showing neither contempt nor fear, merely observing Huo Yuhao.

Seventy-one students, a continuous series of battles, and he's unharmed.

This person is not simple.

Wang Gang inwardly raised his guard.

Though he was simple-minded, he wasn't foolish.

Someone who could make Zhou Yi so flustered and send seventy-one students back defeated could never be an ordinary character.

Just as Wang Gang was about to step onto the Soul Fighting Platform, Zhou Yi suddenly reached out and stopped him.

Wang Gang froze, turning to look at Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi didn't speak, but instead took something from her embrace and stuffed it into Wang Gang's hand.

It was a pill.

Completely blood-red, like solidified blood.

Faint dark red patterns flowed across the surface of the pill, emitting a strong bloody aura. Just holding it, one could feel the violent power contained within.

Blood Soul Pill.

Wang Gang's pupils contracted slightly.

He recognized this pill.

The Blood Soul Pill, an extremely potent forbidden medicine.

Its effect is to forcibly enhance the user's soul power and strength by burning their own blood essence, causing a surge in combat power for a short period.

But the price is extremely heavy—the user will fall into a berserk state, losing their reason; after the drug's effects wear off, the martial soul's origin will be depleted, and their talent will drastically decrease, making it impossible to advance further in life.

This is a poison that kills one thousand enemies while harming oneself eight hundred.

Zhou Yi lowered her voice and leaned close to Wang Gang's ear, transmitting her voice:

"If you can't win, swallow this pill."

Her voice was soft, but every word struck Wang Gang's ears like a nail.

"Crippled him."

Zhou Yi's gaze passed over Wang Gang to Huo Yuhao, a glint of ruthlessness and killing intent flashing in her eyes.

"I will ensure you are not expelled from Shrek Academy."

Her voice was calm and certain, as if stating a fact.

With her connections and influence, dealing with a "new student who was accidentally injured" would not be difficult.

"Also, I'll give you a large sum of Gold Soul Coins, so your mother and sister won't have to worry about food and clothing."

Wang Gang's body stiffened slightly.

Mother... sister...

He lowered his head, looking at the blood-red pill in his palm, his throat bobbing.

Wang Gang came from a poor family. His father died early, and his mother worked tirelessly to raise him. He also had a young sister to care for.

If not for his good fortune in awakening the mutated Thousand Jun Steel Ant martial soul and his innate level seven soul power, he wouldn't have been noticed by a passing Shrek Academy teacher and joined the academy.

He came to Shrek Academy to make a name for himself and give his mother and sister a better life.

Zhou Yi had helped him during his most difficult times, providing him with cultivation resources, allowing him to cultivate with peace of mind.

He had always kept this kindness in his heart.

Therefore, when Zhou Yi approached him and asked him to deal with Huo Yuhao, he did not refuse.

But—

He had not expected Zhou Yi to give him this.

Wang Gang gripped the pill in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his heart, and looked up at Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi was staring at him, her eyes full of expectation and certainty.

In her view, Wang Gang had no reason to refuse—repayment of a favor, money, a future; she had provided it all.

Wang Gang remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

He did not speak, simply clutching the Blood Soul Pill tightly in his palm as he turned and walked toward the Soul Fighting Platform.

As he walked, he muttered to himself in his heart—

Dealing with a level thirteen Spirit Master doesn't require this pill.

He did not want to use this pill.

He still had a bright future ahead of him.

As long as he broke through to level thirty, he could advance to the fourth grade, participate in higher-level assessments, and step by step grow stronger.

He did not want to ruin his future because of a single battle.

He did not want to disappoint his mother and younger sister.

Therefore—

He would win.

He would win this battle using his own strength.

Wang Gang stepped onto the Soul Fighting Platform, his footsteps steady and powerful.

He stood ten meters away from Huo Yuhao, his gaze locked firmly onto the other boy.

Observing him at close range, he realized that this youth was much younger and much thinner than he had imagined.

Was this the person who had defeated seventy-one opponents?