Entering Class Nine

Yan Shaozhe stood to the side, witnessing everything from beginning to end.

He looked at Huo Yuhao, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

This youth possessed extraordinary courage, meticulous thinking, and terrifying talent.

Defeating a level 29 opponent at level 14—such combat power was rare even in the history of Shrek Academy.

Yet, he also saw the sharpness Huo Yuhao displayed.

This sharpness was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Used well, he could become a peerless prodigy of his generation.

Used poorly, he would perish halfway along the path.

Yan Shaozhe did not say much; he merely cast a faint glance at Huo Yuhao and turned to leave.

The matter was resolved, and there was no point in him staying here any longer.

Inside the Soul Fighting Arena, after a brief silence, a wave of heated discussion erupted—

"Holy crap, Huo Yuhao is a beast! He actually forced Zhou Yi to apologize!"

"Three thousand-year soul bones! Plus an apology! This is a massive win!"

"How is Zhou Yi going to show her face in our grade after this? She's lost all her dignity!"

"She deserves it! Who told her to be so arrogant, threatening to expel students at every turn!"

"Did you see Teacher Fan Yu's expression? It was as black as the bottom of a pot!"

"Huo Yuhao has offended Teacher Fan Yu as well... I'm afraid it's going to be hard for him to get by in Shrek Academy from now on."

Amidst the chatter, Mu Jin walked over to Huo Yuhao's side.

Her face carried an irrepressible smile, and her eyes were filled with appreciation and satisfaction.

"Huo Yuhao, well done!"

She patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder, her tone brimming with joy.

Huo Yuhao turned his head, looked at her, and nodded slightly:

"Thank you for your trust just now, Teacher Mu Jin."

Mu Jin was stunned, then burst into laughter.

She knew Huo Yuhao was referring to the moment in the classroom when she chose to believe in him and did not stop him from making the wager with Zhou Yi.

"That was because you earned it yourself," Mu Jin laughed. "I just made the right choice."

She paused, then added:

"Let's go. I'll take you to handle the transfer procedures. From today on, you are a student of Class Nine."

Huo Yuhao nodded and followed behind her, walking toward the exit of the Soul Fighting Arena.

As they passed through the crowd, countless gazes fell upon him—some envious, some awestruck, some curious, and some harboring complex hostility.

Huo Yuhao turned a blind eye, walking quietly.

His right hand still hung low; the wound on his fist had mostly healed, leaving only a shallow bloodstain.

That was the mark left behind when he unleashed that punch earlier.

But at this moment, he could no longer feel any pain.

The life force within his Eye of Destiny was continuously repairing his body.

It wouldn't be long before he was fully recovered.

A hint of satisfaction flashed through Huo Yuhao's heart.

Today's battle had yielded a bountiful harvest.

Three thousand-year soul bones were enough for him to refine that medicinal pill.

With Zhou Yi's reputation in ruins, he had finally vented his pent-up anger.

As for the future—

The corners of Huo Yuhao's mouth curled into a faint arc.

The days were still long.

He had plenty of time to take things slowly.

Mu Jin led Huo Yuhao through several corridors until they arrived in front of a quaint building.

A plaque hung above the entrance, inscribed with three large characters—

Academic Affairs Office.

Pushing open the heavy doors, a faint scent of old books wafted toward them.

Du Weilun's office was on the top floor of the administrative wing; it was spacious and bright, much larger than the offices of other teachers.

Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire room in a warm glow.

The interior decoration was not ornate, appearing simple and practical.

What caught the eye, however, were the four tall mahogany bookcases that occupied nearly the entire wall.

Each bookcase was packed with a dense collection of books, covering a wide variety of subjects including Soul Master theory, Soul Beast encyclopedias, continental history, and the fundamentals of Soul Tools.

On the spines of those books were printed familiar titles, some of which were even rare, out-of-print editions.

A thick scent of old paper and an academic atmosphere rushed toward them, revealing the owner's profound knowledge and rigorous approach to scholarship.

Sitting in an office chair beside a wide desk inside was none other than the Dean of Academic Affairs, Du Weilun.

The man was about fifty years old, tall and sturdy, with his black hair combed meticulously.

He was clean-shaven with a stern face, and his eyes were deep and sharp, as if they could see through a person's heart.

Hearing the door open, he slowly raised his head, his gaze falling upon the person who had entered.

When he saw Mu Jin, he paused slightly, set down the file in his hand, and asked:

"Mu Jin? Aren't you supposed to be teaching the freshman Class Nine? What brings you to my office?"

His voice was low and resonant, carrying a hint of authority.

Mu Jin stepped forward, smiled, and bowed in greeting:

"Dean Du, I am here to process a class transfer for this student."

She stepped aside to reveal Huo Yuhao.

Du Weilun's gaze landed on Huo Yuhao.

He looked him up and down.

A moment later, he raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

Level fourteen.

He had discerned Huo Yuhao's Soul Power Level at a single glance.

What could a level fourteen freshman possibly have that would warrant Mu Jin bringing him here personally for a transfer?

"A transfer?" Du Weilun frowned slightly. "Haven't the freshman class assignments already been finalized? Why the need for a transfer?"

Mu Jin smiled and recounted the sequence of events from beginning to end.

She started with the conflict between Huo Yuhao and Zhou Yi in the classroom, moved to the wager they had made, then to Huo Yuhao defeating seventy-one opponents in a row on the Soul Fighting Platform, and finally to Wang Gang consuming the Blood Soul Pill and Fan Yu stepping in to offer three Soul Bones—

She detailed everything, leaving nothing out.

Naturally, this included the scene where Huo Yuhao forced Zhou Yi to apologize.

As Du Weilun listened, the expression on his face became incredibly vivid.

He looked at Huo Yuhao, his eyes filled with disbelief.

A level fourteen freshman challenging second and third-year seniors in their twenties, fighting seventy-one consecutive battles, and defeating them all?

A level twenty-nine Soul Grand Master with a mutated Martial Soul, whose strength skyrocketed after consuming a Blood Soul Pill, was sent flying by a single punch from him?

Fan Yu stepped in with three thousand-year Soul Bones to keep Zhou Yi from kneeling, only for Huo Yuhao to force Zhou Yi to apologize in public anyway?

If Mu Jin didn't look like she was being entirely serious, he would have suspected he had misheard.

How could a little guy at level fourteen possibly accomplish such things?

Du Weilun couldn't help but size Huo Yuhao up once more.

This youth looked ordinary; although his posture was upright, there was nothing particularly special about him.

Except for those eyes—

Those eyes were as calm as water, yet bottomless.

Du Weilun felt a stir in his heart.

In those eyes, he saw something that did not match the boy's age.

It was the kind of gaze only possessed by someone who had experienced life and death and seen the world.

This youth was no simple character.

Du Weilun withdrew his gaze, remained silent for a moment, and spoke slowly: "So, you wish to transfer to Class Nine?"

Huo Yuhao nodded, his voice calm: "Yes, Dean Du."

Du Weilun looked at him, then at Mu Jin, and finally nodded.

"Very well."

He took a file from his desk and began to process the paperwork.

A moment later, the formalities were complete.

Du Weilun handed a brand-new student ID to Huo Yuhao and said indifferently:

"From today on, you are a student of Class Nine. Work hard."

Huo Yuhao took the student ID and looked down at it.

It was written on it—

Name: Huo Yuhao

Class: Grade One, Class Nine

Homeroom Teacher: Mu Jin

He nodded and tucked the student ID away.

Du Weilun looked at him and suddenly spoke:

"Huo Yuhao, you did well; Zhou Yi truly deserved a lesson."

He paused, his voice deepening slightly:

"But I must also offer you a word of caution—it is good to show your edge, but you must also know when to restrain it.

Shrek Academy is full of hidden talents, and there are many who are stronger than you.

When it is time to keep a low profile, you must still keep a low profile."

These words were laden with meaning.

Huo Yuhao raised his head, met Du Weilun's gaze, and nodded slightly:

"Many thanks for your guidance, Director Du."

Du Weilun looked at him, said nothing more, and simply waved his hand.