Yan Shaozhe stood to one side, witnessing everything from beginning to end.
He looked at Huo Yuhao, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
This boy had extraordinary courage and a meticulous mind, and his talent was downright terrifying.
Defeating a twenty-ninth-level opponent at level fourteen—such combat strength was rare even in Shrek's history.
But he had also seen how Huo Yuhao had let his brilliance shine too brightly.
That brilliance could be a good thing, but it could also be a bad thing.
Used well, it could make him a peerless prodigy of his generation.
Used poorly, it could see him cut down before his time.
Yan Shaozhe said nothing more. He merely gave Huo Yuhao an indifferent look and turned to leave.
The matter had been settled, and there was no point in his staying.
After a brief silence, a wave of heated discussion erupted inside the Soul Fighting Arena—
"Holy crap, Huo Yuhao is incredible! He forced Zhou Yi to apologize!"
"Three Thousand-Year Soul Bones! And an apology! What a haul!"
"How's Zhou Yi supposed to show her face around our year after this? She's been utterly humiliated!"
"Serves her right! She's always so arrogant, expelling students at the drop of a hat!"
"Did you see Teacher Fan Yu's expression? He looked mad enough to boil over!"
"Huo Yuhao's offended Teacher Fan Yu too... It'll probably be hard for him to get by at Shrek Academy from now on."
Amid the chatter, Mu Jin walked over to Huo Yuhao.
She couldn't hide the smile on her face, and her eyes brimmed with admiration and approval.
"Huo Yuhao, well done!"
She patted him on the shoulder, her voice full of delight.
Huo Yuhao turned to look at her and gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, Teacher Mu Jin, for trusting me just now."
Mu Jin paused, then laughed.
She knew he meant what had happened in the classroom, when she had chosen to believe him and hadn't stopped him from making the bet with Zhou Yi.
"That's because you proved yourself," Mu Jin said with a smile. "I only made the right choice."
She paused, then added, "Come on. I'll take you to complete the class-transfer paperwork. Starting today, you're a student of Class Nine."
Huo Yuhao nodded and followed her toward the exit of the Soul Fighting Arena.
As they passed through the crowd, countless gazes fell on him—some envious, some awed, some curious, and a few tinged with complicated hostility.
Huo Yuhao paid them no mind and simply walked on in silence.
His right hand still hung at his side. The wound on his fist had mostly healed, leaving only a faint trace of blood.
It was a mark left by the punch he had thrown earlier.
But by now, he could no longer feel any pain.
The life force within the Eye of Destiny was steadily repairing his body.
It wouldn't be long before he had fully recovered.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Huo Yuhao's mind.
He had gained a great deal from today's battle.
The three Thousand-Year Soul Bones were enough for him to refine that pill.
Zhou Yi's reputation had been ruined, which let him vent some of his anger, too.
As for what came next—
The corner of Huo Yuhao's mouth lifted ever so slightly.
There was plenty of time.
He could take things slowly.
Mu Jin led Huo Yuhao down several corridors to an old-fashioned building.
A plaque hung above its entrance, bearing three large characters—
Academic Affairs Office.
When they pushed open the doors, a faint scent of books washed over them.
Du Weilun's office was on the top floor of the administrative building. It was spacious and bright, much larger than the offices of the other teachers.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the entire room in warmth.
The furnishings were not ornate, but simple and practical.
What drew the eye, though, were four towering rosewood bookcases that nearly filled an entire wall.
Every bookcase was crammed with books of all kinds, covering Soul Master theory, Soul Beast illustrated guides, continental history, the fundamentals of Soul Tools, and many other fields.
Familiar titles were printed on the spines, and some were rare editions that had long been out of print.
The rich scent of books and scholarly atmosphere spoke of the owner's vast knowledge and rigorous approach to learning.
Beside a broad desk sat the Dean of Academic Affairs, Du Weilun.
He was around fifty, tall and powerfully built, with neatly combed black hair.
His face was dark and clean-shaven, his expression stern. His deep, sharp eyes seemed able to see straight through people.
At the sound of the door opening, he slowly raised his head and looked toward the visitors.
When he saw Mu Jin, he paused, set down the file in his hand, and asked, "Mu Jin? Aren't you teaching Freshman Class Nine? What brings you here?"
His voice was low and resonant, carrying a hint of authority.
Mu Jin stepped forward and smiled as she greeted him.
"Director Du, I'm here to arrange a class transfer for this student."
She stepped aside, revealing Huo Yuhao.
Du Weilun's gaze settled on Huo Yuhao.
He looked him up and down.
A moment later, his brows lifted slightly, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Level fourteen.
He could tell Huo Yuhao's Soul Power Level at a glance.
What was so special about a level-fourteen first-year student that Mu Jin had brought him here herself to arrange a transfer?
"A class transfer?" Du Weilun furrowed his brows. "Haven't the new students' classes already been assigned? Why does he need to transfer?"
Mu Jin smiled and recounted the whole story, from beginning to end.
She started with Huo Yuhao's clash with Zhou Yi in the classroom and their bet, then described how Huo Yuhao had fought seventy-one opponents in a row on the Soul Fighting Platform. She went on to explain how Wang Gang had swallowed a Blood Soul Pill, and how Fan Yu had stepped in with three Soul Bones—
She left nothing out.
That included the moment Huo Yuhao had finally forced Zhou Yi to apologize.
When Du Weilun finished listening, his expression was a study in disbelief.
He stared at Huo Yuhao, unable to believe his ears.
A level-fourteen first-year student had challenged second- and third-year students in their twenties, fought seventy-one battles in a row, and defeated them all?
A level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster with a Mutated Martial Soul had swallowed a Blood Soul Pill, surged in strength, and been sent flying with one punch?
Fan Yu had stepped in with three Thousand-Year Soul Bones to stop Huo Yuhao from making Zhou Yi kneel, and Huo Yuhao had still forced her to apologize in front of everyone?
If Mu Jin hadn't seemed entirely serious, he would have wondered whether he'd heard her correctly.
How could a little kid at level fourteen possibly have done all that?
Du Weilun couldn't help taking another look at Huo Yuhao.
The boy looked ordinary enough. He stood straight, but there was nothing particularly remarkable about him.
Except for those eyes—
They were as still as water, yet unfathomably deep.
Du Weilun's heart stirred.
In those eyes, he saw something that didn't belong to someone so young.
It was the gaze of someone who had faced death and seen the wider world.
This boy was no simple person.
Du Weilun looked away. After a brief silence, he slowly asked, "So, you want to transfer to Class Nine?"
Huo Yuhao nodded, his voice calm. "Yes, Director Du."
Du Weilun glanced at him, then at Mu Jin, and finally nodded.
"All right."
He took a file from his desk and began processing the paperwork.
A short while later, the transfer was complete.
Du Weilun handed Huo Yuhao a freshly issued student ID and said flatly, "Starting today, you're a student of Class Nine. Work hard."
Huo Yuhao accepted the ID and looked down at it.
It read—
Name: Huo Yuhao
Class: First-Year Class Nine
Homeroom Teacher: Mu Jin
He nodded and put the student ID away.
Du Weilun looked at him and suddenly said, "Huo Yuhao, you did well. Zhou Yi did need to be taught a lesson."
He paused, his voice growing slightly more serious.
"But I also want to remind you—letting your brilliance shine is a good thing, but you need to know when to rein it in.
"Shrek Academy is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. There are plenty of people stronger than you.
"When it's time to keep a low profile, you should do so."
His words carried a deeper meaning.
Huo Yuhao raised his head and met Du Weilun's gaze. He nodded slightly.
"Thank you for your guidance, Director Du."
Du Weilun looked at him but said nothing more, merely waving a hand.
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