Princess Tang of Zu'an

Tang Wutong noticed the three of them chatting away without the slightest intention of acknowledging her, and she felt a flicker of irritation. Still, she maintained her composure and continued to put on airs; in her mind, if these people took the initiative to approach her, she would deign to join the conversation.

Xiao Yi, of course, would not take the initiative to pay her any mind. Helping with introductions was purely a matter of courtesy; to beg for an invitation to chat would be nothing short of pathetic.

Not long after, accompanied by the ringing of the class bell, an old woman with graying hair stepped into the classroom, her stride matching the rhythm of the chimes.

With skin like a withered chicken and hair like a crane, she stood tall and possessed a vigorous spirit that belied her age. In truth, Zhou Yi was not bad-looking; the appearance she wore was merely a mask. Had it not been for that, Fan Yu would never have taken a fancy to her. She did this purely for the sake of her so-called teaching philosophy.

Zhou Yi scanned the room, clearly satisfied with the students' reactions, and after two sharp coughs, she began her enigmatic routine.

"We are Shrek, an academy for monsters. We cultivate monsters, not trash. I hope none of you present fall into the latter category."

Even though there were a few promising seedlings among this year's freshmen, Zhou Yi decided to stick to her traditional methods.

"Is there anyone in this class who has been in a fight? Stand up now." Silence reigned; the students below were somewhat bewildered by the question.

The four of them—Xiao Yi and the others—were no different, having no idea what her next move would be.

Seeing no response, a slight curve appeared at the corner of Zhou Yi's mouth, though her expression remained as arrogant as ever.

"A bunch of trash, all of you, get out and run 100 laps around the plaza. Anyone who doesn't finish will be expelled." Zhou Yi wore an expression of deep disappointment, her eyes spitting fire.

Xiao Yi didn't care; 100 laps were a breeze for him. As for fighting Zhou Yi, he was confident he could win—he had broken through to level 39 just yesterday, and he estimated he would be at least a Soul Ancestor by the time the freshman tournament arrived.

However, just because Xiao Yi didn't care didn't mean others felt the same. Tang Wutong's temper was never good to begin with, and as the little princess of the God Realm, she had been spoiled into being quite lawless. To be inexplicably called trash by Zhou Yi the moment class started and then threatened with punishment was more than she could stomach.

With a loud bang, Tang Wutong stood up abruptly, startling Xiao Xiao, Huo Yutong, and Xiao Yi beside her. Xiao Yi cursed inwardly, forgetting that there was a high-maintenance guest here.

"You old hag, what right do you have to keep calling us trash? Who do you think you are to point fingers at this young master?"

She hadn't bothered to lower her voice, and this outburst left the other students in the class stunned. Zhou Yi was also taken aback; she had never expected a student to dare defy her.

Her eyes turned blood-red, her breathing grew heavy like an ox, and her aura surged violently. Behind her, the phantom of a red dragon manifested, and three soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—rose in a standard configuration.

"You brat! How dare you insult a Shrek teacher! Did your elders never teach you the meaning of respecting your teacher?"

Tang Wutong sneered, her disdain deepening. She continued to spew insults, transforming into a "Zuan Princess" and unleashing a torrent of vitriol at Zhou Yi. The words were so vile that even Xiao Yi was left dumbfounded.

Zhou Yi grew even more furious, her aura shifting as a cold, murderous intent locked onto Tang Wutong.

Seeing that things were going south, Xiao Yi hurriedly stepped forward and covered Tang Wutong's mouth.

"Stop talking for a second. If she actually attacks, no matter how big your background is, you're going to get a sound beating."

Tang Wutong glared at Xiao Yi with fury, and just as she was about to retort, Zhou Yi let out a thunderous roar from below.

"Good, good, very good! I've been at Shrek for so many years, and this is the first time a student has dared to curse me like this. Today, let me teach you on behalf of your elders what it means to respect your teacher."

As she spoke, a torrent of flames surged forth, carrying a terrifying pressure as it blasted toward Xiao Yi and Tang Wutong.

Xiao Yi had already let go of Tang Wutong, preparing to run out of the classroom with the crowd, but when he turned back, he saw Tang Wutong standing there like a fool, as if frozen by fear.

Damn it, does this woman have no brain? She doesn't even know how to dodge!

Tang Wutong was indeed terrified; she hadn't expected this person to actually dare attack her. Her face turned deathly pale as the flames loomed.

A flash of purple lightning streaked across the room, and Tang Wutong's figure vanished, leaving only an afterimage behind.

The soul skill shattered the afterimage in a single blow, and the desks and chairs in that area were blasted into fragments, leaving only charred wood hissing on the floor.

Tang Wutong hadn't yet recovered her senses when she realized she was being carried over Xiao Yi's shoulder in an incredibly humiliating position.

He saved me? Before she could dwell on it, she realized her shameful posture and immediately began to struggle.

"Hey, Xiao Yi, put me down! This young master is going to go ask my Great Father and Second Father to intervene; I'll make sure this Zhou Yi pays dearly!"

Zhou Yi didn't care what the two were saying. She let out a roar, her mind completely clouded by rage—anyone would lose their composure after being cursed like that. Her soul rings flashed, and she charged toward them.

Xiao Yi gave Tang Wutong, who was squirming like a caterpillar on his shoulder, a slap on the backside to signal her to behave.

Tang Wutong's face turned beet red, the heat spreading to her ears. A jolt of electricity seemed to course through her entire body, nearly forcing a moan from her lips.

She never imagined Xiao Yi would dare to spank her. She had completely forgotten that she was disguised as a boy—though Xiao Yi knew she was a girl, and he had done it entirely on purpose.

Seeing Zhou Yi still advancing, Xiao Yi cursed the powerful figures of Shrek for being useless, but he had no choice but to fight.

Three purple soul rings rose beneath his feet, the lightning on his body intensified, and scales began to appear on his arms and forehead.

A pair of eyes, each marked with three green petals, slowly bloomed. Tang Wutong stopped struggling, staring in a daze at the three soul rings swirling beneath Xiao Yi's feet. Outside the classroom, countless gasps erupted, accompanied by a thunderous shout: "Stop!"

But Zhou Yi was already blinded by rage and paid no heed, charging toward the pair like a flaming chariot.

Just as Zhou Yi was a few meters away, a massive, deep-blue snake tail whipped out like a bolt of lightning, slamming into her and sending her flying.

Then, the void rippled, and a colossal Nether Cold Ice Python, carved as if from ice-blue jade, emerged from the void. It coiled around Xiao Yi, assuming a protective stance.

At this moment, Tang Wutong, the surrounding students, and even Yan Shaozhe, the principal of the Shrek Outer Court Martial Soul Department who had just arrived, were all dumbfounded.

Tang Wutong didn't even notice she had been set down; she simply stared blankly at the Nether Cold Ice Python circling them and the tall back standing before her, a ripple of emotion stirring in her heart.

The moment Yan Shaozhe entered, he saw one freshman carrying another. He had been shocked by the terrifying soul ring configuration of that student, his jaw still hanging open, when something even more astonishing happened.

The soul rings beneath that student's feet lit up, a Nether Cold Ice Python suddenly emerged from the void, and with a single tail-swipe, it sent Zhou Yi—a Soul Emperor—flying.

Before Yan Shaozhe could say a word, a scream erupted from the crater where Zhou Yi had landed, and a red figure lunged out, clearly still intent on fighting.

"Arghhh!! You brat, how dare you humiliate me! I will make sure you die a miserable death!"

"Zhou Yi! Enough! Are you not embarrassed enough already!"

Before she could strike, another roar filled with anger rang out, instantly snapping her back to reality.

"Pr... Principal?"