Zhou Yi had been berated so fiercely by Yan Shaozhe that her face turned ashen, then flushed. Her lips trembled, but she could no longer offer a single excuse. All she could do was bow her head, her nails digging into her palm once more.
Seeing this, Du Weilun spoke at just the right moment, steering the conversation back to business. "Dean, what happened has happened. At the time, Su Chen proposed two conditions as an 'explanation': first, that Teacher Zhou Yi be dismissed; second, that he be compensated with three Soul Ascension Pills. How do you think we should handle this?"
Yan Shaozhe took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, then sat back down and tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, lost in thought.
"Three Soul Ascension Pills..." He pondered for a moment before making a decisive call. "Give them to him. These pills can directly boost one's strength, so they're precious, but it's worth it to appease a genius with a god-level Martial Soul and limitless potential. There should still be some in the academy's stores. Go take care of it."
"But dismissing Zhou Yi..." Yan Shaozhe furrowed his brow and glanced at Zhou Yi, who had shrunk into herself like a quail. A complicated, helpless look flashed through his eyes.
Zhou Yi was a poor teacher, deeply unpopular, and extreme in her actions. By rights, she should have been removed from her teaching position long ago. But her husband, Fan Yu, was an indispensable talent in the Soul Guidance Department, and someone Vice Dean Qian Duoduo valued. One had to look at the Buddha's face to spare the monk's. Dismissing Zhou Yi outright would likely stir up unnecessary trouble in the Soul Guidance Department and damage the relationship between the two departments.
After a long silence, Yan Shaozhe finally spoke, his voice calm again, but carrying an unquestionable resolve:
"Zhou Yi."
Zhou Yi shuddered and raised her head, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"For Fan Yu's sake, and for the sake of the contributions you've made to the academy in the past..." Yan Shaozhe's voice was cold. "This is the last time. The academy will announce that you've been severely punished and given a major demerit."
He looked Zhou Yi in the eyes and enunciated each word. "Listen carefully. You will reflect on your actions for a week! During that week, you are not to approach any students, nor leave the designated area!"
"Your Freshman Class One will be temporarily handed over to Teacher Mu Jin. After a week, once you've thought things through, write a thorough self-criticism and submit it. We'll then decide whether to reinstate you, depending on the circumstances. If there's another time..."
"No matter who tries to protect you, I, Yan Shaozhe, will be the first to kick you out of Shrek! I will show no mercy!"
Zhou Yi's face went ashen, her last sliver of hope extinguished. She knew this was the most "lenient" punishment Yan Shaozhe could offer. She didn't dare argue again, and could only lower her head and force two words through her teeth. "...Yes."
"Take her out." Yan Shaozhe waved his hand, as if even looking at her any longer would disgust him.
Du Weilun acknowledged the order and led the distraught Zhou Yi out of the dean's office.
The heavy wooden door closed, and the office fell silent again. Yan Shaozhe stood alone before the window, gazing out at the darkening sky and the first lights shining across Shrek City. His expression was grave and thoughtful.
"The Six-Winged Angel has reappeared... Twelve years old, Level 28, wounded a Soul Emperor above his rank, and possesses a domain..." he murmured, his eyes gleaming with complex emotions. "Such a monstrous talent is no ordinary matter. It seems... it's time to convene a Sea God Pavilion Meeting. The Pavilion Master and the elders must be informed."
Outer Court Dean's Office
Du Weilun had just returned to his office when he discovered someone already waiting for him.
It was Mu Jin, who had hurried over after receiving the news. Her face held a hint of eagerness and anticipation.
"Director Du." Mu Jin rose and bowed.
"Teacher Mu Jin, you came at just the right time." Du Weilun gestured for her to sit, then rubbed his aching temples. "The dean has decided that you'll temporarily take over Zhou Yi's Freshman Class One. This class... is a special case. After today's incident, the students may be unsettled, and there's one particularly difficult student to deal with. If you feel the pressure's too much, or have other arrangements, I can coordinate with another teacher..."
"No! Director Du, I can do it!" Mu Jin cut him off without hesitation, before he could offer any more excuses or pleasantries. Her tone was firm, and her eyes shone with the passion for outstanding students and teaching challenges that Du Weilun knew so well. "Please reassure the dean that I'll take good care of Freshman Class One. I won't let the academy down."
She was here for Su Chen! Zhou Yi might have been stupid enough to reject such an unparalleled genius, but Mu Jin wanted him more than anything! She'd gladly take on three classes at once if that was what it took to get Su Chen assigned to her!
Du Weilun saw the determined gleam in Mu Jin's eyes and chuckled to himself. He knew perfectly well why she was so eager, but it suited him just fine.
Mu Jin was more open-minded and placed greater importance on her students' all-around development. Having her teach Su Chen's class might be the best way to guide this distinctly individualistic genius—and to ease some of the ill effects that might arise from the Zhou Yi incident.
"Good." Du Weilun said no more and made the decision on the spot. "Since you're confident, Teacher Mu Jin, you'll take charge of Freshman Class One starting tomorrow. I'll arrange the relevant paperwork and notices as soon as possible."
"Thank you for trusting me, Director Du!" Mu Jin's face broke into a genuinely delighted smile, and a great weight lifted from her heart.
Dormitory 108, Evening
The last warm orange rays of the setting sun shone through the window, casting a patch of light across the dormitory floor.
Su Chen sat cross-legged on his bed, not cultivating, but quietly thinking.
The day's turmoil had temporarily died down. Zhou Yi had been punished, and he had established his authority, but he knew very well that this was far from over.
"Shrek Academy has stood for ten thousand years. It's deeply rooted, with a tangled web of internal connections." Su Chen's gaze was calm as he murmured to himself. "Zhou Yi could act so arrogantly because Shrek turned a blind eye. Du Weilun seemed fair, but in truth, he put the academy's interests and stability first. I managed to make Zhou Yi apologize today partly because I was in the right, and partly because the value I showed exceeded the 'trouble' I caused."
He shook his head slightly. "But these people aren't truly principled or honorable. Today, I made them back down because of my value. If a bigger conflict of interest comes along, or if they decide I'm more trouble than I'm worth, there's no guarantee they won't turn on me—or even use their power to bully me."
"The strong prey on the weak. It's the truth everywhere. It's just that when it wears the academy's robes, it looks a little more civilized."
"To be safe, then..."
A glint of resolve flashed through Su Chen's eyes. At a thought, a card appeared in his palm, radiating a warm, ancient aura, its edges shimmering with faint golden light.
It was the [Super Sect Card].
"I've been holding on to this for a while. It's about time I used it." Su Chen looked at the card that could change the balance of the continent, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.
Without a moment's hesitation, he tightened his fingers—
"Crack."
A faint sound, like glass shattering.
The golden card broke apart in his palm, scattering into tiny golden motes. Then, as if alive, they swiftly flowed into his body and disappeared.
[ Ding! The host has used the "Super Sect Card" (single-use consumable).] [Congratulations, host! You have obtained a superpower—the Sacred Heaven Sect!] [The Sacred Heaven Sect has been established and has begun integrating into the history and political landscape of the current Douluo Continent in a plausible manner.] [Special reminder: The Sacred Heaven Sect is absolutely loyal to the host and regards the host as its sole leader and the core of its faith. The host can check on the sect's status, issue commands, and summon sect members at any time.]
The system's notification rang clearly in Su Chen's mind.
"Holy Heaven Sect?" Su Chen closed his eyes, carefully taking in the detailed information about the newly formed super sect flooding his mind.
A moment later, he slowly opened his eyes. Golden light gleamed in his pupils, and his lips curved upward despite himself.
"What a Holy Heaven Sect!"
According to the information provided by the system, the sect's foundations and strength were far beyond anything he could have imagined!
Though it was a newly "formed" super sect, its overall strength was on par with any of the continent's existing superpowers—and might even surpass them!
It had more than thirty Titled Douluo alone! That was enough to make any nation or faction tremble.
And of those thirty-plus Titled Douluo, nearly ten had reached Level 95 or higher and were known as Super Douluo. That meant the Holy Heaven Sect possessed terrifying strength at the highest levels!
A force like this could support all of Su Chen's future ambitions and give him the confidence to pursue them. Even against Shrek Academy, with its deep foundations, it could stand firm in a head-on confrontation without falling behind!
"Unfortunately..." Su Chen sighed slightly as he examined the deepest parts of the information. "There's only one Limit Douluo."
That might be the sole imperfection. After all, the Clear Sky Sect had Niu Tian, at Level 99; Shrek had Mu En, at Level 99, and Xuan Zi, at Level 98; the Body Sect had Du Busi, at the peak of Level 98; and the Holy Spirit Cult had Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao, both at Level 99. With only one Limit Douluo, the sect seemed a little lacking at the very top.
But then again, this was a fortune dropped from the heavens! One Limit Douluo, nearly ten Super Douluo, and more than thirty ordinary Titled Douluo... With that kind of power, he could accomplish so much and weather so many changes!
"The system said it would 'reasonably integrate' the sect..." Su Chen mused. "Does that mean the Holy Heaven Sect will seem like a reclusive sect that has always existed on the Douluo Continent?"
[Yes.] The system replied. [Reasonable integration means creating, out of thin air, an ancient force with a logical place in the history and reality of the Douluo Continent, a long heritage, and a plausible reason for remaining hidden. In the eyes of Shrek Academy, the Clear Sky Sect, the Body Sect, and other factions, the Holy Heaven Sect will be an ancient, reclusive sect that truly exists somewhere on the continent but is unknown to the world. For some reason, it has chosen to emerge or select an heir. No one will fundamentally question its existence.]
Su Chen understood. This way, the Holy Heaven Sect's sudden appearance wouldn't seem too abrupt, avoiding the biggest logical flaw of "a super sect falling out of the sky." The other factions would simply assume it was an ancient sect that had kept itself hidden until now. They would be shocked, but they could accept it.
"Perfect." Su Chen nodded with satisfaction.
He turned to look out the window and realized the sky had grown completely dark without him noticing. Stars were beginning to twinkle across the heavens.
"Oh no, I was supposed to meet Tang Ya!" Su Chen suddenly remembered their evening plans. He quickly got up, straightened his slightly rumpled uniform, and called out to Wang Dong, who had just finished cultivating and was sitting on her bed in a daze.
"Wang Dong, I'm going out for a bit."
Wang Dong had been thinking about the day's events and the way Tang Ya had looked at Su Chen. Her thoughts were in a muddle. At his words, she immediately looked up, her pink-and-blue eyes fixed on him. "Going out? It's so late. Where are you going?"
"I've got something to take care of," Su Chen said vaguely, preparing to leave.
"Wait!" For some reason, Wang Dong's sense of unease flared up again. She jumped out of bed and hurried over to Su Chen, looking up at him with an expectation and determination she hadn't even noticed in herself. "Su Chen... could you... take me with you? I'm so bored here by myself."
"It's that senior from this morning, isn't it?" Wang Dong pouted, her tone sour, but then put on an expression of "I'm being very reasonable." "It's fine! I promise I won't get in your way. I just... just want to look around the city and get to know the place!"
"I haven't really explored Shrek City yet! Take me with you, and I'll be a quiet little tagalong. I absolutely won't interrupt! Really!"
She blinked her beautiful, wide pink-and-blue eyes, doing her best to look like a well-behaved girl pleading to be taken along. She looked rather adorable—and a little pitiful.
Su Chen looked at her, feeling a headache coming on. Take Wang Dong along? Tang Ya had clearly said, "just the two of us," and judging from how she'd acted and whispered to him earlier, this probably wasn't just about dinner. But if he left Wang Dong behind... she might sulk. And if her curiosity got the better of her and she secretly followed them, that would be even more trouble.
In the end, faced with Wang Dong's silent threat of "If you don't take me, I'll follow you anyway," and a strange reluctance of his own, he sighed and gave in.
"Fine, fine, I'll take you. But we have a deal: no talking out of turn and no causing trouble."
"Yeah! I'll do my best!" Wang Dong beamed instantly, tossing her earlier sulk into the farthest reaches of the sky. She was as happy as a child.
The two left the dormitory building and headed to their meeting place—the entrance to the Freshman Dormitory Building.
Students came and went, many of them returning from a full day of cultivation or classes. Su Chen and Wang Dong waited beneath a large tree.
After some time, a slight commotion and murmurs of amazement rose from the crowd.
Su Chen and Wang Dong followed the sound and saw a graceful purple figure approaching, like a secluded orchid blossoming in the night.
It was Tang Ya.
She had clearly dressed up. Gone was the practical outfit she'd worn during the day. In its place was a pale purple knee-length dress. The skirt swayed lightly with each step, outlining her slender waist and the lovely curves that were just beginning to develop.
Her long, shapely legs were bare below the hem, full of youthful energy and spring. Her smooth hair fell over her shoulders, and a light dusting of makeup softened her features. Her lips were a tender pink, giving her an even more feminine and charming look than she'd had during the day.
Her outfit immediately drew countless open and covert glances from those around her. Quite a few boys stared at her with their eyes wide.
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