Wang Dong, Are You an Idiot?

A woman stood on the podium, her gaze sweeping over the hundred students below. Smiling, she began:

"Hello, everyone. My name is Mu Jin. Because of a few things that happened yesterday, you don't know one another very well yet. So today, we'll start with some simple introductions, beginning with the students in the first row."

Soon, the first boy in the front row stood up somewhat shyly. Blushing, he said, "Hello, everyone. My name is Shi Hao. I'm a level 19 Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master, and I'm from the Star Luo Empire."

Eleven years old and level 19—his talent was pretty good. The students applauded to show their approval.

Then the next student began his introduction.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Hai Bodong. I'm a level 22 Control System Battle Soul Master, and I'm from..."

One student after another introduced themselves. Everyone who had made it into Shrek Academy had good talent, and their Soul Power Levels hovered around level 20.

Then a red-haired girl stood up.

"Wu Feng. Level 24 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

Wu Feng's introduction drew plenty of sidelong glances. Level 24 was already outstanding for someone her age.

But their surprise didn't last long.

After Wu Feng sat down, the girl beside her stood up. She had smooth, short golden hair and delicate, doll-like features, and carried herself with a noble elegance.

"My name is Ning Tian. I'm a level 31 Auxiliary Tool Soul Elder."

The moment she finished speaking, the whole class erupted.

Level 31! A Soul Elder!

And an auxiliary type, no less! That meant she cultivated faster than those in the Power Attack and Control Systems, and her talent was even more astonishing!

Everyone stared at Ning Tian, their faces full of shock. Even Mu Jin smiled with satisfaction. With Su Chen and Ning Tian, she was determined to win first place in this year's Freshman Assessment.

"Hello, everyone. My name is..."

The introductions continued. Soon, it was Xiao Xiao's turn.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Xiao Xiao. I'm a level 22 Battle Soul Master." Xiao Xiao stood up, her voice clear and bright.

After she sat down, it was Wang Dong's turn.

Wang Dong sprang to her feet, straightened her back, and spoke with ringing confidence and her trademark pride: "Wang Dong. Level 24 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

The class's reaction was rather subdued. Level 24 was impressive, but Wu Feng and Ning Tian had already set the bar, so it no longer seemed especially remarkable.

But only Su Chen, who knew Wang Dong well, understood that her talent was absolutely top-tier. She was simply too lazy, fishing for three days and lounging for two, so the others had pulled ahead. Otherwise, with the resources of the Clear Sky Sect's little princess and her own talent, she would already be a three-ring Soul Elder at the very least.

After Wang Dong sat down, everyone turned their attention to the last person.

Su Chen.

There wasn't anyone who didn't know him. His two fights yesterday had already made his name known throughout the outer courtyard. Wounding a Soul Emperor teacher and defeating Xu Sanshi, the outer courtyard's strongest defender, with a single move—many upper-year students couldn't boast such a record, let alone freshmen.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, Su Chen slowly stood up.

He moved with unhurried ease, his long golden hair swaying lightly as he rose. Sunlight streamed in through the window, gilding him in gold. He seemed to glow.

"Su Chen. Level 28 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

His voice was calm, without a ripple, as if he were talking about something trivial.

But the instant he finished, muffled gasps filled the classroom.

Level 28! And a level 28 who could fight above his level!

More than a few girls' eyes lit up. They looked ready to devour the Su Chen before them. Their burning gazes made Wang Dong, sitting beside him, feel a surge of irritation.

"Hmph, so annoying." Wang Dong sat nearby, pouting in a sulk.

Seeing those girls stare at Su Chen as if they were drooling over him made her inexplicably angry. That troublemaking flirt drew attention everywhere he went!

Su Chen paid no mind to the others' reactions and sat down calmly.

Once the freshmen had finished introducing themselves, Mu Jin stood at the podium with a warm smile, her gaze slowly sweeping over the hundred young faces in the classroom.

"Now that everyone has introduced themselves, you've gotten to know one another a little." Her voice was clear and friendly. "As you go through your studies together, I hope you'll get to know your classmates better and help one another."

She paused, then continued, "There's one more thing we need to do today besides introducing ourselves—we need to choose a class monitor."

The classroom fell quiet as everyone listened attentively.

"When I'm not here, the class monitor speaks for me." Mu Jin's voice turned serious. "The monitor will be responsible for maintaining class discipline, relaying academy notices, and helping the teacher with everyday matters. Would anyone like to volunteer?"

As she spoke, Mu Jin's gaze naturally settled on Su Chen. Her hopeful look was impossible to miss—it was clear she wanted him to take the position.

The class monitor didn't necessarily have to be the strongest student, but the strongest would always be the first choice. Especially in a place like Shrek, strength often meant having a say.

The other students understood this, too. They glanced at one another, but no one raised a hand. There was no chance the class monitor would be one of them, so why invite embarrassment?

Wu Feng parted her lips as if to say something, but Ning Tian gently tugged at her sleeve. In the end, Wu Feng only pursed her lips and kept quiet.

"No one?" Mu Jin waited a moment. When no one volunteered, she asked directly, "Su Chen, would you be willing to serve as Class Nine's class monitor?"

In an instant, every gaze in the room converged on Su Chen.

Most of the class had no objection to Teacher Mu Jin's choice. Of course, even if they did object, they wouldn't dare say so. After all, who could beat Su Chen?

A few, like Wu Feng, were somewhat dissatisfied, but they merely clenched their fists in secret and didn't openly protest.

Su Chen considered it for a moment. He didn't really want to be a class monitor. It sounded like too much trouble. But considering Mu Jin's good...

"Thank you for trusting me, Teacher." Su Chen stood up, his voice calm and firm. "I'll do my best to fulfill my duties as class monitor."

"Good!" Mu Jin said with a smile and nodded, clearly satisfied with his answer. "From now on, Su Chen will be Class Nine's class monitor."

She paused, then turned to the golden-haired girl on the other side. "Ning Tian, you'll be the vice monitor and help Su Chen manage the class."

She'd directly appointed the vice monitor, which was just like Mu Jin. After all, Ning Tian was the strongest student in the class after Su Chen.

"Yes, Teacher." Ning Tian answered and rose gracefully. She turned to Su Chen and gave him a slight nod. Her short golden hair gleamed softly in the sunlight. "I look forward to working with you, Class Monitor Su."

Only then did Su Chen get a chance to take a proper look at the future Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Ning Tian had neat, practical short golden hair that reached just to her earlobes, making her look capable yet graceful. Her eyes were a clear, watery blue, and her long, thick lashes fluttered like two little fans when she blinked. Her features were exquisitely sculpted, her skin fair and smooth, and she radiated an innate nobility.

Yet there was no arrogance in that nobility. Instead, she seemed gentle and wise.

Su Chen's gaze lingered on her for only a moment before he nodded in return. "Vice Monitor Ning, I look forward to working with you."

Their exchange was brief and formal, yet it lent the classroom an unusual atmosphere. Quite a few girls looked at the pair standing together—the golden-haired boy and the golden-haired girl, one handsome and powerful, the other noble and beautiful—and couldn't help thinking... they looked pretty good together.

"Psychological committee member, I'm not feeling right..." some boy in the back muttered under his breath.

Sitting beside Su Chen, Wang Dong watched the scene, her lips unconsciously pushing into a pout again. She glared at Ning Tian, then at Su Chen, before lowering her head in a huff and drawing circles in her notebook.

Teacher Mu Jin clapped her hands to quiet everyone. "All right, we've chosen our class monitor. Let's begin class. Today, we'll cover the theoretical foundations of Soul Ring combinations..."

Class officially began.

Mu Jin's teaching style was completely different from Zhou Yi's. She explained everything patiently and in detail, with clear organization, and occasionally asked questions to get the students involved. The class was lively without becoming disorderly.

Su Chen listened attentively, his golden eyes fixed on the podium.

Wang Dong, meanwhile, was somewhat distracted. Her gaze would drift toward Su Chen's profile, then quickly move away as she pretended to look at the blackboard. Before long, though, her eyes would wander back to him on their own.

This guy... looks pretty serious when he's in class. Wang Dong mused, absently twirling her pen.

Xiao Xiao, sitting on Su Chen's other side, was quite attentive, nodding along like a model student. But for some reason, she kept "accidentally" brushing against Su Chen's hand.

Every time it happened, Xiao Xiao blushed and quietly said, "Sorry."

The class passed quickly. When the bell rang, Mu Jin had just finished a section.

"All right, that's it for today." Mu Jin gathered up her lesson notes. "Su Chen, Ning Tian, stay behind for a moment. The rest of you are dismissed."

The students filed out of the classroom. Wang Dong took her time packing her things, seemingly hoping to leave with Su Chen.

"Wang Dong, you can head back first," Su Chen said, turning to her. "Ning Tian and I might be a while."

"...Oh." Wang Dong answered reluctantly. At the door, she looked back and happened to see Su Chen standing with Ning Tian as they talked.

"Hmph!" She stomped her foot and hurried away.

In the classroom, Mu Jin explained some specific duties of the class monitor to Su Chen and Ning Tian. Their conversation lasted about ten minutes.

"All right, that's everything," Mu Jin said at last. "Work well together. I believe Class Nine will be the best class in this year's freshman class."

"We'll do our best, Teacher," Ning Tian said with a smile.

Su Chen nodded.

By the time they left the teaching building, the sun was already sinking in the west, and the horizon was dyed orange-red. Su Chen spotted Wang Dong waiting in the plaza. She was leaning against a tree, hands in her pockets, absently nudging a little stone on the ground with her toe.

"Why didn't you head back first?" Su Chen walked over.

Wang Dong glanced at him, then turned her face away. "Can't this young master take a walk?"

Her tone was a little sharp, but Su Chen was used to her tsundere ways.

"Sure." Su Chen smiled. "Then want to take a walk together?"

"...Whatever."

They walked side by side, went around the Freshman Building, and headed east along the southern edge of Shrek Plaza. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, overlapping them.

Before long, they reached the Lakeside Path.

It was one of the scenic spots within Shrek Academy, and many students liked to come here to stroll or cultivate. It was evening now, and the lake shimmered, reflecting the sunset in a scene as beautiful as poetry and painting.

They had only just approached when a gentle mist, mingled with the fresh air, swept over them. The clear blue lake was like a length of blue brocade, rippling faintly.

The lake reflected the blue sky, white clouds, and the leafy trees along its banks. Now and then, a few waterbirds skimmed over it, sending out rings of ripples.

"This place is so beautiful!" Wang Dong couldn't help taking a deep breath and stretching herself.

She spread her arms and tilted her head toward the sky. Her uniform shirt lifted slightly with the movement, inadvertently revealing her slender waist and graceful curves.

The sunset gilded her pink-and-blue hair, softening the delicate lines of her profile.

A trace of amusement passed through Su Chen's eyes as he watched her.

Just then—

In the distance, a red figure was racing toward them at astonishing speed!

She ran across the surface of the lake, each step sending ripples spreading outward. She moved as fast as an arrow loosed from a bow, and there was no mistaking her direction—she was heading straight for them!

"Trouble's coming," Su Chen said softly, his voice tinged with helplessness.

How had he forgotten about this? A red uniform, racing across the lake—and at this point in the story, there was only one person it could be—

Ma Xiaotao, who had gone berserk under the control of her Evil Fire.

Su Chen sighed inwardly. If he'd known, he wouldn't have come to the lakeside today.

"What trouble?" Wang Dong hadn't yet realized how serious the situation was. Curious, she rose onto her tiptoes and peered at the rapidly approaching figure. "Is that an Inner Court senior? She's amazing—she can run across the water!"

As the figure drew nearer, even Wang Dong could make her out clearly. It wasn't just her clothes that were red—her hair was bloodred, too.

She was tall and slender, over 1.7 meters by the look of her, yet she radiated a ferocious aura, like some terrifying Soul Beast.

She wore a red mask, and even her eyes were bloodred. The air around her shimmered faintly with heat, and mist billowed from the water beneath her feet as she passed. The lake was evaporating in the scorching heat!

"This Inner Court senior looks really strong!" Wang Dong excitedly analyzed the situation for Su Chen, completely oblivious to the danger. "Look, Su Chen—she can run across the lake without even releasing her Martial Soul. How much control over her Soul Power must that take?"

Su Chen: "..."

Sometimes he really wondered whether this girl had a screw loose.

"Wang Dong, are you an idiot?" Su Chen grabbed her wrist, his voice unusually urgent. "Her condition is obviously wrong. Hurry up and run!"