Long Yaochen's Class Monitor, Huo Yuhao's Grilled Fish

"From today on, you are official students of Freshman Class One."

Zhang Lexuan's gaze swept across the young faces below, her warm voice ringing clearly in everyone's ears.

"The Freshman Assessment has concluded, but this does not mean you can relax. On the contrary, your true studies have only just begun."

As she said this, she glanced at Wang Yan beside her.

Wang Yan smiled and took over.

"My name is Wang Yan, and I will be serving as your deputy homeroom teacher, primarily responsible for theoretical courses and explanations of martial soul knowledge."

"The fact that you were able to enter Freshman Class One proves that both your talent and your assessment results have been recognized by the academy."

"However, I want you to remember one thing: Shrek Academy has never lacked geniuses."

As soon as these words were spoken, many students in the classroom subconsciously looked toward Long Yaochen.

Wang Yan naturally noticed this scene, and he couldn't help but push up his glasses, his smile tinged with a bit of emotion.

"Of course, student Long Yaochen is an exception; I can give you all a little inside scoop."

"Student Long Yaochen has come out from the Sea God Pavilion to gain experience."

"You may take him as your goal, but if you fail to catch up to him, do not be discouraged."

Coming from the Sea God Pavilion?!

Wang Yan's words left the students present stunned.

They had all originally assumed that Long Yaochen might have come from some prominent noble family, but they never expected him to be directly from Shrek.

Long Yaochen curled his lips, not bothering to refute the claim.

He couldn't exactly say he came from under the command of the Chief Elder of the Holy Spirit Cult, could he?

Once everyone had regained their composure, Zhang Lexuan continued:

"Next, there is one more matter."

"Some of you may not know me; I am the previous homeroom teacher of Freshman Class One, Zhang Lexuan."

"Due to my previous physical condition, student Long Yaochen has been assisting me as my teaching assistant."

"Now that Teacher Wang has arrived, it is time to select an official class monitor to lead our Freshman Class One."

Upon hearing the words "class monitor," many people perked up.

A class monitor had access to far more things than an ordinary student.

However... would it really be their turn?

As expected, Zhang Lexuan had already looked toward Long Yaochen, saying in a calm tone: "From today on, Long Yaochen will serve as the class monitor of Freshman Class One."

The classroom fell into a dead silence.

There was not a single voice of opposition.

After all, the battle on the Soul Fighting Platform yesterday was still fresh in their minds.

Three rings, three thousand-year soul rings, a quasi-Soul Ancestor, crushing the entire field in a one-versus-three to take the championship.

Who would be blind enough to compete for this class monitor position?

Zhang Lexuan scanned the room, and seeing no objections, she continued in a gentle voice: "Since no one objects, it is settled. Now, let Teacher Wang begin the theory lesson for everyone."

"Students..." Wang Yan took the cue and began his endless lecture.

Miraculously, the students in the class were all drawn in by his profound knowledge.

Even Long Yaochen ended up cramming a significant amount of martial soul knowledge.

After all, he really had come from the mountains.

After school.

At the entrance of Shrek Academy, the familiar scent of grilled fish drifted through the air once again.

Huo Yuhao skillfully flipped the fish on the iron rack; the golden skin curled slightly under the charcoal heat, and grease dripped into the embers, emitting a faint, sizzling sound.

This was perhaps the most successful thing he had done since coming to Shrek; every day, the line to buy his grilled fish stretched incredibly long.

Especially after Old Tang arrived, he felt that his skills in grilling fish could already be considered at the Titled Douluo level.

But... what was the point of that?

Huo Yuhao tugged at the corners of his mouth, offering a self-deprecating smile.

"Little Yuhao!"

A familiar voice rang out from not far away.

Tang Ya pulled Bei Bei along as they hurried over, her eyes lighting up instantly.

"Are there still grilled fish? Save two for me!"

Huo Yuhao looked up and offered a forced smile.

"Sister Tang Ya, Senior Brother."

Bei Bei glanced at him, quickly sensing that something was off with his state.

"Yuhao, the class assignments and the core disciple list should have been released today, right?"

Hearing this, Tang Ya immediately reacted, saying excitedly, "That's right! You performed so brilliantly yesterday, you must have become a core disciple, right?"

Huo Yuhao's movements paused slightly.

The charcoal fire reflected on his face, making his expression look somewhat dim and unclear. He said in a low voice, "I suppose so."

Tang Ya was stunned. "What do you mean by 'suppose so'?"

Huo Yuhao lowered his head and continued turning the grilled fish, his voice very soft. "It is indeed a core disciple spot... but it's for the Soul Tool Department, and it's only an observation spot at that."

The air suddenly went quiet for a moment.

Tang Ya widened her eyes, almost doubting she had heard correctly. "An observation spot? And in the Soul Tool Department?"

"How is that possible!" Her voice rose a few notches, causing several students queuing for grilled fish nearby to look over.

"You defeated Dai Huabin and the others yesterday morning! That was the Hell White Tiger! Even if you didn't beat that detestable guy Long Yaochen in the afternoon, they shouldn't have denied you a spot as a Martial Soul Department core disciple!"

Huo Yuhao did not speak, simply handing over the grilled fish.

Tang Ya did not take it, her face full of indignation.

"What is the meaning of this from Shrek? Little Yuhao is one of our Tang Sect members! Bei Bei, go ask Great-Grandfather Xuan about this; we can't just let this matter slide!"

Bei Bei frowned, not answering immediately.

The image of Long Yaochen, as dazzling as the sun, flashed before his eyes from the Soul Fighting Arena yesterday.

Although he also intensely disliked Long Yaochen, he had to admit that the other party's strength was such that even if he had stepped up, the result likely wouldn't have been much better.

Furthermore, the strike Huo Yuhao used to shatter the Hell White Tiger that morning was truly stunning.

But at the same time, Bei Bei had not forgotten the scene where Huo Yuhao openly defied Yan Shaozhe at the end of the finals.

That wasn't just a simple refusal to admit defeat.

It could even be said that he had lost control to some extent.

The academy not listing him as a Martial Soul Department core disciple was likely not just a matter of soul power and soul rings.

However, he couldn't bring himself to say these things in front of Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao.

It's been a long time since I've been back to the Inner Court... I might as well check on how Senior Sister is recovering.

After a moment of silence, Bei Bei nodded. "I will find an opportunity to ask Great-Grandfather Xuan."

Tang Ya finally breathed a sigh of relief and turned to comfort Huo Yuhao. "Little Yuhao, don't be discouraged. The Soul Tool Department is fine, and an observation spot is only temporary. Once Bei Bei gets to the bottom of it, there might still be a turning point."

Huo Yuhao nodded without speaking.

But in his heart, he let out a cold laugh.

A turning point?

With Long Yaochen there, whom they treat like a treasure, would there ever be anything left for him?

Should he go and beg Long Yaochen to bestow some resources upon him?

"Sister Tang Ya, are Soul Tools really that powerful?"

After a moment of silence, Huo Yuhao asked.

"Although I don't really want to admit it..."

Mentioning Soul Tools made Tang Ya's mood dip, but she still explained:

"Soul Tools are indeed far more powerful than hidden weapons; they are an existence capable of changing the landscape for soul masters.

Even support-type soul masters can possess impressive combat power if they wield a Soul Tool.

It is even said that the legendary Level 10 Soul Tool possesses the power to slay gods!"

"Slay gods..." Huo Yuhao murmured, a flame of hope igniting in his eyes.

Level 10... Slay gods, is it?

I don't want to slay gods; I only want to take that sun—

And shoot it down!