Dealing with the Little Demoness

Xiao Wu felt the warmth radiating from her palm, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "Mm."

Flender approached, his gaze sweeping over the group before settling on Huo Yuhao with a look of profound significance.

"..."

Huo Yuhao sighed; it seemed he was the one being singled out for a lesson.

Sure enough, Flender's voice rang out, "You are the Huo Yuhao who went one-on-one with Old Zhao yesterday?"

Huo Yuhao stepped forward.

"Yes, Dean."

"One-on-one with Teacher Zhao!?"

Oscar and Ma Hongjun, standing to the side, whipped their heads around, staring in astonishment at the handsome youth.

They couldn't imagine this person being capable of clashing with Teacher Zhao. Seeing their reaction, Dai Mubai let out a soft sigh.

If they knew that Teacher Zhao had even been forced to activate his Martial Soul Avatar by the end of the fight, they would likely have fainted from shock.

Ma Hongjun's focus remained fixed on that handsome face.

He muttered with a mournful expression, "Another handsome face? Isn't having Boss Dai and Oscar enough! Heavens! When will I ever have a face like that?"

Flender, hearing the fatty lament the unfairness of fate, rolled his eyes and ignored him, continuing to study Huo Yuhao.

"Not bad. I heard from Zhao Wuji yesterday; he thinks very highly of you. Step forward."

Huo Yuhao pursed his lips. Turning his head slightly, he caught the three senior students shooting him looks that clearly said, "Good luck, you're on your own."

With a wry smile, he walked over to Flender's side, bowed, and stood still.

Flender nodded, but he wasn't finished. He continued, "Oscar, Ning Rongrong, step forward."

"???" The two called out were taken aback.

Ning Rongrong didn't mind; after a moment of surprise, she walked over and stood beside Huo Yuhao.

Oscar, however, slumped, walking over to Ning Rongrong with his head hanging low.

Flender looked at the remaining students and waved his hand. "These three will stay for training. The rest of you go rest and prepare for tonight's class."

"Wait, Dean, may I join your training for Huo Yuhao and the others?"

A cold, clear voice rang out. Flender looked up in surprise to see Zhu Zhuqing.

"Why?"

"Because I want to become stronger. As strong as Huo Yuhao."

Zhu Zhuqing lifted her head to meet Flender's eyes. Unlike the shyness she showed when looking at Huo Yuhao, her gaze now was filled with determination.

Even Huo Yuhao was a little surprised. He hadn't expected such a stark difference in mindset between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai—one wallowing in decadence, the other so hungry for strength.

"Yuhao, what do you think?"

Flender didn't answer immediately, turning instead to ask for Huo Yuhao's opinion.

"Dean, I think this is a good thing." Huo Yuhao gave his answer without a moment's hesitation.

"Fine. Since Yuhao agrees, I grant you permission to join."

Flender looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a smile. "But there are penalties for disobeying my orders, and you will still have to attend tonight's class."

"Yes."

"Dean, I want to join too!"

It was Xiao Wu, who came bouncing over to Flender's side, shouting.

"Fine. Anyone else?" Flender was open to all, looking at the remaining three.

Tang San glanced at the group, said nothing, and stepped forward to join them. Dai Mubai looked at the others, hesitating.

Then, he remembered the words Huo Yuhao had the twins relay to him, and a flame ignited in his heart once more. It's just hard work! I'll give it my all!

Ma Hongjun, standing beside him, was stunned. What was going on with everyone?

"Boss Dai, you too..."

Seven people were now standing beside Flender, and everyone watched Ma Hongjun in silence.

"I... I'll join too."

Ma Hongjun sighed, a sense of being forced into hard work against his will rising within him.

A flash of pleasant surprise crossed Flender's eyes as he glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.

He truly hadn't expected the motivation of an entire team to be driven by a single person. This Zhu Zhuqing had given him a massive surprise.

Huo Yuhao smiled, nodded at Zhu Zhuqing, and scanned the group—the original Shrek Seven Devils who would go on to make a name for themselves in his past life.

"Alright, since that's settled, let's begin training. From now on, everyone run twenty laps around the village. You may use soul skills or other auxiliary methods. Yuhao, you are their example; you will run forty laps. You are not allowed to use soul power, and you must supervise them to ensure they finish."

Flender looked at Huo Yuhao with a smile, his intent clear—since others were using him as a benchmark, he naturally had to demonstrate the strength of one.

"...Yes."

Huo Yuhao sighed. It was never easy being the one to stick one's neck out. In his past life, he had been a bottom-feeder when he first enrolled, forced to push himself to the limit just to keep up; he never expected to be the one leading the pack now.

And so, the group began their long, arduous journey.

"Twenty laps! Looks like we aren't having lunch today," Ma Hongjun wailed, his face twisted in misery.

"Why? The village doesn't look that big to me," Xiao Wu asked curiously.

Oscar stepped in to explain, "When the Dean says 'around the village,' he includes the farmland..."

Zhu Zhuying froze, an apologetic look washing over her face. "I'm sorry. If it weren't for me, you guys wouldn't have to..."

"This was our own choice. It has nothing to do with you. Getting stronger is a decision everyone makes for themselves."

Tang San shook his head. Since he had chosen this training, he would not regret it.

"It's fine. If anyone can't run anymore, just eat one of my sausages. I guarantee you'll finish the whole distance," Oscar said with a cheeky grin.

"..."

One lap.

Two laps.

"This lap is way too big!"

Xiao Wu complained. She already felt drained after only two laps, and the rest of the group had started to pant as well.

At this point, the disparity in physical fitness became apparent. Beads of sweat were already forming on the foreheads of Oscar and Ning Rongrong, while Dai Mubai, who held the second-highest Soul Power Level, was only breathing slightly heavily.

Looking ahead, Huo Yuhao remained light on his feet, maintaining a steady pace as he led the group.

"Hmm?"

Huo Yuhao noticed the group behind him losing heart. Knowing this wouldn't do, he slowed down and moved to their side.

"You need to change your running form. Ning Rongrong, land on the balls of your feet, don't use your heels. Oscar, swing your arms. Everyone, follow my lead and adjust your breathing rhythm..."

A series of instructions reached their ears.

"Wow, it actually works! I'm not nearly as tired anymore!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up.

Zhu Zhuying's eyes brightened. She tilted her head slightly to watch the figure who was guiding them while he ran, the corners of her mouth curling upward.

Unaware of their expressions, he continued to run while encouraging them, "Keep it up, everyone. Physical stamina is just as important a quality for a Spirit Master as anything else."

When the group finished their third lap, an unexpected situation arose.

"Ning Rongrong? What are you doing? You can't stop, keep running."

Huo Yuhao frowned as he watched Ning Rongrong come to a halt.

Ning Rongrong ignored him and walked straight toward Suotuo City.

"Keep running, I'll go check on Ning Rongrong," Huo Yuhao told the group before turning to chase after her.

"Ning Rongrong, what's wrong? It's only the third lap. Are you feeling unwell?" Huo Yuhao asked softly once he caught up.

A smile appeared on Ning Rongrong's face. "Forget about the running, Yuhao. Let's go into the city and look around. It doesn't matter if we run or not."

Huo Yuhao paused, giving her a deep look, his eyes turning cold.

"Come back with me. This is an assignment. If you didn't want to run, you should have refused from the start. No one would have forced you, but if you accept a task, you should see it through instead of quitting halfway."

He hadn't wanted to get involved, but as he had said himself, Flender had entrusted the task to him. Since he hadn't refused at the start, he had to do the job right.

It was the most basic level of professionalism.

Now, all he needed to do was ensure she finished every single lap.

"Try to remember who you are. Don't think that just because you're good-looking and have a decent Soul Power Level that you can boss me around. You're just a student. So what if you can fight? In this world, you need a background!"

After being lectured by Huo Yuhao, Ning Rongrong grew irritated. Her attitude toward him plummeted, and she retorted with a sneer.

"Yes, I am just a student, but you are also just a student right now. Once you leave the academy, you can be your princess, but for now, come back with me."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll beat you until you agree. You've already seen what I'm capable of."

Ning Rongrong's expression stiffened, and she roared in anger.

"I am from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect! No one dares to hit me. If you're so capable, try it!" She continued walking toward Suotuo City.

Before she had taken two steps, she felt a heavy blow to her backside. She lost her balance and tumbled to the ground, her pristine white dress instantly covered in dust.

"!?"

Ning Rongrong was stunned on the spot. He actually dared to lay a hand on her? Did he not know her status within the sect?

Though it didn't hurt, a wave of humiliation washed over her, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Before Ning Rongrong could scramble to her feet, Huo Yuhao's voice rang out again.

"I don't know how much the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect coddles you, and I don't care to know. I only know that you are smug about your talent and arrogant about your background."

"What exactly do you have to be proud of? Your pride in having the lowest Soul Power Level among all the students here? Every student here is gifted."

"I'll say this one last time: come back with me. After the training is over, you can complain to your family or the Dean all you want."

"Anyway, once this run is over, I won't bother with you anymore. The Dean only instructed me to supervise this one time."

"If you don't head back now, it won't just be a light kick like before."

Ning Rongrong slowly climbed to her feet. Hearing Huo Yuhao's icy words, she shuddered, then threatened him with a trembling voice, "You just wait."

She then lowered her head, brushed past Huo Yuhao, and ran toward the group.

"I'll be waiting."

"...That's truly ruthless..."

Standing not far away, Flender sighed. Even he hadn't dared to strike her, yet Huo Yuhao had actually taken action.

Seeing Ning Rongrong return to the group looking disheveled with a footprint on her backside, everyone tacitly chose not to ask any questions.

Immediately after, Huo Yuhao returned to the group as well. "Everyone, continue. Follow my breathing rhythm."

Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth. Though she was resistant, her oxygen-deprived brain subconsciously fell into sync with Huo Yuhao's breathing rhythm.

It was indeed much easier. She couldn't help but stare at the back leading the pack, muttering to herself, "You wretch, you certainly have plenty of tricks."

Before they knew it, it was already noon. The group had only finished half the distance; not only were their bodies exhausted, but their stomachs were also growling with hunger.

At this moment, Huo Yuhao's voice rang out again. "Oscar, distribute the sausages to everyone."

"Yuhao, what about you?" Oscar looked up at Huo Yuhao, holding out a sausage.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. "I don't need one. The Dean has requirements."

Ning Rongrong, who was currently chewing on her sausage as if it were Huo Yuhao, couldn't help but freeze as his words echoed in her ears.

Since I've accepted the mission, I must strive to complete it...

She shook her head violently and let out a cold snort. "If you work yourself to death, that's exactly what I want!"

Finally, by the fifteenth lap, everyone was drenched in sweat, and the afternoon sun felt scorching against their skin.

Huo Yuhao looked back at the others. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were already swaying, and Oscar looked to be nearing his limit as well.

With a soft sigh, a jade-green light emerged from Huo Yuhao's chest. The group suddenly felt much cooler, and the breeze hitting their faces turned refreshing.

"It's Yuhao..." Tang San said, his gaze complex.

Finally, at dusk, the group finished the distance and arrived at the training ground, where Flender had long been standing with his hands behind his back, waiting for them.

Watching the panting group, he nodded and said with a smile, "I am very pleased. Only one of you failed to complete the training and treated my requirements as wind past the ears."

Everyone turned their eyes toward Huo Yuhao. His task was forty laps, yet he had run with them to adjust their breathing.

After fifteen laps, he had even used his soul power to help them cool down, effectively breaking every rule.

"Huo Yuhao, do you have anything to say?"

"No, Dean. It is I who failed to complete the mission." Huo Yuhao stopped the others who were about to defend him.

"Then you have no objections to the punishment I have in store?"

"No objections."

Flender nodded in satisfaction and looked around at the group.

"Looking at your state, you won't be able to attend tonight's class. However, Huo Yuhao's punishment will be your original lesson. Now, everyone follow me and watch Huo Yuhao receive his punishment."

Then, as if remembering something, he said to Huo Yuhao with a smile, "Oh, right. The punishment doesn't end there; you must also make up the remaining laps."

"...Yes."

"The... Great Spirit Arena?" Xiao Wu looked curiously at the building nearly a hundred meters tall in front of them, its towering walls appearing extremely imposing under the cover of night.