Next time we meet, lower your head.

In the blink of an eye, the situation within the Spirit Fighting Arena shifted drastically, causing everyone in the spectator stands to widen their eyes in shock.

Zhang Lexuan thought to herself, Oh no.

As the person with the highest Spirit Power present, she could sense the terrifying power behind Huo Yuhao's strike.

If that horrific grey lightning in Huo Yuhao's hand truly struck the defenseless Zhou Yi, she would be severely injured, if not killed outright.

Although Zhang Lexuan had no love for this neurotic woman, she knew that if anything were to happen to her, her husband would certainly not let the matter rest.

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Huo Yuhao's eyes as he prepared to thrust the Chidori forward, but at the final moment, the lightning in his hand slowly dissipated.

After all, this wasn't a life-or-death feud, merely a verbal dispute; why take a life?

Was he supposed to say, "You have already invited your own death," just because of a few words?

Huo Yuhao did not possess such a murderous heart.

Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan slowly let out a breath and relaxed.

But at that very moment, the previously unconscious Zhou Yi suddenly snapped back to reality.

Huo Yuhao was, after all, only a one-ring Spirit Master; while his mental strength was far superior to others of his rank, it was the limit for his Soul Shock to stun a Spirit Emperor-level powerhouse for even a fraction of a second.

Feeling the immense power of the lightning attack that had been in Huo Yuhao's hand, Zhou Yi was terrified to her core.

She dared not imagine how horrific it would have been had she not regained consciousness and allowed that attack to land on her undefended head.

Subconsciously, Zhou Yi unleashed her Spirit Emperor-level Spirit Power, and her sixth Spirit Ring flashed wildly.

A violent red light erupted from Zhou Yi's body, and the air within a ten-meter radius seemed to detonate in a massive explosion.

This was Zhou Yi's sixth spirit skill, Flame Dragon Explosion.

It detonated the air within ten meters, creating a massive, peerlessly powerful fire explosion.

The move caused a deafening blast that echoed throughout the entire Spirit Fighting Arena.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the defenseless Huo Yuhao appeared to be caught in the wake of this powerful ten-thousand-year spirit skill, sent flying backward like a ragdoll.

"Ah!" Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao screamed in shock from the spectator stands.

"Yuhao!" Beibei and Tang Ya were stunned by this sudden turn of events, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"Shameless!" Zhang Lexuan's expression was ghastly; watching Huo Yuhao fly backward right in front of her, she was filled with extreme fury.

Even after Huo Yuhao had shown mercy, Zhou Yi had shamelessly broken the rules to use her strongest spirit skill against a student.

How could someone with such conduct be fit to be an instructor at Shrek Academy?

In her indignation, a crescent moon rose behind Zhang Lexuan, and the cold moonlight condensed into a lunar blade that shot toward Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi was horrified; she released a ring of fire in a panicked attempt to block the terrifying crescent, but her flames were like paper before it, easily sliced in two. She was struck by the blade, coughing up blood as she was sent flying backward.

Zhang Lexuan transformed into a streak of white light, descending from the sky and rushing toward the falling Huo Yuhao with an anxious expression.

Just then, the Huo Yuhao who had been sent flying like a ragdoll went "poof" and transformed into a piece of wood.

Zhang Lexuan stared in stunned silence, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Immediately after, Huo Yuhao walked toward her from another direction, completely unscathed.

He wore a smile, looking entirely relaxed.

Body Replacement Jutsu!

The heightened perception granted by the Cursed Seal of Heaven mode had allowed him to detect the shift in Zhou Yi's Spirit Power before she even activated her skill.

In the nick of time, Huo Yuhao had performed the hand signs for the Body Replacement Jutsu, dodging Zhou Yi's sixth spirit skill.

No one noticed the black markings on Huo Yuhao's face slowly fading away like a receding tide until they vanished.

"Senior Sister, I'm fine. I didn't expect to see you here; I've embarrassed myself in front of you."

Huo Yuhao smiled.

Zhang Lexuan stared at Huo Yuhao in shock, taking a long moment to collect herself before saying helplessly, "Yuhao, how many more abilities do you have that I don't know about? Your strength makes me feel ashamed of my own. Are you really human? Could you be a reincarnated Spirit Beast? How can a one-ring Spirit Master be this strong?"

Zhang Lexuan's words were entirely heartfelt; Huo Yuhao's strength could no longer be described as a monster—he was a freak of nature.

Having watched the battle from start to finish, Zhang Lexuan realized it had been completely one-sided.

Zhou Yi, with her three-ring cultivation, hadn't even been able to put up a fight against Huo Yuhao.

Strategy, tactics, and reaction time—she had been crushed in every aspect.

Huo Yuhao's combat experience was as seasoned as that of a veteran warrior.

His fighting style was precise and elegant; even when facing an enemy stronger than himself, he could find their weakness and land a killing blow.

If not for Huo Yuhao's mercy, Zhou Yi would have been severely injured.

Of course, this did not mean Huo Yuhao's raw power was on par with a Spirit Emperor, but within the constraints of the rules, he had completely dominated the three-ringed Zhou Yi.

If Zhou Yi had been able to use her full strength from the start, Huo Yuhao would not have been able to face a Spirit Emperor head-on.

After all, he was currently only a one-ring Spirit Master.

Yet, in this battle, Huo Yuhao's versatile tactics and his ever-changing, immensely powerful spirit skills left Zhang Lexuan completely dumbfounded.

Was he truly just a one-ring Spirit Master?

Huo Yuhao scratched his head sheepishly. "Senior, you're joking. My meager strength is nothing compared to yours."

Zhang Lexuan shook her head, about to speak, when Zhou Yi, who had been knocked aside, stood up clutching her chest, a trace of blood hanging from the corner of her mouth.

She glared at Zhang Lexuan and spat venomously, "It's you? By what right do you interfere in my affairs?"

Having been at Shrek Academy for so long, Zhou Yi naturally recognized this top genius of the Inner Court.

Although Zhang Lexuan was much younger than her, her cultivation had already reached the eight-ring Spirit Douluo level.

Even in appearance, Zhou Yi fell far short of this pride of the Inner Court, which naturally filled her with jealousy.

Zhang Lexuan frowned at Zhou Yi. "As a teacher, one should lead by example. Look at what you've taught these Outer Court students. With such conduct, are you even fit to be an Outer Court instructor? I will report your actions and teaching methods to the Dean so they can deal with you accordingly."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi's heart skipped a beat. She swept a glance at the expressions of the crowd below, and when she saw the look of utter disdain on the faces of Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao in the spectator stands, she knew.

She knew that from this day on, she would be thoroughly disgraced in front of these Outer Court students; even if she remained an instructor, it was unlikely any student would respect her.

A six-ring Spirit Emperor beaten into such a sorry state by a one-ring Spirit Master—she would likely be forever nailed to the pillar of shame at Shrek Academy.

"Teacher Zhou, you seemed to have used your sixth spirit skill just now. Does this battle count as your loss?"

"If you've lost, hand over the wager. As a dignified Outer Court instructor and a six-ring Spirit Emperor, you wouldn't welch on a bet, would you?"

Huo Yuhao spoke up at the perfect moment.

"Huo Yuhao, you..." Hearing this, Zhou Yi stared at Huo Yuhao with eyes full of intense malice.

Suddenly, a strangely shaped purple bone appeared in her hand.

With a pained expression, Zhou Yi tossed the spirit bone toward Huo Yuhao and walked toward the exit of the Spirit Fighting Arena without looking back.

Huo Yuhao caught the spirit bone, but instead of checking it immediately, he tucked it into his storage ring.

He called out loudly to the departing Zhou Yi, "Teacher Zhou, thank you for the spirit bone. I was wrong just now; I shouldn't have called you a piece of trash."

"You are merely a mortal who wasn't born in my era."

"Next time you see me, remember to keep your head bowed."

At the entrance of the Spirit Fighting Arena, Zhou Yi's body gave a visible shudder.