The First Day of School, Confronting Zhou Yi

In the two days before school started, Cao Longyan, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong lived in the same dormitory. Unlike the original story, they didn't grow distant due to a fight between Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. Instead of just minding their own business, they got to know each other, though each kept their own secrets hidden.

They even stepped out of the academy's east gate to grab a meal at the snack street.

However, it was Wang Dong who insisted on picking up the tab.

Even so, Cao Longyan and Huo Yuhao secretly bought a pillow for Wang Dong.

Huo Yuhao also sensed a business opportunity here; perhaps he could sell his grilled fish to make money...

One evening, Cao Longyan caught a glimpse of the cultivation path Huo Yuhao was using during meditation. It was clearly the Soul Suppressing Art from Rakshasa Street—his own creation, which he knew better than anyone.

Seeing this, the corners of Cao Longyan's mouth curled upward slightly.

Unexpectedly, through a twist of fate, Huo Yuhao had joined the faction he created. It seemed Tang Ya and the others hadn't disclosed that information to him.

Tang San, oh Tang San, you've made a wrong move here... One wrong step leads to another, and he, Cao Longyan, would make sure your chess piece slips out of your control, step by step!

Two days passed in a flash, and the day for the official start of the freshman term finally arrived.

Cao Longyan and his two companions changed into Shrek's standard white uniforms, each featuring the green little monster emblem on the left chest that symbolized Shrek Academy.

The three walked side-by-side toward the white teaching building, drawing the gazes of many freshmen along the way.

The attention was especially focused on them from the girls, though it was primarily directed at Cao Longyan and Wang Dong.

Just as Cao Longyan had expected, the three of them were assigned to the same class.

Freshman Class One!

As they stepped into the classroom, the noisy room instantly quieted down. Every gaze snapped toward Cao Longyan, filled with the infatuation and awe of the girls, and the envy and jealousy of the boys.

How could this guy be so handsome? It's almost too much!

Dressed in white with blue hair and blue eyes, his temperament cold and aloof, Cao Longyan looked like a prince who had walked out of the ice and snow. He carried his own radiance, effortlessly overshadowing everyone in the room.

Seeing everyone's eyes glued to Cao Longyan while he, a "peerless beauty," was completely ignored, Wang Dong felt a bit petty. He puffed out his cheeks, pouted, and complained in a low, aggrieved voice to Cao Longyan and Huo Yuhao.

"Look at them, they're so shallow! They only look at faces and not strength. I'm clearly very handsome too, so why is no one paying attention to me?"

Watching his narcissistic display, Cao Longyan and Huo Yuhao immediately distanced themselves from him, shaking their heads helplessly with a soft sigh.

They didn't know such a narcissistic guy...

Cao Longyan didn't care about the surrounding gazes and walked straight to an empty seat by the window.

But just as he sat down, before Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong could follow to sit beside him, several quick-witted girls rushed over, instantly filling every empty seat around Cao Longyan.

The speed was so fast that it left Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, who were not far behind, stunned.

Watching this scene, Wang Dong complained frantically in his heart.

Is it really necessary? So what if he's a bit handsome... Do they have to fight over the seats next to him?

He turned his head and said stubbornly to Huo Yuhao.

"Hmph, who cares about sitting with him? Yuhao, let's find our own seats!"

Huo Yuhao stood to the side, watching Cao Longyan being surrounded by girls, and couldn't help but sigh.

Longyan, he really is popular...

But the next second, before Huo Yuhao could respond to Wang Dong, he witnessed a lightning-fast change in expression.

Seeing that there were no seats left around Cao Longyan, the girls turned their heads, and their gazes fell upon Wang Dong.

It had to be said that Wang Dong's appearance was indeed outstanding. Though slightly inferior to Cao Longyan, he was still a rare, peerless handsome man, and he instantly attracted the attention of many girls.

Feeling the burning gazes of the crowd, Wang Dong immediately straightened his back, a proud smile curling his lips. He tossed his powder-blue short hair, pretended to be cold and aloof to ignore their stares, and walked straight to an empty seat to sit down. Enjoying the treatment of being surrounded, his previous petty mood vanished in an instant.

Huo Yuhao looked at Wang Dong, whose expression changed faster than flipping a book, and was left speechless.

Seriously, man, your speed of changing faces is just too fast...

Complaints aside, he found an empty seat toward the back and sat down.

Beside him sat a beautiful girl with an arrogant temperament, somewhat similar to how Wang Dong looked when Huo Yuhao first met him. She held her head high and didn't even glance at Huo Yuhao, her eyes fixed straight toward the direction of Cao Longyan and Wang Dong.

However, Huo Yuhao didn't feel uncomfortable about being ignored.

His goal was clear: to work hard to become stronger and avenge his mother as soon as possible. As for the gazes of others, he didn't care at all.

He sat up straight, his eyes fixed firmly on the podium, waiting for the teacher to arrive.

Not long after, the bell rang, and the noisy classroom instantly fell silent. Everyone's eyes were cast toward the podium.

A gray-haired old woman in a white robe walked from the classroom door to the podium in just a few steps.

Cao Longyan raised his eyes and recognized the teacher at a glance.

Zhou Yi, the "Devil Instructor" famous in Shrek's outer courtyard. She appeared strict and harsh, but she actually cherished talent and had extremely high standards for her students. She could be considered the mentor who started Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong on their path in the original story.

However, he didn't fully agree with her educational philosophy...

Zhou Yi stood on the podium, her gaze sweeping across the class. Her tone was stern and cold, and the pressure instantly filled everyone's hearts.

"My name is Zhou Yi, and I am your homeroom teacher. I am not sure..."

Just as in Cao Longyan's memories, he couldn't be bothered to listen further and simply closed his eyes to rest.

After delivering her harsh ultimatum, Zhou Yi paused, her gaze sweeping over the shocked faces of the students. She naturally noticed Cao Longyan, who sat with his eyes closed, but she ignored him, instead throwing out a question that caught everyone off guard.

"Since the registration period began, everyone who has been in a fight, stand up."

This sentence left everyone in the class, save for Cao Longyan, completely stunned.

The classroom fell silent for a moment, and eventually, only Huo Yuhao slowly stood up.

Wang Dong was taken aback. Seeing Huo Yuhao rise, he hesitated for a moment before standing up as well.

The eyes of the entire class instantly converged upon the two of them.

Zhou Yi looked at the pair standing there and raised an eyebrow.

"Only two? What a bunch of trash! Everyone else, get out there and run one hundred laps around the plaza. If you don't finish, you're expelled!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than one student stood up.

"Teacher, I disagree. Why should only those who have fought be exempt from punishment?"

A massive wave of soul power pressure instantly erupted from Zhou Yi. The aura of a six-ring Soul Emperor swept across the room, leaving all the freshmen gasping for air.

Zhou Yi spoke coldly to the rest of them.

"Because I said so... I am your homeroom teacher, and I have the authority to expel any student. If you don't like it, you can get out! I'll give you one minute. If you aren't at the plaza starting your run by then, you're all expelled!"

Under the crushing pressure, no one in the class dared to resist further. They rose silently, preparing to leave the classroom, as none of them wanted to lose this hard-won opportunity.

Yet, just as everyone stood up and prepared to head out, Cao Longyan remained seated, motionless. He slowly opened his eyes, a cold smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. A sneer rang out clearly through the classroom, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao turned pale, quickly looking toward Cao Longyan with wide eyes, frantically mouthing words at him.

Longyan, don't be reckless!

In their eyes, Cao Longyan had truly lost his mind to openly provoke this devilish instructor while under the weight of her pressure.

The other freshmen also looked at Cao Longyan with confusion, their eyes filled with disbelief.

What was he trying to do? They didn't want to be expelled!

Zhou Yi snapped her head up, staring straight at Cao Longyan. Her forehead furrowed, and her eyebrows knit together in a deep frown. "You dare not stand? And you dare to sneer? Do you want to be expelled by me right now?"

But no one knew that, at this moment, Zhou Yi's heart was filled with intense curiosity.

This child was only eleven or twelve years old, yet he showed no fear in the face of her six-ring Soul Emperor pressure. To be so calm and unaffected—what exactly was his background?

Meanwhile, Cao Longyan remained in his seat, his expression indifferent. He met Zhou Yi's gaze with calm eyes, showing not a shred of fear. A direct confrontation between a freshman and the devilish instructor was now on the verge of erupting.

The atmosphere in the entire classroom instantly turned incredibly heavy. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Cao Longyan's response, curious to see what kind of waves this mysterious, handsome youth would stir up.