Cao Longyan completed the challenge with ease, and the new students were already itching to give it a try.
They admitted Cao Longyan was a monster, but every one of them had stood out among the talents from all over. They were the cream of the crop among their peers. Their pride and competitive spirit wouldn't let them settle for being mere foils to Cao Longyan. They wanted to prove themselves, too.
Before long, one new student plucked up the courage to step forward. Then the others lined up, one after another, smiling as they challenged Zhou Yi.
Watching this, Zhou Yi nodded, a trace of approval flashing in her eyes.
She had wanted to temper the new students, and Cao Longyan's appearance had ignited their fighting spirit. It worked far better than her constant pressure, threats, and punishments. She readily accepted every challenge.
But as the challenges went on, the mood on the field grew heavier. The new students' expressions turned increasingly grim, and despair gradually clouded their eyes.
They gave it everything they had, calling forth their Martial Souls and unleashing their Soul Skills. Yet even when Zhou Yi used only the same Soul Skills and Soul Power they did, these brand-new students couldn't stand against her.
More often than not, they were forced back by the pressure of her Soul Power at the first clash. None could hold out for even a tenth of an incense stick.
Zhou Yi's eyes, which had been wide open, drooped. Their bright glint faded.
After seeing Cao Longyan's dazzling performance, watching everyone else fall so easily left her disappointed by the stark contrast.
They said you shouldn't meet someone too incredible too soon. Looking at this, it really was true...
But to her surprise, although more and more new students were running laps around the square, not one complained, and not one gave up and collapsed to the ground.
They all gritted their teeth and ran around the square with determined strides. Sweat soaked their uniforms, and they panted for breath, yet their eyes shone ever brighter.
This lopsided challenge had shown them exactly how far they stood from a top talent, and it had thoroughly roused their fighting spirit.
If they weren't as good as Cao Longyan now, then they would work twice as hard and chase after him with all they had!
Watching the energetic, fired-up students running around the square, Zhou Yi saw no dejection and no retreat. Her drooping eyelids lifted again, her eyes brightening as the corners of her mouth curved into a clear smile.
At the same time, she glanced instinctively at Cao Longyan, who stood calmly nearby, and felt a rush of emotions.
If not for Cao Longyan, perhaps she would still be using extreme methods to pressure her students. The new students would only obey passively out of fear, and they might never have found such high spirits.
Cao Longyan had brought more than a shock in strength. He had changed the atmosphere of the entire class. This child would absolutely become a pillar of Shrek—and the future of Shrek!
Still, Cao Longyan wasn't the only one who had lasted an incense stick during the challenge.
There were also Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and a petite, shy girl with green hair.
Cao Longyan's gaze swept over them, and he recognized the shy, petite girl with green hair at once. It was Xiao Xiao.
Xiao Xiao clutched the hem of her clothes and hid behind Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. Her large, bright eyes peered at Cao Longyan through the gap between them, her cheeks flushed.
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had just walked up to Cao Longyan. Wang Dong looked at himself and Huo Yuhao, who were both barely clinging to life, then at Cao Longyan, who looked as if nothing had happened. He said in despair,
"Longyan, are you some kind of monster...?"
Cao Longyan, however, remained perfectly calm.
"Not really. It was pretty easy."
Hearing this, Wang Dong wanted to punch him twice. Fortunately, Huo Yuhao reacted in time and held Wang Dong back.
"Longyan, quit showing off. I'll definitely surpass you one day."
Cao Longyan shrugged.
"Wang Dong, then I hope your dream comes true."
Wang Dong scratched his head, confused. Why was he suddenly encouraging her? He turned to Huo Yuhao and asked,
"Yuhao, what does he mean?"
Huo Yuhao asked awkwardly,
"Do you really want me to tell you?"
"Please, Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao shook his head and sighed.
"Longyan's telling you to stop dreaming."
"Huh... Cao Longyan!"
Wang Dong finally caught on and tried to punch Cao Longyan again, but Huo Yuhao stopped her once more.
Just then, Xiao Xiao's fingers twisted the hem of her uniform skirt. She hesitated for a full half minute, her little face burning red, before finally working up the courage to shuffle over to them, one tiny step at a time.
But she had only one person in mind.
She kept her head down the whole time, staring fixedly at the tips of her shoes. Her long eyelashes trembled, her ears flushed scarlet, and her soft voice quavered ever so slightly.
"C-classmate..."
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong turned around first. Thinking she was one of his admirers, Wang Dong immediately struck what he considered a very handsome pose and was about to speak. Then he saw Xiao Xiao pass him by and head for Cao Longyan, who stood behind him.
Wang Dong froze on the spot, while Huo Yuhao couldn't help covering his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Wang Dong dropped to his knees and pounded the ground with both hands.
How could he have forgotten Cao Longyan was there...?
She stopped in front of Cao Longyan and raised her eyes slightly. She darted him a quick glance, then immediately lowered her head again.
"My name is Xiao Xiao. C-could I ask what your name is?"
Cao Longyan looked at her calmly and bent down. His voice was gentler than Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had ever heard from him.
"Hello, Xiao Xiao. My name is Cao Longyan."
Xiao Xiao's heart skipped a beat.
He didn't seem as cold as he looked. He was so gentle...
"O-okay. Thank you, Cao Longyan..."
She didn't dare linger any longer, afraid she might say something foolish and leave a bad impression. She turned and jogged toward the track.
She had to become stronger, too!
But before she had gone far, she heard Wang Dong's big mouth.
"Wait, Longyan, what's going on with you? Don't tell me you like that girl!"
Xiao Xiao stumbled at once, tripping over a drainage hole in the square. Her body pitched forward uncontrollably. The challenge with Zhou Yi had nearly drained her completely, and it had happened so suddenly that she couldn't react. She was about to hit the ground.
Oh no...
At that moment, Cao Longyan reached her at a speed invisible to the naked eye and caught Xiao Xiao before she fell.
She had already closed her eyes, bracing herself for this mortifying moment. Then she felt something supporting her body. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Cao Longyan's incredibly handsome face.
"Xiao Xiao, are you all right?"
Her face instantly turned scarlet. She lowered her head and didn't dare look at him again, only murmuring,
"Th-thank you, Cao Longyan..."
Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, still where they'd been, were completely dumbfounded.
Wait, where had Cao Longyan gone?
They turned around to search for him and saw a sight that nearly made their jaws hit the ground.
In that instant, Cao Longyan had somehow crossed to the other side of the square's center—and was standing right beside the girl from before!
They looked at each other, then back and forth between themselves and Cao Longyan, and finally at the huge crater where he had been standing.
Wait, how had he done that?
Zhou Yi had noticed Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao, too. Her eyes had widened involuntarily, and her mouth had fallen slightly open.
Cao Longyan's speed was every bit as great as—or even greater than—the burst of speed she could manage as a Soul Emperor.
The students who had finished their laps saw this and were just as baffled.
Bro, it's one thing to be impressive, but why are you showing off your romance on the very first day?!
Before you continue