It's Not Just That You're Awesome, But You're Also Showing Off Your Affection

Cao Longyan's effortless completion of the challenge had already left every new student itching to try.

They acknowledged that Cao Longyan was a monster, but who among them wasn't a genius who had stood out from their peers back home? The pride and competitive spirit in their bones made them unwilling to be mere foils for Cao Longyan; they wanted to prove themselves.

Within moments, a new student gathered the courage to step forward. Soon after, the others lined up, each approaching Zhou Yi with a smile to issue their challenge.

Watching this scene, Zhou Yi nodded, a glimmer of approval flashing in her eyes.

Her original goal had been to temper the new students, and Cao Longyan's appearance had ignited their fighting spirit far more effectively than her constant pressure and threats of punishment ever could. She readily accepted every challenge.

However, as the challenges progressed, the atmosphere on the field grew heavy. The faces of the new students turned grim, their eyes gradually clouded by despair.

They gave their all, pushing their martial souls and unleashing soul skills, yet even when Zhou Yi used only the same soul skills and soul power, they were no match for her.

Often, they were repelled by her soul power pressure in a single exchange, unable to last even a tenth of the time it took for an incense stick to burn.

Zhou Yi's eyes, which had been wide open, began to droop, losing their luster.

Having witnessed Cao Longyan's breathtaking performance, seeing the others fall so easily left her feeling a profound sense of disappointment.

They say it's best not to meet someone too brilliant too early; looking at this, it really is true...

Yet, to her surprise, although more and more students were running laps around the plaza, not a single one complained, nor did anyone give up or collapse in despair.

Everyone gritted their teeth, taking firm steps as they ran, their uniforms soaked with sweat. Though they were panting, their eyes grew increasingly bright.

This lopsided challenge had shown them clearly the distance between themselves and a top-tier genius, and it had thoroughly ignited their fighting spirit.

Since they weren't as good as Cao Longyan now, they would just have to work twice as hard and chase him with everything they had!

Watching the vibrant, motivated figures on the plaza, Zhou Yi felt no frustration or retreat. Her drooping eyelids lifted, her gaze regained its brilliance, and a distinct curve formed at the corner of her mouth.

At the same time, she subconsciously glanced at the indifferent Cao Longyan nearby, feeling a wave of emotion.

If not for Cao Longyan, she might still be using extreme methods to force her students, and these newcomers would only be passively obedient out of fear, likely never sparking such a soaring fighting spirit.

What Cao Longyan brought was not just a shock to their strength, but a transformation of the entire class atmosphere. This child would undoubtedly be a pillar of Shrek in the future—he was the future of Shrek!

However, in this challenge, Cao Longyan was not the only one to successfully last the full duration of the incense stick.

There were also Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and a shy, petite girl with green hair.

Cao Longyan scanned the group and recognized the shy, petite green-haired girl instantly: it was Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao clutched the corner of her shirt, hiding behind Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. Her large, watery eyes peeked at Cao Longyan through the gap between them, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

As Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong reached Cao Longyan, Wang Dong looked at himself and Huo Yuhao—who were practically half-dead—then at Cao Longyan, who looked as if nothing had happened, and said in a near-breakdown.

"Longyan, are you even human?"

Cao Longyan remained indifferent.

"Not really, it was quite simple."

Hearing this, Wang Dong wanted nothing more than to punch him twice, but fortunately, Huo Yuhao reacted in time to hold him back.

"Longyan, stop putting on an act. I will definitely surpass you one day."

Cao Longyan spread his hands.

"Wang Dong, then I wish for your dream to come true."

Wang Dong scratched his head, confused as to why he was suddenly encouraging him. He turned to Huo Yuhao and asked.

"Yuhao, what does he mean by that?"

Huo Yuhao asked awkwardly.

"Do you really want me to say it?"

"Please, Yuhao."

Huo Yuhao shook his head and sighed.

"Longyan is telling you to stop daydreaming."

"Hey... Cao Longyan!"

Wang Dong realized the meaning and wanted to land a few punches on Cao Longyan again, but Huo Yuhao stopped him once more.

Just then, Xiao Xiao twisted the hem of her uniform skirt with her fingertips. She hesitated for a full half-minute, her face turning bright red, before finally gathering the courage to shuffle toward them one small step at a time.

However, she had only one target in mind.

She kept her head down the entire time, her gaze fixed firmly on the tips of her shoes. Her long eyelashes fluttered incessantly, her earlobes were stained with a crimson blush, and her voice was soft, carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling.

"F-fellow student..."

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong turned around first. Thinking she was a fan, Wang Dong immediately struck what he considered a handsome pose. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Xiao Xiao walk right past him toward Cao Longyan.

Wang Dong instantly turned to stone, while Huo Yuhao couldn't help but cover his mouth to stifle a laugh.

Wang Dong knelt on the ground, pounding it with his fists.

How could he have forgotten about this guy, Cao Longyan...

She reached Cao Longyan, lifted her eyes slightly to steal a quick glance at him, and immediately lowered her head again.

"My name is Xiao Xiao. M-may I ask what your name is?"

Cao Longyan looked at her calmly, bending down with a gentleness that Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong had never heard from him before.

"Hello, classmate Xiao Xiao. My name is Cao Longyan."

Xiao Xiao's heart skipped a beat.

He doesn't seem as cold as he looks. He's so gentle...

"O-okay, thank you, classmate Cao Longyan..."

She didn't dare linger, terrified that a lapse in judgment might leave a bad impression on him. She turned and jogged toward the track.

She had to become stronger, too!

However, before she had gone far, she heard that loudmouth Wang Dong.

"Wait, Longyan, what's going on with you? You don't like that girl, do you?!"

Xiao Xiao stumbled immediately, catching her foot on a drainage grate in the plaza. Her body pitched forward uncontrollably; having exhausted almost all her energy in the challenge against Zhou Yi, and caught off guard by the sudden trip, she couldn't react in time and was about to face-plant into the ground.

It's over...

Just then, Cao Longyan moved at a speed invisible to the naked eye, appearing at her side to catch her before she hit the ground.

Having already closed her eyes to accept the social suicide, she felt her body being propped up. When she opened her eyes, she saw Cao Longyan's incredibly handsome face.

"Are you alright, classmate Xiao Xiao?"

Her face flushed bright red instantly. She lowered her head, not daring to look at him, and whispered.

"Th-thank you, classmate Cao Longyan..."

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, still standing where they were, were completely stunned.

Wait, where did Cao Longyan go?

They turned around to search for him, only to see a scene that made their jaws drop.

In that split second, Cao Longyan had reached the other side of the plaza and was standing right next to that girl!

They looked at each other, then back and forth between their position and Cao Longyan's, noting the large crater left behind where he had been standing.

No way, how did he do that?

Zhou Yi also noticed Cao Longyan and Xiao Xiao, but her eyes widened involuntarily, and her mouth fell slightly agape.

Cao Longyan's speed was even greater than what she, a Spirit Emperor, could burst out with.

The students who had finished their laps stared at the scene, their faces full of confusion.

Seriously, man? It's bad enough you're talented, but do you have to be flaunting your romance on the very first day?!