First Encounter with Ling Luochen

Hearing Huo Yuhao's idea, Wang Dong hesitated instead. She looked at him, her expression troubled as she asked, "Will this work?"

Huo Yuhao climbed down from the windowsill and waved at Wang Dong. "I'll say this first: it's a terrible idea. If you don't feel secure about it, just be a fitness student obediently. In the long run, working out isn't bad either. There may not be many benefits, but there aren't any downsides, right?"

Wang Dong immediately rolled her eyes. "Nonsense. You're not the one running, so of course you think there's no downside. After running all morning, I feel like even my seniority's been worn down."

Huo Yuhao smiled at Wang Dong's words. At this point, Wang Dong had talked herself into it. Gritting her teeth, she said, "To hell with it. Even if I really get expelled from Shrek Academy, I refuse to stay under that old hag any longer."

That afternoon, the biggest piece of news in Shrek Academy's Outer Court became the fact that someone had openly gone against Zhou Yi. After Zhou Yi sent her to the Academic Affairs Office, she had actually overturned Zhou Yi's expulsion order.

No one knew what Wang Dong and Du Weilun had discussed during those few minutes, but Du Weilun changed his attitude after coming out. He firmly protected Wang Dong and transferred her into Class Two, where Mu Jin was the teacher.

The next morning, the first order of business for the new Class Two was, without question, a welcome ceremony for Wang Dong.

If she had been some wealthy child shoved into the class at the last minute, Mu Jin might not have treated her so well. But since she had been demoted to Class Two after clashing with Zhou Yi, Mu Jin's attitude was naturally much friendlier.

Faintly, Mu Jin even seemed inclined to strongly support Wang Dong.

Next came the class leader selection that every class had to go through. The difference was that Mu Jin did not let the students compete. After looking through the roster, he personally decided who would take the position.

"Based on everyone's current Soul Power levels, Wang Dong will be our class leader. Student Wang Dong, you should also get to know everyone in the class as soon as possible." Mu Jin smiled at Wang Dong. She shrugged, seemingly unconcerned about the position and merely relieved to have escaped Zhou Yi's devilish training.

Huo Yuhao merely told Wang Dong in a low voice about the students he knew. Seeing that she was not interested, he stopped talking.

Throughout the rest of the day's classes, Wang Dong listened with exceptional attentiveness and quickly got the hang of her duties as class leader.

Huo Yuhao sat in front of her, still propping his chin on one hand as he stared out the window, pondering where else in Shrek Academy he could check in and trigger the system's special effects.

Compared with orthodox soul master cultivation, activating the system was still much faster.

After the afternoon lessons ended, there was still some time before sunset. Huo Yuhao left the academy gates again and wandered about leisurely.

After circling the outskirts of Shrek City several times without finding any opportunity to trigger the special eyes, Huo Yuhao could only give up.

As if guided by some unseen force, he made his way into a tavern in Shrek City.

After leaving the academy, Huo Yuhao had deliberately changed out of his uniform and into casual clothes.

The tavern owner glanced at Huo Yuhao but did not try too hard to dissuade him. He merely recommended that he start by trying something low-proof.

Huo Yuhao ordered an ordinary drink that was neither especially weak nor especially strong. He poured himself a cup, drank it alone, and let out a long breath.

This was the first time in so long that Huo Yuhao had allowed himself a small act of indulgence. After all, the taste of alcohol had not changed much, whether in the Douluo World or in his former world.

Savoring this drink was also a way to remember his ordinary days on Blue Star.

The human body had mechanisms for protecting emotions. When feelings became too intense, part of them would be hidden away, only to be triggered again after a certain amount of time.

After a cup of wine went down, the emotions that Huo Yuhao's protective mechanism had tucked away began to surge forth—the sickening feeling of killing, his longing for home...

All those chaotic emotions poured out completely with that single drink, and a thin sheen of sweat rose on Huo Yuhao's forehead.

Just as he was about to pour himself a second cup, a cool voice came from behind him. "Junior, Shrek Academy's student rules say that drinking is forbidden."

Huo Yuhao did not even turn around. In a calm tone, he instinctively retorted, "Miss, I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

Accompanied by a fragrant breeze, a figure with a chilly aura sat down beside Huo Yuhao. She also ordered a drink that was not particularly strong, then said to him, "I had just returned from a mission on the day you enrolled, so I remember your face very clearly."

Huo Yuhao glanced sideways at her. Her skin was snow-white, her flesh and bones seemingly sculpted from ice and jade, and her face carried a maturity beyond that of Huo Yuhao's classmates.

"Fine, my bad luck. But I'm not wearing a school uniform right now, so strictly speaking, I'm not a student of Shrek Academy." Huo Yuhao curled his lips slightly. He had some guesses about her identity, but he did not expose them rashly and instead calmly defended himself.

The woman nodded, a trace of amusement appearing in her eyes. "It was only a chance encounter at first. I had just returned from another mission and happened to see you wandering around the city. I got curious and took a look. I didn't expect you to be rather interesting."

Huo Yuhao gave a light cough. Borrowing a bit of drunken courage, he looked at her and said, "My name is Huo Yuhao. May I have the honor of learning your name, Senior?"

The woman smiled softly, then spoke the name Huo Yuhao had long expected.

"Hello, Junior Huo. My name is Ling Luochen..."