Huo Yuhao: "When did it become your place to decide my affairs?"

Goodwill does not appear out of thin air, yet at times, malice is indistinguishable from it in its outward expression.

On Monday after class, Fan Yu, a high-level teacher at the Soul Guidance Department who had also conducted Huo Yuhao's soul master rank assessment, made a special trip to Class Ten to find him.

In Zhang Lexuan's office, Fan Yu smiled as he relayed the Sea God Pavilion's resolution to Huo Yuhao: in the coming days, both the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Guidance Department would focus their efforts on cultivating him.

Furthermore, he was willing to take on another disciple and personally guide Huo Yuhao in the knowledge of soul guidance devices.

Just as Fan Yu prepared to announce his intention to take him as a disciple, he caught sight of Huo Yuhao's eyes and couldn't help but freeze.

Those blue eyes were clear and calm, yet in Fan Yu's gaze, they seemed to reflect a tsunami of churning fury.

"However, I would like to ask: since when did my affairs become something for you all to decide?"

"!!!"

Fan Yu's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Huo Yuhao, and even Zhang Lexuan, standing to the side, was momentarily stunned.

Zhang Lexuan had been quite pleased initially; although Huo Yuhao hadn't been promoted directly to the Inner Court, receiving direct cultivation from both the Martial Soul and Soul Guidance Departments meant he would gain access to far more resources, which was a good thing for him.

But she hadn't expected this kid to suddenly blurt out such a statement.

The information regarding the Sea God Pavilion, the highest decision-making body, was not yet meant for Huo Yuhao to know, but Fan Yu had clearly told him that this was a study plan tailored specifically for him by the academy's top brass!

Shouldn't the normal reaction be to thank the academy for its cultivation and promise to study hard so as not to let them down?

Why...

Before Fan Yu could even finish that thought, he was cut off by Huo Yuhao's blunt interruption.

"How I study and what I study is my own business; I have my own plans. But you decided my path of cultivation without ever asking for my consent—isn't that a bit too overbearing!?"

Fan Yu frowned, displeased. "You are still young and don't understand the academy's good intentions! This is..."

Huo Yuhao interrupted Fan Yu once again. "If Shrek Academy is just going to impose its own will upon students so willfully, then this place truly isn't suitable for me!"

"..."

It took Fan Yu two seconds to digest the meaning behind Huo Yuhao's words.

A student actually dared to speak ill of Shrek?!

"Huo Yuhao! Do you know what you are saying?!" He slammed his palm onto the table with force and stood up in anger, releasing his eight soul rings. The soul power pressure belonging to a Soul Douluo swept toward Huo Yuhao like a tidal wave.

The overwhelming pressure struck, causing Huo Yuhao to stagger and nearly fall to the ground. However, golden light swirled in the depths of his eyes, and golden spiritual power covered his entire body like flowing water. Though his body trembled slightly, he stubbornly refused to collapse.

Fan Yu's expression shifted slightly. A Soul Grandmaster standing firm before the pressure of a Soul Douluo—was this even human?

And the intensity of this spiritual power... why hadn't such a genius been rushed into the Inner Court? He truly didn't know what those higher-ups were thinking.

"Teacher Fan Yu, retract your martial soul!"

A cold yet dignified voice rang out, accompanied by even stronger spiritual and soul power that silently pushed back Fan Yu's aura.

Fan Yu's heart trembled as a sense of danger emanated from behind him, and he couldn't help but turn his head toward the source of the voice.

Zhang Lexuan stood there with an unkind expression, a bright, clear moon rising behind her, along with eight terrifying soul rings: two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red.

She walked to Huo Yuhao's side and supported his arm. "Yuhao is my student; it is not for others to lecture him!"

Fan Yu swallowed hard, his gaze uncontrollably drawn to the solid, blood-red hundred-thousand-year soul ring on Zhang Lexuan.

The Inner Court's recognized top genius, Zhang Lexuan, was indeed worthy of her reputation.

With a huff, Fan Yu retracted his martial soul and soul rings.

Huo Yuhao nodded to Zhang Lexuan in gratitude, then straightened his back and said sternly, "There is one thing I must declare: Teacher Fan Yu, and the academy higher-ups behind you! No one can force me to do things I do not like!"

Fan Yu pursed his lips, noticing Zhang Lexuan's hostile expression, and softened his tone slightly. "It isn't about forcing you; this was done to customize a better study plan for you."

"I am indeed just a small student, but I hope the academy's higher-ups can at least respect my own opinion." Huo Yuhao snorted coldly. "If one day the academy feels that Huo Yuhao should no longer remain here, please let me know. I can leave at any time!"

"You..." Fan Yu finally lost his patience, but instead of arguing further with Huo Yuhao, he turned to look at Zhang Lexuan.

"The student taught by Teacher Zhang is truly something else..."

Zhang Lexuan gave a dismissive huff. "I will accept Teacher Fan Yu's praise with gratitude."

Fan Yu's lips twitched a few times, and for reasons unknown, he flicked his sleeves and left.

Huo Yuhao let out a breath, calming the dissatisfaction in his heart, and turned to Zhang Lexuan with an apologetic look. "Sorry, Teacher Zhang, for the harsh words that put you in a difficult position..."

She shook her head, said nothing, and sat back down in her chair. She reached out, grabbed Huo Yuhao's hand, and pulled him toward her, making him sit on her lap.

"Hey, hey... this..."

The softness and fragrance coming from behind and beneath him left Huo Yuhao at a loss. Although he had basically grown accustomed to it with Ma Xiaotao, this was his teacher! If other students saw this, it might be one thing for him, but for Zhang Lexuan...

Zhang Lexuan rested her head on Huo Yuhao's shoulder and tilted it slightly. "You can be all lovey-dovey with Xiaotao every day, so why can't I?"

"Uh... this, this..."

Zhang Lexuan had no intention of continuing the topic; instead, she closed her eyes, appearing to enjoy the moment.

"How should I put it... it's just very relaxing. No wonder Xiaotao is so obsessed with you..."

Regrettably, Huo Yuhao could not clearly understand the implication of these words, and he dared not move recklessly.

In his mind, he figured it was just a big sister finding a child cute and holding him to play...

A few minutes later, a melancholy sigh reached his ears. "...Do you know, little Yuhao? I admire you. I admire your courage to say no, and your daring to resist... while I, on the other hand..."

The voice stopped abruptly, and Huo Yuhao did not know what she wanted to say.

"Sorry, I said a lot of strange things to you. Your way of thinking is good. No one can control you if you do what you like. You don't need to worry about the academy; you are my student, and no one can bully you!"

"Just as you said, go do what you want to do."