Soul Ascension Pill, Nine-Tailed Fox Cui Yajie

Su Ling held his head high with his chest puffed out, his left hand behind his back and his right hand pointing accusingly at Cheng Kai, firmly occupying the moral high ground.

Even Xuan Zi, who was observing from the shadows, couldn't help but give a thumbs-up, chuckling as he took a sip of his wine.

The Su kid is starting to care about the glory of Shrek; this is a good sign. Suddenly, he turned his gaze toward Cheng Kai, his eyes shifting to one of pure disgust.

Hmph, relying on a piece-of-trash Titled Douluo backing him, he dares to throw his weight around in Shrek. It seems a lesson is in order.

Although such bullying occurred daily in the unseen corners of the Outer Court, the teachers would choose to turn a blind eye as long as things didn't get too out of hand.

After all, this wasn't the Inner Court.

But things were different now; Su Ling was involved, and Xuan Zi would absolutely not allow such things to happen again.

If Su Ling were to develop a negative opinion of Shrek and grow resentful or alienated because of it, he wouldn't even have a place to cry!

"You, go call Du Weilun over here."

Xuan Zi casually picked a sixth-year student.

"Yes, Elder Xuan!"

The student clearly recognized Xuan Zi and felt immensely honored, sprinting away at full speed.

Over at the cafeteria, Cui Yajie saw Su Ling standing up for her, and the grievances she had suppressed in her heart erupted in that instant.

She fought back the tears threatening to spill, looking at Su Ling with watery eyes as her voice choked up, "Thank you, thank you... I..."

Su Ling turned his head, revealing a perfectly measured gentleness, and nodded slightly as he wiped the tear from the corner of her eye.

Though he said nothing, it was as if he had said everything.

[Cui Yajie favorability +20, obtained 200 conquest points]

[Cui Yajie favorability +15, obtained 150 conquest points]

[S-rank Goddess - Cui Yajie's favorability has reached 20. Does the host wish to bind?]

"Bind."

[Ding, binding successful!]

The accusations from the surrounding crowd grew louder and louder.

The content of their words became increasingly outrageous.

Cheng Kai realized he couldn't let this continue; if this matter reached the upper echelons of Shrek, he would be finished.

Never mind him.

Even the entire Cheng Estate, and perhaps even his uncle Cheng Gang, would be implicated!

Su Ling prepared to add more fuel to the fire.

Cheng Kai panicked.

"Shut your mouth!!"

Cheng Kai's eyes widened in fury as he unleashed his Martial Soul and swung his fist violently at Su Ling!

A phantom image of his Martial Soul appeared alongside Cheng Kai's fist.

It was a pitch-black Giant Ant.

"Watch out!!"

Cui Yajie cried out in alarm, her Nine-Tailed Fox Martial Soul instantly manifesting as she prepared to release a charm to intercept Cheng Kai.

Su Ling gave Cui Yajie a reassuring look, his smile never wavering; he didn't take Cheng Kai seriously in the slightest.

Whoosh—

The fist whistled through the air.

Su Ling raised one hand and easily caught the ferocious punch, remaining unmoved no matter how hard Cheng Kai struggled.

"This is impossible!!"

Cheng Kai's face drained of color; he felt as if his hand had been clamped tight by iron pliers.

The onlookers were stunned, and the pink luster that had just ignited in Cui Yajie's eyes flickered out, replaced by a look of sheer wonder.

One had to remember that Cheng Kai's Martial Soul was the Thousand-Force Ant Emperor!

It was renowned for its strength and ranked among the very best of all power-type Martial Souls.

Not to mention, he was a level 26 Great Soul Master.

A punch from Cheng Kai in his Martial Soul-possessed state was something not even an Outer Court teacher would dare underestimate, let alone a freshman!

Yet, what were they seeing before their eyes?

Su Ling had caught it barehanded, relying solely on his physical body! And he looked completely at ease!

Was this really a freshman??

Yet, two seconds later, a scene that shocked them even more unfolded.

Su Ling's eyes shifted from amusement to sharp intensity in an instant. With a swift, snapping motion of his hands, he pivoted and threw Cheng Kai toward a row of empty seats.

The entire sequence was clean and crisp, executed with astonishing speed.

Crash—

Cheng Kai knocked over two tables in his flight.

The surroundings fell deathly silent, leaving only the rustling sound of chairs and tables colliding where he had landed.

Cheng Kai propped himself up and stumbled to his feet.

Suddenly, he spat, and a blood-stained tooth clattered to the floor, bouncing twice.

Pfft—

Someone couldn't hold back a laugh, and like a domino effect, jeers and mockery erupted throughout the room.

Listening to the ridicule ringing in his ears, Cheng Kai's eyes turned bloodshot, and he wheezed like an ox.

He was furious—absolutely livid!

Two yellow spirit rings lit up beneath his feet, and he unleashed two spirit skills in succession, determined to crush Su Ling to vent his hatred.

Just as he took a single step forward:

"Stop!"

A command filled with immense pressure thundered through the room.

Cheng Kai's spirit instantly dissipated, and he collapsed to his knees, his head pressed against the floor as if held down by an invisible, massive hand.

Before the crowd could even process what had happened, a tall, clean-shaven teacher with a dark expression strode over, followed closely by two teachers from the disciplinary department.

"Cheng Kai! You have some nerve!"

"Causing trouble in the cafeteria, bullying classmates, threatening a classmate's family, and even daring to use your spirit in public to commit violence—do you think I, the director of the disciplinary department, don't exist!?"

Du Weilun's chest heaved as he pointed at the kneeling Cheng Kai, berating him in a fit of rage.

"As of now, you are expelled. Shrek does not need students with such vile character. And go back and tell Giant Strength Douluo that Shrek requires an explanation for today's events!"

With that, Du Weilun waved his hand.

The two teachers behind him stepped forward and dragged Cheng Kai out of the cafeteria like a dead dog.

The entire process was smooth and efficient.

"My apologies, children. I'm sorry you were frightened. This is the academy's compensation for you."

Du Weilun trotted over to Su Ling and his two companions, pulling three exquisite small boxes from his robes.

Zhu Lu pointed at herself, looking surprised. "Ah? I get one too?"

"Yes, this was specially approved by the academy for you. Please, accept them."

The three took the boxes, and Su Ling opened a corner of his.

Inside lay a pill, emerald green from end to end.

"Soul Ascension Pill?"

Zhu Lu and Cui Yajie exclaimed in unison.

The Soul Ascension Pill, as the name suggested, was a pill that increased spirit power. Its medicinal properties were mild and easy to absorb, but its drawback was that one could only consume a single pill in a lifetime, and it only had an effect on spirit masters below level 40.

However, for freshmen, a Soul Ascension Pill that could increase one's spirit power by a level without side effects was undoubtedly a rare treasure!

Seeing the two young girls admiring the pills and noting that Su Ling had no objections, Du Weilun breathed a sigh of relief.

He then turned to the crowd of students, his expression solemn. "Children, rest assured. I will strictly supervise such matters in the future and ensure that such despicable incidents never happen again!"

Having said that, he bowed deeply to the students, his attitude appearing extremely sincere.

"Director Du is wise!"

"With teachers like you, Shrek will surely continue to thrive!"

The students began to shower Du Weilun with flattery.

Du Weilun accepted it all, responding to everyone with a smile.

The farce had been quelled.

The students who had gathered to watch the spectacle dispersed, and Du Weilun gave Su Ling a slight nod before leaving the cafeteria as well.

"Um, thank you. This is for you..."

After hesitating for a long time, Cui Yajie gathered her courage, gently tugged at Su Ling's sleeve, and spoke in a soft tone.

"I already have one. I can't use yours, so keep it for yourself."

Looking at the small box she held out—the Soul Ascension Pill Du Weilun had just given her—Su Ling shook his head in refusal.

"This is the best thing I have; you could take it and trade it for other resources."

"I just wanted to thank you. Aside from Lulu, you are the first person who has ever helped me."

Besides, you are also the best-looking boy I have ever seen...

Of course, she only said that part in her heart.