The Terminated Battle

"What do you think you're doing? Fighting so fiercely within the academy—do you have some life-and-death grudge?"

"Did you ever consider that this is the academy? Did you ever consider all those students watching by the arena?!"

"Students don't act like students, and teachers don't act like teachers!"

Principal Yu Zhen, white-haired and scholarly-looking, was glaring furiously at Xu Yue and Wu Zhangkong before him.

After berating them for a while, Yu Zhen's imposing manner eased somewhat. He turned his gaze toward Xu Yue, and his tone softened.

"Student Xu Yue, I have already understood the situation. There was indeed a reason for this matter, and it was not your fault.

"During the promotion match, you had indeed shown restraint."

Yu Zhen recalled the scene on the Intermediate Division's field.

Hundreds of rock pillars, each as thick as a person's body and more than ten meters tall, had risen in a crisscrossing formation like the fangs of giant dragons, tearing apart the specially made metal arena.

As well as the sight of Xu Yue fighting Wu Zhangkong to a standstill.

That was no longer merely showing restraint. He had practically gone easy on them to an outrageous degree.

Otherwise, if Xu Yue had simply unleashed a Gravity Domain and stood still, even Gu Yue, Class Five's strongest student, would not have lasted long.

"I know you're upset, but..." Yu Zhen's tone became stern again. "Your actions afterward, fighting so violently, were still wrong."

"Starting today, all preferential treatment you receive in Class One will be revoked as a warning."

"Of course, Tang Wulin, as the instigator, will likewise receive an appropriate punishment."

After saying that, he stared fixedly at Xu Yue, feeling a trace of unease in his heart.

But Xu Yue's next words made him breathe a sigh of relief.

"I understand, Principal! I'm willing to accept the punishment."

After his battle with Wu Zhangkong, most of the destructive urge in his heart had already been vented.

Suppressed by his spear intent, it had now calmed down.

At the same time, he felt a lingering sense of fear over what had just happened.

If Wu Zhangkong had not acted, or had failed to block that spear strike in time, allowing Tang Wulin to fall into a life-threatening crisis...

Then Tang San's divine consciousness would have been what he faced.

Hearing Xu Yue's response, Yu Zhen quietly let out a breath, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"In that case, Student Xu Yue, you may leave first. You can also go to the infirmary to have your injuries treated."

Xu Yue nodded lightly, rose from the sofa, and walked straight out of the principal's office.

The moment he stepped outside, he saw Mu Xi, Xu Xiaoyan, and the others waiting anxiously outside.

Even Xu Xiaoyu and Ouyang Zixin were there.

Both girls' eyes were slightly red. Clearly, while he had been gone, they had secretly cried.

The instant they saw Xu Yue, the two girls rushed forward and carefully examined him from head to toe, their attention eventually settling on his side.

That was where Tang Wulin had struck him.

The specks of blood on the clothes he had changed out of earlier had made both girls tremble with worry.

"A-Yue, are... are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Mu Xi asked, her voice choked with panic.

"Should we go to the infirmary? No, we should go to Skysea City, or Mingdu, and find the best healing-type Soul Master."

"Yes, Brother A-Yue," Xu Xiaoyan echoed.

"Enough, I'm fine!" Xu Yue's usual smile returned as he rubbed Mu Xi and Xu Xiaoyan's soft hair. "My injury has already healed!"

"How could a mere one-ring Soul Master possibly hurt me?"

After fusing with A Yin's origin, his body's recovery speed had become much stronger than that of ordinary people. Though he was not immortal, minor injuries meant nothing to him.

"That's good!" Mu Xi and Xu Xiaoyan sighed in relief at the same time, smiles returning to their faces, only for indignation to quickly replace them.

"That Tang Wulin is awful. Brother A-Yue had clearly already gone easy on him, yet he still resorted to a sneak attack."

"Alright! Let's not talk about this anymore."

As he spoke, Xu Yue took the two girls' hands and led everyone toward the elevator.

Yet, just as they passed the corner, a cool and aloof figure in a white dress, with black hair, entered their sight.

It was Gu Yue.

The moment Xu Xiaoyan saw Gu Yue, her expression turned hostile. She had not forgotten that Gu Yue was one of Tang Wulin's teammates.

Gu Yue ignored Xu Xiaoyan's hostility. Her gaze remained quietly fixed on Xu Yue as she softly asked, "How are you?"

"Thank you for your concern." Xu Yue smiled slightly, expressing his gratitude for her concern.

Though he did not know what exactly had happened between Tang Wulin, Na'er, and Gu Yue, it was likely that the story he remembered had changed considerably.

Otherwise, without any intervention from him, Gu Yue's soul power cultivation, the age of her soul rings, her attitude toward Tang Wulin, and everything else could not possibly have diverged so drastically.

Overall, it was a good thing.

Inside the principal's office.

After Xu Yue left, the small room fell silent.

After a long while, Yu Zhen finally looked at Wu Zhangkong and coughed. "Ahem, Teacher Wu..."

However, before he could say anything else, Wu Zhangkong rose from his seat with a cold expression, said nothing, and strode out, slamming the door behind him.

Bang!

The loud crash made Yu Zhen swallow the words that had reached his throat.

A moment later, Long Hengxu, the dean of studies sitting quietly in a corner, finally spoke cautiously.

"Principal, that punishment you gave just now... I'm afraid it'll make Wu Zhangkong dissatisfied."

Yu Zhen had clearly raised the matter high, only to let it fall lightly.

Benefits for Class One?

To Xu Yue, that probably wasn't even worth a hair.

"What else was I supposed to do?" Yu Zhen's expression was none too pleasant either. "Expel Xu Yue? Besides, today's incident wasn't Xu Yue's fault to begin with."

Eastsea Academy had finally produced a promising talent—a genius practically destined to stand at the pinnacle of the continent's powerhouses in the future.

If he expelled him, then he truly would have rocks for brains.

Besides, just a few days ago, he had promised his former superior that Eastsea Academy would make a name for itself across the entire Federation in this year's Skysea Alliance Grand Competition.

If anything went wrong now, regret would come too late.

"But..." Long Hengxu looked troubled. "Regarding the proposal for Zero Class, you intend to have Wu Zhangkong serve as its teacher. Now that things have become so unpleasant between him and Xu Yue, what if..."

"Hmph! What if what? Wu Zhangkong won't teach properly? Or he doesn't want to take over as Zero Class's homeroom teacher?"

Yu Zhen picked up the teacup on his desk and took a light sip, soothing his somewhat dry throat.

"Don't worry. He'll be willing to take it on."

"As for the teaching, I believe someone who came from Shrek wouldn't be so petty."

As he spoke, he looked at Long Hengxu and waved a hand.

"Alright, this matter ends here. There's no need to continue the first-years' promotion tournament either."

"Yes, Principal." Long Hengxu acknowledged, then left the principal's office as well.

Very soon, only Yu Zhen remained.

After a brief silence, bursts of laughter rang out from the quiet principal's office.

"Hahaha... Heaven is helping Eastsea Academy!"

"Old leader, I'm raising the stakes!!!"