After Huo Yuhao had finished expressing his views, the gazes of everyone in class gathered on him.
Zhou Yi slowly came out of her thoughts and said to Huo Yuhao with a serious expression, "Huo Yuhao, if you don't mind, may I pass your ideas on to the higher-ups? I can't refute your reasoning. Perhaps you're the one who's right."
At her words, the students began discussing in hushed voices. Some whose Martial Souls were weaker also started to feel tempted by the idea of learning about Soul Tools.
"Enough. Quiet down. Until the teaching curriculum changes, keep your minds focused on cultivating your Martial Souls. The freshman assessment rules forbid freshmen from using Soul Tools in the competition. If you don't want to be eliminated, then cultivate seriously."
Zhou Yi shouted at the students, who were beginning to get restless.
"I don't mind, Teacher Zhou. These are just some of my thoughts. It would be even better if they could help everyone."
Huo Yuhao had wanted to convey these ideas to Shrek's higher-ups in the first place, so there was no reason for him to refuse.
Yan Shaozhe, the current dean of the Martial Soul Department, might not necessarily agree with his views. After all, he was an old fogey who had long been hostile toward Soul Tools.
But Mu En, who strongly supported the development of the Soul Guidance Department, would surely approve of his ideas. For Mu En, this theory could also be an opportunity to advance the Soul Guidance Department at Shrek Academy.
Since Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion Master, had made the decision, Yan Shaozhe would have no choice but to comply, even if he was unhappy about it.
Seeing that Huo Yuhao had nothing else to add, Zhou Yi continued the lesson, explaining some knowledge about Martial Souls.
Huo Yuhao listened attentively to the theoretical material. It was very important both for his future cultivation and for condensing a Soul Core. It was basic knowledge, and there was no reason not to pay attention.
The morning passed in a flash as they studied.
"The morning's lessons are over. This afternoon, we'll continue physical training. Go back and get some proper rest at noon. For the next month, the training won't be much easier than it was today, so be prepared. Class dismissed." After Zhou Yi finished speaking, she closed her book and was the first to leave the classroom.
As soon as Zhou Yi left, the students of Class One began to complain bitterly.
Huo Yuhao didn't join in. Instead, he headed toward the cafeteria. They'd exercised far too much today; he needed to replenish himself properly.
Huo Yuhao still hadn't quite figured out where the energy that emerged from the Mysterious Heaven Skill to nourish his body under extreme physical strain came from. At any rate, there was no harm in eating more nourishing food.
Huo Yuhao got himself another serving of the most expensive tonic meal and dug in.
After eating, Huo Yuhao hurried back to the dormitory and began meditating. He could recover his body while cultivating his Soul Power.
Meanwhile, he glanced at Wang Dong, who was lying in bed taking a nap, and felt speechless. Did she really never cultivate? She napped at noon and slept at night. No wonder her Soul Power was only a little over Rank 20.
Maybe this was one of the perks of being the child of a God King?
As soon as the thought came to him, he recalled what would later happen to Wang Dong, whose divine soul would be split apart. Huo Yuhao shuddered and quickly continued meditating. In the end, it was better to rely on himself. He would keep cultivating.
With afternoon class approaching, Huo Yuhao woke from meditation and headed toward the first-year Class One classroom.
Not long after he left, Wang Dong finished her nap and followed him toward the classroom, keeping some distance behind.
At present, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong barely spoke at all. Huo Yuhao had realized that when a person was truly busy, they really didn't have time to chat with those around them.
The afternoon lesson began soon after, and Zhou Yi led all the students back to the training field.
"Put on these iron vests and start running. You're not allowed to stop until the bell rings. The last-place student in this afternoon's assessment will be expelled." Zhou Yi pointed to the vests made of refined iron and addressed the students.
Huo Yuhao still ran at full speed at the front, with the other students following behind.
Perhaps because Huo Yuhao was pushing himself so hard, some students' eyes were bloodshot from running, yet they kept going.
After all, when someone running faster than you was still pushing themselves to the limit, it was bound to encourage you as well.
Zhou Yi watched from a short distance away, looking pleased.
Before long, the dismissal bell rang. Zhou Yi looked at all the students in Class One who had held on to the end, and felt quite satisfied.
"You all did well today. Every one of you made it to the end. Excellent. I hereby announce that no one will be expelled today."
Hearing Zhou Yi's words, several students at the back finally passed out in relief. They had already reached their limits long ago and had been holding on through sheer willpower.
Just then, a middle-aged man dressed in white stepped forward and used a Soul Skill to treat the students' exhausted bodies.
Huo Yuhao didn't accept his treatment. The Mysterious Heaven Skill could strengthen his body and meridians only when he was at his limit; that life force would do him no good.
After going back to change, Huo Yuhao once again set up his grilled-fish stall at the entrance to Shrek Academy.
If Huo Yuhao remembered correctly, today was the day Xu Sanshi came to cause trouble.
Huo Yuhao sold grilled fish as usual. Just as he was about to close up, he saw an exceptionally beautiful girl approaching with several female students.
Huo Yuhao guessed that the beautiful student was Jiang Nannan.
"Junior, one Silver Soul Coin per grilled fish is a bit expensive. How about three Copper Soul Coins each? After deducting the cost, you'd still make a profit." Jiang Nannan stepped forward to bargain.
"Senior, you're too late. Let's not talk about the price. My regular customers all know that I save the last four fish for my friends."
Huo Yuhao pointed at the four grilled fish left on the grill and explained to Jiang Nannan. At the same time, he glanced at the senior students who had just bought grilled fish.
"That's true. This junior saves the last four grilled fish for his friends every day," one of the seniors beside them replied as he ate his fish.
Just then, a Gold Soul Coin flew over and lodged itself in the grill.
"Kid, you dare refuse to sell?" A deep voice rang out as a figure shot over, reaching for the grilled fish on the stove.
Huo Yuhao swept the grilled fish into his Storage Soul Tool, then used the Mysterious Jade Hand with his right hand to meet Xu Sanshi's blow.
Xu Sanshi and Huo Yuhao both staggered back several steps. Xu Sanshi was about to attack again when Huo Yuhao interrupted him.
"You're Senior Xu Sanshi, right? You're quite famous around the academy. One of the seniors told me about you before, and I've even seen you from a distance."
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi immediately felt reassured and was about to speak again, but Huo Yuhao's next words made his face turn pale.
"The academy strictly forbids senior students from attacking junior students. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with this senior sister, but you really need to keep your cool. Don't worry, I'll definitely report you."
"Junior, let's talk this out. I can pay you Gold Soul Coins as compensation. Name your price." Xu Sanshi's attitude softened at once.
"No need, Senior. I'm a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department. Have you heard of Teacher Fan Yu? He's my teacher, and I'm not short of Gold Soul Coins."
Huo Yuhao took out the badge identifying him as a core disciple of the Soul Guidance Department and pinned it to his chest. He spoke in a very mild tone.
Xu Sanshi immediately realized he was done for. He recognized the badge of a Soul Guidance Department core disciple. Damn it, he'd picked a rich kid who was here to experience life.
Just then, Bei Bei and Tang Ya walked over. Seeing the tense standoff, Bei Bei asked in confusion, "Yuhao, Sanshi, what's going on?"
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi seemed to see a lifeline. He hurried over and grabbed Bei Bei's arm. "Bei Bei, help me out. There might have been a misunderstanding between this junior and me."
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