Who Will Be Class Monitor?

Chu Yunhe laughed heartily. "Now this is more like it. At last, a proper fight, hahaha..."

Before his words had even faded, his figure flickered, somehow evading both attacks at once. He split his palms—one thrust forward as though pushing a mountain, meeting Shen Lian's heavy punch, while the other brushed out like willow silk, winding toward Li Yuan's wrist.

Bang!

Smack!

The two dull impacts rang out almost simultaneously.

Shen Lian felt as if his fist had struck a bronze wall of iron. Not only had he failed to budge his opponent in the slightest, but a mighty force had also jolted him back three consecutive steps.

His blood and qi churned in his chest, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

As for Li Yuan, Chu Yunhe's palm wind brushed his wrist, and a supple yet tenacious force swept through it, pulling his entire arm off course and even making him stagger.

One against two, and he had gained the upper hand from the very first exchange.

Chu Yunhe's strength truly was extraordinary.

Shen Lian let out a low roar, the savage gleam in his eyes growing fiercer. Like a lone wolf driven into a rage, he advanced instead of retreating, hurling himself forward once more.

Fists, elbows, knees, and legs moved in tandem. His attacks came like a violent storm, completely abandoning defense in a ferocious, life-for-life style, all to keep Chu Yunhe occupied and create an opening for Li Yuan.

Li Yuan flicked his wrist. His control over the current of qi within him had grown increasingly adept, and he instantly dissolved the gentle force that had invaded his body, regaining his balance.

His gaze remained calm. Rather than competing with Shen Lian to assault their opponent head-on, he shifted his footwork and prowled around the outer edge of the battle.

Every strike was tricky and ruthless—fingers stabbing at joints, palms chopping at soft ribs, legs sweeping low. His moves were simple and sharp. He did not seek to land decisive blows, only to disrupt Chu Yunhe's rhythm and force him to divide his attention.

At first, the two were still somewhat uncoordinated, even interfering with each other from time to time.

Gradually, though, a trace of tacit understanding emerged between them. Often, the slightest shift in Shen Lian's exertion was enough for Li Yuan to grasp his intent and block Chu Yunhe's retreat in advance.

And every exquisite restraint from Li Yuan always created the best opportunity for Shen Lian to launch a fierce assault.

One was direct, the other unorthodox; one hard, the other soft. Their coordination became increasingly ingenious, and their offensive flow ever more seamless.

"Good! Well fought!"

"Brilliant! I never expected the two of them to work so well together!"

"Chu Yunhe seems to be at a disadvantage!"

The students watching from the sidelines could not help cheering repeatedly. This chaotic battle before them was far more thrilling than any of the previous matches.

The fighting spirit in Chu Yunhe's eyes burned ever brighter, but he had to admit that the pair's alliance had indeed caused him immense trouble.

No longer holding back, he let out a long howl. The aura around him surged once again, and his palm techniques abruptly changed from refined and ethereal to broad and forceful. Palm wind howled around him as he tried to forcibly shatter their offensive and defensive rhythm.

Yet at the instant he changed moves, an exceedingly slight hitch appeared.

The opportunity vanished in a flash, but for Li Yuan, it was enough.

"Now!"

A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes. Rather than retreating, he advanced, joining his fingers into a blade and gathering every strand of qi within him at his fingertips. His finger shot toward the exposed carotid artery on Chu Yunhe's neck.

Alarm bells blared in Chu Yunhe's heart. It was already too late to draw back his palm, and in his haste, he could only tilt his head aside with all his strength.

Sst—

His fingertip touched skin with a faint muffled sound. Chu Yunhe felt a sharp, condensed force pierce into the side of his neck. Half his body immediately went numb, and he staggered back several steps before barely managing to steady himself.

He raised a hand to touch his neck, fear lingering in his heart. If Li Yuan had used a weapon just now, then...

Chu Yunhe suppressed his churning blood and qi, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha, that was satisfying. I lost!"

He conceded cleanly and accepted defeat openly. His eyes held only the exhilaration of meeting a worthy opponent, without the slightest resentment.

With Chu Yunhe conceding, only Li Yuan and Shen Lian remained in the arena.

Shen Lian's chest heaved violently. He was already wounded in several places, and the blood at the corner of his mouth had yet to dry, but his fighting spirit only grew stronger.

Their recent cooperation could not erase the remaining competition between them.

Yet he did not hesitate in the slightest. Without even pausing to regulate his breathing, he let out a low shout and launched another attack.

This time, he no longer cared about technique or form. Only the purest offense remained—an unstoppable offense!

His body became an afterimage. Like a wounded beast erupting with its final ferocity, he attacked without defending, moving with astonishing speed in a completely desperate posture.

Li Yuan's expression sharpened. He no longer relied on clever tricks either, instead sinking into a horse stance and meeting him head-on!

The two fought speed with speed, force with force, their fists landing solidly on flesh. Shen Lian's attacks came like a raging tempest, but he was ultimately an arrow at the end of its flight. Everyone could see that he would not be able to hold on much longer.

At last, even as he took Shen Lian's powerful side kick head-on, Li Yuan lashed out with a lightning-fast low sweep, striking precisely behind Shen Lian's knee.

Shen Lian grunted, his whole body kicked into the air before crashing heavily onto the ground.

He lay there gasping for breath, looking at Li Yuan as he approached. His expression was complicated, but the inexplicable hostility from before had already vanished.

Struggling into a seated position, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said hoarsely, "I lost."

Li Yuan slowly extended a hand.

Shen Lian fell silent for a moment, then took it after all and used the support to rise to his feet.

The two exchanged a glance without speaking.

"The victor has been decided."

Liu Hongyan stepped forward. "The final winner is Li Yuan. He will be awarded five credits."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "From this day onward, Li Yuan shall serve as class monitor of the Pivot Star Class, responsible for conveying the academy's orders, coordinating class affairs, and organizing daily cultivation."

Class monitor?

Everyone's gaze turned toward Li Yuan in unison.

This position signified a certain degree of authority, but it also meant greater responsibility...

Li Yuan froze. He had no interest in the role. Suddenly stepping forward, he cupped his hands and said, "Instructor, this student knows that he is indolent by nature and unsuited to coordination or management. I would find it difficult to shoulder this duty."

Liu Hongyan raised a brow. "Oh? Then who do you think would be suitable?"

Without a moment's thought, Li Yuan pointed at the doll-faced girl beside him, who was watching the spectacle with wide eyes. "This student believes that Yu Ling'er is clever and lively, skilled in social interaction, and possesses sufficient cultivation to command respect. She is a suitable candidate for class monitor."

Yu Ling'er, who had been named, was stunned at first. Then her little face flushed red, and she waved her hands repeatedly. "Me? I can't do it..."

Liu Hongyan looked at Yu Ling'er and pondered briefly before unexpectedly nodding. "Very well. Yu Ling'er, from this day onward, you are the class monitor of the Pivot Star Class."

"Huh?" Yu Ling'er was dumbfounded. Before she could react, Liu Hongyan continued, "The class monitor receives an additional subsidy of fifty credits per semester."

Fifty credits!

Yu Ling'er's eyes lit up at once, and all her earlier hesitation was tossed beyond the clouds. "Thank you, Instructor. This student will certainly do her utmost."

Liu Hongyan glanced at Li Yuan and found no trace of regret on his face.

"However, if orders are conveyed incorrectly or affairs are poorly coordinated, credits will be deducted depending on the circumstances, and the position may even be revoked."

Yu Ling'er's smile instantly froze on her face.

Li Yuan spoke again. "Instructor, the class monitor's duties are numerous and complicated. This student recommends Jin Duoduo as vice class monitor. Student Jin has extensive connections and will surely be able to assist the class monitor in handling the many miscellaneous matters."

Jin Duoduo, standing nearby, was also stunned by this.

Liu Hongyan neither agreed nor disagreed, merely saying, "Very well. The vice class monitor receives an additional twenty credits."

"Enough. We will end here for today."

"Arrange your own activities this afternoon. Classes officially begin tomorrow."

"Dismissed."

The students saluted and gradually dispersed.

Jin Duoduo hurried over to Li Yuan's side, his plump face piled with grateful smiles. In a low voice, he said, "Brother Li, thank you for your support!"

As he spoke, he slipped a banknote into Li Yuan's sleeve.