School Begins

"Ah!"

Xuan Xiao suddenly sat up and saw that dawn had only just broken. He got up and went to the bathroom to splash some water on his face.

The icy water against his face finally cleared his muddled mind a little.

One month! He had spent an entire month getting beaten up!

After leaving the virtual combat room, he had passed out immediately. He did not even remember how he had ended up in bed.

His body did not feel like much, but mentally, he was truly exhausted. It felt like he had pulled several all-nighters in a row, leaving his entire brain numb.

But the results were truly remarkable. He was now like a sword honed for ten years.

Other than experience fighting high-level Soul Masters, he lacked nothing.

Those basic boxing forms had already been carved into his muscle memory. He could perform them with his eyes closed.

More importantly, his understanding of combat had risen several levels beyond what it had been before.

In the past, he had relied entirely on brute force and reaction speed in a fight. Now, he knew how to use rhythm, how to lure an opponent into exposing an opening, and how to strike the most lethal blow at the perfect moment.

These things could not be learned from books alone. Only real combat could truly teach them.

After changing into his school uniform, Xuan Xiao looked at his long white hair in the mirror and skillfully tied it into a high ponytail.

The person in the mirror had refined features and fair skin. Paired with his white hair and the white uniform trimmed in gold, he really did look like an elegant young man.

"Not bad-looking."

He muttered to himself before turning and walking out of the dormitory.

As soon as he went downstairs, he saw Mu En already sitting in his usual old spot, basking in the sun.

The old man reclined in his chair with his eyes narrowed, looking perfectly at ease.

Xuan Xiao walked over and casually greeted him.

"Morning, old man."

To be honest, he was not someone who liked talking. He was only doing this to maintain his persona.

After all, in Mu En's eyes, he ought to be an outgoing, carefree, interesting young fellow, not some gloomy, withdrawn bore.

Mu En raised his eyes to glance at him and replied with a smile.

"You're up quite early."

"Take your time enjoying the sun, old man. I'm off to breakfast."

Xuan Xiao waved his hand and strode toward the cafeteria.

Mu En watched Xuan Xiao's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing.

He could sense that something about Xuan Xiao had changed.

When they had met yesterday, the boy had also given off a steady, composed feeling.

But there had been more of a cautiousness to it, as though he were deliberately concealing his edge.

Like a small beast hidden in the grass, watching its surroundings and ready to flee or attack at any moment.

But today, that feeling was gone.

In its place was a temperament that was more restrained, yet sharper.

Like a treasured sword hidden in its sheath. Though it had not yet been drawn, one could already feel its biting chill.

What had this kid done last night?

Logically speaking, such a drastic change should not have been possible overnight.

Yet the truth stood right before him, and he had no choice but to believe it.

Mu En was becoming increasingly curious about this boy called Xuan Xiao.

If Xuan Xiao had known what he was thinking, he would definitely have said one thing.

"Bullshit. If you got beaten up nonstop for a month, you'd change too."

Unfortunately, he did not know, so he simply walked briskly into the cafeteria.

There were not many people in the cafeteria yet, only a few early-rising students scattered about.

Xuan Xiao swept his gaze around and found that it really was just like the original story had described: there were no tables or chairs in the cafeteria.

Who knew which idiot had made the rule? Tables and chairs were forbidden in the cafeteria, so everyone either had to eat standing up or squatting down, making the place look like a refugee camp.

With a dark expression, he wolfed down his breakfast and did not want to remain in the cafeteria for even one extra second.

After eating, he went straight to Class One.

Yes, Class One—Zhou Yi's class.

By sheer coincidence, he had been assigned to the same class as Huo Yuhao, the original story's protagonist.

He truly could not be bothered to figure out whether the higher-ups had arranged it deliberately or whether it was simply fate.

In any case, he was exhausted right now and had no energy to think about such things.

Xuan Xiao found a seat in the corner, took out a sheet of paper from his storage ring, quickly scribbled a line on it, and stuck it to the corner of the desk.

The note read: "Whoever my deskmate is, wake me when the homeroom teacher arrives. Thanks."

After writing it, he lay facedown on the desk, closed his eyes, and fell asleep almost instantly.

After all, he had only come to Shrek Academy to earn deviation points, not to actually attend class.

As long as it did not interfere with his plans, what was wrong with sleeping during lessons?

Just as Xuan Xiao was sleeping soundly, he felt someone poke his arm.

He groggily opened his eyes and discovered that a little green-haired girl with twin ponytails had sat beside him.

The little girl was fair and clean-looking, with big, sparkling eyes. She looked obedient and adorable.

Seeing that he was awake, Xiao Xiao quietly said,

"Wake up. The homeroom teacher is here."

Xuan Xiao straightened up and rubbed between his brows. His mind was still a little foggy.

The moment Zhou Yi entered the classroom and saw this scene, she exploded with rage.

He dared sleep in her classroom? He was asking for trouble!

Coincidentally, Dean Yan had assigned her a task to pay special attention to this new student named Xuan Xiao.

This was the perfect opportunity to make an example of him and crush his arrogance, letting him know that in Zhou Yi's class, dragons had to coil and tigers had to lie low.

Zhou Yi walked onto the podium, slammed the lesson plan in her hand onto the desk with a bang, and began laying into him in a sarcastic tone.

"Some people simply have no manners. Sleeping in class first thing in the morning—I wonder how their parents raised them."

Her voice was not loud, but every word was as sharp as a blade, dripping with mockery.

Xuan Xiao rose unhurriedly, wearing that harmless smile, and gave Zhou Yi a slight bow.

"Teacher, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stayed up late cultivating last night. I shouldn't have been so eager to break through to Rank 40. I promise I'll never stay up late cultivating again. After all, your rules are greater than Shrek Academy's rules..."

He only said half of that final sentence, but anyone who understood, understood.

The school rules did not state that students could not sleep in the classroom. Who was Zhou Yi to place herself above them?

That bout of sarcasm infuriated Zhou Yi, but she had no way to lash out.

He had apologized. His attitude was sincere, and his reason was valid—he had stayed up late to cultivate. What could she say?

She could not exactly tell him he was forbidden from cultivating, could she?

Zhou Yi's face turned green, then white. Her lips trembled for a long time before she forcibly swallowed her anger and ground out a sentence through clenched teeth.

"Sit down."

Xuan Xiao obediently sat down, though a smug curve appeared at the corner of his lips.

The surrounding students were all dumbfounded. Their eyes widened and mouths fell open as if they had seen a ghost.

What? Rank 40? You're fucking Rank 39 already?

Among the students present, only a few even had two Soul Rings, and the strongest were merely around Rank 20.

Yet this guy had just said he was about to break through to Rank 40?

The gap was way too huge!