Xiao Xiao

Xu Zihuang had been born into the Sun Moon Empire's imperial family. After losing the struggle for succession against the empire's crown prince, Xu Tianran, he had been placed under house arrest. Later, with the help of his subordinates, he escaped, assumed the name Yu Tianhuang, and entered Shrek Academy. Though he was no longer a prince of the Sun Moon Empire, he remained a spiritual aristocrat.

Xu Zihuang did not care what Huo Yuhao became or what he thought. In his eyes, without the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, Huo Yuhao had no value whatsoever.

Yet Qian Chaoguang had become his enemy over this person.

After so many days of clashes with Qian Chaoguang, Xu Zihuang had gleaned from his scattered remarks that he and Qian Chaoguang seemed to be the same kind of existence: they knew the plot, yet were unaware of it themselves.

And Qian Chaoguang's reason for opposing him was probably that he had persecuted Huo Yuhao?

Huo Yuhao had no good martial soul, no talent, no status, nothing at all. Qian Chaoguang was actually willing to oppose him over such a worthless person?

So what if he had persecuted him?

Hard to understand.

He had once seen Huo Yuhao cultivating diligently, but he had sneered at it.

If hard work were useful, what would geniuses be for?

Honestly, when he heard the name Huo Yutong, he had sensed that something was off. But he did not care in the slightest. What difference did it make whether Huo Yuhao was male or female? Why would someone like that lowly commoner be worth paying attention to?

But now, it seemed Huo Yuhao might really be a girl.

Otherwise, why had Huo Yuhao happened to hide in the same place as him?

Was she trying to attract his attention, draw closer to him, and climb the social ladder?

If she married him, it would not be a bad future for him—no, for her.

But unfortunately, not just anyone could become his partner.

A lowly commoner was unworthy.

Aaaah, fuck! It's Xu Zihuang! Save me!

Xu Zihuang had not done anything to Huo Yuhao, but those words still left an indelible scar on his heart.

As for the fragrance on him, it came from the lingering scent of medicinal pills.

"Class monitor? Why are you hiding here? And this is... Ah! You're the one who picks fights with Qian Chaoguang every day!" At that critical moment, a petite and delicate girl appeared. She was none other than Xiao Xiao, who had participated in the freshman assessment alongside Huo Yuhao in the original story.

Xu Zihuang was so angry at those words that he nearly could not catch his breath. Was it him who wanted to fight Qian Chaoguang?

Xiao Xiao's appearance was far too conspicuous. Qian Chaoguang seemed to have noticed the commotion here, and without another word, Xu Zihuang reached out to pull Xiao Xiao into their hiding place.

Whoosh—

"Student Tianhuang, you should be gentler with girls." Huo Yuhao grabbed Xu Zihuang's hand as it reached for Xiao Xiao. Xu Zihuang frowned, secretly startled. He had not held back much strength. Xiao Xiao was at least a Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster, yet Huo Yuhao had so casually stopped him?

"Xiao Xiao, over here. Hurry." Huo Yuhao called to Xiao Xiao.

"Interesting." Xu Zihuang sneered and threw a punch at Huo Yuhao. So what if Huo Yuhao was a girl? Did Xu Zihuang look like someone who would show mercy?

Feeling the incoming force of the punch, Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly. He leaped lightly into the air and raised an arm to protect himself. Though he was sent flying, he had dissipated the force behind the punch.

"Class monitor!" Xiao Xiao instantly released her martial soul, summoning a black cauldron that smashed toward Xu Zihuang.

A Tool Martial Soul—the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron!

Xu Zihuang raised an eyebrow. He had not expected Xiao Xiao, a mere Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster, to dare attack him. Completely unafraid, he met her martial soul head-on with his physical body.

Clang!

"Xiao Xiao, be careful! You're no match for him." The moment Huo Yuhao steadied himself, he rushed forward, grabbed Xiao Xiao by the collar, and pulled her out of Xu Zihuang's attack range.

Xu Zihuang made no further move. He simply stood where he was and watched the two of them, seemingly too disdainful to continue attacking. Slowly, he said, "I never expected..."

"You never expected this slash, did you!" Qian Chaoguang made a grand entrance. "I knew you brat would get up to no good sooner or later. Take this!"

Qian Chaoguang was swift as lightning and vicious with his blade. He had been looking for Xu Zihuang when he saw him attacking Huo Yuhao, and fury instantly surged through him.

You dared bully my person? You're courting death!

Xiao Xiao? What Xiao Xiao?

Qian Chaoguang's attacks were nothing Xiao Xiao could compare to. Xu Zihuang did not dare be careless. He activated Martial Soul Possession, unleashed the Radiant Dragon Claw, and met him head-on with lightning imbued with destruction.

Boom!

"Are you all right?" Qian Chaoguang asked Huo Yuhao with concern. His tone was gentle, and he did not continue pursuing Xu Zihuang. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Hey! I'm obviously the cute girl who should be protected here, okay? Why are you checking on the class monitor first?" Xiao Xiao poked Qian Chaoguang, her voice full of teasing.

Qian Chaoguang looked at her and tilted his head. "What part of you is cute?"

"I'll fight you!" Xiao Xiao instantly bristled, but Huo Yuhao grabbed her and held her back.

"All right, all right. I'm fine. Thanks." The moment Huo Yuhao saw Qian Chaoguang, Xu Zihuang suddenly did not seem quite so terrifying... probably?

"It's good that you're all right. Yu Tianhuang, where do you think you're running?" Xu Zihuang had barely lifted his foot to leave when a blade aura slashed over, cutting off his path.

Fuck.

Xu Zihuang cursed inwardly and gathered his Soul Power. He was no pushover. Could he not escape? Then he would fight!

"All of you, stop. If you want to fight, go to the Soul Arena District." At that moment, an academy teacher arrived. "Don't disturb public order here."

Although Huo Yuhao had seen these two get dragged to the Soul Arena District by teachers many times while fighting, he still could not help complaining inwardly. Was fighting really such an everyday occurrence? Why did this all feel so natural?

It truly was Shrek Academy. Huo Yuhao was no longer surprised when he saw people fighting on the streets. Anyone who did not know better might think this was Hung Hing.

"Come on, class monitor. Let's go watch Qian Chaoguang vent our anger for us." Xiao Xiao grabbed Huo Yuhao's arm and headed to the Soul Arena District.

What a sin.

It had to be said that Qian Chaoguang and Xu Zihuang were now quite popular among the outer academy students. Whenever someone saw the two of them together on the street, people would rush to the Soul Arena District to seize seats.

"Come take a look! Annihilation Dragon Thunder versus the Coldglint Blademaster! One-to-one odds! Fair for young and old alike!"

They had even become this skilled at taking bets?

Like Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi, they already had their own titles and were well known among the students.

Incidentally, Huo Yuhao had one too: the Myriad-Transforming Spirit Eyes.

Heh...

Huo Yuhao really wanted to strangle whoever had come up with that title.

Fortunately, he usually focused on hard cultivation and rarely showed his face, so few people recognized him. If someone called out that title to his face, his social life would be over...

"Yu Tong!" At that moment, two pink-and-blue figures appeared. There was no need to ask—they were Dong'er and Qiu'er.

"Dong'er! Qiu'er!" Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up. He finally had a chance to get away and cultivate. "Xiao Xiao, sorry, I have something to do. Go watch by yourself."

With that, Huo Yuhao left with Wang Qiu'er and Wang Dong'er.

Xiao Xiao stood where she was, watching Huo Yuhao leave. She felt as though something had lightly tugged at her heart.

Xiao Xiao knew that many people in Class One liked Huo Yuhao. The image of him stepping forward that day had been seared into the hearts of many classmates. Who would not like a hero who stood before everyone else?

She was the same.

But Qiu'er and Dong'er were always around Huo Yuhao. They were so beautiful and talented that even standing before them made her feel inferior. They even had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with the class monitor. It was as though heaven itself was bringing them together, leaving her unable to feel even a trace of jealousy.

"Class monitor..."