Senior Brother, You Wouldn't Want...

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains into the dormitory.

Fang Ming woke up early, washed up, and changed into a clean set of clothes.

Xie Xie was still lounging in bed. He rolled over and mumbled, "Boss, you're up so early... Let me sleep a little longer..."

"The opening ceremony is today. Don't be late."

Fang Ming straightened his collar and spoke calmly.

"Got it, got it..."

Xie Xie slowly crawled out of bed, yawning as he rubbed his sleepy eyes.

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi woke up one after another as well.

After washing up, the four of them left the dormitory together and headed toward the central plaza through the cool morning air.

Eastsea Academy's opening ceremony was held in the enormous central plaza.

The plaza was packed with voices and people. Everywhere they looked, heads filled the view, stretching endlessly into the distance.

At this time every year, the Intermediate Division and Advanced Division students would rarely gather in one place.

Normally, the two divisions occupied their own territories and had little interaction.

The Intermediate Division had six grades, with roughly a hundred students in each. Their ranks were neat and imposing, making for quite a spectacular sight.

The Advanced Division had far fewer students. It was divided into three grades and had fewer than two hundred students in total.

This showed just how difficult it was to advance from the Intermediate Division to the Advanced Division.

Fang Ming and the other three stood among the first-year Intermediate Division freshmen, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.

Some people whispered excitedly, some looked around nervously, while others, like Fang Ming, waited calmly for the ceremony to begin.

"Hello, students. Today is Eastsea Academy's annual opening ceremony."

Long Hengxu's voice carried across the entire plaza through a Soul Guidance loudspeaker. "Next, let us welcome President Yu Zhen to give a speech."

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause surged up like a tide and continued for a long while.

An elderly man who looked to be in his sixties slowly walked onto the stage.

His hair was streaked with gray, and he wore glasses, giving him the air of a scholar.

President Yu Zhen stood still and calmly swept his gaze across the students below, gently raising a hand to signal for the applause to stop.

"Hello, students."

President Yu Zhen's voice spread throughout the plaza. "Every year when I stand here, I feel a little sentimental."

He paused slightly, a trace of age in his eyes. "Another group of students is about to graduate, leave Eastsea Academy, and embark on their own paths in life."

"At the same time, new faces are arriving here, bringing fresh blood to the academy."

"The Federation's future will ultimately be placed in your hands."

"I hope you will live up to your youth, live up to expectations, study hard, and improve every day!"

President Yu Zhen was an excellent speaker and had no script. He spoke with great emotion, going on for a full quarter of an hour before gradually winding down.

"That concludes today's speech. Thank you, everyone."

President Yu Zhen gave a slight bow, and thunderous applause erupted below the stage once more, lingering for a long time.

After the president's speech came the most important part of the opening ceremony—class assignments.

The students who did not need to participate in the assignments left first, while the new Advanced Division students returned to their section for class placement.

Only the first-year Intermediate Division freshmen remained where they were.

Eastsea Academy's class assignment process was not complicated. Students would be assigned according to their overall abilities.

Martial Soul quality, Soul Power Level, spiritual power values... all data would be weighted and evaluated to determine each student's placement.

There were five classes in total. Class One was the best, while Class Five was the worst.

Long Hengxu stepped onto the stage again, holding a list in his hand.

"We will now begin the class assignments. There will be five classes."

His voice was loud and clear. "When I call your name, step forward and stand in the designated area for your class in order."

"Class One: Fang Ming, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi..."

"Boss, we should go!"

Xie Xie's voice rang out, carrying a hint of excitement.

Fang Ming nodded. "Okay."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi followed as well.

Just like that, the students whose names had been called stepped out one after another and headed toward their designated class areas.

"Class teachers, please take your students back to their classrooms."

Long Hengxu's voice sounded again.

Five teachers stepped forward and walked toward the classes under their charge.

Among them, a female teacher with long green hair and a gentle smile walked gracefully toward Class One of the first year.

She was Ye Yingluo, the homeroom teacher of First-Year Class One.

Ye Yingluo stopped before the Class One students and swept her gentle gaze over them.

She looked to be only in her thirties. She was beautiful and mild-tempered, and her teacher's uniform made her seem clean and capable.

Ye Yingluo smiled faintly and said gently, "Students, follow me."

She led around twenty students across the spacious central plaza toward the teaching building.

The students from the other classes also left in an orderly fashion under their respective homeroom teachers' guidance. The entire academy brimmed with the vitality and energy unique to a new term.

First-Year Class One's classroom was on the first floor, the first room by the entrance.

The classroom was spacious and bright, with desks and chairs arranged neatly and a podium at the front.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm golden glow across the room.

"Students, find your own seats."

Ye Yingluo walked onto the podium, turned to face everyone, and spoke with a smile.

"Boss, where should we sit?"

Xie Xie leaned close to Fang Ming and asked.

"I like sitting in the back."

Fang Ming said, "If you're not used to it, you can sit wherever you want."

"No, no, no..."

Xie Xie hurriedly shook his head.

What a joke. He, Xie Xie, was here to cling to a powerful backer. Of course he had to follow the boss.

Xie Xie grinned. "Boss, I'll sit with you."

Seeing this, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi naturally understood Xie Xie's little scheme.

They quickly said, "Us too."

"Fine."

Fang Ming did not say anything more.

The four of them then headed toward the window seats in the back row.

After Fang Ming sat down, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi followed close behind and took the seats beside him in turn.

Just then, a graceful figure walked straight over.

Gu Yue looked around the classroom, her gaze settling on Fang Ming before she approached.

Her steps were calm and her expression indifferent. Amid the noisy classroom, she seemed especially quiet.

"Move. I'm sitting there."

Gu Yue looked at Xie Xie and gestured for him to get up.

Her tone was flat, but it carried an air that brooked no refusal.

Xie Xie froze for a moment, then became somewhat displeased. "Who are you? Why should I get up for you?"

"Ask Fang Ming."

Gu Yue ignored Xie Xie and looked at Fang Ming. After thinking for a moment, she seemed to recall something amusing.

A voice reached Fang Ming's ears, carrying a hint of playfulness. "Senior Brother, you wouldn't want the teacher to know that you bullied me, would you..."

"???"

Fang Ming was instantly stunned. The Gu Yue he remembered was not like this...

He sighed helplessly. "Sorry, Xie Xie. Find another seat."

"Ah, Boss..."

Xie Xie looked at Fang Ming, then at Gu Yue. In the end, he stood up and gave up his seat.

Gu Yue did not stand on ceremony. She sat down directly beside Fang Ming.