Special Training, a Bet That Triggered the Underlying Code

Zhou Yi remained where she stood, her gaze still murderous. None of the Freshman Class One students around her dared approach, afraid their homeroom teacher would drag them out for extra training.

Provoking the tigress at a time like this was not a wise move.

Gu Ming's speech just now had certainly been a show of swagger. He had actually been arrogant enough to claim he did not need his martial soul. That was practically unleashing his ultimate right in her face.

At that moment, Wang Dong and the other two clutched their chests and staggered over to Zhou Yi to admit their mistake.

Wang Dong lowered her head and said, "Teacher Zhou, we lost."

"That guy was so strong," Xiao Xiao said.

Huo Yuhao said nothing. He was the weakest of the three, defeated before he could even unleash a soul skill. His performance had been the worst.

Just as all three thought they were about to face a terrifying punishment, Zhou Yi changed her attitude.

Zhou Yi said gravely, "This boy is a formidable rival for you. If I'm not mistaken, he should be the strongest of this year's freshmen. It's only natural that you lost to him, but I never expected you to lose in a single exchange."

"You lost because your bodies weren't strong enough, and your fighting methods were immature."

"But that doesn't matter. I can build you up. You have plenty of time to train and grow stronger. Defeat Gu Ming in the Freshman Grand Tournament three months from now, and show that self-important brat that refusing to join Freshman Class One was a mistake."

Wang Dong and the others immediately sighed in relief at those words.

Thankfully, they had not been punished.

But could they really defeat someone as strong as Gu Ming? That guy seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of soul power.

Wang Dong asked, "Teacher, can we really beat him?"

"Absolutely. Three months from now, I'll show Gu Ming what Freshman Class One is made of."

Zhou Yi's gaze was resolute, her voice brimming with confidence. She turned to everyone in Freshman Class One and said, "Remember today's humiliation. Class will end two hours later today. Keep going!"

Amid a chorus of groans, the Freshman Class One students resumed their weighted running.

Early the next morning, in Dormitory 208.

Gu Ming took the washcloth Dai Huabin handed him and wiped his face, then opened his mouth to enjoy the breakfast sushi Xie Huanyue offered him, ready to head to class.

Word of yesterday's glorious exploits had spread throughout the Freshman Year, making Gu Ming famous.

He had held his own in a one-on-three fight, talked back to a teacher, and won the loyalty of Xie Huanyue and the others.

Only a boss like that deserved their respect.

Although they came from other freshman classes, their admiration was heartfelt. Xie Huanyue, who also had three rings, admired Gu Ming all the more.

Gu Ming's standing instantly rose like a boat on a rising tide. Even Dai Huabin had to obediently settle for second place.

After finishing their daily pre-class routine, Gu Ming and Dai Huabin headed to the Freshman Class Five classroom.

Mu Jin arrived at the classroom on time as usual. He swept his gaze over everyone, then looked at Gu Ming and said, "Class Monitor, stand up."

Gu Ming stood up again.

Mu Jin nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. You boosted our class's morale on the field yesterday. From now on, you'll be responsible for guiding our class's training."

I thought this was going to be a punishment... Gu Ming grumbled inwardly, then said, "No problem. I'll make sure to whip them into shape. Even the girls won't get a free pass."

Mu Jin hummed in acknowledgment and motioned for Gu Ming to sit down, then said gravely, "You are students of Shrek. Remember this: anyone who doesn't dare stir up trouble is a mediocrity. As long as you haven't killed anyone, you can leave everything to me. Above all, you must not fall behind Freshman Class One in your studies."

"All right, everyone follow me to the Beast Arena. You finished your theory lessons yesterday. Over the next three months, you'll undergo practical combat training, sparring, and battles against soul beasts."

The Freshman Class Five students could not contain their excitement when they heard they would get to fight soul beasts.

Compared with those empty theory lessons and weighted running, they wanted a battle between real men far more.

Challenging their Class Monitor, Gu Ming, and pounding soul beasts—these were a man's obsessions.

Mu Jin truly was a beautiful woman who understood them, someone who could become their "mommy."

Soon, all the Freshman Class Five students had assembled in the Beast Arena.

It was an enormous oval-shaped space. The entire structure had four levels, three of which featured rows of arches, each supported by stone pillars. It could only be described as magnificent.

At that moment, Director of Studies Du Weilun arrived as well, mainly to take a look at Gu Ming, the Freshman Class Five student who had become so famous lately.

This student had successfully caught the dean's attention. He was a promising seedling for the Martial Soul Department and absolutely could not be poached by the Soul Tool Department.

Meanwhile, Mu Jin found the teacher in charge of the Beast Arena and gave him all the instructions for their beast-combat training.

The supervising teacher said, "Teacher Mu Jin, if your students need to challenge soul beasts over two thousand years old, you'll need Elder Gong's approval. As it happens, he's here at the Beast Arena today."

Elder Gong's full name was Gong Changlong. He oversaw Shrek's Great Soul Arena, was a reserve elder of the Sea God Pavilion, and bore the nickname Beast King. He was a Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.

Mu Jin glanced at the Freshman Class Five students and said, "That won't be necessary. Our students are only training, not taking an advancement assessment. There's no need to disturb the Beast King. Hundred-year soul beasts and thousand-year soul beasts will suffice."

The supervising teacher nodded, then turned to make the arrangements.

Meanwhile, among the Freshman Class Five students.

Gu Ming was still waiting, his blood even beginning to run hot.

He needed a thoroughly satisfying battle to improve his combat experience. Ideally, he would fight a soul beast with a powerful bloodline, like a dark gold terrorclaw bear. That would make it worthwhile.

Just then, Dai Huabin sidled over and said, "Class Monitor, dare to make a bet with me?"

"Do people on your continent really love gambling that much?"

Gu Ming grumbled aloud, then continued, "Let's hear it. I'll see whether there's a worthwhile prize. If we're betting our lives, forget it. I don't like playing with my life when I'm away from home. I'm a good person."

A good person, my ass... Dai Huabin cursed inwardly, then said, "Let's bet on who can last longer against a thousand-year soul beast, regardless of its age. If you lose, stop calling me Little Tiger, treat me more politely, and stop making me bring you water to wash your feet."

Gu Ming frowned when he heard that.

The brat had even slipped a wording trap into his bet. He wanted to play mind games.

Fine, he would play along. These were freshman training sessions anyway, and they still had three months.

Having thought it through, Gu Ming asked, "What's your stake?"

"A Soul Ascension Pill."

Dai Huabin took an exquisite box from his Storage Soul Tool. Inside lay a fragrant pill.

Gu Ming's eyes lit up.

He had never taken one of these pills, which could unconditionally raise his soul power by one level.

Although he did not lack soul power, if someone insisted on giving him something, he could only accept it with tears in his eyes.

And so, their bet was officially made.

Dai Huabin returned to Zhu Lu's side, looking immensely pleased with himself.

Zhu Lu asked worriedly, "Huabin, why did you go and make another bet with him? He's so strong. How can you possibly win?"

"Don't worry. I'll definitely win this time."

Dai Huabin patted his solid, powerful chest, brimming with confidence.

They were not competing over who achieved the better result, but over who could last longer against a soul beast.

He would pick a hundred-year soul beast and simply drag things out.

That way, he would win!

Just then, Mu Jin returned with a training teacher from the Beast Arena.

Mu Jin swept his gaze over the students and said gravely, "You'll now undergo three months of practical combat training. Starting today, you may choose soul beasts to fight."

"Tang Ba, you're up first!"