Xie Xie met Xu Xiaoyan again

The lingering warmth of the holiday had yet to fade when Eastsea Academy returned to its usual bustle. For Class Zero's instructors, the challenges of the new semester had only just begun. A heavy atmosphere hung over the teachers' office. Wu Changkong, normally cold as frost, stood by the window without a word, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Chang Kong, I know you're unhappy about this." Long Hengxu leaned against a desk, idly turning a pen in his hand. His tone carried both resignation and persuasion. "Xu Xiaoyan got in through the back door. I know that breaks the rules. But think about it. Who at our academy doesn't know that your teaching standards are the strictest? Who doesn't know that Class Zero is the elite of the elite?"

He paused, then walked over to Wu Changkong and patted his shoulder. "Precisely because you demand so much of your students' strength, you find it hard to accept someone like Xu Xiaoyan, whose soul power is only in the teens. You might even see it as a desecration of Class Zero. I understand all of that."

Wu Changkong turned around. His gaze remained icy, but his tone softened a fraction. "Director Long, you know my principles. Class Zero isn't a shelter. This is a place for raising monsters, not supporting idlers."

"I understand, I understand." Long Hengxu nodded repeatedly. "But there are exceptions to everything. Xu Xiaoyan's soul power level may be low, but you should at least give her a chance, shouldn't you? Maybe she's a hidden genius. Maybe she's an exception."

Wu Changkong fell silent for a moment. Xu Xiaoyan's eyes flashed through his mind, filled with longing yet tinged with timidity. He drew a deep breath and finally nodded, his voice low but firm. "All right, Director Long. I'll