"Unity"? Just an excuse for a motley mob! (Last day of the trial run, please keep reading!)

Seeing that the two sides were about to fight outside, many people immediately turned their attention to the windows, including Lin Ye and the two girls.

"That sickly cat and that damned fat chicken really know how to stir up trouble." Ning Rongrong not only launched straight into mockery, but even gave them nicknames.

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing took a bite of the melon in her hand as she watched through the window. Her voice was somewhat muffled, but she simply expressed her agreement.

By now, both girls understood why Lin Ye had chosen seats far away from the other Shrek students.

"A Soul Master who doesn't dare stir up trouble isn't a good Soul Master? Heh. To think Flender teaches such twisted logic as a dean." Lin Ye sneered as he offered his assessment.

"You're right, Brother Lin Ye. That's twisted logic. Picking trouble and not fearing trouble are two different things altogether."

Regardless, none of the three intended to help. They had caused this trouble themselves, so they could resolve it themselves.

The battle between Tang San's group and Ye Zhiqiu swiftly reached a fever pitch only moments after it began.

Seeing that their attacks barely affected the Mystic Tortoise Armor of Ye Zhiqiu, a Soul King, they all realized how troublesome he was.

Just then, Ye Zhiqiu used his third Soul Skill, Mysterious Water Surge.

The intense chill made everyone shiver. Even Dai Mubai, who had activated his White Tiger Protective Barrier, was invaded by the cold. Only Ma Hongjun's flames burned fiercely enough to ward it off.

"We can't keep going like this."

With Lin Ye and the girls staying out of the fight, they repeatedly fell into a disadvantage. If they failed to come up with a solution, they would all be defeated here.

Just as Tang San placed his hand on the Twenty-Four Bridge Bright Moon Night, preparing to use his hidden weapons, a languid voice rang out.

"Why are you making a racket out here instead of sleeping in the dead of night?"

Tang San, who was about to launch an attack, froze at the voice and withdrew his hand. Dai Mubai immediately retreated as well, interrupting the Soul Skill he had been about to unleash.

Zhao Wuji's towering figure appeared before them, his head like a braised egg. Without even looking toward Canghui Academy, he waved at Tang San and the others. "All of you, go back inside."

Ye Zhiqiu roared angrily, "Stop! Your academy's students spoke insolently. You owe us an explanation!"

Zhao Wuji scoffed and glared at him. "An explanation? Is telling the truth an insult now?"

"You couldn't even handle an old turtle. Extra training when we get back!"

"You..." Furious, Ye Zhiqiu immediately attacked Zhao Wuji.

As Ye Zhiqiu bore down on him menacingly, Zhao Wuji struck backward with his palm without even turning his head. The hard tortoise shell shattered instantly, and Ye Zhiqiu went flying, crashing heavily to the ground more than ten meters away.

"Tch. Boring," Zhao Wuji muttered before leading Tang San and the others back into the tavern.

The people from Canghui Academy hurriedly helped up Ye Zhiqiu, who was coughing up blood.

To his horror, Ye Zhiqiu realized that his opponent had broken through his defenses with physical strength alone. Their strength clearly lay on entirely different levels.

Fuck. We've picked a fight with someone we can't handle.

"Let's go."

Before leaving, the female student in Canghui Academy's group cast a reluctant glance at Dai Mubai inside the tavern.

Back inside the tavern, Zhao Wuji summoned Lin Ye and the girls with a stern face and had everyone sit together before launching into a lecture. "Your performance was disgraceful. You're all getting special training when we return!"

"And you three..." Zhao Wuji turned his reproachful gaze toward Lin Ye and the girls. "Why didn't you join everyone else in the fight just now?"

"Teacher Zhao, we didn't act because we weren't the ones who started this fight. Why should we get involved?"

As he spoke, Lin Ye glanced at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, then continued calmly, "If you hadn't deliberately provoked them, I imagine everyone would have finished eating and gone upstairs by now."

Zhao Wuji glanced at Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai. Seeing their displeasure at Lin Ye's words, he said to Lin Ye, "Even if we started this, you are all students of Shrek Academy now. As a whole, you should stand united. Only then can you face stronger opponents."

Yet Lin Ye gave a faint, disdainful laugh.

"Teacher Zhao, what you said certainly makes sense, but..."

"Unity requires companions you can trust with your back, not indulgence of pointless provocations or bullying the weak."

Lin Ye looked calmly at Zhao Wuji. "And you call that unity? It's just an excuse for a motley mob!"

Dai Mubai slammed the table and sprang to his feet, fury churning wildly in his sinister eyes. "Who are you calling a motley mob?!"

Ma Hongjun also chimed in sarcastically. "Some people are cowards themselves, yet come up with a whole pile of excuses. They really think they're so above it all."

With a crack, Ning Rongrong bit through a seed shell and retorted with a smile, "Cowards? Why didn't you think about the consequences when you stirred up trouble? You drag others down and still think you're in the right?"

Zhu Zhuqing chose that moment to add another cutting remark in an even tone. "Team spirit isn't a reason to clean up after idiots."

Zhao Wuji's face was dark, and his clenched fists crackled.

This Lin Ye really is using his special admission status to disrespect his elders. He talks back so brazenly and even encourages others to join him. His character is truly unruly.

"Lin Ye, are you questioning the academy's teaching methods?"

Lin Ye met Zhao Wuji's eyes and enunciated every word. "I wouldn't dare. I merely wanted to remind you, Teacher, and everyone else, that the truly strong never need to prove themselves by bullying the weak."

Tang San frowned. "But the dean said that a Soul Master who doesn't dare stir up trouble..."

Lin Ye immediately interrupted him. "Is everything Flender says the truth? Then why doesn't he dare go shout provocations outside Spirit Hall's gates?"

Silence fell over everyone.

Dai Mubai choked on his words. Ma Hongjun opened his mouth but could not force anything out. Even Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted slightly.

"That claim about a Soul Master who doesn't dare stir up trouble not being a good Soul Master is a joke. It's nothing but a fig leaf to cover your bullying of the weak and fear of the strong!"

Lin Ye rose and continued, "If you insist on agreeing with that view, then forgive my bluntness—"

"Shrek Academy isn't teaching the way of Soul Masters, but the way of thugs."

With that, Lin Ye took the two girls by the hand, turned, and went upstairs.

"What arrogance!"

The furious Dai Mubai smashed a fist onto the table, making the bowls and plates jump.

Zhao Wuji stared at Lin Ye's retreating figure. Furious but unable to refute him, he could only grit his teeth and shout, "All of you, get to bed! Otherwise, I'll punish you tomorrow by making you get up early and run all the way to the Star Dou Great Forest!"

Xiao Wu quietly tugged Tang San's sleeve. "Brother, what he said seems..."

Tang San's expression tightened, and he felt somewhat helpless as well.

Sure enough, ever since that night, there had been no possibility of Lin Ye fitting in with them again.

Those who walked different paths could not make plans together.

"Xiao Wu, there's no point in continuing to discuss this now. Let's hurry upstairs and sleep. We still have to get up early tomorrow to go to the Star Dou Great Forest."

"Oh, all right."

In the end, everyone returned to their own rooms. Only Zhao Wuji remained seated at the table, sighing repeatedly. "What a pity. Such a promising seedling, yet so selfish and self-serving."