Soon, Lin Xi changed his clothes and arrived in the classroom.
Clearly, after seeing what had happened to the few who had tried to slack off and cut corners, the students had all lost their nerve. Everyone arrived within the allotted time.
When the fifteen minutes were up, Zhou Yi entered the classroom on time. Seeing all ninety-one students present, she nodded and said, "Your performance in that test was mostly satisfactory. The vast majority of you completed the simple running assessment. Now we'll begin class."
With that, she turned and wrote two large words on the blackboard: attack, defense.
After writing them, she faced the students again. "I know most of you are very unhappy that I punished you by making you run laps and expelled nine people. You're simply too intimidated by me to show it. I have no obligation to explain myself. Those with insight will understand in time. As for fools who can't figure it out, let them stay confused. Now we'll begin class."
"You should all recognize the two words I wrote on the blackboard: attack and defense. For this first lesson today, I'll explain the way Soul Masters attack and defend. Since ancient times, we Soul Masters have been divided into many systems according to the different abilities of our Martial Souls: the Power Attack System, Agility Attack System, Auxiliary System, Food System, Control System, Defense System, and so on. Some Soul Masters develop in a single direction to its limits, while others pursue balanced development. The methods of cultivation are too numerous to list. Wang Dong, answer this: among the various systems of Soul Masters, which are better at attacking, and which should lean toward defense and support?"
The question could not have been simpler. Wang Dong stood and answered without hesitation, "Naturally, the Power Attack, Agility Attack, and Control Systems lean more toward attacking, while the Auxiliary, Food, and Defense Systems lean more toward defense."
Zhou Yi said bluntly, "That's a fool's answer."
"..."
Wang Dong fell silent.
In the past, she would certainly have wanted to argue a little.
But now, after the impact Lin Xi had made on her, she really was beginning to question her own intelligence.
Was she actually a fool?
Zhou Yi looked at Lin Xi. "Lin Xi, what's your answer?"
Lin Xi rose lazily to his feet.
"Naturally, the Power Attack, Agility Attack, and Control Systems lean more toward attacking, while the Auxiliary, Food, and Defense Systems lean more toward defense."
Yes, exactly. It was identical to Wang Dong's answer.
An uproar swept through the class.
He had insisted on saying that even after Zhou Yi had explicitly called it a fool's answer. Wasn't he challenging her?
Only Wang Dong breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Wonderful. She wasn't a fool.
Even if she was, at least Lin Xi was there to be a fool alongside her.
Zhou Yi's expression soured.
"Lin Xi, what is the meaning of this? Were you not listening to my lesson just now?"
"No, I was listening, and I know what you're trying to say, Teacher." Lin Xi shook his head helplessly. "You want to talk about the impact Soul Engineers have had on the existing Soul Master system, right?"
"...Oh?"
Zhou Yi narrowed her eyes slightly.
That was indeed what she had wanted to discuss. It would also serve as a recruitment pitch for her husband.
After all, the Soul Tool Department really did have a poor reputation at Shrek, and she had to do her part to help.
If this brat had guessed, why had he deliberately said that anyway?
Lin Xi sighed.
"But once you've finished talking about Soul Tools, you'll definitely say that, with the same Soul Tools in hand, a powerful Soul Master will still be stronger. Am I right?"
"...Yes."
Damn it, how had this brat figured out her entire lesson plan?
Lin Xi spread his hands helplessly.
"Then there you have it. Isn't your point essentially the same as Wang Dong's, Teacher?"
"..."
That did seem to be the case?
For a moment, Zhou Yi began to question her life.
She suddenly realized that she seemed unable to refute him.
Lin Xi let out a breath and sat back down.
When he had read this part of the novel back then, he had inwardly ranted like mad.
If the issue was ultimately going to come back to 'powerful Soul Masters are more powerful,' why spend so much time spouting bullshit beforehand?
His intense dislike of Zhou Yi was partly due to her poor professional ethics, but her lack of teaching ability was just as important.
It could be said that every moment since class began had been unproductive time, all wasted by Zhou Yi.
All she had done during that time was use a load of nonsense to lead into a conclusion everyone already knew, taking a swipe at Wang Dong along the way.
Utterly pointless.
Zhou Yi gave two somewhat embarrassed coughs and said helplessly:
"Fine, Lin Xi has something of a point. That's right, the foundation of a Soul Master's strength is still the Soul Master themselves. So, for the next three months, my training for you will focus primarily on your bodies. Anyone who fails my assessment can get lost, just like those nine earlier."
"That's all for this morning's training. I suggest you eat a proper lunch. This afternoon will be physical conditioning. Class dismissed."
With that, she turned and left without hesitation, looking faintly as though she were fleeing in disarray.
The moment she left the classroom, Wang Dong came over and said with a grin:
"Thanks, Lin Xi. Thanks for standing up for me."
"Huh?" Lin Xi stared at Wang Dong, dumbfounded. "Standing up? For you?"
"Tch, stop playing dumb." Smiling, Wang Dong patted his shoulder. "You have no idea how satisfying it was to see that embarrassed look on her face. I've got to admit, you're better at this."
"Hiss..."
Lin Xi could not help sucking in a sharp breath.
Zhou Yi had just lectured Wang Dong, and then he had used the exact same answer to turn around and lecture Zhou Yi.
Objectively speaking, perhaps, possibly, probably, he really had been standing up for Wang Dong?
His feelings could not help becoming somewhat complicated.
Huo Yutong looked curiously at Wang Dong.
"Who are you? Brother Lin Xi's roommate?"
Wang Dong smiled and nodded at her. Huo Yutong had left quite an impression on her.
"Yes, my name is Wang Dong. What's yours?"
"My name is Huo Yutong." Huo Yutong narrowed her eyes and looked Wang Dong up and down. "Oh? His roommate? I see."
Seeing her up close, Huo Yutong immediately accepted the fact that Wang Dong was actually a girl.
Rather, with looks like those, how could she possibly be a boy? Surely no one would actually fall for such a cheap trick?
Surely not? Surely not?
Seeing Huo Yutong's gaze growing more intense, Wang Dong struck a handsome pose.
She knew this situation all too well.
Ever since she had started dressing as a boy, girls had always wanted to approach her.
"What? Interested in me? Sorry, miss..."
"Brother Lin Xi, what are we having for lunch today?"
However, Huo Yutong could not even be bothered to acknowledge her.
Far from having any favorable feelings toward Wang Dong, she even harbored a faint trace of hostility.
Whenever she thought about Wang Dong being able to sleep in the same room as Brother Lin Xi, she felt very, very displeased.
That had clearly been her exclusive perk before.
Lin Xi smiled and said, "Whatever you like. But before that, we need to go meet a few people."