Core Disciple

Lin Qianyi felt a wave of conflict rise within her at those words. Looking at Fan Yu, she replied cautiously, "Teacher Fan Yu, please give me some time to think it over." Fan Yu understood her inner struggle well and merely nodded gently.

Huo Yuhao, however, seemed to make up his mind in an instant. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, his voice firm and filled with reverence. "Teacher!" That cry seemed to carry endless sincerity and hope for the future. Fan Yu looked at Huo Yuhao, his eyes full of gratification, and answered warmly, "Good child!"

Fan Yu slowly spoke, his voice carrying an unquestionable resolve. "If the Martial Soul Department cannot truly recognize you, that is their loss. From now on, you are my Personal Disciple and a Core Disciple of the Soul Tool Department." Hearing this, Huo Yuhao felt a tide of joy surge through him. This sudden opportunity was like rain from heaven, nourishing his heart's longing to grow stronger. He replied respectfully, "Thank you, Teacher."

At the side, He Caitou teased, "Looks like I have a Junior Brother now." Huo Yuhao hurriedly addressed him, "Senior Brother." Fan Yu took two exquisite badges from his sleeve and handed one each to Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi. "With these, you may enter and leave freely." The two accepted the badges and solemnly nodded their thanks to Fan Yu.

Zhou Yi stepped forward and said softly, "Come on. I'll show you around." With that, she led the two away.

He Caitou watched their retreating figures and muttered to himself, "At least Teacher won't only torment me from now on." Before he could finish, Fan Yu's voice came from behind him. "When have I ever tormented you? Hurry up and get to work."

When the three arrived before the teaching building, Zhou Yi stopped. Her gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi for a moment. She sighed softly, concern in her voice. "Yuhao, have you mentioned your martial soul fusion skill with Wang Dong to Dean Yan Shaozhe?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head and answered somewhat awkwardly, "Not yet."

"That won't do." Zhou Yi frowned. "It would be better to let Wang Dong tell him."

"Let her tell him?" Huo Yuhao was puzzled.

Zhou Yi paused slightly, and a trace of helplessness flashed through her eyes. "Do you really not understand? You are a Core Disciple of the Soul Tool Department. There are some things you should not run into walls over yourself.

"Are you wondering why I, a teacher of the Martial Soul Department, favor the Soul Tool Department?" Her tone softened. "That is because Fan Yu is my husband. After marrying him, it is only natural that I care more about matters on his side. But..." She suddenly stopped, seeming to hesitate over something. In the end, she slowly continued, "I have a secret that only he knows."

Zhou Yi gently removed her mask. In that instant, her aged appearance vanished, replaced by the image of a young girl whose features were as exquisite as the finest porcelain. Yet only a moment later, she put the mask back on.

Lin Qianyi could not help asking, "Teacher Zhou, why do you do that?"

Zhou Yi smiled faintly. "My real appearance does not suit the imposing presence I want to project in class, so I chose to dress like this. All right, you are not allowed to tell anyone about this. Hurry to class."

Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao walked into the classroom side by side and called out in unison, "Reporting!" Without even raising his head, Wang Yan answered, "Come in."

The moment they entered the classroom, the previously noisy room fell silent. Every student's gaze focused on the two like spotlights.

"Qianyi, Yuhao, you came back at just the right time." Wang Yan shifted his gaze from the documents on the podium to the two of them. "We are about to hold the class monitor election. Take your seats first."

Huo Yuhao and Lin Qianyi exchanged a glance, then headed toward the third row—their seats. Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were already sitting there, as though they had been waiting for some time.

Out of habit, Huo Yuhao sat on the far left, right beside Wang Dong. Lin Qianyi sat in the middle, with Wang Dong on her left and Xiao Xiao on her right.

On the podium, Wang Yan slowly began, "Next, we will hold the class monitor election. Our class is divided into two major systems, the assault system and the control system, so we will have a class monitor and vice class monitor, with the two sides taking turns serving." He paused and swept his gaze over the students below. "Now, please vote."

As he spoke, he wrote the candidates' names on the blackboard one by one: Lin Qianyi, Wang Dong, Dai Huabin, Zhou Sichen, Wu Feng, Huang Chutian; Huo Yuhao, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo.

When they saw the names Lin Qianyi and Wang Dong, most of those present had no objections. After all, these two members of the champion team in the freshman assessment had long since earned everyone's recognition through their strength.

However, when their eyes fell on the name "Huo Yuhao," the atmosphere immediately turned subtle. The students originally from Freshman Class One remained calm, but those who had transferred in from other classes revealed looks of disdain.

They quietly grumbled to themselves: Although Huo Yuhao's team had indeed won the championship, he had only one soul ring. His strength was so weak—how could anyone be convinced? Just then, Wu Feng, who sat behind Dai Huabin, stood up. Her voice was full of obvious doubt. "Teacher, I object."

Wang Yan frowned slightly. "Wu Feng, what is your objection?"

Wu Feng spoke bluntly. "Teacher, Huo Yuhao may be a member of the freshman assessment champion team, but he only has one ring, and it is even the lowest-grade Ten-Year Soul Ring. If Lin Qianyi had not led the team, how could he possibly have won? If his strength is insufficient, then it is insufficient. What right does he have to run for class monitor?"

Wang Yan responded steadily, "Although Huo Yuhao began cultivating late, his strength should not be underestimated. During the freshman assessment, he already proved his abilities. He is qualified to participate in the election."

Wu Feng refused to let it go. "Teacher, there are three-ring Soul Elders here, as well as two-ring Soul Masters. Why him of all people? Even if he is exceptionally talented, Teacher should consider how the rest of us feel."

At that moment, the air in the classroom seemed to freeze, and everyone's eyes focused on the argument.

Bang! Wang Dong slammed her hand onto the desk, her handsome face full of displeasure. "Wu Feng, a loss is a loss. Why are you still holding a grudge even now?"

Lin Qianyi also sighed softly, her tone calm but carrying a hint of admonishment. "Being class monitor is not something you can do well through strength alone. No matter how strong you are, what is the point if you do not know how to consider your classmates? Wu Feng, you should know perfectly well what the result of that match meant."

Wu Feng's face flushed red, and her voice trembled slightly. "You... Lin Qianyi, don't think that having a little ability means you can look down on everyone. Who do you think you are?"

Lin Qianyi smiled faintly, her gaze clear. "Whether I have what it takes is not for you to decide. If you truly refuse to accept it, you can speak to Teacher Zhou. Whether each of you accepts Huo Yuhao or not is not for any of you to decide. What, Wu Feng? You refuse to accept it?"

She spoke neither quickly nor slowly, yet her words landed like a heavy hammer, instantly silencing the classroom. Everyone's eyes gathered on her, and even Teacher Wang Yan nodded slightly in private approval.

Seeing this, Wang Dong stood up, her eyes shining. "How about I fight you? Let me show you what real strength looks like!" Soul Power faintly rippled around her as she eagerly prepared to act.

At that moment, Teacher Wang Yan shouted sternly, "Enough! Sit down!" His voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable authority.

Everyone sat back down, their gazes turning in unison toward Huo Yuhao in the corner. He only shook his head. Although Wu Feng's face was full of unwillingness, she ultimately returned to her seat in silence.

Seeing the situation gradually calm down, Wang Yan turned his gaze toward Huo Yuhao. Huo Yuhao knew that if he did not accept Wu Feng's challenge, he would likely find it difficult to hold his head up in the class from now on.

He was proud by nature and could not stand being looked down upon. At that moment, Wu Feng's disdainful gaze felt like thorns against his back, while his classmates' discussions reached his ears. His pride would not allow him to back down. Even knowing that his chances of victory were slim, he had to accept the challenge.

"Teacher Wang, I am willing to accept Wu Feng's challenge," Huo Yuhao said in a deep voice.

The moment those words left his mouth, the classroom erupted in uproar. Wu Feng sneered. "Very good. You do have some courage! Today, I'll let you see what real strength is!"