Goddamn Yu Zhen

Sitting next to him Yu Zhen, the dean of the Eastsea Academy, dressed in a gray cloth robe. He looked unremarkable and was smiling as he looked at the audience.

"Old Yu, usually Skysea Alliance Grand Competition, doesn't your Eastsea Academy always send the Dean of Studies? Why did you, the Dean, come in person this year?"

Meng Ruoxu turned his head and spoke with a hint of curiosity.

Yu Zhen turned his head, his face full of smiles, looking like a brother in a friendly and respectful manner.

"Brother Meng, I've been missing you! My Eastsea Academy's grades have been terrible these past few years, so I came all this way to ask you for advice."

Meng Ruoxu thought to himself, "When did this old fox become so humble?"

In the past, every time the alliance held a meeting, he would always be glaring at him. Why the change of heart today? He couldn't figure out what Yu Zhen was up to, so he could only go along with it.

"Sigh! It's all thanks to the good foundation laid by the former dean, and the quality of the students. Take this competition for example, our academy has a thirteen-year-old Three-Ring Soul Elder named Lin Hao, whose Mysterious Iron Saber is quite solid. I reckon he's a shoo-in for the championship in this year's junior group individual competition."

As Meng Ruoxu spoke, he couldn't help but slightly raise his chin, his smugness clearly written on his face.

After all, Tianhai Academy has won the junior group individual championship year after year, a fact known throughout the league. With the best students and the best resources, it would be strange if they didn't achieve good results.

Yu Zhen nodded and continued the conversation.

"Yes, yes! Compared to the Tianhai Academy, Eastsea Academy still has a long way to go."

Meng Ruoxu was even more puzzled.

That's not right.

This old guy used to hate hearing that, and I'd always have to argue with him for ages.

Why are you being so compliant today?

"You little rascal, you're definitely up to no good!"

Meng Ruoxu muttered something, not thinking much of it. Just then, a contestant entered the arena from stage number seven below. Meng Ruoxu's eyes lit up, and she pointed down.

"See that? Lin Hao from our academy is on stage! He's the genius I told you about, a thirteen-year-old Three-Ring Soul Elder, his strength is undeniable!"

His tone was full of pride, and he even glanced at Yu Zhen sideways.

The meaning is obvious: look how strong our genius is.

Anyway, the facts are there, and I doubt Eastsea Academy can make any waves.

Unexpectedly Yu Zhen looked in the direction he pointed and, upon seeing the black-clad youth standing opposite Lin Hao, nearly spat out the tea he had just drunk.

He quickly swallowed it, choked and coughed twice, then hurriedly wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Meng's students are absolutely top-notch!"

Yu Zhen nodded while coughing, his lips trembling as he tried to suppress a laugh.

Meng Ruoxu hadn't yet noticed anything amiss, waving his hand dismissively as if it were nothing.

"So-so, just average, not much of a match for someone in the same rank."

Before he could finish speaking, the referee shouted "Start!"

Then there was a soft "snap" sound.

So fast it was almost invisible.

A dark figure flashed across the arena, and the next second, Lin Hao of the Tianhai Academy flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily onto the protective barrier before sliding down and collapsing to the ground, motionless.

The whole process was so fast that it didn't even take a breath.

Meng Ruoxu's teacup suddenly stopped.

Um?

He didn't even see what happened.

Immediately afterwards, the referee's voice came through.

"Eastsea Academy vs. Bai Yushan, victory in this match!"

The sound was clear and distinct, drifting into the VIP seats.

Yu Zhen couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He slapped his thigh hard, so hard it made a loud noise.

"Old Meng! Old Meng!"

Yu Zhen turned his head to look at Meng Ruoxu, his face beaming with joy.

"Excuse me, but why did you, a genius student, withdraw in the first round?"

"Oh! I see!" Yu Zhen feigned sudden realization, slapping his forehead. "Look at you, how could you let the students go easy on us just because of our relationship? That won't do, Brother Meng! Competitions must be fair and just!"

That tone, that expression—it was incredibly irritating.

Damn it Yu Zhen!

He was just calling me "Brother Meng," but now he's all smug and calling me "Old Meng"!

Shameless!

Meng Ruoxu stared at Yu Zhen with hostility, his face darkening.

I knew this guy was up to no good!

So you came here today just to see yourself make a fool of yourself?

But he was also deeply shaken.

He knew Lin Hao's strength best.

At the age of thirteen, Three-Ring Soul Elder Mysterious Iron Saber- Tool Martial Soul is of excellent quality. His proficiency with his Martial Soul is not to say that he is a master, but he has few rivals among his peers.

How could he not even withstand one move?

That kid over there... Bai Yushan from the Eastsea Academy?

When did this monster appear?

Meng Ruoxu stared intently at the black-clad youth on the arena.

The boy stood in the center of the arena, patting his trouser leg with a nonchalant expression, as if he had just stepped on an ant.

Even the Soul Ring haven't lit up?

Meng Ruoxu's pupils contracted.

No, did I not see him flash his Soul Ring?

Or is it... that it's moving too fast, and no one even noticed it when it lit up?

impossible.

How could a battle between Three-Ring Soul Elder be this fast?

A storm raged within Meng Ruoxu's heart.

He turned to look at Yu Zhen. This old fox, he'd actually been hiding something like this?

When was this genius discovered?

"Well done, Lao Yu, you've kept it well hidden."

Meng Ruoxu put down his teacup, his tone becoming somewhat somber.

"No, no, not at all." Yu Zhen his hand modestly, "He's just a kid, practicing randomly, just lucky, just lucky."

Good luck?

You're kidding me!

Kicked out Three-Ring Soul Elder, and you call that good luck?

"Just who is this kid?"

Seeing that Yu Zhen hadn't spoken, Meng Ruoxu couldn't help but speak up, her voice a little dry.

Yu Zhen held his teacup, took a slow sip, and looked completely calm and collected.

"Huh? You mean Bai Yushan? He's alright, one of our students in Class Zero. I just teach him casually, he's self-taught, nothing special."

Just teaching casually?

Wild road?

Meng Ruoxu almost choked.

Could such a monster be produced by just casual teaching?

Yu Zhen, am not this strong!

How shameless!

He glanced at Yu Zhen sideways, his face saying, "You're just going to keep pretending."

Yu Zhen was secretly overjoyed.

On the surface, they had to keep a straight face and appear calm.

Cool!

That was awesome!

In the past, every time I came to the alliance meeting, I was always overshadowed by this old man Meng.

Today I finally got to hold my head high!

He could already imagine that after this competition ended, the name of the Eastsea Academy would resound throughout the entire alliance.

Bai Yushan, that kid, really made him proud!

The afternoon was the team competition. After finishing his match, Bai Yushan headed towards the hotel, completely ignoring the opponents he might face next.

He can confidently say that he has no rivals!

On the way back to the hotel, a white-haired figure passed by and stopped Bai Yushan.

"Hey kid, are you from the Eastsea Academy?"