A Clash of Ideals

In the faint morning light, birdsong awakened the dilapidated Shrek dormitory. Yan Zu had risen early and was practicing the Nine Yin Manual's breathing exercises at the edge of the training ground. Little Jade lay on his shoulder, an auspicious presence slowly spreading with each breath, nourishing the surrounding weeds and bringing a faint green to their withered yellow leaves.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong emerged from the dormitory shortly afterward. Ning Rongrong was still complaining about how hard the beds were, while Xiao Wu had already skipped over to Yan Zu's side. "A-Zu, will classes start today?"

"We'll probably get to know our classmates first." Yan Zu finished his exercise and glanced toward the other end of the training ground. Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were walking their way, with Dai Mubai trailing behind, his expression as gloomy as ever.

"Hey, good morning, new classmates!" Oscar was the first to greet them. Soul Power surged in his hand, instantly forming a pink sausage. "A freshly made Recovery Sausage! Free samples! Miss it and you'll have to wait a year!"

Ma Hongjun's gaze immediately stuck to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. He grinned. "Ladies, I didn't get a chance to get to know you properly yesterday. I'm Ma Hongjun, and my Martial Soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix. If you need anything at the academy, just come to me!" His words carried a flippant edge, and he made no attempt to hide his eyes as they roamed over the two of them.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned, and Soul Power stirred around her as a trace of the Hell Spirit Cat's killing intent leaked out. "Show some respect."

"Oh, you've got quite a temper." Rather than restrain himself, Ma Hongjun stepped forward, his tone growing even more frivolous. "I like a fiery one. How about a spar? I'll show you what I can do."

"Courting death!" Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned cold. Her Hell Claws sprang out, pale black Soul Power swirling around her fingertips as she closed in like a ghost.

"Rongrong, boost her!" Yan Zu said softly.

Ning Rongrong was already prepared. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared in an instant. "Seven treasures emerge, glazed and bright. First: speed! Second: strength!" Two beams of colored light landed squarely on Zhu Zhuqing, and her speed and attack power soared.

Ma Hongjun hadn't expected her to actually attack. He hastily released his Martial Soul, and two yellow Soul Rings rose as he hurriedly spat out his First Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line. But Zhu Zhuqing was incredibly fast. She slipped sideways past the flames, her Hell Claws whistling through the air as they slashed across Ma Hongjun's shoulder, leaving three shallow bloody marks.

"Hiss-" Ma Hongjun grimaced in pain. No longer daring to act so brazenly, he took two steps back and glared at her. "You dare attack me?"

"Get fresh with me again, and next time it won't be a flesh wound." Zhu Zhuqing retracted her claws, her gaze cold as frost.

Oscar hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. "Hongjun, don't be rash. Our new classmates just got here. It's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!" He handed Ma Hongjun a Recovery Sausage, then smiled at Zhu Zhuqing. "Don't take it to heart, beautiful. That's just how he is. He doesn't mean any harm."

Tang San stood to one side, his gaze fixed on Yan Zu all the while. Suddenly, he spoke. "Yan Zu, I challenge you."

The training ground fell silent at once.

Yan Zu raised his head and looked calmly at Tang San. "Why?"

"To prove who's the strongest in our year." Fighting spirit rose in Tang San's eyes. "And to see whether you're qualified to stand at Xiao Wu's side."

Yan Zu put down the dry rations in his hand, wiped his hands, and stood up. After years of training, he was half a head taller than Tang San. "Tang San, cultivation isn't for fighting. If you want a fight, there'll be plenty of opportunities later, but not now."

"Are you afraid?" Tang San sneered.

"Think what you like." Yan Zu turned away and paid him no further attention.

Just then, Dai Mubai approached from a distance, his face dark. He walked straight up to Zhu Zhuqing and took a deep breath. "Zhu Zhuqing, we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about." Zhu Zhuqing had her back to him, her voice icy.

"I know you're angry, but I had my reasons for leaving back then..." Dai Mubai reached out to take Zhu Zhuqing's hand. "Give me a chance. We can start over and face the competition in our families together..."

Zhu Zhuqing spun around and slapped his hand away. "Dai Mubai, what do you take me for? A burden when you were running for your life? Or a toy you can pick up and throw away whenever you please?"

"You!" Dai Mubai's face flushed, anger flashing through his evil eyes. "Don't refuse a face-saving offer! You think you can act so arrogantly in front of me at level twenty-seven?"

Three Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, and the White Tiger Martial Soul possessed him. The pressure of his level thirty-seven Soul Power instantly enveloped Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing grunted, her body swaying slightly, but her gaze remained defiant, and she refused to back down.

"Dai Mubai." Yan Zu stepped forward and blocked Zhu Zhuqing from view. His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "What are you trying to do?"

At the sight of Yan Zu, Dai Mubai's momentum faltered. Remembering the humiliation of being subdued in a single move at the Rose Hotel the day before yesterday, his expression shifted.

He looked warily at Little Jade lying on Yan Zu's shoulder, then at those deep black eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything. Finally, he gritted his teeth. "This is between us. It has nothing to do with you!"

"Zhu Zhuqing is my companion now," Yan Zu said evenly. "If you want to lay a hand on her, you'll have to get past me first."

Their eyes met, and sparks seemed to fly through the air. Cold sweat beaded on Dai Mubai's forehead. He badly wanted to strike, but the memory of being utterly suppressed still gave him pause.

At last, he snorted and withdrew his Martial Soul. "Fine, very good! Just you wait!"

With that, he swept his sleeves and left.

Tang San gave Yan Zu a long look before turning away as well. Oscar helped Ma Hongjun along, nodding awkwardly to the others as they hurried off.

"Thank you," Zhu Zhuqing said softly.

"Of course." Yan Zu smiled. "Come on, it's time for class."

The morning class was held on the training ground. Flender pushed up his crystal glasses and swept his gaze over the eight students, finally stopping on Yan Zu. A complicated look flashed in his eyes.

"Today, I'm going to tell you Shrek's motto." Flender cleared his throat and raised his voice. "At Shrek, we only accept monsters, not ordinary people! Do you know what a monster is? A monster is exceptionally gifted, far beyond ordinary people, and dares to challenge anything! Our philosophy is this: those who don't dare stir up trouble are mediocrities! Only by daring to stir up trouble and challenge the strong can you unleash your potential and become a true monster!"

"Dean, forgive me for speaking frankly." Yan Zu suddenly spoke, his voice carrying clearly across the training ground. "I'm afraid I can't agree."

Flender frowned. "Oh?"

"An academy should teach all without discrimination." Yan Zu stepped forward, his expression composed. "If it only accepts monsters, that can only mean it lacks confidence in its own teaching methods. Monsters are monsters wherever they go. Only by turning mediocrities into monsters can a teacher and an academy prove their excellence. As for 'those who don't dare stir up trouble are mediocrities'..."

Flender's face darkened, and he slapped the table. "Boy, are you questioning my teaching philosophy?"

"I wouldn't presume to question it. I'm only sharing my views." Yan Zu was neither servile nor overbearing. "On the path of a Soul Master, talent is certainly important, but character and direction matter more. An academy's duty is to guide, not sift through students; to help each student discover their own potential, not simply glorify born monsters."

He paused and glanced at Tang San and Dai Mubai. "As for 'stirring up trouble,' if that means using one's strength to bully the weak or provoking others without cause, then that philosophy is nothing more than an excuse to breed bullies. The truly strong should protect the weak, not take pleasure in bullying others."

"Insolence!" Flender's face darkened. "Yan Zu, do you know what you're questioning? For twenty years, Shrek has nurtured countless powerful people, and it was all thanks to the fighting spirit of those who dare to stir up trouble!"

"Fighting spirit is not the same as being overbearing." Yan Zu was neither servile nor overbearing. "Dean, if I were to bully others today simply because I'm stronger, should I bow my head and accept my fate when someone stronger bullies me tomorrow? True fighting spirit means daring to stand up against injustice and holding fast to one's convictions in the face of overwhelming power, not using one's position to oppress others. If the academy teaches the latter, how is it any different from a bandits' den?"

Not a sound could be heard on the training ground.