"I have my rhythm. Rest assured, a scourge like Zhou Yi will be brought to justice," Yan Shaozhe said righteously.
"Of course. I'm not that idle. But if she provokes me first…" Su Wen grinned.
"Mm." Yan Shaozhe nodded absently. With you, a walking disaster, which Outer Court teacher would dare poke the bear? Even Zhou Yi has some sense.
Right now, he was focused on taking a disciple.
In the afternoon's two matches, opponents turned black-faced the moment they saw they were up against Su Wen's team, then surrendered helplessly. Charging in knowing you'll lose would only hurt team morale—especially against a monster like Su Wen.
Five assessment matches were scheduled for the next day, and the round robin ended in just three days.
Nearly half were eliminated from the Academy. The harsh, nearly cruel assessment left many of those who remained feeling lucky, but not angry—after all, with their talent, they still had plenty of other academies to choose from. Every year around this time, countless academy teachers lurked near Shrek City, hoping to scoop up students who'd been eliminated.
Level 15 before age 12 might be mediocre in monster-stacked Shrek Academy, but across the continent's many advanced academies, that counts as genius.
With steady progress, such talent could likely break through to Soul King, even Soul Emperor—mainstays of mid-sized sects or advanced academies.
But those eliminated by Zhou Yi's personal bias often carried a black mark.
The nature of the two is worlds apart.
The former is a character issue; the latter is lack of ability.
So aside from someone like Dai Huabin, who could ignore expulsion due to his background and transfer to continue at Shrek, most with weak backgrounds would carry that black mark for life, with no small impact.
Add to that her mercurial temper and occasional corporal punishment.
That's why so many of the students she expelled hate her.
As a large group of students left—
The freshman dorms felt much emptier.
Xiao Xiao's team also gradually revealed their strength, winning eight straight.
Chen Yanjin wasn't weak; with two Soul Grandmasters and the increasingly effective Huo Yuhao, they started to shine. Zhou Yi was smug, but her gaze turned cold when it fell on Xiao Xiao.
Of course, the protagonist's luck around Yuhao did show some benefits.
In a few matches, they won on the back of sheer luck.
They also gained Wang Yan's favor and a report to the Academy. Even Yan Shaozhe came to ask Su Wen's opinion on Huo Yuhao; Su Wen replied with just a few words: "So-so." Yan Shaozhe dropped it.
The Dean kept watching Xiao Xiao, but for some reason didn't move. When asked, he only said to wait for the right time.
…
Another three days passed in a flash.
The round robin ended and results were posted.
Su Wen's team was first as a matter of course; Dai Huabin's team second; Xie Huanyue's team third. They hadn't met each other, so all three were 10–0.
Class 2 had ninety-nine students; seventy-eight remained, thanks to solid intake and Mu Jin's teaching.
Next door, Zhou Yi wasn't so lucky.
They had fifty-four students; after eliminations, only thirty-eight remained.
Tap-tap-tap—
Class 1.
Zhou Yi walked in with a dark face.
She slapped a stack of results onto the desk.
"Of the top sixty-four teams in this round robin, our class squeezed in only four! And the highest was Chen Yanjin's team in 11th place! And that's with them running into the strongest teams and dropping only three! What about you? Barely passing. A bunch of pigs!"
The class was silent; everyone drooped.
Only Huo Yuhao beamed.
Eleventh! He'd done it!
As class monitor, he'd been questioned from the start. Today, he could finally answer his doubters!
He even sat up straighter.
"Hmph!"
After announcing the results, Zhou Yi swept her gaze around, gave Huo Yuhao a look of approval, then turned to the trembling Xiao Xiao. Pushing up her glasses, she said sharply, "Xiao Xiao, come to my office!"
…
A few minutes later.
Zhou Yi eyed her, legs crossed, gaze fixed on the stubbornly uncooperative Xiao Xiao.
"If you hadn't run into Su Wen's team, you had a shot at eight wins. That could put you top seven overall! You could even take a swipe at the top three, and as seeds you'd get another soul bone. Wouldn't that be nice?" She forced patience and preached.
"I don't need to tell you how important core disciple status is, right? Mm? If you added two soul rings…"
"B-But I heard if you make top ten and perform well, you can get core disciple status," Xiao Xiao said weakly.
"Hmm?" Zhou Yi raised a brow, eyes narrowing.
Daring to question her?
She had a bad feeling. This girl who seemed timid might be slipping beyond her control.
"I didn't realize you were so selfish, Xiao Xiao. I really misjudged you." Zhou Yi raised her voice enough to draw glances from students and even some teachers passing in the hall, pressing Xiao Xiao until she could barely breathe.
"As a member of a team, you only think of your own interests, unwilling to contribute. You hear a few rumors and start doubting your teacher, sigh…"
Zhou Yi rubbed her brow, face weary.
"Also, your performance this term has been mediocre. If you weren't so obedient and sensible, I wouldn't have gone easy on you. But now…"
"That's all for now. Go think about it."
…
Class 2.
Su Wen sat in the back by the window, popped a segment of orange Ning Tian had peeled, and felt quite at ease.
A commotion stirred outside the classroom.
Wang Dong dragged Xiao Xiao over in a fury and stopped in front of Su Wen. "That old hag is forcing Xiao Xiao to add soul rings again. She's thrown away all shame for the sake of results. She even wants her to add two!"
Xie Huanyue and Xue Ling drifted over.
Hearing this, they bristled with anger.
"…"
Su Wen frowned. The Dean still hadn't acted?
In that case, don't blame him for not giving face.
"Xiao Xiao?" He looked up at the doll-like girl.
"Ah, Su Wen…" Xiao Xiao flushed scarlet, flustered.
"Forget it. Just call me Su Wen," he said, mouth twitching as he waved.
"I'll go find Director Du Weilun later. You're transferring to Class 2 today. Twin Martial Souls aren't to be squandered like this."
Su Wen stood, expression calm.
He hesitated, then said, "Forget it. Xie Huanyue, go ask Director Du to come here. I'm too lazy to walk."
Xie Huanyue: ???
Do I have that much clout?
"Use my name," Su Wen said, sitting back down. This was on the Dean for dragging his feet—he could have Du Weilun come to him…
Besides, what's happening here is a challenge to Shrek's rules. If it blows up, the Martial Soul Department's Director will be the one catching flak.
"On it!"
Xie Huanyue zipped away like the wind.
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