In the classroom of Year One, Class Four, all students were already seated in their places.
Xia Yu walked into the classroom.
"Zhu Ziyang, come up and post this list beside the blackboard," Xia Yu said, holding a sheet of paper as he called out to Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang stepped onto the platform, took the list from Xia Yu, and glanced at it. To his surprise, it was a ranking of soul power levels. At a glance, he saw his name at the top, followed by Jiang Nannan in second place.
As he posted the list, he roughly skimmed through it. Among the hundred students, the disparity in strength was quite large. Excluding Zhu Ziyang, fewer than twenty students had soul power above level 20. Only Jiang Nannan was at level 25. Most students were at level 21 or 22, with a few at level 23 or 24. Many were around level 18 or 19, like Tang Ya, who was at level 19.
"This list records your soul power level at the time of enrollment. I expect everyone to increase by at least one level before the freshman assessment. If you don't meet this requirement, you don't need to participate—just leave the academy," Xia Yu said.
His words shocked the students, many showing concern on their faces.
Xia Yu paid them no mind.
He continued, "This period is a practical class. For soul masters, real practice only means one thing—combat. From this class onward, every practical class will involve battles!"
His declaration caused another wave of shock among the students. Having just experienced the soul duel arena earlier, everyone was still a bit sensitive to fighting.
"Silence!" Xia Yu commanded.
A powerful pressure burst from his body, immediately silencing the entire room.
Zhu Ziyang also felt the pressure. His eyes narrowed. 'Seems this class teacher is stronger than I thought. That pressure… he might even be a Soul Sage!'
"Now, I'll explain the rules," Xia Yu said with satisfaction as he withdrew his pressure. "There are currently one hundred students in our class. Class monitor Zhu Ziyang does not need to participate in combat. That leaves ninety-nine. I will divide you into forty-nine pairs."
"Since we have an extra student, I have one recommendation slot for the Soul Tool Department. If anyone wants to study soul tools, come speak to me and you can take that slot, which will also exempt you from combat classes."
"Teacher Xia, I want to join the Soul Tool Department!" A boy immediately stood up and said excitedly. Clearly, he had planned this in advance.
"Very good, Ling Xiaodong. After class, come to my office to fill out the forms," Xia Yu said with a pleased smile.
"Yes, Teacher Xia!" Ling Xiaodong responded.
"Forty-nine groups, two people each, fighting each other. Once all matches are complete, we'll do a second round with new groupings, again forty-nine groups. This will repeat—five rounds total in the first month!" Xia Yu paused, his expression turning serious. "Now listen carefully. After five rounds, anyone with zero victories will be expelled!"
"What?!" the classroom erupted with disbelief.
Xia Yu's pressure surged again, freezing the room. He said coldly, "As your freshman class teacher, I have the authority to directly expel students from this class. Not even the administration can interfere! So instead of complaining, think about how to improve your combat skills. I've already set the bar very low. Don't push your luck!"
Other than Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and a few confident students, the rest remained silent, their faces full of worry.
"Very good," Xia Yu said, satisfied with their reaction. "I've already arranged the first round of matches. Zhu Ziyang, come announce the pairings and be responsible for recording the results."
"No problem!" Zhu Ziyang stood up and, under the envious and jealous gazes of his classmates, walked up to the podium.
He glanced at the list and began reading.
"Group One: Jiang Nannan versus Li Yue."
Jiang Nannan's eyes flickered slightly, while the girl named Li Yue stared sharply at her, as if itching for the fight.
"Group Two: Lin Ziwei vs. Luo Tianyou. Group Three: Wang Qiao vs. Zhang Yiqing. Group Four... Group Forty-Nine: Shi Zijian vs. Zhang Zhao."
As Zhu Ziyang continued reading, the atmosphere in the classroom grew increasingly tense. The students' gazes toward one another were now laced with open hostility.
It was worth noting that Xia Yu's groupings deliberately avoided pairing roommates together, clearly to prevent the class from devolving into feuds among close peers.
Once all pairings were announced, Xia Yu spoke again.
"I have a few important points to remind you."
"First, do not collude with your opponents. If I find out, both will be expelled!"
"Second, don't bring your grudges outside the battles. If I find out someone seeks revenge after losing a match, I will make you regret ever setting foot in Shrek Academy!"
His final warning was delivered with a terrifying aura. Behind him rose two yellow, two purple, and three black soul rings—seven in total.
A Soul Sage!
He really was a Soul Sage!
The students, most of whom were just Soul Masters or Grandmasters, were completely immobilized under that pressure. Any resentment they might've felt vanished instantly. This was Shrek's Soul Sage!
Zhu Ziyang, standing closest, bore the brunt of the pressure. He mobilized his full strength to resist and barely managed to remain standing. Even so, sweat dripped from his forehead.
Xia Yu's gaze swept over Zhu Ziyang and, seeing him withstand the pressure, he was both surprised and satisfied.
He retracted his soul rings and aura, and after a pause, said, "Very well. You now have three minutes. Ask questions if you have any."
"Teacher, why doesn't Zhu Ziyang have to participate in the practical battles?" one boy immediately stood up to challenge the decision.
"You are Luo Tianyou, correct?" Xia Yu said with a smile. "I like students like you—those who don't accept things blindly. That kind of spirit is exactly what I want to cultivate!"
Zhu Ziyang's eyes flashed. Luo Tianyou—he remembered this name. One of the few students at level 24.
"Why doesn't Zhu Ziyang have to fight? Let me answer clearly—because he doesn't need to," Xia Yu said with a smile. "As a Soul Elder at level 35, I doubt he'd want to bully a bunch of Soul Masters and Grandmasters, right?"
Zhu Ziyang said nothing. But the classroom exploded with commotion. All eyes turned to him, full of awe, admiration, and disbelief.
Same age, yet he was that outstanding?
No one else raised objections.
Xia Yu nodded and said, "No more questions? Alright then. Everyone, leave the classroom and gather in the open space in front of the teaching building!"
Everyone stood up and exited in an orderly fashion. Xia Yu and Zhu Ziyang walked at the end.
"Good lad. You might just win me that bonus!" Xia Yu said cheerfully, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Uh..." Zhu Ziyang didn't know what to say.
'Bonus? Not like I get half of it. So why tell me at all?'
(End of Chapter)
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