Compared to Zhou Yi, who was quick to expel students, Teacher Mu Jin's teaching style was much gentler.
But gentler or not, before the students she still had to establish the authority of a teacher.
Xu Zihuang could understand this. He was not so petty as to resent Mu Jin for such things. On the contrary, he showed her great respect. After briefly exchanging a few words with Nanmen Yun'er, he sat upright and turned his gaze to the podium.
The one hundred students of Class Nine did the same.
Mu Jin was quite satisfied with their behavior. Her calm gaze swept from left to right. Everyone felt as though she was staring directly at them, an invisible pressure settling over their hearts.
Xu Zihuang, of course, remained perfectly composed.
His special upbringing meant that facing Mu Jin stirred not the slightest trace of nervousness.
"Let me first introduce myself. My name is Mu Jin. For the next three months, until the freshman assessment and class reshuffling, I will be your homeroom teacher. I know all of you were carefully selected from across the continent. Among your peers, you can truly be called elites."
At this, aside from a handful of calm-minded students, pride flickered in the eyes of most of the class.
If not for outstanding talent, how could they have entered Shrek Academy? Such superiority, cultivated since childhood, was not so easily erased.
But Mu Jin's tone shifted.
"However, I must tell you this. Shrek Academy has never lacked geniuses. Every year in the freshman assessment, more than two-thirds are eliminated. Which means that among you, less than one-third will remain. All you can do is give your all over the next three months, striving to stay."
Looking at the students' solemn expressions, Mu Jin knew her point had struck home.
She abruptly changed the subject, calling out: "Yu Tianhuang, Ning Tian."
Xu Zihuang rose slowly, and at the same time, four seats away to his right, a golden-haired girl also stood.
Among the female students, her tall figure stood out. Her delicate beauty was no less than that of Nanmen Yun'er beside Xu Zihuang. Her short golden hair looked crisp and neat, her large aquamarine eyes framed by long lashes.
"I've reviewed your entrance examination results. Among you, Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian have the highest cultivation. From now on, they will serve as the monitor and vice-monitor of Class Nine. At Shrek Academy, ability determines position. These posts are not fixed—anyone who defeats them may take their place. However, as Ning Tian is an auxiliary-type tool soul master, all challenges will be taken by Yu Tianhuang on her behalf. But let me warn you: both of them have already reached the Soul Elder level. Before challenging them, weigh your own strength carefully."
"Soul Elders?!"
The moment her words fell, the quiet classroom erupted in an uproar.
The students' gazes toward Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian changed instantly.
Even the most ignorant knew what it meant to reach Soul Elder at the age of eleven.
It required not only extraordinary talent but also powerful backing.
The girls' eyes toward Xu Zihuang grew softer, while the boys who had previously shown hostility now instinctively avoided his gaze.
Even Nanmen Yun'er at his side, and Ning Tian across the room, looked at him in surprise.
Yet there were still a few stubborn ones who doubted Xu Zihuang's strength.
After all, soul power rank did not always equal true combat ability—especially below rank thirty. Every student admitted to Shrek had a martial soul of some quality.
"What a hassle," Xu Zihuang muttered helplessly.
He had no interest in being class monitor.
But with his talent, he was destined to be in the spotlight at Shrek. Avoiding it was impossible. Rejecting Mu Jin outright here would only embarrass her, so he could only accept for now, intending to decline later in private.
Mu Jin gestured for Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian to sit, then tapped her lesson plan on the podium.
"Everyone, stand. To the Soul Dueling Area. Today's lesson is real combat. At Shrek Academy, actual battle is paramount. The freshman assessment three months from now will also be combat. Prepare yourselves."
With that, she left the classroom.
Without the teacher present, the students dropped their restraint.
A bold group of girls immediately swarmed around Xu Zihuang, chattering nonstop with questions.
"Let's go gather at the Soul Dueling Area. Don't waste time here," Xu Zihuang deflected politely, then rose and strode past them.
By contrast, Ning Tian's side was the complete opposite. Not a single boy dared approach.
Firstly, Class Nine had far fewer boys than girls. Secondly, an icy-looking girl stood guard beside Ning Tian. The frosty glare in her dark-red eyes alone was enough to keep the boys at bay.
This girl also had short hair—but blazing red. Her rare crimson eyes, at first glance, carried a frightening intensity. Yet studied closely, her beauty matched Ning Tian's, her skin pale as jade.
Only once the other students had followed Xu Zihuang out did she and Ning Tian rise.
"Young Miss, with your status, you must not submit to another."
"It's only a class monitor post—hardly worth fussing over. Wu Feng, don't think of challenging him. To reach Soul Elder before twelve—how many could manage that?" Ning Tian immediately saw through her intent.
"And didn't I tell you? In the academy, don't call me Young Miss. We are sisters."
"Yes." Wu Feng answered meekly, but the cold in her crimson eyes did not fade.
For the first time, she had seen Ning Tian look at a boy in such a way.
"Yu Tianhuang…" she muttered, fists clenched, anger simmering.
—
Class Nine was on the third floor of the freshmen's building.
Descending the stairs, Xu Zihuang saw the Shrek Plaza crowded with students.
A white-haired old woman of medium build turned impassively to them and said:
"Those I call, step forward: Cheng Cheng, Qiu Jianyao, Tang Dao, Shangguan Chentian, Lin Zheyu, Zhuge Yun, Tai Long, Tang Ling, Yun Xiaopiao."
"The nine of you may pack your things and leave. From this moment, you are no longer Shrek Academy students. Shrek does not need tricksters. With strength but no upright character, you will only bring calamity, not benefit, to any nation."
The Class Nine students, just arriving, shivered at her words.
That must be Class One.
Their homeroom teacher was this ruthless?
Would Teacher Mu be the same?
They hurried their steps toward the Soul Dueling Area, uneasy.
Thanks to this interruption, Xu Zihuang enjoyed a brief moment of peace.
Tuoba Yu came up beside him, reminding: "We'd better hurry too."
Jealous or not, he still had loyalty.
"No need to rush. Just walk. Remember this morning? We were nearly late, and Teacher Mu didn't say anything. Not every teacher is like Zhou Yi, expelling students at the drop of a hat." Xu Zihuang shook his head.
On the way to the dueling grounds, his eyes swept across the Class One students gathered in the plaza. Soon he spotted Huo Yuhao, and at his side, a boy with short pink-blue hair.
The boy was fair-skinned, with delicate features and large eyes the same pink-blue as his hair.
"So you've appeared after all, Wang Dong."