Quietly scanning the classroom once, Huo Yuhao remained indifferent to the eager gazes of the girls and the hostility of the boys, walking straight to a window seat in the back row.
Not bad; he had this spot to himself.
Propping his chin in his hand, he gazed out the window, turning a deaf ear to the chattering in the room.
As the school bell rang, the boisterous classroom gradually quieted down.
Clack, clack, clack...
The crisp sound of high heels striking the floor echoed from outside, drawing closer.
It felt as though every step struck a chord in the hearts of these youths, sending ripples of excitement through them. Even Huo Yuhao couldn't help but turn his head.
Men will be men, after all.
The door opened, and the first thing to appear was a delicate foot in a white high-heeled shoe with a heel at least ten centimeters high. Following the smooth, jade-like curve of her calf, his eyes traveled up to long, fair legs clad in flesh-colored stockings.
The newcomer wore a blue-and-white professional skirt suit. Her black hair cascaded down to her waist, perfectly accentuating her tall, graceful figure. Her face, adorned with light makeup, wore a smile that was somewhat stiff and forced, yet remained captivating.
Every movement she made exuded a tranquil, gentle aura that was unforgettable at first sight.
"Wow..."
"Whoa... Teacher, you're so beautiful..."
The moment Zhang Lexuan appeared, she elicited a collective gasp of admiration from the entire class.
One must realize that even in the Inner Court, she was the goddess of choice for most male students; placing her among these children in the Outer Court was practically a "dimensional strike," instantly redefining their standards of beauty.
While Huo Yuhao was also struck by the fact that his class teacher was such a stunning beauty, that wasn't what concerned him.
It might sound like boasting, but through Huo Yuhao's Spirit Detection, he could sense biological emotions. For instance, most of the males present were radiating "desire."
The overall emotion of this teacher, however, was... sorrow. A sorrow so thick it seemed impossible to dissolve. This was the first time Huo Yuhao had ever seen someone with such concentrated grief.
Thus, unlike the other boys whose gazes were full of adoration, his look toward Zhang Lexuan held a hint of... pity.
She must have gone through something she couldn't let go of; in other words, her current smile was entirely a facade.
Recalling what Ma Xiaotao had told him previously, Huo Yuhao formed his own judgment.
Zhang Lexuan smiled as she scanned the children of Class 10. Though her dark eyes were charming and beautiful, an invisible pressure suddenly manifested in everyone's hearts.
Inevitably, Zhang Lexuan also noticed the most eye-catching student among them, Huo Yuhao.
What a cute child. Even she was seeing such a beautiful youth for the first time—especially his eyes, which were very clean...
But what does that look in his eyes mean?
Though curious, Zhang Lexuan spoke gently: "Hello, students. My name is Zhang Lexuan, an Inner Court disciple and your class teacher. I am very pleased to meet you young geniuses."
Zhang Lexuan's voice was extremely pleasant and gentle, like a soft whisper in one's ear. Regardless of gender, the students instinctively straightened their backs and sat properly, seemingly terrified of leaving a bad impression on this teacher.
Except for one person.
Huo Yuhao wasn't paying much attention to Zhang Lexuan's words; instead, he was curiously watching the scene outside the window.
Outside, at least 100 people were running around Shrek Plaza. Standing in the center of the plaza was an old woman in her sixties, staring fiercely at the students.
Among them, a pink-blue head looked the most familiar. Huo Yuhao thought for a moment before remembering—wasn't his name Dong something?
Whatever, it wasn't important.
"Eh?"
It was then that Huo Yuhao noticed another figure limping at the back of the pack.
The person looked ordinary, with nothing special about him, except for his hair which tufted out like dog ears on both sides, looking somewhat comical and strange.
He seemed to be injured, limping on one leg. Even though he was last, he was doing his best to keep up with the group.
Huo Yuhao couldn't help but frown. No way, even the injured have to run laps? That's too ruthless. What kind of teacher is that...
Just then, a gentle voice sounded right by his ear: "Student, daydreaming in class isn't a good habit."
Huo Yuhao jumped and instinctively met Zhang Lexuan's smiling eyes. Only then did he realize the entire class's gaze was fixed on him, as if they wanted to devour him whole.
Dammit, this kid again!
With such a beautiful teacher in front of him, he looks out the window instead? What a poser...
Huo Yuhao immediately stood up and scratched his head sheepishly: "Ah... sorry, Teacher."
In times like this, don't explain—just admit you were wrong.
Zhang Lexuan glanced at Huo Yuhao and said calmly: "Mhm... there's no need to dive into academic knowledge for our first class. Let's get to know each other first."
"So, student, please start by introducing yourself to everyone."
Uh...
Huo Yuhao tried his best to ignore his classmates' dissatisfied glares and bit the bullet: "Hello, Teacher Zhang. Hello, everyone. My name is Huo Yuhao, Martial Soul: Spirit Eye. I am a Level 36 Control-type Battle Soul Elder."
The moment he spoke, a massive uproar erupted.
"Level... how much? Level 36!"
"An 11-year-old Soul Elder?! My god..."
"How on earth does he cultivate..."
Zhang Lexuan raised her hand slightly. Without anyone seeing how she did it, the entire class instantly fell silent.
"Mhm... Student Huo Yuhao, I've heard of you." Zhang Lexuan's eyes held a deep meaning as she continued: "Student Huo Yuhao's cultivation is the highest in this freshman class. Likewise, he has broken Shrek Academy's all-time Soul Power record for incoming freshmen. He is your role model; you should all learn from him."
Huo Yuhao was naturally no fool. Zhang Lexuan wasn't praising him to make him a "role model"; she was painting a target on his back.
The days ahead weren't going to be easy...
"However..." Zhang Lexuan's tone shifted, gaining a hint of warning: "Student Huo Yuhao must not rely on his talent to slack off or daydream in class."
Huo Yuhao nodded repeatedly: "Mhm... yes, Teacher Zhang."
Seeing Huo Yuhao acting so well-behaved and obedient, a strange feeling suddenly welled up in Zhang Lexuan's heart.
She couldn't quite name the feeling, but it was a sudden urge to tease or "bully" him a little.
She blinked, seemingly unconcerned about stirring up trouble: "Mhm... since Student Huo Yuhao is not only a Control-type but also the highest-ranking member of our class, he will serve as the acting Class Monitor for Class 10. Of course, this position is not permanent. Whoever defeats him can take his place. Students who want to be Monitor, you'd better work hard."