Kindness doesn't appear out of thin air, but sometimes, malice can wear a mask that is indistinguishable from kindness.
After classes ended on Monday, Fan Yu—a high-level teacher in the Soul Tool Department and the one who had conducted Huo Yuhao's soul engineer rank assessment—made a special trip to Class 10 to find him.
In Zhang Lexuan's office, Fan Yu smiled as he informed Huo Yuhao of the Sea God Pavilion's resolution: in the coming days, both the Martial Soul and Soul Tool departments would focus their combined efforts on nurturing him.
Furthermore, Fan Yu expressed his willingness to take on another disciple and personally guide Huo Yuhao in the knowledge of soul tools.
Just as Fan Yu was about to formally state his intention to take him as a student, he caught a glimpse of Huo Yuhao's eyes and froze.
Those blue eyes were clear and calm, yet in Fan Yu's perception, it felt as though he were witnessing a tsunamic fury churning within them.
"I'd just like to ask... since when is it your business to decide my affairs?"
"!!!"
Fan Yu's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Huo Yuhao. Even Zhang Lexuan, standing to the side, was momentarily stunned.
Initially, Zhang Lexuan had been quite pleased. Although she hadn't managed to get Huo Yuhao promoted directly to the Inner Court, receiving focused cultivation from both departments meant he would naturally gain more resources—a good thing for him.
But she hadn't expected this kid to suddenly drop such a line.
The specifics of the Sea God Pavilion—the highest decision-making body—couldn't be revealed to Huo Yuhao yet, but Fan Yu had explicitly told him that this was a study plan specially tailored for him by the academy's top brass!
Shouldn't the normal reaction be to thank the academy for its nurturing and pledge to work hard to live up to their expectations?
Why...
Before Fan Yu could even ask that question, he was ruthlessly interrupted by Huo Yuhao.
"How I study and what I study are my own business. I have my own plans. You never once asked for my consent before unilaterally deciding the direction of my cultivation. Isn't that a bit too overbearing!?"
Fan Yu frowned, saying displeasurably: "You are still young; you don't understand the academy's good intentions! This is—"
Huo Yuhao cut him off again. "If Shrek Academy is a place that imposes its will on students so capriciously, then this place is truly not for me!"
"..."
It took Fan Yu two full seconds to process the meaning behind Huo Yuhao's words.
A student is actually speaking ill of Shrek?!
"Huo Yuhao! Do you realize what you're saying?!" He slammed his palm onto the desk and stood up in a rage. Eight soul rings erupted, and the soul power pressure belonging to a Soul Douluo swept toward Huo Yuhao like an overwhelming tide.
The staggering pressure made Huo Yuhao stagger, nearly falling to the ground. However, a golden light swirled in the depths of his eyes as golden mental power flowed over his body like water. Though his frame trembled slightly, he stubbornly refused to collapse.
Fan Yu's expression shifted. A Soul Elder standing firm against the pressure of a Soul Douluo? Is he even human?
And the strength of that mental power... why hasn't a genius like this been rushed into the Inner Court yet? He truly didn't know what those higher-ups were thinking.
"Teacher Fan Yu, retract your martial soul!"
A voice rang out—chilly yet possessing an undeniable authority. It was accompanied by even more powerful mental power and soul power, which silently crushed Fan Yu's aura back.
Fan Yu's heart jolted. A sense of danger crept up his spine, and he couldn't help but turn toward the source of the voice.
Zhang Lexuan stood there with a grim expression. A bright, clear moon rose behind her, accompanied by eight terrifying soul rings: two yellow, two purple, three black, and one red.
She walked to Huo Yuhao's side and supported his arm. "Yuhao is my student. It is not for others to discipline him!"
Fan Yu swallowed hard. His gaze uncontrollably fell upon Zhang Lexuan's blood-red 100,000-year soul ring.
The acknowledged number-one genius of the current Inner Court, Zhang Lexuan... she truly lives up to her reputation.
With a huff, Fan Yu finally retracted his martial soul and rings.
Huo Yuhao nodded to Zhang Lexuan in thanks, then straightened his back, saying seriously: "I must make one thing clear, Teacher Fan Yu, and to the academy leadership behind you! No one can force me to do things I don't want to do!"
Fan Yu pursed his lips. Noticing Zhang Lexuan's unfriendly look, his tone softened slightly: "It wasn't about forcing you; it was about tailoring a better study plan for you."
"I am indeed just a minor student, but I hope the academy's higher-ups show at least a modicum of respect for my own opinions." Huo Yuhao let out a cold snort. "If the day comes when the academy feels that Huo Yuhao no longer belongs here, please let me know. I can leave at any time!"
"You..." Fan Yu finally reached his limit, but he didn't argue with Huo Yuhao further. Instead, he turned to Zhang Lexuan.
"Teacher Zhang's students are certainly... something else."
Zhang Lexuan snorted indifferently. "I'll accept Teacher Fan Yu's 'compliment' with gratitude."
Fan Yu's lips twitched. Whatever his reasoning, he finally swept his sleeve and stormed out.
Huo Yuhao exhaled, calming the dissatisfaction in his heart. He turned to Zhang Lexuan and spoke apologetically: "I'm sorry, Teacher Zhang. I spoke out of turn and made things awkward for you..."
She shook her head without speaking. Sitting back in her seat, she reached out, caught Huo Yuhao's hand, and pulled him toward her, letting him sit on her lap.
"Hey, hey... this is..."
The softness and fragrance coming from behind and beneath him left Huo Yuhao momentarily at a loss. While he was mostly used to this kind of thing with Ma Xiaotao, this was his teacher. If other students saw this, it might be fine for him, but for Zhang Lexuan...
Zhang Lexuan rested her head on Huo Yuhao's shoulder, tilting it slightly. "You can be all lovey-dovey with Xiao Tao every day; why can't I do this?"
"Uh... that, well..."
Zhang Lexuan didn't seem to want to pursue that topic. Instead, she closed her eyes, appearing to enjoy the moment.
"How should I put it... you just make people feel very relaxed. No wonder Xiao Tao is so obsessed with you..."
Regrettably, Huo Yuhao couldn't fully grasp the implications of those words, and he didn't dare move. In his mind, he figured this was just a "big sister" finding a child cute and holding him for fun.
After a few minutes, a melancholy sigh drifted past his ear. "...Do you know, little Yuhao? I admire you. I admire your courage to say 'no,' and your willingness to resist... while I..."
The voice cut off abruptly. Huo Yuhao didn't know what she had been about to say.
"Sorry, I've said a lot of strange things to you. Your mindset is good; no one should control you doing what you like. Don't worry about the academy. You are my student; no one can bully you!"
"Just as you said—do what you want to do."