When the hour ended, Huo Yuhao finished his hundred laps at a steady, measured pace—neither showing off nor falling behind.
As per routine, Zhou Yi singled out a few students who hadn't completed the run and expelled them on the spot.
Among those dismissed were pampered noble heirs unused to hardship and frail students whose bodies simply couldn't keep up.
Her purpose was clear—to make an example. Zhou Yi's "iron discipline" was less about fairness and more about establishing fear and hierarchy. Someone had to be the "chicken" to scare the "monkeys."
The expelled students stormed off angrily, vowing to complain to the academic office. But in Shrek Academy—the so-called number one institution on the continent—such complaints were meaningless.
Even those within the academy who disapproved of Zhou Yi's methods maintained silence. Her actions, however extreme, still represented the academy's authority.
The rest of the students, seeing how ruthless she was, fell silent. The intimidation had worked.
Huo Yuhao, however, remained calm. To him, all of this was trivial—childish even.
He was not a naïve child like the others. His worldview had long been tempered by maturity and reason. Zhou Yi's mind games could not shake him.
He would not, like the Huo Yuhao of the original story, become a manipulated pawn—a shiny golden emblem for Shrek to display.
After ensuring her dominance, Zhou Yi swept her cold gaze across the class. "Alright. Go back to your dorms, change your clothes, and then return to the classroom. You have one quarter-hour."
Without another word, she turned and left for the teaching building.
The students scattered immediately, dragging their tired bodies toward the dorms.
Wang Dong, noticing Huo Yuhao beside her, blinked in surprise. Unlike most, he wasn't drenched in sweat. His breathing was even, his posture steady—it was clear the hundred laps hadn't exhausted him at all.
In fact, he looked better than she did. Her own soul power and stamina were half-spent, but Huo Yuhao seemed perfectly composed, having likely relied on pure soul power instead of straining his body.
"How did you do that? You're only rank twelve!" she asked curiously.
"It's a secret," he said lightly and walked into the dorm.
Wang Dong hesitated outside, flustered. Huo Yuhao ignored her, cleaned up, and changed into a fresh uniform.
When he came out, he tossed her a clean towel. "Here. Go change. I don't pry into your secrets—so don't pry into mine. Understood?"
She froze for a moment, then nodded, taking the towel silently before heading in. Soon, both were dressed and walking back toward the classroom.
"Hey, why are you walking so slow? Aren't you afraid that crazy old witch will blow up again?" Wang Dong asked.
"People stand by their word. She gave us a quarter-hour, and she needs to uphold her own authority. If she breaks her promise now, her intimidation loses weight," he replied evenly.
Besides, even if he were expelled, he had plenty of other paths. If Shrek didn't want him, it would be Tang San who'd panic—not him. Besides, him staying at Shrek was only temporary, he would drop-out as soon as he secured the opportunities here.
Wang Dong blinked thoughtfully, absorbing his words.
"Every person acts according to their goals," Huo Yuhao continued calmly. "Even a lunatic follows a certain logic. If you analyze their behavior and trace it to the intent behind it, you'll understand the reason."
"This 'crazy old witch'—everything she's done so far has served one purpose: to establish dominance."
"Think about it. From the moment she entered, her aura, her speech invoking Shrek's 'school motto,' her display of Soul Emperor power, the forced run, and finally, the expulsions—all carefully chosen steps. The sequence isn't random."
"She's breaking pride, enforcing fear, and shaping obedience. Once she controls the students' hearts, she can shape them however she wants."
He glanced at Wang Dong. "But tell me honestly—does it work on you? On me? She's just a Soul Emperor. You've seen stronger. So, what kind of person do you think Zhou Yi is?"
Wang Dong frowned, pondering deeply. She slowed her steps unconsciously—but before she could answer, they reached the classroom.
A moment later, Zhou Yi arrived exactly on time.
"Class begins," she said coldly, standing at the podium. "Your performance earlier was acceptable. But running is the simplest test—don't get complacent."
Her gaze swept the room. "Huo Yuhao, stand. State your spirit power level."
"Rank twelve," he replied calmly.
The classroom stirred. Everyone knew Shrek's minimum entrance requirement was rank fifteen. A few exchanged subtle looks—how could someone with such low spirit power perform so well earlier?
Zhou Yi's tone was sharp but deliberate. "Rank twelve—but let me tell you this. Huo Yuhao is excellent. He entered as a Tang Sect special recruit, yet still passed the entrance combat test with distinction. You all saw his endurance just now."
Her eyes turned cold. "So if even a rank-twelve Spirit Master can complete the task, what excuse do the rest of you have?"
"Those who were expelled failed because they lacked willpower. I expect none of you to follow their path."
"As for Huo Yuhao—his level may be low, but until he's eliminated through official assessment, he's a Shrek student just like you. Anyone who mocks him for his level will answer to me."
"Sit down," she said curtly. "We'll begin the formal lesson."
Huo Yuhao sat, silently analyzing her motives. So that's her play—using me as a prop. I'm the example she needs to keep the rest in line.
Fine. Let them glare all they want. Their opinions don't matter to me anyway.
Zhou Yi began her lecture. "Today's topic: the balance of attack and defense among Spirit Masters. From ancient times, Spirit Masters have been divided into six primary types—Power Attack, Agility Attack, Control, Support, Defense, and Food."
"There are specialists who push a single aspect to its limit, and others who pursue balanced versatility."
Her gaze shifted. "Wang Dong, stand. Which categories excel at offense, and which at defense or support?"
Wang Dong stood confidently. "Power Attack, Agility Attack, and Control types focus on offense. Support, Food, and Defense types lean toward defense and assistance."
"Idiot. Sit down," Zhou Yi barked. A surge of soul power forced Wang Dong back into her seat.
"That answer would have been correct four thousand years ago, before the Sun and Moon Continent's fusion with ours. But today—it's wrong."
Her eyes narrowed at Huo Yuhao. "Then tell me, why?"
He frowned slightly, then stood. "I think Wang Dong's answer is still valid."
Zhou Yi's brow arched dangerously, but she gestured for him to continue.
"Soul tools may have reduced the gap between Spirit Master systems, but the core difference remains," he began evenly.
"If a Power Attack type and a Support type wield soul tools of equal strength, and both possess similar cultivation and ring quality, the outcome is obvious. The Power Attack master wins. Their physical fitness, martial soul synergy, and combat instinct dominate. A support master may wound them in desperation—but never truly win."
"Even in ranged combat, unless distance nullifies martial skill entirely, offensive systems retain the upper hand. As long as the Spirit Master system still applies, the traditional classification holds true."
"When battle relies solely on long-range soul tools, that no longer tests Spirit Master ability—it tests engineering, endurance, and energy reserves. That's not the same discipline."
"Furthermore, compatibility matters. When a Spirit Master uses a soul tool aligned with their own attribute, its efficiency exceeds that of any other class wielding the same weapon."
He paused. "That's my view."
The classroom fell silent. Zhou Yi's expression stiffened.
She hadn't expected such a precise rebuttal. Her intent in raising soul tools was to downplay their relevance and glorify Shrek's traditional doctrine, not to discuss actual technical theory.
But she wasn't an expert on soul engineering—her knowledge came mostly from brief conversations with Fan Yu. She had no in-depth knowledge about soul tools.
Finally, she forced a frown. "Sit down. What you said applies only to Spirit Masters below rank fifty. Once cultivation deepens, soul tools become mere supplements. True strength comes from within."
"Even the best soul tool is useless without a powerful wielder. Only strong Spirit Masters can make them shine."
"Attack and defense are indeed blurring—but remember this: Shrek does not produce those mediocre external-tool-dependent Spirit Masters."
"We train elite among elites. For the next three months, your focus will be physical conditioning. I don't care about your backgrounds or talents—if you can't meet my standard after three months, get out."
"This morning's lesson ends here. Eat properly at noon. Training begins this afternoon. Dismissed."
Her eyes locked briefly on him. "Huo Yuhao, come to my office."
With that, she turned and left the room before the dismissal bell even rang.
Huo Yuhao sighed, rising to follow. What a mess. Her conclusion has nothing to do with the topic. So much for logical teaching.
I thought she'd at least counter with a new argument. Looks like she only half-understood what Fan Yu told her.
As he passed Wang Dong, he noticed her dazed expression—eyes full of confusion.
Hopefully you'll wise up someday, he thought wryly. At least enough not to smile while someone's selling you off.
(End of Chapter)