"…Huh?"
Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment.
What teacher?
What guidance?
What classmates?
Seeing Huo Yuhao's confused expression, Zhang Lexuan smiled gently and patiently explained.
"Before coming here, I already applied to be the head teacher of your class. So, for the next few years, I'll be leading you. Don't worry, the inner court has approved it too."
She had begun preparing for this a year ago, right when it was confirmed that Huo Yuhao would come to Shrek Academy. Wuhun Department's Dean Yan Shaozhe even thought she had become as aimless as Elder Xuan and had tried to persuade her several times. In the end, it was Elder Mu who gave the final approval, leading to the current situation.
As she spoke, Zhang Lexuan revealed a mysterious smile, raising her hand to pat his shoulder.
"I've heard that the competition between the new classes during assessments is quite fierce. This will be my first time as a teacher, so I'll be counting on you, Yuhao."
Though she said this, there was no sign of nervousness on her face.
She was joking, of course—she had personally witnessed Huo Yuhao effortlessly crush a group of evil soul masters.
A bunch of mere freshmen? With Huo Yuhao around, wouldn't that just be like him beating up little kids?
"Alright, I've informed you of everything. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be off. See you the day after tomorrow. Oh, right."
As if something had just occurred to her, Zhang Lexuan suddenly turned around, leaning close to Huo Yuhao's ear and lowering her voice.
"Your ice attribute martial soul... Is it of the Ultimate level?"
Huo Yuhao didn't intend to hide it and nodded directly.
Seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Lexuan's eyes. After pausing for a moment, she continued.
"Here's the thing—I have a friend whose martial soul has some issues. Every time she cultivates, evil fire is produced, which can severely affect her mind. A high-quality ice attribute martial soul could help suppress it, so I'd like to ask for your assistance."
"But don't worry, I'll arrange for compensation."
Halfway through her explanation, Huo Yuhao already knew who she was talking about. Remembering the times in his past life when suppressing the evil fire would often end with the two of them unknowingly holding each other, the thought of Sister Tao offering him compensation now felt... strange.
With this in mind, Huo Yuhao coughed lightly and spoke in an odd tone.
"Compensation won't be necessary. I'm happy to help."
Zhang Lexuan immediately laughed and gently ruffled his hair.
"Then I'll thank you on behalf of my friend. Once school officially starts in a few days, I'll bring her to see you."
"Okay."
It wasn't until Zhang Lexuan left the classroom that Huo Yuhao realized he should leave with Gu Yuena.
"Let's head to the dormitory."
However, when he turned his head, he noticed Gu Yuena staring at Zhang Lexuan's departing figure, her eyes flickering with thoughts he couldn't quite grasp.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Gu Yuena shook her head, but there was an inexplicable undertone to her voice.
"Just reflecting on how someone's network of connections seems to be a bit... large."
Huo Yuhao's expression twitched slightly. He took Gu Yuena's hand and led her out.
"When you're out and about, it's only natural to lend a hand when you can. After all, I was brought up with the help of my friends."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena shot him a sideways glance. "Are you sure all they wanted was friendship?"
"Hmm?"
Huo Yuhao was momentarily stunned. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
Gu Yuena paused, and then Huo Yuhao felt an unprecedented strength in the hand holding his, as if she feared he might get lost—or be taken away.
"I want some ice cream."
There was no place in the academy that sold ice cream, but as an Ultimate Ice soul master, it was easy for Huo Yuhao to make one himself.
He quickly mixed some sugar water with fruit juice, stuck a wooden stick in it, and froze it, handing the result to Gu Yuena.
Since that day, Gu Yuena's ice creams had always been made by Huo Yuhao.
As the white dormitory building for new students grew nearer, Huo Yuhao subconsciously glanced at a certain spot. However, the elderly figure who usually lay on a reclining chair basking in the sun was nowhere to be seen.
Sensing the shift in Huo Yuhao's mood, Gu Yuena tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Taking a deep breath, Huo Yuhao shook his head with a smile. Just as they were about to enter the dormitory building, a pink-haired figure suddenly caught his attention, causing him to pause.
The girl was tall, her long pink-blue hair falling to her waist. Unlike in her previous life, when she had disguised herself as a boy, this time, she had directly enrolled with her true appearance.
Sensing someone watching her, the girl instinctively looked up. Upon seeing Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, she hesitated for a moment.
These two are really good-looking.
She had always been confident in her own appearance, but seeing the pair before her now, she couldn't help but feel a rare sense of inferiority, especially toward the silver-haired girl. The moment she saw her, she inexplicably felt inadequate.
Are all Shrek freshmen this impressive?
While these thoughts ran through her mind, Wang Dong'er didn't stop. She walked past the two of them and headed toward the cafeteria behind the dormitory.
Only after she had walked away did Gu Yuena retract her gaze, her purple eyes glimmering slightly with a hint of seriousness in her voice.
"That girl carries the aura of a god."
"I know."
Huo Yuhao nodded, his tone complicated as he explained, "There's a divine consciousness seal from a deity in the God Realm on her."
Gu Yuena glanced at him in surprise.
"How did you notice?"
But before Huo Yuhao could answer, she seemed to realize something and asked again.
"Is she here for you?"
"...Sort of."
With that, Huo Yuhao briefly explained Wang Dong'er's situation.
After listening, Gu Yuena tilted her head. "So, should we take action?"
"Huh? Are you confident?"
"It's just a wisp of divine consciousness." Gu Yuena's tone was indifferent.
Looking into her eyes, Huo Yuhao suddenly recalled her mentioning how the dragon kings' divine souls had greatly aided her recovery during their time at the Icefire Yin Yang Well.
Could Tang San's divine consciousness also help?
The spiritual seal in Wang Dong'er's mental sea was just a fragment of Tang San's divine soul. It was worth a try.
As for whether Tang San would retaliate…
Reborn as he was, Huo Yuhao had a good understanding of the current rules and dynamics of the God Realm. The God of Destruction's long-standing dissatisfaction with Tang San hadn't just sprung up overnight.
Before their conflict reached a boiling point, the God of Destruction had likely already found various ways to challenge Tang San.
In such a situation, if Tang San secretly took any small actions, that might be fine. But if he dared to openly descend to the mortal realm or send other deities, the God of Destruction would never pass up the opportunity to make a move against him.
"Would that divine consciousness help you restore your strength?"
"Yes."
Gu Yuena nodded without hesitation. "But it depends on the level of the deity. If it's from a second- or third-level god, the benefit to me would be minimal."
"God King."
(End of Chapter)