"I am Zhou Yi, the homeroom teacher of Class One, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be your homeroom teacher."
Standing at the podium, a wrinkled old woman finished introducing herself, then looked out at the students below and continued, her voice hoarse.
"I am here to train real monsters, not fools. So, over the next year, I'll be expelling any garbage from my class. Be ready."
Hearing this, the "pride of heaven" students showed looks of outrage, but one person remained unaffected—Tang San. A slight smile appeared on his face; instead of feeling offended, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.
Just as Zhou Yi said, Shrek was a place that trained monsters. In that case, how could the teachers at such a place be ordinary people?
The arrogance! The unique teaching style!
For a moment, Tang San's memories of his past life flooded back. It was all coming back—the exact feeling! He had learned in his previous life that the more talented the teacher, the stronger their personality.
Just like his former master, Yu Xiaogang.
Known as the Grandmaster, he developed the groundbreaking theory of the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls, even declaring the famous saying, "There are no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters." Yet, he had willingly confined himself to the unknown Nuoding Academy, dedicating his entire life to martial soul research, eventually raising him—a future Sea God who would make a name in history.
With such dedicated teachers, Shrek had been able to stand tall for millennia, serving as a place of faith among soul masters across the continent.
But why wasn't Wang Dong'er cross-dressing as a boy like before? And where was Huo Yuhao? Shouldn't they be in the same class?
Scanning the classroom, he didn't see anyone who looked like Huo Yuhao. Tang San couldn't help but frown.
Had his rebirth changed things?
In the Divine Realm, Tang San was a God-King. To challenge him, Huo Yuhao would be an essential tool. Given Huo Yuhao's deep loyalty, Tang San had hoped to use his rebirth to guide him.
But after all his effort to reach Shrek, Huo Yuhao was missing?
How could he resist his other self now?
Or… was it possible that Tang San had taken Huo Yuhao's spot in Class One, forcing him into another class? He would have to investigate in the coming days.
At that moment, Zhou Yi, after explaining her unique teaching philosophy, spoke again.
"Everyone who's been in a fight since registration, stand up."
Tang San, deep in thought, immediately froze.
The next second, everyone in the room, including Wang Dong'er, turned their gaze on him.
After a night of gossip, word had spread through the entire outer courtyard—not just the freshmen—that a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect had joined Shrek. The incredible battle from the previous night had taken on a near-mythic status as it passed from mouth to mouth.
The "Naked Battle God"!
His mastery of hammer techniques was beyond impressive. Paired with his unruly pigtails, he had swiftly floored a White Tiger martial soul Soul Elder.
People even claimed that halfway through the fight, he'd wanted to take on the crowd gathered around him for fun.
Either way, it was clear that anyone who could make such a name for themselves at Shrek overnight was terrifyingly strong.
At that moment, the clenching of Tang San's jaw was audible. Feeling Zhou Yi's pointed look and the strange stares around him, his desire to kill Dai Huabin only intensified.
"What's this? No one fought?"
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow and gave Tang San a meaningful glance.
"Or maybe someone fought and doesn't have the guts to admit it?"
Upon hearing this, Tang San's face flushed, and he finally stood up.
"Not completely spineless."
Zhou Yi gave a slight nod, then scanned the room with a frosty gaze.
"And the rest of you? No fights? Haven't you heard Shrek's motto, 'Cowards will accomplish nothing'?"
"A bunch of losers. No fights, no competition—how do you plan to improve?"
After ruthlessly berating everyone except Tang San, Zhou Yi coldly declared, "Now, immediately—everyone except him will go run a hundred laps around Shrek Plaza! If you don't finish, then sorry—you're expelled."
The students, who had initially been smug, suddenly panicked. Before anyone could speak, six soul rings in standard colors appeared beneath Zhou Yi's feet. The terrifying pressure of a Soul Emperor fell upon them like a mountain.
"I don't have much patience. Anyone not out running in a minute? Expelled. And anyone who doesn't complete a hundred laps in an hour? Also expelled!"
The repeated mention of expulsion scared the students, who had worked hard to pass Shrek's exams. None of them wanted to be kicked out over this.
In a matter of seconds, the classroom emptied, leaving only Zhou Yi and Tang San.
"Your name is Tang San? Come over here."
Seeing Zhou Yi motion to him, Tang San stepped forward and replied, "Teacher Zhou, do you need something?"
Seemingly impressed by his unflinching demeanor under her pressure, Zhou Yi appraised him with satisfaction.
"Word is you possess twin martial souls? The Clear Sky Hammer and Blue Silver Grass?"
"Yes, Teacher Zhou."
Tang San nodded. Since the Clear Sky Hammer was already exposed, he had decided to alter his strategy. Rather than hiding it, he would use this to gain the attention of Shrek's upper management and obtain more resources.
"A Soul Elder at eleven. Not bad at all. No wonder you share the name of your Clear Sky Hammer ancestor—you've done his name justice."
Talent aside, it was his ability to stir up trouble that Zhou Yi found most pleasing. Even she couldn't ignore the rumor that Zhang Lexuan, the "strongest genius of the inner courtyard," had taken on a homeroom teacher position. With every homeroom teacher eager to prove themselves this year, Zhou Yi was determined to cultivate a team of exceptional students and defeat Class Five in the freshman exams three months later.
Zhou Yi's relentless expulsions had often gotten her reprimanded, but when it came to competitions, she never held back. She was determined to win.
When it came to teaching students, she feared no one—even a genius from the inner courtyard.
Still, despite her satisfaction with Tang San, Zhou Yi would not let her authority waver.
"Tang San, at Shrek, there is no shortage of geniuses."
"So remember: don't be arrogant, and don't think that talent will earn you any favors here. If anything, because you're stronger, I'll be stricter with you."
"If you don't follow my guidance, I won't hesitate to expel you no matter how talented you are. Understand?"
"Yes, Teacher Zhou."
Tang San gave a calm smile. "My goal is to become the continent's strongest, just like my ancestor Tang San. I won't let small achievements make me arrogant."
"Oh?"
Zhou Yi raised an eyebrow. "Good to hear. In that case, add fifty more laps to your count. The time limit is still one hour, and you've already wasted ten minutes, so you might want to hurry up."
"What?"
Tang San's face froze. Seeing the twisted smile on Zhou Yi's wrinkled face, he finally realized her intent and sprinted out toward the plaza.
(End of Chapter)