A scarlet light flashed as Han Yu activated his mental detection, instantly mapping out everything within a 150-meter radius in his mind. The scene that unfolded took him by surprise; opening his eyes, he witnessed an unexpected sight. Huo Yuhao was pressing down on Wang Dong, shouting in frustration.
Han Yu chuckled to himself. "Interesting," he murmured. But he chose not to intervene, opting instead to focus on his own training.
Time slipped away unnoticed in cultivation.
Suddenly, the morning bell rang, signaling the start of classes. Han Yu adjusted his hair, secured his sword behind his back, and stepped out of his dormitory. Notably, Tai Long hadn't returned since leaving. Han Yu didn't mind—he preferred having the space to himself and enjoyed the newfound quiet.
Whistling a tune, Han Yu strolled toward the classroom, feeling particularly cheerful. Both his clones had achieved breakthroughs in the lightning techniques and the Purple Demon Eyes technique, promising powerful results soon.
Feeling upbeat, he joined the bustling crowd of students, his normally quiet demeanor giving way to casual conversation here and there. When he reached the classroom, Han Yu pushed open the door and entered with calm confidence. He found a seat in the back by the window, settling in to await the first lesson of this new life.
With Han Yu's arrival, the lively chatter in the classroom grew even louder.
"Wow, look at him! He must be a new student—and he's so handsome," a pretty girl whispered excitedly.
"I didn't think anyone could be more attractive than Wang Dong, but I really like him!" her friend replied, eyes practically sparkling.
"What are you talking about? How could he be more handsome than Wang Dong?" another girl nearby cut in, clearly not convinced.
"Hmph! Wang Dong has a bit of an effeminate look—he's not as elegant as this guy," the first girl retorted instantly.
Just then, Huo Yuhao arrived, and shortly after, an older woman entered at the doorway, causing the whole class to fall silent.
"My name is Zhou Yi," she announced, her voice sharp. "I'll be your class teacher for the next year. In my class, no slackers will pass the exams. I am here to cultivate monsters, not fools!"
She scanned the room with a piercing gaze, her presence alone creating a pressure that made several students shift uncomfortably.
"It seems the rumors were true," Han Yu thought, smirking. Seeing this firsthand made him briefly consider switching classes, but he decided to wait and see how this teacher operated.
"Now," Zhou Yi continued, "anyone who's fought in recent days, stand up."
The unexpected command sent a shockwave through the class, leaving students glancing nervously at one another.
A hush fell over the classroom. As new students, few had had the chance to engage in any conflicts yet, so it was unsurprising that nearly everyone remained seated. However, Han Yu stood up slowly, recalling that he had indeed been forced into a recent fight. Huo Yuhao also rose promptly, maintaining his usual diligent expression. Not to be outdone, Wang Dong stood up as well.
Out of the hundred students, only three stood, drawing all eyes in the room.
"Wow! Do handsome guys like fighting or something?" someone whispered in awe.
"No, I must be too peaceful—that's why I'm not handsome!" a male student muttered dejectedly.
Zhou Yi's eyes swept over the room with a look of disdain. "Only three?" she sneered. "What a pitiful lot. If you don't dare to cause trouble, you're doomed to mediocrity."
She paused, then added coldly, "Everyone who didn't stand—run a hundred laps around Shrek Square. Anyone who can't finish will be expelled!"
The class erupted in shock and protest, students murmuring anxiously to each other.
"Teacher Zhou!" a faint but steady voice cut through the noise. It was Han Yu. "What does that mean—mediocrity if we don't dare to cause trouble?"
Zhou Yi's gaze snapped to him, a faint glint of approval in her eyes. "I know you, Han Yu! If you're curious, I'll tell you: mediocrity means not having the courage to challenge, to face conflict. And you're no stranger to that, are you?"
Her tone was slightly softer than before, recognizing Han Yu as a student with rare potential. In fact, she knew he possessed a soul power level as high as 29—the highest in the entire class.
"A soul master who doesn't even dare to cause trouble lacks the courage to become strong. What else could that be, if not mediocrity?" Zhou Yi's voice was cold and unyielding as she addressed the class. "What do you think, Han Yu?"
Han Yu remained silent, scanning the room until his gaze landed on Tai Long, who was trying to stay unnoticed in a corner.
"Tai Long, why don't you tell Teacher Zhou what happens when you cause trouble?" Han Yu's voice was calm, but his words made Tai Long flinch, his shoulders tense as if an invisible force pressed down on him. Though the words were quiet, they struck Tai Long like a clap of thunder, and he rose to his feet instantly, catching the attention of the entire class.
Zhou Yi raised her eyebrows slightly, intrigued. Han Yu hadn't answered her question himself; instead, he'd called on Tai Long to respond.
"Tai Long, don't hold back. If there's something to say, say it," Zhou Yi said coolly.
With a mixture of nervousness and resignation, Tai Long began, "Teacher Zhou… after I registered, I went to my dorm, where I ran into Han Yu. I provoked him, and… he beat me up pretty bad. I haven't dared to go back to the dorm since."
The class murmured in response, a mixture of surprise and amusement. Tai Long glanced at Han Yu with clear trepidation before continuing.
"Boss Han Yu is really strong. When I challenged him, he not only beat me but made me clean the entire dormitory afterward. I don't resent him, though—I was weak, and I brought it on myself. I only regret that I ever picked a fight with him!"
"I didn't realize how big the strength gap was between us. I regret it now—I was so stupid, really!" Tai Long concluded with a look of remorse. He stole a cautious glance at Han Yu, and seeing no reaction, let out a sigh of relief as he sat down.
The class erupted with murmurs, many students turning their attention to Zhou Yi, curious to see how she would respond. Even Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong glanced at Han Yu in surprise, clearly not expecting this side of him. All eyes, nearly two hundred in total, were now fixed on Zhou Yi.
Zhou Yi felt the weight of their stares, a slight sheen of sweat appearing on her forehead, hidden beneath her mask.
Han Yu spoke up again, his tone quiet but cutting. "Teacher Zhou, do you consider Tai Long's behavior right or wrong?"
"Fortunately, this happened here at the academy, and fortunately, I'm a reasonable person. Outside the academy, Tai Long might face someone far less forgiving. A good-natured soul master might let him off with a beating, but a less restrained one? Tai Long might not live to regret his mistake. As a teacher, what are your thoughts on that?"
Though Han Yu's voice was soft, his words hit with a weight that made Zhou Yi feel a prickling tension on her back.
Zhou Yi's eyes narrowed as she chose her response carefully. "This is the academy, after all. If something like that happened outside, the academy has powerful protectors who would intervene. And if Tai Long faced a truly dangerous situation, the academy would seek justice on his behalf."
Han Yu nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. "I understand. I have nothing more to add."
"Then go ahead and provoke him," Han Yu said with a faint smile as he sat down. "After all, it's your life. In the end, the academy will avenge you, so it's not really a loss… right, classmates?"
A murmur of realization swept through the room, and one student muttered, "How could it not be a loss? If you lose your life, what good is revenge?"
Han Yu's words had clearly struck a nerve, leaving several students thoughtful and glancing uneasily toward Zhou Yi.