Han Yu scanned the classroom and noticed that the window seat in the last row was taken by a large man. Not wanting to fuss, he chose a random seat and sat down.
The atmosphere in Class 9 was noticeably better than in Class 1—there was no underlying tension or sense of fear. The students appeared calm and relaxed. Some were quietly whispering to one another, others were attentively listening, and a few were engrossed in their own activities.
Most students had an aura level between one and two rings, which was impressive for people their age. Their strength surpassed that of many seasoned soul masters. This truly is a gathering place for geniuses, Han Yu thought to himself, marveling silently.
"Alright, we have a new transfer student joining us today. Han Yu, please introduce yourself to the class!"
Before Han Yu could settle in, the teacher, Mu Jin, called his name from the podium.
Reluctantly, Han Yu stood up. After a moment's thought, he decided to keep his introduction brief—there wasn't much he wanted to say.
The name "Han Yu" clearly resonated with some students in Class 9. A few even recognized him from his dramatic first day in the cafeteria. As he stood there, the classroom fell into an unusual hush, broken only by faint, bird-like whispers.
A girl with short red hair leaned toward the blonde girl beside her and whispered, "Young Master, that's Han Yu. I heard he beat Dai Huabin so badly it looked like he was about to pop like a balloon."
The blonde, called "Young Master," blushed slightly and replied, half-scolding, "Sister Feng, I told you—it's just a rumor. It's not as exaggerated as people say."
Wu Feng's expression turned serious, though her tone remained playful. "Young Master, it's all true! Everyone's talking about it. They're saying Han Yu is a total maniac. Apparently, he just glared at Dai Huabin, and the guy started screaming 'no, no' like a lunatic. Tons of people heard it—it's absolutely reliable information."
She glanced at Han Yu with suspicion. "And did you hear his self-introduction? Just his name. That guy is definitely not easy to deal with. He might really be a weirdo."
Hearing this, Ning Tian's eyes flickered with curiosity. As the heir of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, she wasn't one to be distracted by gossip. While others labeled Han Yu as strange, she saw someone strong—strong enough to subdue Dai Huabin in an instant. That kind of power intrigued her. It was the type of ally she needed, and perhaps something more.
Ning Tian's purpose at Shrek Academy was different from most. While others sought to refine their abilities, she was here to find a partner—someone powerful enough to protect her sect. Thinking about it, her cheeks flushed slightly.
As her gaze lingered on Han Yu, she evaluated him silently. Handsome, composed, and undeniably strong—he met all her criteria.
Meanwhile, on the podium, Mu Jin blinked in mild surprise at Han Yu's curt introduction before nodding. "Alright, classmate Han Yu, take your seat. Let's continue."
Mu Jin's impression of Han Yu was positive—partly because he had humiliated her "rival in love," and partly due to the chaos Dai Huabin caused after their fight. News had spread quickly, and now many of the faculty in the outer courtyard knew about it. Thinking about her rival's embarrassment, Mu Jin couldn't help but smile as she turned to the blackboard.
She wrote two bold words: Attack and Defense. Turning back to the class, she smiled. "These two words are familiar to all of you, but do you truly understand their meaning? Let's explore which soul masters excel in attack and defense."
Looking out over the students, she called, "Wu Feng, you answer."
Caught mid-whisper, Wu Feng froze like a deer in headlights before standing awkwardly. "Uh, let me think…"
She glanced at Ning Tian for help, who silently mouthed the question again: Who is better at attacking, and who excels at defense? Wu Feng caught on and looked back at the blackboard.
"Attack and defense… Uh, soul masters with strong attack are better at attacking, and those with strong defense are good at defense."
The room erupted in laughter at her overly simplistic answer. Even Ning Tian, standing beside her, couldn't suppress a twitch of amusement.
Mu Jin raised an eyebrow, smiling indulgently. "Wu Feng, I asked for specifics about the strengths of soul masters in each department. Your answer didn't add much insight."
Realizing her blunder, Wu Feng's face turned bright red. She hastily added, "Um, I think the strong attack and defense systems are the best!"
Mu Jin nodded and motioned for her to sit down before turning to Han Yu, who sat composed. "Classmate Han Yu, do you have any thoughts on this?"
Han Yu stood and replied calmly, "I believe soul masters in the control, agility, and strong attack systems are the most effective at attacking since they excel in direct combat. As for defense, soul masters with defensive martial spirits have natural advantages in enduring and protecting."
His answer drew nods of approval from Mu Jin and softened Wu Feng's earlier hostility toward him.
"Han Yu and Wu Feng's answers are partially correct," Mu Jin said. "However, times have changed."
"Is it because of soul guides?" Ning Tian interjected, her voice sharp with understanding.
Mu Jin smiled approvingly. "Exactly. Ever since the Sun and Moon Empire brought soul guides to Douluo Continent four thousand years ago, the lines between offense and defense have blurred. A defense-type soul master equipped with a powerful attack-oriented soul guide can rival traditional attackers. Similarly, auxiliary soul masters with defensive soul guides can temporarily serve as shields."
She paused, scanning the room. "This shift has fundamentally changed how we approach battle."
Ning Tian nodded thoughtfully. Her sect had long recognized the importance of soul guides, though acquiring high-level ones remained a challenge. Despite their wealth, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect couldn't buy banned soul guides, as the Sun and Moon Empire strictly controlled their distribution.
Han Yu frowned. "Even with soul guides, the inherent nature of a soul master doesn't change. A strong attack-type will always excel at attacking. A sheep holding the same weapon as a wolf is still a sheep. At best, the weapon covers for its weaknesses, but it doesn't change its nature."
The class fell silent, pondering his words.