Chapter 376: This is Too Painful.
Because of Zhou Yi's utterly absurd reasoning, the students who still had some semblance of normal thinking found it impossible to accept.
A student stood up and bluntly protested, "Teacher, I refuse to accept this! Why should we be punished just because we haven't fought?"
The other students subconsciously nodded. Was this teacher out of her mind? It was the first day of school, and she was punishing them for not causing trouble? Was she deliberately looking for an excuse to mess with them?
But under the angry gazes of the students, Zhou Yi remained utterly unfazed. She said indifferently, "Because I said so! If you're not happy with it, you can leave. As your homeroom teacher, I have the right to expel any student I choose. You have one minute. If I don't see you running around Shrek Plaza within that time, you're all expelled."
As she spoke, a terrifying aura erupted from her body, and six spirit rings appeared beneath her feet.
Seeing this, Huo Yuhao inwardly shook his head. His impression of this teacher dropped even further. At this point, he was convinced that she wasn't even fit to be a teacher she was a disgrace to the profession. The fact that Shrek Academy still kept someone like this only proved how corrupt it had become.
"Forget it, just endure it a little longer!"
"Even if the teachers here are terrible, this is still called the number one academy on the continent. There must be some unique training methods, right? And if I can get into the inner court, I'll have access to even better resources."
"That's still better than wandering around on my own."
Huo Yuhao forced himself to endure.
But deep down, what really made him decide to stay for now was Tang Ya and Bei Bei. They had been the only ones to offer him kindness when he was at his lowest.
He remembered that kindness, and he didn't want to disappoint them.
Under Zhou Yi's blatant threat, the students were furious, but they didn't dare defy her.
They had worked too hard to get into Shrek Academy. If they got expelled over something this ridiculous, all their families' expectations, all the resources invested in them it would all go to waste.
So, despite feeling completely wronged, the students could only silently stand up and leave the classroom.
Zhou Yi watched them without a trace of emotion, then coldly added, "A reminder you only have one hour. If you don't complete 100 laps within that time, you fail. This is your first test. Anyone who fails will be expelled."
Upon hearing this, the students quickened their pace and ran toward the field.
Wang Dong glanced at Huo Yuhao in surprise. Now, only the two of them were left in the classroom.
Zhou Yi's expression softened slightly, and she motioned for them to come forward.
The two of them walked up.
She looked at them with satisfaction, nodded, and said, "Good. At least there are still two students with some backbone. Now, tell me who did you fight, and why?"
Wang Dong was about to speak, but Huo Yuhao interrupted him. "Reporting, teacher! We're roommates. We had a disagreement over a small issue and got into a fight."
Zhou Yi seemed intrigued. "Oh? Roommates fighting? That's great."
She actually sounded pleased.
"A fight between roommates is the best kind of fight it creates competition and pushes you both to improve."
Standing in front of Zhou Yi, both Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong felt a deep chill.
Is this teacher… insane?
Her entire thought process seemed completely different from a normal person's.
Just thinking about being in her class made them feel miserable.
They could already predict their tragic futures under her guidance.
Zhou Yi suddenly forced a smile, but with her aged appearance, it looked even more terrifying Huo Yuhao could tell her face was fake.
She said, "Fighting is good, but I don't like my students fighting each other. Next time, fight students from other classes instead."
"At Shrek Academy, the rules have always been relaxed to encourage students to develop freely. The academy doesn't interfere with fights as long as no one dies, we don't care."
"Fighting is one of the best ways to grow."
"If you make it to second year, you can compete in the Soul Dueling Arena. If you win frequently, the academy even gives rewards. But for now… you two can go run 100 laps too."
Wang Dong was stunned. "Teacher, didn't you just say we have backbone?"
Zhou Yi still had that eerie, stiff smile on her face. "Did I ever say that meant you didn't have to run?"
"You two started fighting the moment school began do you really think that's something to be proud of?"
"And since you're so 'outstanding,' your test should be harder than everyone else's, right? Besides, shouldn't you experience the suffering of your fellow classmates together?"
"Oh? Look at that… quite a bit of time has already passed."
Before Wang Dong could argue further, Huo Yuhao turned and ran out without hesitation.
Seeing him go first, Wang Dong felt utterly frustrated but still followed.
As they ran, Wang Dong grumbled, "Why are you running so fast? That Zhou Yi is a complete lunatic."
Huo Yuhao didn't even look back. "She's the teacher. This is her turf. If you don't want to be expelled, you have no choice but to do as she says."
"I believe her when she says anyone who doesn't finish 100 laps will be expelled."
He had already heard from Bei Bei about Zhou Yi's notorious reputation.
A 90% expulsion rate was no joke.
This crazy old hag definitely meant what she said.
And the most unbelievable thing to Huo Yuhao was how corrupt was Shrek Academy for a teacher to have absolute authority to expel students however she wanted?
Could a school like this really be trusted?
For the first time, Huo Yuhao seriously doubted it.
The two of them kept running.
Even though his body had improved greatly thanks to his training in Xiantian Gong, completing 100 laps in such a short time was still nearly impossible.
If he had the full hour, he could barely manage it.
But after the delay caused by Zhou Yi, he was really struggling.
As he ran, he glanced at Wang Dong who had already left him behind.
But Huo Yuhao wasn't discouraged at all.
Unlike in the original timeline, he now had Elder Ye as his teacher.
He had inherited a divine level cultivation technique.
And he never doubted for a second that he would one day become a true powerhouse.
Even if he left Shrek Academy right now, he was confident that with Xiantian Gong, he could make his own way in the world.
Just when Huo Yuhao thought he was definitely going to fail the 100 lap challenge, Elder Ye's voice suddenly echoed in his mind, "Running also requires technique. Using the correct technique will make your efforts twice as effective. Follow my instructions…"
At that moment, his previously rapid and erratic breathing suddenly became rhythmic, following a specific pattern. His spirit power, which had been circulating chaotically within him, also started flowing smoothly along his meridians in sync with his breathing.
Huo Yuhao immediately felt a new surge of energy within him! The soreness and fatigue from excessive running vanished, replaced by a newfound sense of vigor.
And just like that, with the help of the mysterious old man in his head, the exhausted Huo Yuhao suddenly came back to life as if he had been injected with a stimulant!
From being at the very back of the group, he gradually caught up, overtaking one student after another…
Zhou Yi had already arrived at Shrek Plaza and stood silently watching the students run. Soon, her gaze was drawn to Huo Yuhao. She was slightly surprised that someone with such weak spirit power could hold out for so long and still be running so fast?
Before long, all the students completed the test and were standing in loose formations on Shrek Plaza, breathing heavily from exhaustion.
Zhou Yi looked over the crowd, her expression as indifferent as ever, and said, "I will now call out some names. Cheng Cheng, Qiu Jianrao, Tang Dao, Shangguan Chentian, Lin Zeyu, Zhuge Yun, Tai Long, Tang Ling, Yun Xiaopiao."
The students whose names were called stepped forward, still panting heavily.
Zhou Yi looked at them coldly and said, "The nine of you can pack your things and leave. As of this moment, you are no longer students of Shrek Academy."
"W what?!"
The nine students, still recovering from their run, were stunned. The rest of the class erupted into an uproar.
"Teacher, why?!"
A tall and muscular boy named Tai Long stepped forward, his face full of anger. Among those who had completed the run, he had been one of the fastest part of the leading group!
Zhou Yi coldly replied, "Shrek Academy does not need students who rely on trickery. 'Those with strength but no integrity will only bring disaster, not aid, to any country that nurtures them.' Tai Long, tell me did you actually complete all 100 laps?"
Tai Long protested loudly, "Of course I did!"
Zhou Yi laughed mockingly. "Did you? If I recall correctly, when we first started, I wasn't at the plaza yet, and you took your time walking two full laps. You only joined in when the leaders had already completed their fifth lap. So you didn't run 100 laps you ran 97. I'm sure more than one person saw how lazy you were at the start."
"I…"
Tai Long's face turned bright red. He had never expected that this crazy teacher, who wasn't even there at the start, could somehow pinpoint his actions so accurately.
"But even if I was short by a few laps, you can't just expel me for that!"
Zhou Yi snorted in disdain, her nose lifted arrogantly. "I already explained the reason. You are unworthy of being a student at Shrek Academy. Pack your things and leave."
"You !"
Tai Long was completely dumbfounded. He never thought that he would be so casually kicked out by this teacher.
Is she serious?
Zhou Yi turned her gaze toward the rest of the students and said indifferently, "I may have a bad temper, but I always keep my word. The nine I called out all tried to cheat during the test. If you don't accept my decision, feel free to report me to the Academic Office. But for now, you are dismissed."
Under Zhou Yi's immense pressure, the nine expelled students left, utterly defeated. They didn't head back to pack their belongings they ran straight to the Academic Office to complain.
It's only the first day of school! How could they just accept this?
Watching all of this unfold, Huo Yuhao still catching his breath felt even more disgusted by this old witch.
"Return to your dorms, change into fresh clothes, and then head to the classroom. You have 15 minutes."
After saying this, Zhou Yi turned and left for the teaching building.
This time, no one dared to hesitate. The entire group scattered instantly, sprinting back to their dorms at full speed.
As they ran, Wang Dong grumbled, "That old hag is way too ruthless."
Huo Yuhao remained silent, replaying one specific thing Zhou Yi had said in his mind:
'Those with strength but no integrity will only bring disaster, not aid, to any country that nurtures them.'
Did this old witch even know what she was saying?
What does Shrek Academy's philosophy have to do with 'integrity' and 'righteousness'?
Isn't their motto literally 'Those who don't cause trouble are useless'?
How could students trained in an environment like this grow up to be anything but thugs and scoundrels?
Huo Yuhao felt deeply confused.
Was Zhou Yi just an exception among Shrek's teachers?
Or was this the true nature of Shrek Academy?
Otherwise, why would she say one thing but do the exact opposite?
Neither Huo Yuhao nor Wang Dong dared to waste any time. They quickly changed clothes and rushed back to class.
Zhou Yi had given them 15 minutes, but not a single student took more than 10. Within minutes, everyone was back in their seats, sitting upright.
Exactly 15 minutes later, Zhou Yi entered the classroom.
Seeing that all 91 remaining students were present, she nodded and said, "We will now begin class. I am mostly satisfied with today's test. The majority of you managed to complete the running assessment."
Then, she suddenly called out
"Huo Yuhao, stand up."
"Yes, Teacher Zhou."
Huo Yuhao immediately stood up, his back straight and firm.
Zhou Yi coldly asked, "State your spirit power level."
"Yes, my spirit power is level 13."
Despite his dislike for her, Huo Yuhao remained polite and respectful.
Of course, his rapid increase in spirit power was all thanks to Xiantian Gong.
The moment the number '13' was spoken, the entire class looked at him in disbelief.
Wang Dong, in particular, facepalmed immediately.
How embarrassing… Too embarrassing! I actually lost to someone with only 13 levels of spirit power?!
Wait…
13?
Wasn't the minimum admission requirement 15?
Realizing this, Wang Dong looked up at Huo Yuhao in shock.
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