"He's so popular…"
Behind Wang Dong, a petite and adorable girl with twin green ponytails whispered to Wang Dong in admiration, her big eyes filled with envy.
She had a soft spot for Wang Dong, who looked ridiculously handsome in boyish attire, and couldn't help but initiate a conversation.
Wang Dong was watching the star-like Gu La being surrounded by classmates, and only absentmindedly grunted an "Mm" in response.
Her mind was consumed by two thoughts: one was to find an opportunity to defeat Gu La and restore her honor, and the other was how to make that stubborn Huo Yuhao submit to her as her subordinate to handle chores.
Unfortunately, both goals seemed far out of reach. She simply couldn't muster any interest in little girls like Xiao Xiao.
While Gu La was handling the enthusiastic classmates with a perfectly measured smile, he subtly extended his perception, focusing on Xiao Xiao.
This green-haired loli… Gu La's gaze lingered on her for a moment.
In the original storyline, Xiao Xiao was a genius whose potential was hindered by "team positioning."
Twin martial souls!
The Three Lives Soul-Sealing Cauldron, integrating offense, defense, and control, held immense potential. The Nine Phoenix Dancing Flute was a top-tier control-type martial soul, its true form symbolizing the Azure Phoenix!
Gu La was almost certain that such a martial soul must harbor powerful beast soul energy within it, much like the Qiangu family's Coiling Dragon Staff.
However, in the original story, Xiao Xiao lacked the crucial opportunities to fully awaken this power. Although she eventually became a Title Douluo, she faded into obscurity under the protagonists' spotlight, which was truly regrettable.
"Beast-soul-infused weapon-type martial souls…" Gu La's thoughts swirled. This was one of his core research objectives in this era.
Though he himself didn't possess a weapon-type martial soul, his understanding and application of weapons were deeply ingrained. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen the Sun Angel spirit soul to disguise his martial soul—he was actually more adept at earth-based powers.
If he could unravel the mysteries behind how beast souls are hosted and their powers activated in weapons like the Coiling Dragon Staff or the Nine Phoenix Dancing Flute, it would not only greatly enhance his own power system and deepen his understanding of the fusion between beast souls and martial souls but might also provide him with the crucial key to reaching the "Sword God" realm.
At the same time, studying Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong through shards of divine consciousness could unlock the secrets of the Three Lives Martial Soul. If Gu La could acquire his own weapon-type martial soul, the path to becoming a Sword God would be smooth sailing.
But this more "basic" and "universal" mechanism of beast soul hosting was also too valuable to miss.
The break time flew by amidst Gu La's observations and reflections.
When the bell rang again, the person who walked into the classroom wasn't the gloomy, low-pressure Zhou Yi as everyone expected.
Instead, it was a male teacher who appeared to be in his thirties, exuding a gentle and refined demeanor.
He wore a neat blue teacher's uniform, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. His bright, intelligent eyes and warm smile contrasted sharply with Zhou Yi's cold rigidity.
"Good morning, students," he said in a clear, gentle voice as he stepped onto the podium. "Let me introduce myself. My name is Wang Yan. Starting today, I will take over as your homeroom teacher for Class One."
The classroom fell silent for a moment, followed by murmurs of surprise. A new teacher? What happened to Teacher Zhou Yi?
Wang Yan seemed to anticipate their confusion and smiled as he explained: "Teacher Zhou Yi is temporarily unable to continue as your homeroom teacher due to personal reasons. The academy has assigned me to take over. To be honest, this was rather sudden, and I'm still unfamiliar with all of you."
He adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the young faces below, lingering just a moment longer on Gu La.
"However, the best way to get to know students is through combat." Wang Yan shifted his tone, still gentle but carrying an undeniable confidence.
"Therefore, we'll adjust today's afternoon session. Everyone, head to the Dueling Arena for one-on-one sparring. Through real combat, I'll gain a direct understanding of your martial souls, soul skills, fighting styles, and potential."
He paused, his gaze landing on Gu La with a hint of encouragement and curiosity. "Gu La, you possess the Ultimate Fire martial soul and are a key focus of the academy. You must showcase your abilities in battle. I'm looking forward to it."
Gu La nodded calmly, his expression revealing nothing. Zhou Yi's "personal reasons"? He suspected it had something to do with him, though he was too far away to sense her with his spiritual awareness.
It seemed this new homeroom teacher, Wang Yan, was sent by the academy's higher-ups to "take care" of him, their precious gem.
However… Gu La's gaze lingered on Wang Yan, a faint, barely perceptible smirk playing on his lips.
Coiling Dragon Staff!
This Teacher Wang Yan's martial soul was none other than the Qiangu family's inherited Coiling Dragon Staff, the top-tier weapon-type martial soul infused with a beast soul that Gu La was currently most interested in.
Though his soul power at Wang Yan's age wasn't particularly impressive—only around the Soul King level—it was clear his cultivation talent was limited.
But perhaps… this made him even more valuable for study. How did someone with mediocre talent wield such a top-tier martial soul? And what state was the beast soul within his Coiling Dragon Staff in?
What perfect timing. Gu La's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. The afternoon duel? It promised to be quite interesting.
---
Time rewinds to shortly after class ended.
Zhou Yi didn't return to the office. Instead, she stormed directly toward the depths of the Spirit Technology Department's experimental zone, to her husband Fan Yu's workshop.
"Fan Yu!" Zhou Yi pushed open the heavy alloy door, her face livid, her voice trembling with unchecked anger and frustration.
Fan Yu, who had been fine-tuning a complex soul-guidance core array on a precision workbench, looked up at his wife's stormy expression and frowned slightly.
"What's wrong? Arguing with Mu Jin again?"
"When have I ever argued with Mu Jin?" Zhou Yi retorted habitually, deflecting her husband's comment.
"It's all because of that Gu La." Zhou Yi found an outlet for her venting and spilled everything that had happened today in rapid succession.
From Gu La publicly defying her, to the suspected setup leading her to clash with the mysterious elder, to Yan Shaozhe personally stepping in with a warning.
She exaggerated her account, emphasizing Gu La's "defiance," "disrespect for authority," and "malicious intent."
"Fan Yu, tell me, with Dean Yan stepping in so clearly to protect him, I can't expel him. But surely I can still deal with him, right? Help me think of something—I must make that brat pay!" Zhou Yi gritted her teeth furiously.
Fan Yu set down his tools, removed his protective goggles, and revealed his calm face.
He didn't immediately respond to his wife's rage but instead thought for a moment before speaking slowly. "Zhou Yi, calm down first. What kind of person is Dean Yan? He values the overall interests of the Soul Martial Department above all else."
"Him personally stepping in and making such a statement can only mean one thing: in Dean Yan's eyes, this Gu La's value is so great that he's willing to overlook his personality issues and even reprimand a senior teacher like you."
He paused, his tone growing serious. "Moreover, as far as I know, Elder Mu… has been searching for a suitable successor. The appearance of a genius with an ultimate attribute martial soul—have you thought about what that means?"
"He's likely already caught Elder Mu's attention. If you target him now, forget about Dean Yan—even the Sea God Pavilion…"
Fan Yu didn't finish, but his meaning was clear. Targeting someone potentially favored by the master of the Sea God Pavilion? That would be courting death.
Zhou Yi's face instantly turned pale. She had only thought about how much she hated Gu La but completely overlooked the terrifying forces that might be backing him.
Elder Mu… Master of the Sea God Pavilion… Her earlier fury was instantly extinguished by a bucket of ice water, replaced by fear and a deep sense of helplessness.
"What… what should I do?" Zhou Yi's voice trembled faintly with unwillingness. "Am I just supposed to let it go? Am I supposed to face that troublemaker every day?"
"Transfer classes." Fan Yu's suggestion was clear and decisive. "Find an excuse and apply to leave Class One. Out of sight, out of mind. Continue teaching other classes—you're capable enough to produce excellent students. Why cling to one tree and risk bringing disaster upon yourself?"
Zhou Yi opened her mouth to argue, to insist. Leave Class One voluntarily? Wouldn't that be admitting defeat to that brat? When had she, Zhou Yi, ever suffered such humiliation?
But Fan Yu's words, Dean Yan's attitude, and the terrifying presence of that mysterious elder—all these pressures weighed heavily on her heart like a boulder.
"I… I can't swallow this…" Zhou Yi's voice dropped, thick with resentment and injustice.
Without her stern mask, Zhou Yi was undeniably beautiful—beautiful enough to captivate Fan Yu, a Rank Eight soul mentor, who had repeatedly gone out of his way to clean up her messes without complaint.
Fan Yu sighed, walked over to his wife, and gently patted her shoulder, his tone softening.
"Take a step back; the world is vast. Is it worth sacrificing yourself for one student? Do it for me, for yourself. I'll help you arrange things with the academy."
With her husband's compromise and promise, Zhou Yi's fierce pride finally found a barely acceptable justification.
She bit her lip and nodded reluctantly. Yes, sacrificing her future for that brat was too much of a loss!
---
Dean's Office.
Director Du Weilun looked at Zhou Yi, whose face still hadn't fully returned to normal, and understood the situation.
The students Zhou Yi had forcibly expelled had just come to protest, and he was still racking his brain over how to handle it.
"Teacher Zhou Yi, you want to transfer out of Class One?" Du Weilun adjusted his glasses, his tone calm.
"Yes, Director," Zhou Yi forced her voice to sound steady.
"I feel… my teaching style might not be suited for guiding a student like Gu La with special talents. For the better development of the students and to avoid unnecessary friction, I request a transfer."
Du Weilun chuckled inwardly but kept his expression neutral. What teaching style? Clearly, she had hit a brick wall, received a warning from Dean Yan, and was scared!
Still, this worked in his favor—it saved him a lot of trouble.
"Mm, Teacher Zhou Yi showing such insight, prioritizing student development, is commendable." Du Weilun nodded approvingly and suggested:
"In that case, there's no need for a complicated transfer. Since you've worked hard, the academy will grant you a leave. Take some time to rest and adjust. As for Class One…"
He pondered for a moment. "I think Teacher Wang Yan should take over. His theoretical foundation is solid, and his mild temperament makes him well-suited to guide a special genius like Gu La, avoiding further trouble. What do you think?"
A leave? More like a suspension!
Zhou Yi's face instantly turned a deep shade of red, her hands clenching into fists inside her sleeves, nails almost digging into her flesh.
Du Weilun, that old fox, was clearly using this as an opportunity to put her in her place! And labeling her conflict with Gu La as "trouble"!
But what could she say? Dean Yan's stance was clear, and Du Weilun's handling of the situation was already sparing her—and her husband—face. She could only swallow her humiliation.
"I… have no objections," Zhou Yi forced the words out through gritted teeth, her voice dry.
"Then it's settled." Du Weilun nodded satisfactorily. "Teacher Zhou Yi, take good care of yourself."
Zhou Yi practically fled from the dean's office, her figure radiating defeat and humiliation.
She never imagined that after years of dominating the lower grades at Shrek, she would fall victim to a newly enrolled freshman and end up like this.
And all of this—the obstacles cleared by the academy's higher-ups—had been done for that brat Gu La, without him even lifting a finger!
---
In the afternoon, at Shrek Academy's Dueling Arena.
The sunlight was perfect, and the huge circular arena was already packed with students from Class One, the atmosphere lively yet tense.
In the center of the arena, Wang Yan's gentle voice echoed through the amplification soul-guidance device:
"First match: Huo Yuhao versus Huang Chutian! Both sides, prepare!"
The battle quickly began. Relying on the foresight of his Spirit Eye and sheer determination, Huo Yuhao, despite being at a disadvantage in soul power levels, managed to narrowly defeat the powerhouse Huang Chutian through ingenious Tang Sect techniques and tactics, earning gasps of admiration.
"Second match: Wang Dong versus…"
Wang Dong's battle was filled with brilliance and violence. With her Radiant Butterfly Goddess wings spread wide, emitting dazzling light, she easily crushed her opponent.
Match after match passed, with some students shining brightly while others exposed their weaknesses.
Wang Yan stood at the sidelines, carefully noting each student's performance and offering timely critiques and guidance. His profound theoretical knowledge and teaching competence won him the respect of many students.
Finally, it was Gu La's turn.
"Next match: Gu La…" Wang Yan scanned the list and finally landed on himself. He smiled slightly and adjusted his glasses.
"Versus Wang Yan. As a teacher, I'd like to personally experience the power of the Ultimate Fire martial soul."
His words caused a stir throughout the arena!
A teacher personally stepping into the arena to fight a student? And not just any student—a genius with an ultimate martial soul?
Gu La calmly stood up and walked to the center of the arena, his gaze meeting Wang Yan's gentle smile in midair.
A flash of light appeared in Wang Yan's hand, and a dark golden staff, about four meters long and engraved with a lifelike golden dragon motif, materialized in his grip.
An overwhelming, domineering aura imbued with ancient dragon majesty instantly spread throughout the area.
Coiling Dragon Staff!
Gu La's eyes instantly sharpened, his god-tier appraisal eye locking onto the dark golden staff like the most precise probe. His spiritual power scanned it unreservedly, completely unconcerned about detection since unlike the Qiangu family, Wang Yan's strength meant little threat.
Within him, the power of the Sun Angel flowed quietly, the ultimate light and heat ready to explode.
"Gu La, please," Wang Yan held the staff in one hand, its tip pointing diagonally at the ground. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were filled with seriousness and anticipation.
He was purely a scholar of martial souls, passionate about them, otherwise he wouldn't have personally stepped into the arena to experience an ultimate martial soul.
Gu La gave a slight nod, and three soul rings—one yellow, two purple—rose beneath his feet. The phantom of the Sun Angel condensed before him, the flame sword pointing straight at Wang Yan.
The battle was about to begin!
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