In the classroom of Freshman Class Four, all the students were seated and waiting.
Xia Yu walked in.
"Zhu Ziyang, come up here and post this list next to the blackboard," Xia Yu said, handing a paper to him.
Zhu Ziyang stepped up to the podium and took the list. A quick glance revealed it was a soul power ranking—he immediately saw his own name at the top, followed by Jiang Nannan in second place.
As he posted the list, he glanced through it quickly. Among the 100 students, the gaps were significant. Aside from himself, fewer than twenty students had soul power above level 20. Jiang Nannan was the only one at level 25. Most were at level 21 or 22, with a few at 23 or 24. Many were still at level 18 or 19—Tang Ya, for instance, was only at level 19.
"This list shows each student's soul power level at the time of enrollment," Xia Yu announced.
"I expect every one of you to increase your level by at least one before the Freshman Assessment. Anyone who fails to meet this requirement doesn't need to take the assessment—just pack your bags and leave."
His words shocked the students. Faces filled with concern and disbelief.
But Xia Yu didn't care.
He continued, "Today's class is a combat training session. For soul masters, combat is the only true form of training. From now on, every practical lesson will involve fighting."
A wave of murmurs and nervous whispers spread through the class. They had just seen combat in the dueling grounds, and now they were facing more?
"Silence!" Xia Yu barked.
A powerful aura of pressure burst from his body, immediately quieting the entire room.
Zhu Ziyang narrowed his eyes. That level of pressure... he was probably a Soul Sage. Xia Yu was clearly stronger than he had seemed.
"Now for the rules," Xia Yu said, satisfied with the silence. He withdrew his aura and continued,
"Our class has 100 students. Since Class President Zhu Ziyang is exempt from combat training, that leaves 99 of you. I'll divide you into 49 groups."
"That leaves one extra student," he added. "I have one Soul Tool Department recommendation slot. Anyone interested in soul tools can speak to me. You'll get the slot and be excused from combat class."
"Anyone interested?"
"I want to join the Soul Tool Department, Teacher Xia!" a boy stood up quickly and called out. He was clearly prepared for this moment.
"Good, Ling Xiaodong," Xia Yu said, smiling. "Come to my office after class and fill out the paperwork."
"Yes, Teacher Xia," Ling Xiaodong replied.
"Now, 49 groups, two students each, fight one another. Once all matches are complete, you'll be re-paired for the next round. Five rounds in total over the next month!"
Xia Yu's face turned serious as he added,
"Anyone who fails to win even once in those five rounds will be expelled."
"What?!" The students gasped in disbelief.
Xia Yu's pressure flared up again, silencing the room.
"As your homeroom teacher, I have full authority to expel students from my class," he declared.
"Not even the Dean's Office can override me! So instead of whining, I suggest you think hard about how to improve your strength. I'm already setting the bar very low—don't push your luck."
Only a few students—Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and a handful of others confident in their strength—remained calm. Most looked grim and nervous.
"Good," Xia Yu nodded, clearly pleased with the fear he had instilled.
"I've already created the first-round matchups. Zhu Ziyang, come up and announce the pairings, then take charge of recording the win/loss results."
"Got it!" Zhu Ziyang said, standing up and walking to the front. His classmates looked at him with admiration and envy.
He took the list from Xia Yu, glanced at it, and began reading:
"Group One: Jiang Nannan vs. Li Yue."
Jiang Nannan's expression shifted slightly. The girl named Li Yue shot her a sharp look, clearly eager to fight.
"Group Two: Lin Ziwei vs. Luo Tianyou.
Group Three: Wang Qiao vs. Zhang Yiqing.
Group Four…
Group Forty-Nine: Shi Zijian vs. Zhang Zhao."
As Zhu Ziyang read the names, tension rose among the students. Their glances toward each other grew sharper, and the atmosphere thickened with competitive pressure.
Interestingly, Xia Yu had made sure not to pair roommates together—he didn't want his classroom filled with enemies.
After announcing the pairings, Xia Yu raised his voice again:
"Three reminders."
"First: No collusion. If I find out two students coordinated the outcome, I'll expel both—no discussion.
Second: Don't hold grudges over your results. If anyone takes revenge on a winning opponent, I will make them regret ever setting foot in Shrek Academy."
As he spoke the last line, seven soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and three black—rose behind him.
Soul Sage!
Everyone froze.
They were only at Soul Master or Grandmaster level—no match at all for a Soul Sage's pressure. Their earlier resentment vanished instantly.
A Soul Sage from Shrek Academy—that alone was enough to crush their defiance.
Zhu Ziyang, being closest, bore the full brunt of the pressure. He held himself steady with effort, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Xia Yu glanced sideways at him, surprised and impressed that he could resist. He smiled slightly and withdrew his soul rings and aura.
"I'll give you three minutes to ask questions," he said.
"Teacher, why doesn't Zhu Ziyang have to fight in the training class?" a male student asked immediately.
"You're Luo Tianyou, right?" Xia Yu responded calmly.
"I like that attitude—not afraid to speak up. That's the kind of competitive drive I want to see."
Zhu Ziyang's eyes flickered. He remembered Luo Tianyou—one of only three level-24 Grandmasters in the class.
"Why is Zhu Ziyang exempt? Simple," Xia Yu said with a smile.
"As a level 35 Soul Elder, do you think he'd enjoy bullying Soul Masters and Grandmasters?"
Zhu Ziyang stayed quiet.
But the class exploded again. Eyes turned toward him—admiring, shocked, curious.
Same age, yet so far ahead—how was that possible?
No one asked further questions.
"If no one else has doubts, then good," Xia Yu said.
"Everyone, leave the classroom and gather in the square in front of the teaching building."
The class stood and exited in an orderly fashion. Xia Yu and Zhu Ziyang walked at the rear.
"Good kid," Xia Yu said, smiling as he patted Zhu Ziyang on the shoulder.
"You're giving me hope for a bonus this year!"
"Uh…" Zhu Ziyang didn't know how to respond.
A bonus? Not like I'm getting half of it—why tell me?