Chapter 436: The Loyal Dog Steps Down
It was common knowledge that Tang San's legendary story formed the core of Shrek Academy's teachings. Students who admired him often mimicked gestures and rituals, such as bowing solemnly in respect when pledging allegiance to a master, to demonstrate their devotion. Ye Wen allowed Jiang Nannan's formal gesture and gracefully lifted her to her feet with a gentle pulse of soul power.
"Very well "
"Beast! What are you trying to do to Nannan?" An enraged voice cut through the moment. The man's voice sounded both desperate and furious.
The voice belonged to Xu Sanshi, someone Jiang Nannan had grown thoroughly weary of. His endless, buzzing presence in her life had become an annoyance she would have kicked away long ago if it weren't for the influence of his powerful sect.
"Shut up, Xu Sanshi!" Jiang Nannan snapped, her patience entirely spent. Though Xu Sanshi's sect, the Xuanming Sect, also had Titled Douluo backing it, they specialized in defense. Jiang Nannan didn't know her new master's full abilities yet, but she was sure they had to be more formidable than just putting up a defensive barrier. Years of unpleasant memories and repeated intrusions came flooding back, and Jiang Nannan found herself finally expressing her true feelings. Ye Wen's acceptance of her had awakened her inner strength a fierce determination to never be a victim again.
Xu Sanshi stood frozen in shock. He'd been devoted to Jiang Nannan for years, convinced that his sincere love could eventually melt her icy heart.
Ye Wen watched this drama unfold with mild interest. He hadn't yet initiated Jiang Nannan as his disciple or laid out any formal teachings, but this display from Xu Sanshi was both pitiable and somewhat revolting. While romance was beautiful in its own right, Xu Sanshi's relentless approach was far from noble. Jiang Nannan's traumatic past had made her wary of love, and years of struggling for survival had left her with a hardened resolve that a persistent admirer couldn't easily sway.
After all, how could she truly believe in love when it had been ripped from her so young, exchanged for mere coins?
Looking at Xu Sanshi, Ye Wen felt a trace of disdain. While Xu Sanshi might not have been responsible for the toxic traditions of his sect, he had certainly benefited from them, making him complicit in Ye Wen's eyes. "Such a vile and putrid system," Ye Wen mused inwardly. His disgust extended to the stagnant, selfish state of the Douluo Continent's soul masters as a whole. A world governed by greed and control, unable to rise above self serving motives, was ultimately doomed. In Ye Wen's mind, the world was in dire need of a revolution, and he intended to nurture the revolutionaries who would bring it about.
"Nannan," Xu Sanshi whimpered, looking like a helpless puppy abandoned by its master.
In response, Jiang Nannan shot him a glare filled with scorn. "Enough! I've told you countless times not to call me that. We're not close, Xu Sanshi. Stop following me, and leave me alone. I don't want Master to get the wrong impression."
"After all these years… are you truly so heartless, Nannan? I love you, I really do!" Xu Sanshi's face fell as he tried to win her back one last time.
Ye Wen, growing impatient, finally interjected. The entire scene left him thoroughly nauseated by Xu Sanshi's pitiful begging. Did the boy not know anything about wooing someone?
"Listen, kid," Ye Wen said, his voice cold. "Chasing after someone doesn't work that way. My disciple has clearly rejected you, and your continued pestering only makes you look worse. Go home. From now on, the two of you are on separate paths. There's no sense in pursuing what's lost, so let this end here." With a wave of his hand, Ye Wen's aura flared ever so slightly, and Xu Sanshi was sent flying backward a hundred meters, landing in the distance, out of sight and out of mind.
"Thank you, Master," Jiang Nannan said, relief in her voice.
Ye Wen gave her a dismissive wave. "We're family now. No need for such formality."
After a quick glance at the two girls, tired from a long day, he decided to put off further training plans. "For now, go home and rest. Tomorrow, be sure to request leave from school and come straight here. I'll help you both improve."
Huo Yu´er's eyes lit up with excitement. A significant upgrade in her abilities was just what she needed to avoid Shrek's expulsion threat. Her master, as always, seemed to have everything perfectly planned.
The next morning, she headed to the faculty office to request a day's leave.
"Huh? Madam Zhou Yi isn't here? She's usually the first one in," Huo Yu´er noted, referring to Zhou Yi as "the old lady" despite her being a youthful Soul Emperor. Zhou Yi often donned a witch's mask to keep students in line, her striking beauty hidden behind the intimidating guise.
"Eh, guess I'll go wait in class," Huo Yu´er shrugged. She may have had the lowest soul power, but her combat abilities made her the strongest in the class. With Ye Wen as her mentor, she held no fear of Zhou Yi, who'd have to eliminate every other student before expelling her.
"Good morning, Yu´er," greeted Xiao Xiao as Huo Yu´er entered.
In this iteration, without Tang Wutong posing as a boy, Huo Yu´er's roommate was Xiao Xiao. But unlike Huo Yu´er, Xiao Xiao had a more privileged background and a lazier approach to training. Though polite, Huo Yu´er was far more focused, especially after two months of training in Ye Wen's techniques.
"Morning," she replied coolly, nodding briefly at Xiao Xiao before her gaze landed on Zhou Yi, who was already in the classroom.
Strange. The old lady was already at her desk before class started. But her early arrival wasn't going to deter Huo Yu´er. She walked confidently to the front of the room.
"Teacher Zhou, I'd like to request a day's leave," Huo Yu´er said plainly.
Zhou Yi turned her stern witch's mask toward her. "Leave?" she repeated, then sneered. "Huo Yu´er, do you take Shrek for a place to slack off? With that meager level 12 soul power of yours, instead of training, you're asking for leave?"
The clear disdain in Zhou Yi's voice didn't faze Huo Yu´er. She met her teacher's glare with a steady gaze and said calmly, "Just say if you'll allow it or not. I may have the lowest soul power, but that doesn't stop me from beating everyone in this class until they're as helpless as dogs."
Unsurprisingly, Zhou Yi's controlling nature and disdain for weakness meant she couldn't tolerate any challenge to her authority. Her voice was icy with anger.
"Huo Yu´er, who taught you to speak to me like that? Are you looking to get expelled?"
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