Because time was tight, Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu only went to the cafeteria to buy some ready-made breakfast.
A few large meat buns and a cup of milk. The buns had thin skin and plenty of filling, the meat coming from a soul beast called the Silver-Patterned Deer, tender and tasty.
After ten thousand years of development, humans were already able to artificially raise soul beasts. Of course, most of the ones that could be raised were docile in nature. The Silver-Patterned Deer was a typical example.
The buns weren't expensive, just one silver soul coin each, making them the top choice for many students' breakfast.
The two walked while eating, and by the time they arrived at the freshman teaching building, there were still nearly fifteen minutes before class.
Classrooms for Freshman Classes One through Three were on the first floor, Classes Four through Seven on the second, and the remaining Classes Eight through Ten on the third.
Walking up the stairs toward Freshman Class Nine's classroom, they passed other classes already bustling with students, noise echoing everywhere.
Just ahead of Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu, three male students in white freshman uniforms were chatting excitedly.
"Si Chen, Xiang Yue, did you hear about what happened in Freshman Class Nine? Yu Tianhuang knocked out a female classmate with one punch."
"I think I heard someone from Class Nine mention it. That girl's name was Wu Feng, right? I heard she's pretty."
At those words, the other two immediately rolled their eyes.
"Damn it, Si Chen, can you not be such a creep? That's not the point, okay?" the first student said with disgust.
"Wu Feng's martial soul is the Red Dragon, and her soul power is already at rank twenty-five. Thinking herself strong, she tried to challenge Yu Tianhuang, but instead got knocked out with a single punch. If it were me, I'd be too embarrassed to keep coming to class."
"Huh? That's not what I heard. Didn't they say Wu Feng confessed her feelings to Yu Tianhuang, got rejected, and lashed out in anger?" Si Chen asked in surprise.
Xiang Yue, who had been silent until now, also couldn't help but ask doubtfully:
"Wasn't it that Yu Tianhuang just likes beating up women?"
"..."
Hearing this, Xu Zihuang almost spat out the milk in his mouth.
The rumors had truly become ridiculous.
At his side, Tuoba Yu couldn't help teasing him.
"Looks like you've become famous at the academy this time."
Xu Zihuang gave him a speechless glance, then went up the stairs first, just in time to see the three students enter Freshman Class Ten's classroom.
This time, unlike yesterday when they had arrived at the last second, Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu entered their classroom early. Though many students were already there, seats were still available.
After showing his strength, the male students in the class now treated him much more respectfully, even with a touch of awe.
Strength above all—this was the unchanging truth of the soul master world. They might not be completely convinced by Xu Zihuang, but none were foolish enough to make him a target.
After all, Wu Feng, whose cultivation was second only to Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian in the class, had been knocked out by him with a single punch. Their own strength wasn't even worth mentioning.
"Class monitor, over here!"
A crisp, pleasant voice rang out. Looking up, Xu Zihuang saw Ya Lu, the girl who had given Tuoba Yu such a hard time during combat training.
Her pretty face was lit with a bright smile, two playful little tiger teeth showing.
She pointed at the empty seat behind her, clearly inviting Xu Zihuang to sit there. Beside her sat Nanmen Yun'er, whose soft green eyes also turned toward Xu Zihuang with a polite smile.
Though the school year had barely begun, small groups had already naturally formed.
Xu Zihuang and Tuoba Yu, Ning Tian and Wu Feng, Nanmen Yun'er and Ya Lu, and so on.
People tended to stick with those they were more familiar with.
Nanmen Yun'er and Ya Lu's beauty also stood out among the female students. One was gentle as water, the other lively and cute. Sitting together, they were strikingly eye-catching.
"Let's go sit there," Xu Zihuang said to Tuoba Yu.
Tuoba Yu shrank back slightly at the sight of Ya Lu, but after a day's rest, he had more or less recovered. At least he no longer had such a strong reaction.
Just as Xu Zihuang was about to move, two figures blocked his path.
"Yu Tianhuang, can we talk?"
Frowning slightly, Xu Zihuang looked at the two tall girls standing in front of him. Who else could they be but Ning Tian and Wu Feng?
Understanding immediately, Tuoba Yu tactfully stepped aside, giving the three space. He was clearly experienced in this.
Ning Tian's clear blue eyes locked straight onto Xu Zihuang's, like a limpid lake reflecting his figure. Beside her, Wu Feng hung her head, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her skirt.
"Alright," Xu Zihuang said calmly, his brows slowly easing.
Ning Tian smiled faintly.
"Then let's go to the rooftop."
As the three left the classroom together, the rest of the students immediately erupted into noise.
Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian were the two strongest in the class, and everyone's focus was often on them.
Standing together now, they looked an impressive pair.
Ya Lu's smile had already vanished. She bit her thumb gloomily.
Since Wu Feng always addressed Ning Tian as "Young Master" in class and showed no hesitation about it, Ning Tian's identity as a member of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was common knowledge.
Though Ya Lu and Nanmen Yun'er both came from strong backgrounds, how could they compare to the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, a sect with a legacy spanning ten thousand years?
Even Shrek Academy, known as the number-one academy on the continent, had to give the sect face.
—
The rooftop of the freshman teaching building.
Though called a rooftop, it was extremely spacious.
The early spring morning was still cool, but with the gentle sunlight slanting down, the slight chill was instantly dispelled, replaced with a warm, soothing comfort.
Xu Zihuang stopped walking, his voice calm. "What do you want to say?"
With the morning sun at her back, Ning Tian's short golden hair glowed faintly, making her fair, delicate skin seem even more radiant. She reached out and gave Wu Feng, still hanging her head, a gentle push.
Noticing Ning Tian's serious expression, Wu Feng felt wronged, but still stepped forward, bent at the waist, and spoke loudly to Xu Zihuang.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked you before!"
Xu Zihuang withdrew his gaze, uninterested, and turned away.
"If it's just for this, then there's no need to waste any more time. I'm not petty enough to hold a grudge over such a thing. Just don't come picking fights with me for no reason again."
Seeing his back as he left, Wu Feng let out a sigh of relief. Ning Tian, however, looked at him with even more admiration.
Outstanding looks, extraordinary talent, broad-minded character. Wasn't that the perfect choice?