T/N: Congratulations to APOLL0 for achieving 3rd place in the Fan ranking. This bonus chapter is dedicated to you.}
Welcome, everyone! I appreciate your interest in my translated novels. I hope my translations enable you to fully enjoy these stories.
I want to clarify that I will not be posting this novel on Patreon or asking you to visit there for access to advanced chapters, as many other translators do. However, I am human, and like everyone else, I need motivation to continue my translation work.
What motivates me the most? Financial support. I would appreciate any help you can offer to support my translations. If you can spare some funds, it would go a long way in providing me with a bit of pocket money for my efforts.
Thank you for your support, and I sincerely hope you enjoy my translations! Please note that in my country, PayPal is not supported.
Here are some methods to support me:
PAYEER: P1134728698
Skrill : [email protected]
Webmoney (WMZ Purse): Z820148229030
-------------------------------------------
Chapter 71 — Teacher Lexuan
When Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena finished their breakfast and stepped into Class Five, the once noisy classroom immediately fell into complete silence.
Ignoring the curious gazes of their classmates, Huo Yuhao cast a brief glance around the room, then gently took Gu Yuena's hand and walked toward a black-haired girl sitting with her head lowered, seemingly lost in thought.
"Zhu Lu."
At the sound of her name, the girl instinctively looked up. Upon seeing Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, she froze for a moment, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"Is… is there something you need?"
She had seen this silver-haired girl yesterday afternoon in the dormitory room. Her breathtaking beauty had left an indelible impression on Zhu Lu.
Last night, she had puzzled over why Gu Yuena hadn't returned to the room. Now, seeing him accompanied by this remarkably handsome young man, the answer seemed clear… But how did this boy know her?
Five years had passed, and Huo Yuhao was no longer the frail boy she had known. Even his appearance had changed greatly. Naturally, Zhu Lu, who had only seen him once as a child, didn't recognize him.
Huo Yuhao reached into his pocket and pulled out the storage ring she had given him long ago. He smiled as he spoke.
"According to the promise we made back then, I'm returning this to you."
Seeing the familiar ring, Zhu Lu's expression shifted from confusion to shock. Her grey eyes widened in astonishment.
"It's… you!?"
"It is me." {T/N: And I am going to add you to my harem list.... mehh....}
Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded gently. "Thank you again for what you did back then."
"You… don't need to thank me."
Her earlier calmness had vanished. Zhu Lu lowered her head, her voice slightly faltering. Yet she couldn't help stealing a glance at Huo Yuhao as she asked,
"You've changed so much… I didn't even recognize you."
"Just absorbed a spirit ring earlier, and this is the result."
Huo Yuhao chuckled and pulled Gu Yuena down into two empty seats behind Zhu Lu.
"How have you been all these years?" he asked.
"After you left that day, Dai Huabin was only discovered near dusk. Once my mother learned of the situation, she didn't take me to the Duke's mansion anymore. She just let me train at home until I reached the age required to enroll in Shrek Academy," Zhu Lu explained, pausing for a moment before speaking in a softer tone.
"Um… I still don't know your name."
"Huo Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao's smile was gentle. "No need to be so nervous. We're classmates now. Just call me Yuhao. And here—this is for you."
Zhu Lu instinctively took the ring. She then noticed the vastly expanded storage space Huo Yuhao had upgraded, filled with numerous Spirit Tools. As a hereditary noble of the Star Luo Empire, she had some familiarity with spirit tools.
Even to an outsider, each one of these tools was extraordinarily valuable.
"This… this is too much. I…"
"Not the same," Huo Yuhao interrupted with a shake of his head, his tone sincere. "Take it. These spirit tools are all suited for you. If you ever run into trouble, you can ask me for help."
"…Okay."
Several male students in the class, who had been watching the scene, ground their teeth in frustration. Class Five had a few beauties, and Zhu Lu was undoubtedly the most stunning girl besides Gu Yuena. Her mature, alluring figure, unlike that of an ordinary girl, had made her a target for many male students the moment they entered the classroom.
While these boys schemed about how to drive Huo Yuhao away, Dai Huabin, his face paler than it had been in the past few days, slowly walked in.
Though the injuries inflicted by Tang San had healed under the Academy's treatment, the residual effects of the pill lingered. His cultivation would be severely hampered for the next few months.
Yet, that was not the worst part.
He had taken the pill, but still lost to Tang San. The psychological blow was far heavier than any physical injury. The memory of the previous day's defeat stirred uncontrollable rage.
Damn it… damn it all!!!
His eyes swept the classroom, and the moment they landed on that nightmare-like figure, his body trembled violently. The murderous intent in his heart was instantly replaced by an overwhelming tide of fear.
In that brief instant, the thought of transferring to another class surged in his mind.
Yet, realizing that running away would prevent him from ever facing Huo Yuhao, he forced himself to steady his trembling legs and walked toward the seat farthest from Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise, felt a fleeting sense of regret. Apparently, he had been too gentle the first time.
As the class bell rang, the previously chaotic classroom gradually settled into silence.
On the first day of class, no one dared act recklessly before understanding the new homeroom teacher.
Soon, a youthful figure entered the classroom, drawing all eyes with her delicate, enchanting features. Her tall, slender figure was perfectly highlighted by her tailored attire. Her eyes swept over the students before resting on Huo Yuhao, a faint, heart-stirring smile gracing her red lips.
Stepping to the podium, Zhang Lexuan held up the teacher's badge pinned to her chest and smiled gently at the dazed students.
"My name is Zhang Lexuan, from the Inner Academy. I'm pleased to meet all of you talented students here today."
"You might find it strange that I'm your homeroom teacher. You should have had someone else, but I applied for this position temporarily. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be with many of you through these years at the Outer Academy."
Her words, soft and gentle like a caring elder sister, warmed the hearts of the students. Some even flushed with excitement and clenched their fists in determination.
"Of course, don't mistake my kindness for leniency. Slacking off is not allowed."
With a subtle shift in tone, Zhang Lexuan's eight spirit rings slowly rose from the ground, a display that stunned every student present.
One… two… eight spirit rings! This young teacher was a Spirit Douluo!
The final ring, blood-red in color, filled the room with an indescribable, suffocating pressure.
One hundred thousand years!
"If anyone breaks academy rules or fails the freshman assessment, I can only bid you farewell with regret."
Rather than fear, the students' eyes glimmered with excitement at her words.
A single clap sounded, sparking a chain reaction. The classroom erupted in applause, welcoming Zhang Lexuan wholeheartedly.
After all, the other homeroom teachers were middle-aged men and women in their thirties or forties, barely Spirit Emperors. Now, having a Spirit Douluo with a one-hundred-thousand-year spirit ring as their teacher, how could anyone complain?
And Zhang Lexuan was beautiful, approachable, and kind.
Even if it meant giving their all, the students were determined to remain in her class.
(End of Chapter)