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One of the students stood up and challenged, "Teacher, I don't accept this. Why are those who fought not punished, while those who didn't fight are penalized?"
Zhou Yi responded indifferently, "Because I said so. If you're not satisfied, you can leave. As your homeroom teacher, I have the authority to expel students. You have one minute. If I don't see you start running within that time, all of you will be expelled."
As she spoke, a formidable aura surged from her body. Rings of soul power rose from beneath her feet—two yellow, two purple, and two black. A six-ring Soul Emperor, she exuded the overwhelming presence of a high-level soul master suppressing low-level ones.
These students were, after all, just freshmen. None dared to defy Zhou Yi directly, and they all reluctantly got up and shuffled out of the classroom.
Zhou Yi retracted her soul rings and watched the students leave with an indifferent gaze.
"Let me remind you," she added, "this hundred-lap run has a time limit. If you don't finish within an hour, you'll be considered unqualified. This is your first exam since enrollment. Those who fail will be expelled."
Upon hearing this, the students immediately quickened their pace, almost sprinting out of the classroom.
Satisfied, Zhou Yi nodded. However, when she noticed that besides Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong—the two who had admitted to fighting—there were still two others remaining in the classroom, her anger flared again.
How dare someone disobey her order and refuse to run?
The two were none other than Xiao Xiao and Yuwen Tuo. Xiao Xiao had intended to join the run, but Yuwen Tuo, for some reason, suddenly decided to give up.
"Trouble! Teacher Zhou is looking over here. Yuwen Tuo, let's go quickly, or we're doomed!" Xiao Xiao tugged at Yuwen Tuo's arm with all her might, trying to pull him up.
Yuwen Tuo sighed helplessly, "Xiao Xiao, just go on your own. My body is too delicate; I can't handle a hundred laps. I know my limits. Since I won't be able to finish anyway, why bother starting?"
"Delicate? You're lying! If you're weak, there's no such thing as strong people in this world!" Xiao Xiao had known Yuwen Tuo for three days now. She'd observed his physical condition—despite having only one soul ring, his physique was far stronger than hers, a Great Soul Master with three soul rings and a higher rank.
"Oh, it's him—Yuwen Tuo. Just as expected, a problem child," Zhou Yi muttered, adjusting her glasses. Others fear being expelled, but this guy seems to fear not being expelled. No wonder the principal gave me such strict instructions.
Zhou Yi walked up to Yuwen Tuo and Xiao Xiao and said, "Xiao Xiao, you go run first."
"But..." Xiao Xiao hesitated, still worried about Yuwen Tuo and unwilling to leave.
"What? Did you not hear me?" Zhou Yi's tone turned stern.
"Xiao Xiao, just go ahead and run," Yuwen Tuo interjected. He wasn't afraid of Zhou Yi, but Xiao Xiao couldn't afford to defy her.
With no choice, Xiao Xiao nodded reluctantly. "Alright, I'll go first. Yuwen Tuo, don't argue with the teacher. Catch up soon, okay?"
After Xiao Xiao left, Zhou Yi finally spoke, "Yuwen Tuo, earlier when I said everyone who doesn't complete a hundred laps will be expelled, I accidentally omitted three words: 'except for you.'"
Yuwen Tuo frowned. "What do you mean?"
"I'm aware of your situation. You're… special. I can't touch you. Let's make a deal: from now on, we'll stay out of each other's way. I won't meddle with you, and you don't cause trouble for me. Whether or not you want to run is entirely up to you."
Zhou Yi's status was far from ordinary. Her husband was a key figure in the Soul Technology Department and would eventually become its vice dean. Naturally, she had access to many secrets—including information about Yuwen Tuo.
"Fine," Yuwen Tuo replied as he stood up. "I never thought you could actually kick me out anyway. If you did, I'd even thank you for it."
With that, he turned and walked away.
"Where are you going?" Zhou Yi asked.
"To accompany Xiao Xiao," Yuwen Tuo answered without turning back.
Zhou Yi paused, slightly taken aback. This brat may be rebellious, but he seems genuinely caring toward Xiao Xiao.
Yuwen Tuo soon caught up with Xiao Xiao.
As they ran together, Xiao Xiao finally couldn't hold back her curiosity and asked, "So, what exactly did Teacher Zhou talk to you about earlier?"
"She said if I didn't go out and run, she'd throw you out of Shrek Academy," Yuwen Tuo replied casually. The truth was inconvenient to explain, so he made up an excuse instead.
Hearing this, Xiao Xiao's cheeks flushed red. "So… does that mean you're running because you didn't want me to be expelled?"
Yuwen Tuo didn't care much about his own affairs, but he seemed concerned about whether she'd be expelled. This touched Xiao Xiao deeply.
"You didn't need to do that. I think Teacher Zhou was just trying to scare you," Xiao Xiao said softly.
"That witch is capable of anything," Yuwen Tuo retorted. "Anyway, since we're already running, we might as well make use of the time. Xiao Xiao, remember the cultivation technique I taught you the other day?"
Xiao Xiao nodded. "Of course I remember."
"Then adjust your breathing according to the method," Yuwen Tuo reminded her.
"Mm!" Xiao Xiao obediently followed his instructions and adjusted her breathing.
At first, there didn't seem to be much difference. But with a hundred laps to run, by the time most students were nearing exhaustion around the seventieth lap, Xiao Xiao's breathing remained steady.
Moreover, her soul power had even increased slightly.
"This technique is incredible! It helps me grow soul power just by regulating my breathing while running, and my stamina isn't depleting nearly as fast!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed in amazement.
Yuwen Tuo smiled faintly. "That's only natural. This is the true essence of the technique. Once mastered, the rhythm of your breathing will harmonize with the five tones—Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zhi, and Yu. In medicine, these five tones correspond to the five elements and influence the five organs. Properly balancing them can regulate soul power and stamina, which is just the basic level of this art."
"Xiao Xiao, let me teach you more. This will help you refine your breathing further. Remember: Gong corresponds to throat sounds, belongs to Earth, and is the leader of the five tones. Its sound is extremely long, high, and warm. Shang corresponds to teeth sounds, belongs to Metal, and is the second longest, highest, and warmest. Jiao corresponds to jaw sounds, belongs to Wood, and lies between length, height, and warmth. Zhi corresponds to tongue sounds, belongs to Fire, and is shorter, lower, and cooler. Yu corresponds to lip sounds, belongs to Water, and is the shortest, lowest, and coldest."
Xiao Xiao, having studied music herself, quickly grasped the concepts under Yuwen Tuo's guidance. Many previously unclear aspects of the cultivation technique suddenly became clear.
"I understand now, Yuwen Tuo! You're amazing!" Xiao Xiao's eyes sparkled with admiration as she gazed at him.
She had initially approached him because of his handsome appearance, but now she felt like she'd stumbled upon a treasure.
While others grew increasingly exhausted, Xiao Xiao and Yuwen Tuo felt more energized as they ran. Gradually, most students resorted to walking to complete the final laps. Only four people were still running: Yuwen Tuo, Xiao Xiao, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong.
Huo Yuhao was nearing his limit, so Wang Dong unleashed her martial soul—the legendary most beautiful martial soul on the continent, the Radiant Goddess Butterfly—and carried him along as she flew.
All eyes were drawn to Wang Dong at that moment—except for Xiao Xiao, whose gaze remained fixed on Yuwen Tuo, who was running beside her.
Her resolve deepened: Strike while the iron is hot, and keep the benefits close to home.
The more attention Wang Dong gets, the better. Let her attract all the girls in school, while I quietly secure Yuwen Tuo.
A good man is worth fighting for!