Chapter 219: Factional Rivalries and Huo Yuhao’s Fate

"What is this thing?"

Mu Jin eyed the peculiar soul tool in Qian Ran's hand, her curiosity piqued. It looked like another one of his creations, though it didn't seem particularly useful.

Another prank soul tool, perhaps?

Just like the one he had given her last time!

"You'll know once you look at it," Qian Ran said, handing it to her with a grin.

Cautiously, Mu Jin activated the device, and the images it projected left her stunned.

"How... how is this even possible? This soul tool is for..." Mu Jin stammered, her face turning a deep shade of crimson as she stared at the provocative pictures. The embarrassment even spread to her neck and collarbones, now tinged with pink.

Finally, she understood why Qian Ran had insisted on those poses earlier.

The fact that Qian Ran could create something like this left her amazed.

Despite his occasional mischief, his talent with soul tools was undeniably monstrous!

After a few moments, Mu Jin found herself strangely impressed. If only she had a soul tool like this for her personal use...

"Alright, enough of that. I'm heading out," she said hurriedly, her cheeks still burning.

"I'll find you next time," Qian Ran replied teasingly.

Mu Jin quickly adjusted her attire, worried that if she lingered, Qian Ran might concoct another one of his devilish schemes. When it was just the two of them, she could endure his antics, but his eccentricities always left her flustered.

Straightening her blouse, Mu Jin hurried back to Class Two's classroom.

Meanwhile, Qian Ran sauntered into Class One at his own pace, where Zhou Yi was mid-lecture. She shot him a subtle, playful wink.

Unlike the others, Zhou Yi had glimpsed the scene between Qian Ran and Mu Jin.

She had assumed Mu Jin to be a proper, no-nonsense type, only to discover that Mu Jin had practically thrown herself at Qian Ran before Zhou Yi could even intervene.

The realization left her feeling a twinge of jealousy.

Back when they were younger, Mu Jin had always been her equal in cultivation and beauty. Zhou Yi had only barely edged her out in other areas.

Mu Jin's newfound closeness to Qian Ran brought an undeniable sense of rivalry. Still, Zhou Yi wouldn't let her jealousy cloud her judgment. She knew full well that her appeal to Qian Ran was her true strength in staying by his side. If she ever annoyed him or made him lose interest, she'd lose everything.

And besides, Mu Jin would soon learn that their competition wasn't just between the two of them.

At present, the women around Qian Ran had already split into several factions.

The Tang Ya Faction: Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan, who had been close from the start.Class One Faction: Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Zhu Lu, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, Cui Yajie, and the Lan sisters formed a tight-knit group.The Ice Empress Faction: As an outsider, the Ice Empress preferred solitude and kept her distance from everyone else.

Even their leisure activities reflected these divisions. Tang Ya usually shopped with Jiang Nannan, rarely mingling with the Class One girls. Over time, these small preferences crystallized into clear factions.

If Qian Ran wanted to take Tang Ya out, he'd have to bring Jiang Nannan along. Similarly, if he sought out Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao and the others often tagged along.

These divisions inevitably bred competition.

A lone individual risked being forgotten, relegated to the sidelines of Qian Ran's affections. Even if he occasionally remembered them, their moments together would be fleeting.

Zhou Yi had already grasped this dynamic. Though she was a Class One teacher, she wasn't fully integrated into the Class One faction and felt like an outsider. The realization prompted her to consider forming an alliance with Mu Jin.

Having been rivals for over a decade, Zhou Yi understood Mu Jin well enough to predict her trajectory.

Once Mu Jin officially got together with Qian Ran, she wouldn't fit neatly into any existing faction either. Together, they could form a mutual support system, ensuring their place in Qian Ran's heart.

"Unbelievable."

Huo Yuhao watched Qian Ran saunter into class as though he owned the place, utterly ignoring the fact that class was already in session.

With Zhou Yi's temper, anyone else arriving late would have been sent outside to run laps until they dropped.

"Teacher Zhou, why does Qian Ran get to stroll in late without consequence?" Huo Yuhao couldn't hold back, standing up to voice his indignation.

In his eyes, Qian Ran was worse than a school bully—he was an unchecked tyrant.

Huo Yuhao considered himself a prodigy, a rare talent in Shrek Academy as a soul engineer. A fourth-level soul engineer at his age would be considered a genius even in the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

So why didn't he get special treatment?

Ever since entering Shrek Academy, nothing seemed to go his way, and the constant frustration left him seething.

"Qian Ran was late because I asked him to do something for me. Do you have a problem with that?" Zhou Yi said coldly, her gaze locking onto Huo Yuhao.

If Qian Ran wanted to be late, he had her blessing. In her class, Qian Ran could do whatever he pleased.

"But I saw him..." Huo Yuhao began, only to falter under Zhou Yi's glare.

What could he say? That he'd seen Qian Ran standing on the hallway railing, staring into the distance?

"What you saw doesn't matter. If you have a problem, bring it to me after class. Right now, you're disrupting my lecture!" Zhou Yi's tone grew sharper, making it clear that she wouldn't tolerate further interruptions.

Her blatant favoritism for Qian Ran was an open secret among Class One students, but who would dare oppose her?

Dai Huabin, with all his talent, had been expelled by Zhou Yi without hesitation. Lesser students wouldn't dare risk their position at the academy.

"Come see me after class!" Zhou Yi snapped, her icy gaze boring into Huo Yuhao.

At that moment, Huo Yuhao felt a chill run down his spine.

"Such arrogance," Wang Dong'er muttered, glaring at Huo Yuhao's aggrieved expression. She found his constant complaints insufferable and was itching to beat him up again.

"Exactly. Zhou Yi should just expel him," Wu Feng chimed in, her large eyes sparkling mischievously. Being the only one who knew about Zhou Yi and Qian Ran's relationship, Wu Feng understood how hopeless Huo Yuhao's position was.

If Huo Yuhao kept challenging Qian Ran, Zhou Yi would make sure he regretted it.

In this class, Qian Ran held undisputed sway.

After class, Qian Ran would head to Zhou Yi's office and emerge looking reinvigorated, while Huo Yuhao would leave with nothing but misery.

Some people are simply born to lead charmed lives, while others... are destined to suffer.

(End of Chapter)