Chapter 50: A Deflated Ning Rongrong

However, when Yang Xiong finally found Zhao Wuji, he couldn't help but feel like laughing.

At this moment, Zhao Wuji looked utterly miserable—his face was bruised and swollen, and it was clear he had been injured. These were only external wounds, but it seemed someone had thoroughly taught him a lesson.

Yang Xiong was speechless. It was just a simple entrance exam—how had it escalated to the point of bullying by a superior? Moreover, Zhao Wuji had clearly held back throughout the entire fight, merely testing the strength of the new students.

Zhao Wuji seemed both embarrassed and angry. "Yang Xiong, isn't today your first day at the academy? What do you want from me?"

Yang Xiong quickly responded, "Teacher Zhao, I heard you're in charge of combat training at the academy. I'd like to receive your guidance."

Zhao Wuji was irritated. "Flender instructed all of you to reach your peak condition. Your first class will be tonight, and you'll have to undergo combat training then."

Yang Xiong smiled. "Soul masters at my level can't provide much pressure anymore. I want to challenge stronger opponents—especially someone as skilled as you, Teacher Zhao."

Zhao Wuji replied, "Think carefully. I'm in a bad mood today and might want to vent. If I accidentally lose control, I could injure you, and that would cause trouble for your lessons today."

Yang Xiong nodded. "Don't worry, Teacher Zhao. I won't delay the academy's schedule, and I already know what tonight's lesson will entail."

Zhao Wuji thought for a moment. "Fine. I was planning to train anyway, and since you've come knocking, don't blame me for not holding back."

After some discussion, the two headed to the rear mountain training ground for a battle.

Throughout the fight, even though Yang Xiong gave it his all, he was completely outmatched by Zhao Wuji, a Soul Sage. By the time Yang Xiong's soul power and stamina were exhausted, his body was covered in various injuries. He looked pitiful, and his clothes were torn and ragged.

Zhao Wuji felt a twinge of pity. "That's enough training for today. Do you want me to call someone to treat your wounds?"

Yang Xiong collapsed on the ground. "Thank you, Teacher Zhao. My body and martial soul are unique, and I have healing herbs with me. I should be fine for tonight's class."

With that, Yang Xiong took out some medicinal herbs from his soul-guidance device and consumed them. Sure enough, his injuries began to heal.

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "You really are a strange little monster. Your combat abilities are impressive, but you're too young, and your soul power level is far too low."

Yang Xiong asked, "Teacher Zhao, could you guide me every day in the future?"

Zhao Wuji was puzzled. "Aren't you satisfied with today's beating? If I accidentally lose control, you could end up permanently crippled."

Yang Xiong chuckled. "Thank you for worrying, Teacher Zhao. I have plenty of restorative herbs, so serious injuries shouldn't be an issue. Besides, my martial soul is unique—it grows stronger through constant battles."

"By the way, you worked hard today. Let me treat you to dinner at a restaurant later."

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "Guiding students in combat is part of my job at Shrek Academy—it's my duty. The academy forbids any financial or personal exchanges between teachers and students. No need for dinner."

"But you're a strange one. Everyone else is meditating in the dorms, yet you focus so much on physical training. Aren't you worried your soul power won't keep up?"

Yang Xiong replied, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher Zhao. This is my cultivation method—it's different from others, but that's normal."

Zhao Wuji sighed and left.

Watching Zhao Wuji walk away, Yang Xiong felt that this man was becoming more and more likable. He was truly genuine and one of the rare individuals who didn't seek personal gain.

After Zhao Wuji left, Yang Xiong found a nearby water source and retrieved a custom-made iron barrel from his soul-guidance device. He submerged himself in a medicinal bath.

After every battle, especially after sustaining injuries, the medicinal bath significantly accelerated his recovery. Yang Xiong could even feel his body growing stronger.

Given his current physical condition, Yang Xiong could recover quickly without the bath. However, the medicinal bath seemed to further stimulate his body and martial soul.

When Yang Xiong returned to the dorm wearing clean clothes, Tang San was still meditating on his bed, and Oscar hadn't returned yet.

Tang San's keen sense of smell picked up something. "Yang Xiong, why do I detect the scent of medicinal herbs on you? And what about those injuries? Did you get into a conflict with someone?"

Yang Xiong smiled. "The injuries are nothing. I sustained them during combat training with Teacher Zhao earlier. They'll heal soon."

"As for the herbal scent, I always take a medicinal bath after battles. Don't worry about it."

Though Tang San looked curious, they were still strangers, so he closed his eyes and continued cultivating.

Yang Xiong sat on his bed and began meditating.

---

Soon, night fell, and everyone gathered on the playground again.

But Flender's expression was grim. "Oscar, Ning Rongrong, did you finish running twenty laps?"

Oscar replied, "Principal, I finished."

Flender snorted. "I'm asking both of you. Ning Rongrong, did you finish?"

Ning Rongrong seemed indifferent. "It was too far, and I was too hungry. I couldn't keep going."

Flender's face turned icy. "So you went to Suotuo City alone, strolled around the commercial district for several rounds, and only returned just now?"

Ning Rongrong grew angry. "Are you spying on me?"

Flender laughed coldly. "As principal, I must ensure everyone's safety. You left the academy without permission and failed to complete your assigned task. You're not fit to be an outstanding soul master. On the battlefield, you'd already be court-martialed."

Ning Rongrong retorted, "This is just a school, not a military camp. Besides, these are trivial matters."

Flender nodded. "In your eyes, they may be minor, but in mine, academy rules are paramount. Here are your options: either pack your things and leave, or prove you're determined to stay."

Yang Xiong glanced at Ning Rongrong's face, secretly hoping she'd turn and leave so he could escape this place as well.

Ning Rongrong was visibly livid. "You dare ask me to leave? Who do you think you are, Flender? You're just a lowly Soul Sage!"

Everyone around gasped, and even Dai Mubai's expression turned grave. Clearly, a Soul Sage was considered a top-tier expert in the soul master world.

Flender remained eerily calm. "You're right—I'm just a lowly soul master, far inferior to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. But you're merely a Soul Grandmaster. Even if you're the most talented disciple in the history of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, there's still a vast gap between us. In the soul master world, it's soul power that counts, not influence. If you look down on this place, then please leave."

Flender glanced at everyone, especially Yang Xiong. "Shrek Academy doesn't care about losing a student. Anyone who violates the rules can leave."

Ning Rongrong trembled with rage. "How dare you, Flender! You're the first person in my life to speak to me like this!"

Flender sneered. "What's stopping me? Shrek Academy is my domain. Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can't interfere. Your father spoils you, but I don't. In my eyes, every single student here is better than you. You have a powerful martial soul, yet you bring shame to it."

Ning Rongrong snapped back, "You say they're better than me? How are they better?"

Flender smirked. "Dai Mubai broke through to Soul Elder at thirteen with a top-tier beast martial soul, the White Tiger. Are you confident you can achieve that before thirteen? Even if you surpass him in speed, his combat experience far outweighs yours."

"Tang San and Xiao Wu are already at level twenty-nine at twelve—higher than your soul power. As for resources and cultivation environments, they're far inferior to yours."

"As for the others, I see them striving to grow stronger. Even if their soul power is lower than yours now, surpassing you in the future would be effortless."

Ning Rongrong protested, "What about Oscar and Yang Xiong? Are they better than me too?"

Flender replied, "That's where you're wrong. In terms of talent, Oscar surpasses even Mubai. Have you ever seen a food-type soul master with full innate soul power?"

"As for Yang Xiong, although his soul power lags behind yours, his combat ability and physical prowess are likely the strongest among all of you—even surpassing Mubai. Moreover, his martial soul is unique and may carve out an entirely new path in the soul master world."

The crowd was astonished, turning to look at Yang Xiong. Especially Dai Mubai and Tang San, who were confident in their own combat abilities.

At this moment, Ning Rongrong seemed unable to bear the humiliation and ran crying back to the dorm.

After watching Ning Rongrong leave, Yang Xiong quickly spoke up. "Principal, I'll go check on Rongrong. Please wait a moment."

'Having lived two lifetimes as a bachelor, it's about time I found a girlfriend.'

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)