Wishes Fulfilled
"Wulin, I was wrong! I shouldn't have touched your things, and I shouldn't have called you a country bumpkin. Please, forgive me this once!"
Bowing his head under another's roof, Zhou Changxi had no choice but to submit. He bowed deeply to Tang Wulin and offered a soft, sincere apology.
"Alright, I forgive you. After all, we'll be roommates for the next six years. But you have to promise you won't bully any other classmates!" Tang Wulin was inherently soft-hearted and kind. Seeing Zhou Changxi's apology, he forgave him almost without a second thought.
"Thank you, Wulin! I'll help you pack your things right away!"
As he spoke, Zhou Changxi obediently crouched down and began gathering the scattered blankets and clothes, carefully placing them back into Tang Wulin's backpack.
"Brother Xuan, thank you!" Tang Wulin looked at Yao Xuan, his eyes filled with gratitude.
"It's nothing," Yao Xuan waved a hand dismissively. "Since you call me Brother Xuan, I can't just stand by and watch you get bullied, right? Even though Aolai City isn't a major metropolis, we Aolai people aren't pushovers!"
As he finished speaking, the system's notification chimed in his mind.
'Just as I thought,' Yao Xuan inwardly rejoiced, 'Combat is truly the fastest way to earn Golden Evolution Points!'
Although Yao Xuan was already a Level 18 Soul Master, just a step away from Level 19, relying solely on cultivation would only net him one Golden Evolution Point every two and a half days on average—not exactly swift.
But just now, in a battle that lasted less than a minute, he had gained a full ten Golden Evolution Points, nearly equivalent to a month's worth of cultivation. It was a substantial haul.
Moreover, now that he was in the intermediate academy, even more battles were inevitable: promotion tournaments, the East Sea Alliance Grand Competition, battles in the Spirit Ascension Platform... Yao Xuan could almost see piles of Golden Evolution Points rolling toward him.
"What's going on here? I heard from other students there was a fight in your dormitory. All of you, come with me to the Academic Affairs Office!"
Just then, a deep, stern voice sounded from the doorway. A middle-aged man in a uniform, burly and imposing, strode into the dormitory with a severe expression.
Ten Minutes Later, East Sea Academy Intermediate Division, Discipline Office.
"So," Dean Long Hengxu began, his expression gloomy as he looked at the four students standing before him, "Zhou Changxi provoked and bullied Tang Wulin first. Then, Yao Xuan stood up for Tang Wulin and fought Zhou Changxi, ultimately defeating him. Is that correct?"
Yao Xuan, Tang Wulin, Zhou Changxi, and Xie Xie—who had merely been a bystander—all nodded silently in confirmation.
"I see. Zhou Changxi, given your martial soul's aptitude, even with your somewhat low soul power level, it wouldn't have been impossible for you to enter Class 3. However, bullying and insulting your classmates the moment you arrive shows a clear lack of character. You had that beating coming. You will remain in Class 5."
Long Hengxu's tone was calm but left no room for argument. Zhou Changxi wanted to retort, but one look at the dean's cold eyes made him swallow his words.
"Yao Xuan," Long Hengxu's gaze shifted, "helping others and standing up for your classmates is commendable. However, the premise is that you cannot violate school rules and regulations! Here at Donghai Academy, if you wish to spar, you may do so—but you must go to the designated combat room and spar under a teacher's supervision. Private fights are strictly forbidden!"
"Originally, according to school rules, your actions warrant a major demerit. This would affect your future admission to an advanced soul master academy and your registration as a mecha pilot." Long Hengxu paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "However," he continued, "ignorance is not a complete excuse. You are new to Donghai Academy and are not yet familiar with all the rules. Therefore, this major demerit will be waived."
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. "However, your temper is a bit too fiery. It needs tempering. Therefore, you will also be transferred to Class 5."
"I understand, Dean Long. Thank you for your fairness." Yao Xuan bowed calmly, inwardly pleased. His strategy had worked; he had achieved his goal.
"Tang Wulin," Long Hengxu turned his attention, "you were not directly involved in the fight and were the victim in this incident. You will not be punished. However, I want to tell you something: respect is earned through strength! If you want to be respected, then cultivate diligently over the next six years! The world of soul masters is one where the strong command respect."
"I understand! I will definitely work hard, Dean Long!" Tang Wulin nodded earnestly. He then glanced at Yao Xuan with a hint of guilt—it was all because he was too weak. He had been bullied, and because of him, Brother Xuan had been punished and sent to the worst class in the school.
Seeing Tang Wulin's look, Yao Xuan gave a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head, a silent signal telling him not to dwell on it.
"Xie Xie?" Finally, Long Hengxu's gaze fell upon the aloof youth. "If I remember correctly, you are from the Xie family of Donghai City. And your soul power should be around Level 18, correct?"
"Yes," Xie Xie replied with a light nod, his tone indifferent.
"Mm. You clearly have the ability, yet you stood by and watched your classmates fight without intervening, merely observing as a spectator. Where is your sense of righteousness? Scheming and cunning! So young, and already so shrewd. You are no longer suited for Class 1. You will go to Class 5 with them."
Hearing this, a flash of dissatisfaction appeared in Xie Xie's eyes. "Dean Long, this is against the rules," he stated loudly.
"Against the rules?" Long Hengxu's voice rose slightly, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "In the intermediate division of Donghai Academy, if the Dean of Students says you go to Class 5, you go to Class 5! If you are dissatisfied with my decision, you are welcome to take your complaint to the principal. Let's see how much weight the Xie family name carries here at Donghai Academy."
"Fine. I'll go to Class 5 then." Xie Xie retorted defiantly, unflinching. "Do you think I, Xie Xie, am afraid? In a few months, when the promotion tournament is held, I will show you what real strength is!"
"Good. I'll be waiting to see it. Dismissed." Long Hengxu coldly delivered his final words.
With that, Yao Xuan, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Zhou Changxi were dismissed, each returning to their dormitory with their own thoughts. For Yao Xuan, the path was set. He was exactly where he needed to be.