Could it be?
Liu Lan cast a doubtful glance at Zhou Yi, who lay motionless on the Soul Dueling Platform, and then looked suspiciously at her own hands.
She was certain she hadn't intended to kill Zhou Yi. Although she detested Zhou Yi and even wished to drive her out of Shrek Academy... she had never considered this.
Moreover, with Zhou Yi's strength, it was impossible for her to die from that attack.
Unless... unless she deliberately gave up all resistance and intentionally took the full brunt of her Spirit Ability.
But... why would she do that?
Because Huo Yuhao killed a third-year student and got expelled, are you, Zhou Yi, trying to imitate your student and get me expelled too?
No...
Killing a teacher of Shrek Academy would likely result in an even more severe punishment.
In serious cases, she might even have her cultivation abolished and be expelled from the academy.
As a Spirit Saint, she had challenged Zhou Yi, a Spirit Emperor, to the Soul Dueling Platform, repeatedly insulted her with words, and forced her to accept the wager. Strictly speaking, this... indeed fell under serious circumstances?
Furthermore, the Soul Dueling Platform of Shrek Academy explicitly forbade fatalities, except for officially sanctioned life-and-death duels.
But they had not agreed to a life-and-death duel beforehand.
Liu Lan's Face paled for an instant. Not daring to approach Zhou Yi rashly, she could only cast a pleading look toward the referee.
The referee, an eight-ring Spirit Douluo responsible for maintaining the platform and ensuring student safety, was also dumbfounded.
With his discerning eye, he could tell when intervention was necessary—the situation just now clearly didn't require his interference. Even if Zhou Yi truly couldn't block it, her life shouldn't have been in danger.
Yet, here was Zhou Yi, lying on the Soul Dueling Platform, her condition unknown.
If Zhou Yi really died, he would, at the very least, be guilty of dereliction of duty.
If only he hadn't agreed to referee this duel!
Feeling rather unlucky, the eight-ring Spirit Douluo nevertheless honestly approached Zhou Yi's side to check her condition, ready to call a healing-type Spirit Master at any moment.
But when he reached Zhou Yi and saw her state clearly, his expression instantly turned peculiar.
It was true Zhou Yi was injured, but the wounds were far from fatal, not even enough to cause unconsciousness.
Moreover, the rise and fall of Zhou Yi's chest was noticeably irregular. Anyone could tell she was faking it!
Damn it, she scared the hell out of me!
The eight-ring Spirit Douluo stood up and announced Liu Lan's victory with clear annoyance.
Liu Lan was stunned for a moment before she too realized what was happening.
Knowing Zhou Yi's Face-obsessed nature, she probably couldn't accept defeat and didn't want to hear any taunts, hence the act of fainting.
Of course, she might have genuinely fainted.
But if she had truly fainted, the referee would have called a healing-type Spirit Master to examine her.
So... Zhou Yi was definitely faking it!
Liu Lan immediately sighed in relief. She knew it—with Zhou Yi's intellect, how could she possibly devise a plan to frame her using her own life?
A smile returned to Liu Lan's Face as she deliberately raised her voice: "Teacher Zhou, pretending to faint won't help. Instead of lying there making a spectacle of yourself, why not honor the bet gracefully? I happen to see Director Du is also in the spectator stands. What do you think?"
Du Weiren, who had been peacefully enjoying the drama, was taken aback by the mention. He instinctively stood up and straightened his clothes.
Last time, he had very much wanted to follow Zhou Yi's own words and expel both her and Huo Yuhao. But expelling Zhou Yi over such a minor issue was unjustifiable, and he would have had a hard time explaining it to Fan Yu.
But this time was different!
This time, it was a bet Zhou Yi made with Liu Lan herself—it had nothing to do with him, Du Weiren!
When you, Fan Yu, return from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, if you have any grievances, take them up with Liu Lan. I know nothing about this.
Watching Zhou Yi struggle to get up from the Soul Dueling Platform, Liu Lan smiled mockingly.
With so many eyes watching, she wasn't afraid Zhou Yi would renege on the bet. If Zhou Yi really tried, her reputation in Shrek Academy would be utterly ruined.
Zhou Yi's decision did not surprise Liu Lan.
Just as she thought, there were too many students and teachers watching. The bet had been made under everyone's gaze; even if she wanted to back out, she had no excuse.
Zhou Yi slowly raised her head, took a deep breath, and then fiercely tore off the mask-like skin from her Face.
In an instant, the appearance of an elderly woman transformed into that of a young woman in her late twenties. Her brows were like spring mountains, her features soft and beautiful, her demeanor gentle and mature, completely devoid of her usual sternness.
For Zhou Yi, wearing such a mask daily was to make herself appear more severe. With her original looks, she couldn't establish any authority.
But now... since she was leaving Shrek Academy, this facade was no longer needed.
Zhou Yi looked up at Liu Lan, then at Du Weiren standing in the spectator stands. Her voice was no longer aged but gentle and magnetic, though it carried a distinct note of brokenness and desolation:
"Liu Lan, you've won. A bet is a bet. I resign."
"Director Du, please approve my resignation. From today onward, I am no longer a teacher at Shrek Academy."
Watching the scene on the Soul Dueling Platform, Xiao Xiao couldn't help but open her mouth slightly, a look of shock on her Face.
Although Ao Yao had mentioned in the diary book that their Class One homeroom teacher always wore a mask during class, she never imagined Teacher Zhou Yi's original appearance could be this beautiful!
With looks like these... she might even qualify for the beauty list Ao Yao compiled before, right?
But... Ao Yao never mentioned Teacher Zhou Yi's name before.
Was it because Ao Yao strongly disliked Teacher Zhou Yi?
Xiao Xiao nodded thoughtfully but quickly realized something.
Wait!
If Teacher Zhou Yi resigns, then their Class One won't have a homeroom teacher anymore?
Although Teacher Zhou Yi was quite strict, her teaching style and training methods were humorless, making many in the class fear her, Xiao Xiao could still feel she had improved under Teacher Zhou Yi's guidance.
Even if the improvement wasn't dramatic, it was still progress.
As for Ao Yao, he watched the unfolding events with keen interest.
He suddenly felt things were getting more and more amusing—now Huo Yuhao had been expelled from Shrek Academy, and Zhou Yi had chosen to resign and leave as well.
This kind of drama, he really wouldn't have seen if he hadn't come to Shrek Academy!