Early the next morning.
"Boss, today's the start of the school term. I wonder what our class teacher and classmates will be like!"
At the dormitory building, the group from Eastsea led by Tang Luochuan had gathered. Xie Xie's voice was filled with anticipation.
Life at Shrek Academy...
He had been looking forward to this for far too long!
"Our classmates will probably be geniuses from various cities. As for the homeroom teacher..."
"You can all look forward to it."
Tang Luochuan smiled faintly and spoke softly.
"Will it be Teacher Shen? Honestly, if Teacher Wu were our homeroom teacher, that would be amazing..."
Thoughtful expressions crossed their faces, but this was just wishful thinking. After all, Teacher Wu had only just returned to Shrek Academy—how could he possibly take charge of a class already?
"It is Teacher Wu."
At this moment, Tang Wulin revealed a bright smile and said cheerfully.
"Really?"
Hearing this, Zhang Yangzi froze for a moment, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Yep. When I went to see Elder Feng and Elder Zhuo earlier, they told me Teacher Wu has already been assigned to teach at the outer court—specifically, our first-year class."
"And Teacher Shen is too! Both are responsible for our first-year class. From what Dean Cai implied, there's also someone even more impressive serving as homeroom teacher."
Tang Wulin grinned and explained slowly.
As the dean of the outer court, Elder Cai...
Would definitely not lie to him!
"Wow."
"That's going to be awesome."
Xie Xie's eyes sparkled with contemplation. The same teachers, and the same boss...
Hehehe, with the boss around, how could they not soar?
"Hmm..."
Only Tang Luochuan wore a wry smile. If his memory served him right, the person Cai Yue'er referred to as "even more impressive" than Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi...
Was probably herself.
"Luochuan, what are you thinking about?"
Gu Yue noticed his expression and asked softly.
"Nothing."
Tang Luochuan shook his head and replied quietly.
"You guys are really lucky. I just hope things go well for me in the second-year class too. Hopefully, tomorrow's opening will be good."
Nearby, Mu Xi wore a thoughtful expression.
As a transfer student joining the second-year class, she felt a little anxious. After all, this was Shrek Academy, a gathering place for geniuses. With her cultivation level barely reaching Soul Ancestor...
There was still one day left—she hoped she could blend in with them soon.
"Sister Mu Xi, you shouldn't be anxious at all. A sixth-rank Forging Grandmaster—even Elder Feng can't compare to you."
At this, Tang Luochuan chuckled. Though her talent wasn't top-tier, it was still quite impressive.
Especially compared to Le Zhengyu, whom they had met yesterday...
In fact, at the same age, Mu Xi's cultivation even surpassed that of Le Zhengyu and Yuan En, members of Shrek's Seven Monsters. She was undoubtedly no weaker.
"Hahaha..."
"Then I'll take your words as a blessing!"
Mu Xi smiled gently and replied.
Not long after, in the circular hall.
The examination venue was their teaching building—first-year classes on the first floor, second-year on the second, and so on.
As first-year freshmen, they hadn't officially entered their classrooms yet and were currently gathered in front of the building.
Many figures had already gathered here, and among them, Tang Luochuan spotted Wu Siduo.
At the very front of the group stood Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi, holding a simple and unadorned sign that read: First-Year Freshmen.
"Teacher Wu..."
"Still as straightforward and unpretentious as ever."
Xie Xie wore a thoughtful expression as he sighed helplessly. Teacher Wu was indeed still Teacher Wu—always so direct and unadorned.
"For now, it's just the two familiar faces, Teacher Wu and Teacher Shen. I wonder who the last person Elder Cai mentioned will be..."
The group's eyes shimmered with curiosity and anticipation.
However, soon after, in the sight of everyone, the most unexpected figure appeared beside the two, landing gently on the ground.
"Elder..."
"Elder Cai?"
Staring at the sudden arrival, Tang Wulin and the others wore expressions of bewilderment, unable to hold back their astonishment.
What was she doing here?!
Not just them—at this moment, most of the crowd wore looks of surprise. While it was perfectly normal for the two homeroom teachers to be here, Cai Yue'er, the Dean herself...
She really shouldn't be here!
"For this year's freshman class, I will personally serve as the homeroom teacher. The two beside me, Wu Zhangkong and Shen Yi, will be our class advisors."
"I hope all of you..."
"will have a wonderful academy life."
Cai Yue'er spoke slowly, her gaze lingering on the most stunned-looking Tang Wulin among the crowd, her smile brightening momentarily.
"The Dean as our homeroom teacher..."
Hearing this, the students' faces lit up with delight, their anticipation growing.
This wasn't a Soul Sage-level Dean from twenty thousand years ago—this was a Super Douluo! Having such a powerhouse as their homeroom teacher was nothing short of a dream come true.
"Almost everyone is here now."
"Students, follow us."
Shortly after, as Cai Yue'er spoke calmly, the freshmen trailed closely behind the three teachers. After entering the main building and turning left, they arrived at the classroom about a hundred meters later.
It was a massive lecture hall, spacious enough to accommodate three hundred people at once. Once inside, Cai Yue'er walked to the podium and began assigning seats.
"All students, line up according to the order I call. Row One, Seat One: Tang Luochuan. Row One, Seat Two: Gu Yue..."
Cai Yue'er's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone's ears.
Hearing their names, Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue were the first to head to their seats. Their spots were right next to each other, less than five meters from the podium—extremely close.
"Row One, Seat Three."
"Wu Siduo."
Upon hearing her name, Wu Siduo walked slowly to her seat, which was to Gu Yue's right, separated from Tang Luochuan only by Gu Yue.
"To think we're sitting this close."
Glancing at Wu Siduo seated to his right, Tang Luochuan wore a thoughtful expression. It was no surprise—aside from him and Gu Yue, she was the first to pass the entrance exam.
"..."
"School's finally starting."
Wu Siduo's gaze also drifted toward Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, a trace of emotion flashing in her eyes.
School was finally starting, and at last, she would have the chance to challenge them.
"Row 1, Number 4, Xu Xiaoyan..."
Cai Yue'er called out one by one, and soon, all the students who had arrived in the classroom were seated in their assigned positions.
"Elder Cai, the freshman class should have 104 students present, and all 104 are accounted for. Everyone is here."
Shen Yi looked toward Elder Cai and reported.
"Students, the principle of our Shrek Academy is this: teachers open the door, but you must walk through it yourselves. Your future achievements will depend entirely on your own efforts."
"The past few days were for you to familiarize yourselves with everything about the academy—its rules and learning methods. I assume you've already learned about them."
"The next arrangements will be explained by Teacher Shen."
Cai Yue'er gave a slight nod, then turned her gaze back to everyone present, speaking in a calm tone.
"Today's main agenda is..."
"Selecting class leaders."
Shen Yi's usual warmth was absent as she spoke solemnly.
"Your temperaments have already been assessed. The academy believes any one of you could excel as a class leader. Therefore, the class will hold a competition among yourselves."
"The final winner will become the class monitor, with two vice-monitors to be chosen. Teacher Wu and I will oversee the selection."
"The other class leadership positions include one forging representative, one design representative, one production representative, and one maintenance representative, corresponding to the four auxiliary professions."
Teacher Shen spoke slowly, but her gaze lingered on Tang Luochuan, Gu Yue, and Wu Siduo in the front row.
The first two needed no introduction, and the last was the strongest first-year student aside from them. Naturally, the final candidates would be among these three.
"Seven class leaders?"
Hearing this, the students all grew eager. They were all prodigies from various cities and naturally didn't believe they were inferior to others. Moreover...
Becoming the class monitor of Shrek Academy—even just for the outer court—was a rare honor. Those who became monitors would undoubtedly receive more attention from the academy in their future development.
But Tang Luochuan didn't share this sentiment. While others saw being monitor as an honor, to him...
Wasn't it just adding unnecessary trouble and distractions? Unless it was a nominal position, he barely had enough time for his own cultivation, let alone taking on the responsibilities of a class leader.
"Alright, I know many of you must have things to say to your friends. So now, you'll have fifteen minutes to form your own teams."
Shen Yi waved her hand lightly as she addressed the hundred students before her. Instantly, the classroom erupted in excitement—the allure of becoming class monitor was too great.
"Luo Chuan, Gu Yue."
"Don't forget to include me."
To the right of Wu Siduo, Xu Xiaoyan called out to the two who were just one seat away, smiling.
"Of course, we won't forget you."
Tang Luochuan smiled faintly.
"Great, that's a relief."
Xu Xiaoyan flashed an OK sign with a grin.
"Luo Chuan, Gu Yue, can I join your team?"
Behind Tang Luochuan, Zheng Yiran gently poked him, her face full of anticipation.
She knew she couldn't compare to Tang Luochuan and the others, so naturally she had no such ambitions. But teaming up with them was clearly an excellent choice, wasn't it?
"Sure."
Gu Yue responded, her gaze inadvertently drifting to the person on her right—Luo Chuan's neighbor.
"Classmate, you seem pretty strong too. Would you like to join us?"
"Luo Chuan will probably be the class president. You and Gu Yue could be vice presidents."
Zheng Yiran's eyes settled on Wu Siduo, sensing the formidable aura around her, and posed the question.
"Yeah."
Xu Xiaoyan agreed as well.
"No need."
Wu Siduo's expression stiffened slightly at the word "vice," which sent ripples through her heart.
"I'll challenge him."
"To determine who's truly the best candidate for class president."
Wu Siduo snapped back to reality, her eyes burning with determination.
Aside from Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, no first-year could possibly be her match. Since he was stronger...
Then she would challenge Tang Luochuan—and defeat him!
She, Wu Siduo, would never lose to anyone!