Class 1-3 within the East Sea Academy was a peculiar existence; it was neither the best class in the grade nor the worst. It sat firmly in the middle, a place for students with average potential or those with specific circumstances.
Theoretically, based strictly on his Innate Spirit Power rank, Situ Xuan should never have been placed in Class Three. His initial testing results were far too low for such a placement. However, his circumstances were unique. The uniqueness of his Body Martial Soul caught the attention of the higher-ups. The academic affairs office of the East Sea Academy's Intermediate Department believed that Situ Xuan might possess significant hidden value worth investing in. Therefore, despite his low spirit power, they made an exception and placed him in Class Three.
The morning sunlight slanted through the windows of the Class 1-3 classroom, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. When Situ Xuan pushed open the back door, the atmosphere shifted instantly. Thirty-five pairs of eyes turned in unison to look at the newcomer.
However, almost immediately, those gazes shifted away. It wasn't out of disinterest, but instinct. Situ Xuan walked in like a predator intruding upon a herd of deer. His presence was heavy, causing the air in the entire classroom to stagnate and grow tense.
"Attention, everyone!"
A boy with slicked-back hair stood confidently on the podium. His right hand rested possessively on the homeroom teacher's nameplate. He scanned the room with a look of practiced authority. "I am Lin Yao, possessing Innate Spirit Power Rank seven. Until the homeroom teacher arrives, I will be temporarily responsible for maintaining class order."
Situ Xuan turned a deaf ear to the boy's proclamation. He didn't even glance at the podium. Instead, he walked straight toward an empty seat by the window, his expression cold and indifferent.
"Student, wait a moment. I can arrange a proper seat for you..." Lin Yao started, looking at the headstrong newcomer. Instinctively, he wanted to assert his dominance, but his words trailed off.
Situ Xuan had already sat down, completely ignoring him.
Lin Yao's temples throbbed with annoyance. From his vantage point on the podium, he had seen the class's reaction clearly. When Situ Xuan walked past the front row, several girls had unconsciously gripped their pens so tightly that their knuckles turned white. In the back row, the whispering of several known troublemakers had stopped abruptly, as if their voices had been severed by a blade.
This guy, who had completely ignored Lin Yao's authority, had seized the entire class's attention with just a single appearance. It was infuriating.
But before Lin Yao could take any action to regain control, the sound of footsteps approached from the hallway. Just as Lin Yao was about to speak again, the classroom door was suddenly pushed open.
A faint scent wafted into the room first—the salty smell of the sea mixed with the fresh scent of earth after a heavy rain. Following the scent, a man walked in steadily. He wore a navy blue standing-collar uniform that was pressed to perfection. A silver wave badge, the symbol of East Sea Academy, was pinned to his sleeve. More importantly, three water-ripple patterns were embroidered on his collar.
That was the mark of an Intermediate teacher.
"You're all here," the young teacher said. His voice was deep and resonant, like waves crashing against reefs. It was a tone that allowed for no questioning.
When he reached the center of the podium, Lin Yao had already tactfully stepped aside. However, Situ Xuan, observing from his seat by the window, noticed a small detail. The so-called model student's fingers were tightly clenched around the class register behind his back. He was nervous.
The young teacher casually placed his lesson plan on the podium. Dust flew up from the desk, forming small pillars of light in the sunshine. He turned to the blackboard, picked up a piece of chalk, and wrote three powerful, calligraphy-style characters.
Long Xiuyuan.
The sound of the chalk scraping harsh lines against the blackboard made several students instinctively shrink their necks, the noise grating on their nerves.
"I'm the one in charge of leading you little brats this year."
Long Xiuyuan turned back to face the class. He curled his knuckles and tapped the blackboard next to his name. The final stroke of the character "Yuan" shook, shedding a few grains of white lime dust.
"Remember these three words. For the next five years, I will serve as your homeroom teacher. I will lead you through the systematic learning of Spirit Master knowledge while training you physically and mentally. My goal is to ensure that you can stand on your own in the future."
Low gasps and nervous whispers drifted from the back of the classroom. This teacher's aura was intense.
Situ Xuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze focusing on the teacher's hands. The calluses on the web of the teacher's thumb were shaped very peculiarly. They weren't the kind left by conventional weapons like swords or spears. Instead, they seemed like the result of long-term use of some sort of exotic barbed weapon. This man was not just a scholar; he was a warrior.
"Now," Long Xiuyuan said, suddenly clapping his hands together.
The sharp sound startled a flock of seagulls perched outside the window, sending them scattering into the sky. "Starting from the first row, report your name, Martial Soul, and Innate Spirit Power Rank. I hate nonsense. Simple and efficient—that is the rule for Class Three from now on."
The freckled girl in the first row was so startled she stood up immediately, nearly knocking her chair over. "Mo... Mo Xiaoyu! Green Vine Staff Martial Soul, Innate Spirit Power Rank four!"
Her speech was rapid and breathless, as if she were running for her life.
"Zhou Tianyang, Iron-Beaked Sparrow, Rank five!" a boy in a red jacket reported immediately after her.
The introductions continued down the rows. When it was Lin Yao's turn, the model student paused for half a second. He adjusted his stance, trying to master the rhythm of the room.
"Lin Yao. Golden Scale Deer Martial Soul. Innate Spirit Power Rank seven," he said clearly. He deliberately let the last word linger in the classroom for a moment, emphasizing his high rank. "My current goal is to serve as the class monitor of Class Three."
Long Xiuyuan glanced at Lin Yao. There was no fluctuation on his expressionless face, no nod of approval, just a cold stare.
"Situ Xuan. Body Martial Soul. Innate Spirit Power Rank three."
Situ Xuan stood up and gave a brief, monotone introduction before sitting back down.
Innate Spirit Power Rank three?
A flash of disdain crossed Lin Yao's eyes. In his mind, he had already removed this guy from his list of threats. A rank three spirit power was barely enough to cultivate. He was nothing to worry about.
Long Xiuyuan, however, did not share this dismissal. He looked with surprise at the boy by the window. Situ Xuan was clearly two heads taller than the other students of his age. With a resolute face and a lean, powerful build, the teacher could already imagine the iron-blooded physique hidden beneath the simple school uniform.
Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and powerful legs... he was an excellent prospect for the military.
Seemingly sensing Long Xiuyuan's gaze, Situ Xuan met the teacher's eyes without any stage fright. His own eyes flashed with calculation and a rising Battle Intent. It was as if the person before him wasn't a respected teacher to be obeyed, but a strong target to be challenged.
Long Xiuyuan raised his wrist to check his mechanical watch. The hour hand pointed exactly to ten in the morning. He closed the register in his hand, the iron clip making a crisp "click" sound that echoed in the quiet room.
"Everyone," he said, tapping the podium with his right knuckles as he walked toward the door. "Assemble at the training grounds."
The students looked at each other in confusion. A few quick-witted ones realized this was an order and immediately stood up to follow.
Situ Xuan was the first to move. His action was sharp, causing his desk to make a harsh scraping sound against the floor.
Lin Yao froze for a moment, his authority forgotten, before realizing he needed to follow the group to maintain his image.
The class walked through the school, passing through two long corridors paved with non-slip tiles. Eventually, Long Xiuyuan stopped in front of a heavy metal door labeled "B3 Training Zone." He pushed it open effortlessly.
A cold wind carrying the heavy scent of the sea rushed at them. They had arrived at a semi-open circular field. The floor was paved with specially treated black volcanic rock, designed to withstand heavy impacts. Several sets of weapon and equipment racks were lined up neatly along the edges of the arena.
"Free combat in pairs," Long Xiuyuan announced.
He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching them. "You are only allowed to use Martial Soul assistance to boost your body. No Spirit Abilities are allowed." He paused, his eyes sweeping over the group. "Stop when the point is made. Do not cause severe injury."
The students quickly dispersed, the sound of whispering spreading across the field as they looked for partners.
Situ Xuan didn't move. He stood alone in the center of the chaos. His eyes were fixed on the lines of Long Xiuyuan's shoulder joints visible under his uniform. He could see the muscle bulges formed from long-term weight training. This teacher was strong.
"You're not going?" Long Xiuyuan asked, suddenly turning his head. His gray-blue pupils locked onto Situ Xuan like the scope of a sniper rifle.
Situ Xuan's jawline tightened. He took a step forward. "I want to spar with the teacher."
The training ground suddenly went silent. The wind whistled through the open space.
Zhou Tianyang, who was in the middle of pairing up with another student, tripped over his own feet and almost crashed into an equipment rack.
Lin Yao's lip twitched in disbelief. He was certain he had heard something incredible. A student challenging the teacher on the first day?
Long Xiuyuan uncrossed his arms. His uniform sleeves slid down slightly to reveal old, faded scars on his wrists. "Reason?"
"They are too weak."
Situ Xuan's gaze swept over his classmates. They were as silent as cicadas in winter, shrinking back from his intensity. He turned his gaze back to pin it onto the teacher's face. "They can't test my level."
The metal equipment racks vibrated slightly in the sea breeze, and the lonely cry of a seagull came from afar, emphasizing the tension.
Long Xiuyuan stared at him for a moment, then reached up and unbuttoned the top button of his uniform. Underneath, his simple undershirt revealed a naturally robust and explosive physique.
"Three minutes. I will use no spirit power," Long Xiuyuan said calmly. He took off his uniform jacket and hung it on the nearby rack. "If you lose, you'll run twenty laps around the academy with weights."
Situ Xuan's knuckles popped like firecrackers as he clenched his fists. He pulled off his school jacket and threw it on the ground. His shoulder blades, encased in a tight black tank top, looked like two unsheathed blades ready to strike.
The consistently cold youth finally revealed a smile. It was a satisfied, dangerous smile. He looked at Long Xiuyuan with burning eyes.
Situ Xuan spread his feet slightly, adopting a combat stance. His toes seemed to sink into the hard ground like sharp blades piercing rock. His breathing shifted, becoming slow and deep. As his chest rose and fell, it felt as though an invisible force was circulating within his body, waking up his dormant power.
Long Xiuyuan stood in place, his hands hanging naturally at his sides. He appeared relaxed, but his eyes narrowed slightly. He had seen many arrogant students in his time at the academy, but Situ Xuan was the first who, at only ten years old, dared to challenge him directly.