Chapter 63: There's Another Sinister, Underhanded Sixth Man in the Academy! "Men and Women Shouldn't Touch"?
A full minute passed before the smoke and dust caused by the Blue Silver Rebound Force finally began to disperse.
Everyone cautiously looked toward the center of the explosion.
"!!!"
They were all dumbstruck.
Every single mouth hung open wide enough to fit an egg, eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out.
Where Zhao Wuji had been standing moments ago, there was now a massive crater—at least a hundred meters in diameter and several meters deep!
The walls of the crater looked as though they had been gnawed apart by some colossal beast, covered in savage cracks. Loose soil continued to crumble down with soft rustling sounds.
Within a fifty-meter radius around the crater, the ground had completely collapsed and split apart—there wasn't a single blade of intact grass left.
"M-My… heavens…"
Ning Rongrong's voice trembled, her legs going weak.
"If that had hit me…"
She didn't dare finish the sentence. She didn't even dare imagine it.
It wouldn't be a matter of bruises or broken bones—it would be certain death.
Not even scraps would remain.
Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the crater. For the first time, fear appeared on her usually icy face.
A chill ran down her spine.
"Gulp!"
Dai Mubai swallowed hard, his throat bone-dry.
He turned to look at Lin Qingmo, his gaze unimaginably complicated.
Was this kid really only twelve years old? Really just a Quasi Soul Ancestor?
With this level of destructive power, people would believe it even if you said you were a Soul King or a Soul Emperor!
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, didn't think that far ahead.
She let out a delighted cry and jumped up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lin Qingmo.
"Ah Qing! You're amazing!!!"
Her voice was sweet and excited, like a child who had just discovered a hidden treasure.
At the edge of the field, Tang San witnessed this scene—
"Pff!"
He spat out another mouthful of blood.
This time, it was a true internal injury.
Not from the shockwave—but from rage.
Jealousy, resentment, disbelief… all kinds of emotions gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes.
Why… why could Lin Qingmo, a trash with only rank four innate soul power, become this strong?!
He refused to accept it!
Even if it killed him, he wouldn't accept it!
"Cough… cough cough…"
Violent coughing echoed from the bottom of the crater.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
A massive golden bear paw reached up from inside the pit, grabbing onto the edge.
Then, Zhao Wuji crawled out, covered head to toe in dust.
Literally covered in dust.
Mud and grass clippings coated his entire body. His once-golden fur had turned an earthy yellow.
His clothes were torn to shreds, hanging off him like a beggar's rags.
"Cough… ptui! Ptui!"
Zhao Wuji spat out the dirt in his mouth, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.
He lifted his head and looked at Lin Qingmo not far away—astonishment was clearly visible in his eyes.
"Good grief… kid, what the hell was that thing you just used?"
Even his voice was trembling.
He had lived for decades and fought countless battles, but he had never encountered such a bizarre attack.
It wasn't soul power. It wasn't brute force.
It was a pure, devastating shock—one that erupted the instant the Blue Silver Grass made contact with him.
Wasn't this way too damn underhanded?!
"It was just a normal Blue Silver Grass attack, Teacher Zhao."
Lin Qingmo crossed his arms and smiled innocently.
He blinked, his tone sincere to the extreme.
"You saw it yourself—just a vine whip."
Zhao Wuji: "..."
He almost failed to catch his breath.
A vine whip? You call that a vine whip?!
That explosion was nearly on par with a Soul Emperor's full-power strike, and you're telling me it was just a vine whip?!
If he hadn't reacted quickly, he would've been in serious trouble.
"You—"
Zhao Wuji pointed at Lin Qingmo, his finger shaking.
Half from anger, half from lingering fear.
Now, whenever he looked at Lin Qingmo's smiling face, a chill crept up his back.
This kid wasn't just monstrously strong—his mind was twisted like a beehive.
Too sinister. Way too sinister!
"Ahem!"
Clearing his throat twice, Zhao Wuji forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his heart.
No matter what, he was still a teacher, still a Soul Saint. He couldn't lose face in front of students.
"Well then… the assessment is over. You all pass. Welcome to Shrek Academy."
He deliberately raised his voice to announce the result.
Clearly afraid Lin Qingmo might pull out something even crazier.
"Mubai! Take them to arrange the dorms—quickly!"
After saying that, he turned around and whoosh—bolted away.
So fast it looked like he was fleeing for his life.
That retreating figure carried an unmistakable sense of panic.
"..."
Everyone exchanged looks, momentarily at a loss for words.
In the end, Dai Mubai was the first to recover.
"Let's go. I'll take you to the dorm area."
He sighed, his tone complicated.
Today's test had shaken him to the core.
The only pity was that Tang San had been taken out too quickly—he hadn't even gotten a chance to mess with him during the fight.
…
The dormitory area was located at the very back of the academy. They had to pass through a small grove to get there. The path was rough, littered with weeds and gravel.
Ning Rongrong complained the whole way.
"What kind of lousy academy is this? They don't even fix the roads. Even the toilets in my clan are paved with marble!"
The corner of Dai Mubai's mouth twitched, but he didn't respond.
The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—he couldn't afford to offend her.
Zhu Zhuqing remained quiet as always, walking silently at the rear.
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, bounced along happily, holding Lin Qingmo's hand and chattering nonstop.
"Ah Qing, Ah Qing! That move just now was so cool! That bald teacher's face went completely pale—hahaha!"
"Don't let him hear you say that, or he might make things hard for you."
Lin Qingmo laughed as he ruffled her hair.
The two chatted as if no one else existed, completely unaware of Tang San's increasingly gloomy expression behind them.
…
After about ten minutes of walking, they finally reached the dorm area.
The scene before them was… how should one put it—plain.
Rows of low wooden huts stood there, straw covering the roofs, paint peeling off the walls.
Wildflowers were planted around the area. The environment was quiet enough, but far too crude—completely undeserving of the word "academy."
"Boys on the left, girls on the right."
Dai Mubai pointed to the huts on either side.
"Four people per room. You can sort it out yourselves."
"There are beds and bedding inside. They're old, but usable."
Ning Rongrong glanced at the wooden huts, her brows knitting together tightly.
"Four people per room? Not even private rooms?"
Back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she lived in a standalone villa with a garden and a hot spring. Now she was expected to live in this rundown shack—and share it with others?
Was this a joke?
Dai Mubai shrugged helplessly. "That's just how the academy is. Make do with it—it's only for a few years anyway."
Even he didn't sound very confident saying that.
At that moment—
Lin Qingmo suddenly spoke.
"Does the academy have any standalone dorms for mixed-gender living? I can pay to rent one—any price is fine."
The air went quiet for a second.
"What?!"
Tang San was the first to explode, his voice sharp and piercing.
He stared at Lin Qingmo, fire practically shooting from his eyes.
"Men and women shouldn't have physical contact—this is basic propriety and morality! How could the academy possibly allow mixed-gender dorms?! Absolutely not!"
He spoke with righteous indignation, acting as if for the greater good.
But his eyes were dark with near-madness.
Lin Qingmo couldn't even be bothered to look at Tang San's sanctimonious face. He directly reached out and grabbed Xiao Wu's hand beside him.
Their fingers interlocked tightly.
Holding hands so intimately in front of so many people made Xiao Wu's face flush bright red.
But she didn't pull away—instead, she leaned even closer to Lin Qingmo.
"We're lovers. Living together is only natural."
Lin Qingmo said calmly, with complete disdain.
"As for men and women shouldn't touch…"
He let out a cold laugh and glanced at Tang San.
"Heh. You're an outsider—what right do you have to interfere in our business?"
"You—!"
Tang San choked, his face instantly turning the color of pig liver.
He wanted to refute it, but realized he truly had no standing.
Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu were lovers. What was Tang San?
Not even a friend—just the disliked one.
"Tang San, he's right. They're a couple—what the hell does it have to do with you? A dog meddling in other people's business."
Dai Mubai, who had long noticed Tang San's particular attention toward Xiao Wu, didn't miss this chance to mock him.
He already had a terrible impression of Tang San and even wanted to beat him to death. Now he was convinced there was something wrong with this guy's head.
Still, turning back to Lin Qingmo, Dai Mubai said with some difficulty, "Sorry. The academy really doesn't have any precedent for mixed-gender dorms. I can't make this call—you'll have to ask the Dean."
As soon as he finished speaking—
"Oh? Someone wants special treatment at Shrek Academy?"
A slightly hoarse voice came from the grove.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
The newcomer was a middle-aged man wearing a tattered robe, his beard unkempt. He strolled out of the trees leisurely.
He wore a pair of broken glasses with lenses as thick as bottle bottoms and walked with a swaying gait, looking like a down-and-out drifter.
But when he raised his head and swept his gaze over them, everyone felt their hearts tighten.
Those eyes were far too sharp—like blades that could cut straight through a person, inside and out!
He was Flender, the Dean of Shrek Academy.
His gaze lingered on Lin Qingmo for several seconds before the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile.
Earlier, Li Yusong and Zhao Wuji had already reported the details of the assessment to him in full.
Three-thousand-year soul rings. A freakishly powerful soul skill combination. Physical strength surpassing that of a Soul King.
And that bizarre attack that had nearly injured Old Zhao…
This wasn't a genius.
This was a monster among monsters. A freak among freaks. A once-in-ten-thousand-years treasure!
Flender's inner abacus clattered wildly.
A student like this absolutely could not be allowed to slip away!
Forget a standalone dorm—even if Lin Qingmo wanted Flender to move out and give him his own room, he'd happily agree!
"Ahem."
Flender cleared his throat, plastering on a kindly smile.
"I heard everything just now. You want a standalone dorm, right? No problem!"
He looked at Lin Qingmo, his tone exceptionally gentle.
"There just happens to be an unused wooden cabin in the academy. Fully equipped. You two can live there."
With a grand wave of his hand, he spoke with great generosity.
"No need to pay! This is the academy's benefit for monsters—ah, I mean, outstanding students!"
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?! Thank you, Dean!"
She was so happy she almost jumped.
Lin Qingmo nodded as well, clearly satisfied with Flender's tact.
"Many thanks, Dean."
"Dean, how can this be allowed?!"
Tang San panicked immediately and stepped forward, trying to argue.
"Dean! This violates the rules! Mixed-gender living will—"
"Will what?"
Flender cut him off, his expression instantly turning cold.
"Student Tang San, academy matters are for me to decide. You'd do well to mind your own business."
His voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority.
"Best not provoke me. Otherwise, I won't be polite."
A naked threat.
"You—!"
Tang San was left speechless, his face flushed red with humiliation. He could only retreat unwillingly.
Only then did Flender smile again.
He patted Lin Qingmo on the shoulder and lowered his voice.
"Lin Qingmo, cultivate diligently. If you need anything, just ask. The academy won't shortchange you."
With that, he waved his hand and turned to leave.
That departing figure practically screamed "Jackpot!" with smug satisfaction.
End of Chapter