Classroom of Class 1, Grade 1, Shrek Academy.
Morning sunlight streamed through the clear windows, casting a warm golden halo throughout the classroom.
The door was gently pushed open, and Fang Yang entered first.
Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, and others followed closely behind, the group chatting and laughing as they walked into the classroom.
In an instant, the eyes in the classroom simultaneously focused on Fang Yang.
This class monitor who had demonstrated extraordinary strength in the previous semester had long become the center of attention for the entire class.
"Morning, Class Monitor!"
A male student enthusiastically raised his hand in greeting.
"Morning."
Fang Yang nodded slightly, his voice calm.
From the other side came a crisp greeting from a female student: "Class Monitor, how was your break?"
"Not bad, quite fulfilling." Fang Yang showed a gentle smile.
Then, he walked calmly toward his seat.
Xie Xie took in this entire scene.
He leaned close to Fang Yang's side and teased: "Not bad, Lord Class Monitor. One break apart and your charm seems to have only increased—you're even more dazzling than before."
Fang Yang merely glanced at him with slight helplessness upon hearing this.
Almost simultaneously, Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan's gazes fell sharply on Xie Xie, carrying a warning undertone.
Xie Xie immediately shrank his neck and obediently slipped back to his seat, not daring to say another word.
As the class bell rang, the classroom gradually quieted down.
Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong entered right on time, their gazes slowly sweeping across every student in the class.
"Before we begin the new semester, I have some good news to announce first."
Shen Yi spoke, her voice clearly reaching throughout the classroom: "The Star Luo Continent will be conducting an exchange student program with our Shrek Academy."
She paused briefly before continuing: "This exchange student selection will be chosen from Grades 1 and 2."
"In some time, you will participate in an exchange competition with Grade 3 alongside Grade 2. I hope everyone performs well and strives for this opportunity."
"Of course, to be fair."
Wu Zhangkong took over, his cold gaze sweeping past Fang Yang and the others: "The Zero Class team is not allowed to participate."
"However, in light of the Zero Class team's excellent performance in defeating the Sun-Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy, they will directly receive exchange student spots."
This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, and the classroom immediately erupted in whispered discussions.
The students exchanged glances, their eyes showing both envy and eager anticipation.
Fang Yang sat upright in his seat, his gaze calm.
He thought to himself: Star Luo Continent... looks like it's time to retrieve the Dragon God Core.
Gu Yue looked at Fang Yang, a flash of depth crossing her dark eyes, as if she too was contemplating something.
"Fang Yang, we can go play on the Star Luo Continent together!" Xu Xiaoyan said happily, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Mhm."
Fang Yang nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"No way, we're banned from the competition just like that?" Xie Xie exaggeratedly spread his hands, though his tone carried a hint of smugness.
Tang Wulin looked at him helplessly: "Xie Xie, don't you think you're being a bit humblebraggy?"
"I'm not! Zhang Yangzi, don't you think so?" Xie Xie turned to seek validation.
"Xie Xie, you rascal..."
Zhang Yangzi shook his head helplessly, though the corner of his mouth couldn't help but rise.
In another corner of the classroom, Luo Guixing of the Genius Squad looked at Fang Yang and the others, a flash of envy in his eyes.
Yang Nianxia spoke up: "Captain, we have to fight for exchange student spots too."
"Mhm, let's work hard together." Luo Guixing nodded solemnly.
Besides Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, the Genius Squad also had the twin sisters Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er.
Luo Guixing turned to Xu Lizhi, his tone cold: "Xu Lizhi, don't participate when the time comes."
"I..."
Xu Lizhi's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing heavy as an ox.
After all, he was a student trained by Shrek Academy's inner court—yet now he was being looked down upon by outer court classmates.
"What? You still have opinions, you support soul master with character issues?" Luo Guixing said unceremoniously, his eyes full of disgust.
The Genius Squad members all knew of Xu Lizhi's various misdeeds.
Ever since his failed attempt to sabotage Fang Yang and the others at the last Tianhai Tournament, his reputation had plummeted.
Those incidents of taking advantage of others and making them pay somehow spread, and not only did Shrek Academy no longer value him, but even his classmates kept their distance from him.
"Sister Xinglan..."
Xu Lizhi looked pitifully at Ye Xinglan, his eyes full of pleading, hoping she would speak up for him.
The other Genius Squad members also turned to look at Ye Xinglan.
Ye Xinglan merely glanced coldly at Xu Lizhi and said indifferently: "Sorry, we're not familiar."
Ever since the Tianhai Tournament incident, Ye Xinglan had already been somewhat distant from Xu Lizhi.
After returning to Shrek, as one scandal after another was exposed, she felt nothing but disgust for this former friend.
"Ye Xinglan, when the time comes, let Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er compete."
Luo Guixing turned to Ye Xinglan, his tone calm: "Don't worry, when we win, we'll all go to the Star Luo Continent together."
The Genius Squad members nodded one after another. They all recognized Ye Xinglan's strength.
Ye Xinglan responded indifferently: "Mhm, arrange it as you see fit."
She didn't care about such arrangements—what interested her was sword practice, and also... Fang Yang sitting in the front row.
After finishing the announcements, Shen Yi began the lesson.
As the dismissal bell rang, she closed her lesson plan and announced: "Starting this semester, afternoon elective courses are open. You may register for courses you're interested in."
"The specific course list has been sent to your spirit guidance communicators."
With that, Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong left calmly, not leaving a single superfluous word.
Fang Yang didn't care about elective courses. With his current strength, electives were unnecessary.
"Fang Yang, what course are you planning to take?" Tang Wulin asked, curiosity in his eyes.
"I'm not going."
Fang Yang responded calmly upon hearing this: "I'll arrange my afternoons freely."
"That's nice."
Tang Wulin's eyes were full of envy—he definitely had to attend forging classes.
"Fang Yang, if you're not attending class, then accompany me and Xiaoyan," Gu Yue spoke up.
Xu Xiaoyan leaned over with a grin: "Yeah, yeah!"
"Alright."
Fang Yang nodded upon hearing this.
"Fang Yang, you really deserve to die..." Xie Xie said resentfully.
He also had to attend elective courses, and Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi each had their own classes to attend.
"I'm so hungry, let's go to the cafeteria."
Tang Wulin rubbed his stomach and suggested—his stomach was already growling.
Xie Xie shook his head helplessly: "Sigh, you still love eating so much... but I'm hungry too, let's go together."
Afterward, the group chatted and laughed as they walked toward the cafeteria, sunlight streaming through the corridor windows and casting long shadows behind them.
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