Class Zero was indeed surprised for a moment when Shrek defeated the Soul King-led Tianhai team in under a minute. But only for a moment.
And then... that was it.
By the time they reached that age, they wouldn't be any weaker!
Even now — Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena were no weaker than them.
The so-called "Monster Academy"... didn't seem as strong as they had imagined.
"That guy — he's showing off, isn't he?" Xie Xie didn't comment on Yu Longheng's strength, but he frowned at the way he presented it.
Recalling how Yu Longheng had looked at them earlier, Xie Xie felt this guy was doing it on purpose.
Otherwise, for an exhibition match, why else would he use such a gesture to humiliate the Tianhai Alliance?
And it was directed at them...
Thinking this, as a member of the Tianhai Alliance, Xie Xie was also somewhat annoyed.
On the competition stage, the referee was equally bewildered.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go, was it?
Shrek was being this disrespectful? Even if they were going to win... it shouldn't have been this lopsided.
But the match was already over, and the referee couldn't turn back time — he couldn't just step in himself. He could only announce: "Shrek Academy wins!"
As Shrek Academy's representative, Yu Longheng elegantly bowed slightly, then led his team off the stage.
Then... Ye Xinglan turned and walked toward the spectator stands where Huo Yuhao and the others were. Seeing this, Yu Longheng's eyes flickered, and he also walked over.
The other Shrek team members were somewhat puzzled, but after thinking for a moment, they followed their captain, Yu Longheng.
Ye Xinglan lifted her slender neck slightly, like a proud swan. The Shrek Academy uniform seemed to cast an imposing aura around her, naturally drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd.
Even though they had only been on the stage for a very short time, the audience had already deeply remembered them because of the earlier match.
For this female student to be representing Shrek in the exhibition match at ten years old, her talent was clearly exceptional.
When she reached Huo Yuhao and the others, Ye Xinglan's lips parted slightly. She said flatly:
"Do you understand now?"
"..."
Xie Xie sneered. Not in the mood to converse, he directly taunted: "Understand what? Sorry — I can only understand human speech, not yours."
Facing Ye Xinglan, he felt he simply couldn't stay calm.
Hearing this, a flash of cold light appeared in Ye Xinglan's eyes. "I said — now that you've seen our strength, apologize for insulting the academy's reputation!"
Insulting the academy's reputation?
The Shrek students, who had been indifferent to this minor conflict, frowned.
Yu Longheng's eyes flickered slightly, and the corner of his lips curved into a faint smile.
Only Xu Lizhi looked anxious, wanting to persuade Ye Xinglan, but a single look from her stopped him.
Xie Xie gave a cold snort. "Strength? Just now, lightning filled the arena. Tell me, Student Ye — what exactly did you do on stage to be so proud? What strength did you show?"
"Or do you mean to say defending the academy's glory means standing behind your teammates and strutting around after they've done all the fighting?"
These words were like a sword, instantly piercing the silence of the scene. Gasps rose and fell from the audience.
This Eastsea Academy student's mouth was sharp — he really dared to say it.
And against Shrek Academy's heaven's chosen, no less!
Ye Xinglan's expression grew colder. "If your strength is lacking and you couldn't see what happened on stage — doesn't that make you the useless ones?"
At this point, not only Xie Xie — Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi could also no longer hold back. They were about to speak when Gu Yuena suddenly stepped forward and said:
"What you're doing right now reminds me of the behavior of common street thugs. If Shrek considers using power to bully others and twisting right and wrong as glory — then this 'number one academy of the continent'... is nothing special."
"You!"
Ye Xinglan's Star God Sword materialized with a clang, its tip pointing directly at Gu Yuena. Her fair cheeks flushed red with anger. Two spirit rings fluctuated violently at her feet.
Huo Yuhao silently stepped in front of Gu Yuena. His sea-blue eyes were calm as water, yet they made the momentum of Ye Xinglan's sword falter slightly. "I don't want to repeat what I said earlier."
Yu Longheng also took a timely step forward, placing his fingers on the hilt of Ye Xinglan's sword. His previously elegant and composed demeanor became sharp. His gaze was fixed on Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena behind him.
"Watch your words. Shrek's glory — cannot be desecrated!"
As his voice fell, everyone felt an invisible pressure emanating from the Shrek group.
Xie Xie sneered. "You — the one who assaulted people in the street — if you want revenge, just say so. You don't even know the cause of the conflict. Why put a label on us? Wasn't being detained by the enforcement team lesson enough?"
As these strikingly blunt words fell, the atmosphere became even more subtle.
The audience who had witnessed Xie Xie and the others clashing with Ye Xinglan earlier now looked intrigued.
They had thought it was just a spat between that girl and these Eastsea Academy students — they hadn't expected to hear such a juicy piece of gossip.
A Shrek student had been detained? What had he done?
Seeing the surrounding spectators' gazes, and even his fellow Shrek students looking at him with strange expressions, Yu Longheng couldn't hide the blush on his face.
How could he be so direct?!
"Since you think I have no strength — then face me in the arena! I'll make you remember with my strength what should not be said!"
Just then, Ye Xinglan suddenly spoke, pulling Yu Longheng out of the awkward atmosphere.
"One-on-one — I'll register for the singles competition. Do you dare accept?"
"Sorry — we only registered for the five-person team event." Xie Xie rolled his eyes. "No time to fight you."
Ye Xinglan didn't think further. She directly said: "Then five-on-five. Do you dare accept?!"
"Xinglan!" Xu Lizhi's face turned pale. "You can't speak for the academy."
Ye Xinglan pressed her lips together, not answering. She just stared at Huo Yuhao.
Among these people — clearly, Huo Yuhao was the leader. The strongest of the seven. The one who had stopped her earlier.
For a moment, the scene fell quiet. Many eyes were fixed on Huo Yuhao, waiting for his response.
And the team leader, Yu Longheng — who should have spoken up to stop this — seeing this scene, also remained silent, letting the situation develop.
He... was happy to see this.
Huo Yuhao looked at the six people including Gu Yuena, noticing this, and raised an eyebrow.
Aside from Xie Xie and Zhang Yangzi — Even Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi, and Xu Xiaoyan, who were calmer in character, didn't try to dissuade him. They just looked up at him, waiting for his response.
And Gu Yuena, with her cold expression...
Even if he refused, no one would say anything. But at this moment — was there still a need?
Huo Yuhao smiled slightly. He didn't pay attention to Ye Xinglan. Instead, he turned his head to look at Yu Longheng and said flatly:
"Since you wish for a fight — then as you wish."
With that, Huo Yuhao turned and led the group toward the corridor, leaving behind the frowning Yu Longheng and the others.
And in the spectator stands, the hushed whispers were instantly replaced by an uproar.
They couldn't believe that these young students from Eastsea Academy had actually accepted the challenge from the Shrek students.
Hadn't they been paying attention to the match just now?
That was not an opponent they could handle!
***
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