Chapter 74: No Need to Prove Anything

"That concludes today's lesson. Everyone is dismissed. Oh, right..."

As Zhang Lexuan made her way toward the door, she turned around and smiled at the class.

"Although the freshman assessment is over, the first-year students will be reassigned to new classes soon. However, three months is still a significant period, so we'll need a class monitor to help the teacher out."

Upon hearing this, the male students perked up, especially those who hadn't picked up on Zhang Lexuan's favorable treatment of Huo Yuhao earlier. Many of them clenched their fists eagerly, ready to volunteer.

Being the class monitor meant closer contact with this beautiful and powerful teacher, Zhang Lexuan, giving them a bit of an advantage. Who wouldn't want that?

Just as they anticipated a voting process, Zhang Lexuan's next words quickly dashed their hopes like water over a flame.

"So, Huo Yuhao, you'll be the class monitor."

Although Huo Yuhao had already guessed from her glances, he couldn't help but show a wry smile.

Still, considering how much she looked out for him, even coming to serve as the class advisor, he nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Miss Zhang."

"Good."

Zhang Lexuan nodded approvingly and, as she walked toward the office, added, "Class dismissed. Yuhao, come with me."

"Wait for me in the classroom; we'll have lunch together afterward."

"Okay."

After giving a quick word to Gu Yue Na, Huo Yuhao left the classroom, following Zhang Lexuan under the envious and dazed stares of his classmates.

Shortly after stepping outside, Huo Yuhao overheard some students chatting as they exited the classroom.

"Look! Some freshmen are running laps down there!"

"Huh? You're right. Which class are they from? Isn't it the first day of classes? Why are they running?"

"They must've been punished for something. Our teacher, Miss Zhang, is so much better—she's beautiful and gentle..."

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao had a pretty good idea of what had happened.

He stepped over to the corridor window, looked down toward the plaza, and saw a hundred freshmen running laps around Shrek Plaza.

Zhou Sichun, Cao Jinxuan, Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong'er.

One familiar face after another appeared before him.

Finally, noticing a boy with a dark expression running twice as fast as everyone else, Huo Yuhao's mouth twitched, nearly laughing out loud.

Well, who would've thought? Tang San, the stoic guy, got caught up in this too?

"What are you looking at?"

Following Huo Yuhao's gaze, Zhang Lexuan noticed the students running in the plaza and seemed a bit surprised.

"Aren't those students from Teacher Zhou Yi's class?"

Although she hadn't been taught by Zhou Yi in the outer courtyard, she had heard of her reputation. Only someone like Zhou Yi, renowned for her strict methods, would make students run laps on the first day.

Seeing Huo Yuhao's calm reaction, Zhang Lexuan couldn't help but give him a sidelong glance.

"You don't seem very surprised."

"I happened to overhear some upperclassmen talking about it yesterday."

Zhang Lexuan nodded, letting the topic go as they entered her office.

Pointing to the chair in front of her desk, Zhang Lexuan smiled and gestured for him to sit.

"My dear class monitor, please have a seat."

Huo Yuhao forced a smile, taking the seat and joking as he sat down.

"Our Miss Zhang really is the best—she's beautiful and gentle."

Naturally, Zhang Lexuan recognized the words repeated from the students earlier. Hearing Huo Yuhao say it, she felt a wave of embarrassment.

"Enough with the smooth talk."

She poured a glass of water for Huo Yuhao, poured herself one as well, and sipped to soothe her dry throat before speaking.

"I wanted to discuss three things with you today. First, there's a friend of mine who could use some help with her ice-attribute martial spirit. Her name is Ma Xiaotao. I've already spoken to her about it, so she'll find a time in the next couple of days to meet you in the evening so it doesn't interfere with your classes. Is that okay?"

"No problem."

Huo Yuhao nodded and took a sip of water, waiting for her to continue.

"The second thing is about the freshman assessment in three months."

Zhang Lexuan sighed, "Since I've been transferred here as an inner-court disciple, some of the other advisors probably see me as a rival."

"I had high hopes for you, but I've heard Teacher Zhou Yi's class has a prodigy from the Clear Sky Clan. Last night, he defeated our classmate Dai Huabin with ease using a Clear Sky Hammer without any spirit rings. Dai Huabin even took a strength-enhancing pill beforehand and still lost."

Huo Yuhao nodded, "I saw it happen last night."

"Mm."

Zhang Lexuan continued, "This student named Tang San seems to be incredibly skilled. Apparently, the two of them fought because they'd had a dispute over rooms at the inn before school started."

"And Dai Huabin mentioned that he had to confront Tang San in the…bathroom because he uses hidden weapons. His two Spirit Emperor bodyguards even admitted they might not be able to fend off Tang San's hidden weapons."

"This incident caused quite a stir among the teachers and academy leaders last night. Many of them have high opinions of Tang San."

At this point, Zhang Lexuan looked at Huo Yuhao and explained softly.

"I know you're skilled with spirit devices, but keep in mind, spirit tools aren't allowed in the freshman assessment. Tang San's hidden weapons, on the other hand, are permissible because they rely on his own skill. So you—"

Before she could finish, Huo Yuhao cut in with a smile.

"Don't worry, Lexuan. I'm strong. I'll bring home first place for you in the assessment."

"No."

Zhang Lexuan shook her head gently, her tone soft.

"What I mean is for you to be cautious. This assessment is just an ordinary competition. There's no need for you to risk yourself. If there's danger, it's okay to forfeit instead of getting hurt, alright?"

"..."

Seeing his surprised expression, she chuckled and reached out to ruffle his hair.

"I'm different from those other teachers. I couldn't care less about the assessment results. If they take the championship, so what? I'm the inner courtyard's senior disciple; I don't need to rely on my students to prove anything. Their opinions mean nothing to me."

"Your talent is clear to me, and in my heart, you're already the best. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. Just make it through the assessment safely."

Feeling her hand on his head, Huo Yuhao pressed his lips together, then a faint smile appeared.

"Well, that won't do. I don't want such an amazing teacher to get overshadowed."

(End of Chapter)