A noble birth?
Qin Xiao heard this and suddenly laughed.
Let's not mention myself, even Huo Yuhao's birth is indeed excellent.
A son of a duke.
Moreover, he's the son of one of the most powerful dukes in the Xingluo Empire, the son of Duke Bai Hu. His lineage is indeed very noble, far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
In the original work, Dai Yueheng spent over a million golden soul coins to buy a soul tool, and didn't even blink an eye.
But that was just Dai Yueheng.
Huo Yuhao was nowhere near that level.
To say the least, it was too far a stretch. It was almost like comparing heaven to hell.
Huo Yuhao in the Duke's Mansion was bullied, living a life worse than a dog.
What was the use of a good birth?
The luxurious life of a duke's son had nothing to do with him.
Meng Hongchen knew a little about Qin Xiao's background from Jing Hongchen.
Although Jing Hongchen had never gone into details, just by sighing whenever Qin Xiao's background was mentioned, the smart girl could guess that Qin Xiao's background must not have been very good.
"My uncle master's achievements to this day have nothing to do with his background, but are all due to his own talent and effort," Meng Hongchen stood up and faced Zhou Yi.
Hmm?
Zhou Yi's face suddenly changed.
Could it be that she had guessed wrong?
Qin Xiao gently ruffled Meng Hongchen's little head and then turned towards Zhou Yi, "What do you have to say now?"
At his words, Zhou Yi's expression froze.
What to say?
She really had nothing good to say.
Originally wanting to intimidate Qin Xiao, she ended up being intimidated by him. Now she was indeed in a difficult position.
She subconsciously looked back and saw that the students behind her already had a look of awe in their eyes towards Qin Xiao.
Clearly, the image of Qin Xiao defeating Wang Dong with a single strike left a deep impression on them.
What's worse, she saw something different in the eyes of the sisters Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu...
"Hmph, those two sisters really have no backbone, to actually be swooning over him at a time like this..."
Zhou Yi felt a surge of irritation at the sight.
But, she was also clear that now was not the time to lash out at her students. Putting Qin Xiao in his place and maintaining her authority was the priority.
With that in mind, she slowly turned back around, faced Qin Xiao, and said without emotion, "I had indeed underestimated you just now. It seems that Soul Masters from the Sun-Moon Empire do have some skills and are not completely reliant on soul tools. But I believe people like you are in the minority, right?"
Qin Xiao's eyes flickered.
What's true is true, what's false is false, Zhou Yi had spoken the truth, and there was no need for him to twist facts or say things against his conscience just to refute Zhou Yi. With his status and perspective, there really was no need.
However, Qin Xiao was also clear-headed.
Zhou Yi wanted to change the topic, so how could he let her have her way?
He didn't hesitate to bring the topic back, "Then Teacher Zhou, shouldn't you apologize for what just happened?"
Right, she should apologize.
She had been trying to throw dirt on him and belittle him maliciously; he, Qin Xiao, was no saint. How could he easily let Zhou Yi, this old woman, off the hook?
This kid was troublesome... Zhou Yi's pupils contracted abruptly.
She had not expected Qin Xiao to dodge the important and hold on to the trivial, pulling the issue back on track, not falling for her trap at all.
But...
"Me, apologize to him? Is that possible?"
"A boy from a foreign land, does he deserve an apology from me? Does he think he is still in the Sun-Moon Empire?"
"Plus, if I apologized, how would my students see me? All the authority and image I've worked so hard to build would collapse in an instant. Not to mention there are quite a few people in the academy waiting for a good laugh at my expense. If word of today's incident goes out, wouldn't people laugh their teeth off?"
"Especially that old woman Mu Jin, she wouldn't miss an opportunity to mock me, waiting to kick me when I'm down."
After weighing her options, Zhou Yi made a decision in her heart.
Over her dead body would she submit.
It was impossible to admit wrongdoing, she could only continue to suppress.
Once Qin Xiao was PUA'd, all problems would be solved.
Having taught at Shrek Academy for many years, she was an old hand at this.
An idea formed in her mind.
"I admit I was wrong in my judgement, but what fault have I committed?"
Zhou Yi pointed at the still unconscious Wang Dong and said indifferently, "You, a Soul Ancestor who can wield your normal combat power, defeated a careless Soul Elder who didn't even show all his strength. I don't think that's something to be proud of. And I don't think it proves anything."
Huh?
So what she's saying is, I'm the one bullying the weak?
Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow.
This old woman Zhou Yi, although not explicitly saying it, implied it in every other word.
It was as if he was in the wrong.
"Clap clap clap."
He couldn't help but applaud sarcastically.
"What do you mean by that?" Zhou Yi frowned and asked Qin Xiao in a deep voice.
"Deserving of a teacher from Shrek Academy. I don't know about your strength, but this unflappable poise and ability to distort the truth is something our teachers at the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy can't match," Qin Xiao commended. "They can only research, but should actually be brought over to learn from you. Teacher Zhou, your words feel as powerful as an Eighth-grade Soul Guidance Device, ignoring defense and attacking the spirit directly."
Qin Xiao had entered a mode of frenzied dissing.
As Qin Xiao's words spread, the expressions of the students behind Zhou Yi turned strangely awkward.
Normally, they would be considered opposing camps.
But, they couldn't help but give Qin Xiao a thumbs-up in their hearts.
Especially the sisters Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu, their eyes were positively glowing as they looked at Qin Xiao.
Look, this is a real man.
He doesn't bow down to power but chooses to stand his ground.
Zhou Yi was so angry that she was about to breathe fire, "Kid, do you know what you're talking about? At whom are you making those sarcastic remarks?"
Qin Xiao just smiled slightly, "Whoever takes it personally, I'm being sarcastic at them."
Damn it!
Is he still talking about me?
Though Qin Xiao didn't swear, Zhou Yi felt as if he was pointing at her nose and cursing.
And it was extremely unpleasant.
No, I can't take it!
She had a fiery temper to begin with; when had she ever been subjected to such humiliation?
You know, usually, anyone who opposed her would be expelled.
"Kid, do you understand that just by saying those things, I could expel you?"
Zhou Yi brought out the threat of expulsion once again.
But.
This ace in the hole might work on others, but would it work on Qin Xiao?
Of course, the answer was no.
Qin Xiao shrugged, "If Shrek Academy can't accommodate someone who dares to speak the truth, then it's no loss not to stay."
Is he still dissing me at a time like this?
Zhou Yi pointed towards the direction of the gate, "Now, you may leave..."
Leave?
Of course, that's no problem.
I, Qin Xiao, always heed good advice.
Without another word, Qin Xiao walked towards the gate of Shrek Academy.
Seeing this, Meng Hongchen gave Zhou Yi an evil glare and followed Qin Xiao.
If my uncle master is leaving, then so am I.
Exchanging what? Go to hell with all that.
However.
He had barely walked a few steps when a voice from behind tried to stop him.
"Wait!"
Zhou Yi, upon hearing this, immediately snorted in displeasure, "Let him leave, I'd like to see who dares to stop them."
"Teacher Zhou, I asked you to instruct students, what are you doing?"
That voice suddenly became very serious.
Zhou Yi turned around as if she had been struck by lightning.
She numbly turned to see that Vice Principal Du Weilun had arrived behind her at some unknown time, with a very somber face that clearly showed he was far from happy.
The voice that had stopped Qin Xiao and Meng Hongchen from leaving also belonged to him.
"Director Du, when did you arrive?"
Zhou Yi asked unnaturally.
Du Weilun replied gravely, "I've been here a while, just not too close. But, Teacher Zhou, I did witness the entire teaching process with my own eyes."
"Teacher Zhou really carries an impressive air. To those in the know, you're a teacher, but to those who don't, you might be mistaken for the dean of Shrek Academy."
At Du Weilun's words, Zhou Yi's face turned shades of green and white.
It was obvious that Du Weilun was being sarcastic.
It must be because of her attitude towards Qin Xiao that Du Weilun was displeased.
Indeed, Zhou Yi also knew that she had failed to strong-arm Qin Xiao and had become somewhat frantic and completely lost her composure.
But, she didn't know that Du Weilun was watching on the side.
Zhou Yi looked at Du Weilun with a complicated gaze and quietly transmitted her voice, "Director Du, isn't what you said a bit too much?"
Being criticized in front of so many students made Zhou Yi feel as if she had lost all face.
Fearing a further escalation of the conflict, and not daring to argue openly with Du Weilun, she had no choice but to use voice transmission in hope that Du Weilun would give her a way out.
Hearing this, Du Weilun also slightly restrained his anger and replied via voice transmission, "Teacher Zhou, don't you know whether I have gone too far? You should be clear that the identities of these children from the Sun-Moon Empire are different from those of our Shrek Academy."
"What? Does Director Du think their identities are more noble?"
"Of course not, I just want to tell you not to ruin the school's senior exchange student program. Qin Xiao and the others have come to study at our Shrek Academy, and we also have students at the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy. Consider what would happen if Qin Xiao and the others were to return to the academy now. How would our students be treated over at the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy? Don't forget, Fan Yu and his disciples are also there..."
"Ah, this..."
After being reminded by Du Weilun, Zhou Yi's complexion suddenly changed.
She then felt a sense of regret in her heart.
Upon reflection, she had indeed been too hot-headed, acting impulsively. She focused her anger solely on Qin Xiao and completely forgot about the exchange student program.
"So what do we do now?"
Zhou Yi asked tentatively.
"What to do? Deal with it."
Du Weilun huffed in annoyance and, after giving Zhou Yi a cold glance, he chased after the two disappearing figures.
...
"Uncle-master, it seemed like someone was calling us just now."
Meng Hongchen gently tugged at Qin Xiao's sleeve.
"She told us to leave, so we left. Now someone is calling us, and we should stop? Wouldn't that be quite face-losing?"
Qin Xiao glanced sideways, smiling as he replied.
Meng Hongchen nodded in agreement, "That's right... These people at Shrek Academy really don't treat us like humans, summoning us and dismissing us at their whim."
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.
Meng Hongchen, fuming, followed Qin Xiao, striding forward.
"Child, wait a minute."
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past them, and before they knew it, Du Weilun's towering figure appeared in front of them.
Qin Xiao and Meng Hongchen had to stop.
"Director Du, is there something you need?" Qin Xiao asked with a frown.
Du Weilun nodded.
Qin Xiao said, "If you're here to say goodbye, there's no need. I heard that Shrek Academy produces plenty of soul bones, those local specialties, so just casually hand over eight or ten pieces as a parting gift."
"What?" Du Weilun was unable to conceal his shock and astonishment.
Even with Shrek City being supported by the three Empires—Sky Soul, Dou Spirit, Xingluo—with all their wealth, they couldn't afford to casually hand out eight or ten soul bones to someone.
Nobody's soul bones were brought in by the wind, and who could claim to produce many soul bones?
"That... The reason I stopped you wasn't to say goodbye but rather to hope that you would stay."
"Director Du, I've already offended Teacher Zhou; do you think it's possible for me to stay?" Qin Xiao glanced at Zhou Yi, then quickly averted his eyes, pretending to be very cautious as he said to Du Weilun, "Teacher Zhou's attitude makes me seriously doubt whether she will give me trouble. You know, she's the teacher, and I'm the student, which puts me in a very passive position..."
He looked weak, helpless, and pitiable...
Ah, this...
Upon hearing this, Du Weilun's expression changed.
He knew that under normal circumstances, this was all too likely to happen.
Zhou Yi, that old woman, was never known for her generosity.
What the hell is this.
However...
Zhou Yi, who was standing at a distance, had been forcefully controlling herself, listening to the conversation happening on Qin Xiao's side.
When she heard Qin Xiao describe himself as a weak, helpless victim and portray her as a gun-wielding, weak-oppressing old witch, she felt like she was about to explode with anger.
For crying out loud...
This kid was clearly no good.
Morally blackmailing me here!
I can't stand this.
Fuming, she strode over and looked at Qin Xiao with icy eyes. "Kid, don't you dare slander me. I, Zhou Yi, have always been upright. I've never stooped to the things you're accusing me of."
"Director Du, as the vice principal, can you really allow an outsider to insult a teacher of the academy like this? If you do nothing, it will be disheartening."
Moral blackmail, is it?
Everyone can play that game.
You blackmail me; I'll blackmail him.
Du Weilun, upon hearing this, appeared somewhat uneasy.
He indeed found the situation to be quite tricky.
However...
Just then, Qin Xiao suddenly laughed, "Teacher Zhou, don't you feel ashamed saying that? If you truly have a clear conscience, then why hide behind a mask of hypocrisy, afraid to show your true face?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Xiao clearly saw Zhou Yi's expression change dramatically, "How... how could you tell?"
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