Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

At a young age, Ye Yingluo had already become the homeroom teacher of Class One, a testament to her impressive cultivation and teaching abilities. While she might not compare to a prodigy like Wu Zhangkong, who hailed from Shrek Academy's inner court, she was undoubtedly one of the best in Eastsea City.

Had it not been for the freakish talents of Tang Wulin and Gu Yue in Class Zero—bolstered by their respective Golden and Silver Dragon King bloodlines—Wu Zhangkong would never have stood a chance against Ye Yingluo during Eastsea Academy's promotion trials.

The school leadership recognized this dynamic, which is why they decided to retain Class One and create Class Zero as a separate entity.

"Miss Ye, I think you're mistaken," Xie Yi said calmly. "Yes, I did visit Class Zero, and I was indeed rejected by Wu Zhangkong. However, I was rejected after passing his assessment."

Hearing this, Ye Yingluo's interest was piqued. As Gu Yue had mentioned earlier, Ye Yingluo harbored resentment toward Wu Zhangkong. The idea that Xie Yi had passed Wu Zhangkong's assessment intrigued her, but she remained skeptical.

Though she bore a grudge against Wu Zhangkong, she also knew him well enough to doubt that a tenth-rank soul master like Xie Yi could meet his standards. Additionally, she found it hard to believe Wu Zhangkong would go back on his word. If Xie Yi had truly passed, why would Wu Zhangkong reject him?

"You're telling me you passed Wu Zhangkong's assessment?" Ye Yingluo's sharp eyes focused on Xie Yi, scrutinizing him more closely for the first time.

Xie Yi nodded confidently. "Of course. If you don't believe me, feel free to confirm it with the school infirmary. Tang Wulin from Class Zero ended up hospitalized after I defeated him."

"There's no need to call. I trust you wouldn't make such a blatant lie," Ye Yingluo replied. However, her expression still showed doubt. "I can allow you to join Class One, but passing Wu Zhangkong's assessment doesn't mean you'll pass mine. Here's the deal: there's a two-ring soul master in Class One. If you can last three minutes against him without him using soul skills, I'll let you join. How does that sound?"

"No problem," Xie Yi agreed without hesitation. After all, no matter how strong this two-ring soul master was, they couldn't possibly be scarier than Na'er.

Na'er had depleted Xie Yi's soul power in just one minute, but that was only because he had tested his limits by trading blows with her. If he had chosen to evade instead, she wouldn't have been able to exhaust him so quickly. And she had used her soul skills.

Against a two-ring soul master forbidden from using soul skills, Xie Yi felt confident—not only in lasting three minutes but even in winning.

"You seem pretty confident. All right, head to the field and wait. I'll bring your opponent over shortly," Ye Yingluo said, slightly intrigued by Xie Yi's self-assurance.

"Understood." Xie Yi turned and left with Gu Yue.

Once outside, Gu Yue sighed helplessly and shot Xie Yi a look of exasperation. She had originally intended to inform Ye Yingluo that Xie Yi's first soul skill was a support-type ability. That would have likely led Ye Yingluo to test him through other means instead of putting him into a duel.

After all, once Ye Yingluo saw Xie Yi's soul skill, she would surely allow him to join Class One without further questions.

However, Xie Yi hadn't given her a chance to speak and had directly accepted Ye Yingluo's challenge.

"Your opponent is probably Wei Xiaofeng. His martial soul is the Green Shadow Snake," Gu Yue said seriously. Class One had originally boasted three two-ring soul masters, but after Tang Wulin's group defeated them in the promotion trials, Zhang Ziyang and Wang Jinxi—who possessed a martial soul fusion skill—had left the academy.

Only Wei Xiaofeng remained.

"On the field during the promotion trials, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and I had to work together to take him down," Gu Yue continued, trying to provide Xie Yi with as much information as possible to help him prepare.

At the academy's field, Gu Yue was recounting their previous encounter with Wei Xiaofeng to Xie Yi when Ye Yingluo arrived with a tall youth.

Though technically still a teenager, the boy was tall and imposing, nearly matching Ye Yingluo in height. Dressed in white with matching hair, his sharp eyebrows, deep-set eyes, broad forehead, and strong jaw gave him a commanding presence.

His demeanor was cold and aloof, exuding an icy aura that perfectly complemented his white attire. Unlike the sharp, feminine elegance of Wu Zhangkong, this boy's features were rugged and robust, embodying an aura of unyielding strength.

"That's Wei Xiaofeng?" Xie Yi asked Gu Yue, doubtful. He had always heard that a soul master's martial soul could subtly influence their appearance. Looking at this youth, Xie Yi couldn't imagine him being associated with a snake.

"I don't know him," Gu Yue replied, shaking her head. Her attention had always been focused on Tang Wulin, and she recognized very few people outside their immediate circle. While she knew Wei Xiaofeng because of the promotion trials, this youth was unfamiliar to her.

However, if Ye Yingluo had chosen him, his strength was likely on par with Wei Xiaofeng's, if not greater.

"Xie Yi defeated Tang Wulin from Class Zero. Although his methods were underhanded, a win is a win. Make sure to defeat him within three minutes—no matter what. I want Wu Zhangkong to see that my Class One is no less capable than his Class Zero," Ye Yingluo instructed the youth beside her in a low voice.

"I understand," the boy replied curtly. His voice was cold, carrying a bone-chilling, lifeless quality that made even Ye Yingluo, a five-ring Soul King, feel uneasy.

"This is Wu Jin," Ye Yingluo announced, gesturing toward the white-haired boy. "He won't use any soul skills. If you can last three minutes against him, you'll pass my assessment."

"No problem," Xie Yi replied, though his expression turned slightly serious. For some reason, Wu Jin's icy aura made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Well then, prepare yourselves. I've already notified the other class instructors. Once they arrive, you can begin," Ye Yingluo said, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Why involve other instructors?" Xie Yi asked, puzzled.

"I want Wu Zhangkong to personally witness how my student defeats the one who bested his prized disciple," Ye Yingluo said, grinning.

Both Xie Yi and Gu Yue twitched slightly at her brazenness, while even Wu Jin's expression flickered momentarily.

Indeed, offending anyone was manageable—except a spiteful woman.

(Chapter End)