The strength ranking of the Spirit Master Academy is based on individual prowess, with no team battles—everyone must rely on themselves. This gives a significant advantage to spirit masters specializing in offense and control. However, the academy is filled with prodigies, and even those with exceptional talent who manage to outshine the rest find it incredibly difficult to secure the top spot for six consecutive years.
To achieve this, one must reach the number one position by the age of fourteen at the latest. Once past fourteen, the opportunity is forever lost.
Thinking of this, Lu Leng suddenly gained a newfound respect for Hu Liena. In a place teeming with geniuses, she had managed to hold the top spot for six consecutive years—a truly terrifying feat.
When he first read the original story, he had thought Hu Liena was just a pretty face, hyped up in the early stages only to be swiftly defeated by Tang San upon her debut. Later on, she became even more irrelevant, barely making an appearance while others became Titled Douluos or even ascended to godhood, while she remained stuck at level seventy.
Now, it seemed that Hu Liena wasn't weak—she had simply been subjected to a dimensional downgrade.
"I didn't expect you to be so strong," Lu Leng couldn't help but remark.
"Strong?" Hu Liena was momentarily stunned by his words.
"Me, strong? If I were strong, would I have needed you to save me?"
"If I were strong, then what does that make you? 'If you want to flaunt your strength, there's no need to mock me like this,'" Hu Liena said visibly displeased.
She couldn't help but think of the incident in the Star Dou Forest. Lu Leng was indeed strong, but there was no need for him to belittle her like this.
"No, I'm serious," Lu Leng said earnestly.
"You..." Hu Liena was suddenly at a loss for words because she realized Lu Leng didn't seem to be lying. In his eyes, she no longer saw the usual disdain or arrogance. Instead, there was a hint of sincerity.
And within that sincerity, there seemed to be a trace of admiration...
Admiration?
This Lu Leng actually admires me?
Hu Liena shuddered, clearly unwilling to believe it.
But the evidence was right in front of her, and she had no choice but to accept it.
What does he admire about me?
Is it because I'm taller than him? Prettier than him?
Hu Liena pondered over it but couldn't figure out the reason. Regardless, the fact that Lu Leng's attitude toward her had changed made her quite happy.
Soon, it was noon. After having lunch in the cafeteria, they headed to the dormitory.
"This is your room. Students in the Saint Class all have their own private rooms."
Lu Leng glanced at the room number: 023.
It seemed there weren't many students in the Saint Class.
"Where do you live?" Lu Leng asked.
"007."
With that, Hu Liena pushed open the door to the neighboring room.
........
Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was evening. Hu Liena, fulfilling her role as a senior, took him to a cafeteria for dinner before escorting him back to his dorm.
The next day, Lu Leng woke up naturally, only to realize he was about to be late for school.
Fortunately, he managed to make it just in the nick of time.
However, when he stepped into the Saint Class classroom, all eyes were immediately on him.
"Sorry, Teacher, I think I'm late," Lu Leng said awkwardly under the collective gaze of the class.
But soon, the awkwardness on his face vanished without a trace because the teacher in this classroom turned out to be an absolute beauty! Dressed in a professional suit, it accentuated her curvaceous figure in a way that was undeniably sexy. Her hourglass shape, silk-clad feet, and ample bosom were almost too much to handle.
Hearing Lu Leng's voice, the beautiful teacher turned around.
Looking at her face, her fiery red lips and amethyst eyes shimmering like spring water, she exuded an aura of seduction, yet at the same time, she radiated an icy, otherworldly coldness. This created a striking contradiction that sent shivers down one's spine while also evoking a strong sense of intrigue.
A perfect blend of extreme allure and an ice-cold beauty.
"Little brother, it seems you're not only late but also in the wrong classroom," a blond-haired man in the classroom teased.
"Such a foolish child, I wonder which parents were so cruel to send him out."
"This isn't the place for you. Go home and find your mom for some milk."
"Hahaha—"
The classroom erupted in laughter.
These students of the Saint Class were not only highly talented but also came from influential backgrounds, which made them speak without restraint.
Hu Liena sat in the middle of the classroom, her expression filled with concern as she looked at Lu Leng. "Has it already begun?"
He was only six years old, strictly speaking, still a child. Could he really endure this kind of trial?
"Could the teacher's actions ruin him?"
Hu Liena had a big question mark in her heart.
As Bibi Dong's disciple, she was well aware of Bibi Dong's intentions.
Lu Leng's talent was too high. With an innate soul power of level 21 and a divine-level martial soul, he had far surpassed his peers from the very beginning, gaining an advanced status and privileges.
However, this rapid surge in power also exposed his flaws. The ease with which he obtained such strength had inflated his ego.
Within the Spirit Hall, aside from Bibi Dong, he looked down on almost everyone.
He did whatever he wanted, acting not just arrogantly but also tyrannically, with almost no one daring to oppose him.
Especially after obtaining his first thousand-year soul ring and second ten-thousand-year soul ring, his arrogance knew no bounds.
Being arrogant and looking down on others was a major taboo in a soul master's cultivation! Bibi Dong had noticed this from the moment Lu Leng nearly killed Yan during their first encounter.
He was only six years old, and if he already had such a personality, what would he become when he grew up? Would he become utterly lawless?
Bibi Dong was deeply concerned, so she sent Lu Leng to the Saint Class, hoping it would help him rein in his behavior. Moreover, sending him to any other class would have been pointless.
The Saint Class was filled with geniuses, and Bibi Dong hoped that Lu Leng would realize that there was always someone better, that the sky was vast, and that he needed to see himself clearly. Only then could he become even stronger.
Bibi Dong also worried that if Lu Leng couldn't handle this kind of pressure and gave up on himself, it would be a great loss.
In the end, however, Bibi Dong decided to send him to the Saint Class.
She would rather have a clear-headed person than a mad demon! This would be a trial, but for Lu Leng, it was also an opportunity.
Lu Leng was completely unaware of all this. He would never know that it was precisely because of that hotpot meal on Qixi Festival, that fruit pudding in autumn, and all the little things in their daily life... that Bibi Dong had made such a decision.
In reality, when Bibi Dong first laid eyes on Lu Leng, she had intended to mold him into an emotionless, obedient soldier who would follow her commands without question, paving the way for her ambitions!