At the edge of Sea God Lake, hundreds of eyes stared fixedly at Yan Shaozhe, leaving him speechless under their collective gaze.
The students who had gone to seek help returned at this moment. Among them, Wang Dong was the first to fly back, landing breathless and panting heavily.
"Ma Hongjun, Bai Chenxiang... Why do these names feel so familiar?"
For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had heard these names before, yet her memory failed her.
Before she could dwell on it, Wang Dong's attention was drawn to Huo Yuhao, who lay unconscious and seemingly frail in Hua Huo's arms. The sight unsettled her.
She stepped closer to Hua Huo and said, "Let me help you carry him. How did he end up so badly injured?"
Hua Huo glanced at Wang Dong, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"It's nothing serious, just a backlash. My husband Yuhao won't die!"
With that, Hua Huo made no move to hand Huo Yuhao over to Wang Dong, instead tightening her hold on him.
This was her husband, not Wang Dong's!
"What? A backlash?!"
"We need to get him treated immediately!"
Wang Dong's voice carried a note of urgency, her concern evident.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Shaozhe's eyes brightened, and he quickly interjected, "Yes, the injured students must receive treatment first. I, Yan Shaozhe, swear to give you all a proper explanation for this matter!"
The students of Class Nine exchanged glances, their expressions unmoved. None of them made any move to leave.
A proper explanation?
More like empty promises to placate them.
Had Hua Huo not been present, they might have actually been deceived by Yan Shaozhe's words.
But now?
We refuse to listen, you deceitful bastard!
From the crowd emerged a young man, his face set with determination.
Though his frame was slight and his youth apparent, his spirit burned fiercely.
It was this very passion that rendered him fearless.
Was confronting Yan Shaozhe head-on the recklessness of youthful fervor?
Perhaps.
But even recklessness had its place, some things needed to be said, and someone had to say them.
The young man stood before Yan Shaozhe and declared, "Dean Yan, our injuries are minor. We owe our safety entirely to class monitor Hua Huo and Deputy class monitor Huo Yuhao!"
"It's just a minor injury, it's not worth mentioning!"
"Only Teacher Mu Jin and the deputy monitor need treatment."
At this point, the young man seemed to have made up his mind. He gritted his teeth and continued, "As for us, if you don't give me a perfect explanation today, I will not study at Shrek Academy. I will tell everyone in the continent that the top leaders of Shrek are protecting evil soul masters!"
As soon as these words came out, it was like a bolt of lightning, striking Yan Shaozhe's heart hard.
What you fear will come true!
This young man is not Huo Yuhao who is "blessed by God," nor is he the little princess of the God Realm!
Why does he dare to speak like that?
Yan Shaozhe subconsciously glanced at the young man, a hint of hostility in his eyes.
Shrek Academy is his bottom line!
The young man shuddered under that gaze but remained unmoved.
Aren't you afraid?
Even if you are, someone needs to do it. Once you stand up, there is no turning back!
"Humph, I know Shrek Academy is extremely powerful. Even if they kill me, so what? If you kill me, there will be thousands and thousands of me!"
The young man snorted coldly, his face pale but his tone firm and resolute.
"The serious injuries to the vice-class monitor and the teacher, as well as the damage we have suffered, cannot be forgotten with just a few words from you."
A sincere apology would have been enough, they were willing to believe in Shrek Academy and the dean of the Martial Soul Department.
But how did Yan Shaozhe handle it?
He first tried to deceive them, then used his mental power to interfere with their judgment. Is this the way to offer a sincere apology?
"That person was simply lost in the evil power, which is why he lost his mind and became an evil soul master."
"You have repeatedly tried to use 'greater good' to justify sacrificing us. We are Shrek students too, and we are also human beings!"
"I have no mortal enemies with evil. If you, Yan Shaozhe, are also evil, I will say so even if you want to kill me!"
The boy didn't even address the dean by his title, calling Yan Shaozhe directly by name.
The students who had just returned were confused at first, but after their classmates' explanations, they finally understood what had happened.
Though they hadn't experienced it themselves, they now understood why this classmate was so furious and grief-stricken.
"Do you really want to kill Xiao Tao before letting this matter rest?" Yan Shaozhe said indignantly.
While Ma Xiaotao was at fault today, the blame couldn't be placed entirely on her!
"So if she goes berserk and tries to kill us, should we just stand there and let her?"
Yan Shaozhe: "…"
Silence. Dead silence.
The commotion at Sea God Lake eventually drew the attention of the academy elders.
The usually tranquil Sea God Lake had become so "noisy" that it was impossible to ignore.
From the fragmented conversations, they pieced together what had occurred.
The students of Class 9 had gathered by the lake when Ma Xiaotao's evil fire erupted, attacking the entire class...
Had it not been for Huo Yuhao unleashing his potential, Class 9 might have been completely wiped out.
It was strange, Ma Xiaotao's rage had flared in the inner courtyard, yet instead of causing chaos there, she had rushed to the outer courtyard... Could she truly harbor evil intentions?
This was subconscious behavior after her evil fire erupted, and everyone couldn't help but think so!
Hua Huo's words turned their suspicions into an ironclad fact.
Not only that, Yan Shaozhe had also suffered severe backlash from Hua Huo's spiritual defense.
The likelihood that this wasn't a divine-level barrier was so slim it could almost be dismissed.
"If this matter isn't handled properly, Shrek Academy will face serious consequences!"
Even excluding Huo Yuhao and Hua Huo, this group included the Young Master of the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect and the Young Master of the Clear Sky Sect!
The other students also had influential backgrounds. If they united in protest, this could become one of the greatest crisis in Shrek Academy's history!
Moreover, among them were two individuals who absolutely could not be provoked.
The backlash from Huo Yuhao's secret technique alone was enough to make them suffer.
"Shaozhe is experienced, how could he act so recklessly!"
The elders sighed inwardly.
Knowing Hua Huo's identity was extraordinary, he had still attempted to manipulate her mentally. Now that he'd been publicly counterattacked, how could his words hold any credibility?
"Huiqun, you're the only one who can resolve this today. Give these children an explanation and proper compensation."
"Even if it requires a significant amount of gold soul coins, this is what they deserve."
"The academy is in the wrong here."
The old woman named Hui Qun quickly responded, "Understood, Elder Mu!"
With so many students affected, the academy would have to pay dearly to settle this matter.
"As for Huo Yuhao, he's a good boy. We must treat him with the best medical resources available!"
"Ensure no hidden injuries remain, and grant him Shrek's highest compensation."
The old woman paused, then nodded in realization.
Indeed, Huo Yuhao deserved nothing less.
Even without this incident, these privileges would have been his eventually. Now, they were merely being given to him sooner.