After wrapping up the arrangements for the academy exchange, Bibi Dong stepped down from the high platform and walked to Ye Chen's side.
"I'll handle the Elder Hall for you. What happened last night won't happen again."
With that, she turned and walked away from the grand hall. Watching her graceful silhouette disappear, Ye Chen felt a warmth bloom in his chest. He knew Bibi Dong cared for him, even if she never said it outright.
Smiling slightly, he took Hu Liena's hand and headed toward Spirit Hall Academy.
The entire exchange event had been entrusted to Ye Chen. So far, only he and Hu Liena were confirmed to go—but clearly, the two of them alone wouldn't be enough.
In past years, the academy would send over a dozen students. On one hand, it was to assess the level of elites from other schools. On the other, it was a way to raise Spirit Hall Academy's prestige. A win-win.
But this year, Ye Chen didn't feel like overcomplicating things.
Back at the academy, he used the Pope's token to select a few promising students around his age. Then all that remained was to wait for the exchange event to begin.
---
Three months passed in a flash.
At the grand entrance of Spirit Hall Academy, a few sharp-looking teens stood waiting, clearly ready for something big.
Before long, Ye Chen and Hu Liena emerged from the western building and joined the group.
"Captain!"
"Captain!"
Ever since the incident during the marriage duel, Ye Chen's name had echoed through every corner of the academy. Taking on and defeating over a thousand same-rank students, scaring off elite senior classes without even activating his spirit—his reputation had reached legendary levels.
And now, as the Pope's personal disciple, his prestige within the entire Spirit Hall system was unmatched. To many students, he was nothing short of a hero.
"Let's go—Yan, Xie Yue, Xu Ning!"
Ye Chen wrapped an arm around Hu Liena's waist and climbed into a carriage. The other three chuckled and hopped into another one.
Yes—only five people. That's all Ye Chen picked for this year. Not because there weren't more capable students, but because for him, five was enough.
---
Their destination was Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Though many top-tier academies from the Heaven Dou Empire were attending, Ye Chen had personally extended an unexpected invitation—to Shrek Academy in Soto City.
When they finally arrived at the academy gates, Ye Chen and his group took in the sight of towering, pure-white European-style buildings. He led them onto the massive square in front.
A group of young men in white robes and yellow sashes were already gathered there. Seeing strangers walking in uninvited, one of them stepped forward, arms crossed, chin high.
"Who are you people?"
Ye Chen remained silent. Yan stepped up beside him, calmly answering, "We're here for the academy exchange. We represent—"
"Don't care who you are." The red-haired student cut him off rudely after glancing over their plain outfits. "Get lost. This is Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Not some dump for country bumpkins."
More students, also in white robes with smug expressions, stepped forward, cracking their knuckles.
Xie Yue's expression darkened. "Wanna say that again?"
The redhead frowned, clearly annoyed. "What are you waiting for? Kick these hillbillies out."
More than ten students circled around Ye Chen's group. The red-haired one sneered, "Do you even realize who you're messing with? You're about to get on the wrong side of the Fourth Prince. Still time to run."
The tallest one among them grinned menacingly, his fists popping loudly.
Yan and Xie Yue exchanged a look.
"I got this."
"No, I got this."
Without even releasing their spirits, the two darted in opposite directions. In less than a minute, the entire group of Royal Academy students were sprawled on the ground, groaning.
Xie Yue grabbed the red-haired student by the neck, lifting him off the ground like he weighed nothing.
"Fourth Prince, huh? Now tell me—who's leaving?"
"I-I'll go! I'm sorry! I didn't know who you were!"
Gone was the arrogance. The boy's face turned pale with fear.
Xie Yue sneered and tossed him onto the floor. "Start rolling. Or I'll help."
He tapped his boot threateningly, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Rolling! I'm rolling now!"
The boy dropped to the ground and began tumbling away like a clumsy dog.
The scene was so absurd, the beaten students nearby couldn't help but laugh—even those who had just been humiliated.
After all, the Fourth Prince had always thrown his weight around, bullying the weak, harassing girls. Seeing him like this? Hilarious.
Still, afraid of future retaliation, the other students wisely chose to stay down and groan in "pain."
---
"What's going on over there?"
A sharp, commanding voice rang out from the academy gates.
Ye Chen turned to look—and saw a striking figure jogging toward them.
The girl had short, sleek purple hair and a sharp, beautiful face. She wore an off-shoulder crop top and a short skirt, her long legs completely bare except for stylish boots. The vibe was fierce, confident, with a hint of playful rebellion.
The red-haired student immediately cried out, "Dugu Yan! Help me!"
Before he could say another word—bang! A boot slammed into his gut, sending him curling on the ground, howling in pain.
Dugu Yan narrowed her eyes, not expecting him to still be so cocky.
"Do you even know who he is?" she snapped, glaring at Ye Chen.
"Fourth Prince?" Ye Chen smiled faintly. "So what?"
Bam!
Another kick sent the redhead flying ten meters away.
"You—!"
Dugu Yan was stunned. Was this guy crazy? He knew the prince's identity and still dared to hit him?
She stared at Ye Chen, trying to figure him out. But before she could say anything, a new group arrived at the square.
It was a crowd of beautiful girls, all dressed in elegant blue uniforms. Their hair was also uniformly styled in different shades of blue, and each one of them had the kind of looks that turned heads.