Compromise

Wu Changkong added, "Yun Mu was entrusted to my care by my teacher, and Tang Wulin is a task entrusted to me by the Tang Sect. So I'll be staying with them. If they are unwilling to join Class Zero, then I won't be teaching Class Zero either."

The moment those words came out, Yu Zhen's expression fell. This essentially meant that his plan could not be carried out at all.

Yu Zhen tapped on the table, then sighed. "Since your goal is Shrek Academy, how about this? If you can get into Shrek Academy, you can attend your Advanced Academy there. If you fail, you'll remain at our Eastsea Academy. What do you think?"

Yun Mu nodded. "Fine. But don't worry. If all of us get into Shrek Academy, that would also be a point of publicity for Eastsea Academy, wouldn't it?"

Yu Zhen took another agreement from his robes. "Can you sign now?"

Yun Mu nodded, picked up a pen, and swiftly wrote the three characters Tang Yunmu across the paper.

Afterward, everyone except Wei Xiaofeng signed the agreement. Yu Zhen's expression changed as well, seeming somewhat more amiable than before.

"If you become Title Douluos in the future, don't forget our Eastsea Academy," Yu Zhen said.

Although he was not entirely sure how far these children would go in the future, one of them had the Holy Spirit Douluo personally step forward to support him, while the other had been entrusted to his protection by the Tang Sect.

The futures of these two children were destined to be brilliant. He did not ask for much—only that, after they achieved success and fame, they would still remember Eastsea Academy.

Soon, Eastsea Academy's first-year Class Zero was established, and their dormitory conditions improved tremendously.

They were treated directly to the same accommodations as teachers.

Because of the strain from the Promotion Tournament, classes would not begin until two days later, and they would all be theory classes.

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi often found their gazes drifting toward Yun Mu. However, there was no Envy or hatred in their eyes—only admiration and fervent fighting spirit.

Wu Changkong walked into the classroom with a cold expression, taking long strides.

Wu Changkong wrote two words on the blackboard: Mecha. Then he began introducing mechas in a clear voice.

"But on this Douluo Continent, the strongest will always be the most powerful Soul Masters," he said.

"For you, the direction you truly need to consider is Battle Armor," Wu Changkong said.

"As everyone knows, aside from Mecha Masters who operate mechas, there are also Mecha Craftsmen. Mecha Craftsmen are generally divided into three categories, and the most important thing is for you to choose the direction of your future Second Profession," Wu Changkong said.

"Some students in our class have already begun making their choices. For example, Yun Mu is currently a Fifth-Rank Forger, while his younger brother Tang Wulin is already a Third-Rank Forger," Wu Changkong said.

"..."

"Alright, that roughly covers today's content. Let's begin practical combat class."

"Yun Mu, you'll be my teaching assistant," Wu Changkong said. "I believe the rest of you know Yun Mu's combat ability as well. No one is going to refuse to cooperate, right?"

Everyone else shook their heads in unison.

"What I'm about to teach you is basic combat ability. Do you think that isn't important? Or do you think that Yun Mu can defeat all of you just by standing there without moving, and that you could do the same?" Wu Changkong sneered.

"Not only is Yun Mu's Martial Soul extraordinarily special, it can even be called one of a kind. More importantly, his foundational combat ability is exceptionally solid—I can say without hesitation that in this regard, he is in no way inferior to me," Wu Changkong said.

"Didn't Eastsea Academy previously claim that it was no worse than Shrek Academy? Is the difference merely resources? No. The difference lies in teaching philosophy and curriculum," Wu Changkong said.

And so, Yun Mu listened to praise for quite a while, then watched his younger brother and Gu Yue get beaten up.

All he did was release a Soul Skill to heal them whenever they were injured.

Most of the time, he continued cultivating.

Not only did the others have no complaints whatsoever, they instead felt that he was remarkably diligent.

And just like that, a day passed.

Tang Wulin tossed and turned alone in his room, always feeling as though his Golden Dragon King bloodline was constantly washing through his body.

Moreover, he kept hearing the muffled whimpering of the person who had been wrapped up like a dumpling last time.

Finally, he grew impatient from listening to that sound. He picked up his blanket, dragged along his mattress, and headed for his brother's room.

When Yun Mu heard the noise and opened the door, he looked in surprise at Tang Wulin's moving-in scene.

"Wulin, what are you doing?" Yun Mu asked.

"Brother, I had a nightmare. It seemed like I heard someone calling me. Can I sleep with you? I'll just make a bed on the floor," Tang Wulin said, scratching his head somewhat embarrassedly.

After hearing this, Yun Mu poked Tang Wulin on the forehead, then stepped aside to let him in.

Lying on the floor, Tang Wulin felt as though his body had become much more comfortable. The muffled whimpering also seemed to have grown quieter.

After bolting the door, Yun Mu sat cross-legged on the bed and continued cultivating.

The next morning, Tang Wulin was somewhat puzzled. After thinking it over, he ran off to ask Wu Changkong.

After listening to him, Wu Changkong asked, "Your brother's Martial Soul is the Sword of Life. Could it have something to do with Life Martial Arts?"

"I remember hearing someone say that my brother absorbed a huge amount of life force before, causing the attributes of his Martial Soul to become unbalanced. That was why he ultimately didn't remain in the Inner Court to cultivate," Tang Wulin said.

"If I'm not mistaken, you feel comfortable because his body is continuously releasing small amounts of Life Energy," Wu Changkong said. "If you truly feel uncomfortable, then sleep with Yun Mu. It will probably benefit your body as well."

"Alright, thank you, Teacher Wu." Tang Wulin ran out, feeling that he was not quite so embarrassed anymore.

At first, he had thought he was like a child who could not stop nursing, and it had given him quite a fright.

They had indeed received a great deal of support from Eastsea Academy. Whether it was facilities, teaching methods, or nutritious food, everything had reached Eastsea Academy's highest standards.

But to Yun Mu, who had enjoyed the benefits of being an Inner Court Disciple at Shrek Academy since childhood, none of it was worth mentioning. Setting everything else aside, Eastsea Academy's food alone lagged far behind Shrek Academy's.

In the end, Eastsea Academy had accumulated less than a thousand years of history. How could it possibly compare with Shrek Academy's twenty-thousand-year foundation?

Over the following days, aside from Yun Mu, everyone else had the hardest time in Wu Changkong's classes.

They were practically forced to improve constantly under Wu Changkong's whip, and the sound most often heard during his lessons was piercing, miserable screams.