Combat Techniques

After speaking, Wu Changkong swept his gaze over everyone and continued:

"Tang Wulin, what did you think of yesterday's match?"

Hearing Wu Changkong's question, Tang Wulin pondered for a moment before answering:

"Teacher Wu, at the start of yesterday's match, we had the situation well under control.

It was just that the process got a little chaotic. It was our first time seeing their abilities, so we became somewhat confused while responding, and our coordination was lacking.

I mean the coordination between the three of us. Their side had coordination as well, though it did not seem especially seamless.

On top of that, I underestimated Su Hao's combat strength, which led to our defeat in this Class Advancement Competition."

After hearing Tang Wulin's explanation, Wu Changkong said coldly:

"Chaotic? It was far more than chaotic. It was an absolute mess."

Wu Changkong then fixed his eyes on Tang Wulin and said:

"To be frank, I am very disappointed. The three of you have studied under me for three months, and your cooperation could barely be considered proficient.

Yet from the very beginning of the match, you abandoned your own advantage.

Xie Xie in particular was simply an idiot. You ran straight to the other side as soon as the match began. If you did not lose, who would?"

Xie Xie's expression stiffened. He had not expected Teacher Wu to evaluate him like that.

Wu Changkong turned to Xie Xie and said:

"Did you think that breaking through to the Second Ring meant your strength had skyrocketed? Is that why you charged out to duel someone right from the start? Do you still have any concept of teamwork in that head of yours?"

Wu Changkong then turned back to Tang Wulin and continued:

"And you. I made you the team captain because your temperament is steady enough. Yet you did not stop him. Coordinating the entire team's combat was your undeniable responsibility.

At the same time, you used your own abilities terribly. You barely brought out any of your Martial Soul's capabilities, relying blindly on brute force to confront your opponent. What was going through your head?"

Finally, Wu Changkong looked at Gu Yue and said:

"The role I assigned you was that of the team's adhesive, but you showed favoritism during the battle. That was also an important reason the team's coordination went wrong."

After addressing Tang Wulin's group, Wu Changkong turned to Su Hao's group and continued:

"As for the three of you, Wang Jinxi, you made the same mistake as Xie Xie. Though you are a Power Attack System Soul Master, I did not see any awareness of teamwork in you. You charged at Tang Wulin's group as soon as the match began, only to be suppressed by Tang Wulin.

And Zhang Yangzi, in your three-man team, you should be the Control System Soul Master, correct?

Although you placed control on Tang Wulin's group before Wang Jinxi rushed out, causing them to lose their vision, why did you not continue interfering with them after Wang Jinxi charged out? Instead, you remained in the air, watching Wang Jinxi get sent flying by Tang Wulin, only to be suppressed by Tang Wulin in turn.

The most serious problem was yours, Su Hao. Though you defeated Tang Wulin's group by yourself in this match, the battle also exposed your greatest flaw.

Your refusal to join the fight at the beginning revealed your arrogance. Arrogance when facing an enemy is the surest path to one's own death.

Among the three of you, Wang Jinxi did comparatively well. Though he was suppressed by Tang Wulin, from beginning to end, throughout the entire match, he diligently carried out what he was supposed to do."

Wu Changkong had actually praised Wang Jinxi. Tang Wulin and the other two wore incredulous expressions as they heard Wu Changkong continue:

"However, all five of you share one common problem. It is also the problem that the upcoming Practical Combat Class will address.

That is, you severely lack actual combat experience and practical combat techniques. What I mean is not your combat experience using Martial Souls and Soul Skills.

You are lacking in that area too, but it is not too serious. What you lack even more is basic combat ability without using your Martial Souls."

Su Hao agreed with Wu Changkong's words, while Tang Wulin fell into thought. As for the other four, they looked utterly unconvinced.

Seeing their expressions, Wu Changkong said coldly:

"Do you think the basic combat ability I mentioned is meaningless?"

Gu Yue immediately spoke up:

"Yes, Teacher Wu. My ability is Elemental Control. During battle, I only need to keep suppressing my opponents through the elements. Whether facing a single enemy or a group, as long as the elements I control are powerful enough, I can end the battle.

Basic combat ability seems meaningless to me. What I should be doing is improving my Soul Power and Spiritual Power."

Wu Changkong nodded after hearing this and said:

"If that is what you think, then let us conduct a test.

Gu Yue, come out as well. You and Tang Wulin will attack me together. I will not use any Soul Skills, and I will suppress my Soul Power to the same level as yours, around level thirteen. Let us see whether you can defeat me."

After saying that, Wu Changkong turned and picked up a teaching whip from the podium before returning to the center.

Gu Yue had already stepped forward and come to Tang Wulin's side. At the same level, and without using Soul Skills? Not even Martial Souls? Was he not looking down on them too much?

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue exchanged a glance, then both retreated several steps, widening the distance between themselves and Wu Changkong as they simultaneously released their Martial Souls.

"Come."

Wu Changkong casually flicked the teaching whip in his hand.

Under Su Hao and the other four's watchful eyes, Tang Wulin and Gu Yue were soon given a thorough beating by Wu Changkong using combat techniques.

During the entire exchange, neither Tang Wulin nor Gu Yue had even touched the corner of Wu Changkong's clothes.

Xie Xie's eyes widened as he looked at Wu Changkong and asked:

"Teacher, were those all basic techniques?"

Wu Changkong nodded and said:

"Do you still think basic techniques are useless? Basic techniques are the foundation of everything.

Martial Souls and Soul Skills can certainly make Soul Masters powerful, but how they are used is the foundation that determines just how powerful you can become.

Basic techniques are the methods for applying them. The same also exists with Battle Armor and ordinary mecha.

Therefore, starting today, basic practical combat technique training will be one of your most important subjects for a long time to come."

Thus, Su Hao suffered terribly afterward. As one of the four uninjured students, and also a male, he became Wu Changkong's teaching example. Through actual combat, Wu Changkong continuously explained combat techniques and points of attention to the other students.

Su Hao and the other three uninjured students were knocked to the ground again and again, enduring repeated strikes from the teaching whip.