What... we're fighting Teacher Wu!?

"So that's how it is. It seems your Spiritual Power far exceeds ordinary people, allowing you to control so many elements with such fine precision."

Hearing this, Wu Changkong nodded with a hint of understanding.

It appeared that Gu Yue's martial soul wasn't without flaws—nothing was perfect.

But even so, her Elemental Master Martial Soul was absolutely no less than Zhao Tao's Spring Autumn Cicada, and fully worth his dedicated cultivation!

"Alright, you two continue training. Gu Yue, come with me to the Academic Affairs Office."

Shouting at the students who had stopped to watch, Wu Changkong led Gu Yue toward the Academic Affairs Office.

"Understood."

Hearing Wu Changkong's words, Gu Yue stepped forward again to follow.

Soon, Wu Changkong arrived at the Academic Affairs Office, found Long Hengxu, and explained his purpose.

Knowing Wu Changkong's true identity and strength, Long Hengxu naturally had no desire to provoke his anger.

On top of that, the recommendation letter and materials Gu Yue provided were complete, and her own strength met the school's admission standards.

Long Hengxu readily agreed to Wu Changkong's request, processed Gu Yue's enrollment, and assigned her to First Grade Class Five, where Wu Changkong taught.

Thus, Gu Yue—this avatar representing the Silver Dragon King's beast-side personality—officially became a member of First Grade Class Five at Eastsea Academy.

After a full day of training, the sun set and evening arrived.

Although Wu Changkong's original plan was to conduct physical training in the morning and lecture on Soul Master theory in the afternoon, after witnessing the abysmal physical condition of Class Five's students, he changed his mind on the spot and turned the afternoon session into physical training as well.

After enduring an entire day of "torture," even the ox-strong Tang Wulin was panting heavily, let alone the other ordinary students.

"Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Tang Wulin—come find me at seven tonight for special training."

Announcing the end of class, Wu Changkong turned around and coldly addressed the four who were gasping for air.

"Wh-what, more special training?"

Hearing Wu Changkong's words, Xie Xie, whose legs were already trembling uncontrollably, shuddered.

Even Tang Wulin couldn't help but force a bitter smile.

Still, under Wu Changkong's overwhelming pressure, they could only nod silently, not daring to object.

After a simple dinner, the four followed Wu Changkong to begin the special training.

The venue this time was no longer the school playground, but an indoor training ground.

This was something Wu Changkong had specifically applied for when handling Gu Yue's enrollment.

"To prepare for the Class Promotion Tournament, for the next three months, I will conduct special training here every evening."

"The main competitors will be Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie, with Tang Wulin as a substitute, ready to step in when needed."

"As for your goal, there is only one—to defeat the opponents from First Grade Class One and make our Class Five the new Class One!"

Though he had already explained the Class Promotion Tournament to Zhao Tao and the others, with Gu Yue's addition, Wu Changkong reiterated the situation and the change in lineup.

"Teacher Wu, what will we be doing in this special training? It won't just be more physical training, will it?"

Just then, Xie Xie asked with a hint of curiosity on his face.

"Of course not!"

"The upcoming special training will take the form of actual combat."

Hearing Xie Xie's question, Wu Changkong shook his head and replied calmly.

In his view, a Soul Master's strength came from real combat!

Only actual combat could unlock the potential of students like Zhao Tao and maximize their battle experience!

"Actual combat?"

"Teacher Wu, isn't that a bit unfair? I can't beat any of them!"

Hearing Wu Changkong's words, Xie Xie shrank his neck and glanced at the three beside him.

Clearly, even the weakest of the three, Tang Wulin, had once defeated him.

Let alone Zhao Tao, who far surpassed Tang Wulin, and Gu Yue, who could fight Zhao Tao to a standstill.

"Hmph, who said you'd be sparring with each other?"

"In a moment, your opponent will be me."

Hearing this, Wu Changkong snorted coldly and said flatly.

Then, with a light tap of his toes, he landed in the center of the training ground and activated the surrounding soul-guard shield for protection.

"Teacher Wu, this... this isn't appropriate, is it?"

Looking at Wu Changkong, who was clearly eager to try, Xie Xie questioned him once more.

Although he didn't yet know Wu Changkong's exact cultivation level, comparing the oppressive pressure Wu Changkong gave off to that of certain elders in his family...

Xie Xie could be certain that Wu Changkong's cultivation was no lower than a Soul King!

What... we're supposed to fight Teacher Wu!?

At this thought, Xie Xie's body couldn't help but tremble three times.

"What's inappropriate about it?"

"Only through direct combat can I better discover your weaknesses and stimulate your potential!"

"Of course, you don't need to worry about me bullying the weak. In this sparring match, I won't use my Martial Soul or Soul Skills. All of you, come at me together!"

Hearing this, Wu Changkong replied calmly, and from his Storage Soul Tool, he took out an ordinary wooden sword.

"All together!"

Gazing at Wu Changkong in the distance, Zhao Tao's mind stirred. He activated his Soul Skill, summoning the Time Burial Sword, and took the initiative to attack.

Of course, as in his usual battles, Zhao Tao deliberately restrained his strength, not revealing all his combat skills.

Otherwise, as a Soul Master himself, displaying combat techniques on the level of a Titled Douluo would be far too shocking.

"Understood!"

With a simple reply, Gu Yue simultaneously took on the dual roles of support and mage. On one hand, she channeled the Wind Element to enhance herself and the other three, Zhao Tao included.

On the other hand, she manipulated the Earth Element, turning the ground beneath Wu Changkong's feet into a muddy swamp, and even summoned icicles and fireballs, madly hurling them at Wu Changkong.

Meanwhile, hearing Zhao Tao's words, Tang Wulin also charged forward without hesitation. He activated the binding Soul Skill of Blue Silver Grass to restrain Wu Changkong.

At the same time, he swung his pair of Tungsten Steel Forging Hammers, leaping through the air toward Wu Changkong.

As for Xie Xie, the Light Dragon Dagger in his hand danced like the wind, slashing out golden blades of light that streaked toward Wu Changkong's back.

And Gu Yue simultaneously took on the dual roles of support and mage. On one hand, she channeled the Wind Element to enhance herself and the other three, Zhao Tao included.

On the other hand, she manipulated the Earth Element, turning the ground beneath Wu Changkong's feet into a muddy swamp, and even summoned icicles and fireballs, madly hurling them at Wu Changkong.

"Not a bad attempt!"

Faced with the four's fierce attacks, Wu Changkong's expression remained as calm as still water, as cold as ice.

With a swing of the wooden sword in his hand, sword qi shot through the air, precisely severing strands of Blue Silver Grass or intercepting the icicles and fireballs Gu Yue had summoned.

While unleashing bursts of sword qi, Wu Changkong's wooden sword flipped and twisted in his hand, deftly tapping against Tang Wulin's wrist.

Instantly, Tang Wulin felt a numb ache in his palm, as if all the strength in his body had been drained. His forging hammer fell to the ground with a clang.

As for Xie Xie's attack, it too failed to achieve anything. Wu Changkong swung his sword back, blocking it all, and even struck Xie Xie with a sharp sword wind, sending him crashing to the ground, unable to rise.

Only when facing Zhao Tao's attack did Wu Changkong's defense no longer seem so impenetrable.

Although the wooden sword in his hand had perfectly struck the Time Burial Sword in Zhao Tao's grasp...

Because of the unique Time Power attribute of the Time Burial Sword, Wu Changkong's strike only "seemed" to block Zhao Tao's attack.

In reality, under Wu Changkong's somewhat astonished gaze, the Time Burial Sword in Zhao Tao's hand, wreathed in dazzling silver light, slashed toward his own chest!