Submit and Lose?

Time flies like a white steed glimpsed through a crack—swift and fleeting.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed since Wu Changkong made his move.

Having witnessed Wu Changkong's strength, the students of Class Five trained and cultivated with exceptional vigor, no longer uttering a single complaint.

As a result of this hard work and dedication, the overall quality of Class Five's students steadily improved.

And among those receiving Wu Changkong's special training—Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin—their progress was especially rapid.

First, in terms of Soul Power Level, after a month of training, the four had all increased their soul power from their previous foundations.

Among them, Zhao Tao and Gu Yue each rose by two levels, reaching Level 19 and Level 17 respectively.

As for Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, their Soul Power Levels each increased by one level, reaching Level 19 and Level 12.

Beyond soul power, under Wu Changkong's practical combat training and guidance, the teamwork among the four grew increasingly seamless.

Under Zhao Tao's organization and command, they even developed an effective set of tactics.

Having undergone specialized training and forged a bond akin to comrades-in-arms, the atmosphere among the four became noticeably more lively than before.

Gu Yue, in particular, under Zhao Tao's deliberate care, had largely opened up her heart.

When speaking with Zhao Tao, she often showed a smile.

Though still far from being lovers, they could now be considered friends.

However, when facing Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, Gu Yue remained as aloof as ever, as if she existed in a different dimension from the two.

Of course, through this period of getting along, Gu Yue's hostility toward humans had lessened considerably.

And finally, the time for the Class Promotion Tournament arrived.

To avoid disrupting lessons, the tournament would be held every afternoon after class.

To welcome the start of the tournament, a hundred-meter-diameter arena was built on the playground of the East Sea Academy Intermediate Division using thick metal plates.

Around the arena, Soul Tools were installed to generate a Soul Tool protective barrier, preventing the aftershocks of battle from affecting the academy.

As the bell rang, students from First Grade Class Four and First Grade Class Five arrived at the playground.

There weren't many spectators from other classes, after all, this was just a low-grade match.

"Now, the first match of the Class Promotion Tournament officially begins. First Grade Class Five challenges First Grade Class Four!"

"Teacher Wu Changkong, please confirm the number of participants!"

Long Hengxu, acting as referee, stepped onto the arena and announced the start of the match, his eyes full of anticipation.

After all, he too wanted to know just how strong the students Wu Changkong had so fiercely protected and nurtured truly were!

"Three participants from my class."

Hearing Long Hengxu's words, Wu Changkong replied calmly.

As Wu Changkong's words fell, Zhao Tao, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie stepped onto the arena.

This lineup was the result of the four's discussion.

When facing the weakest opponent, they gave Tang Wulin, as the substitute, a chance to play and experience real Soul Fighting.

At the same time, it served to preserve some strength for the matches to come.

"Jialong, Lin Zunyuan, Moss, the three of you, go!"

Seeing that Wu Changkong had already chosen his participants, Kong Hanwen, the homeroom teacher of First Grade Class Four, sent out his own class's participants.

"Both sides, fifty meters apart. Ready, begin!"

Seeing that both sides were prepared, Long Hengxu gave the order, announcing the start of the match.

The next moment, Zhao Tao, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin each charged toward their respective opponents.

The ensuing battle could only be described as overwhelming.

Summoning the Time Burial Sword, Zhao Tao needed only a single strike to effortlessly eliminate the opposing team's captain, Jialong—an Attack System Soul Master with a War Wolf Martial Soul.

The Thousand-Year Soul Ring he displayed instantly became the focus of the entire venue, drawing wave after wave of gasps!

As for Xie Xie and Tang Wulin's performance, it was equally dazzling!

Light Dragon Dagger in hand, Xie Xie's form flickered, and in almost a single flash, he closed in on the opposing support system Soul Master, Lin Zunyuan.

Facing a close-quarters Agility Attack System Soul Master, Lin Zunyuan, as a support system Soul Master, was utterly helpless. Xie Xie tapped him with the blunt end of the Light Dragon Dagger, and he was promptly judged eliminated.

The last member of First Grade Class Four, Moss—a Soul Master whose Martial Soul was also a dagger but whose soul power was only at Level 13—was targeted by Tang Wulin.

Though his Soul Power Level was lower than Moss's, Tang Wulin's combat was equally overwhelming. He used his "Entanglement" Soul Skill to bind Moss, then followed up with a single punch to finish him off.

The entire battle was nothing short of a rout. Zhao Tao and the other two took less than five seconds to secure victory.

"First Grade Class Five wins, promoted to First Grade Class Four. Tomorrow, they will face First Grade Class Three!"

Watching this scene, Long Hengxu announced the result without hesitation.

"Yay, we won!"

Tang Wulin jumped up excitedly after securing their first victory.

In their usual practical training, even when the four of them worked together, Zhao Tao and the others were still easily suppressed by Wu Changkong.

But at this moment, Tang Wulin had finally tasted the sweetness of victory.

"Brother Tao, Teacher Wu's training is really too effective!"

"If this were three months ago, I could definitely have beaten the opponent easily too, but it wouldn't have been such an effortless instant kill!"

Xie Xie beside him was also full of surprise, his admiration for Wu Changkong growing even stronger.

"This is just the first match, nothing to be proud of. Let's keep pushing forward!"

Looking at the excited Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, Zhao Tao only gave a faint smile.

If it were his first time crossing over, defeating a strong opponent, he might have been just as thrilled as Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

But at this moment, Zhao Tao's heart was as still as water.

After all, he knew that his ultimate future enemy was definitely not just a few Soul Grand Masters.

It was Tang Hao and Ah Yin, the Plane Master and Plane Core, as well as the Divine Sense of Sea God Tang San.

He needed to become stronger, and he had to become stronger!

Only then could he complete his redemption for himself, for Na'er and Gu Yue, and even for the entire Douluo Continent!

In the blink of an eye, the next afternoon.

The match against First Grade Class Three began on schedule!

Following the agreed-upon strategy, Tang Wulin, serving as substitute this time, did not take the field.

Gu Yue, Zhao Tao, and Xie Xie stepped onto the arena one by one.

As for their opponents, they were quite special—actually three triplet brothers who looked almost identical: Gu Tianri, Gu Tianyue, and Gu Tianming!

Matching their appearance, all three of their Martial Souls were the Sky-Soaring War Eagle, a bird-type Martial Soul known for speed and flight.

As Long Hengxu announced the start of the battle, the three simultaneously chose Martial Soul Possession, gray wings appearing behind their backs as they soared into the air.

"Zhao Tao, I admit your Class Five is strong, but we're up in the sky, and you can't hit us at all. Just wait for the challenge time to run out and obediently admit defeat!"

Looking down at Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie on the ground, Gu Tianming, the leader of the three brothers, wore a smug smile as he taunted them.