Special Training

Wu Changkong finally returned to the field just before class ended.

"Gather!"

One by one, the cadets of Class Five dragged their exhausted bodies toward Wu Changkong. Although Wu Changkong had not been present during this period, no one had dared to slack off. After the past two days, the cadets had roughly come to understand his personality. They knew the punishment for slacking off would definitely be even harsher.

"This morning's class ends here. Dismissed. Gu Yuena, stay behind."

Hearing that class was finally over, nearly every cadet let out a sigh of relief. They could finally rest. They were glad Wu Changkong had not cruelly arranged even more training.

At the dismissal, the cadets staggered toward the Dormitory Building, dragging their weary bodies along.

"My name is Wu Changkong, and I'm your homeroom teacher. This is your dormitory key, school uniform, and textbooks. From now on, you are officially a cadet of First Year Class Five."

"Thank you, Teacher Wu." Gu Yuena accepted the items Wu Changkong handed her.

"Mm. Go rest as well. You still have class this afternoon." With that, Wu Changkong left without looking back.

An Ping did not feel particularly tired. It was still early before dinner, and there was not enough time to return to the dormitory and cultivate, so he wandered around the academy instead.

The other classes were still in session at this time. Aside from the occasional staff member, there was no one else on campus, and An Ping simply wandered aimlessly.

Before he knew it, he had entered a garden. He found a bench and sat down, thinking of nothing as he quietly remained there.

"An Ping."

Hearing someone call his name, An Ping looked up and saw Gu Yuena standing there prettily, looking every bit like a lovely little girl. She held a book in her arms, and from this distance, he could vaguely make out the words "Martial Soul." It was probably a book about Martial Souls.

An Ping asked, "Is something wrong?"

"No. Can I sit here?" As she spoke, she pointed to the space beside him.

"Sure." An Ping nodded.

And so, one of them sat there in a daze while the other read. It continued until the quiet campus began to grow noisy again. Class was over.

"I'm going to eat. Are you coming?" An Ping stood and politely asked.

"Let's go together. I don't know where the cafeteria is yet." Gu Yuena smiled.

The two made their way to the cafeteria. Looking at its layout, Gu Yuena gave it a strange look. "Why doesn't Eastsea Academy's cafeteria even have chairs?"

An Ping casually explained, "Apparently, there used to be some. They said it was to increase the students' sense of urgency, so they removed them."

"What a strange theory," Gu Yuena muttered.

"Hey, An Ping, Gu Yuena, you're here to eat too." Eastsea Academy's cafeteria was not large. Carrying a tray, Tang Wulin immediately spotted An Ping and Gu Yuena as they entered and waved to greet them.

An Ping nodded at the waving Tang Wulin, then went to the C Meal Window to get a meal before finding a random spot to eat.

Ever since first seeing Gu Yuena, Tang Wulin had felt an urge to get close to her. When he saw her pass by and set her tray down across from An Ping, a flicker of disappointment flashed through his heart.

"What? Don't tell me you like Gu Yuena? Come to think of it, Gu Yuena really is beautiful, and she's incredibly strong too." Zhou Changxi leaned mysteriously close to Tang Wulin.

Xie Xie lightly nudged Tang Wulin's shoulder and looked at him with raised brows.

"How is that possible? You're all only nine years old. What are you even thinking about?" Tang Wulin rolled his eyes, ignored the two of them, and lowered his head to eat.

That afternoon, Class Five's cadets sat in the classroom waiting for Wu Changkong to arrive. Discussion never ceased as they eagerly wanted to know how the Intermediate Academy's theory classes differed from those of the Primary Academy.

When Wu Changkong brought them to the field, Xie Xie raised his hand and asked, "Teacher Wu, didn't you say we'd be learning theory this afternoon?"

Wu Changkong glanced at Xie Xie and spoke coldly, "With your current physical condition, what theory can you learn? Even if you learn it, can you use it?"

Under Wu Changkong's gaze, Xie Xie's body involuntarily shuddered, and he did not dare say anything else.

They could at least endure running, but the afternoon training became frog jumps. In less than half an hour, Class Five's cadets were sprawled all over the ground. Only An Ping, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yuena continued.

After a full day of training, by the time they assembled, Class Five's cadets could only support one another.

"An Ping, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Gu Yuena, you four come find me after dinner. Here again." Leaving behind those words, Wu Changkong turned and left without looking back.

Watching Wu Changkong walk away, Xie Xie complained, "There's more tonight?"

"Teacher Wu is doing this for our own good." Tang Wulin supported Xie Xie and patted his shoulder comfortingly.

Xie Xie muttered, "How is this for our own good? I think he wants to train us to death. Do you think everyone has stamina as good as yours?"

Then he looked at An Ping. "Tang Wulin is one thing. He already eats so much, so I can understand why he has such good stamina. But how do you do it, An Ping?"

Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena also looked at An Ping. If Xie Xie had not brought it up, they truly would not have noticed that detail. An Ping usually ate about the same amount as the other cadets in the class.

Seeing them all stare at him, An Ping pondered for a moment. "Um, maybe it's talent? Yeah, talent." As he spoke, he nodded.

"Damn talent. I wish I had talent like that too." Xie Xie's tone was sour.

"Come on, let's go. I still want to return to the dormitory and cultivate for a while," Tang Wulin said.

"You really work hard," Xie Xie said.

"I'm not as talented as you guys. If I don't cultivate diligently, how can I become stronger?" Tang Wulin's tone carried a trace of bitterness.

After dinner, An Ping arrived at the field. Wu Changkong and Gu Yuena were already there. From far away, he saw Gu Yuena waving at him. An Ping slightly shook his head, not understanding why Gu Yuena was so enthusiastic, but he still waved back.

Wu Changkong still wore a stern expression. He had changed into black sportswear, and standing there, he resembled a sharp sword. Not far away, quite a few older female students had gathered in small groups, all pointing and whispering about him.

Wu Changkong showed no reaction, as if he had not seen them at all. An Ping, on the other hand, felt somewhat uncomfortable, as though he were a monkey being watched at a zoo.

Seeing An Ping's discomfort, Gu Yuena asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." Since the person in question was right beside him, An Ping shook his head.

After a few more casual exchanges, Tang Wulin finally arrived while dragging Xie Xie along.

"You four, follow me." Once he saw the two arrive, Wu Changkong dropped those words and turned toward the depths of the academy.

Led by Wu Changkong, they arrived at an indoor Training Ground within the academy. When Wu Changkong had handled Gu Yuena's enrollment procedures that afternoon, he had obtained the right to use this indoor Training Ground from Long Hengxu.