Battle Against Wu Changkong

The Training Ground was circular, with a Soul Guidance Shield protecting its interior. It was a place for students with relatively high cultivation to train their Martial Souls. After all, a place like the sports field would be far too easily damaged once Soul Power reached a certain level.

Wu Changkong led the four of them to the center of the venue and stopped.

"Starting today, you will follow me for special training every evening. Work hard for the Promotion Tournament three months from now."

Gu Yuena asked in confusion, "Promotion Tournament? What's that?"

Seeing Gu Yuena's bewildered expression, Wu Changkong gave her an introduction to the Promotion Tournament.

After explaining the Promotion Tournament to Gu Yuena, Wu Changkong looked at Tang Wulin. "The Promotion Tournament follows the format used in the Federation's various competitions. Although the weakest class gets to choose the number of participants, there are limits. You may choose two, three, or seven participants. Right now, there are four of you. Tang Wulin, your Soul Power cultivation is the lowest among you, and your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. I only decided to let you participate because, despite your low level, you were able to fight Xie Xie evenly before. But now that Gu Yuena has joined us, I have a better choice."

"Alright, I understand." Tang Wulin clenched his fists, feeling somewhat dejected. His expression darkened. His talent was still too poor.

Yet when Wu Changkong saw Tang Wulin's expression, he continued, "However, I won't take back what I said. I'll give you an opportunity. You may join as a substitute. Over these three months, I hope you'll work hard to improve your strength through special training with me. If you can show me that you truly have the ability to compete in the Promotion Tournament, I'll give you a chance to take the field."

"Teacher Wu, don't worry. I'll definitely work hard these next three months," Tang Wulin said firmly.

Thinking that things would be like this for three whole months, An Ping somehow raised his right hand to indicate that he had something to say. When Wu Changkong turned his gaze toward him, he said, "Teacher Wu, since there's one more person now, I'll withdraw. I wasn't interested in this Promotion Tournament to begin with."

Wu Changkong said coldly, "No! Not interested? Didn't you say before that cultivation was fun? Do you think the world revolves around you? Do you have any sense of collective honor at all?"

An Ping replied calmly, "If it's collective honor, then rather than letting everyone participate, shouldn't you choose the seven-person format with more participants? More people would better demonstrate your teaching ability, wouldn't they? I came to Eastsea Academy to learn more knowledge, not to play this childish game with them."

Wu Changkong was somewhat angered. "You think your talent is exceptional, do you? Learn knowledge? Since ancient times, strength has been the foundation of everything for Soul Masters, and actual combat is the best way to improve one's strength. You're wasting your talent."

An Ping said, "Does something being true since ancient times necessarily make it right? Teacher Wu, setting aside whether strength is the foundation of everything, just because you think strength is important doesn't mean everyone has to abandon their own thoughts and focus solely on improving their strength. I don't want to spend all my time on so-called strength improvement."

Wu Changkong was momentarily speechless. Compared to the other students in the class, An Ping always seemed excessively mature, as though he did not quite fit in.

An Ping said this because he felt that he would likely succeed in condensing his Magic Power Source within the next few months. If he followed Wu Changkong's arrangements, his cultivation time would be greatly reduced.

At that moment, Gu Yuena glanced at An Ping. "Teacher Wu, how about the three of them compete instead? I don't want to affect the others because of me alone."

Xie Xie and Tang Wulin stared in astonishment. They had not expected An Ping to actually dare to contradict Wu Changkong.

Wu Changkong had not expected each of them to have such strong opinions. After a while, he finally said coldly, "I am your homeroom teacher, so I make all the decisions! The four of you will participate in the three-person format, with Tang Wulin as the substitute! If you want to object, wait until you can defeat me!"

"Teacher, what kind of special training are we doing? It won't be physical training again, will it?" Xie Xie's focus was rather unusual. Most importantly, just thinking about physical training made his legs go weak.

Wu Changkong glared at the clowning Xie Xie. "Of course not. No matter what kind of training it is, there is only one purpose: to improve your strength. In my view, actual combat is the best way to improve one's strength. Therefore, the best special training for you is actual combat. I'll first explain the key points to you, then we'll begin."

"Xie Xie, as an Agile Attack System Soul Master, your speed is already fast enough at your current stage. But your physical stamina is too poor to support prolonged combat. Therefore, in battle, you must learn to control your stamina expenditure and achieve your goals while using as little energy as possible. Your Second Martial Soul has the effect of catching opponents off guard, so don't use it lightly. Once you do, make sure it achieves the best possible result."

Xie Xie said, "Mm, I'll work hard."

"An Ping, and Gu Yuena, the effects of your Martial Souls are very similar. I have to admit that your various applications of the elements have been refreshing. During training, I hope you can try more elemental combinations. You may even try coordinating with each other; perhaps that will produce unexpected results. Tomorrow, I'll take you for a Spiritual Power Test."

Hearing Spiritual Power Test, Tang Wulin spoke up. "Teacher, I've tested my Spiritual Power before."

Wu Changkong said coldly, "I only believe my own eyes."

"Tang Wulin, what you need to do is control your Martial Soul properly. Your Blue Silver Grass is unusually resilient. It should have undergone a Martial Soul mutation. Becoming resilient is a good thing, but only by controlling it perfectly can it truly become your strength."

"Also, those hammers I saw you using last time. Great strength is your advantage, and it is still quite useful at present. You can try coordinating your hammers with your Martial Soul."

Tang Wulin agreed as well.

"Alright, special training begins now. Your opponent is me." As he spoke, Wu Changkong took out a wooden sword. "Come at me together. I won't use my Martial Soul, so you may attack without restraint."

With the wooden sword in hand, Wu Changkong became focused. His entire body was like a sword.

He raised his arm, and the wooden sword stabbed toward An Ping. Silver Light flashed as An Ping instantly used Blink Spell to pull away.

Seeing An Ping leave his attack range, Wu Changkong turned the wooden sword and slashed at Xie Xie to the side. Xie Xie immediately retreated. Though he was fast, he was still not as fast as Wu Changkong.

Seeing this, Tang Wulin raised his hand and hurled the Thousand Refined Tungsten Steel Hammer wrapped in Blue Silver Grass at Wu Changkong.

Wu Changkong did not move at all. The wooden sword continued downward. Seeing that his strike had failed, Tang Wulin controlled the Blue Silver Grass to wrap around Xie Xie's waist and pulled hard, dragging Xie Xie aside.

Wu Changkong turned his wooden sword and stabbed at the closer Gu Yuena. She flashed behind Wu Changkong, then fired three fireballs at his back.

At the same time, Wu Changkong felt the ground beneath his feet soften and his body sink. It was An Ping's Swamp Spell. With a whistling sound, Tang Wulin's Thousand Refined Tungsten Steel Hammer flew toward him as well.

The wooden sword turned and tapped the hammer, sending it plummeting to the ground. Wu Changkong twisted aside, then swept his wooden sword toward the fireballs. A strange current of air drew in the three fireballs and flung them toward An Ping, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin respectively, faster than when they had come.

Seeing an opening, Xie Xie charged toward Wu Changkong. His Light Dragon Dagger split apart the fireball in its path. After pausing slightly, he charged at Wu Changkong again. At the same time, light flashed in his left hand, accelerating him once more as he stabbed toward Wu Changkong.

At the same time, Tang Wulin smashed apart the fireball with one hammer strike, then swung his hammer at Wu Changkong. Wu Changkong turned his wooden sword and struck Xie Xie, instantly sending him flying. Then he pushed off with both legs, leaving the ground and dodging Gu Yuena's Ice Cone aimed at the swamp. His wooden sword pointed straight ahead as he pounced through the air at Tang Wulin.