Promotion Tournament Begins

No longer dwelling on An Ping's matter, Wu Changkong looked at the four before him. "The Promotion Tournament begins next week, one match per day until all matches are over. I have a goal for you: reach Fourth Grade."

Xie Xie and Tang Wulin's eyes filled with shock upon hearing the goal Wu Changkong had set.

The Fourth Grade students were already twelve years old. As long as their talent was not especially poor, they had basically reached the level of Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters. Although Class Five also had two two-ring students, the Fourth Grade cadets sent into the Promotion Tournament certainly would not be those who had only just reached two rings.

Moreover, Fourth Grade students were several years older than Third Grade students. Even after Wu Changkong's special training, their combat experience was probably still incomparable.

Wu Changkong said calmly, "And I mean Fourth Grade Class One. If you reach my goal, you can receive all the rewards. Otherwise, every reward will be turned into class funds."

Tang Wulin asked curiously, "Teacher Wu, may I ask what rewards the Promotion Tournament offers?"

An Ping also pricked up his ears at the mention of rewards, wanting to know what they were. He was nearly out of money, and his recent Alchemy practice had cost far too much.

Alchemy required not only various metals capable of withstanding Magic Power, but also Soul Beast Blood with energy in it as the primary material for the ink used to inscribe Alchemy Arrays.

An Ping's only fixed income was the reward the Spirit Pagoda gave Soul Masters, which was nowhere near enough to support such expenses.

Wu Changkong glanced at Tang Wulin. "The Promotion Tournament does not merely change the class rankings. More importantly, if you perform outstandingly in it, the school will record it in your files, which will be greatly beneficial when you apply to higher-level academies in the future. Secondly, the academy will award Federal Coins based on the cadets' performance."

"As the homeroom teacher, I will also receive Federal Coins as a reward because of the Academic Affairs Office's outstanding cadets. If you can accomplish the goal I set, I will distribute my portion of the reward to you as well."

"Thank you, Teacher Wu," Tang Wulin said.

Wu Changkong said, "Don't thank me so quickly. If you fail to reach the goal I set, all rewards will become class funds."

"Teacher Wu, do you know Class Four's participants? Could you reveal some information?" Xie Xie asked eagerly.

Wu Changkong said coldly, "Do you need information just to face Class Four? As my students, I have only one requirement: crush them!"

The day of the match arrived quickly. To avoid affecting the students' studies, the academy scheduled it for after school.

Since it was First Year Class Five against First Year Class Four, not many people came to watch. In most students' eyes, First Year Class Four and Class Five were about the same. After all, the number after the class name meant there would not be any particularly formidable students.

After three months of devilish training, First Year Class Five had taken on an entirely new look, forming a stark contrast with the lazy, slack Class Four.

After confirming that everyone from both classes was present, Director of Academic Affairs Long Hengxu stepped onto the Arena. "The Promotion Tournament officially begins. First match: First Year Class Five challenges First Year Class Four. Teacher Wu, please send your participants onto the stage."

Wu Changkong casually pointed. "Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, Gu Yuena. You three will go up for the first match."

Seeing the three who had stepped onto the stage, Long Hengxu turned to Class Four's homeroom teacher. "First Year Class Five has entered three contestants. Teacher Long, I'll give you five minutes to assign your participants."

"Prepare yourselves. First match of the Promotion Tournament, First Year Class Five versus First Year Class Four, begin!"

At Long Hengxu's command, the three students from First Year Class Four instantly released their Soul Rings.

In less than ten seconds, Class Four's Power Attack System Soul Master was taken down by Tang Wulin with a single punch. The faster Xie Xie then directly eliminated the opposing Support System Soul Master and Agile Attack System Soul Master.

Gu Yuena had not even made a move, yet First Year Class Five had already won.

As Class Four's final cadet was eliminated, their homeroom teacher, who had been swaggering before the match, instantly wore an ugly expression. He had never expected to lose so cleanly.

"First Year Class Five wins. If you are still Class Five before the Promotion Tournament ends, you will be reranked after it concludes. Tomorrow, you will continue by challenging First Year Class Three. Make your preparations." As Long Hengxu announced the result, cheers erupted from First Year Class Five.

Wu Changkong did not even glance at Class Four's homeroom teacher. "School's over," he said calmly.

Xie Xie and Tang Wulin high-fived in celebration. Thinking that they would not need to undergo special training that evening because of the Promotion Tournament, Xie Xie happily pulled Tang Wulin aside.

"Finally, no training. How about we go out and have some fun?" Xie Xie whispered into Tang Wulin's ear.

Tang Wulin shook his head. "The cafeteria will be serving food soon. Let's not go."

Xie Xie was speechless. "All you know is eating. How about this? Come out with me, and I'll treat you to dinner outside."

"Fine." The moment he heard someone else was paying, Tang Wulin stopped resisting.

"Should we call Gu Yuena?" Tang Wulin looked toward Gu Yuena and An Ping nearby, then paused slightly. "And An Ping."

Back in Aolai City, Tang Wulin had only felt that An Ping did not like interacting with people. After three months of special training, Tang Wulin's impression of An Ping had become similar to Wu Changkong's. He could clearly sense that An Ping was somewhat selfish and never considered his teammates. Tang Wulin did not like that sort of person either.

Gu Yuena, on the other hand, was not only beautiful, but also always made him feel an involuntary urge to get close to her.

"Why call them? Just the two of us. Don't tell me you like Gu Yuena? Neither of them talks to us anyway, so why call them?" Xie Xie shook his head.

At the mention of liking Gu Yuena, Tang Wulin's face reddened. He shook his head. "How could that be? Fine, we won't call them. Let's go."

As he spoke, he pushed Xie Xie toward the school gate.

Watching the two head for the school gate, Gu Yuena patted An Ping's shoulder. "They seem to be going out to have fun. Do you want to go out too?"

An Ping shook his head. "Aren't you going with them?"

"They didn't invite me," Gu Yuena said as if it were only natural. "How about you treat me and we go together?"

"No. I'm not treating. No money!" An Ping said decisively.

"How can you have no gentlemanly manners at all?" Gu Yuena shook her head helplessly.

"Gentleman? Sorry, I'm still a nine-year-old child."

Hearing An Ping's reply, Gu Yuena instantly burst into laughter, bending over with amusement. Teasingly, she said, "All right, all right. Then, little nine-year-old, how about I treat you to a trip out?"

An Ping said, "What is there to do in Eastsea City?"

"I don't know either. We can just wander around. I'm paying, so you can't possibly refuse, can you?" Without waiting for An Ping to agree, she grabbed him and pulled him toward the school gate.