The End

The willow branches and Blue Silver Grass lunged at each other almost simultaneously.

In terms of numbers, the willow branches clearly had the advantage.

After all, Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass was released only from his right hand, unlike Tao Liufan's willow branches, which were released from both hands.

They were both control-type Martial Souls. The difference in quantity seemed to have already decided the outcome.

Sure enough, willow branches and Blue Silver Grass rapidly intertwined. With his numerical advantage, Tao Liufan directed the excess willow branches toward Tang Wulin.

Excitement had already appeared in Tao Liufan's eyes. His Willow Martial Soul was not particularly powerful, but he had always felt that it was stronger than Blue Silver Grass.

Now, it seemed that was indeed the case. A tree had to be sturdier than grass.

Tang Wulin did not panic. Before the willow branches could bind him, he suddenly yanked the Blue Silver Grass in his right hand.

Their Martial Souls were entwined. With that pull, the force was instantly transmitted through them.

Tao Liufan only felt an enormous force tug at him, and his body flew uncontrollably toward Tang Wulin.

At the same time, his willow branches had already bound Tang Wulin tightly.

Tao Liufan reacted quickly. He curled up in midair and raised both knees. You want to pull me over? Then I'll ram into you.

But in the next instant, he saw Tang Wulin expressionlessly clench his left hand in the air. A spear woven from Blue Silver Grass appeared in his palm.

Then, the willow branches wrapped around him snapped one after another beneath the spear.

Then Tang Wulin raised a hand and grabbed Tao Liufan by the lower leg.

The next moment, Tao Liufan was slammed directly to the ground.

The frail willow branches whipped about desperately, trying to bind or push Tang Wulin away.

But before Tang Wulin's immense strength and the spear in his left hand, everything the willow branches did was futile.

Neither Martial Soul was strong, but Tang Wulin's strength and the spear that had appeared in his left hand secured his victory in the third round.

"Just as expected of a glutton. All that food wasn't wasted," Tao Liufan snarled before running back to the outer circle.

Wu Changkong had originally been frowning slightly in displeasure, but when he saw the Blue Silver Grass spear appear in Tang Wulin's left hand, his pupils suddenly contracted.

Afterward, his gaze toward Tang Wulin carried a trace of fervor.

The matches continued, and Xie Xie unsurprisingly defeated his opponent once more.

By this point, only Tang Wuyang, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie remained from the entire class.

For a moment, every student's gaze focused on Wu Changkong.

Only three people were left. How were they supposed to compete?

After a brief silence, Wu Changkong said, "Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, fight first. The winner will face Tang Wuyang."

Under the entire class's watchful eyes, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie walked to the center and faced each other.

"Begin."

The moment those words fell, Xie Xie flashed forward.

The yellow ring beneath his feet lit up almost the instant he charged out, and his speed was incredibly fast.

Just as Xie Xie was about to reach Tang Wulin, Blue Silver Grass Vines continuously emerged around his feet, trying to stop his advance.

From the earlier matches, Xie Xie had already formed a preliminary judgment of Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass.

But only after actually fighting him did he understand that the Blue Silver Grass in Tang Wulin's hands looked fragile, yet was actually extremely tough.

At the same time, the instant he came into contact with the Blue Silver Grass, Xie Xie could clearly feel the Soul Power in his body draining away.

Although Xie Xie did not understand the reason, he knew it had to be related to Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.

Xie Xie reacted quickly. Once he realized something was wrong, he twisted and headed toward open ground not covered by Blue Silver Grass.

Tang Wulin had spread his Blue Silver Grass as widely as possible, but this was outdoors. His Blue Silver Grass could not cover everything.

After changing directions several times, Xie Xie finally found a gap in Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass. He stomped his right foot against the ground and flashed directly in front of Tang Wulin.

Seeing that the Blue Silver Grass could not catch up to him, Xie Xie revealed a confident smile.

However, in the next moment, something happened that none of the students except Tang Wuyang had expected—not even Wu Changkong.

Tang Wulin slowly raised his left hand, and a streak of silver-gray light flickered in his palm.

As the light faded, a silver-gray spear appeared in its place, with a magnificent gemstone embedded where the spearhead met the shaft.

The students watching from the side were all stunned. At the sight, the same four words surfaced in their minds: Twin Martial Souls!

The students who had fought Tang Wulin earlier found it even harder to believe. This guy had not even used his full strength in the previous matches!

No one had expected Tang Wulin, the owner of the Useless Martial Soul whom they had always looked down upon, to possess the extremely rare Twin Martial Souls.

Wu Changkong was surprised, but there was even more of an as expected look in his eyes.

When Xie Xie saw the spear in Tang Wulin's left hand, even he was briefly stunned. His gaze instinctively fell on his own left hand.

But in that instant of hesitation, Tang Wulin pressed the tip of the Holy Dragon Spear against Xie Xie's throat.

Wu Changkong had naturally noticed Xie Xie's strange reaction earlier.

"Tang Wulin wins."

Wu Changkong's voice was as calm as ever, but his eyes showed that he was far less calm than he appeared.

That was not only because Tang Wulin possessed Twin Martial Souls, but also because a sudden guess had surfaced in his mind.

Xie Xie walked to the side with a gloomy expression. He had originally wanted to use this chance to fight Tang Wuyang again.

But the result...

Wu Changkong turned his gaze to Tang Wuyang. "Tang Wuyang, it's your turn."

Just as Tang Wuyang stood opposite Tang Wulin, a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out from the side.

"Fourth round, second match: Tang Wuyang versus Wu Changkong."

"What?"

Before Tang Wuyang could react, the other students watching had already cried out in alarm.

Wu Changkong coldly swept his gaze over the students who had exclaimed. "Do you think there would be unfairness in my class?"

"Tang Wuyang, take one attack from me, then fight Tang Wulin."

After saying that, he pulled off his belt and walked toward Tang Wuyang.

Seeing this, Tang Wuyang hurriedly took out a Tungsten Steel Hammer and gripped it in his right hand, nervously watching Wu Changkong approach.

Wu Changkong flicked his wrist, straightening the belt taut. He stepped forward with his right foot and thrust it toward Tang Wuyang.

Tang Wuyang's reaction was not slow either. He raised his right hand and used the hammer to block.

Bang!

The tremendous force made Tang Wuyang stagger back several steps. He even rolled backward twice before steadying himself.

"Hiss."

Feeling a dull ache in the web between his right thumb and forefinger, Tang Wuyang involuntarily sucked in a breath.

"Rest for one minute, then the final."

With a flick of Wu Changkong's wrist, the belt looped back around his waist. Then he walked to the side.

After seeing Wu Changkong make his move, the students all fell silent, and their lines became visibly neater.

Having a teacher like this was incredibly stressful for every student!

A minute passed quickly. The two brothers stood facing each other from a short distance away.

"Begin." At Wu Changkong's command, both of them released their Martial Souls at the same time.

Although Tang Wulin possessed two Martial Souls, Tang Wuyang gradually suppressed him with Water Element Control.

In the end, Tang Wulin was defeated by Tang Wuyang's unexpected Ice Arrow attack.

Wu Changkong watched the two brothers. Although their Soul Power was rather low, their combat awareness was decent, and a trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.

But it quickly vanished, and his face returned to its icy expression.

Wu Changkong looked around at the entire class and said coldly, "The matches are over. Do you know what impression you gave me? You're hopeless!"

"No wonder you were assigned to Class Five. Your combat awareness is utterly terrible."

Then he pointed at Tang Wulin. "You all saw it just now. One of Tang Wulin's Martial Souls is the universally acknowledged Useless Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass."

"Moreover, aside from Xie Xie and Tang Wuyang, he did not even need to use his Second Martial Soul to defeat the rest of you."

"What did he rely on? Naturally, his physical abilities."

"Some of you must be thinking, what use are strong physical abilities? Once everyone raises their Soul Power and gains more Soul Skills, won't they still be able to defeat him?"

"But ask yourselves this: among you, how many can reach the level of obtaining a Second Soul Ring? And how many can possess three or more Soul Skills?"

"Your bodies are your own. So what can a powerful physique do for you?"

"Nowadays, Soul Power is no longer the threshold for becoming a Mecha Master. Powerful energy-storage Soul Tools allow ordinary people to become Mecha Masters as well."

"However, a strong physique is absolutely the foundation of becoming a Mecha Master. Without a good body, you will not be able to withstand the impacts within a Mecha or the demands of intense combat."

"Therefore, considering the weakness of your Martial Souls, our class will begin physical training tomorrow."

"From now on, physical training will take place every morning, and theoretical knowledge will be taught in the afternoon."

"Alright, this morning's class ends here."

"As for today's matches and what I said, go back and think about them carefully."

"This afternoon's theory class will teach Meditation. Dismissed!"

This was the longest Wu Changkong had ever spoken in front of everyone. His tone did not sound like a lecture; it was more like a statement of fact.

"Tang Wuyang, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, you three come with me." After saying that, Wu Changkong turned and walked toward the teaching building.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin exchanged a glance, confusion in both their eyes.

Xie Xie, however, looked happy. Before coming here, he had heard that competitions at the academy came with rewards.

Therefore, he felt that Wu Changkong had called the three of them away to hand out prizes. Following that thought, he began imagining what kind of gift he would receive.

Wu Changkong led the three of them to his office. It was not large, containing only a desk, a chair, and a bookcase.

"The trash I mentioned just now includes the three of you."

The first thing Wu Changkong said after sitting down shattered Xie Xie's fantasy.

Wu Changkong looked at Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin. "The two brothers performed fairly well, but that does not mean there are no problems."

"First, Tang Wuyang. Your Martial Soul is the Beast Martial Soul Qilin, so why does your Soul Skill control the Water Element? Did it mutate?"

Tang Wuyang looked at Wu Changkong. "Yes, Teacher Wu. My Martial Soul did mutate, but it does not seem to be a malignant mutation."

"As for the Soul Skill, I'm not very sure either. After fusing with a Soul Spirit, that was the Soul Skill I obtained."

Wu Changkong nodded upon hearing that, then immediately asked, "Then what is the deal with that hammer of yours?"

Tang Wuyang glanced at Tang Wulin. "My brother and I learned Forging."

Wu Changkong's brows twitched slightly. "Forging? You two brothers—one has Twin Martial Souls, and the other has a fairly decent Beast Martial Soul judging from his Soul Skill. That means your talents are not bad. Why learn Forging?"

"Your Soul Power is not high right now either, so why divide your energy toward other things? The most important thing for you now is cultivating Soul Power."

Tang Wulin lowered his head without speaking. Tang Wuyang pressed his lips together, then said firmly, "To save money!"

Surprise flashed through Wu Changkong's eyes at his answer.

"My brother and I come from an ordinary family. Our parents are both ordinary people, and after our Martial Soul Awakening, our appetites increased as well. Our parents' monthly income is only enough for our daily expenses."

"We simply do not have extra money to buy Soul Spirits, not even the cheapest Ten-Year White Soul Spirits, let alone two of them."

"So my brother and I do not regret learning Forging at all, even if our Soul Power is lower than that of others our age!"

Tang Wulin's eyes, as he looked at Wu Changkong, were filled with determination as well.

Xie Xie was stunned. He knew that Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang came from an ordinary family, but he had not expected them to be unable to afford even Soul Spirits. "Then your Soul Spirits were...?"

Tang Wulin replied, "Wuyang and I each earned enough money through Forging to buy a Random Soul Spirit."

"Our luck was fairly good. Although both Soul Spirits were low in age, neither was defective."

At that thought, a smile appeared on Tang Wulin's face. Xie Xie opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately closed it again.

Wu Changkong's gaze was somewhat complicated. He lowered his head slightly. "Sorry. It was my fault to draw conclusions without understanding your actual circumstances."

Tang Wuyang hurriedly said, "No, it's alright. Teacher Wu wasn't wrong either. My brother and I do have rather low Soul Power, but we'll work twice as hard."

Tang Wulin nodded beside him in agreement.

Wu Changkong shifted his gaze to Tang Wulin and asked, "I would like to see your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul."

Tang Wulin was somewhat puzzled, but he still released his Blue Silver Grass.

Wu Changkong reached out and grasped it, examining it carefully.

After a while, he looked at Tang Wulin and said, "Tang Wulin, I carefully examined your Blue Silver Grass."

"Your Blue Silver Grass has golden patterns that ordinary Blue Silver Grass does not possess."

"Can you tell me what your First Soul Skill is?"

Tang Wulin thought for a moment. "Teacher Wu, my First Soul Skill is Entwine."

"Anyone entwined by my Blue Silver Grass will have their Soul Power slowly devoured, but the effect is very weak, only around one percent."

Wu Changkong wore an expression of realization. "Tang Wulin, your Martial Soul may not be ordinary Blue Silver Grass. It may be the emperor among Blue Silver Grass, the Blue Silver Emperor."

"However, I cannot say with complete certainty whether your Martial Soul is truly a Blue Silver Emperor. At the very least, your Blue Silver Grass has reached the level of the Blue Silver King."

"Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain why you possess Twin Martial Souls."

Hearing this, Tang Wulin looked at Wu Changkong with hope in his eyes. Ever since his Martial Soul Awakening, people had constantly said that his Blue Silver Grass was a typical Useless Martial Soul.

Although Tang Wuyang comforted him every time, he still felt a trace of disappointment deep down.

Surprise appeared on Xie Xie's face. Blue Silver Grass, Blue Silver King, and Blue Silver Emperor differed by only one word, but their Martial Soul qualities were worlds apart.