Competition

Wu Changkong turned to look at Xie Xie. "As for you, Xie Xie."

"To be honest, among the three of you, I think you're the worst."

Xie Xie immediately looked unconvinced, but before he could say anything, Wu Changkong continued, "Keeping your Twin Martial Souls hidden was fun, wasn't it? Eighteenth Rank Soul Power."

"More than that, you relied on the innate advantage of Twin Martial Souls. You have Innate Full Soul Power. That makes you very proud, doesn't it?"

Xie Xie stared at Wu Changkong in shock. "Teacher Wu, how did you..."

Wu Changkong said coldly, "You still have a long way to go! There are plenty of useless people with Twin Martial Souls. Your Soul Power is six ranks higher than Tang Wulin's, yet he defeated you."

Xie Xie's face flushed red. "I..."

He wanted to argue, but for a moment, he was left speechless.

Wu Changkong did not even spare him a glance. "All right, let's get to business."

Xie Xie perked up. Were they handing out rewards?

"Every New School Year, the academy holds a competition. Both the Intermediate Department and Advanced Department take part."

"The Intermediate Department has six grades in total, and all of them will participate. The competition is called the Promotion Tournament."

"The Promotion Tournament?" Tang Wuyang could not help muttering.

Both he and Tang Wulin had puzzled looks in their eyes.

Wu Changkong said, "The so-called Promotion Tournament begins with the weakest class. Students are chosen to issue challenges, with Grade One Class Five challenging Grade One Class Four, and so on."

"If the challenger wins, the class prefixes are exchanged."

"In other words, if we defeat Class Four, we will no longer be Grade One Class Five, the bottom-ranked class. We will become Grade One Class Four."

"The lower-ranked class decides how many people will challenge. After winning, they can continue challenging higher-ranked classes until they lose, all the way from First Grade to Sixth Grade."

"At most, you can earn the title of Class One of your grade. If you continue challenging higher-grade classes and win, you will receive rewards for every successful cross-grade challenge."

Xie Xie said, "So our class is the first to issue a challenge?"

There were six grades in total, with five classes in First Grade. Class Five ranked last, which meant their class was at the bottom of the entire Intermediate Department.

"Yes!" Wu Changkong nodded. "For a class, this is a Battle of Glory."

"At the same time, if you can challenge across grades, the rewards will be extremely generous."

Xie Xie said arrogantly, "No problem, Teacher Wu. Leave it to me. I'll fight my way up one-on-one. Maybe I'll challenge all the way to Sixth Grade."

Wu Changkong gave a disdainful snort. "The minimum number of participants is three. And do you really think Twin Martial Souls make you invincible? Do you know what kind of people get selected for Class One?"

"In this world, there is never a shortage of geniuses. At the same time, many geniuses fall before they can mature."

"In the Intermediate Department, your Talent can only be considered average."

Xie Xie barely took in the rest. He only caught Wu Changkong's first sentence. He turned to Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang in shock. "Teacher, you don't mean I have to compete with them, do you?"

Wu Changkong leaned against the backrest of his chair, suddenly appearing very generous. "You may choose someone better if you can."

"I..." Xie Xie really wanted to say that he would not team up with those two, but after recalling the utterly miserable abilities of the other classmates during the class sparring, he truly could not say it.

Ignoring Xie Xie's reluctance, Wu Changkong continued, "The competition will take place in one month. So starting tomorrow, aside from attending class, I will put the two of you through special training every evening."

"The task I've set for you is simple. Turn our class into Class One of First Grade."

Tang Wulin asked instinctively, "What if we can't do it?"

"Heh heh!" Wu Changkong smiled. Already exceptionally handsome, that smile left Tang Wuyang, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie staring blankly.

Yet even as they stared, the three of them felt an icy chill suddenly rise from their tailbones, piercing them to the bone.

After leaving Wu Changkong's office, Tang Wulin's furrowed eyebrows gradually relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Tang Wuyang lightly patted his older brother's shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up.

He understood that although Tang Wulin claimed not to care, how could he truly remain unmoved? Now things were better. Even Teacher Wu believed that his Blue Silver Grass might be a top-tier Martial Soul—the Blue Silver Emperor!

"Wei!"

Just as the brothers were rejoicing over Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass not being a Useless Martial Soul, Xie Xie called out to them coldly.

Tang Wuyang turned to him. "What? Don't worry, I'll fight you again. I won't eat your Meal A for free."

Xie Xie froze for a moment. Wasn't this guy supposed to love money? Yet he actually...

"I'm not talking about that. I'm telling you not to hold me back in the competition a month from now." Xie Xie said arrogantly.

Tang Wulin, standing to the side, let out a soft sigh. "Does your face still hurt?"

The pride on Xie Xie's face instantly stiffened, and his fists clenched tightly.

Tang Wuyang patted his shoulder. "My brother and I have something to do tonight. Tomorrow night, then. I'll fight you."

After their several clashes, Tang Wuyang was no longer quite so opposed to fighting Xie Xie.

After all, these bouts had greatly improved his control over the Water Element.

At Wu Changkong's instruction, the morning classes ended early.

Tang Wuyang had originally wanted to rush straight to the canteen, but Tang Wulin pulled him back. "Ge, what is it?"

Tang Wulin waved the photos in his hand. Tang Wuyang immediately understood, and together, they ran over to wait by the Advanced Department.

When the dismissal bell rang, the brothers soon saw Liu Yuxin walk out with several female classmates.

"Senior Sister Yuxin." Tang Wulin waved at her.

Liu Yuxin spotted them at once and quickly walked over with the other students.

"Wow, Yuxin, so you like cute little boys? These two little brothers are pretty handsome. They'll definitely grow into big heartthrobs." An Advanced Department girl with Danfeng Eyes smiled at Liu Yuxin suggestively.

Liu Yuxin said irritably, "Don't talk nonsense. These are Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang, little juniors from First Grade in our Intermediate Department."

"Wulin, Wuyang, do you need something?"

Tang Wulin handed over the Soul Guidance Camera he had been holding in his hand.

"Senior Sister, I took some pictures for you, but it wouldn't be good to keep doing this, so I'm giving it back."

Liu Yuxin's pretty face reddened, and she shot him a glance. "All right, all right, then that's that. Thank you. As thanks, Senior Sister will treat you two to a meal."

Tang Wuyang hurriedly shook his head. "No need. My brother and I will eat back in the Intermediate Department."

He knew his place well enough. If she was treating them to a meal, she certainly would not be treating them to free C Meal. At the very least, it would be B Meal or better.

Given his and Tang Wulin's appetites, he was truly afraid they would eat Liu Yuxin broke. That would be far too embarrassing.

Watching Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang's retreating figures, the girl with Danfeng Eyes asked in confusion, "Yuxin, what did you have them photograph?"

Liu Yuxin said mysteriously, "Wulin and Wuyang are students from Teacher Wu Changkong's class."

"Ahhh! The Cold and Arrogant God! Hurry, let me see!"

When they opened the camera, Wu Changkong's figure immediately appeared on the tiny screen. The pictures had been taken in rapid succession, capturing a series of movements as Wu Changkong undid his belt and pulled it free.

The girls' eyes all widened, their faces flushed red, and they were practically drooling.

"One Meal A, Yuxin. Sell me the photos."

"Exclusive rights! I absolutely refuse to let anyone else see my Prince Charming taking off his belt!"

"Two meals! Same reason!"

Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang had no idea that the photos they took had sparked fierce competition among several senior girls.

After lunch, the two returned to the classroom and continued their afternoon lessons.

The Meditation Technique Wu Changkong taught was indeed much more complicated than the one at Primary Academy, but its effects were obviously better as well.

It was said to be a simplified version of the Super Meditation Technique derived from Shrek Academy, the continent's legendary academy.

Under the pressure of Wu Changkong's cold, stern gaze, the students learned quickly. By the end of the afternoon, nearly everyone had grasped the basic method of circulation.

After school, Tang Wuyang dragged Tang Wulin into the canteen first. After the brothers devoured dinner at whirlwind speed, they rushed outside like the wind.

They still had something important to do today: go to the Forging Master Association to collect their respective Forging Master Badges and pick up some Forging Tasks.

Saving money was undoubtedly the most important thing for them right now.

After all, a Century Soul Spirit cost a million Federation Coins. If they had anything left over in the future, they wanted to buy Meal A too.

After eating Meal A that morning, both Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin could clearly feel the changes in their bodies.

The brothers eagerly headed toward the academy gates. They had just stepped outside when a black Soul Guidance Car suddenly sped over. It was moving so fast that Tang Wulin hurriedly pulled Tang Wuyang, who was walking ahead, two steps back.

"Move aside!" A crisp voice rang out behind them.

The brothers turned around and saw a young girl with long golden hair glaring at them.

They instinctively stepped aside. The young girl passed by them, and by then, a driver had already gotten out of the black car and opened the door for her.

The young girl got into the car. The driver carefully shut the door before climbing back in and driving the black sedan away in a cloud of dust.

The brothers exchanged a glance, knowing they had the same thought: another child from a wealthy family.

To say they were not envious at all would have been a lie.

But Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin were not jealous. They understood that this was the result of someone else's hard work and effort, and through their own efforts, they would have a chance too.

Putting this minor interruption behind them, the brothers continued toward the Forging Master Association.

Mu Xi had been in an especially gloomy mood these past two days.

The day before yesterday should have been her day of glory, but an unexpected development had ruined it.

When she successfully completed Hundred Refinements Purification on Rare Metal, passed the assessment, and became a Second Rank Forging Master.

Before she even had time to celebrate, she learned that before her assessment, a pair of brothers only nine years old had already completed the Second Rank Forging Master assessment.

Nine years old—how was that possible?

Ever since she was very young, her favorite thing had been watching her dad forge.

Her dad told her that girls were not suited for forging. Swinging an iron hammer was something men should do.

But stubborn Mu Xi insisted on what she loved. She had begun swinging a specially made little iron hammer at the age of five.

At first, her father thought she was merely playing around. But she persisted for a full two years, imitating his movements every day. Only then did she truly move Mu Chen, the president of the Eastsea City Forging Master Association, and he formally began teaching her forging.

Mu Xi had inherited her father's Martial Soul, making her naturally suited for it, and she was willing to work hard.

Mu Chen had no choice but to find special medicinal ingredients to help his daughter maintain her figure, so that she could build enough strength without turning into a brawny tomboy.

Mu Xi loved forging from the bottom of her heart!

At the age of eleven, she officially became a Level One Forging Master. Under Mu Chen's guidance, she progressed rapidly.

Not long after her thirteenth birthday, she finally attempted the Second Rank Forging Master examination and passed on her first try.

Mu Xi remembered clearly that her dad had said she had surpassed him at the same age and was absolutely a little genius in the Forging World.

But why had two nine-year-old brats become Second Rank Forging Masters just like her? And why were they so highly praised by the evaluators?

Though the evaluators had not said it outright, she could tell from their expressions that, in their eyes, those two brats were clearly stronger than her!

She heard they would be coming to collect their Badges today. She wanted to see what kind of people they really were!

Glancing up at the massive hammer on the sign, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin strode into the Forging Master Association together.

Yun Xiaoling, who had received them before, saw the brothers and quickly came over. "Tang Wuyang, Tang Wulin, you finally came."

In fact, she had been instructed from above to wait specifically for these two little fellows.

Yun Xiaoling's gaze toward the brothers was filled with curiosity.

Nine-year-old Second Rank Forging Masters!

How in the world had they done it?

Apparently, the two of them had broken the headquarters' age record.

The record for the youngest Level One Forging Master in the Forging Master Association was held by the current president of the association, who had achieved it at eight years old.

Yet even a genius like the president had only become a Second Rank Forging Master at eleven, two full years later than the two children before her.

The association placed special importance on these two children. They had instructed the front desk early on that as soon as they arrived, they were to be brought upstairs immediately.

"Hello, Sister Xiaoling."

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin both had good memories and clearly remembered this sister's name.

Yun Xiaoling smiled. "You two are amazing. I heard you both passed the Second Rank Forging Master assessment."

As she spoke, she bent down and leaned closer, studying the two handsome little fellows seriously.

Tang Wuyang scratched his cheek shyly, while Tang Wulin looked even more embarrassed. "Not really. Wuyang and I were just lucky."

Yun Xiaoling gave a soft laugh. "You already know how to be modest at such a young age? Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

"Thank you, Sister."

After thanking her in unison, the two followed Yun Xiaoling into the Soul Guidance Elevator.

Tang Wuyang was surprised to see Yun Xiaoling press the button for the top floor and could not help asking curiously, "Sister Xiaoling, where are we going?"

Tang Wulin naturally noticed as well and also looked at Yun Xiaoling.

Yun Xiaoling smiled. "To the place where you collect your rank Badges."