After that, Situ Xuan had no interest in talking anymore. He completely closed his eyes to rest, shutting out all outside scrutiny and discussion.
Seeing this, Long Hengxu and Wu Zhangkong could only turn their attention back to the observation screens and watch the performances of the other five Zero Class students.
However, after personally witnessing Situ Xuan's gripping display—his beastlike Malevolent Qi erupting in desperate circumstances and his almost miraculous combat techniques—whether it was Long Hengxu, Wu Zhangkong, or the Spirit Pagoda staff member, they found the other students' performances on the screens rather bland by comparison.
Wang Jinxi, who had the misfortune of falling into a trap, struggled briefly under the Man Faced Demon Spider's brutal assault before being mercilessly torn apart and eliminated;
Zhang Yangzi, brimming with confidence but lacking sufficient caution, tried to challenge a powerful flying Soul Beast, only to be instantly killed without so much as a ripple;
Relying on his formidable physique and Golden Dragon Claw, Tang Wulin painstakingly killed two powerful hundred-year Soul Beasts, displaying considerable potential and resilience;
Gu Yue's elemental control was exquisite and her tactics flexible, but when she encountered a thousand-year Soul Beast, she chose to stay behind and cover her companions. In the end, she collapsed from exhaustion and was "killed";
Xie Xie fully leveraged the speed advantage of the Agility Attack System, circling and harassing his opponents. At a crucial moment, he even took an attack head-on to create an opportunity for Tang Wulin, showing admirable team spirit.
Their performances would have been considered outstanding among the freshmen of any previous year, more than enough to draw attention.
Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie in particular worked well together and possessed firm resolve. They were all promising material.
But... all things feared comparison.
Compared to Situ Xuan's earth-shattering record of single-handedly unleashing Malevolent Qi, forcefully confronting three thousand-year Soul Beasts, laughing and roaring amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood before ultimately fighting his way to victory, everyone else's performances seemed... far too "normal," even somewhat dim and lackluster.
That wildness and strength—the ultimate fusion of personal martial prowess and combat wisdom—had already exceeded their conventional understanding of what a "genius" was.
As all the students gradually withdrew from the Spirit Ascension Platform and sat up from their metal coffins with expressions of dejection, exhaustion, or excitement, the first person they noticed was Situ Xuan, who had long since been sitting nearby with his eyes closed as though he had merely taken a short nap.
Zhang Yangzi's expression was ugly, Wang Jinxi's gaze complicated, while Xie Xie and Gu Yue looked at him with curiosity and a faint, barely perceptible reverence.
Tang Wulin looked at Situ Xuan's clothes, damaged though they were, yet carrying an increasingly solemn and deep aura. His fists slowly clenched, his eyes burning with an unwillingness to admit defeat, though even more apparent was the gravity of facing such an immense gap.
At first, they had wondered whether Situ Xuan had been eliminated early due to bad luck, or had recklessly thrown away his life like Zhang Yangzi.
But when Long Hengxu, unable to contain his excitement, briefly described Situ Xuan's "feat" within the Spirit Ascension Platform, the entire rest area fell into dead silence.
Killing hundred-year Soul Beasts one after another?
Fighting and killing three thousand-year Soul Beasts alone?
Turning the tables in desperate circumstances?
Forcing back a tide of rats?
Every phrase was like a heavy hammer striking their hearts.
Especially the line, "It wasn't that he didn't want to stay longer. He was just tired and wanted to rest," which gave everyone an utterly absurd sense of shock.
The word "rest" felt so unfamiliar and... domineering within the Spirit Ascension Platform, where dangers lurked everywhere and every second counted toward improvement.
Wu Zhangkong's icy gaze swept across the students, taking in their varied reactions. He cleared his throat and broke the silence, his voice still devoid of warmth. "This Spirit Ascension Platform combat exercise has concluded. Your overall performance... was acceptable. I will now announce the temporary class committee appointments for Zero Class."
Everyone's attention was drawn over. Even Situ Xuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them slightly.
"Tang Wulin."
Wu Zhangkong's gaze fell on Tang Wulin. "You demonstrated decent leadership potential in battle, a resilient will, and the courage to shoulder responsibility. You are appointed Zero Class Monitor for one year. You will coordinate daily affairs and lead the team in progressing together."
Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then straightened his chest and answered loudly, "Yes, Teacher Wu! I'll work hard!"
"Gu Yue."
Wu Zhangkong turned to Gu Yue. "Your elemental control is exceptional, your tactical thinking clear, and you were able to make sacrifices for the team at critical moments. You are appointed vice class monitor, assisting Tang Wulin in managing the class."
Gu Yue nodded lightly, her expression calm. "Yes."
After announcing these two appointments, Wu Zhangkong's gaze finally landed on Situ Xuan in the corner. His expression became somewhat complicated. After pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a rare note of deliberation. "Situ Xuan..."
Everyone pricked up their ears, curious what duty would be assigned to this student who had created a miracle.
"...will serve as Zero Class's free agent."
Wu Zhangkong finally spoke this somewhat unusual title.
A free agent?
Everyone was stunned. Such a position was not common in the academy's class structure.
Wu Zhangkong looked at Situ Xuan, his tone calm yet meaningful. "Your combat style... is unique. Your individual ability is exceptionally outstanding, and conventional team coordination may not be entirely suited to you. A 'free agent' means you will not be bound by a fixed tactical position. You may assess the situation and act freely, using your greatest individual abilities at critical moments to break deadlocks or carry out special missions."
He paused, a sharp glint flashing through his ice-blue eyes. "But 'freedom' does not mean doing whatever you please, nor does it mean separating yourself from the collective. You must be responsible for the team's ultimate victory. Your 'freedom' must be founded upon the team's interests. Do you understand?"
Those words were both an acknowledgment of Situ Xuan's uniqueness and an invisible restraint, as well as an expression of enormous expectations.
Forcing such an overwhelmingly powerful existence into a conventional team might instead have the opposite effect.
Giving him "freedom" was both a helpless measure and the optimal solution.
At that, the corner of Situ Xuan's mouth lifted slightly in an almost imperceptible curve.
This arrangement suited him quite well.
He hated being constrained by rules and regulations. This identity as a "free agent" gave him plenty of room to act as he pleased.
He raised his eyes to meet Wu Zhangkong's gaze. Neither excited nor modest, he merely nodded calmly. "Fine."
There was no assurance, no oath—only one simple word, yet it carried a matter-of-fact confidence.
Long Hengxu watched from the side and nodded inwardly.
Wu Zhangkong's arrangement was indeed ingenious. It both placated Situ Xuan, this "humanoid ferocious beast," and preserved the class's overall structure. Only...
Looking at Situ Xuan's calm, unruffled face, Long Hengxu could not help but sigh inwardly. With this "free agent" around, Zero Class would likely never be peaceful again.
The days ahead were destined to be anything but boring.
Before you continue