This was a clearing in the woods. It was not large, but compared to the dense forest that had blocked out the sky and sun before, it was already a rare open space.
Several precious rays of sunlight, not completely blocked by the canopy, pierced through the shade like golden swords, casting columns of light that illuminated the dancing dust in the air and the massive, dazzling cluster of spiritual energy halos surrounding Situ Xuan.
The grass in the clearing was beaded with dew, glimmering faintly beneath the sunlight. It formed a strange yet stark contrast with the deathly halos Situ Xuan had brought with him.
A faint hum came from the training ground's metal supports trembling overhead, while dim yellow spotlights cast shadows across the bruise on Situ Xuan's right cheek.
He slowly raised his chin, his gaze sweeping across the five people before him. It paused briefly on Tang Wulin before drifting away again.
"What do you think?"
Watching the five of them stand as if facing a great enemy, Wu Zhangkong nodded in satisfaction. "Any objections?"
Situ Xuan shook his head and sneered. "What objections could I have? Didn't I just agree to come test the mettle of these defeated opponents?"
The moment those words came out, they immediately stirred the five people's dissatisfaction.
"Hey! Situ Xuan, give you an inch and you really take a mile?"
Xie Xie had the hottest temper among the five and had never thought highly of Situ Xuan. Naturally, his words came out sharp. "You don't really think we're afraid of you, do you?"
Situ Xuan looked Xie Xie up and down before speaking contemptuously. "Isn't this the useless dog who only knows how to talk after getting carried to victory?"
"If it weren't for Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, would you even have the chance to bark in front of me?"
During the Class One-Five and Grade One Class Three Class Promotion Tournament, Xie Xie had confidently taken responsibility for holding Situ Xuan back. In the end, one punch had left him unable to fight, and Situ Xuan had even lifted him with one hand to mock him.
With that humiliating matter brought up again, Xie Xie's face immediately flushed red with anger. Just as he was about to say something, Wu Zhangkong interrupted him.
"Enough! Whatever grudges you have, settle them when you start fighting."
Wu Zhangkong glanced at the timer in his hand. "You have three minutes to discuss your tactics."
"When time is up, practical combat begins."
The scenes intertwined in his mind. Not only did they fail to make him uncomfortable, they instead stirred within him a mad urge to completely destroy everything before his eyes.
His breathing involuntarily grew heavier. A wisp of black qi flickered between his brows, while the aura around him became increasingly dangerous and unstable, like a volcano that could erupt at any moment.
Just as the Malevolent Qi was about to further erode his mind and awaken deeper demonic thoughts—
"Roar—"
A low tiger's roar, carrying unquestionable authority and soothing power, sounded from the depths of his soul.
It was his Soul Spirit, Little Black Tiger!
Though it had fallen asleep to digest the vast amount of spiritual energy halos it had absorbed, its connection to Situ Xuan's origin allowed it to sense that its host's mind was on the verge of collapse.
This tiger's roar, originating from the very source of his soul, was not an actual sound. Yet it was like a great bell, scattering the slaughtering visions churning through Situ Xuan's mind and forcibly suppressing his soaring violent emotions.
Situ Xuan shuddered violently and woke from that nearly demonic rush of exhilaration. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
He panted heavily, a trace of lingering fear still in his eyes.
"That was close... This Black Heart Evil Palm really is wicked!"
He felt a chill in his heart. "Its power rises quickly, but the corrosion of one's mind is so domineering and fierce. Without Little Black Tiger's warning, just now I might have..."
He steadied his mind and no longer dared to circulate the Black Heart Evil Palm at full force. Instead, he controlled it at a relatively mild rhythm, using it primarily to absorb the scattered Malevolent Qi energy in the air and replenish himself rather than deliberately pursuing another breakthrough.
Increasing his strength was certainly important, but if he lost himself because of it and became a monster that only knew slaughter, then he would be putting the cart before the horse. That was absolutely not what he wanted.
After this ordeal, Situ Xuan gained a deeper understanding of these two powers.
"The Dragon-Turning Breathing Method follows the grand and righteous path. Its foundation is solid, it nourishes vitality and perceives the first opportunity, but its progress is relatively balanced and gentle. The Black Heart Evil Palm takes an unconventional path. Its progress is swift and its killing power terrifying, but it can easily backlash against the mind and shake one's foundation."
"That fusion during the day was only a delicate balance temporarily achieved under the pressure of life and death, when my mind was highly focused and unified, with battle intent as the bridge. Trying to pursue it deliberately would only make it difficult to replicate because my state of mind was different."
"If I want to truly combine them, perhaps... I cannot force their forms to merge. Instead, I should seek to control their intent?"
A thought flashed through his mind like lightning.
"The Dragon-Turning Breathing Method cultivates the self. It is about controlling oneself and observing external things. The Black Heart Evil Palm draws upon Malevolent Qi. It is about commanding external power and slaughtering all living beings. If I can use the true self forged by the Dragon-Turning Breathing Method as my foundation, use the perception of First of the First as my eyes, and then command the violent Malevolent Qi of the Black Heart Evil Palm, could I wield it as easily as my own limbs rather than becoming enslaved by it?"
"With my will, I shall command the ferocity of Malevolent Qi! This is not fusion, but... control!"
At that thought, Situ Xuan felt as if a new door had opened before him.
He no longer attempted to forcibly knead the energies of the two attributes together within his meridians. Instead, while maintaining the basic circulation of the Dragon-Turning Breathing Method and keeping a thread of clarity in his mind, he began guiding the strands of Malevolent Qi he absorbed into his body. Rather than allowing them to merge into the main current of Soul Power, he used his formidable willpower to restrain and compress them like wild horses, directing them toward secondary branches and extremities rather than the main meridians, even toward... his skin, flesh, and bones!
The process was still fraught with danger and pain. The Malevolent Qi was far more unruly than he had imagined. Every restraint was like conducting a miniature war within his body, and tearing pain continued to assault him.
But with the unwavering will he had tempered on the Spirit Ascension Platform, along with the stabilizing sensation brought by his connection with Little Black Tiger deep within his soul, he endured it by sheer force.
Gradually, the separated and restrained strands of Malevolent Qi stopped clashing with the pale golden main current of Soul Power. Instead, like parasites clinging to bone, they settled in those peripheral areas and slowly seeped through them, strengthening his body. In particular, the skin across his body faintly took on an extremely pale metallic black sheen, radiating an indestructible yet dangerous aura.
This was not a perfect solution. It was more like a dangerous compromise and experiment.
But at the very least, he had found a path that might work—a path that could increase his strength while minimizing the risk of his mind being eroded.
"Tell me how you felt about yesterday's Spirit Ascension Platform experience."
Wu Zhangkong stood behind the podium and spoke calmly to the six students in the classroom.
The five in the front row wore different expressions. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi's exhaustion was written all over their faces, as if they had suffered nightmares throughout the night.
Remembering the helplessness of being instantly defeated, Zhang Yangzi unconsciously clenched his fists. Wang Jinxi still felt lingering fear at the Man Faced Demon Spider's cold compound eyes and savage mouthparts. The terror of being torn apart bit by bit was not something easily driven away.
Xie Xie was not much better. The experience of being chased by a pack of Green Wolves until there was nowhere to flee had made his speed advantage as an Agility Attack System Soul Master seem utterly laughable. His gaze now wandered slightly, as if he were still guarding against nonexistent wolf howls.
Gu Yue, on the other hand, remained calm. From beginning to end, other than Tang Wulin, it seemed that nothing else could draw her attention...
Oh!
Situ Xuan was an exception. Whenever he beat her up, Gu Yue naturally looked quite displeased.
She was not particularly upset about being "killed" while covering the team's retreat. Instead, she was reviewing her elemental usage and tactical choices, her eyes filled with thought.
Tang Wulin was sincerely delighted because his Soul Spirit, Golden Light, had evolved. He was the only one whose face was excited and whose eyes shone brightly.
Not only had he killed two hundred-year Soul Beasts, but more importantly, he had felt his companions' trust and support, as well as the growth of his own strength.
Situ Xuan...
Situ Xuan was lying facedown on his desk in the back row, asleep. His breathing was even and deep, and he appeared to be sleeping soundly. Yet if someone skilled in sensing auras were present, they would notice that the aura around him was restrained to the extreme, as though he had drawn every bit of his sharpness into his body. Only a faint trace of Malevolent Qi lingered around him without dispersing, evidence that it had not yet completely settled after last night's attempt at "control."
He ignored Teacher Wu's question as though his Spirit Ascension Platform experience had been no more remarkable than drinking a glass of water yesterday.
Wu Zhangkong's ice-blue eyes swept over everyone, taking in each person's reaction. They finally paused on Situ Xuan for a moment, but he did not rebuke him.
"Zhang Yangzi."
Wu Zhangkong called his name. "You go first."
Zhang Yangzi took a deep breath and stood up, his tone carrying unwillingness and reflection. "I... was too careless. I underestimated the danger of the Spirit Ascension Platform. I thought I could handle it with the Dark Phantom Eagle's abilities, but in the end... I was eliminated before I even saw my opponent's true strength. I understand now that real combat is no game. Any underestimation of the enemy may come at a price."
Wu Zhangkong nodded slightly without commenting and turned his gaze to Wang Jinxi.
Wang Jinxi's voice was somewhat low. "I... I fell into a trap. Facing the Man Faced Demon Spider, I felt... felt powerless. The gap in strength was too great. My Bone Dragon King martial soul seemed... seemed to be suppressed." His words held confusion and dejection over his own martial soul.
"Xie Xie."
Xie Xie scratched his head awkwardly. "I got chased too badly. I only focused on running, and my attack rhythm was completely thrown off. Speed... isn't always everything. I still need better judgment and counterattacking ability."
When it was Gu Yue's turn, she stood up. Her tone was calm, but her words were clear and organized. "The Spirit Ascension Platform's simulated environment was realistic, and the Soul Beasts' behavioral patterns were logical. My elemental control was tested in real combat, but my Soul Power endurance and adaptability when facing an absolute difference in strength are still lacking. Covering my teammates' retreat was the best choice at the time, but perhaps I could have tried more effective methods of stopping the enemy."
Tang Wulin spoke last, his voice loud and spirited. "Teacher Wu, I felt great! It was dangerous, but fighting alongside my companions and defeating powerful enemies improved both my strength and control! And my Soul Spirit, Golden Light, evolved too! I like practical combat even more now!"
His optimism and resilience infected the somewhat gloomy atmosphere. Even Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi looked slightly better.
After listening to the five of them, Wu Zhangkong's gaze once again fell on the figure in the back row who was still "asleep."
"Situ Xuan."
There was no response.
The air in the classroom seemed to freeze for a moment.
Tang Wulin could not help wanting to turn around and call out to him, but Gu Yue stopped him with a look.
Wu Zhangkong's voice remained calm, but it carried an invisible pressure that spread like a cold current and precisely enveloped Situ Xuan. "Do I need to invite you to get up?"
Situ Xuan, who was lying on the desk, twitched his brow almost imperceptibly.
That cold pressure did not make him uncomfortable. Instead, it was like a whetstone, slightly suppressing the restless Malevolent Qi within him.
He slowly lifted his head. There was no trace of sleepiness on his face. His eyes were clear, even carrying a hint of irritation at being disturbed.
He rubbed between his brows and spoke lazily. His voice was hoarse as if he had just woken up, yet it held a hard edge. "Feeling? Nothing much. I killed what needed killing, survived what needed surviving, got tired, and came out."
Those few casual words brought varied expressions to the five people in the front row.
Tang Wulin was filled with admiration and longing. Xie Xie's mouth twitched speechlessly. Gu Yue's eyes deepened. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi wore complicated expressions, holding both awe and an indescribable frustration—they had struggled desperately, then reflected and summarized their experiences, yet to him, it was all so... insignificant.
Wu Zhangkong stared at Situ Xuan, as if trying to see something in his eyes. But those eyes were as deep as ancient wells, containing nothing beyond indifference and a faint, nearly imperceptible fatigue.
"We saw your battle."
Wu Zhangkong spoke slowly. "You drew upon Malevolent Qi, fought three thousand-year Soul Beasts alone, and ultimately won. It was impressive, but also extremely dangerous. That kind of power does not come without a price."
Situ Xuan raised a brow, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "I will bear the price myself. So long as the power can be used by me, that is enough."
"I hope so."
Wu Zhangkong did not pursue the matter further. Instead, he faced everyone. "From your summaries, you have all gained something to varying degrees, but you have also exposed problems. Zhang Yangzi's underestimation of the enemy, Wang Jinxi's lack of confidence when faced with suppression, Xie Xie's adaptability in battle, Gu Yue's endurance and response under extreme conditions, Tang Wulin... continue maintaining your fighting spirit. As for Situ Xuan..."
He paused. "Your individual combat strength is beyond question, but Zero Class is a whole. Being a 'freelancer' means greater responsibility. How to play your greatest role within the team is what you need to consider next."
"Now, the theory lesson is over."
Wu Zhangkong's tone shifted, and his cold aura suddenly became sharp. "Everyone, stand up. Gather at the field. Practical combat class begins."
Everyone perked up, especially Tang Wulin, whose eyes instantly ignited with fighting spirit.
Even Situ Xuan sat up slightly straighter, a hint of interest flashing through his eyes.
Simply listening to lessons bored him, but practical combat was precisely the best way to test what he had considered last night and temper the path of "control."
On the field, the cold wind howled.
Wu Zhangkong stood straight as a spear, looking at the six students lined up before him.
"Today's practical combat class is very simple."
He pointed at several marked areas on the field. "Teams of two. Free combat. Rules: no attacking vital areas, no deliberately crippling your opponent. Other than that, all methods are allowed until one side admits defeat or loses the ability to fight."
"Now, form your pairs."
His gaze swept across the six faces.
Before you continue