We're Brothers-What More Is There to Say?

"Xie Xie..."

"I didn't expect you to really have Innate Full Soul Power."

Wei Xiaofeng said gravely. He looked at Xie Xie in front of him, then at Gu Yue on the other side.

He never would've guessed that two people with the same talent could be an entire major realm apart in cultivation.

Just how lazy had Xie Xie been? And on top of that, unlike Gu Yue, he had a Second Martial Soul!

"Hmph, that's right!"

"So don't look at me like you don't believe it. I just never focused on cultivating before. When the tournament starts, I might not be any worse than you."

Xie Xie's face was full of frustration as he snorted.

"Then good luck..."

"Teacher, what about Tang Wulin? His strength definitely isn't as good as ours, right?"

Wei Xiaofeng chuckled and stopped focusing on Xie Xie. He turned to look in Tang Wulin's direction and asked curiously.

If even Xie Xie had Innate Full Soul Power, could Tang Wulin be someone special too?

"Tang Wulin's talent really isn't very good. He only has Innate Soul Power of level three, and his current cultivation of level fourteen isn't impressive either. He's the weakest in Class One."

"But his Soul Power has increased by eleven levels in three years, surpassing Xie Xie's. He even easily defeated a level-seventeen Power Attack System Soul Master before. His talent is also nothing to scoff at."

Wu Changkong explained. It sounded unbelievable, but Tang Wulin's talent really was better than Xie Xie's.

If Xie Xie could be selected, then Tang Wulin could certainly be selected too.

"Hmm..."

"What an admirable guy!"

Wei Xiaofeng said sincerely, admiration in his eyes. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi beside him felt the same way.

He'd thought it was already rare for him to cultivate faster than Xie Xie. He hadn't expected that even someone with Innate Soul Power of level three could do it!

Tang Wulin's potential was actually greater than Xie Xie's!

"No, no..."

Seeing the attention Zhang Yangzi and the others were giving him, Tang Wulin smiled bashfully and shook his head. He'd only made sure to cultivate diligently in his spare time from blacksmithing.

"Wulin also has an advantage you don't. He's a Master-level blacksmith, with a professional rank above level three. That's another area where you can't compare to him."

Lu Li smiled and added.

"A Master-level blacksmith!?"

Hearing that, Wei Xiaofeng, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi all widened their eyes. They were shocked, but also filled with respect!

After all, a Master-level secondary profession might be on the same level as a Soul Grandmaster, though most secondary professions weren't as impressive as being a Soul Grandmaster. Blacksmithing was an exception.

A Master-level blacksmith!

Blacksmithing was the hardest secondary profession, after all. Countless people stayed stuck at level-three blacksmithing their whole lives.

Tang Wulin was only nine years old. A blacksmithing master at his age was far more valuable than a Soul Grandmaster!

"Tang Wulin, you...?"

Xie Xie blinked in surprise, staring at Tang Wulin beside him in a daze, his face bitter. He'd considered Tang Wulin a friend, yet Tang Wulin hadn't even told him!

Tang Wulin...

You're such a jerk!

Gu Yue listened to all this with a calm expression. For ordinary people, one of the greatest—and most basic—effects of possessing Golden Dragon King Bloodline was immense strength.

That was why a human boy with a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul could achieve so much in blacksmithing. Even without awakening the power of the Golden Dragon King, just that most basic enhancement...

was already enough to change his potential.

"Now you all understand, right? Tang Wulin and Xie Xie may not be Soul Grandmasters, but they're both talented and each has other advantages."

"If you take part in the Class Promotion Tournament later, whichever of you represents the class, it won't stop you from forming a strong friendship and becoming friends at the academy."

"Head back. Remember to cultivate hard."

Lu Li chuckled as he looked at everyone before him.

"Yes, Teacher Lu Li!"

Hearing that, everyone smiled and nodded. Gu Yue soon disappeared, while the others left the office at an unhurried pace.

"I didn't know you were so impressive. We only cared about Martial Soul talent. You're much more impressive than us, Tang Wulin."

"My name's Zhang Yangzi. It's nice to meet you."

After leaving the teaching building, Zhang Yangzi was the first to approach Tang Wulin in the open area below. He looked at him apologetically and offered his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too."

Tang Wulin smiled back and shook his hand.

"I'm Wei Xiaofeng."

"Wang Jinxi."

Wei Xiaofeng and Wang Jinxi stepped forward one after another to shake his hand.

The first handshake didn't feel like anything special, but the instant Wang Jinxi's hands met Tang Wulin's, he felt as though there was something extraordinary inside him.

"Tang Wulin, do you really only have a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul?"

"Maybe this is a bit presumptuous, but I feel like there's something inside you that's attracting my Martial Soul. It feels like our bloodlines are connected."

Wang Jinxi lowered his head and couldn't help asking.

"Our bloodlines are connected?"

"That can't be right."

Tang Wulin froze. He knew how powerful Wang Jinxi's dragon Martial Soul was. How could it possibly have anything to do with him?

Blue Silver Grass and the Bone Dragon King...

They had nothing to do with each other!

But at the mention of it, the golden giant dragon he often dreamed about appeared in his mind. He instinctively shook his head. That definitely couldn't be it.

"..."

Xie Xie walked silently beside Tang Wulin without saying a word. Seeing how popular Tang Wulin was, he couldn't hide the disappointment in his eyes.

He'd only been friends with him for two days, for crying out loud! You're all standing so close to him—where am I supposed to go?

He only had one friend, for crying out loud!

"So annoying..."

Whatever. Tang Wulin's the only friend I need. Who cares about making other friends...

Just then, Wei Xiaofeng quietly came over and held out his hand.

"You may be a little lazy."

"But we fought each other, and we'll be teammates from now on. We should be friends too."

Wei Xiaofeng snorted and gave him a disdainful look, but still spoke gently.

"Tch..."

"Who wants to be your friend?"

Xie Xie snorted, but his hand still reached out to shake Wei Xiaofeng's.

"Thanks, brother."

He turned his head away and murmured.

"Hey, you called me brother, so what's there to say? Yangzi, Jinxi, come over here! We've got a tsundere!"

Wei Xiaofeng grinned as he waved Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi over.

"A tsundere? Who are you calling a tsundere?"

Xie Xie's face tightened. Did Wei Xiaofeng even know what it meant to be aloof?

"I can vouch for him. Xie Xie really is a tsundere!"

Tang Wulin walked over with a smile and told the truth.

Xie Xie jumped, his face full of anger. "What the hell, Tang Wulin? Whose side are you on?"

Wei Xiaofeng grinned and draped an arm around both of them. "Doesn't matter. We're all brothers!"

"..."

Upstairs, Lu Li watched through the window as everyone left with smiles on their faces. The corners of his mouth lifted. They really were just kids. How amusing.

"Brother Lu, how do you feel on your first day as a teacher?"

Wu Changkong stood beside him and asked quietly.

"Does wanting to clock out all the time count?"

Lu Li chuckled.

"Fine, fine."

"So you've started working already."

Wu Changkong gave him a speechless look, then quickly left Lu Li's office and headed for his own quarters.

Today, he still had to cultivate hard!

"..."