Victory

"Begin."

The moment Wu Zhangkong's words fell, Tang Wulin released his Blue Silver Grass and swiftly exerted force through his legs, lunging at Nan Fusheng with explosive speed.

Tang Wulin had carefully observed Nan Fusheng's previous three matches. He had noticed that Nan Fusheng's opponents in the first two rounds had fainted directly while he was using his Soul Skill. Yet in the third round, when he fought Han Lan, Nan Fusheng had not knocked Han Lan unconscious immediately.

The difference was that Han Lan had distanced himself from Nan Fusheng at once and trapped him. Although Nan Fusheng had ultimately still won, Tang Wulin had spotted a flaw. It seemed Nan Fusheng needed a certain amount of time to activate his Soul Skill. Otherwise, why had he not knocked his opponent unconscious right away, instead allowing him the chance to use a Soul Skill?

Though it was only a guess, Tang Wulin could only gamble on whether he was right. So, he chose to charge Nan Fusheng immediately while using the Blue Silver Grass as much as possible to obscure both himself and Nan Fusheng's vision, hoping to decide the match as quickly as he could. Unfortunately!

"First Soul Skill (Modified): Steal."

Tang Wulin still fell. As he collapsed onto the ground, Nan Fusheng slowly walked toward him. He appeared relaxed, but his body remained taut, ready to retreat at once if anything seemed amiss. After all, his opponent was the "Son of the Plane." He had to be careful in case Tang Wulin suddenly erupted. Yet even when Nan Fusheng reached him, Tang Wulin did not get back up.

A trace of surprise flashed through Wu Zhangkong's eyes. He nodded and said, "Nan Fusheng wins." Even with his eyesight, he still could not see through the details of Nan Fusheng's Soul Skill. He could only roughly guess that it targeted the mind, yet it did not resemble the methods of a Spirit-type Soul Master. That sparked a little interest in Nan Fusheng.

Wu Zhangkong turned to Xie Xie. "Xie Xie, your turn."

With a leap, Xie Xie landed in the center of the field and looked smugly at Nan Fusheng. In truth, he would have preferred to fight Tang Wulin. Tang Wulin had beaten him up twice in a row, and each time, he had specifically targeted Xie Xie's face. But it was fine. Nan Fusheng seemed to be Tang Wulin's fellow townsman, and he had even beaten Tang Wulin. Xie Xie would get his dignity back from him first.

Just as Xie Xie was working himself up and preparing to face Nan Fusheng, a cold voice suddenly rang out from the side.

"Fourth round, second match: Xie Xie versus Wu Zhangkong."

"What?" Xie Xie cried out, turning to look at the cold and aloof male idol.

Wu Zhangkong shot him a chilly glance. "You had a bye in the third match. Did you think unfairness would be allowed in my class? Take one attack from me, then fight Nan Fusheng."

Xie Xie stared at him in astonishment. "Teacher Wu, you're not joking, are you? You're a teacher."

Wu Zhangkong had already strolled over to Nan Fusheng. He waved a hand at him, and Nan Fusheng obediently left the field. Wu Zhangkong patted his waist with his right hand and directly undid his belt.

"Teacher, what are you doing?" Xie Xie warily took two steps back, but he soon realized Wu Zhangkong's trousers fit him perfectly. Even with the belt undone, they showed no sign of falling.

With a flick of his wrist, Wu Zhangkong pulled the belt taut and straight. He said blandly, "I won't release my Martial Soul. You only need to take one strike from me." As he spoke, he stepped forward with his left foot, and the Belt Sword in his hand thrust toward Xie Xie.

Xie Xie had perhaps the richest combat experience of anyone in the class. He instantly released his Martial Soul and retreated like lightning.

What a joke. Did not releasing his Martial Soul mean he was weak? With Soul Power supporting it, there was no difference between a belt and a sharp sword. Running came first.

Xie Xie had absolute confidence in his speed. As he retreated, the Light Dragon Dagger guarded his front.

But then, something that horrified him happened. He was retreating at top speed, yet Wu Zhangkong's Belt Sword remained in front of him the entire time. It looked like nothing more than the simplest straight thrust, but no matter how he tried, he could not evade it.

Smack!

"Ow!"

Just before it pierced Xie Xie, the belt went limp again and lashed across his shoulder, sending him flying sideways. He rolled twice across the ground before climbing back up, clutching his shoulder and grimacing in pain.

Even more terrifyingly, sweat instantly poured down Xie Xie's forehead. In the instant before Wu Zhangkong struck him, he had even felt as though his life were about to end. That overwhelming pressure had pushed his mind into extreme tension, and once he relaxed after being sent flying, he ended up like this.

Too terrifying. Just how strong was Teacher Wu?

"One minute of rest, then the final." Wu Zhangkong flicked his wrist, wrapping the belt around his waist again before walking to the side.

Xie Xie wiped away his sweat and stood there with a thoughtful expression, pondering the pressure brought by that sword strike.

Wu Zhangkong's strike had not been without purpose. Under that pressure, Xie Xie seemed to have grasped something. Wu Zhangkong had appeared to use only one sword strike, yet his aura had sealed off every route of retreat and clung to him, leaving him no chance to break away. In that situation, how should he rush through?

"One minute is up. Prepare."

Xie Xie raised his head again and looked toward Nan Fusheng, who stood off to the side. Nan Fusheng was looking at him as well.

Xie Xie had watched Nan Fusheng's earlier battles too. Like Tang Wulin, he believed Nan Fusheng needed time to activate his Soul Skill, and he was certain that with his speed, he could take Nan Fusheng down before the latter could use it.

But after being brutally thrashed by Wu Zhangkong, Xie Xie had reined in his pride and prepared to go all out.

"Begin!"

With Wu Zhangkong's command, the final showdown of Grade 1 Class 5 began.

Xie Xie released his Martial Soul. Light gleamed from the Light Dragon Dagger in his palm. His right hand, which held the dagger, shifted slightly to the side, while his left hand rose as well, as though grasping something invisible. His entire body pounced toward Nan Fusheng like an agile leopard.

Nan Fusheng released his Martial Soul immediately as well. His gaze flickered as he watched Xie Xie charge straight at him.

Though Wu Zhangkong's earlier battle with Xie Xie had been a one-sided beating, after experiencing that sword strike, Xie Xie had not only gained some insight, but his mind had also entered an excited state. Under such circumstances, Xie Xie's resistance to mental-type Soul Skills had greatly increased.

"What a pity. I'm not really a Spirit-type Soul Master."

First Soul Skill (Modified): Steal.

The familiar stance, the familiar face-plant. Before Xie Xie could deal any damage, he was directly eliminated.

"Nan Fusheng wins."

Wu Zhangkong swept his gaze over the entire class and said coldly, "The matches are over. Do you know what impression you give me?"

"Rotten wood cannot be carved!" The cold and aloof male idol answered his own question.

"No wonder you were assigned to Class 5. You're all utterly useless. But even if you're scraps of iron, I'll temper you into steel. You all saw the matches just now, didn't you? Nan Fusheng's Soul Power is vastly weaker than Xie Xie's, yet he still defeated Xie Xie in the end. And what is Tang Wulin's Martial Soul? The universally acknowledged useless Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass. If he hadn't run into Nan Fusheng, the outcome of his battle with Xie Xie would still have been uncertain."

After criticizing Class 5, Wu Zhangkong told them about the importance of physical fitness, announced that they would undergo physical training tomorrow, and then dismissed the class.

"Nan Fusheng, Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, you three, come with me." After saying that, Wu Zhangkong turned and headed toward the teaching building.