The Competition Begins

Wu Zhangkong said, "The Class Promotion Tournament is about to begin. One match a day, until you fail a challenge. You have only one goal: fight your way to Grade 4."

Fight their way to Grade 4? Upon hearing those words, the other two were stunned, while Nan Fusheng and Gu Yue looked completely unconcerned.

One had to know that within Eastsea Academy, some particularly talented students had reached at least the two-ring level by Grade 4. There were even two-ring Soul Grandmasters among the third-years. They were only first-years; fighting their way to Grade 4 would be easier said than done.

Wu Zhangkong said blandly, "Oh, and I meant Grade 4 Class 1. Defeat Grade 4 Class 1, and you can claim all the rewards. Otherwise, everything will be confiscated as class funds."

Xie Xie protested, "Teacher Wu, isn't that too harsh?"

Wu Zhangkong said, "If you think it's harsh, you can withdraw. Fusheng, Wulin, and Gu Yue can compete as a trio."

"Sure! I was just thinking I didn't want this dead weight anyway." Gu Yue fiddled with her fingers as she spoke indifferently.

"You!" Xie Xie spun around and glared at her.

Although he was often defeated by Nan Fusheng's First Soul Skill in one-on-one fights, he would only look for faults in himself.

But Gu Yue was different. Not only had she always suppressed him in terms of strength, she would also give him that look from time to time, as though he were some kind of "trash fish."

More importantly, he always felt that Gu Yue had ulterior motives toward his good brother, Tang Wulin—that she was after his body. So Xie Xie had always been hostile toward her.

Gu Yue tilted her head at him. "Not convinced?"

Xie Xie looked toward Nan Fusheng and Tang Wulin, hoping the two would speak up for him. Nan Fusheng said, "You know what Teacher is like. Neither of us can help you!"

Xie Xie: I'll endure it.

A hint of amusement flashed through Wu Zhangkong's eyes. He was still very satisfied with these four disciples.

The Class Promotion Tournament was an annual grand event for Eastsea Academy, because it was the only major event involving every grade.

Any student who performed outstandingly in the tournament would be recorded and entered into the academy archives. This would play an extremely important role in recommendations for admission into advanced Soul Master Academies in the future.

The material rewards were also quite generous. Classes that achieved excellent results in the Class Promotion Tournament would not only see their rankings change, but their homeroom teachers would also receive commendations.

Thus, after so many years of development, the Class Promotion Tournament had become a symbol of honor at Eastsea Academy. Being defeated by a lower-ranked class was disgraceful, while defeating a higher-ranked class was glorious.

The reason the tournament was held three months after the start of the school year was to give each class sufficient time to select participants and arrange tactics.

The weather was somewhat chilly today. In the center of the Intermediate Division's field, a Competition Stage had already been set up. Calling it a Competition Stage was somewhat inaccurate; it was really just a hundred-meter-wide circular area paved with metal plates ten centimeters thick.

It occupied a large portion of the field. A specialized Soul Guidance Barrier surrounded the Competition Stage to prevent accidents during matches, and dedicated teachers stood nearby to supervise.

Today was the first day of the tournament. To avoid affecting the students' studies, the matches were held after school. The dismissal bell had already rung, and students from every grade poured out of the teaching buildings, but very few headed toward the Competition Stage.

Grade 1 Class 5 versus Grade 1 Class 4—what was there to watch? Classes from Grade 2 and above dismissed the match entirely. Only a few first-year classes came, especially Class 3, which would be competing tomorrow and had arrived in full to watch the match.

After the dismissal bell rang, the students of Grade 1 Class 5 ran onto the field in neat formation and took their positions to one side.

Three months of special training had changed the spirit and bearing of Class 5's students. Perhaps their talents were not particularly outstanding.

But under Wu Zhangkong's instruction, their physical fitness had improved tremendously, and even their Soul Power was increasing much faster than before.

The students of Grade 1 Class 4 arrived more slowly, strolling over in twos and threes. They did not seem to care much about this match.

A short, plump teacher walked toward Wu Zhangkong with a broad smile. "Teacher Wu, the students you've taught are truly impressive! Just look at that formation. I can't manage that—those brats in Class 4 have grown used to being undisciplined.

"Please go easy on us in today's Class Promotion Tournament! We may not necessarily be able to advance to Class 3, but you really have to help us hold onto Class 4's position."

Wu Zhangkong glanced at him, then looked straight ahead, treating him as if he were air.

Kong Hanwen, the homeroom teacher of Grade 1 Class 4, was nearly angered into twisting his nose crooked by that attitude. This guy was far too arrogant.

Fine, you were strong, but how strong could the lower-ranked class you taught possibly be? When the academy arranged class rankings, it did so strictly according to Martial Souls and Soul Power.

"Looks like Teacher Wu is very confident! Then we'll meet on the Competition Stage." Speaking in a strange, sarcastic tone, Kong Hanwen headed back toward his class.

At that moment, Dean Long Hengxu stepped onto the Competition Stage.

"Today marks the start of the Class Promotion Tournament. Grade 1 Class 5 will challenge Grade 1 Class 4. Teacher Wu Zhangkong, how many students from your class will compete?"

The Class Promotion Tournament for lower grades generally did not attract much attention. As the host Referee, Long Hengxu's only interest was in seeing what kind of disciples Wu Zhangkong had trained in three months—especially since he had specifically admitted his Error to him last time and asked for a student.

Wu Zhangkong nodded. "Four students from our class will compete."

Long Hengxu turned toward Class 4. "Four students from Class 5 will compete. Teacher Kong, you have five minutes to assign your participants."

Kong Hanwen dropped the smiling expression he had worn before Wu Zhangkong and said disdainfully, "Against Class 5, it doesn't matter who Class 4 sends out. Jialong, Jiateng Ying, Lin Zunyuan, Mosi, you four go. Remember, show them Class 4's spirit."

Wu Zhangkong merely waved a hand, and Tang Wulin, Nan Fusheng, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue walked onto the Competition Stage.

Long Hengxu glanced curiously toward Wu Zhangkong. Generally speaking, when a weaker class challenged a higher-ranked one, they would send as few people as possible.

It would be enough to select the two best students to compete. Yet Wu Zhangkong had sent out four people. Could it be that he had trained Class 5's overall strength to such a high level?

But he still recognized Tang Wulin. Wasn't that boy's Martial Soul a useless one?

Among Grade 1 Class 4's four students, Jialong stood at the front. He was not tall, but he was extremely sturdy.

Lin Zunyuan was a thin, frail-looking boy. Mosi was of average build and looked eager for a fight, while Jiateng Ying wore a gloomy expression.

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue formed a triangle, with Tang Wulin standing in the middle. That was right—it was him. Standing in that position meant he was the main fighter. Nan Fusheng was protected behind the other three.

"Prepare!" The two sides stood fifty meters apart as Long Hengxu raised his right hand high.