Special Training (Part 1)

The evening sunset dyed the playground a warm, glowing orange.

Gu Yue was the first to arrive; she stood by the track with her arms crossed, her purple hair fluttering gently in the evening breeze.

Xie Xie was half-dragged over by Tang Wulin, still muttering complaints under his breath: "School's already out and we're still training? Teacher Wu is just too ruthless..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a tall, slender figure appeared, walking over from the direction of the teaching building.

Wu Zhangkong approached with measured steps. The sunset fell obliquely across half of her cheek, outlining a soft profile. Even her usually cold, sharp brows and eyes were plated with a layer of warm gold, so beautiful that one could not look away.

Not far away, under the shade of the trees, many senior students had already gathered.

They leaned against the railings in twos and threes, their gazes fixed on Wu Zhangkong as if drawn by a magnet.

"The three of you, come with me." Seeing them, Wu Zhangkong turned and walked toward the depths of the academy.

The three followed behind her.

Wu Zhangkong led them to an indoor training ground at the back of the academy, one that Long Hengxu had prepared specifically for her.

Because Wu Zhangkong had not only apologized sincerely to Long Hengxu but also promised not to cause him trouble and to cooperate with his work, she had left Long Hengxu absolutely delighted.

When Wu Zhangkong requested the training ground, Long Hengxu had given her the green light all the way.

He had even nearly moved the senior students' training ground over for her.

The training ground was a perfect square. When the internal soul guidance protective barrier was activated, a faint film of light would envelop the entire area.

Wu Zhangkong led the three to the center of the field and stood still.

"Starting from today, the three of you will undergo my special training every night."

Wu Zhangkong said indifferently, "As for the content of the training, it will be determined based on the results of the previous day."

At this point, her gaze fell first on Tang Wulin.

"Tang Wulin, your martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. The reason I chose you back then was because I truly had no other choice. Now that Gu Yue is here, you have seen her talent and strength for yourself."

"But what I have said will not be retracted."

Wu Zhangkong paused, then continued: "I hope that through your efforts, you can show me that you are truly qualified to represent Class Five in the tournament. If you fail to meet my requirements in three months, then..."

Although Wu Zhangkong did not finish her sentence, Tang Wulin naturally knew what she meant.

"Yes..."

Tang Wulin felt a bit dejected; talent was, after all, his greatest weakness.

Xie Xie scratched his head. Actually, Tang Wulin's talent wasn't bad; it was mainly restricted by the seal of the Golden Dragon King, though there were pros and cons to everything.

If Tang Wulin didn't have the Golden Dragon King bloodline, he would likely have started with innate full soul power and the Blue Silver Emperor martial soul. While he would have lost his talent for forging, his talent for cultivation would have been absolutely top-tier.

However, in that case, he wouldn't have had the opportunities from the original story, and his upper limit would likely have been a quasi-god.

The Golden Dragon King bloodline, on the other hand, gave Tang Wulin a chance to reach the level of a God King.

In truth, even without the Golden Dragon King, given Tang San's personality, he wouldn't have let his son suffer; at the very least, he would have been a first-tier god.

"Teacher Wu, I will not take his place in the tournament."

Gu Yue suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" Wu Zhangkong looked at her.

Gu Yue said indifferently, "I am a transfer student, and I don't want to affect others because of me. So, please retract your order; I will not participate."

Just as Wu Zhangkong was about to speak, Xie Xie, who had been watching the drama, silently raised his hand.

"Um, isn't the minimum requirement for the Class Promotion Tournament two people? We could totally go as three... Ouch!"

Before Xie Xie could finish, he was pinned down by Wu Zhangkong with one hand and tossed aside.

Xie Xie: ...?

So I'm just a part of your play?

Tang Wulin finally spoke up, not only helping Wu Zhangkong out of the awkward situation but also demonstrating his effort and determination.

At this, Wu Zhangkong raised an eyebrow, acknowledging his words.

"Teacher Wu, let's talk about the special training." Tang Wulin changed the subject.

Wu Zhangkong nodded. "No matter what kind of training we conduct, there is only one goal: to increase your strength."

"And in my view, all strength stems from actual combat."

"Therefore, your special training will consist solely of actual combat."

"We will use actual combat to stimulate your potential and improve your combat experience. I will explain things to each of you first, and then we will begin."

After speaking, Wu Zhangkong looked first at Xie Xie beside her, her tone remaining cold and devoid of extra emotion:

"Xie Xie, you are a twin martial soul user. Since the Light Dragon Dagger has already completed its evolution, the accompanying Shadow Dragon Dagger will inevitably undergo a secondary evolution as well."

"Therefore, your Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger will possess both power-attack and agility-attack characteristics. Your means of attack will be more varied than before, and your potential for growth has increased."

"Your speed has met the standard and is no longer a glaring weakness, but your physical stamina remains your biggest problem."

"Whether you walk the path of an agility-attack or power-attack type, or dual-specialize in both, you must have a strong physique as a foundation. Physical training will also be one of the key focuses of your special training."

"Furthermore, your explosive power is insufficient, your transitions between offense and defense are indecisive, and you are prone to impatience and poor judgment during combat."

"At the same time, your soul skill chains are rather rigid, and your application of switching between your two forms is still very clumsy; you are far from achieving mastery."

"Future special training will focus on honing the rhythm of your dual-form switching and your composure in actual combat."

"You have the potential to become an excellent dual-type Power and Agility Soul Master."

"But right now, you are far from enough."

Xie Xie listened with a bitter expression on his small face, but he still straightened his back and replied, "Yes!"

Wu Zhangkong then proceeded to critique Gu Yue and Tang Wulin.

It could only be said that she was worthy of being the number one genius of Shrek Academy back in the day; her critiques were incisive, and not a single word was wasted.

"Tomorrow, I will take the three of you to test your spiritual power," Wu Zhangkong said at last.

Tang Wulin said, "Teacher, I have tested my spiritual power before..."

Wu Zhangkong coldly interrupted him, "I only believe in my own eyes."

"Enough."

Wu Zhangkong flipped her wrist, and that wooden sword, which Xie Xie knew all too well, appeared in her hand once again as a chill suddenly erupted from her body.

Under the gaze of the three, whose scalps were tingling, Wu Zhangkong said coldly:

"Tonight, we will continue with actual combat training, and your opponent..."

She flicked the wooden sword in her hand, thrusting it directly toward Xie Xie.

"Is me!"

Xie Xie, who had been holding popcorn in both hands and eating while watching Wu Zhangkong's critiques, was so startled that he shivered, causing the popcorn to drop straight to the ground.

With no time to think, the Shadow Dragon Dagger flew from his hand.

Wu Zhangkong didn't even glance at it, tapping the wooden sword lightly to deflect it away.

The next moment, Xie Xie's figure flashed to Wu Zhangkong's side like a bolt of lightning wrapped in golden light.

The Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger transformed into two intersecting streams of light in his hands, striking directly at Wu Zhangkong's face.

Xie Xie had pushed his speed to the limit, tearing the air with sharp whistling sounds as the golden blade light exploded in his vision, as if to shred everything before him into pieces.

Facing this fierce offensive, Wu Zhangkong merely tilted her body slightly, the wooden sword in her hand devoid of any flashy movements, meeting the attack with the simplest of blocks.

Her movements appeared slow, yet every swing landed precisely in the blind spot of Xie Xie's assault.

The golden blade light collided with the rough wooden sword, sparking blinding flashes and the crisp sound of metal clashing against metal.

"Clack! Clack! Clack!"

The loud sounds echoed throughout the Martial Arts Arena, and wood shavings flew and scattered under the force of the impact.