The setting sun dyed the school grounds a warm orange.
Gu Yue was the first to arrive. She stood by the track with her arms folded, her purple hair stirring gently in the evening breeze.
Tang Wulin had practically dragged Xie Xie over. Xie Xie was still grumbling under his breath. "School's over and we're still training? Teacher Wu is way too harsh..."
Before he could finish, a tall figure appeared, walking over from the direction of the teaching building.
Wu Zhangkong approached at an unhurried pace. The setting sun fell slantwise across half her face, outlining her soft features. Even her usually cold eyes and brows were gilded with warm gold, making her so beautiful that no one could look away.
Beneath the shade of a nearby tree, quite a few upperclassmen had already gathered.
They leaned against the railing in twos and threes, but their eyes seemed drawn by a magnet, all fixed on Wu Zhangkong.
"You three, come with me." After seeing them, Wu Zhangkong turned and headed deeper into the academy.
The three followed behind her.
Wu Zhangkong led them to an indoor training ground behind the academy, one Long Hengxu had prepared especially for her.
Wu Zhangkong had not only sincerely apologized to Long Hengxu, but also promised not to cause him trouble from then on and to cooperate with his work. She had left Long Hengxu absolutely delighted.
So when Wu Zhangkong asked for a training ground, Long Hengxu had given her the green light without hesitation.
He had even nearly moved an upperclassmen's training ground over for her.
The training ground was a square, with four equal sides. When the soul-guidance protective barrier inside was activated, a faint film of light enveloped the grounds.
Wu Zhangkong led the three to the center of the grounds and stopped.
"Starting today, the three of you will undergo my special training every evening."
Wu Zhangkong spoke calmly. "As for the training itself, it will depend on how you perform the previous day."
As she spoke, her gaze first settled on Tang Wulin.
"Tang Wulin, your Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. I chose you back then because I had no other choice. Now Gu Yue has joined us. You've seen her talent and strength."
"But I won't go back on my word."
Wu Zhangkong paused, then continued, "I hope you'll prove through your efforts that you truly deserve to represent Class Five in the tournament. If you fail to meet my standards three months from now, then..."
Though Wu Zhangkong left her words unfinished, Tang Wulin knew what she meant.
"Yes..."
Tang Wulin looked a little dejected. In the end, his talent was still his greatest weakness.
Xie Xie scratched his head. Tang Wulin's talent wasn't bad, actually. He was mainly held back by the seal on the Golden Dragon King, though there were pros and cons to everything.
If Tang Wulin didn't have the Golden Dragon King Bloodline, he'd probably have started out with innate full Soul Power and the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul. He would've lost his forging talent, but his cultivation talent would definitely have been top-notch.
But in that case, he wouldn't have had the opportunities he got in the original story, and his ceiling would probably have been Quasi-God.
The Golden Dragon King Bloodline, however, gave Tang Wulin the chance to reach the God King level.
Actually, even without the Golden Dragon King, with Tang San's personality, he'd never let his son suffer. At the very least, Tang Wulin would have become a First-Level God.
"Teacher Wu, I won't take his place in the tournament."
Gu Yue suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?" Wu Zhangkong looked at her.
Gu Yue said calmly, "I'm a transfer student. I don't want to affect anyone else because of me. So please reconsider your decision. I won't compete."
Wu Zhangkong was about to answer when Xie Xie, who had been watching the whole time, quietly raised his hand.
"Um, aren't there supposed to be at least two people in the Class Promotion Tournament? The three of us can just compete together... Ow!"
Before Xie Xie could finish, Wu Zhangkong pinned him down with one hand, then tossed him aside.
Xie Xie: ...?
So I'm just one part of your little play?
Tang Wulin finally spoke, both helping Wu Zhangkong out of an awkward spot and showing his determination and hard work.
Wu Zhangkong raised an eyebrow, taking that as a sign of approval.
"Teacher Wu, let's talk about the special training instead." Tang Wulin changed the subject.
Wu Zhangkong nodded. "Whatever kind of training you do, it has only one goal: to increase your strength."
"And in my view, all strength comes from actual combat."
"Therefore, your special training will consist solely of actual combat."
"Actual combat will bring out your potential and improve your fighting experience. I'll give each of you some guidance first, then we'll begin."
With that, Wu Zhangkong turned first to Xie Xie beside her. Her voice remained cool, devoid of unnecessary emotion.
"Xie Xie, you have twin half-Martial Souls. Now that your Light Dragon Dagger has evolved, your Shadow Dragon Dagger will inevitably undergo a second evolution as well."
"Your Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger will therefore combine the characteristics of both an assault-type and an agility-type Martial Soul. You'll have more ways to attack than before, and greater versatility."
"Your speed is already up to standard and is no longer an obvious weakness. But your stamina is still your biggest problem."
"Whether you focus on agility or assault, or cultivate both paths, you'll need a strong physique to support you. Stamina training will be one of the main focuses of your special training."
"Also, your attacks lack explosive power, and you're not decisive enough when switching between offense and defense. You tend to get impatient in battle and make poor judgments."
"Your Soul Skill transitions are also stiff, and you're still clumsy at switching between your two forms. You're nowhere near mastering them."
"Future training will also focus on honing the rhythm of your form switches and your composure in actual combat."
"You have the potential to become an excellent dual-system assault-and-agility Soul Master."
"But right now, you're still far from it."
Xie Xie's face scrunched up as he listened, but he still straightened his back and replied, "Yes!"
Wu Zhangkong then went on to critique Gu Yue and Tang Wulin.
She truly lived up to her reputation as Shrek Academy's greatest prodigy of her generation. Her observations struck the nail on the head; not a word was wasted.
"Tomorrow, I'll take the three of you to test your mental power," Wu Zhangkong said at last.
"Teacher, I've already had my mental power tested before..." Tang Wulin began.
Wu Zhangkong cut him off coldly. "I only trust what I see with my own eyes."
"Enough."
Wu Zhangkong flipped her wrist, and the wooden sword Xie Xie knew all too well appeared in her hand again. A wave of cold intent suddenly burst from her.
As the three watched, their scalps prickling, Wu Zhangkong said coldly,
"We're still doing combat training tonight, and your opponent..."
She flicked the wooden sword in her hand, pointing it straight at Xie Xie.
"Is me!"
Xie Xie had been holding a bowl of popcorn and munching away as he watched Wu Zhangkong critique the others. He jolted in fright, and the popcorn spilled onto the ground.
With no time to think, he sent his Shadow Dragon Dagger flying.
Wu Zhangkong didn't even glance at it. With a light tap of her wooden sword, she knocked it away.
In the next instant, Xie Xie's figure flashed to Wu Zhangkong's side like a streak of lightning wrapped in golden light.
The Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger became two intersecting streaks of light in his hands, both aimed straight at Wu Zhangkong's face.
Xie Xie had pushed his speed to its limit. The air tore with a shrill whistle, and golden blades of light burst across his field of vision, as though they would slice everything before him to pieces.
Facing his fierce assault, Wu Zhangkong only shifted slightly to the side. Her wooden sword made no fancy movements, meeting his attack with the simplest of blocks.
Her movements seemed slow, yet every swing landed precisely in the blind spot of Xie Xie's attack.
The golden blade-light collided with the rough wooden sword, sending dazzling sparks flying amid the clear clang of metal on metal.
"Crack! Crack! Crack!"
The loud impacts echoed across the Martial Arts Arena, while wood chips scattered under the force of the blows.
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