Class Zero's First Lesson

Wu Zhangkong ignored Xie Xie's aggrieved look and began her first lesson in Class Zero.

Xie Xie found Wu Zhangkong's mecha basics rather boring. Having come from a mecha family, he had known all of it long ago.

Tang Wulin, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi were all very interested. Gu Yue alone seemed uninterested.

It was not until Wu Zhangkong began discussing Battle Armor that Xie Xie finally perked up.

"True powerhouses do not need massive mechas. Those only make them easier for enemies to lock onto and attack. Therefore, all mechas above Purple-Rank are developing toward miniaturization."

"Because these mechas are as small as armor, they are called—Battle Armor."

Wu Zhangkong said, "Only Soul Masters with Battle Armor can be considered true powerhouses! It is the perfect union of one's Martial Soul and mecha!"

"You already possess your respective primary professions: assault, agility, control, support, and defense. But if you wish to become true powerhouses, you must choose a second profession for yourselves."

"There are four second professions: Blacksmith, Mecha Designer, Mecha Manufacturer, and Mecha Repairer."

At this, Wu Zhangkong paused, her gaze falling on Tang Wulin. "Take Tang Wulin, for example. His second profession is Blacksmith."

Wang Jinxi, who had remained silent all this time, raised his hand.

When Wu Zhangkong's gaze swept toward him, Wang Jinxi swallowed before speaking somewhat nervously. "Teacher Wu, shouldn't we focus our efforts on cultivation?"

"At most, we would also learn mecha operation. Why do we need to choose a second profession?"

"Good question." Wu Zhangkong nodded. "Neither Mecha Pilots nor Battle Armor Masters are single professions."

The moment she said this, Tang Wulin and the other three were all confused.

Resting his chin on one hand, Xie Xie grinned. "Oh? You guys didn't know that? Mecha Pilot and Battle Armor Master are composite titles formed by combining a primary profession with a second profession!"

Wu Zhangkong said, "Therefore, if you want to become a Battle Armor Master, you must personally participate in the process of creating your Battle Armor."

"Whether it is forging or designing, if you want your Battle Armor to display great power, it must suit you."

"Thus, if you do not study a second profession, you will never be able to become one with your Battle Armor."

"And you will never truly ascend to the altar of the strong."

"Of course, there is no need for you to rush right now."

Wu Zhangkong stood up and clasped her hands behind her back.

"You only need to make your choice before advancing to Third Grade, so you still have ample time to think it over."

"Of course, the earlier you start, the earlier you reap the rewards."

As soon as Wu Zhangkong finished speaking, Tang Wulin was the first to raise his hand.

"Teacher Wu," Tang Wulin said eagerly, "can we see a real Battle Armor?"

Wu Zhangkong glanced at him. "Not until you complete the first stage of practical combat training. As you are now, you are not qualified."

"Also, your performance in the last competition disappointed me greatly!"

Wu Zhangkong's gaze suddenly sharpened, a piercing light flashing in her eyes. "It was an utter mess!"

Caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, the five of them clearly failed to react in time. The next second, Wu Zhangkong tore into them mercilessly.

The first to be scolded was Xie Xie.

"Xie Xie! Did breaking through to two rings make you think you were incredibly strong?! All you know is how to show off by yourself. Do you have any concept of teamwork at all?!"

Xie Xie shrank his neck.

Indeed, after breaking through to two rings, he had become rather arrogant.

If he had been even a little more cautious, then even after being sealed by the World Correction Force, with Tang Wulin and Gu Yue there, he would not have been seriously injured.

"Tang Wulin! You too! Are you a captain for nothing? Xie Xie was fooling around, and you did nothing to stop him!"

"Your own soul skills were used in a complete mess as well! You actively gave up the advantages of your Martial Soul and stubbornly relied on brute force to clash head-on with your opponent!"

"Where was your brain? Did the typhoon before the match blow it away??"

Tang Wulin broke out in a cold sweat down the back of his neck and immediately stood up. "Yes!"

"Gu Yue, you are too easily impulsive. You should have been keeping watch over the entire field and controlling the pace of the match, instead of exhausting your Soul Power at every turn!"

"Zhang Yangzi, too arrogant, too much talk, underestimated the enemy, and fought recklessly."

"Your strength was off throughout the entire match, yet you forcibly used a Martial Soul Fusion Skill while your Soul Power was already depleted, harming both yourself and others."

Gu Yue was somewhat ashamed from the scolding, while Zhang Yangzi lowered his head in shame.

"Only Wang Jinxi did relatively well." Wu Zhangkong's tone finally softened. "Although he was suppressed by a Martial Soul, he was still fairly conscientious throughout the match."

"Huh?" Wang Jinxi had not expected to be praised.

Wu Zhangkong folded her arms again. "Besides that, all five of you share one common problem—"

"Your practical combat experience and techniques are still lacking!"

"Your basic combat strength when not using Martial Souls, aside from Xie Xie barely passing, is simply terrible for the four of you!"

Hearing this, Gu Yue frowned slightly and raised her hand.

"Teacher Wu, my ability is Element Control. As long as I improve my Soul Power and spiritual strength, I can suppress opponents and win battles through the elements I control."

"So basic combat ability does not mean much to me, does it..."

Wu Zhangkong did not answer Gu Yue's question directly. Instead, she picked up the teaching pointer from the podium.

With a light wave of the pointer in Wu Zhangkong's hand, the desks and chairs beneath the five of them automatically moved aside.

Then, the white pointer aimed at Xie Xie.

"If that is what you think, then let us conduct a test. Xie Xie, Tang Wulin."

"Here." Xie Xie raised a hand.

"Here." Tang Wulin answered.

"Without using Martial Souls or soul skills, Xie Xie, suppress your Soul Power to Tang Wulin's level as well. The two of you will have a match."

Xie Xie scratched his cheek. "Teacher Wu, isn't that just bullying him?"

Wu Zhangkong shot him a cold glance. "One more word, and you can train with me instead."

"Your student obeys the teacher's sacred decree!!"

Xie Xie immediately walked to the center of the classroom, his expression as resolute as though he were about to join a party.

Tang Wulin stepped forward as well, clenching his fists, his eyes filled with seriousness.

"Begin." Wu Zhangkong gave the order.

Tang Wulin stepped forward and drove a straight punch at Xie Xie's face. It was simple and direct, yet heavy with force.

But Xie Xie merely shifted his body slightly and easily avoided the punch. At the same time, his feet slid as he circled to Tang Wulin's side, his elbow striking precisely at the point where Tang Wulin's shoulder exerted force.

"Ugh!"

Tang Wulin only felt his arm go numb, and more than half his strength instantly dispersed.

He shook his arm and charged forward again.

Yet no matter how he punched or lunged, Xie Xie always evaded him half a step in advance. He even struck several of Tang Wulin's joints in return, leaving him unable to use his strength.

After fighting for nearly half a minute, Tang Wulin had not only been toyed with until he was spinning in circles, but he had not even touched the corner of Xie Xie's clothes.

"Enough." Wu Zhangkong raised a hand.

Xie Xie stopped immediately, and only then did Tang Wulin have a free hand to wipe away the cold sweat gathering on his forehead.

"Did you see clearly?"

Her gaze swept across Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi, her voice cold and clear.

"Without a Martial Soul, without soul skills, even with Soul Power sealed, you can still fight, win, and survive—this is the meaning of basic combat strength."