The morning sun at the opening ceremony the next day was almost blinding. The square was filled with new students in their uniforms.
Since Lin Chen and Tang Wulin were both tall, they were assigned to the back row. The two huddled together, chatting quietly.
It wasn't until the principal cleared his throat and read off a list of names that they looked up. "Yun Linchen, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Zhou Changxi... Those whose names I called, step out. Your homeroom teachers will take you to your classrooms."
After twenty names had been called, a group of boys and girls shuffled out of the ranks with their heads hanging low. They formed a crooked line in the center of the square.
The homeroom teacher for Class Five stepped forward. It was Wu Changkong. His gaze swept across the assembled students, and when he saw Lin Chen and Tang Wulin, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He said coldly, "Follow me back to class."
Back in the classroom, everyone took their seats in order. By some strange coincidence, Yun Linchen, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie ended up together at the back, by the window.
Xie Xie was still rubbing his swollen face, which had yet to heal. He looked thoroughly downcast. Tang Wulin, meanwhile, studied the Class Five classroom with curiosity, while Lin Chen leaned back in his chair, his blue-green eyes calm and unreadable.
Wu Changkong went to the front of the classroom and surveyed the students. His voice was cold as ice. "My name is Wu Changkong. For the next six years, you will all be my students."
As soon as he finished speaking, the noisy classroom fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
"Now, introduce yourselves, starting with the first row."
The students at the front stood one by one, giving their names and Martial Souls. Their voices all carried a hint of nerves. When it was Xie Xie's turn, he got to his feet slowly and mumbled, "Xie Xie, Agility Attack System, Twin Martial Souls."
Wu Changkong's gaze lingered on him for a moment, but he said nothing, only murmured, "Next."
When it was Tang Wulin's turn, the students heard that his Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass and burst out laughing in unison.
Finally, it was Lin Chen's turn. He rose, standing tall and straight, and spoke evenly. "Before you laugh at someone else, take a good look at yourselves and see if you're useless. Some people are useless themselves and still make fun of others."
The laughter stopped abruptly. Wu Changkong raised an eyebrow, taking a slight interest in Lin Chen.
Then Lin Chen added, "Yun Linchen, Power Attack System, Azure Dragon Martial Soul."
After everyone had introduced themselves, Wu Changkong's voice rang clearly in every student's ears.
"Classes officially begin tomorrow. I'll make one thing clear first: my teaching methods are different from those of other classrooms. If you're afraid of hardship, exhaustion, or pain, then transfer schools, or find a way to switch to another class."
With that, Wu Changkong strode out of the classroom on his long legs.
Lin Chen pulled Tang Wulin toward the door. As soon as they stood, Xie Xie stepped in front of them, his swollen face set in a stubborn scowl. "Lin Chen, I'm not satisfied. Let's fight again!"
Lin Chen stopped. A hint of amusement glinted in his blue-green eyes as he glanced at Xie Xie. "Why should I fight you?"
Xie Xie was taken aback, his face flushing red. "I-I'm just not satisfied! Are you afraid?"
Lin Chen grumbled inwardly, Did I bring out some weird new side of Xie Xie when I beat him yesterday?
Then he changed his tune and raised an eyebrow at Xie Xie. "If you want to fight, I suppose I can make an exception and give you a little discipline."
Xie Xie's eyes lit up, though he looked confused. Something about Lin Chen's words felt a little strange. "Let's go to the park. There aren't many people there."
"Sure." Lin Chen nodded, then patted Tang Wulin on the shoulder. "What are you standing around for? Let's go."
The three of them left the classroom, one after another, and headed for the small woods behind the academy.
Sunlight spilled through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. Xie Xie walked ahead, his back radiating stubbornness. Lin Chen and Tang Wulin followed, speaking in low voices.
"Brother Lin Chen, are you really going to fight him?" Tang Wulin asked curiously.
"Mm." Lin Chen nodded. "I've never had anyone make a request like this before. It's just a spar. No big deal."
Deep in the woods, Xie Xie stopped and turned to face Lin Chen, his eyes serious. "Come on! I won't let my guard down this time!"
Three purple Millennium Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath Lin Chen's feet. Their light shimmered, and an overbearing Azure Dragon pressure swept toward them.
The hands gripping the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger trembled slightly.
The light of Twin Martial Souls shone in Xie Xie's palms. His Agility Attack System Soul Power made him even lighter on his feet, but under that pressure, even breathing was difficult.
"Millennium Soul Rings? No way! You're only nine. How could you have three Millennium Soul Rings?" Xie Xie stared at him in disbelief.
Lin Chen looked up, his voice calm and even. "What's the matter? We're the same age. I wasn't planning to crush you with an overwhelming advantage. Don't tell me you're scared?"
"W-Who's scared!" Xie Xie gritted his teeth. His First Soul Ring lit up, and he charged at Lin Chen.
Lin Chen simply stood where he was. He didn't even move a step.
A bolt of blue lightning burst from his palm. It wasn't deadly, but it had a powerful paralyzing effect, and it struck Xie Xie squarely.
The current raced through Xie Xie's body. His movements froze, and he looked like a Hami cat zapped into a spinal-dragon pose.
"Ugh!" Xie Xie groaned. His whole body trembled uncontrollably. The face that had flushed red from his charge now looked strangely twisted under the paralyzing shock of the lightning.
Lin Chen withdrew the lightning and looked at Xie Xie's disheveled, ridiculous state. A faint smile touched his glassy eyes. "What happened? Not charging anymore?"
Tang Wulin hurried over and steadied Xie Xie, who was barely able to stand. "Xie Xie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Xie Xie gritted his teeth and struggled to stand upright, but his legs still wouldn't stop shaking. He was angry and embarrassed.
His hair was standing on end, his face was flushed, and his whole body was numb. Tang Wulin couldn't help laughing, then quickly covered his mouth. "Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to."
Xie Xie glanced at Tang Wulin. He didn't even have the strength to argue, and could only glare helplessly at Lin Chen. "Just you wait. Next time, I'll definitely—"
"Next time?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "First figure out how to dodge my lightning."
Xie Xie was left speechless. He could only hang his head and let Tang Wulin support him, step by step, out of the park.
Lin Chen patted Xie Xie on the shoulder. "Come on, let's get something to eat. My treat."
When Tang Wulin heard Lin Chen was paying, his eyes lit up. "Come on, come on! Let's eat. I'm starving."
At the table, Xie Xie was stunned by how much Tang Wulin could eat, though he didn't think much of it.
As Xie Xie shoveled rice into his mouth, the three of them grew closer. After all, you had to fight before you could become friends.
"Hey, Lin Chen, you went way too hard on me just now. My arm's still a little numb."
Lin Chen picked up a piece of meat and replied calmly, "You're the one who came looking to get zapped."
Tang Wulin smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Xie Xie, Brother Lin Chen didn't use his full strength. He knew what he was doing. Look, you're not even hurt."
Xie Xie snorted, but didn't complain any further. He ate a couple more mouthfuls, then seemed to remember something and looked up at Lin Chen. "By the way, you said you came from Shrek City. Why didn't you go to Shrek Academy? Why come to Eastsea Academy instead?"
At those words, Lin Chen fell silent. A trace of sadness flickered in his eyes, but he said nothing.
"Na'er, will you come to Eastsea Academy?"
Before you continue