Dean Yu Zhen led Lin Chen and the others to his office. Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng from Class One were there as well.
Dean Yu Zhen neatly laid seven agreements on his desk and said solemnly, "These are the agreements for joining Class Zero. Take a look."
After hearing Yu Zhen's pitch, Tang Wulin barely hesitated before picking up a pen and signing his name.
Yu Zhen's gaze shifted to Lin Chen and Gu Yuena, a trace of concern in his eyes. He thought highly of both of them.
Lin Chen picked up the agreement and looked it over, then exchanged a glance with Gu Yuena. He took a pen and signed at the bottom. Gu Yuena followed right after, skimming some of the contents before signing her name as well.
Seeing how readily the three had signed, Xie Xie didn't think it over any further. He signed too and handed the agreement to the dean.
Wei Xiaofeng was the exception. He looked hesitant. "Dean, I'd like to discuss it with my family before deciding. My family might send me to a better academy when I reach the advanced division."
Yu Zhen waved a hand, sounding a little impatient. "That's fine. Everyone has their own ambitions. Go back to Class Two." As he spoke, he took the agreement back from Wei Xiaofeng.
He looked at the remaining six, and a warm smile instantly spread across his face, the previous expression vanishing without a trace.
Lin Chen silently grumbled, This dean changes faces faster than flipping a book. Six hundred and sixty-six face changes, and not even a bean deducted.
Yu Zhen cleared his throat and swept his gaze over the six children, giving them a sales pitch. "Our Eastsea Academy may not rank highly on the continent, but we're the only intermediate academy in Eastsea City."
He paused, then spoke with greater emphasis. "With the academy's resources poured into you, into Class Zero, even that legendary Shrek Academy might not be much stronger than us."
Those words struck a chord with the boys. Tang Wulin's eyes lit up, and Xie Xie and the other two straightened their backs.
Lin Chen's mouth twitched. Teacher Wu, standing not far away, looked the same. Lin Chen silently grumbled, That was so convincing, I almost believed it.
Yu Zhen wore a warm smile and clapped his hands. "Starting today, you're members of Eastsea Academy's first-year Class Zero."
He paused and turned to Teacher Wu, his tone growing more serious. "The classroom and dormitory arrangements have been changed. You'll be moving into a spacious room in a separate building at the academy."
"As for the dormitories..." Yu Zhen's gaze swept over the six. "The academy has arranged individual rooms for you, all on the same floor. Teacher Wu, take them over to move in."
Wu Changkong knew where they were. The dean had already told him about it the day before.
He nodded slightly and led them back to their old dormitory to pack. Once Gu Yuena had finished, they all headed to the new dormitory together.
Lin Chen glanced at the room numbers, walked straight to the second-to-last room, and pushed open the door.
Xie Xie immediately set his sights on the last room. He had just reached for the doorknob when Gu Yuena kicked him aside without a hint of courtesy. Clutching his backside, he protested aggrievedly, "Gu Yuena, I got here first!"
He'd been planning to live next door to Lin Chen, but when he turned around, he saw Tang Wulin had already claimed that room.
Xie Xie could only pout, clutch his backside, and move into the room next to Tang Wulin's.
The next day, the six arrived at the Class Zero classroom. Six desks stood in neat rows in the spacious room.
Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi were both injured, so they could only attend theory class today.
Wu Changkong walked into the classroom and skipped the pleasantries, getting straight to the point. "Starting today, you'll also be learning the basics of Battle Armor."
As Lin Chen listened to Wu Changkong's explanation, his heart suddenly lurched. He'd been in this world for so long that he'd actually forgotten about Battle Armor.
As soon as Wu Changkong finished speaking, Tang Wulin asked, "Teacher Wu, when will we get to see real Battle Armor?"
Wu Changkong looked up at Tang Wulin. "We'll talk about that after you complete the first stage of your trial. Whoever finishes first will get to see it first."
Before anyone could press him further, he turned and headed out, his tone calm. "Theory class is over. Next is practical training."
Xie Xie asked instinctively, "In the classroom?"
Wu Changkong glanced back at them. "Of course not. Follow me."
Lin Chen had a feeling something was about to happen. They followed Wu Changkong toward the training grounds.
The group followed Wu Changkong down the corridor to one of the academy's training grounds. It was spacious, with exceptionally durable special metal covering the floor and Soul Guidance barriers surrounding it.
Lin Chen, Gu Yuena, and the others stood in a line at the center of the training ground. Wu Changkong's gaze swept across them before finally settling on Lin Chen. He beckoned to him. "Lin Chen, come here."
Lin Chen silently grumbled, So this is what you've been waiting for.
When he reached Wu Changkong, the teacher looked at him and asked calmly, "How do you think you performed in the class advancement competition?"
Lin Chen answered seriously, "There were plenty of shortcomings. My combat rhythm was still too rushed, and I didn't manage my Soul Power consumption well. When facing multiple opponents, I didn't choose the best approach. I'm still not proficient enough with my Soul Skills, and I couldn't bring out their full potential in combination."
Wu Changkong showed no particular expression. He simply nodded. "Next, I'll suppress my cultivation to three rings and use only my Martial Soul, without any Soul Skills. Give it a try and see if you can defeat me."
Lin Chen scratched his head, calculating, If Wu Changkong doesn't use Soul Skills, I might be able to find an opening against him on my own.
Lin Chen nodded earnestly. "Understood, Teacher Wu." As he spoke, the Azure Dragon's phantom appeared behind him, and faint blue lightning flickered around him.
Wu Changkong didn't waste words. A long sword appeared in his hand: his Martial Soul, the Heavenly Frost Sword.
He didn't use any Soul Skills. Simply holding the sword, he took a light step—and appeared in front of Lin Chen in an instant.
The swordlight wasn't dazzling, but it carried a chilling sharpness. Lin Chen didn't even have time to use a Soul Skill before a deft force threw off his balance, followed by a flurry of attacks too fast to see clearly.
Blue lightning and icy light intertwined across the training ground. Lin Chen felt as though he'd fallen into a swamp. No matter how he counterattacked, it barely made a difference.
Sparks flew, and Lin Chen's face had already been marked with several bruises.
"Teacher Wu, you..." Xie Xie stared in astonishment and couldn't help exclaiming, "You didn't even use any Soul Skills. Was all of that technique?"
Wu Changkong put away his sword and nodded faintly. "Technique is part of strength, too. For quite some time, training in basic practical combat techniques will be your most important subject."
Lin Chen was in for a rough time after that. Wu Changkong even used Tang Wulin as a teaching example alongside him. Thanks to Lin Chen's abilities, his minor injuries healed after a little while.
Wu Changkong explained practical combat techniques to the others through actual combat. Lin Chen was miserable. Why not pick Tang Wulin? He'd even been late, and Lin Chen still had to suffer Wu Changkong's training.
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