Zero Class and Battle Armor

Principal Yu Zhen brought Lin Chen and the others to his office, accompanied by Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng from Class One.

Principal Yu Zhen placed seven agreements neatly on his desk and said in a deep voice, "These are the agreements to join the Zero Class. Take a look."

After hearing Yu Zhen's pitch, Tang Wulin barely hesitated; he picked up a pen and signed his name.

Yu Zhen's gaze shifted to Lin Chen and Gu Yuena, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes. He valued these two highly.

Lin Chen picked up the agreement to read it, exchanged a glance with Gu Yuena, and signed his name at the bottom. Gu Yuena followed suit immediately, scanning the contents briefly before signing as well.

Seeing the three of them sign so readily, Xie Xie didn't overthink it and signed his own before handing it to the principal.

Wei Xiaofeng was the exception, his expression hesitant: "Principal, I'd like to discuss this with my family before making a decision. My family might want me to study at a better academy once I reach the advanced division."

Yu Zhen waved his hand, his tone growing impatient: "Fine. To each their own. You may return to Class Two." As he spoke, he took back the agreement from Wei Xiaofeng's hand.

Turning to the remaining six, a gentle smile instantly appeared on Yu Zhen's face, the previous look vanishing without a trace.

Lin Chen thought to himself, This principal's face changes faster than flipping a book; he's a master of the six-hundred-sixty-six transformations.

Yu Zhen cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over the six children as he began to manipulate them: "Our Eastsea Academy, while not ranked highly on the continent, is the only intermediate academy in Eastsea City."

He paused, emphasizing his tone: "When the academy's resources are tilted toward you, toward the Zero Class, even that legendary Shrek Academy might not necessarily be better than us."

This statement struck a chord with the youths' pride. Tang Wulin's eyes brightened, and Xie Xie and the other two straightened their backs.

The corners of Lin Chen's mouth twitched, as did those of Wu Changkong, who stood not far away. Lin Chen thought to himself, I almost believed that.

With a gentle smile, Yu Zhen clapped his hands: "From today on, you are members of the Eastsea Academy Grade One Zero Class."

He paused and looked at Wu Changkong, his tone becoming more solemn: "The classroom and dormitories have been adjusted. You have been moved to a spacious, independent room in the academy."

"As for the dorms," Yu Zhen's gaze swept over the six, "the academy has arranged independent rooms for you all on the same floor. Teacher Wu, please take them over to move in."

Wu Changkong naturally knew the location, as the principal had informed him of this yesterday.

He nodded slightly, led them back to their original dorms to pack, and once Gu Yuena had finished, they headed to the new dormitory together.

Lin Chen scanned the door plates, walked straight to the second-to-last room, and pushed the door open to enter.

Xie Xie had his eyes on the very last room. Just as he reached for the doorknob, Gu Yuena kicked the door open without ceremony. He clutched his backside and complained indignantly, "Gu Yuena, I was here first!"

He had planned to live next to Lin Chen, but to his surprise, he found that Tang Wulin had already claimed that room.

Xie Xie could only pout, clutching his backside as he moved into the room next to Tang Wulin.

The next day, the six arrived at the Zero Class classroom. In the massive room, six desks were arranged neatly in the center.

Because Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi were still nursing injuries, they could only attend theory classes today.

Wu Changkong walked into the classroom and, without any small talk, went straight to the point: "Starting today, you will also learn the basics of Battle Armor."

Listening to Wu Changkong's explanation, Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. He had been in this world for so long that he had actually forgotten about the concept of Battle Armor.

As soon as Wu Changkong finished speaking, Tang Wulin asked, "Teacher Wu, when will we be able to see real Battle Armor?"

Wu Changkong looked at Tang Wulin: "Wait until you complete the first stage of trials. Whoever finishes first will be the first to see it."

Before anyone could ask further, he turned and walked out, his tone calm: "The theory lesson is over. Next is the practical combat course."

Xie Xie asked subconsciously, "In the classroom?"

Wu Changkong looked back at them: "Of course not. Follow me."

Lin Chen had a feeling something was about to happen as they followed Wu Changkong toward the training grounds.

The group followed Wu Changkong through the corridor to a training ground within the academy. The field was vast, the ground paved with special metal capable of bearing immense pressure, and the perimeter was enclosed by a soul-guided barrier.

Lin Chen, Gu Yuena, and the others stood in a row in the center of the field. Wu Changkong's gaze swept over them and finally landed on Lin Chen. He beckoned to him: "Lin Chen, come here."

Lin Chen thought to himself, Good grief, he's been waiting for me.

Walking up to Wu Changkong, the teacher looked at him and spoke in a flat tone: "Regarding the class advancement match, how do you think you performed?"

Lin Chen replied seriously: "There were many shortcomings. My combat rhythm was too rushed, my soul power consumption wasn't well-controlled, and when facing multiple opponents, I didn't choose better methods. I am not yet proficient enough with my soul skills and failed to achieve the full effect of our coordination."

Wu Changkong showed no expression upon hearing this, merely nodding faintly: "Next, I will suppress my cultivation to the three-ring level. I will only use my martial soul and no soul skills. Try to see if you can defeat me."

Lin Chen scratched his head, thinking to himself, If Wu Changkong doesn't use soul skills, I might be able to find an opening.

Lin Chen nodded earnestly: "I understand, Teacher Wu." As he spoke, the phantom of his Azure Dragon martial soul appeared behind him, and cyan lightning flickered around his body.

Wu Changkong didn't waste words; a long sword appeared in his hand—his martial soul, the Sky Frost Sword.

Without activating any soul skills, he simply gripped the sword, took a light step, and appeared instantly before Lin Chen.

The sword light wasn't blinding, but it carried a cold sharpness. Before Lin Chen could even activate a soul skill, his center of gravity was thrown off by a subtle force, followed by a series of attacks so fast they were impossible to track.

Cyan lightning and icy light intertwined in the training ground. Lin Chen felt as if he had fallen into a swamp; no matter how he counterattacked, the effect was negligible.

After a flurry of sparks and lightning, Lin Chen's face was already covered in bruises.

"Teacher Wu, this..." Xie Xie watched, dumbfounded, and couldn't help but exclaim, "You didn't even use soul skills? Was that all just technique?"

Wu Changkong sheathed his sword and nodded faintly: "Technique is also a part of strength. For a long time to come, basic practical combat training will be your most important project."

Lin Chen suffered greatly in the following sessions, and even Tang Wulin was used by Wu Changkong as a teaching example. Because of his own abilities, Lin Chen's minor injuries healed after a while.

Through practical combat, Wu Changkong explained techniques to the others. Lin Chen felt bitter inside—Couldn't he have picked on Tang Wulin? He was late, and now I have to be the one receiving Wu Changkong's 'instruction'.