Captain Lin Chen, Before the Final Exam (Seeking Follow-ups, Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

The next day, just as the sky began to brighten, a wide-awake Tang Wulin pushed open his door and ran out of the dormitory.

The others were startled by Tang Wulin's commotion and poked their heads out; Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi still bore the lingering swelling on their faces.

Lin Chen watched Tang Wulin's joyful expression and didn't even need to guess—his spirit soul had definitely been purified.

Turning his head toward Gu Yuena next door, he found her looking at him as well. The two shared a knowing smile, and Lin Chen greeted her with a laugh: "Na'er, good morning."

Once Tang Wulin finished his laps, the group headed to the cafeteria together. After a hurried breakfast, they chatted and laughed their way into the classroom. As soon as they walked in, Wu Changkong was already there waiting for them, as he always was.

Both Tang Wulin and Xie Xie felt that Wu Changkong seemed a bit different, though they didn't say anything.

Wu Changkong's gaze swept slowly over the group. His cold voice was not as icy as usual, sounding a bit more level and gentle: "Sit down. After yesterday's battle, each of you has shown significant growth, and that is worth acknowledging."

Wu Changkong paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on Lin Chen, Gu Yuena, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin.

"In the Spirit Ascension Platform yesterday, you all performed exceptionally well." Finally, his gaze settled on Lin Chen, his tone becoming more solemn: "Lin Chen, you coordinated the entire battle, managing offense and defense in an orderly fashion. You not only provided a powerful foundation but also kept an eye on your teammates at all times."

After this critique, Wu Changkong scanned the six students in the classroom and spoke clearly: "Zero Class has six members. From now on, we will establish a team captain. Considering temperament, strength, command ability, and on-the-spot judgment, I have chosen Lin Chen to serve as the captain of the Zero Class team."

Upon hearing this, Xie Xie was stunned for a moment, then immediately grinned and nodded without any objection. Aside from Gu Yuena, he was the one who understood Lin Chen the best.

Tang Wulin also agreed wholeheartedly, as he truly respected Lin Chen from the bottom of his heart. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged glances; they had no resistance to the decision and naturally followed their teacher's arrangement.

Gu Yuena turned her head to look at Lin Chen, her desk-mate, silently showing her support with her eyes.

Lin Chen, however, felt a bit surprised. Truth be told, he didn't really want the position of captain, feeling that Tang Wulin was more suitable, but since it had come to this, he could only accept.

In the blink of an eye, the end of the first semester of the first year arrived.

The six members of Zero Class had become quite harmonious, though Xie Xie still bickered with Gu Yuena. He couldn't beat her in a fight, and he couldn't win an argument; whenever he managed to get a lucky win, he would just end up being blasted by Gu Yuena's fireballs.

Tang Wulin looked at Wu Changkong in front of the podium with curiosity and asked: "Teacher Wu, are we going to have final exams too?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xie Xie immediately pricked up his ears, and Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi also looked over.

Wu Changkong nodded slightly: "Naturally. The final exam consists of two parts, and the first is the Spirit Ascension Platform."

Xie Xie was stunned on the spot: "The Spirit Ascension Platform?"

Three months had passed since the establishment of Zero Class. Lin Chen's spirit power had reached level 36, and Gu Yuena had also improved by seven levels.

Tang Wulin had reached the peak of level 15. In half a year, reaching this level was something Tang Wulin wouldn't have dared to imagine before entering Eastsea Academy.

Wu Changkong said sternly: "This time, you need to persist for one hour inside the Spirit Ascension Platform to pass." He paused, then continued: "However, I must warn you that this time, it will be the Spirit Ascension Platform during its riot period."

Xie Xie asked curiously, as he was the one who had lasted the longest among them: "Teacher, what does the riot period of the Spirit Ascension Platform mean?"

Wu Changkong's expression remained calm as he slowly answered their questions: "The Spirit Pagoda has two fixed riot periods every year. Each of the eighteen pillars of the Spirit Pagoda has three hundred spots, and obtaining one is by no means easy. The academy paid a significant price to convince the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda."

"During the riot period, you can enter as a group, but no more than seven people. Since there are six of you, you can go in together. This is a test of your collective coordination."

The bell rang, and the day's lessons came to an end. Before leaving, Wu Changkong gave them a three-day holiday.

As soon as they stepped out of the Zero Class classroom, Xie Xie immediately pulled Tang Wulin over to Lin Chen and Gu Yuena. Rubbing his hands together, he leaned in and asked: "Lin Chen, Gu Yuena, we have three whole days off! We can't just stay cooped up in the dorms cultivating, right? Why don't we go into the city and look around?"

Tang Wulin's eyes held a hint of anticipation. He rarely had time to go out and wander, and it was a rare three days of freedom to relax properly.

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi also stopped and looked at Lin Chen, waiting for their captain to make the call.

Gu Yuena raised an eyebrow, her cold eyes sweeping over the excited Xie Xie before looking at Lin Chen: "I'm fine with whatever, Captain Lin Chen."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow, intending to tease them: "It's crowded and chaotic outside. We have to enter the riot-period Spirit Ascension Platform in three days; there's no need to go out."

Xie Xie's face immediately fell, and he looked at Lin Chen with a pitiful expression: "Don't be like that! Just a casual stroll to relax won't hinder our cultivation. Isn't it boring to stay stuck in the academy all the time?"

Listening to the grumbling, Lin Chen couldn't help but chuckle and cleared his throat: "Ahem. But then again, proper relaxation is good for physical and mental health. Only by adjusting our mindset can we face the upcoming riot-period Spirit Ascension Platform in our best state, don't you think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the previously wilted Xie Xie was instantly injected with vitality. He clapped his hands and cheered: "Exactly! That's the logic! I knew you were the most reasonable captain!"

A bright smile bloomed on Tang Wulin's face, and he clenched his fists in excitement. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi also let out a sigh of relief, their expressions brightening.

Lin Chen turned to look at Gu Yuena: "Na'er, let's go. Let's go out and have some fun."

The corners of Gu Yuena's mouth lifted slightly, carrying a hint of playfulness: "Since Captain Lin Chen has personally invited me, I certainly have to agree."

Lin Chen smiled at her words and followed up: "Then let's set off now. Let's go, Ms. Na'er."

Once this was said, the four companions immediately turned into human lightbulbs, watching the spectacle. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi stifled their laughter and coughed a few times.

"Ahem." Xie Xie deliberately drew out his tone, winking as he looked back and forth between the two standing side by side: "The captain is going on a private date with classmate Gu Yuena, and we're just the accompanying bodyguards, right?"

Tang Wulin scratched the back of his head and gave another light cough: "Yeah, we're just tagging along on the way, we definitely won't disturb the two of you."

A faint red tint crept onto Gu Yuena's ears. She glared at Xie Xie and Tang Wulin but didn't refute them, only raising her eyes to look at Lin Chen.

Lin Chen gave Xie Xie a kick—it wasn't hard, just for show: "Xie Xie, you're the only one who talks too much. Why don't you lead the way?"

"I'm paying for everything today."

In truth, a group of boys is quite simple: one idea-man, a few doers, and a few go-with-the-flow types are enough to have a happy day. As for whether Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi were happy, who knows—but Lin Chen and Gu Yuena were certainly happy.