This Was the Art of Human Relationships

Early the next morning.

The students of Grade 1 Class 5 arrived in the classroom bright and early.

Cheng Duoyi, Tang Wuling, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Yun Xiao were among them. All five had already eaten breakfast.

As soon as the class bell rang, Wu Changkong and Leng Xue'er walked in.

Wu Changkong looked at the students below and said coldly, "Starting today, classes officially begin. We're going to the playground for practical training to test your abilities. Now, follow me."

After speaking, Wu Changkong put his hands in his pockets and turned to leave the classroom. He wasn't called the cold, aloof male god for nothing.

Leng Xue'er greeted Cheng Duoyi and Tang Wuling, then followed along beside Cheng Duoyi. Seeing that some color had returned to his face, she felt very happy.

As for the other students, they followed noisily behind them, chatting in pairs and threes.

Before long, everyone arrived at the playground.

Wu Changkong stood before them and frowned slightly at their disorderly appearance. "Form two rows."

Cheng Duoyi naturally stood in the front.

Tang Wuling and Gu Yue stood on either side of him, neither willing to give way to the other.

"Gu Yue, what are you doing?" Xie Xie said. "Tang Wuling is always by Brother Cheng's side. If you can't fit in, don't force yourself. It's not good for you."

As he spoke, Tang Wuling pushed Gu Yue aside.

For some reason, Gu Yue felt that Tang Wuling had changed.

Before, she hadn't paid Tang Wuling any attention at all. But now things were different. She sensed a threat!

Seeing this, Gu Yue didn't force her way to Cheng Duoyi's side. Instead, she stood behind him and looked coldly at Xie Xie behind her. "You just wait!"

Xie Xie shuddered.

For some reason, he just couldn't stand Gu Yue.

Seeing this, Cheng Duoyi patted the excited Tang Wuling. It was the first time he'd seen her act so boldly.

Still, he hadn't intended to fight.

"Teacher Wu, I'm feeling a little unwell."

As soon as Cheng Duoyi finished speaking, Leng Xue'er hurried over to him and asked with concern, "Yi'er, what's wrong? Where do you feel unwell?"

Tang Wuling, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Yun Xiao also looked over, their eyes filled with worry.

"Brother Yi'er, are you okay?" Tang Wuling asked anxiously.

At that moment, she really wanted to tell Cheng Duoyi about her situation.

Old Tang was screaming inside: There's no saving this daughter of mine! My daughter's actually a simp!

"I'm just feeling a little unwell. It's nothing serious. You should all listen carefully to Teacher Wu's instructions," Cheng Duoyi said.

"You're really only feeling unwell?" Gu Yue asked quickly.

"Don't worry, don't worry." Cheng Duoyi noticed Wu Changkong's expression darkening and hurriedly said, "You'd better stop asking and get in line."

Only then did everyone take their places.

Wu Changkong was the only one still displeased, but he held it in after considering what Leng Xue'er had said. "Cheng Duoyi, if you're unwell, go stand off to the side and rest."

"Yes, Teacher."

Cheng Duoyi winked at Leng Xue'er.

Leng Xue'er understood. Cheng Duoyi didn't want to fight!

Cheng Duoyi then turned and said, "Ling'er, Sister Yue'er, you two take the front row."

Gu Yue moved to Cheng Duoyi's spot. The two exchanged glances, like the points of two needles meeting head-on.

After speaking, Cheng Duoyi went over to Wu Changkong, who looked at him with some confusion and displeasure. "What else do you need?"

"Teacher Wu, you said you wanted to test our abilities. You could have them fight one-on-one to check their individual strength. Here, I prepared these lots. They all have the students' names written on them. You only need to draw two at a time to arrange the matchups. It's simple and convenient." Cheng Duoyi touched the blue storage soul tool bracelet on his wrist, and a draw bucket appeared in his hand.

Wu Changkong looked surprised. "You prepared this?"

"Yes," Cheng Duoyi replied.

Wu Changkong glanced at Leng Xue'er. She said, "Yi'er prepared it himself. It had nothing to do with me."

Wu Changkong nodded, his slight displeasure with Cheng Duoyi fading.

"I'll take it. Go stand off to the side and rest."

"Yes, Teacher Wu."

Cheng Duoyi followed Leng Xue'er to the side.

Wu Changkong looked toward Tang Wuling and the others, then casually drew two lots from the bucket. After checking them, he said, "For the first class today, let me see what you can do. We'll have one-on-one matches. Remember, this is a single-elimination tournament. First match: Tang Wuling versus Zhao Gang."

"Good luck!" Cheng Duoyi cheered Tang Wuling on.

Tang Wuling nodded, feeling as if she finally had someone to lean on.

Tang Wuling and Zhao Gang walked to the center of the playground.

The two stood about twenty meters apart.

Zhao Gang, standing across from Tang Wuling, was a tall boy. His Martial Soul was a Black Bear, a strength-type Martial Soul, and his Soul Power was at level twelve—a high level for someone his age.

When he looked at Tang Wuling, his face showed disdain.

"You should just surrender. I'm afraid I'll accidentally make you cry," Zhao Gang said arrogantly.

Tang Wuling said angrily, "We'll see who makes who cry!"

With Cheng Duoyi right there, how could she show weakness?

"Begin!"

As soon as Wu Changkong's voice rang out, Zhao Gang let out a loud roar. A white Spirit Ring rose from beneath his feet.

At the same time, a small black bear sat on his shoulder.

"First Soul Skill: Strength Boost!"

Absolutely confident, he swung his massive fist and smashed it toward Tang Wuling's head.

Tang Wuling refused to back down. She was just as confident in her strength!

"I'll teach you not to look down on me!"

Ever since learning that the Golden Dragon King Essence was inside her, Tang Wuling's temperament had gradually begun to change. Before, she would never have acted this way. Now she was confident she could keep pace with Cheng Duoyi, so she had to change. She couldn't keep giving in.

Tang Wuling threw a punch, as if she wanted to unleash all the pain and inferiority she had endured over the past three years.

"Bang!"

Tang Wuling's fist met Zhao Gang's. Zhao Gang had thought he'd already won, but he was sent flying. Everyone was astonished!

After all, Zhao Gang's Martial Soul was a Black Bear, and his first Soul Skill was Strength Boost. How could a girl who looked so delicate send him flying with a single punch?

Even Wu Changkong was a little surprised.

He'd thought Tang Wuling was being overconfident. He hadn't expected her to have absolute confidence in her strength!

After knocking Zhao Gang flying, Tang Wuling's yellow Spirit Ring slowly rose.

"A Hundred-Year Soul Ring!"

Everyone was astonished.

Most of their Spirit Rings were ten-year rings, and almost none of them had a Hundred-Year Soul Ring. In that moment, their contempt for Tang Wuling turned to amazement.

"First Soul Skill: Bind!"

In an instant, Blue Silver Grass wrapped around Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang was still unconvinced.

He'd thought he could easily break free from the Blue Silver Grass, but for some reason, the grass wrapped around him was incredibly tough. He couldn't break free right away.

And so...

"You lose!"

Tang Wuling clenched her fist and was already standing in front of Zhao Gang.