Somewhat Off-Kilter Class Zero

As everyone left.

The dean's gaze fell on Leng Xue'er.

Leng Xue'er nodded slightly.

The dean drew a deep breath, excitement showing on his face as his sharp eyes turned to Cheng Duoyi and the others.

Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng could never have imagined the dean would react like this. It was the first time they had seen such an expression on his face.

"The establishment of Class Zero isn't just an experimental class at Eastsea Academy. It's also a class meant to make a run at Shrek Academy. The academy will provide you with the greatest support it can in terms of resources."

The dean's words were startling, leaving Wang Jinxi and the other two astonished.

Shrek Academy?

Was it the Shrek Academy they knew, the number-one academy under heaven?

Could they really get in, given Class Zero's current state?

The three of them looked at Cheng Duoyi and the others.

They found that all five looked completely calm, without the slightest change in expression.

Did they believe their own abilities were good enough to get into Shrek Academy?

Or did they simply have no idea what kind of place Shrek Academy was?

That couldn't be...

Shrek Academy was the number-one academy under heaven. How could they have never heard of it?

For a moment, the three of them were in utter disarray.

"Now, you eight can make your decision."

"If you agree, sign the contract now."

"If you don't, leave now. I won't stop you."

"But let me make one thing clear first: once you sign the contract, you won't be able to transfer schools for the next six years. You'll have to stay and study at Eastsea Academy, and the academy will do its best to train you for Shrek Academy."

Cheng Duoyi spoke first. "Dean, I have no objections. I can sign the contract now."

Tang Wuling said, "I'll follow Yi'er. If he signs, I'll sign too."

Gu Yue said, "If Xiao Yi signs, I'll sign too."

Xie Xie said, "I'll follow Brother Cheng."

Yun Xiao said, "I'll follow Brother Cheng."

The four of them obeyed Cheng Duoyi without question.

Wang Jinxi and the other two looked at Cheng Duoyi, wondering what kind of bewitching potion he'd given the four of them to make them so obedient.

Did he have some unique charm?

"Good." The dean beamed. "Director Long, give the five students—Cheng Duoyi and the others—the contracts and pens now."

He didn't care whether Wang Jinxi and the other two signed. What mattered most was Cheng Duoyi's decision. Remembering what Leng Xue'er had said yesterday, he felt the weight on his chest lift now that Cheng Duoyi had agreed of his own accord.

"Teacher Leng Xue'er and Teacher Wu Changkong are both graduates of Shrek Academy, and their strength is unfathomable. They might really be able to lead Class Zero in a run at Shrek Academy!" the dean thought. "If one or two of them really get into Shrek Academy in the future, Eastsea Academy and Eastsea City might be able to climb a little higher. When that time comes..."

The dean was already impatient to see what the future held for Cheng Duoyi and the others.

Wei Xiaofeng still couldn't quite make up his mind. His family had already arranged a path for him, but compared with getting into Shrek Academy, it was nothing.

But... with Eastsea Academy's ability, could they really lead them into Shrek Academy?

Wei Xiaofeng couldn't help thinking about what would happen if they failed...

While he was still thinking, Wang Jinxi had already agreed.

"Dean, I have no problem with it. I'll sign too."

The dean was delighted. "Good, good, good. Come on, Director Long, give Wang Jinxi a copy too."

Wang Jinxi's Martial Soul was the Bone Dragon King, a top-tier Dark-type Martial Soul.

Taking him in was no loss.

Wang Jinxi's agreement left Zhang Yangzi stunned.

He knew Wang Jinxi wasn't the sort to blindly follow others without a mind of his own. Had he agreed so readily because he believed the dean and thought he could get into Shrek Academy in six years?

Zhang Yangzi watched Wang Jinxi finish signing, then gritted his teeth. "I'll sign too."

Unlike Wang Jinxi, he didn't have much standing in his family. If not for his Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Wang Jinxi, his status would be cut in half.

So, since Wang Jinxi had agreed, Zhang Yangzi could only agree as well.

"Good. Give Zhang Yangzi a contract too."

After Zhang Yangzi had finished signing with trembling hands, Wang Jinxi put an arm around his shoulder. "Brother, trust me. If we follow them, maybe we really can get into Shrek Academy!"

"Why?" Zhang Yangzi asked.

Wang Jinxi turned his gaze toward Cheng Duoyi. Zhang Yangzi followed it, thinking, What's so special about that white-haired kid?

Then Zhang Yangzi froze.

Something wasn't right!

Could he really have some kind of power?

"Three Two-Ring Soul Grandmasters are following a One-Ring Soul Master's orders, and now even Wang Jinxi is doing the same. Is his charm really that powerful? Does he have both men and women wrapped around his finger?"

Zhang Yangzi hurriedly stopped himself from letting his imagination run wild. That was getting a little wicked...

Seeing that Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi had both signed, Wei Xiaofeng said, "I've never been able to make my own decisions in life. This time... I'll make one for myself!"

Wei Xiaofeng was the same age as Wang Jinxi and the others—nine years old. His intelligence and way of thinking hadn't yet reached an adult's level, so deciding to trust Class Zero's future took considerable courage.

"I'm sure none of you will regret the decision you made today," the dean said happily.

After all eight of them had signed, Long Hengxu said, "Since all of you are students in Class Zero, you'll no longer be staying in a shared dormitory. Each of you will have a single room. I'll let you know your room numbers shortly."

After speaking, Long Hengxu turned to Leng Xue'er and Wu Changkong. "Teachers Leng Xue'er and Wu Changkong, I'll be entrusting these children to you."

Leng Xue'er nodded slightly.

Wu Changkong nodded. "I'll do my best."

The dean and Long Hengxu left, leaving Cheng Duoyi and the other nine behind.

Two teachers and eight students.

At that moment, Wu Changkong looked at Cheng Duoyi and asked the question that had been bothering him. "Cheng Duoyi, what effect does your Martial Soul's first Soul Skill have?"

Cheng Duoyi thought for a moment and didn't hide anything. "Teacher Wu, my Martial Soul's first Soul Skill boosts the overall attributes of anyone within a twenty-meter radius centered on me who has a dragon-type Martial Soul or dragon blood. The higher their Martial Soul and bloodline ranks, the greater the boost. At the same time, if they're enemies, it lowers all their attributes. The lower their Martial Soul and bloodline ranks, the more effective it is."

He knew he'd have to tell them sooner or later, so he might as well be frank and tell everyone now.

Wu Changkong froze. "Th-this is basically like a domain, isn't it?"

He had expected Cheng Duoyi's Martial Soul and bloodline to be powerful, but not powerful to such an absurd degree!

Just then, Wang Jinxi looked at Cheng Duoyi and felt an instinctive urge to draw close to him. There was also a faint trace of respect in his eyes, so slight that even he didn't notice it.

Wang Jinxi looked at Tang Wuling, still a little unconvinced. "So that's why Tang Wuling sent me flying with one punch during the match. Someone had boosted her. Without your boost, I wouldn't have been in such a sorry state!"

Xie Xie said smugly, "Even without Brother Cheng's boost, you wouldn't have been Tang Wuling's match. Believe it or not?"

Xie Xie knew how strong Tang Wuling was. Even without the boost, Wang Jinxi wouldn't have gotten off lightly from one punch.

Wang Jinxi glanced at Tang Wuling. After a moment of silence, he declared with complete confidence, "I may not be her match right now, but that doesn't mean I won't be in the future!"

"Someday, I'll definitely beat you!"

Tang Wuling crossed her arms at her waist, confidence ringing in her youthful voice. "That day will never come. With Yi'er leading me, I'll only get stronger and stronger!"

She was no longer the shy, weak little girl she had once been.

She was now a confident Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster!

Zhang Yangzi interrupted, "Ahem, could I ask what your Martial Soul is? I don't know why, but being near you makes my heart race, especially when... I feel hostile toward you."

Wang Jinxi's expression grew grave. "I feel it too. It's as if the whole world can no longer tolerate me as soon as I become hostile toward you. That's exactly why I wanted to join Class Zero."

"Because I found that when I feel goodwill toward you, my cultivation slowly improves even without meditating. It's like I'm cultivating on my own. And when I'm near you, I feel really comfortable, like... I've come home? I can't really explain it."

Wu Changkong furrowed his brow slightly. "What you're describing only happens when a superior Martial Soul faces an inferior one. By rights, you have the Bone Dragon King, a top-tier Dark-type Martial Soul, and the other has the Dark Phantom Eagle, also a Dark-type Martial Soul. This shouldn't happen."

Wu Changkong knew Cheng Duoyi's Martial Soul was powerful, but not powerful enough to reach this level!

Wait...

He thought of Cheng Duoyi's Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Spirit.

Could Cheng Duoyi's Martial Soul be divine-level?

Otherwise, it couldn't possibly reach this point!

For a moment, Wu Changkong's imagination started running wild again.

"Teacher Wu is right. I thought the same thing, but my body tells the truth. When I feel hostile toward Cheng Duoyi, it's as if the world has cast me aside. When I feel goodwill toward Cheng Duoyi, the whole world seems beautiful." Wang Jinxi said, "So, Cheng Duoyi, could I meditate and cultivate with you in the future?"

Wang Jinxi had finally stated his purpose.

After learning about Cheng Duoyi's situation, he'd firmly chosen to stay by his side—not for any other reason, but to improve himself.

Wang Jinxi had been surprised to discover that when he was near Cheng Duoyi, the quality of his Martial Soul improved ever so slightly. He had never seen anything like it!

If he hadn't known his own Martial Soul so well, Wang Jinxi might not have noticed it at all.

"No!"

Tang Wuling, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie cried out in unison.

After saying it, the three of them exchanged glances, then turned to look at Wang Jinxi.

This left Wang Jinxi at a loss.

Zhang Yangzi said, "Jinxi just thinks it'll benefit him to stay near Cheng Duoyi. Surely there's no reason to refuse something like that."

Tang Wuling hurriedly said, "I don't even get to meditate and cultivate with Yi'er all the time. How could it be your turn? Besides, you're a boy. Don't you know boys and girls should keep their distance?"

After experiencing the first Soul Skill of Cheng Duoyi's Dragon God Heart Martial Soul, Tang Wuling had gone from keeping quiet and patiently waiting for Cheng Duoyi to decide to vying for his attention.

She had no choice but to fight for it!

If she didn't, she'd lose her chance!

Tang Wuling had figured it out: anyone whose Martial Soul was related to dragons would be won over by Cheng Duoyi. Wasn't that exactly what had happened to Xie Xie?

Gu Yue nodded. "That's right. Xiao Yi can't possibly meditate and cultivate with you. If he's going to do that with anyone, it'll be me!"

Xie Xie shook his head. "Tang Wuling, Gu Yue, you two are getting way ahead of yourselves. How does 'boys and girls should keep their distance' even apply here? When Brother Cheng sleeps in the dorm, I'm always meditating and cultivating. Have I ever acted strangely toward him? If you ask me, boys and girls should keep their distance. We're still so young; we should focus on cultivating. Brother Cheng should cultivate with me."

"With me!" Tang Wuling said firmly.

"With me!" Gu Yue said firmly.

"With me..."

For a moment, the scene turned into a chaotic mess. Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng watched in a daze. Why did this whole situation feel so off?

The three of them looked at the lonely Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao: Why are you looking at me? I'm useless...

Wu Changkong gave them a helpless look.

He was used to this sort of scene by now. It didn't faze him anymore.

He really had no idea how Cheng Duoyi did it.

It was one thing for girls to be infatuated with him, but boys were just as smitten...

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Cheng Duoyi hurriedly said, "Stop, stop, stop."

Tang Wuling, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie actually stopped, then gazed at Cheng Duoyi pitifully, like abandoned kittens.

"Let's put the idea of meditating and cultivating together aside for now. We've all gathered here today, and we'll be studying together in the future. How about we go out for a meal together?"

Cheng Duoyi changed the subject, and only then did the others let it go.

"Sister Xue'er, Teacher Wu, what do you think?"

Leng Xue'er smiled. "Whatever Yi'er says."

Wu Changkong thought it over, then said, "All right."

Then Cheng Duoyi led everyone out.

"Jinxi, why do I feel like something's off about them?" Zhang Yangzi whispered in Wang Jinxi's ear as they walked at the back.

But then...

"Hey, hey, don't walk so fast!"

Wang Jinxi was already following behind Cheng Duoyi.

Like he'd pressed a one-touch follow button.

Watching this ridiculous scene, Wei Xiaofeng thought about it for a long time.

"Could my Martial Soul... have appeared in my ancestors' bloodline, too?"

The group came to a street barbecue stall and sat down.

"Brother Cen, the usual. Twenty portions of every signature barbecue to start. We'll order more if it's not enough." Cheng Duoyi looked at the server, who was writing down the dishes.

Brother Cen was a man of about twenty. When he saw Cheng Duoyi and the others, his eyes lit up.

"Sure thing, Xiao Cheng. Wait here a moment. I'll let my dad know right away."

"Hey, Dad, Xiao Cheng and the others are here. Twenty portions of every signature barbecue to start. Hurry it up!"

"Xiao Cheng and the others are here again? How many people?"

"Dad, there are ten of them."

"Good. I'll hurry it up."

After saying that, Brother Cen turned back to Cheng Duoyi. "Xiao Cheng, wait here a little while. The barbecue will be out soon."

Cheng Duoyi smiled. "No rush, Brother Cen. Bring us some drinks first."

"Teacher Wu, Wang Jinxi, Wei Xiaofeng, Zhang Yangzi, do you have a favorite flavor? You can pick something."

Wu Changkong glanced at Cheng Duoyi in surprise. He hadn't expected him to get along so well with ordinary people. After all, Cheng Duoyi's status was right there for everyone to see. Someone with his background usually looked down on ordinary people.

Wu Changkong said indifferently, "Anything is fine."

"Sure." Cheng Duoyi nodded.

"Anything is fine for us too," the three boys said.

They didn't know what drinks were available, and Cheng Duoyi was treating them, so they decided to follow their host's lead and drink whatever he ordered.

"Then let's go with the usual," Cheng Duoyi said, turning to Brother Cen.

"Sure thing. I'll go get it now," Brother Cen replied.