The Strongest Contrast

Wu Changkong did not speak, instead giving the Zero Class students time to think.

The classroom became incomparably quiet in an instant.

No one knew how much time had passed.

Wei Xiaofeng looked toward Cheng Duoyi: "Brother Cheng, I believe in you."

"But I would like to ask, what is your sub-profession rank?"

This question did not just attract the attention of Xu Xiaoyan, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng; it also made Tang Wuling and Xie Xie look over, as they also did not know the status of Cheng Duoyi's sub-professions.

Only Gu Yue wore an expression of displeasure.

But there was more heartache than anything else...

Cheng Duoyi hadn't said, and they hadn't asked; they only knew that Cheng Duoyi's master was acquainted with Mu Chen, the president of the East Sea Blacksmith Association, so they assumed Cheng Duoyi's master couldn't be too bad, and his forging rank wouldn't be too low either.

Even Wu Changkong was curious about Cheng Duoyi's situation.

He simply couldn't see through Cheng Duoyi.

Not just his way of thinking, but also his strength and other circumstances.

Just when you think Cheng Duoyi is easy to talk to, he might sternly reprimand you.

And what you think is his minefield, turns out not to be.

Moreover, Cheng Duoyi was often smiling and cheerful, looking quite adorable.

For a moment, Wu Changkong didn't even know how to describe Cheng Duoyi.

Cheng Duoyi did not find it strange that everyone was curious about his sub-professions.

If they hadn't asked anything at all, he would have found that abnormal instead.

Cheng Duoyi smiled: "Which sub-profession are you asking about?"

Wei Xiaofeng was stunned, confused: "Brother Cheng, could it be that you've learned two sub-professions?"

That's right, one sub-profession is hard enough; who would try to learn several?

Cheng Duoyi shook his head.

Just when everyone thought Cheng Duoyi had been joking, he said: "My forging rank is the same as Ling'er's—both are level three. However, I have also studied the sub-professions of Mecha Designer, Mecha Maker, and Mecha Repairer. These three sub-professions have also barely managed to reach level three."

"What?"

Not only were Tang Wuling and the others astonished, even Wu Changkong was amazed.

I recognize every word you said.

How is it that when they are put together, I don't understand them anymore?

"Brother Cheng, is what you said true?" Xie Xie couldn't help but ask.

"Do you think I am the type of person who would lie?" Cheng Duoyi glanced back at him.

Xie Xie scratched his head in embarrassment: "That's true, Brother Cheng has never lied to us, and there's no need to."

Tang Wuling looked at Cheng Duoyi, her light blue eyes filled with sorrow.

"Brother Yi'er, you must have suffered a lot these past three years..."

"I thought..."

Cheng Duoyi looked at Tang Wuling, his black eyes carrying a smile.

"Thought what?"

"Thought that while I wasn't by your side, I was out shopping with Na'er?"

Tang Wuling touched her head and couldn't help but laugh. She really had thought that in the past, and at the time, she had even wanted to live with Cheng Duoyi.

It was only because of her low self-esteem and her reluctance to leave her parents that she never brought it up.

Zhang Yangzi looked at Wu Changkong and asked: "Teacher Wu, what kind of situation is this for Brother Cheng? Is it considered very strong or very weak?"

Wang Jinxi couldn't help but chime in: "Brother Cheng, the way you put it, it sounds like sub-professions are easy to learn. Reaching level three doesn't seem that difficult after all."

Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed: "Do you really think sub-professions are easy?"

Zhang Yangzi and the others looked at her: "Aren't they?"

They had seen Tang Wuling study forging for three years.

And Cheng Duoyi had so many sub-professions at level three.

Looking at it this way, they felt they could do it too.

Wu Changkong did not speak, but glanced at Xu Xiaoyan.

Xu Xiaoyan understood; if she wanted to stay in the Zero Class for the long term, she needed to utilize her own strengths.

And her strength was her vast store of knowledge.

Xu Xiaoyan said, "Any sub-profession that reaches the third level commands significant status in society. As for the mechas we are familiar with, the lowest grade—the White-Grade Mecha—is made from metal synthesized in processing plants. However, once a mecha reaches the Yellow-Grade, it requires Hundred-Refined Rare Metal to be crafted."

"Once a mecha reaches the Purple-Grade, it branches into two types: one is the continued production of large-scale mechas, known as Purple-Grade Mechas, and the other is the small-scale mecha, also known as Battle Armor. Both Purple-Grade Mechas and Battle Armor require Thousand-Refined Metal."

"To say nothing else, the status of a Battle Armor Master in our Sun Moon Federation is absolutely unimaginable. Even among the families you come from, how many are Battle Armor Masters?"

"Do you still think sub-professions are easy to learn now?"

Wei Xiaofeng, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi were stunned. They did have Battle Armor Masters in their respective families, but they were few and far between, and their status was second only to the clan heads.

Now that Xu Xiaoyan had put it this way, they no longer felt any contempt.

They were all only nine years old and lacked understanding of many things, but now that they had a point of comparison, everything became clear in an instant.

In their eyes, Tang Wuling and Cheng Duoyi were like gods!

"Doesn't that mean... the Thousand-Refined Rare Metal forged by Brother Cheng and Tang Wuling can be used to make Purple-Grade Mechas and Battle Armor? If we want to become mecha pilots or Battle Armor Masters in the future, will it be easier for us than for ordinary people?" Wei Xiaofeng asked in surprise.

The look he gave Cheng Duoyi was now filled with respect, unlike before.

Previously, he had thought of Cheng Duoyi as something of a mascot who could boost their cultivation speed. Although he called him Brother Cheng, he had only done so for the sake of cultivation.

Now, he called him "Brother Cheng" from the bottom of his heart.

If he could become a Battle Armor Master in the future, his status would absolutely skyrocket!

Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi felt the same. If they had harbored other thoughts about Cheng Duoyi before, they were gone now; they only wanted to follow him.

They no longer thought Cheng Duoyi was bragging when he spoke.

What Cheng Duoyi said was the truth!

As long as they kept up with his pace, reaching the pinnacle of the world in the future was truly no problem!

Seeing Cheng Duoyi so powerful, Xie Xie said proudly, "Did you even need to ask? As long as you sincerely acknowledge my Brother Cheng as your big brother, he will never treat you unfairly."

Gu Yue said speechlessly, "What do you mean 'my Brother Cheng'? Just call him Brother Cheng; stop saying 'my Brother Cheng, my Brother Cheng.' People who don't know better might think you have designs on Little Yi."

Tang Wuling chimed in, "That's right, why are you being so intimate? If someone who didn't know better heard that, they would definitely get the wrong idea."

"I..."

Xie Xie was at a loss for words, looking at Cheng Duoyi with pitiful, brown eyes.

Cheng Duoyi quickly said, "Don't let others misunderstand our relationship. We are just good brothers and good partners; there is nothing else going on."

"That's right!" Xie Xie quickly added.

Cheng Duoyi looked at Wu Changkong: "Teacher Wu, please explain the matters regarding mechas and Battle Armor."

Wu Changkong nodded in satisfaction.

Cheng Duoyi still knew he was the teacher!

Anyone who didn't know better might have thought you were the teacher!

Wu Changkong coughed twice: "Regarding mechas, Xu Xiaoyan just mentioned the situations for White-Grade, Yellow-Grade, Purple-Grade mechas, and Battle Armor."

"Normally speaking, the lowest level for a Battle Armor Master is the Five-Ring."

"Ah, is the requirement that high?" Zhang Yangzi couldn't help but ask.

Wu Changkong glanced at him, and Zhang Yangzi immediately shut his mouth.

He had just remembered.

Wu Changkong was a disciple of the Shrek Academy inner court; he must have graduated from there, and he was not someone to be trifled with.

"That's right, the Five-Ring Soul King is just the foundation. The Battle Armor worn by a Five-Ring Soul King is called One-Word Battle Armor, and it is crafted entirely from Thousand-Refined Metal. The price of the Thousand-Refined Metal needed for a set of One-Word Battle Armor is not something you can imagine right now."

"Do not aim too high too soon. Just understand these things for now. Do not hold too high expectations when choosing a sub-profession; not everyone is a monster with immense talent in them."

Wu Changkong's words completely shattered their fantasies of quickly entering Shrek Academy. Then again, if these sub-professions were truly easy to reach level three or higher, there wouldn't be so few students in Shrek Academy.

Wang Jinxi raised his hand.

Wu Changkong said, "What is your question?"

Wang Jinxi said excitedly, "Teacher Wu, are you a One-Word Battle Armor Master?"

Wu Changkong shook his head. Wang Jinxi, along with Zhang Yangzi and the others, felt a bit disappointed; they had thought Wu Changkong would be a One-Word Battle Armor Master.

"I am not a One-Word Battle Armor Master. I am a Two-Word Battle Armor Master."

Wu Changkong had finally experienced the thrill of Cheng Duoyi's showboating.

This feeling of appearing weak while actually being very strong was quite nice.

Seeing them gasp in surprise, Wu Changkong wanted to smile, but he held it back. However, the moment he thought of Battle Armor...

Wu Changkong's expression turned sorrowful again...

His mood became cold once more.

Teacher Wu wouldn't be suffering from depression, would he... Cheng Duoyi noticed the change in Wu Changkong and felt a bit worried.

Tang Wuling didn't know what kind of strength a Two-Word Battle Armor Master possessed, so she looked at Cheng Duoyi on her left: "Brother Yi'er, what kind of strength is a Two-Word Battle Armor Master?"

Cheng Duoyi thought for a moment: "It depends on the level of the wearer. Given Teacher Wu's situation, if he wears his Two-Word Battle Armor, I estimate that an ordinary Eight-Ring Soul Douluo would be no match for him."

"Ah, is he really that strong?" Tang Wuling exclaimed in surprise.

Xie Xie was equally shocked. "Is Teacher Wu really that powerful? That was an eight-ring Soul Douluo!"

Yun Xiao was also taken aback, though he recalled that Cheng Duoyi's older sister, Leng Xue'er, was an eight-ring Soul Douluo and a Battle Armor Master herself—though he didn't know how many words her armor was.

Even an ordinary nine-ring Title Douluo probably wouldn't be a match for Teacher Leng... Yun Xiao thought to himself.

"Are Two-Word Battle Armor Masters really this strong?" Zhang Yangzi cried out.

He immediately covered his mouth, terrified that Wu Changkong might hear him.

Wei Xiaofeng was also stunned, his heart firming in his resolve to follow Cheng Duoyi.

Why would Teacher Wu come here to teach? Wei Xiaofeng couldn't help but wonder.

Wang Jinxi was equally amazed, his eyes burning with fervor as he made a silent vow: he would definitely get into Shrek Academy!

Xu Xiaoyan understood the true value of a Two-Word Battle Armor Master.

This Teacher Wu is both handsome and strong. Is this the caliber of an inner court student from Shrek Academy?

Xu Xiaoyan glanced at Cheng Duoyi, her thoughts unreadable.

"Quiet. Let's continue with the lesson."

Wu Changkong returned to his cold demeanor and resumed teaching.

However, the lesson didn't last long before it was noon.

Cheng Duoyi took Gu Yue and the others to eat.

Seeing Tang Wuling's appetite for the first time, Xu Xiaoyan was startled. "Won't she have problems eating like that?"

Cheng Duoyi smiled. "No, Ling'er's body is a bit special; she needs to replenish a massive amount of energy."

Xu Xiaoyan watched Tang Wuling in awe.

Although Wei Xiaofeng and the others had seen Tang Wuling's appetite before, they still couldn't help but be shocked. Is this really something a human can consume?

"Come on, Yi'er, eat a shrimp. Ah~" Gu Yue barely ate anything herself, spending the entire time peeling shrimp for Cheng Duoyi.

Cheng Duoyi happily opened his mouth to eat them, saying, "Thank you, Sister Yue'er."

This display shattered the halo Xu Xiaoyan had placed around Cheng Duoyi.

This... this... is this right?

It felt like he was a completely different person from before.

Wei Xiaofeng and his two companions weren't used to this side of Cheng Duoyi either; they preferred his usual confident and indifferent demeanor.

"Brother Cheng, does Gu Yue feed you like this every time you eat?" Zhang Yangzi couldn't help but ask.

Wang Jinxi, Wei Xiaofeng, and even Xu Xiaoyan looked over.

Cheng Duoyi laughed. "More or less. Do you have a problem with that?"

Zhang Yangzi wanted to press further, but Wang Jinxi quickly covered his mouth.

Zhang Yangzi looked at him, confused.

Wang Jinxi whispered, "Don't ask about Brother Cheng's personal business. Just eat your food."

The group didn't know how to process this lunch.

By the afternoon, Wu Changkong led everyone to measure their physical stats.

They arrived in a classroom filled with various testing equipment.

"We'll start with strength. Wang Jinxi, you go first."

"Understood, Teacher Wu."

Wang Jinxi stepped up with confidence. His martial soul was the Bone Dragon King, and he believed his strength would not be inferior to any of his peers.

"Bang!" His left fist registered 426 kilograms.

"Bang!" His right fist registered 471 kilograms.

Xu Xiaoyan's large blue eyes widened in surprise.

Zhang Yangzi boasted triumphantly, "See that? Jinxi's strength is almost at a thousand jin!"

As it turned out...

"What is the meaning of this? Are you not even a little surprised?"

Zhang Yangzi noticed that there wasn't a ripple of emotion in the eyes of Gu Yue or Tang Wuling, and Xie Xie even looked a bit disdainful.

Only Yun Xiao wore an expression that said he had expected as much.

"Ling'er, you go second," Cheng Duoyi said.

Tang Wuling nodded. "Okay, Brother Yi'er."

Wang Jinxi stood to the side, eager to see exactly what kind of strength Tang Wuling possessed that allowed her to look down on him!

"Bang!"

Left fist: 3,120 kilograms!

"Am I blind, or am I hallucinating?"

"I didn't see it wrong either!"

"How is the left fist over three thousand kilograms?"

Zhang Yangzi's mouth hung wide open, his face a mask of utter shock.

Wang Jinxi was no exception; he was equally astonished.

"Could it be... that Tang Wuling is this strong because she stayed by Cheng Duoyi's side and awakened her bloodline? Or is it a power-type Dragon Clan bloodline?"

The look in Wang Jinxi's eyes as he gazed at Cheng Duoyi grew even more fervent.

Gu Yue frowned slightly upon noticing Wang Jinxi's gaze.

She was all too familiar with that look; wasn't it exactly how Xie Xie used to look at Cheng Duoyi?

Why are both the men and women like this? Are they sick? Gu Yue felt deeply annoyed.

Wei Xiaofeng swallowed hard. "No wonder she sent Wang Jinxi, a Bone Dragon King soul master, flying with a single punch back during the competition. It turns out Tang Wuling's strength simply crushes him!"

"Without Brother Cheng's amplification, I don't believe Wang Jinxi could have taken a single punch from Tang Wuling!"

In an instant, his gaze toward Cheng Duoyi also turned fervent.

Gu Yue noticed this as well, and her irritation only grew.

Xu Xiaoyan covered her mouth in shock.

"This... this has to be fake!"

"She, she, she..."

Xu Xiaoyan looked at Cheng Duoyi and realized he wasn't surprised by Tang Wuling's strength. Could it be that he had known all along?

"Bang!"

Right fist: 3,500 kilograms!

This time, Wei Xiaofeng and the others admired Tang Wuling from the bottom of their hearts.

They gulped, imagining being hit by Tang Wuling—wouldn't they be covered in black and blue bruises?

In their minds, Tang Wuling had already become an existence not to be trifled with.

Who would dare provoke someone comparable to a Mother Tyrannosaurus!