The Greatest Contrast

Wu Changkong said nothing, giving the students of Class Zero time to think.

The classroom fell utterly silent.

No one knew how much time passed.

Wei Xiaofeng looked at Cheng Duoyi. "Brother Cheng, I believe you."

"But I want to ask—what level are you in your secondary professions?"

His question caught the attention of not only Xu Xiaoyan, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng, but also Tang Wuling and Xie Xie. They had no idea what Cheng Duoyi's secondary professions were, either.

Only Gu Yue looked displeased.

But more than anything, she felt for him...

Cheng Duoyi had never said anything, and they had never asked. They only knew that his master was acquainted with Mu Chen, the president of the Eastsea Blacksmith Association. His master must be quite accomplished, so Cheng Duoyi's forging rank probably wasn't low, either.

Even Wu Changkong was curious about Cheng Duoyi.

He simply couldn't get a read on him.

That applied not only to his way of thinking, but also to his strength and other things.

Just when you thought Cheng Duoyi was easygoing, he might sternly call you out.

And what you thought was one of his sore spots might not be.

Besides, Cheng Duoyi was often all smiles, and looked quite adorable.

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

Cheng Duoyi didn't find it strange that everyone was curious about his secondary professions.

If no one had asked, he would have found that strange instead.

Cheng Duoyi smiled. "Which secondary profession do you mean?"

Wei Xiaofeng froze, baffled. "Brother Cheng, don't tell me you've studied two secondary professions?"

Right. One secondary profession was already hard enough. Who would study several?

Cheng Duoyi shook his head.

Just as everyone thought he'd been joking,

Cheng Duoyi said, "My forging rank is the same as Ling'er's. We're both level three. But I've also studied mecha design, mecha making, and mecha repair. I've only just barely reached level three in those three, though."

"What?"

Not only Tang Wuling and the others were stunned—even Wu Changkong was astonished.

I know all the words you said.

How come I don't recognize them when they're put together?

"Brother Cheng, are you telling the truth?" Xie Xie couldn't help asking.

"Do you think I'm the sort of person who would lie?" Cheng Duoyi shot back.

Xie Xie awkwardly scratched his head. "Fair enough. Brother Cheng's never lied to us, and there'd be no point."

Tang Wuling looked at Cheng Duoyi, her light-blue eyes tinged with sadness.

"Brother Yi'er, you've been through a lot these past three years, haven't you..."

"I thought..."

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

"What did you think?"

"That when I wasn't around, you were out shopping with Na'er?"

Tang Wuling rubbed her head and couldn't help laughing. She really had thought that once. Back then, she'd even wanted to live with Cheng Duoyi.

But she'd been too insecure, and couldn't bear to leave her parents, so in the end she hadn't said anything.

Zhang Yangzi looked at Wu Changkong and asked, "Teacher Wu, what does Brother Cheng's situation mean? Is he really strong, or is he weak?"

Wang Jinxi couldn't help chiming in. "The way Brother Cheng talks about them, these secondary professions sound easy to learn. Getting to level three doesn't seem that hard."

Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed, "You really think secondary professions are easy?"

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

They'd seen Tang Wuling study forging for three years.

And Cheng Duoyi had studied so many secondary professions and reached level three in all of them.

Looking at that, they figured they could do it, too.

Wu Changkong said nothing, only glancing at Xu Xiaoyan.

Xu Xiaoyan understood. If she wanted to stay in Class Zero, she needed to make use of her strengths.

And her strength was her vast store of knowledge.

Xu Xiaoyan explained, "Anyone who reaches level three in a secondary profession has a respectable standing in society. Take mechas, for example. The lowest-ranked, White-Grade Mechas, are made from metal processed and assembled in factories. Yellow-Grade Mechas require Hundred-Refined Rare Metal."

"When a mecha reaches Purple-Grade, it branches into two types. One is the large Purple-Grade Mecha, and the other is a smaller type called Battle Armor. Both Purple-Grade Mechas and Battle Armor require Thousand-Refined Metal."

"Forget everything else. Even Battle Armor Masters hold an unimaginable status in the Sun Moon Federation. How many Battle Armor Masters are there in your families?"

"Do you still think secondary professions are easy to learn?"

Wei Xiaofeng, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi froze. Their families did have Battle Armor Masters, but they could count them on one hand, and their status came second only to the clan heads.

After hearing Xu Xiaoyan's explanation, they no longer looked down on secondary professions.

They were only nine, after all, and didn't understand a lot of things. Now that they had something to compare it with, they finally got the picture.

In Tang Wuling and Cheng Duoyi's eyes, they might as well have been 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 masters or Battle Armor Masters in the future, will it be easier for us than for ordinary people?" Wei Xiaofeng asked in amazement.

He looked at Cheng Duoyi with respect, unlike before.

He used to think of Cheng Duoyi as something like a lucky charm who could boost their cultivation speed. He called him Brother Cheng, but when it came to cultivating, that had just been a title.

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

If he became a Battle Armor Master one day, his status would soar!

Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi felt the same. If they'd once had other thoughts about Cheng Duoyi, those thoughts were gone now. All they wanted was to follow him.

And they no longer thought Cheng Duoyi was bragging when he spoke.

What he said was true!

As long as they kept up with him, there was no doubt they could reach the pinnacle of the world in the future!

Seeing how strong Cheng Duoyi was, Xie Xie said proudly, "Do you even have to ask? If you sincerely accept my Brother Cheng as your big brother, he'll never let you down."

Gu Yue rolled her eyes. "What do you mean, 'my Brother Cheng'? Just call him Brother Cheng. Stop saying 'my Brother Cheng' over and over. Anyone who didn't know better would think you had feelings for Xiao Yi."

Tang Wuling chimed in. "Exactly. Why are you being so intimate? Anyone who overhears you will get the wrong idea."

"I..."

Xie Xie was at a loss for words. His brown eyes turned to Cheng Duoyi, full of pleading.

Cheng Duoyi hurriedly said, "Don't let people misunderstand our relationship. We're just good brothers and good friends. Nothing else is going on."

"Exactly!" Xie Xie agreed at once.

Cheng Duoyi looked at Wu Changkong. "Teacher Wu, could you explain mechas and Battle Armor to us?"

Wu Changkong nodded with approval.

So Cheng Duoyi did remember he was the teacher!

Anyone would think you were the teacher instead!

Wu Changkong cleared his throat twice. "Xu Xiaoyan has already mentioned White-Grade Mechas, Yellow-Grade Mechas, Purple-Grade Mechas, and Battle Armor."

"Normally, a Battle Armor Master has to be at least a Five-Ring Soul King."

"Ah, the rank's that high?" Zhang Yangzi couldn't help saying.

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

Only then did he remember.

Wu Changkong was a disciple of Shrek Academy's inner court. He must have graduated from the inner court, so Zhang Yangzi couldn't afford to offend him.

"That's right. Five rings are only the foundation. The Battle Armor worn by a Five-Ring Soul King is called One-Word Battle Armor, and it's made entirely from Thousand-Refined Metal. The cost of the Thousand-Refined Metal needed for a full set of One-Word Battle Armor is beyond what you can imagine right now."

"Don't reach for the stars just yet. For now, just learn the basics. And don't expect too much if you choose a secondary profession. Not everyone is a freak with a strong talent for one."

Wu Changkong's words shattered their dreams of getting into Shrek Academy quickly. That made sense. If it were really easy to reach level three in these professions, there wouldn't be so few students at Shrek Academy.

Wang Jinxi raised his hand.

Wu Changkong said, "What is it?"

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

Wu Changkong shook his head. Wang Jinxi and the others looked a little disappointed. They'd thought Wu Changkong might be a One-Word Battle Armor Master.

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

Wu Changkong had now experienced the pleasure of showing off just as Cheng Duoyi did.

It felt pretty good to seem weak at first, only to turn out strong.

Seeing their astonished faces, Wu Changkong wanted to smile, but held it in. Yet the moment he thought of Battle Armor...

A hint of sorrow clouded Wu Changkong's expression...

His mood turned cold again.

"Could Teacher Wu be depressed...?" Cheng Duoyi noticed the change in Wu Changkong and grew a little worried.

Tang Wuling didn't know how strong a Two-Word Battle Armor Master was, so she turned to Cheng Duoyi on her left. "Brother Yi'er, how strong is a Two-Word Battle Armor Master?"

Cheng Duoyi thought for a moment. "It depends on the wearer's rank. In Teacher Wu's case, with Two-Word Battle Armor, I doubt an ordinary Eight-Ring Soul Douluo could beat him."

"Ah, that strong?" Tang Wuling exclaimed.

Xie Xie was just as shocked. "Teacher Wu's that powerful? An Eight-Ring Soul Douluo!"

Yun Xiao was surprised, too. But then she remembered Cheng Duoyi's older sister, Leng Xue'er, was an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo and a Battle Armor Master herself. She just didn't know how many words her Battle Armor had.

Yun Xiao thought, Even an ordinary Titled Douluo probably wouldn't be a match for Teacher Leng...

"A Two-Word Battle Armor Master is that strong?" Zhang Yangzi exclaimed.

As soon as he said it, he hurriedly covered his mouth, afraid Wu Changkong would speak.

Wei Xiaofeng was just as shocked, and he made up his mind to follow Cheng Duoyi.

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

Wang Jinxi was also amazed. His eyes burned with excitement, and he resolved to get into Shrek Academy!

Xu Xiaoyan understood what being a Two-Word Battle Armor Master meant.

"So Teacher Wu is both handsome and strong. Is that what an inner-court disciple of Shrek Academy is like?"

Xu Xiaoyan looked at Cheng Duoyi, wondering what was going through her mind.

"Quiet. We're continuing class."

Wu Changkong returned to his usual cold demeanor and resumed teaching.

But he didn't teach for long before noon arrived.

Cheng Duoyi took Gu Yue and the others to get lunch.

It was Xu Xiaoyan's first time seeing how much Tang Wuling ate, and she was startled. "Will she be all right eating that much?"

Cheng Duoyi smiled. "She'll be fine. Ling'er's body is a little unusual, so she needs a lot of energy."

Xu Xiaoyan stared at Tang Wuling in amazement.

Wei Xiaofeng and the others had seen how much Tang Wuling ate before, but they couldn't help being astonished again. Could a person really eat that much?

"Come on, Xiao Yi, have a shrimp. Ah~" Gu Yue had barely eaten. She spent the whole time peeling shrimp for Cheng Duoyi.

Cheng Duoyi happily opened his mouth and ate it, saying, "Thanks, Big Sister Yue'er."

This side of him shattered Xu Xiaoyan's image of Cheng Duoyi to pieces.

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

He seemed like a completely different person from before.

Wei Xiaofeng and the other two weren't used to seeing Cheng Duoyi like this, either. They preferred his confident, composed self.

"Brother Cheng, does Gu Yue usually feed you like this?" Zhang Yangzi couldn't help asking.

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

Cheng Duoyi smiled. "More or less. Is there a problem?"

Zhang Yangzi wanted to ask a few more things, but Wang Jinxi covered his mouth.

Zhang Yangzi looked at him in confusion.

Wang Jinxi whispered, "If it's Brother Cheng's business, don't ask. Just eat."

No one knew what to make of that lunch.

By afternoon,

Wu Changkong took them to measure their physical attributes.

They entered a classroom filled with testing equipment.

"We'll start by testing strength. Wang Jinxi, you first."

"All right, Teacher Wu."

Wang Jinxi stepped forward confidently. His Martial Soul was the Bone Dragon King, and he believed he wouldn't be outdone by his peers in strength.

"Bang!" His left fist measured 426 kilograms.

"Bang!" His right fist measured 471 kilograms.

Xu Xiaoyan's big blue eyes filled with surprise.

Zhang Yangzi was even more pleased. "See that? Jinxi's strength is almost a thousand pounds."

But then...

"What's with you all? Aren't you even surprised?"

Zhang Yangzi noticed that Gu Yue and Tang Wuling didn't bat an eye, while Xie Xie looked downright disdainful.

Only Yun Xiao wore an expression that said she'd expected this.

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

Tang Wuling nodded. "All right, Brother Yi'er."

Wang Jinxi stepped to the right, wanting to see Tang Wuling's strength for himself. She actually looked down on him!

Bang!

Left fist: 3,120 kilograms!

"Am I seeing things, or did I just imagine that?"

"I saw it too!"

"How is her left fist over 3,000 kilograms?"

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

Wang Jinxi was no exception. He was just as astonished.

Could it be... Tang Wuling's so strong because she's been around Cheng Duoyi, and her bloodline awakened? Or does she have a Dragon Clan bloodline geared toward strength?

Wang Jinxi looked at Cheng Duoyi with even greater fervor.

Gu Yue noticed Wang Jinxi's gaze and furrowed her brow slightly.

She knew that look all too well. Wasn't it the same look Xie Xie used to give Cheng Duoyi?

Why are both guys and girls like this? Is something wrong with them? Gu Yue felt thoroughly annoyed.

Wei Xiaofeng swallowed. "Now I get it. Back at the tournament, she sent Wang Jinxi flying with one punch, even though he had the Bone Dragon King Martial Soul. Turns out Tang Wuling's strength just completely outclasses his!"

"Without Brother Cheng's boost, I doubt Wang Jinxi could've taken even one punch from Tang Wuling!"

For a moment, he, too, looked at Cheng Duoyi with fervor.

Gu Yue noticed that as well, and it irritated her even more.

Xu Xiaoyan covered her mouth in shock.

"This... this can't be real!"

"She, she, she..."

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

Bang!

Right fist: 3,500 kilograms!

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

They swallowed, imagining what it'd be like to take a hit from her. They'd be black and blue all over, wouldn't they?

In their eyes, Tang Wuling had become someone they absolutely mustn't provoke.

Who'd dare mess with someone comparable to a female tyrannosaurus?!