Cheng Duoyi's Command-Defeating Four-Ring Wu Changkong

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed through the training ground's floor-to-ceiling windows and spilled across the polished floor.

Class Zero had already lined up.

After half a month of hellish training, the youthful uncertainty had faded from many of their eyes, replaced by a hint of grit and sharpness.

Wu Changkong held the Heavenly Frost Sword in his hand. His ice-blue hair stirred slightly in the morning light, and a chill that warned others to keep their distance radiated from him.

His gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Cheng Duoyi, standing at the front of the line.

"I've approved yesterday's proposal. Cheng Duoyi will join the battle."

Wu Changkong's voice was as cold as ever, but everyone's eyes lit up.

Xie Xie was the first to shout excitedly, "That's great! Brother Cheng is finally going to fight. Teacher Wu, you'd better watch out today!"

Tang Wuling nodded vigorously, her pale blue eyes filled with anticipation.

"With Brother Yi'er here, we're sure to win!"

Gu Yue said nothing, but her gaze toward Cheng Duoyi grew gentler, a faint light glimmering in her pink eyes.

Cheng Duoyi smiled slightly and stepped forward.

Rather than summon his Martial Soul, he activated the power of his bloodline. The aura of his Seven-Colored Bloodline spread through his body, and in an instant, an invisible pressure radiated outward from him.

Tang Wuling was the first to feel the change.

She felt a warm current flowing into her body. A faint golden pattern appeared on her forehead, sharing the same origin as the Golden Dragon King Bloodline within her. Her bloodline had received a tremendous boost!

Her Soul Power boiled in an instant, and strength surged through her without end, as if she had limitless energy.

Gu Yue was next. A silver pattern appeared on her forehead, and the surrounding elements became much easier to control, as though they had become part of her body.

Xie Xie felt the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger in his hands suddenly grow scorching hot, as if they had come alive.

The Light Dragon Dagger radiated an even more sacred glow, while the Shadow Dragon Dagger grew darker and more profound. Low dragon roars seemed to rumble from the two daggers, and their power surged.

He could even sense a strange connection forming between his two Martial Souls. He couldn't quite put it into words, but it was undeniably there.

Wang Jinxi trembled with excitement. His Bone Dragon King Martial Soul was already a top-tier Dragon Clan Martial Soul. Though it wasn't a true dragon, it was still a top-tier draconic Martial Soul. With the boost from the Seven-Colored Bloodline, he even felt as if he could transform into a bone dragon!

A golden pattern flashed across his forehead. It was as if a Bone Dragon King were roaring within him. The darkness in his aura deepened, and both his strength and defense underwent a qualitative leap.

Wei Xiaofeng was astonished to discover that his Green Shadow Snake Martial Soul had changed as well. The faint trace of draconic bloodline in his body had been fully awakened, and a shallow silver pattern appeared on his forehead. The Green Shadow Snake grew faster and more agile, and even seemed to carry a hint of dragon might.

Only Xu Xiaoyan, Yun Xiao, and Zhang Yangzi felt no change.

Xu Xiaoyan stuck out her tongue and watched Tang Wuling and the others with envy.

Yun Xiao was already used to it. He simply clenched his fists in silence, refusing to admit defeat.

A trace of disappointment crossed Zhang Yangzi's face, but it was soon replaced by fighting spirit. Besides, he was happy to see Wang Jinxi grow stronger!

"This ability... it's truly powerful!"

Over the past half month, Tang Wuling and the others had chosen to meditate near Cheng Duoyi, doubling their progress.

So Wu Changkong had seen this many times before, yet he was still amazed.

He could clearly sense that Tang Wuling and the others had grown considerably stronger in an instant. The boost to Dragon Clan Martial Souls was especially astonishing—far beyond anything he could have imagined.

Cheng Duoyi slowly opened his eyes. A streak of seven-colored light passed through his black eyes.

He looked at everyone and smiled. "All right, get ready to fight. Remember our tactics. Ling'er will engage him head-on and attack if she gets the chance. Big Sister Yue'er will control the field and attack from range. Xie Xie and Wei Xiaofeng will harass him from the flanks. Wang Jinxi will defend and launch powerful attacks. Yun Xiao, stay ready to switch places and save someone. Xu Xiaoyan will provide support. Everyone, do your part and follow my commands."

"Understood!" everyone answered in unison, their voices brimming with confidence.

Wu Changkong's expression didn't change. He gave the Heavenly Frost Sword a slight shake, and ice-blue Soul Power surged as six Spirit Rings rose from beneath his feet—two yellow, two purple, and two black. He was unmistakably a Six-Ring Soul Emperor!

"Begin!"

At Wu Changkong's command, the battle began.

Tang Wuling charged out first, pushing off so hard that the ground trembled slightly.

She was more than twice as fast as before and reached Wu Changkong in a flash.

"First Soul Skill, Bind!"

Countless strands of Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground, thicker and tougher than ever, and glowing with a faint golden light. Like enormous blue pythons, they coiled toward Wu Changkong.

Wu Changkong's eyes narrowed. He swung the Heavenly Frost Sword, sending out countless Frost Marks in an attempt to sever the Blue Silver Grass.

To his surprise, the strands were extraordinarily tough. He managed to cut through only a small portion.

At that moment, Wang Jinxi charged in as well. His right arm transformed into a massive Bone Dragon Claw, wreathed in dense darkness, and swiped viciously at Wu Changkong.

Next came Bone Soul Transformation. Wang Jinxi turned his entire right arm into a spirit form, ignoring the sword energy Wu Changkong sent sweeping toward him as the Bone Dragon Claw lunged straight for his chest.

Wu Changkong had no choice but to dodge sideways while releasing Frost Mist in an attempt to block everyone's vision.

"Big Sister Yue'er, use wind to scatter the Frost Mist!" Cheng Duoyi called out.

Gu Yue immediately understood. She formed a hand seal, and a powerful gale appeared out of nowhere, scattering the Frost Mist in an instant.

A barrage of fireballs, Ice Spikes, Earth Spikes, and Wind Blades immediately shot toward Wu Changkong, blanketing the sky and leaving no gaps.

The elements flowed with remarkable ease, their transitions seamless, and their power far greater than before.

Wu Changkong's heart jolted. He spun the Heavenly Frost Sword rapidly before him, forming an ice-blue curtain of blades to fend off the elemental attacks.

Just then, Xie Xie and Wei Xiaofeng appeared on either side of Wu Changkong like a pair of specters.

"First Soul Skill, Light Dragon Blade! Shadow Dragon Blade!"

"First Soul Skill, Green Shadow Stack!"

Two dragon-shaped blades of energy and countless green afterimages attacked Wu Changkong at once, forcing him to defend against threats from both sides.

Wu Changkong snorted as his third Spirit Ring lit up.

"Third Soul Skill, Heavenly Frost Slash!"

A massive ice-blue blade of energy cleaved through the air, instantly shattering Xie Xie and Wei Xiaofeng's attacks before slashing toward them.

"Yun Xiao!" Cheng Duoyi shouted.

Yun Xiao was already prepared, his gaze sharpening.

"First Soul Skill, Displacement!"

A flash of white light passed by, and Yun Xiao and Xie Xie instantly switched places.

The ice-blue blade of energy grazed Yun Xiao's shoulder and carved a deep icy scar across the ground. Yun Xiao was knocked out of the fight.

"That was close!" Xie Xie patted his chest, still shaken.

In that brief opening, Tang Wuling had already charged up to Wu Changkong.

Golden light flashed in her eyes. She clenched her fist and, with nearly ten thousand jin of force behind it, drove it toward Wu Changkong's chest.

Wu Changkong hurriedly raised the Heavenly Frost Sword to block.

"Clang!"

The sound rang out like metal striking metal.

Wu Changkong felt a tremendous force hit him.

His arm went numb, and he staggered back three steps, utterly shocked.

That strength was more terrifying than that of a five-ring power-type Soul Master!

Seeing Tang Wuling force Wu Changkong back, everyone's confidence soared.

Tang Wuling pressed her advantage.

"Blue Silver Spike Array!"

Countless strands of Blue Silver Grass thrust up beneath Wu Changkong, completely blocking off his retreat.

Gu Yue seized the opportunity, bringing her hands together as a massive water dragon took shape and roared toward Wu Changkong.

The water dragon then transformed into countless ice arrows, which shot toward him in a dense barrage.

Wang Jinxi charged forward again, the Bone Dragon Claw whistling as it tore through the air and struck at Wu Changkong's legs.

Xie Xie and Wei Xiaofeng launched another attack, harassing him from either side.

Xu Xiaoyan waved her Star Wheel Ice Staff, mostly going through the motions...

For a time, their attacks surged toward Wu Changkong like a rising tide, their coordination flawless.

Wu Changkong was driven back step by step, able only to keep swinging the Heavenly Frost Sword to defend himself.

He was stunned. Was this really the Class Zero he knew?

Cheng Duoyi's arrival alone had brought about such a world-shaking transformation.

Cheng Duoyi stood in the middle of the battlefield, watching the fight with calm focus and issuing commands from time to time to adjust everyone's tactics.

He was like the brain of the whole team, precisely controlling every detail.

At last, Tang Wuling landed a heavy punch on Wu Changkong's shoulder.

When Gu Yue held an Ice Spike to his throat, the battle was over.

Wu Changkong sheathed the Heavenly Frost Sword and looked at everyone, panting but bright-eyed. He remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "You win."

Everyone immediately erupted into cheers and embraced one another in excitement.

Tang Wuling was the first to run over to Cheng Duoyi. "Brother Yi'er, we won! We really beat Teacher Wu!"

"Yeah, Brother Cheng, you're amazing!" Xie Xie came over too, his face full of admiration.

Gu Yue looked at Cheng Duoyi, a gentle smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

Wu Changkong walked up to Cheng Duoyi and studied him closely.

"Your ability to enhance others is terrifying. It's enough to change the course of any battle!"

Cheng Duoyi smiled but said nothing.

Wu Changkong said no more, only, "Rest for thirty minutes. After that, I'll fight you using four-ring strength."

"What? Four rings!" Everyone was stunned.

Xie Xie grimaced. "Teacher Wu, isn't that a bit too harsh? We've only just beaten you with three rings."

"Only under pressure can you grow quickly. If you don't want to be trampled underfoot forever, you have to become stronger. Besides... do you think Cheng Duoyi's ideals are so easy to achieve? If you don't work hard now, you'll have even less time to strive in the future!"

Cheng Duoyi nodded. "Teacher Wu is right. We accept the challenge."

Everyone gathered around Cheng Duoyi and meditated to recover their Soul Power. With the boost of the Seven-Colored Bloodline, their Soul Power recovered quickly.

Thirty minutes later, everyone had returned to peak condition, and the battle began again.

Wu Changkong was far stronger with four rings than he had been with three.

The power of his fourth Soul Skill, Frost Ice Language, was terrifying. A several-zhang-long greatsword of ice cleaved through the air, powerful enough to freeze the ground into a frozen wasteland.

The pressure on everyone instantly multiplied, and they were almost caught in danger several times.

But with Cheng Duoyi's calm commands and the boost from the Seven-Colored Bloodline, they survived one crisis after another.

Tang Wuling relied on her tremendous strength and resilient Blue Silver Grass to keep Wu Changkong firmly tied down.

Gu Yue pushed Elemental Control to the utmost. The four elements of water, fire, earth, and wind shifted unpredictably at her command, constantly disrupting and attacking Wu Changkong.

Xie Xie and Wei Xiaofeng used their speed to keep harassing Wu Changkong's flank.

Wang Jinxi used his own body to block Wu Changkong's attacks and protect the others, but he had only one chance to do so.

Wu Changkong was simply too powerful, and his movements were elusive and hard to predict. Without Cheng Duoyi's commands, they wouldn't have been able to find his true body at all.

Yun Xiao's Displacement skill could save only one person each time, and using it meant he was out of the fight. Still, it was better than nothing.

Xu Xiaoyan was still mostly going through the motions...

The battle went on for a full half hour.

Under Cheng Duoyi's command, they eventually managed to defeat four-ring Wu Changkong, at the cost of seven people being knocked out. Aside from Cheng Duoyi, only Tang Wuling remained.

When Wu Changkong announced their victory, everyone collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, their faces still alight with the joy of victory.

Wu Changkong looked at them, exhausted but resolute, and felt deeply gratified.

He felt that he really could lead these children to create a miracle.

"Starting today, your training intensity will double." Wu Changkong's voice remained cold, but everyone heard a hint of anticipation in it.

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

Over the next fifteen days, Class Zero entered an even more grueling period of training.

Every day, they fought Wu Changkong at different levels of strength, from three rings to four. Sometimes he even used the strength of a five-ring Soul Master.

Without Cheng Duoyi's boost and command, they struggled miserably once more. They couldn't even beat three-ring Wu Changkong, let alone his four- or five-ring self.

In the end, Cheng Duoyi always served as their commander. Sometimes he enhanced their abilities, and sometimes he didn't; he used different methods for different trial battles.

Through one fight after another, everyone's strength increased rapidly, and their coordination grew ever more seamless. They also meditated and cultivated beside Cheng Duoyi.

Their Soul Power improved even faster, growing denser by the day.

Cheng Duoyi's command skills also shone through in each of these battles. At every crucial moment, he made the right call and led everyone to victory against powerful opponents.

Gradually...

Xu Xiaoyan, Wei Xiaofeng, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi developed absolute trust in Cheng Duoyi, obeying his every command.

Fifteen days later, Cheng Duoyi looked at everyone and smiled. "I have some good news. Tomorrow, we're taking a day off to visit the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform."

"The Primary Spirit Ascension Platform!" Wei Xiaofeng and the others cried out excitedly.

They had heard about the Spirit Ascension Platform long ago and had always looked forward to going there to train.

"That's right." Cheng Duoyi nodded. "This time, we're going into the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform mainly to raise everyone's Spirit Ring age and see how our training has paid off. But the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform is dangerous, so everyone must follow my commands. Don't act on your own."

"Understood!" everyone answered in unison.