Wu Changkong's Guidance, Tang Buddha's Displeasure, Has This Person Found His Own Path to Death?

Wu Changkong was defeated.

The entire Class Five fell into a deathly silence, as if even their breathing had been frozen solid.

Everyone's eyes were wide as saucers, their mouths agape wide enough to fit an egg.

The brief yet heart-stopping duel that had just unfolded had completely overturned their understanding of reality.

Teacher Wu, that ice-cold and formidable six-ring Soul Emperor, had actually been forced by a freshman to lift his restrictions while he was actively suppressing his own soul power!

Xie Xie was the first to snap out of it; the embarrassment of his earlier bragging being exposed instantly transformed into a sense of reflected glory, as if to say, "My big brother is awesome, therefore I am awesome."

He frantically winked and gestured at Yao Chuan, shouting silently: Big Brother is mighty! That was so cool!

Tang Wulin's heart was also pounding, his gaze toward Yao Chuan filled with fervor and worship.

Wu Changkong stood where he was, a crack finally appearing on his eternal, glacial face.

He looked down at his own hands, then back up at Yao Chuan, who stood opposite him with steady breathing, looking as if he had merely stretched his muscles. His gaze was complex.

The brief silence was broken by Wu Changkong's low voice.

"In terms of soul skill application, there is no longer anything I can teach you."

This sentence was like a stone cast into a calm lake, instantly causing Class Five to erupt in a frenzy.

No need to teach? Even Teacher Wu admitted he couldn't teach him? Just what kind of monster was this Yao Chuan?!

However, Wu Changkong shifted his tone, his icy gaze locking onto Yao Chuan like a physical weight.

"However," his voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears with an undeniable gravity, "your utilization of power is as crude as using the claws of a primeval beast to perform embroidery! Every subtle movement in combat, the precise control of soul power eruption points, and your real-time judgment of the ever-changing battlefield situation—it is riddled with holes!"

Yao Chuan's initially relaxed expression, which had held a hint of "as expected," faltered slightly.

Wu Changkong did not pause, analyzing the combat like the most sophisticated Soul Tool, his pace steady, yet every word struck like a nail, precisely hammering into the weak points of Yao Chuan's combat system:

"When you neutralized my Frost Mark during the first strike, you chose the most direct soul power collision. Efficiency? Zero! You wasted at least one-fifth of your soul power on meaningless spatial tremors."

"The optimal solution would have been to shift your body to deflect the attack path, utilizing the inertia of my own soul skill to exhaust its energy. You could have achieved the same result using only one-third of the soul power you actually spent, while simultaneously establishing a counter-attack stance."

"When you activated your second soul ring, you attempted to disperse my Frost Mist with pressure. The idea was acceptable, but the execution was foolish!"

"Your aura eruption range was too large, covering at least fifteen meters of useless area. The core target area—the source of the Frost Mist—received insufficient force, causing a 0.8-second delay in the dispersal. That 0.8 seconds is enough for an agility-type soul master of the same rank, skilled in assassination, to stab three holes in your back! Precise control of your domain, focusing on a single point to complete the dispersal in an instant—that is the correct solution!"

"As for the final collision..." Wu Changkong's eyes were as sharp as swords, "you summoned your second martial soul, the Blood Spear, and used your second soul skill to clash head-on with my Sky Frost Slash. It looked domineering, but in reality, it was the most inferior choice! Your power was entirely dissipated against the shockwave, with a massive forty percent of energy wasted!"

"Furthermore, when you landed, your left foot subconsciously retreated half a step to stabilize your center of gravity. This is ironclad proof that your control over your power has yet to reach the level of perfect mastery!"

"In a perfect state, after such a clash, your feet should be rooted to the earth, unmoving, with the remaining force held in reserve, ready to launch a thunderous pursuit at any moment!"

The ease on Yao Chuan's face vanished completely.

At first, he had thought Wu Changkong was just trying to save face, and that the so-called "flaws" were merely trivial details.

But as Wu Changkong dissected every one of his movements and every flow of soul power frame by frame, accurate to the millisecond and the node of soul power, he began to take it seriously.

This wasn't nitpicking; this was a true master using a microscope to examine what he had considered a perfect answer sheet, pointing out every tiny stain and correction with absolute clarity!

The sense of superiority Yao Chuan had felt toward Wu Changkong's strength due to his victory instantly dissipated into nothingness.

He cast aside all his nonchalance, his expression becoming incredibly solemn.

He silently took out a piece of memory metal and a soul-recording pen, beginning to rapidly record every word and every point Wu Changkong made.

This icy teacher really knew his stuff!

Yao Chuan might have won through the crushing superiority of his martial soul quality and soul ring age, but in terms of the art of combat, experience, and technique, Teacher Wu was truly qualified to be his mentor!

Seeing Yao Chuan humbly accepting instruction and recording diligently, a trace of extremely subtle satisfaction flickered in the depths of Wu Changkong's eyes. The child is teachable.

However, the other students in Class Five were now like eggplants hit by frost, completely wilted.

A massive psychological gap hung over them like heavy shackles.

First, Teacher Wu was defeated by a freshman, and then this freshman was scolded to a pulp by Teacher Wu, yet he still accepted it humbly...

It felt like a group of noobs watching gods fight, only to realize they weren't even noobs—they were just the background dust!

It was too damn demoralizing!

The entire class entered vibration mode; their mentalities had collapsed!

Wu Changkong's icy gaze swept over the dejected students, his brows furrowed, and an invisible low pressure instantly enveloped the room.

"Look at yourselves!" His voice rose sharply, carrying a bone-chilling coldness, "Your spirits are too weak! Seeing someone slightly stronger, you act as if the sky is falling! The path of a soul master is about fighting for that sliver of survival, seizing that thread of opportunity! If you can't even muster the fighting spirit, what are you cultivating for?"

"You think your martial souls are trash? That your talent is mediocre?" His gaze was as sharp as a blade, as if it would pierce through everyone's soul, "Tang Wulin! Stand up!"

Tang Wulin was startled and subconsciously straightened his back: "Here!"

Wu Changkong pointed at him: "What is his martial soul?"

"It's... it's Blue Silver Grass..." a student muttered.

"Correct! The trash martial soul recognized by the entire continent, Blue Silver Grass!" Wu Changkong's voice sounded like ice colliding, "Yet it is he who, relying on this trash martial soul, nearly swept through the class trials and ultimately stood in the finals! What did he rely on? It was his resilience, which far exceeds the norm, and his combat will that remains unshaken in the face of danger! Your martial souls might be slightly stronger than his, but are your bones as hard as his? Is your will as strong as his?"

"Physique is the foundation of a soul master! It is the cornerstone for becoming a powerful mecha pilot in the future!" Wu Changkong's voice was resolute, "Ordinary people can become mecha pilots by relying on Soul Tools. But without a strong physique, you wouldn't even be able to withstand the impact inside the cockpit, let alone fight? Let alone become stronger?"

His gaze swept over everyone once more, carrying an unquestionable majesty: "Starting tomorrow, the entire morning will be dedicated to extreme physical training! The afternoon will be for theory! In one month, I want to see you all reborn! Now, except for Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, everyone else, dismissed!"

As if granted amnesty, or perhaps simply drained of all strength, the students of Class Five left the field with drooping heads and unsteady steps. The vast training ground was left with only four people: Wu Changkong, Yao Chuan, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie.

Wu Changkong turned to Yao Chuan: "You may go as well."

Yao Chuan nodded, tucked away his clipboard, and turned to leave without the slightest hesitation.

Watching Yao Chuan's retreating back, Tang Wulin's heart was filled with confusion.

Brother Chuan is so strong, why didn't Teacher Wu choose him to participate in the Class Promotion Tournament?

Just then, Yao Chuan, who had already reached the doorway, seemed to hear his inner thoughts. He paused, and without looking back, said:

"That Class Promotion Tournament is child's play; it cannot ignite my fighting spirit."

"Whether it is Class Five or Class One, it makes no difference to me. The only reason I chose to come to Class Five was to receive personal guidance from Teacher Wu."

Having said that, he stopped lingering and his figure vanished at the doorway.

So that was it!

Tang Wulin's understanding cleared in an instant! So Brother Chuan's goals were so clear and lofty!

The Class Promotion Tournament was simply beneath his notice!

He wasn't here to prove anything; he had come purely in pursuit of stronger guidance! Such vision and perspective...

Tang Wulin took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

Brother Chuan's goal was the sea of stars, and the most important step for him right now was to fight this Class Promotion Tournament well!

The fire of confidence in his heart burned even brighter because of Yao Chuan's strength and composure! With a companion like Brother Chuan ahead of him, he had to work even harder to catch up!

Xie Xie, standing to the side, curled his lip and muttered: "Tch, what a show-off..."

However, there was no real resentment in his eyes; it was just his habitual way of complaining.

After all, it was only natural for a big brother to show off.

Wu Changkong took in the changes in Tang Wulin's expression, nodding imperceptibly in his heart. This kid truly had a steady temperament.

"Tang Wulin, Xie Xie." Wu Changkong's voice pulled their attention back.

"Here!" the two replied in unison.

"According to the rules, the intermediate division Class Promotion Tournament requires a minimum of two participants. In one month, you two will represent Class Five," Wu Changkong announced concisely.

"Ah? Just the two of us?" Xie Xie blurted out instinctively. "Teacher Wu, what about Yao Chuan..."

Why leave such good combat power unused? Even if Big Brother said he wasn't interested, Teacher, you should have been firmer and forced him!

Wu Changkong shot him a cold glance: "Do you have an objection? Yao Chuan's attitude is already very clear. Do you think you are more qualified than him to decide his path?"

Xie Xie shrank his neck and shook his head hurriedly: "Uh... no, not at all..." Just kidding, who would dare question Big Brother's decision? He just thought it was a pity; if Big Brother participated, wouldn't it be a total slaughter?

"Your talents, placed within the entire Eastsea Academy intermediate division, are barely average." Wu Changkong poured cold water on them without mercy. "The goal is simple: in one month, take down Grade One Class One for me!"

"Hiss—" Tang Wulin and Xie Xie both gasped. Class One! That was the existence known as the "strongest freshman class in history"! The pressure was immense!

"If you fail..." Wu Changkong's voice was like a devil's whisper, his lips curling into a chilling arc, "the consequences will be very severe. Starting tonight, extra training every night."

"Yes! Teacher Wu!" The two felt their scalps go numb and immediately straightened their backs to shout their response. Severe? Extra training? Just thinking about Teacher Wu's icy face and his potential methods made Xie Xie feel as if his backside were already aching.

Leaving the office shrouded in Wu Changkong's low-pressure aura, the bright light of the soul guidance lamps in the hallway spilled onto them, and only then did Tang Wulin feel the heavy stone on his chest loosen slightly. He couldn't help but grin, his smile impossible to suppress.

To be chosen as a representative for the Class Promotion Tournament! This meant so much to him! It meant that on the path of a Soul Master, he was finally no longer that mocked "trash martial soul Blue Silver Grass" user; he had finally taken the first step toward being recognized! The dream of becoming a truly powerful Soul Master no longer seemed like an unreachable fantasy!

"Hehe..." he couldn't help but chuckle aloud.

Beside him, Xie Xie was rubbing the shoulder that had just been struck by Wu Changkong's belt. Although it wasn't a serious injury, it really hurt! Seeing Tang Wulin smiling so happily, he immediately felt annoyed.

"Hey! What are you laughing at!" Xie Xie glared at him irritably. "Don't get too happy! Teacher Wu said our talent is only average! If we go up against those monsters in Class One, you'll be crying before you know it! Don't you dare drag this young master down!"

The smile on Tang Wulin's face faded. He looked at Xie Xie with clear brown eyes, his expression becoming exceptionally serious, even carrying a hint of innocence.

He blinked and asked slowly:

"Xie Xie, does your face... still hurt?"

BOOM!

Xie Xie's face turned bright red in an instant! Redder than a boiled shrimp!

He really had to bring up the one thing he shouldn't!

It turned out they had already secretly fought once last night.

But the result... was clearly that Xie Xie had been defeated.

"Tang Wulin! You're asking for it!" Xie Xie was so embarrassed he became angry. The phantom of his Light Dragon Dagger flickered in his palm, and he lunged forward, claws bared, ready to regain his lost face. "If you've got guts, let's go again! See if I don't beat you into a pulp!"

Tang Wulin watched the bristling Xie Xie, his lips curling into a secret smile again, though his feet moved calmly to maintain a safe distance.

Well, being able to participate in the Class Promotion Tournament is truly great.

Meanwhile, deep within Tang Wulin's sea of consciousness.

In that chaotic, golden mental space, a faint, yet supremely majestic divine consciousness phantom flickered like a candle in the wind, absorbing the scattered mental energy.

This was precisely the mark God Emperor Tang (Tang San) had planted in the deepest recesses of his son's consciousness.

As Tang Wulin's spiritual power grew naturally and he experienced the stimulation of combat, this long-dormant mark was recovering a sliver of activity, albeit at an agonizingly slow pace.

Just moments ago, when Yao Chuan erupted with power to defeat Wu Changkong and subsequently spoke with such composure about pursuing greater guidance, it was as if a stone had been cast into the consciousness of God Emperor Tang, sending out a strange ripple.

"Such a vast and pure dragon-attribute aura... domineering, ancient, and even carrying the scent of the origin... this is certainly not something an ordinary dragon-type martial soul could possess..."

The residual consciousness of God Emperor Tang was filled with shock and uncertainty.

In his perception, the aura radiating from Yao Chuan was as conspicuous as a lighthouse in the night—it was an extremely pure, high-concentration essence of the dragon, the quality of which was so high that it faintly made even him feel a tremor of alarm.

This feeling... it even reminded him of the existence that was supposed to appear according to his plans—the Silver Dragon King!

"No... this script is wrong!"

The thoughts of God Emperor Tang surged, filled with confusion and vigilance. "The incarnation of the Silver Dragon King, according to the deductions of the God Realm Committee and the layout of This Seat, should be female, and should have been nurtured by the Seed of Nature, eventually forming a bond with My son Wulin... how could it have turned into a boy? And why has he appeared near Proud Arrival City ahead of schedule?"

If the Silver Dragon King's incarnation had become male... then would his ten-thousand-year grand plan, for which he had painstakingly labored and even gone so far as to strip his own son from the God Realm and send him to the Douluo Continent to endure the suffering of the Golden Dragon King's seal, not be completely ruined?

Could the God Realm's deductions be wrong? Or was it that... an unknown variable had forcibly intervened in the River of Fate?

Thinking of the immense price he had paid and the suffering his son might face in the future, the consciousness of God Emperor Tang fluctuated violently.

"This person... bearing such a pure, primordial dragon-attribute aura, whether he is a mutated form of the Silver Dragon King or some other remnant of the Dragon God... his very existence has already touched upon the taboos of the God Realm and disrupted the heaven-reaching divine path I have paved for Wulin!"

A chilling killing intent quietly sprouted in his heart, clear and absolute:

"This is... a path to certain death!"