Gu Yue's mood had plummeted.
Her mind weighed heavily on her, and she looked completely distracted. Even during the afternoon's physical training, she seemed listless and couldn't find the energy to push herself.
As she ran, her gaze kept drifting, almost against her will, toward the figure surrounded by girls—Yao Chuan.
Her eyes held frustration, defeat, and a faint resentment she hadn't even noticed herself.
Her carefully prepared debut in a "mature" style had been KO'd before she even got the chance to approach him.
It felt like putting all her strength into a punch that hit cotton. No, worse—it had hit thin air!
How frustrating. So frustrating!
Was I the clown all along?
Gu Yue ranted inwardly.
Yao Chuan had keenly noticed that something was off with Gu Yue.
As he dealt with the enthusiastic classmates chattering around him, he kept an eye on the gloomy purple-haired girl out of the corner of his eye.
What's wrong with her today? She's not even paying attention to training.
A trace of doubt surfaced in Yao Chuan's mind.
But before he could give it much thought, let alone find a chance to ask her, the day's physical training ended amid a chorus of groans.
Just as everyone was dragging their exhausted bodies off, Wu Changkong's unmistakable voice, cold as ice chips, rang clearly above the noise.
"Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, Yao Chuan."
"Come see me after dinner."
His voice wasn't loud, but his tone brooked no argument.
The four who'd been called all paused.
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged glances, both seeing the same helpless look in the other's eyes: Here we go again.
Gu Yue was yanked from the mire of her emotions. She instinctively looked toward Yao Chuan, her expression somewhat complicated.
Yao Chuan, meanwhile, remained calm. He seemed to have expected this and simply nodded.
"Yes, Teacher Wu."
The other students cast them sympathetic or relieved looks, then hurried away, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Night fell.
After a simple dinner, the four arrived at the agreed-upon place on time.
Wu Changkong didn't waste words. He led them along the academy's dimly lit paths to the indoor training ground deep in the rear of the academy.
The spacious area was lit by bright Soul Guidance Lamps. The air carried the faintly cool smell of metal and plastic mixed together.
"Do you know why I called you here?" Wu Changkong turned around, his icy blue eyes sweeping over the four of them.
Xie Xie jumped in with an answer. "Teacher Wu, is there another special training session? Or a new physical training regimen?"
Tang Wulin looked a little uneasy. He'd had to complete his forging assignments while keeping up with training lately, and time was tight.
Gu Yue said nothing, standing quietly in place.
Yao Chuan had his hands in his pockets and looked relaxed, as though he'd merely come to visit.
Wu Changkong's gaze lingered on Yao Chuan for a moment before he spoke. His voice echoed around the empty training ground.
"The Class Promotion Tournament is in three months."
"Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Tang Wulin."
"You three will train with me to prepare for the tournament."
The three reacted in different ways.
Tang Wulin first breathed a sigh of relief—it wasn't extra physical training—then felt the pressure hit him like a mountain. He'd be representing the class!
Xie Xie's eyes lit up, and he looked eager to try. "Haha! It's finally time to get serious! Don't worry, Teacher Wu. Watch me, Xie Xie, sweep the field!"
Gu Yue remained calm, but her gaze grew more focused.
Yet almost at the same time, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue all instinctively turned to look at the most dazzling person beside them—Yao Chuan.
The same question was written on their faces: What about him?
Was Yao Chuan not competing? Why wasn't he on the special training roster?
He was the undisputed strongest fighter in Class Five right now!
Feeling their eyes fixed on him, Yao Chuan raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged lightly and spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Don't look at me."
"I'm not interested in the Class Promotion Tournament."
"This kind of test doesn't mean much to me."
Though he said it lightly, there was a powerful confidence in his words—almost a touch of arrogance.
"I doubt there's anyone my age who could be a match for me."
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
Arrogant!
So arrogant!
Strangely, though, neither Tang Wulin nor Xie Xie nor even the proud Gu Yue, and not even the usually stern Wu Changkong, thought he was boasting.
Just another day in the life. Nothing to see here.
Xie Xie opened his mouth to argue, but then remembered Yao Chuan's unfathomable strength... All right, that did seem to be a fact.
Tang Wulin recalled the test in the dining hall, when he'd pulled with all his might and Yao Chuan hadn't moved an inch. He wholeheartedly agreed.
Gu Yue had personally experienced what it was like to be effortlessly defeated by a Wood Spear.
Wu Changkong's very attitude was proof enough.
Coming from him, those words were unbelievably reasonable!
Tang Wulin scratched his head, still unable to resist asking the key question.
"Um... if Brother Yao Chuan isn't competing, why did you specifically call him here tonight, Teacher Wu...?"
He looked at Yao Chuan, then at Wu Changkong.
Right. If he wasn't competing, why call him over? To watch the special training?
Xie Xie and Gu Yue pricked up their ears as well.
Yao Chuan looked at Wu Changkong, a questioning glint in his eyes.
He was curious about what the cool, stone-faced teacher had in mind, too.
Wu Changkong's icy lips seemed to twitch upward by the tiniest fraction, a curve so slight it was almost impossible to notice.
Meeting the four's gazes, he gave an unexpected answer.
"I originally considered asking Yao Chuan to spar with you."
"But now there's a more suitable candidate."
His gaze settled on Yao Chuan.
"Yao Chuan."
"During special training, your task will be to fight them in actual combat."
After a pause, Wu Changkong added the most important restriction.
"Of course, you'll need to suppress your strength to the level of a One-Ring Soul Master."
At this, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue's eyes lit up!
Yao Chuan as their sparring partner? And with his strength suppressed to the level of a One-Ring Soul Master?
That... that was practically an incredible "perk"! They'd get a chance to observe, learn from, and even challenge a top expert at close range!
However, Wu Changkong's next words doused them in ice water, instantly lighting their competitive fire.
His cold gaze swept over Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue. There was a hint of derision and provocation in his tone.
"It's perfectly normal if you can't beat him one-on-one."
"But if the three of you attack together and still lose to him while he's restricted to One-Ring strength..."
Wu Changkong deliberately paused before slowly delivering the devastating rest of the sentence.
"Then you'll have disgraced yourselves."
"And brought shame on Grade One Class Five."
Boom!
Wu Changkong's words were like a spark dropped into an oil drum!
Tang Wulin felt hot blood rush to his face. His fists clenched before he even realized it.
Xie Xie was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, almost leaping into the air.
"What?! Teacher Wu, you're underestimating us! How could we possibly lose three against one?!"
Gu Yue didn't say a word, but a flame of determination clearly blazed in her beautiful purple eyes.
With a single sentence, Wu Changkong had thoroughly riled the three of them!
Their awe of Yao Chuan's strength was instantly overwhelmed by their blazing competitive spirit.
Three against one! And his strength was restricted!
If they lost, how could they hold their heads up around Yao Chuan afterward? How could they show their faces in Class Five?
They couldn't lose! Absolutely, positively couldn't lose!
The three exchanged glances and silently formed an alliance.
They had to show this powerful expert, who was suppressing his strength, a little "color"!
Yao Chuan watched the three little ones, now brimming with fighting spirit as if they'd just been injected with chicken blood, and curled his lips into an amused smile.
Interesting.
It seemed Teacher Wu was well versed in the art of drawing aggro.
He said nothing more and walked straight to the weapon rack beside the training ground.
His gaze passed over the wooden swords and knives used for practice before settling on a pitch-black wooden spear.
The length, weight, and feel... good enough.
He picked it up and casually weighed it in his palm.
Then he turned toward the trio, who'd already taken their stances, their eyes fierce as wolf cubs.
Yao Chuan held the spear in one hand, pointing it casually toward the ground, while his other hand slipped lazily back into his pocket.
"Come on."
His voice was calm, but carried an invisible pressure.
He gave the three an utterly casual "after you" gesture.
His posture made it seem as though he wasn't facing a three-on-one fight at all, but simply inviting some children over to play.
"Go!"
Xie Xie let out a low growl, no longer able to hold back!
He'd been fuming all day. Gu Yue had instantly defeated him, and now Teacher Wu had "looked down on" him!
The Shadow Dragon Dagger appeared in both his hands, and his First Soul Ring lit up!
"First Soul Skill: Light Dragon Blade!"
He moved with astonishing speed. Two dagger blades wreathed in golden light tore through the air, one from either side, striking at Yao Chuan's vital points like snakes darting to bite!
This was the signature speed of an agility-type Soul Master!
Almost as soon as Xie Xie sprang into action, Tang Wulin moved too!
Rather than charge straight at Yao Chuan, he stamped hard on the ground!
"Blue Silver Grass!"
With a low shout, several thick Blue Silver Grass vines burst from his palms like living creatures. They raced along the ground, their target clear: Yao Chuan's feet!
Control first! Restrict his movement!
At the same time, a glimmer of purple flashed in Gu Yue's eyes. Her fair fingers moved elegantly and swiftly before her.
Her affinity for the elements and her control over them were on full display!
"Wind!"
"Rock!"
An unseen breeze rose from nowhere. It wasn't directed at Yao Chuan but swept lightly across Xie Xie's back, making his charge suddenly even faster!
At the same time, two thick, solid walls of rock rose without warning from the ground behind Yao Chuan, one on either side.
Xie Xie's blades attacked from the front.
Tang Wulin's vines entangled him from below.
Rock walls blocked him on both sides behind him.
Gu Yue's tactical aim was crystal clear—to confine Yao Chuan completely to a narrow area, leaving him no way to dodge Xie Xie's lethal strike!
This was the first time the three had tried fighting together, yet their coordination was already quite orderly!
Wu Changkong stood at the edge of the field, his icy blue eyes brightening slightly.
Not bad.
Facing what was practically a "heaven-spanning net" of attacks, Yao Chuan's expression didn't change in the slightest.
He didn't even look at the rock walls rising behind him.
His calm gaze rested on Xie Xie, charging straight toward him.
The instant the two golden blades were about to reach him—
Yao Chuan moved!
His left hand remained motionless in his pocket.
With one hand alone!
His wrist flicked!
The seemingly unwieldy black wooden spear seemed to lose all its weight in his hand, turning into a blur of black!
Fast!
Unbelievably fast!
He moved later, yet arrived first!
"Pa! Pa!"
Two crisp cracks, almost like someone smacking a wooden board, rang out at nearly the same time!
Yao Chuan twisted his wrist. The Wooden Spear flicked like a serpent darting out its tongue, striking with pinpoint precision at the weak spots along the sides of the two golden blades of light stabbing toward him!
The angle was vicious, the timing impeccable!
Xie Xie felt an utterly irresistible, strangely twisting force surge from his dagger blades!
"Ugh!"
He cried out as his arms swung uncontrollably outward. The momentum of his charge, combined with the force throwing him off course, instantly unbalanced him. Like a top, he spun halfway around in place!
His attack had fallen apart!
Their flawless ambush crumbled under Yao Chuan's two casual taps!
Xie Xie staggered, then managed to steady himself, his face full of shock.
Too fast! Too accurate! That control over his strength... he was a monster!
Yao Chuan's movements didn't pause for an instant.
As he deflected Xie Xie's twin blades, he hadn't even shifted his feet.
His left foot merely stamped lightly on the ground, seemingly at random.
A hidden force traveled through the earth.
"Puff, puff, puff!"
The Blue Silver Grass vines about to wrap around his ankles struck an invisible barrier. They abruptly halted less than half an inch from his ankles, then were gently bounced aside by a soft yet unyielding force, drooping limply to the ground!
Tang Wulin's pupils contracted!
He could clearly feel the response of his outstretched Blue Silver Grass to that force—not a direct clash that crushed it, but a far more sophisticated deflection and redirection!
It was like a clay ox sinking into the sea, with nowhere to gain a foothold!
His control had failed!
In the split second that Xie Xie was thrown off balance and Tang Wulin's vines were knocked aside—
Gu Yue's second wave of attacks arrived!
She hadn't expected their first coordinated strike to succeed. She'd prepared a follow-up long ago!
"Ice!"
"Fire!"
Her hands flashed in quick succession!
The air on either side of Yao Chuan suddenly chilled. Seven or eight sharp icicles appeared out of nowhere, shrieking through the air as they shot toward his shoulders, neck, and ribs from tricky angles!
At the same time, a blazing orange-red fireball took shape above his head and came crashing down, radiating scorching heat!
A world of ice and fire! Attacks from above and below!
The timing was impeccable! Yao Chuan was caught in the instant when "his old strength had just been spent, and his new strength had yet to gather."
At the edge of the field, Wu Changkong's gaze sharpened. Gu Yue's speed in switching elements and the rhythm of her attacks truly surpassed her peers.
Faced with this deadly assault from above and below, with its alternating extremes of heat and cold—
Yao Chuan finally moved his feet for the first time.
But the movement was so slight it was almost absurd!
His body only swayed ever so faintly, like a ripple on water.
The shift was no more than five centimeters!
Yet that tiny sway was enough for the sharp icicles, despite their tricky angles, to howl past him, barely brushing his clothes and skimming his hair!
Every one of them missed!
Their frigid air even stirred his bangs.
At the same time, his right wrist, gripping the spear, flicked again!
The tip of the Wooden Spear seemed alive as it traced an elegant arc and struck the edge of the falling fireball with pinpoint accuracy!
He didn't meet it head-on!
He merely gave it a gentle "nudge"!
Like using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds!
The blazing fireball seemed to have been tenderly nudged by an invisible hand, its falling trajectory shifting ever so slightly!
It no longer fell toward Yao Chuan's head, but instead...
Whoosh!
It flew straight toward Xie Xie's head. He had only just steadied himself and was still catching his breath!
Before you continue