The next afternoon, just as the school bell rang, a slightly thin figure hurried to the door of Freshman Dormitory Room 108, carrying a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Come in."
Huo Yuhao pushed open the door and saw Ji Jing and Wang Dong tidying up their books inside. He quickly greeted them respectfully:
"Class monitor, Wang Dong, Teacher Zhou Yi asked me to come find you after school."
"Mm, we know. We've been waiting for you."
Ji Jing set down the book in his hand and gestured for Huo Yuhao to come in and sit.
He sized up this future God of Emotions. Though he still looked somewhat immature and reserved, his eyes were exceptionally bright and alert.
"Since Teacher Zhou asked us to form a team and take part in the freshman assessment, we need to understand one another's abilities."
Ji Jing got straight to the point.
"Huo Yuhao, there's no need to be nervous. Just tell us what you're good at."
"Yes, class monitor."
Huo Yuhao nodded. He knew this was a necessary step.
He took a deep breath, and his eyes lit up at once. An invisible wave of spiritual power spread silently outward from him.
The next moment, an incredibly clear, three-dimensional image appeared in the minds of both Ji Jing and Wang Dong.
The image laid out the entire dormitory in meticulous detail, even showing part of the corridor outside the door.
They could see the patterns on the water cup on the table and the veins of a leaf outside the window. They could even hear two students speaking in low voices at the end of the corridor.
It felt as though they had suddenly gained countless eyes and ears, giving them control over everything around them.
Ji Jing let a carefully measured look of surprise cross his face, thinking to himself:
Here it is—the team's signature skill.
Wang Dong, standing beside him, was genuinely stunned. She cried out:
"This is... Spiritual Detection Sharing?! My heavens! This is practically a divine skill for support types! With this, no ambush or trap can get past us!"
Wang Dong's attitude had changed, too.
At first, she had looked down on Huo Yuhao. Now, she recognized his place as the team's support.
Seeing their reactions, Huo Yuhao relaxed. A little embarrassed, he scratched his head.
"My Martial Soul is Spirit Eye. I specialize in spiritual power."
"Good. Knowing that is enough."
Ji Jing nodded, signaling that Huo Yuhao could put away his Soul Skill.
He stood up and patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder, speaking with conviction:
"Your ability is crucial. It'll help our team immensely."
"Before the assessment, just keep training and stay in good shape. As for everything else, there's nothing special you need to worry about. Wang Dong and I will handle the fighting."
His words brimmed with unquestionable confidence and trust in his teammates. Warmth welled up in Huo Yuhao's heart, and he nodded firmly.
"Yes! I understand, class monitor!"
"All right, now that we've discussed business..."
Ji Jing changed the subject and casually asked:
"What are you doing later? Going to Snack Street to sell grilled fish?"
Huo Yuhao shook his head, smiling.
"No. Teacher Xiao Ya and Senior Brother Beibei invited me to have a meal with them today."
Teacher Xiao Ya? Senior Brother Beibei?
Ji Jing and Wang Dong exchanged a glance. They both saw the familiar name in the other's eyes: the Tang Sect.
"Perfect,"
Ji Jing said with a faint smile, seizing the opportunity.
"We were just talking about how interested we are in the legendary Tang Sect and that we'd like to apply to join. Since it's such a coincidence, why don't you take us along to meet Senior Sister Tang Ya and Senior Brother Beibei?"
Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then was overjoyed.
He had been worrying that the Tang Sect was so short on members. He never expected someone as powerful as the class monitor to want to join of his own accord!
This was the best news imaginable!
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Huo Yuhao said excitedly.
"Teacher Xiao Ya and Senior Brother Beibei will be so, so happy when they hear you want to join! Come on, I'll take you there right now!"
Seeing how genuinely delighted Huo Yuhao was, Wang Dong smiled, too.
And so, with Huo Yuhao leading the way, the three of them left the dormitory together and headed for the place where they were supposed to meet Tang Ya and Beibei.
At a quiet little restaurant in Shrek Academy,
Tang Ya and Beibei sat at a table, chatting as they waited for Huo Yuhao to arrive.
"Beibei, the Tang Sect is in such a state now. It really is..."
Tang Ya sighed worriedly.
Beibei smiled gently and reassured her:
"Xiao Ya, don't worry. With Yuhao joining us, the Tang Sect has already started to turn things around. Things will get better."
As they spoke, Huo Yuhao's voice came from the entrance.
"Teacher Xiao Ya, Senior Brother Beibei, I'm here!"
The two turned toward him, smiles appearing on their faces.
But when they saw the two people behind Huo Yuhao, their smiles froze and turned to astonishment.
Walking behind Huo Yuhao was none other than Ji Jing, currently the most talked-about first-year student in the outer courtyard.
And beside him was Wang Dong, a Light Goddess Butterfly Soul Master of no small ability.
"Junior Ji Jing? Junior Wang Dong? How did you...?"
Beibei stood up in surprise.
Huo Yuhao stepped forward first and introduced them, excitement written all over his face.
"Senior Brother, Teacher Xiao Ya, I have the best news! The class monitor and Wang Dong want to join the Tang Sect, too!"
"What?!"
Even Beibei, usually so composed, couldn't help crying out in shock.
Tang Ya sprang up from her seat, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief.
She and Beibei had personally witnessed Ji Jing's terrifying strength when he had crushed Xu Sanshi!
He was undoubtedly a future powerhouse at the pinnacle of the continent!
And Wang Dong's Martial Soul was the rare Light Goddess Butterfly. Her talent was just as extraordinary.
Either of them was a genius the various sects would fight tooth and nail to recruit. Yet now, they wanted to join the declining Tang Sect of their own accord?
Happiness had come so suddenly that Tang Ya felt a little dizzy.
Looking at their astonished faces, Ji Jing smiled and nodded. His tone was sincere.
"Senior Sister Tang Ya, Senior Brother Beibei, we've long admired the Tang Sect founded by our forefather Tang San. We heard that Senior Sister is the current sect master, so we've come to apply to join. We hope to do our part in reviving the Tang Sect."
"Welcome! Of course you're welcome! You're more than welcome!"
Tang Ya finally came to her senses, her cheeks flushing with excitement.
She hurriedly took two booklets from her Storage Soul Tool and solemnly handed one to Ji Jing and one to Wang Dong.
"These are the Tang Sect's introductory secret techniques. From today on, you're members of the Tang Sect!"
Ji Jing and Wang Dong accepted the manuals, completing the sect-joining ceremony.
Looking at the humble restaurant and the simple dishes on the table, Ji Jing smiled and suggested:
"Sect Master, Senior Brother, today is a day of great celebration for our joining the sect. We can't just make do with a meal here."
"How about this? Let's find a scenic spot beside Sea God Lake. I'll do the cooking and make everyone a proper banquet to celebrate joining the sect. What do you say?"
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