"Gentlemen, what do you intend to do to my disciple by sneaking into the Eastsea Academy in the dead of night?"
Wu Changkong remained calm, his voice as emotionless as the sword he carried on his back.
None of the seven or eight figures in Black Robe answered.
Gu Yuena stood at the very front, her eyes calmly fixed on the figure, without uttering a word.
Di Tian stood to the side and slightly behind Gu Yuena, his golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly, his gaze lingering on Wu Changkong for a moment before shifting away.
Such an opponent is not worth a second glance.
Zi JI, Bi Ji, Xiong Jun, and the others didn't even glance at Wu Changkong.
Their gaze remained fixed on the black-haired boy who was unable to move on the windowsill.
Wu Changkong frowned slightly.
He was already prepared to make a move when he spoke.
The Heavenly Frost Sword emitted a faint hum behind him.
The energy associated with ice flows through the meridians.
But none of the people in front of him panicked at his appearance.
Nobody even gave him a second glance.
He seemed no different from the stones on the roadside as he stood there.
Wu Changkong's heart sank.
He couldn't sense their presence.
Fluctuations in Soul Power, fluctuations in mental power, even breathing and heartbeat.
I can't feel anything.
They stood there, like seven intangible ghosts, or like seven bottomless abysses.
He had only ever experienced this feeling with his teacher, Zhuo Shi.
In those occasional moments of guidance, Zhuo Shi's mere presence alone instilled in him a suffocating sense of insurmountable unease.
He felt that each of these people was no less capable than his teacher.
The silver-haired girl standing at the front, wearing a hood, seemed even more unfathomable to him than the Zhuo Shi.
It's like standing on the edge of an abyss, looking down and seeing only endless darkness.
The Heavenly Frost Sword, Wu Changkong, emitted a deep, resonant sound.
He reached out and pressed his hand on the hilt of the sword; its cool temperature calmed his chaotic thoughts.
How could Tang Wulin have provoked someone like that?
This was the only thought he could clearly comprehend.
How could he possibly be associated with someone of that caliber?
Any one of these people could make a move.
They could raze the entire Eastsea Academy to the ground in the blink of an eye.
Why are they looking for Tang Wulin?
Gu Yuena looked at Wu Changkong's still calm face, and a hint of impatience finally flashed in her eyes.
She raised her hand and lightly tapped her fingertips in the air.
Di Tian understood and took a step forward.
A violent dragon's might poured out from his body, transforming into an invisible wave of energy that crushed towards Wu Changkong.
Wu Changkong's pupils suddenly contracted.
When that blast of air hit his chest, he truly understood what the difference in their abilities meant.
Faced with this overwhelming power, it was like an oil lamp in a storm, easily extinguished.
He gritted his teeth, refusing to retreat even a step, and the Heavenly Frost Sword emitted a sharp, mournful cry.
The icy blue light on the sword flickered intermittently.
A hint of surprise flashed in Di Tian's golden vertical pupils.
This human was more resilient than he had anticipated.
Just as he was about to apply more pressure, Gu Yuena lowered her hand.
Di Tian withdrew his dragon might and retreated to Gu Yuena's side, his golden vertical pupils coldly sweeping over Wu Changkong.
Gu Yuena looked at Wu Changkong's slightly pale face, her purple eyes devoid of any emotion.
She came to Eastsea City for the Golden Dragon King, not to kill people.
But if someone stands in her way, she doesn't mind making them pay the price.
Wu Changkong gripped the Heavenly Frost Sword, his fingers turning slightly white from the excessive force.
He knew he couldn't win, and he knew that if any one of these people stepped forward, he wouldn't last three moves against them.
But he knew even more clearly that the dark-haired boy on the windowsill behind him was his student.
He was a member of Class Zero, and a disciple he personally selected.
It is a teacher's duty to protect students; even if they can't win a fight, they have to.
Wu Changkong said no more.
The moment the Heavenly Frost Sword was drawn, the temperature in the world plummeted.
Two-Word Battle Armor -- Sky Ice.
Ice-blue armor emerged from the void, covering his shoulders, chest, waist, abdomen, and limbs, each plate shimmering with faint frost patterns.
He was like a moving iceberg, emanating a chilling aura.
A thin layer of frost had formed on the ground beneath our feet.
"Sixth Soul Skill - Frost Condensation!"
The icy blue light on the Heavenly Frost Sword suddenly exploded.
The ice-elemental energy, so dense it was almost tangible, condensed on the blade, transforming into a gigantic ice crystal sword shadow that stood suspended in mid-air.
The sword shadow stretched for over ten meters, its blade covered in dense frost patterns, each line radiating a chilling aura capable of freezing the soul.
The icy sword shadow slashed down towards Di Tian, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The air itself was frozen into tiny ice crystals, which then fluttered down.
Di Tian stood still, without even moving a step.
He simply raised his hand and waved it casually.
Dragon claws emerged from his sleeve, their five fingers as black as ink and covered with fine dragon scales.
His movements didn't seem fast or forceful, but that seemingly casual slap felt like a mountain striking Wu Changkong's sword.
The ice crystal sword shadow shattered into countless fragments the moment it collided with Di Tian's dragon claw.
Ice crystal fragments exploded in the air, refracting a rainbow of colors under the moonlight.
The Heavenly Frost Sword let out a mournful cry.
Wu Changkong felt an irresistible force surge along the sword, shattering his protective Soul Power and cracking his tiger's mouth.
He flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground and sliding several meters away.
The ice-blue Two-Word Battle Armor developed fine cracks upon impact, which spread from the chest to the waist and abdomen.
Blood seeped from the corner of Wu Changkong's mouth, staining his snow-white collar red.
He struggled to stand up, braced himself with his arms, but fell heavily back down.
Tang Wulin's pupils suddenly contracted.
He tried to shout, but it felt like something was choking him, and he couldn't utter a single word.
He watched Wu Changkong collapse onto the cold ground, watched the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing his arm hanging limply at his sides, her eyes reddened, and then tears rolled down her cheeks.
Teacher...
It's not just teachers.
Every day in Class Zero, Wu Changkong taught him the circulation of Soul Power word by word.
He corrected his sword-wielding movements one move at a time.
On those nights when he wanted to give up, someone stood silently behind him, letting him know he wasn't alone.
After Tang Wulin was knocked unconscious by Di Tian's palm strike.
Wu Changkong lay prone on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold earth, his fingers digging deep into the soil.
He did not stand up again, but his gaze pierced through the blurred vision.
It landed on Tang Wulin's small body, which was being held in Zi JI's hand and remained unresponsive.
I'm sorry... your teacher failed to protect you.
Di Tian glanced down at his hand that he had casually swung out, then put it back into his sleeve.
Gu Yuena stood there watching Tang Wulin being carried by Zi JI.
His purple pupils flickered slightly.
She raised her hand, Zi JI understood.
Gu Yuena turned around, her Black Robe drawing a cold arc in the night wind.
"Walk."
Bai Yuan emerged from the shadows, his Black Calamity Set blending him seamlessly into the night.
He squatted down next to Wu Changkong and reached out to check his breath.
There's still air.
It's good that he's not dead.
He didn't linger, but simply raised his hand and gently touched Wu Changkong's forehead, a wisp of pale golden Soul Power entering his brow.
This Soul Power won't heal his injuries, but it will help him wake up from his coma faster.
Whether he can pull through is up to him.
The dark red patterns of the Black Calamity Set shimmered slightly deep within the folds of the garment, and Bai Yuan's figure once again blended into the night.
Gu Yuena's scent still lingered in the air, so he didn't get too close.
These Ferocious Beast have a perception far exceeding that of ordinary people; they can be discovered if one is not careful.
He could only trail far behind.
Use the Core Flame to capture that faint, almost imperceptible aura of the Silver Dragon King.