At the peak of the third ring at the age of ten, breaking through to a higher realm is as easy as eating and drinking.
This isn't talent, this is monstrous genius.
This is one of the reasons why Wu Zhangkong so desperately wanted Zhong Shenxiu to join the Tang Sect. With the protection of being a Tang Sect disciple, even if Zhong Shenxiu's secret were ever coveted, he would be able to receive the Tang Sect's protection.
After all, there are very few forces in this world that dare to challenge the Tang Sect.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Wu. I'm sorry, Wulin, Xie Xie."
Gu Yue raised her head, her voice as calm as if she were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
"I won't join."
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin exclaimed almost in unison.
Xie Xie's eyes widened. "Why?"
Although Tang Wulin didn't speak, his large eyes were filled with the same question.
Gu Yue shook her head, her long black hair swaying gently with her movement. "I already have an organization I want to join. Therefore, the Tang Sect is not suitable for me."
She spoke calmly, but there was an undeniable firmness in her tone.
Tang Wulin opened his mouth, as if to say something else--
"Good."
Wu Zhangkong's voice interrupted, stopping Tang Wulin from saying anything further.
Everyone has their own ambitions. Just think it through yourself.
His tone returned to its usual coldness, but there was something new in his eyes as he looked at Gu Yue.
" Gu Yue, with your talent, you will shine brightly wherever you go in the future."
He paused for a moment, then added, "I'll arrange your practical training separately."
"Thank you, Teacher Wu."
Gu Yue nodded, her expression remaining calm.
Tang Wulin sat beside him, his lips pressed into a thin line.
He wanted to say something, wanted to ask something—like "What organization do you want to join?" or "Why not the Tang Sect?"—but these questions were on the tip of his tongue, and he swallowed them all back.
Because he suddenly realized something.
It seemed like he and Gu Yue were never really that close.
We're not close enough for me to ask that kind of question.
Tang Wulin's Adam's apple bobbed, but he ultimately said nothing, simply sitting there quietly, watching Gu Yue's calm profile.
Xie Xie wanted to say something, but after glancing at Tang Wulin's expression, he kept quiet.
The atmosphere in the office became somewhat awkward.
Then Wu Zhangkong turned his head.
His movements were slow, even deliberate.
Their gazes fell on Zhong Shenxiu.
Zhong Shenxiu remained leaning against the sofa, his light golden vertical pupils half-closed, his Light-Imperial Ninja Blade resting quietly on his knees, looking as if he might fall asleep at any moment.
Wu Zhangkong looked at him, her hands unconsciously clenching slowly.
The knuckles were slightly white from the force applied.
" Shenxiu, what about you?"
His voice sounded no different from usual, still that cool, emotionless tone.
But if you listen carefully, you'll notice that he speaks a little slower than usual.
It was slow, almost imperceptibly, but everyone present could feel it.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin's gazes also fell on Zhong Shenxiu.
Xie Xie's eyes held a nervous glint, as if to say, "You're not going to refuse too, are you?"
Tang Wulin's gaze was far more complex. There was expectation, something indescribable, and a hint of...
He wasn't sure what it was either.
Gu Yue also turned her head, her dark eyes looking at Zhong Shenxiu's profile.
Her expression remained calm, but her fingers unconsciously tightened.
Zhong Shenxiu did not answer immediately.
He opened his eyes, his pale gold vertical pupils slightly contracting under the light, as if he were thinking about something.
Tang Sect.
To be honest, his impression of the Tang Sect mainly came from his memory of the plot, which he had almost completely forgotten.
However, he still remembered the description "pure and immaculate" very clearly. After all, like father, like son; the kind of Founder you have determines the kind of organization you form...
The benefits are obvious. Wu Zhangkong is right; having the identity of the Tang Sect disciple makes many things much easier. Moreover, the Hall of Heroes system is indeed excellent; being able to spar with Projection of powerful figures from past generations improves combat skills much faster than simply cultivating in isolation.
The downsides...
That's too many!
Several thoughts flashed through Zhong Shenxiu's mind in an instant, and the expression on his face switched from "thinking" to "making a decision".
He looked at Wu Zhangkong.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Wu, I need to talk to my parents about this first."
After he finished speaking, the office was silent for about two seconds.
Then Xie Xie's voice exploded.
" Shenxiu, aren't you an orphan? Where did this elder come from?"
These words were spoken hastily and quickly, carrying a pure, completely thoughtless shock.
After Xie Xie finished speaking, he blinked twice, looking as if to say, "Did I say something wrong?"
Tang Wulin reacted much faster than him.
He suddenly turned around and covered Xie Xie's mouth, which was still uttering words, with such force that Xie Xie leaned back.
"Sorry, Ha Shenxiu!"
Tang Wulin's voice was filled with obvious panic as he covered Xie Xie's mouth while turning to apologize to Zhong Shenxiu.
"That's just how Xie Xie is, he speaks without thinking! Don't take it to heart!"
Xie Xie, whose mouth was covered, made "mmm" sounds, his dark green eyes filled with confusion, clearly not yet realizing how inappropriate his words had been.
Tang Wulin tightened his grip even more.
Zhong Shenxiu merely glanced at Xie Xie, paying him no heed.
After all, the so-called elders were fabricated. Although Xie Xie's words were direct, they made his lie sound more believable—a normal person would react this way when someone everyone knows is an orphan suddenly claims to have elders.
He met Wu Zhangkong's equally puzzled gaze and spoke earnestly.
"My elders only recently found me."
Zhong Shenxiu's voice was unhurried, as if he were narrating a true story.
"Actually, they were planning to take me back to my family during this holiday to acknowledge my roots."
As he said this, his light golden vertical pupils calmly looked at Wu Zhangkong, his eyes even carrying a hint of "I was surprised too."
Wu Zhangkong was stunned.
A look of astonishment appeared on that cold, stern face for the second time—and it was even more pronounced than the first.
He opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.
Xie Xie's mouth was covered by Tang Wulin, and his eyes widened in surprise.
Tang Wulin was stunned, and unconsciously loosened his grip on Xie Xie's hand.
On the contrary, Gu Yue showed an expression of "I knew it". She had long guessed that Zhong Shenxiu was a bloodline of the dragon race from another dimension who had been left in the Douluo Plane, and that he would definitely come to find Zhong Shenxiu one day.
In this situation, even though they are both dragons and their bloodlines are different, they are still people who can be won over!
Zhong Shenxiu observed the four people's reactions and silently made his own calculations.