First Lesson

The next morning,

Inside the Holy Dragon Pearl Space.

The faint blue glow surrounding Xu Mengqing slowly faded. After bringing a night of cultivation to a perfect close, he lightly stretched his limbs and raised a hand in a lazy stretch. The aura flowing around him had become increasingly steady and refined.

A moment later, his figure flashed as he left the Holy Dragon Pearl Space and returned to the dormitory. After washing up and straightening his clothes, he picked up the Soul Guidance Camera from the table and headed toward Eastsea Academy's cafeteria.

The cafeteria was already bustling with voices. Students gathered in groups of two or three over breakfast, and the fragrance of food filled the entire space.

The moment Xu Mengqing entered the cafeteria, his gaze easily found Tang Wulin and Xie Xie talking in a corner. He walked straight toward them.

"Wulin, Xie Xie? Good morning!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Tang Wulin's hand holding his chopsticks paused. He blanked out for a moment before coming back to himself, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Meng Qing, good morning."

Xie Xie greeted him as well. "Good morning!"

Xu Mengqing's gaze settled on Tang Wulin, and a hint of confusion appeared between his brows.

Tang Wulin had a faint weariness in his eyes, and his complexion lacked its usual brightness. He seemed to have something on his mind.

It was precisely because of this that Xie Xie did not challenge him to another fight like he had in the original story.

Unable to hold back, Xu Mengqing asked, "Wulin, what's wrong? You don't look too good. Did something happen?"

At his words, Tang Wulin's fingers curled slightly. The absurd dream from East Sea Park last night, the unfamiliar instructions in his mind, and that inexplicable power within his body all flashed through his thoughts.

He gently shook his head, concealing every trace of emotion in his eyes. "It's nothing. Maybe I just didn't sleep well last night."

"Is that so?"

Xu Mengqing nodded without pressing further. Just as he had yesterday, he got himself a B meal, then took several baskets of steamed buns.

He began eating beside them.

Xie Xie stared blankly at Xu Mengqing's food and unconsciously swallowed.

He looked at Tang Wulin again. Although his bad mood had slowed his eating considerably, he was still eating a lot.

What the...?

Did Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls all eat this much?

Tang Wulin was one thing.

But this guy...

Could he also possess innate divine strength?!

"Um... Xu Mengqing, can I ask you a question?" Xie Xie asked curiously.

Xu Mengqing raised his eyes at Xie Xie in confusion. "Hm? What do you want to ask?"

Xie Xie leaned closer, his eyes full of curiosity. Pointing at the food on Xu Mengqing's table, then glancing at Tang Wulin, he could not help asking, "I just think you and Wulin are way too alike! Both of your Martial Souls are Blue Silver Grass, and you both eat so much. Do you also have innate divine strength like him?"

Xu Mengqing was stunned at first, then shook his head and explained, "I don't have innate divine strength, but I really am quite strong."

"Then who's stronger, you or Wulin?" Xie Xie pressed.

Xu Mengqing tapped his chin with a finger and thought seriously for a moment before shaking his head again. "Wulin and I have never compared ourselves, but when it comes to strength, I should be a little stronger than him."

This was ridiculous beyond ridiculous—ridiculous had come home.

Seeing Xie Xie's dumbfounded, utterly incredulous expression, Xu Mengqing smiled helplessly. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered something. He quickly picked up the Soul Guidance Camera at his side and held it out before the two of them. "Oh, right, Xie Xie. I happened to want to ask you about this. Do you know what it is?"

Xie Xie's attention was immediately drawn to the exquisite Soul Tool device. His eyes lit up as he asked curiously, "That's a Soul Guidance Camera! Where did you get it? This thing isn't cheap in Soul Tool stores!"

Hearing that, Tang Wulin stopped eating as well and looked curiously at the camera in Xu Mengqing's hand. Clearly, he was very interested in it too.

Xu Mengqing did not hide anything. He briefly told them about meeting Liu Yuxin yesterday and how she had asked him to help take pictures for her.

Naturally, Xu Mengqing also mentioned Wu Zhangkong's title of "cold and aloof male god."

Afterward, Xie Xie enthusiastically explained how to use the Soul Guidance Camera. Xu Mengqing listened attentively and quickly understood it.

The three chatted while they ate, and before long, they had finished breakfast.

Xu Mengqing put away the Soul Guidance Camera, and the three of them headed together toward the classrooms of Eastsea Academy.

Wu Zhangkong wore gray, black, and white plaid pants today, along with a white shirt. It was a simple outfit, yet it perfectly accentuated his tall, slender figure.

He merely stood there, but the cold aura he radiated made every student in Class Five fall silent.

"Starting today, classes officially begin. I will personally instruct most of your courses. Everyone, stand." Wu Zhangkong spoke coolly.

All the students quickly rose to their feet.

"Follow me!" With that, Wu Zhangkong put both hands in his pockets and walked outside. The students followed behind him. They were all new students and had no concept of lining up, so they looked rather disorderly. Still, beneath the powerful presence of the cold and aloof male god, no one dared to make any loud noise.

Wu Zhangkong led them to the field. "Two per row. Stand properly."

Xu Mengqing casually stood with an unfamiliar female classmate, while Tang Wulin stood with Zhou Changxi. Yun Xiao and Xie Xie were beside them.

Wu Zhangkong said in a deep voice, "Today's first lesson is to demonstrate your strength. You will engage in actual combat shortly. I will serve as referee. Lose once, and you are eliminated. Let me see what you are capable of."

A female student cautiously raised her hand. "Teacher Wu, I'm a Tool Spirit Master. Do I have to participate in this match too?"

Wu Zhangkong replied coldly, "On a battlefield, if you tell your enemy that you are a Tool Spirit Master, will he spare you? The first group, get ready now. We'll start from your side."

With a casual point, he indicated Tang Wulin and Zhou Changxi's side.

Unlike most of the students, who were somewhat nervous, Zhou Changxi immediately became excited. He had been deeply unconvinced after Tang Wulin had punched him out of the window that day. But after seeing Tang Wulin beat up Xie Xie twice, and with the Dean of Students explicitly forbidding fights, he had endured it all this time.

"Great! Let's compare strength! I refuse to believe you're stronger than me." Zhou Changxi spoke to Tang Wulin with gleaming eyes.

Seeing Zhou Changxi's excited expression, Xu Mengqing was suddenly speechless. Let's see if you can still smile in a moment.

Tang Wulin did not say anything. Wu Zhangkong directed the students to spread out around them and form a circle.

"Begin. There are no rules. Defeat your opponent. You may use any means." Wu Zhangkong spoke indifferently, clearly addressing all the students.

Zhou Changxi's eyes widened, and he let out a roar. A white Spirit Ring appeared beneath his feet and immediately shone brightly, rising up along his body. At the same time, his already exceptionally muscular body swelled even further, especially his arms, whose muscles visibly stretched his school uniform taut.

A small brown monkey appeared on his shoulder. It was clearly his Spirit Soul, a ten-year Spirit Soul.

First Spirit Skill, Strength Boost!

Zhou Changxi charged toward Tang Wulin with large strides, his feet landing with heavy thud, thud sounds. Combined with his powerful physique, his momentum was imposing.

Within a few steps, he reached Tang Wulin. Both hands grabbed simultaneously for Tang Wulin's shoulders.

Tang Wulin threw out both fists, striking toward Zhou Changxi's hands.

Bang—

Despite his tall and powerful frame, Zhou Changxi staggered back three steps before barely steadying himself. Tang Wulin swiftly took another step forward and launched another punch at him.

Gritting his teeth, Zhou Changxi gathered all his strength and threw a punch in response.