Commission, Clown

After thinking briefly, Wu Zhangkong said, "Xu Mengqing's Diamond Vine Spirit Soul should be highly compatible with his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Xu Mengqing, you can try having it assist you in battle from now on."

"Yes!" Xu Mengqing nodded.

"Alright, now for the important matter."

Wu Zhangkong stood with his hands behind his back, his blue eyes sweeping over Xu Mengqing, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie.

His voice remained icy, yet it carried unquestionable authority.

"Eastsea Academy holds a Class Promotion Tournament every year. Every grade participates, and it is also a grand event for our academy."

Wu Zhangkong paused, his gaze resting on each of their faces in turn. "For you, this is both a challenge and an opportunity."

"A Class Promotion Tournament?"

Confusion appeared in Tang Wulin's eyes as he instinctively looked toward his two companions.

Xu Mengqing and Xie Xie, however, looked calm. Both of them knew what the Class Promotion Tournament was.

Seeing Tang Wulin's puzzled expression, Wu Zhangkong began to explain.

"The Class Promotion Tournament means that, within each grade, the weakest class sends students to challenge the class above it. Class Five challenges Class Four, and so on. If they win, the class designations are exchanged."

"In other words, if you defeat Class Four, our class will no longer be Class Five, but Class Four. At the same time, after winning, you may continue challenging higher classes until you lose."

His voice suddenly rose slightly. "Not only that, if you can defeat Class One all the way through, you may challenge students from higher grades—second year, third year... all the way to sixth year."

Excitement flashed through Xie Xie's eyes, and he could not help interjecting, "Teacher Wu, then the rewards..."

"The rewards are naturally generous." Wu Zhangkong cut him off coldly. "Not only cultivation resources, but supreme honor as well. In the Class Promotion Tournament, the lower-ranked class decides the number of combatants, but there must be no fewer than three. For now, the participants from our Class Five are the three of you."

Xie Xie said proudly, "No problem, Teacher Wu. Leave it to me. I'll challenge my way up solo—maybe I can even go straight to the sixth year."

Wu Zhangkong snorted. "Xie Xie, do you really think having Twin Martial Souls makes you invincible?"

"There are several geniuses in this year's first-year Class One as well. Without Xu Mengqing and Tang Wulin, you would not have the slightest chance."

Xie Xie smiled and rubbed his nose. "I see. But aren't they here now?"

Xu Mengqing and Tang Wulin exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in the other's eyes.

The corners of Wu Zhangkong's lips rose slightly. "Oh, right. The task I have set for you is very simple: at the very least, turn our class into first-year Class One."

"What?... Class One?"

Xie Xie's voice suddenly trembled, and all his earlier confidence vanished.

Tang Wulin swallowed and asked cautiously, "Then if... we fail?"

"Heh heh!"

Wu Zhangkong's laughter made the three of them feel a chill run down their backs.

"Believe me, you had better not fail. Otherwise, you definitely will not want to experience the consequences."

"From now on, in preparation for the Class Promotion Tournament, the three of you will undergo special training with me every night after class, to ensure that you take first place in this year's Class Promotion Tournament."

"Yes, Teacher Wu!" Xu Mengqing and the other two nodded. "Alright, go back."

With a wave of his hand, Wu Zhangkong turned and left the office.

The three exchanged a look, then followed him out of Wu Zhangkong's office.

The morning classes had ended early. Instead of returning directly to his dormitory, Xu Mengqing went to wait near the Advanced Division.

When the dismissal bell rang, he soon saw Liu Yuxin emerge with several female classmates.

"Senior Liu." Xu Mengqing waved at her.

Liu Yuxin spotted him at once and hurried over with her classmates.

"Wow, Yuxin, so you like cute little boys? This little brother is quite handsome. He'll definitely grow into a big heartthrob." An Advanced Division girl with phoenix eyes smiled at Liu Yuxin teasingly.

Liu Yuxin said irritably, "Don't talk nonsense. He's Xu Mengqing, a junior from our Intermediate Division's first year. Meng Qing, what did you need me for?"

The corner of Xu Mengqing's mouth twitched, but he still handed over the Soul Guidance Camera he had been holding all along.

"Senior, I took some photos for you, but it isn't good to keep doing this. So I'm returning it to you."

Liu Yuxin's pretty face reddened, and she shot him a glare. "Alright, alright. Then that's that. Thank you. When I have time, I'll treat you to a meal."

Xu Mengqing shook his head. "No need. I'd better go back to the Intermediate Division to eat."

Watching Xu Mengqing's retreating figure, the phoenix-eyed girl asked curiously, "Yuxin, what did you have him take pictures of?"

Liu Yuxin said mysteriously, "He's a student from Teacher Wu Zhangkong's class."

"Wah! Wah! Wah! The cold and aloof male idol! Let's see!" She turned on the camera, and Wu Zhangkong's figure immediately appeared on its small screen. The photographs had been taken in rapid succession, capturing the exact sequence of Wu Zhangkong unfastening his belt and pulling it free.

The girls' eyes all widened, their faces flushing red as if they were about to drool.

"One meal, Yuxin! Sell me those photos. Exclusive rights! I absolutely will not allow anyone else to see my Prince Charming taking off his belt!"

"I'll offer two meals!"

"I... I'll offer three!"

Xu Mengqing had no idea that the photos he had taken had sparked fierce competition among several senior girls.

After lunch, the afternoon classes began.

Wu Zhangkong taught the students a new meditation technique. It was far more complicated than the one from the elementary academy. Xu Mengqing tried cultivating with it, and its effects were indeed far better than the one Lin Ximeng had taught them.

After all, Wu Zhangkong had brought it out from Shrek Academy.

But its effects were still far inferior to the Heaven Swallowing Spirit Devouring Art.

Under the pressure of Wu Zhangkong's cold, stern gaze, the students learned quickly. By the end of the afternoon, nearly everyone had mastered the basic circulation method.

After school, Xu Mengqing ate dinner in the cafeteria before leaving Eastsea Academy and heading for the East Sea Mecha Designer Association.

As soon as Xu Mengqing entered the East Sea Mecha Designer Association, he saw the white-clad receptionist from before.

"Oh, little brother, it's you! Is there anything I can help you with?" The white-clad receptionist greeted Xu Mengqing when she saw him.

"Hello, big sister. I'd like to find some commissions for first-level mecha design."

"Is that so?"

"Little brother, don't you know? First-level mecha design commissions are basically designs for individual components. Most use mass-produced designs from major manufacturers, emphasizing stability, low cost, and efficiency.

"The few commissions for custom components are monopolized through internal channels by higher-level Designers, then handed to their disciples for practice. There are no suitable commissions left for you now."

Xu Mengqing:...

So I was the clown all along. I am the clown.