So, in practical terms...
It was still a Class One student who defeated the classes ahead of them.
It was just that Wu Changkong had poached this student, who then represented Class Five in battle...
In the end, Class Five won a ranking that should have belonged to them.
Although some teachers were dissatisfied, Wu Changkong was, after all, a Six-Ring Soul Emperor. No one was foolish enough to offend him.
After all, a Six-Ring Soul Emperor was among the strongest fighters in all of Eastsea City.
Thus, no one was willing to offend a Soul Emperor powerhouse over something like class rankings.
So they could only watch as Class Five became Class Two in name only.
Given the talent displayed by this year's new students,
the academy director Long Hengxu and the dean Yu Zhen discussed the matter and, just as in the original story, established Zero Class.
Otherwise, given the strength Han Li had displayed,
when Class One challenged higher grades, they would directly beat all the older students until their martial hearts collapsed...
Then they truly would have been left wanting to cry without tears.
The scene of Han Li defeating Tang Wulin with a single claw strike had long since spread throughout the academy.
Even quite a few upperclassmen had heard about this new student.
Some had even begun privately discussing whether they should challenge him and see just how strong this freshman truly was.
But Long Hengxu and Yu Zhen were both experienced educators.
They understood very well that allowing a student of Han Li's caliber to remain in an ordinary class and participate in regular promotion and demotion matches would be a disaster for the other students.
Thus, on the afternoon of the next day,
all first-year students gathered on the athletic field. Long Hengxu stood on the podium with a list in hand, cleared his throat, and began to read.
"Due to the outstanding performance of this year's first-year students, the academy board has decided, after deliberation, to establish an experimental class in the first year and select the finest students to join it."
"It will tentatively be named First-Year Zero Class. Teacher Ye Yingluo will serve as homeroom teacher, while Teacher Wu Changkong will serve as assistant homeroom teacher."
"Zero Class students will be selected from the existing classes. There are currently seven students."
"First-Year Class One: Han Li, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng. First-Year Class Two: Tang Wulin."
"However, should there be other exceptionally outstanding students in this grade in the future, they may also have a chance to join Zero Class."
Once the list had been read,
a low murmur of discussion rose from the athletic field.
Everyone was astonished as well.
The concept of Zero Class had appeared for the first time.
An experimental class meant more resources, better instructors, and more flexible teaching arrangements.
It also meant that the chosen students would embark on a completely different path of growth from those in ordinary classes.
At that moment, Ye Yingluo stood beside the Class One formation, her face full of smiles.
Although the academy had already told her about this yesterday and given her time to prepare herself, she was still overjoyed.
Becoming Zero Class's homeroom teacher was an enormous recognition and show of trust for a young teacher like her.
Wu Changkong, meanwhile, remained expressionless, though inwardly he was dissatisfied.
In his view, as an outstanding graduate of Shrek Academy, how could he possibly serve as an assistant homeroom teacher?
He should have been the homeroom teacher, with Ye Yingluo as his assistant.
Shrek Academy was the most elite Soul Master Academy on Douluo Continent.
And he, Wu Changkong, had been an outstanding student there.
Whether in seniority, ability, or teaching standards...
he should have been the one leading this Zero Class.
After all, his teaching ability was surely far beyond that of teachers from such a small place.
He came from Shrek, had received Shrek's education, and understood Shrek's methods.
Ye Yingluo was merely a teacher from an ordinary academy who had taught a few batches of students. How could she compare with him?
But considering that he was now only the homeroom teacher of First-Year Class Two, and had only risen to that position by poaching students,
in the end, Wu Changkong could only accept it helplessly.
His expression was calm, so calm that no one could discern any of his thoughts.
Yet several teachers standing near him vaguely felt a chill emanating from the Six-Ring Soul Emperor and unconsciously shifted farther away.
Ye Yingluo did not pay much attention to Wu Changkong's attitude.
At that moment, she was speaking to the students who had just joined Zero Class, her smile radiant.
Gu Yue stood beside her with his eyes slightly lowered, while Xie Xie wore a smug expression.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi stood together, their faces filled with nervousness and excitement.
Wei Xiaofeng's expression was unreadable.
Tang Wulin stood slightly farther away by himself, head lowered, as though lost in thought.
Han Li stood amid the crowd with a calm expression.
However, just as in the original story, Wei Xiaofeng did not choose to join Zero Class and instead gave up directly.
Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi's departure was even more unexpected to everyone.
Wang Jinxi possessed the Bone Dragon King Martial Soul, a rather excellent dragon-type Martial Soul. By all rights, his potential should not have been low.
But the problem was that he had been affected by the Golden Dragon King bloodline within Han Li, and his Martial Soul had begun to transform.
In the end, he gave up the chance for his Martial Soul to transform for Zhang Yangzi's sake, and the two of them withdrew from Zero Class together.
In just a few days...
Zero Class had instantly been reduced to only four people.
Han Li, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue.
This also took the academy somewhat by surprise.
After all, establishing Zero Class had consumed considerable resources and effort. Nearly half its students had left right after it was founded, which was rather embarrassing.
Fortunately, in their eyes, Han Li and Gu Yue, the two most talented students, remained and had not left, which gave them at least some comfort.
As for Tang Wulin and Xie Xie,
although they were not as dazzling as Han Li and Gu Yue, they were still outstanding among their peers.
Four people could barely support a class.
The next day, in Zero Class's classroom,
Ye Yingluo stood at the lectern with a teaching plan in hand and a gentle smile on her face.
Wu Changkong stood in a corner of the classroom, leaning against the wall and staring ahead expressionlessly.
At this moment, Ye Yingluo slowly began to speak.
"Although Wei Xiaofeng and the other two have left, everyone may feel a little disappointed."
"But the world of Soul Masters is simply like this."
"Partings always come without warning. No one can predict them."
She paused, swept her gaze across the four students, and continued.
"So, today's practical lesson is canceled. We're going for some tests instead."
Xie Xie sat in his seat, utterly bored. The moment he heard this, he immediately perked up and asked curiously.
"Teacher Ye, what are we testing?"
Ye Yingluo smiled faintly.
"Of course, your physical qualities in every aspect."
"Afterward, Teacher Wu and I will provide targeted improvement and training for each of you."
"Because only by understanding each person's foundation can we devise the training plan best suited to you."
Everyone nodded.
Very soon...
Under Ye Yingluo and Wu Changkong's lead, they arrived in a room filled with a sense of technology.
Before you continue