The Birth of Class Zero

In practical terms, therefore...

The ones who defeated the preceding classes were still the students of Class One.

It was just that this particular student had been poached by Wu Changkong and then sent to compete on behalf of Class Five...

In the end, he won the ranking that should have belonged to Class Five.

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 top-tier combat forces in the entire East Sea City.

Therefore, no one was willing to offend a powerful Soul Emperor over something as trivial as class rankings.

Consequently, they could only watch as Class Five became Class Two, despite the title being unearned.

Given the talent displayed by this year's freshmen.

Academy Director Long Hengxu and Dean Yu Zhen, after discussions, decided to establish the Zero Class, just as in the original timeline.

Otherwise, given the strength Han Li had demonstrated.

If Class One were to initiate cross-grade challenges later on and proceed to crush the Dao hearts of the upperclassmen...

Then they would truly be left with no tears to cry.

The image of Han Li defeating Tang Wulin with a single claw had long since spread throughout the academy.

Even many senior students had heard about this freshman.

Some were even privately discussing whether they should challenge him to see just how strong this freshman really was.

But Long Hengxu and Yu Zhen were both experienced educators.

They knew very well that keeping a student of Han Li's caliber in a regular class to participate in standard promotion and relegation matches would be a disaster for the other students.

Thus, on the following afternoon.

All first-year students gathered on the playground. Long Hengxu stood on the podium, holding a list in his hand, cleared his throat, and began to read.

"Due to the outstanding performance of this year's first-year students, the Academy Board of Directors has decided, after careful consideration, to establish a pilot class for the first year and select the most excellent students to join."

"It is tentatively named the First-Year Zero Class, with Teacher Ye Yingluo serving as the head teacher and Teacher Wu Changkong as the deputy head teacher."

"The Zero Class students are selected from existing classes, currently totaling seven."

"From First-Year Class One: Han Li, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng. From First-Year Class Two: Tang Wulin."

"However, there is a possibility for other students in this grade who show similarly excellent performance in the future to join the Zero Class."

Once the list was read.

A low murmur of discussion erupted across the playground.

Everyone was astonished.

The concept of a "Zero Class" was appearing for the first time.

A pilot class meant more resources, better faculty, and more flexible teaching arrangements.

It also meant that the selected students would embark on a completely different growth path than the students in regular classes.

At this moment, Ye Yingluo stood beside the Class One formation, her face filled with smiles.

Although the academy had informed her of this yesterday, giving her time to prepare, she was still overjoyed.

Becoming the head teacher of the Zero Class was a tremendous recognition and show of trust for a young teacher like her.

Wu Changkong, however, remained expressionless, and he was even feeling resentful inside.

In his view, as an elite graduate of Shrek Academy, how could he possibly be a deputy head teacher?

It should have been him as the head teacher and Ye Yingluo as the deputy.

Shrek Academy was the most prestigious Spirit Master academy on the Douluo Continent.

And he, Wu Changkong, was an outstanding student from there.

In terms of qualifications, ability, and teaching standards...

He should be the leader of this Zero Class.

After all, his teaching ability was surely far superior to these teachers from such a small place.

He came from Shrek, he had received Shrek's education, and he understood Shrek's methods.

Ye Yingluo was merely a teacher from an ordinary academy who had led a few classes; how could she compare to him?

But given that he was currently only the head teacher of First-Year Class Two, and had only risen to that position by poaching a student, he had no choice but to accept it.

His expression was very calm, so calm that no thoughts could be discerned.

But the few teachers standing near him vaguely felt a chill emanating from this six-ring Soul Emperor, and they instinctively shifted away.

Ye Yingluo did not mind Wu Changkong's attitude.

At this moment, she was talking to the few students who had just joined Zero Class, her smile radiant.

Gu Yue stood by her side with his eyes slightly lowered, while Xie Xie wore a look of smug triumph.

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi stood together, their faces filled with nervousness and excitement.

Wei Xiaofeng's expression, however, was unreadable.

Tang Wulin stood a little further away, all by himself, head bowed, lost in thought.

Han Li stood among the crowd, his expression calm.

However, just as in the original story, Wei Xiaofeng did not choose to join Zero Class and instead gave up directly.

The departure of Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi, meanwhile, caught many by surprise.

Wang Jinxi possessed the Bone Dragon King martial soul, a rather impressive existence among dragon-type martial souls, so logically, his potential was not small.

But the problem lay in the fact that he had been affected by the Golden Dragon King bloodline within Han Li, causing his martial soul to begin undergoing a metamorphosis.

In the end, he gave up the chance for his martial soul to evolve for the sake of Zhang Yangzi, and the two of them withdrew from Zero Class together.

In just a few days...

Zero Class was instantly reduced to only four people.

Han Li, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue.

This left the academy feeling somewhat surprised.

After all, a considerable amount of resources and effort had been spent establishing Zero Class; having nearly half the students leave right after its inception was a bit of a blow to their reputation.

Fortunately, in their eyes, the two with the best talent, Han Li and Gu Yue, were still there and had not left, which provided some comfort.

As for Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

Although they were not as stunning as Han Li and Gu Yue, they could still be considered outstanding among their peers.

Four people were barely enough to sustain a class.

The next day, in the Zero Class classroom.

Ye Yingluo stood at the podium, holding a lesson plan with a gentle smile on her face.

Wu Changkong stood in the corner of the classroom, leaning against the wall, looking ahead with a blank expression.

At this moment, Ye Yingluo spoke slowly.

"Although Wei Xiaofeng and the other two have left, you might all feel a bit disappointed."

"But the world of soul masters is just like that."

"Partings are always sudden, and no one can predict them."

She paused, swept her gaze across the four faces, and continued.

"Therefore, today's practical training class is canceled; we are going to conduct some tests."

Xie Xie was sitting in his seat, feeling bored, but he immediately perked up upon hearing this and asked curiously.

"Teacher Ye, what kind of tests?"

Ye Yingluo smiled slightly.

"Naturally, it's to test every aspect of your physical condition."

"Then, when the time comes, Teacher Wu and I will provide you with targeted improvement and training."

"Because only by understanding everyone's foundation can we formulate the most suitable training plan for you."

Everyone nodded.

Soon...

Led by Ye Yingluo and Wu Changkong, the group arrived in a room filled with a sense of technology.