The instrument, struck by a tremendous impact, let out a low hum. Then, right before everyone's eyes, it began to crumble.
"Crack!"
The strength-testing instrument had been shattered by Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon Claw. It was completely ruined.
"Teacher, I didn't mean to. I didn't think it would turn out like this..."
After venting his surging blood and qi with that punch, Tang Wulin saw the instrument scattered across the floor and came back to his senses.
Oh no, oh no. This was probably going to cost him a fortune.
Last time he'd fought Xie Xie, he'd damaged a wall and had to pay the academy thirty thousand Federation coins. A sophisticated soul-guidance testing instrument like this one had to cost at least several hundred thousand.
Waaah, he'd have to work for the academy to pay it off.
"Don't worry, Wulin. Teacher Wu surely knows what your family's circumstances are like. He won't make you pay."
Qian Jue stepped forward to comfort him.
Several classmates turned to look, and Wu Zhangkong nodded as well.
A mere eight hundred thousand Federation coins. If he saved a little next month, he could manage.
Qian Jue smiled and added, "If Teacher Wu won't pay, we can help you cover it."
Tang Wulin sniffled, rushed over, and threw his arms around Qian Jue. "Waaah, Xiao Qian, you're just too good to me!"
As he held Qian Jue, he felt an inexplicable sense of security.
It was just like being in his mother's arms.
Heh heh, that little Golden Dragon King. He'd max out his favorability in no time.
Qian Jue had just raised a hand to pat Tang Wulin's head when he suddenly sensed a chilly, oppressive gaze from behind.
It was Gu Yue.
Qian Jue stayed calm and lowered his raised hand.
Sigh, I have to watch one person's favorability while keeping an eye on the other's, too. If I take the wrong route, will it end in a harem showdown? Damn it.
Although Eastsea Academy was only considered middling to low-ranking within the Douluo Federation, the academy's location in a prosperous coastal city meant its facilities were numerous and comprehensive.
After a replacement strength-testing instrument was brought in, the physical assessments continued.
As expected, Gu Yue's physical stats were uneven. Her strength was only around three hundred kilograms, but her spiritual power had already reached 233 points.
Compared to the three before her, the difference was like heaven and earth.
"As expected of an Elemental Master Martial Soul. Controlling multiple elements really does require a great deal of spiritual power," Wu Zhangkong murmured as he examined the figures.
Then he glanced at Qian Jue's results.
Spiritual power: 554 points. Strength: 4,500 kilograms.
He was practically an upgraded combination of Tang Wulin and Gu Yue.
Wu Zhangkong could understand the high strength. After all, Qian Jue had the Coiling Dragon Staff Martial Soul, so it made sense that he was strong.
But wasn't his spiritual power a little too high?
Could it be because of his Dragon Rising Pillar Martial Soul?
Wu Zhangkong's guess wasn't wrong, but he was only half right.
As a treasured artifact of the dragon race, the Dragon Rising Pillar could steady the mind and aid cultivation. It really did help increase spiritual power.
But more importantly, Qian Jue's soul was exceptionally powerful to begin with.
"All right, these are your current physical stats. I'll test you again near the end of the semester so we can observe how you've changed." Wu Zhangkong put away the recorded results, then looked at Qian Jue.
"As the strongest students in Class Five, you'll naturally form a team to compete in the upcoming Class Promotion Tournament."
"And every team needs a leader. Which of you is willing to be captain?"
"Xiao Qian!"
Tang Wulin and Gu Yue spoke almost in unison.
They glanced at each other, then started arguing.
"I said it first."
"No, I said it first. You were the one who spoke afterward."
Seeing that they were about to keep arguing, Qian Jue hurriedly stepped in to mediate. "All right, all right. Does it really matter who said it first? What matters is that you trust me. Thank you, Wulin. Thank you, Senior Sister."
Wu Zhangkong looked toward Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi.
Would these two geniuses, who had just transferred from Class One, be willing to let someone more capable take the captain's position?
The answer was obvious.
Wang Jinxi scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. "I also think Qian Jue would make a better captain. I don't know why, but if he's leading us, I feel like everything will be fine."
Zhang Yangzi glanced at Wang Jinxi, then nodded. "I have no objections. The strongest person should be captain."
"Since everyone's decided on Qian Jue, he'll be the captain of this team."
Wu Zhangkong continued, "Because Qian Jue will be competing, our opponents in the upcoming Class Promotion Tournament won't be limited to our own year. But if you succeed in your challenges, the academy will give you all generous rewards."
After saying that, he glanced at Qian Jue and added, "The prizes are provided by the East Sea Spirit Pagoda. They've chosen to partner with Eastsea Academy to create a pilot class, so I expect all of you to work hard."
Qian Jue was slightly taken aback, but quickly understood.
Grandpa had moved fast. He was using the Spirit Pagoda's resources to set up an academy so Qian Jue wouldn't go to Shrek?
In truth, even without that, Qian Jue would never have gone to Shrek Academy.
Of course, that meant he wouldn't attend classes there. Going to Shrek Academy to beat up Long Yeyue was still a must.
"All right, that's the end of today's lesson. After class, get to know one another better, especially Wang Jinxi and Qian Jue."
With that, Wu Zhangkong left.
He needed to return to the dormitory, organize everyone's records, and decide how to proceed with their lessons.
Wang Jinxi walked over to Qian Jue and said,
"Um, Student Qian, I'd like to try out your boost and see exactly how effective it is. Would that be all right?"
Qian Jue nodded to show that he didn't mind.
Then he released his Martial Soul, the Dragon Rising Pillar.
The black stone pillar rose from the ground. Its patterns looked like countless fine scales, and even a single glance was enough to leave one awestruck.
At the same time, the feeling of closeness toward Qian Jue, coming from the depths of Wang Jinxi's Martial Soul, grew even stronger.
Wang Jinxi turned to Zhang Yangzi, who was standing nearby, and said, "Yangzi, how about you be our sparring partner?"
Zhang Yangzi knitted his brows, looking a little displeased.
Well, look at you, acting all honest and reliable. I really misjudged you!
This morning, we agreed to be deskmates, but you were so easily lured away by this cute little guy.
And now you want to use me to test the effects of Qian Jue's boost.
You're just awful.
"Sure. Just don't start crying when I beat you up," Zhang Yangzi said indignantly.
The three of them went to the Combat Testing Platform.
Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi had grown up together, practically sharing a pair of pants, so they knew each other well. They immediately began attacking in ways that exploited each other's weaknesses.
"First Soul Skill, Darkness Domain!"
After using Martial Soul Possession, Zhang Yangzi soared into the air and activated his first Soul Skill, darkening the surrounding area.
A speed-type Battle Soul Master shouldn't go head-to-head with a strength-type one.
But in the next moment, Zhang Yangzi saw two Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings flash behind Qian Jue, while below him, Wang Jinxi locked onto his position at a speed far beyond what he was used to.
No problem. He just had to quickly put some distance between them.
Zhang Yangzi beat his wings and tried to retreat.
Then he saw Wang Jinxi leap forward with thunderous force, landing right in front of him.
And then came a punch.
Zhang Yangzi hadn't even used a Soul Skill before Wang Jinxi slammed him into the floor with a single blow. He was down for the count.
Qian Jue dispelled the Soul Skill, bringing Wang Jinxi back to his senses from his berserk state.
As soon as his mind cleared, Wang Jinxi spotted Zhang Yangzi sprawled on the ground and hurried over.
"Yangzi, are you okay?"
"What do you think, idiot...? If you'd used your first Soul Skill, I'd probably be dead right now."
Zhang Yangzi lay on the floor, too sore to get up.
Wang Jinxi was stunned. Just a moment ago, he'd only felt his strength increase, then his spiritual power rise as well. His Martial Soul had become unusually excited.
After that, he'd fallen into a berserk state and let Qian Jue direct him.
But the boost was really that powerful?
He'd beaten Old Zhang, whose cultivation was about the same as his, without even using a Soul Skill.
Oh no, that meant he had to become Qian Jue's lackey—bleh, his junior!