Invitation to the Class Promotion Tournament (Testing the waters, seeking recommendations, comments, and follow-ups)

The evening corridor was steeped in orange sunset.

After school, everyone had left, and the floor tiles glowed with warm light, leaving only two small shadows slowly moving forward.

Gu Yuena held Fangyuan's little hand, her fingertips cool and warm, her steps unhurried.

"Little Fangyuan, you've really stolen the spotlight these past few days."

She tilted her head to look at him, the corners of her eyes slightly raised, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.

"Can't be helped."

Fangyuan laughed and swung their joined hands. "Mother, my strength just wouldn't allow otherwise."

Gu Yuena gave a soft snort, her cheeks puffing slightly.

"That Wu Zhangkong really is annoying.

"Your Aunt Bi Ji made a whole table of food and was waiting for us to go back and eat. It's probably all gone cold by now."

As she spoke, her tone was full of frustration, and even her footsteps grew heavier.

"It's okay, Mother." Fangyuan lifted his face to look at her, his brows and eyes curving. "Didn't Teacher Wu say he'd treat us to Grade-A meals? We can make do for one meal."

"Who knows what he came looking for us about."

Gu Yuena frowned. "If it's some trivial little thing and he delayed our meal, I'll have Di Tian come over, drag him away, and beat him up."

She said it seriously, not like she was joking.

"Alright, alright." Fangyuan tugged her hand and comforted her softly. "Didn't we come to school to experience human life? Don't be mad."

As the two spoke, they had already reached the office door.

The wooden door was ajar, warm yellow light spilling from inside, and the faint sound of papers being turned could be heard.

Fangyuan raised his hand and lightly knocked three times with his knuckles.

"Come in."

Wu Zhangkong's voice came from inside, cold and indifferent.

Gu Yuena turned the doorknob and walked in first.

Fangyuan followed behind her and looked around the office.

Behind the desk by the window, Wu Zhangkong sat with his fingertips resting on an open student roster.

On the two chairs to the side sat Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, one sitting crookedly with his legs swinging, the other with his back perfectly straight, both hands properly placed on his knees.

"Teacher, why did you call us here?"

Fangyuan walked two steps forward and asked.

Wu Zhangkong lifted his eyes, his gaze falling over the two of them, his tone solemn.

"I called you here today for two things.

First, to ask about your martial souls. Second, to discuss the Class Promotion Tournament."

"Teacher, ask whatever you want. I'll tell you anything I can." Fangyuan nodded, his expression calm.

"I just have an ordinary tool martial soul, about the same as Xie Xie's. There's nothing much to ask."

Gu Yuena stood to the side with her arms folded, her tone indifferent. "As for the Class Promotion Tournament, I'm not interested."

"Your tool martial soul contains pure dragon bloodline power."

Wu Zhangkong looked at her and slowly said, "Far purer than Xie Xie's martial soul."

"Your eye isn't bad." Gu Yuena nodded slightly, her tone carrying a touch of matter-of-factness. "His is merely a lower dragon bloodline. There's no comparison."

"Teacher!"

Xie Xie shot upright from his chair with a swish, his face falling as if he wanted to cry but had no tears. "Why am I getting hit again?"

He really didn't dare argue with Gu Yuena anymore.

He was crushed in every way, from family background to talent. If he really angered this little girl, never mind the fact that he might not even know how he died.

The Xie Family would be dragged down with him too.

Gu Yuena and Guyue Fangyuan might be people from some evil faction.

Otherwise, how could they be so unreasonable and overbearing!

"I'm not hitting you. It's the truth."

Wu Zhangkong glanced at him, his tone flat.

"Your talent isn't bad, but compared to Student Guyue, there is indeed a gap."

"Her aptitude would make her a rare genius even in Shrek Academy."

"Then, Teacher Wu, what level would little brother Fangyuan's aptitude be considered at Shrek?"

Tang Wulin suddenly spoke, undisguised curiosity in his eyes.

Wu Zhangkong reached out, picked up the cup on the table printed with a little duck pattern, and took a sip.

"Six years old, Spirit Sea Realm spiritual power, innate full soul power, and this unprecedented tool martial soul.

"It would not be an exaggeration to call him an unparalleled genius with no equal before or after him."

"What?!"

Xie Xie nearly slid off his chair. He fumbled to grab the edge of the table, his eyes going round and wide.

"Spirit Sea Realm at six years old? Isn't that spiritual power only Soul Saints are supposed to have?

"Teacher, you're not messing with me, are you?"

"Do I look that bored?" Wu Zhangkong shot him a glare.

"Teacher, my family doesn't lack soul spirits or resources." Guyue Fangyuan sighed softly, a trace of weariness in his tone. "I really don't have much interest in something like the Class Promotion Tournament."

"I know your starting point is already far beyond the vast majority of people." Wu Zhangkong set down the cup and lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingertips. "But staying in a safe environment all the time can easily wear away your fighting spirit.

"Even if you don't participate in the Class Promotion Tournament, you could try the Young Genius Ranking. Anyone under eighteen can be evaluated."

"Not interested." Fangyuan shook his head, his tone unruffled.

Wu Zhangkong frowned slightly as he looked at him.

"Then tell me, why did you become a soul master in the first place?

"If not for fame or profit, there should at least be a reason."

Fangyuan raised his eyes. His gaze fell on Gu Yuena, and his voice was very soft, yet especially serious.

"To protect my mother.

"That's all."

Gu Yuena's body stiffened slightly.

She turned her head to look at the child beside her, her eyes suddenly growing hot, her nose stinging.

Her hand tightened subconsciously, gripping Fangyuan's wrist firmly, her fingertips applying a little force.

"Mother..."

Fangyuan looked up and smiled at her, showing a bit of youthful slyness.

"You always say such sentimental things."

Gu Yuena turned her face away and quickly brushed the corner of her eye with her fingertips, afraid others would see her reddened eyes.

But her slightly trembling voice still betrayed some of her emotions.

Wu Zhangkong looked at the child in front of him and was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had seen plenty of exceptionally gifted youths, each one competitive and ambitious, their minds filled with thoughts of climbing higher.

But this Guyue Fangyuan did not have the slightest bit of a youth's vigor.

He did not fight or compete, and had no interest in honor, fame, or profit.

Was this really a six-year-old child?

His mind was steadier than that of many adults.

"Little brother Fangyuan!"

Tang Wulin suddenly spoke, his eyes lighting up as if he had found a kindred spirit.

"Me too! I work hard to become stronger because I want to protect my family!"

He looked at Fangyuan, an inexplicable sense of closeness rising in his heart, and even his tone became a little more eager.

Fangyuan glanced at him, his tone indifferent.

"Perhaps."

But in his heart, there was no ripple at all.

Tang Wulin had a pure and kind nature. Compared to his hypocrite of a father, he truly was not annoying.

But the Golden Dragon King's bloodline was right there.

Their positions were opposed from birth. They were destined to be enemies.

If not for the fact that keeping him around was still useful, he would not have been sitting here wasting words at all.

"The Class Promotion Tournament might not mean much to you, but it's very important to me."

Tang Wulin's tone was sincere. He leaned forward slightly and looked at Fangyuan. "Especially the rewards from the Class Promotion Tournament."

"Little brother Fangyuan, I really hope you can participate. With you here, our chances of winning would be much, much greater."

"It's not impossible for me to participate." Fangyuan lifted his eyes, his tone casual.

"But what do I get out of it?"

"I'm not short on resources, and I don't really have any sense of collective honor."

"Well..." Tang Wulin scratched his head, even the tips of his ears turning a little red. After thinking for a long time, he finally squeezed out, "I'll treat you to a meal?"

Fang Yuan laughed out loud.

"Are you kidding me?"

"What if I want to eat Meal A every meal?"

"I don't have money..."

Tang Wulin was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Tang Wulin, what are you saying!"

Xie Xie was not happy. He stuck his neck out and said, "You're making it sound like we can't win the Class Promotion Tournament without the two of them."

"You really can't."

Wu Zhangkong's faint voice drifted over, and with a single sentence, he poured cold water straight over Xie Xie.

"Huh?"

Xie Xie froze, his mouth hanging open for a long while without closing.

So the teacher thought so too?

Then what was the point of calling them here to discuss it? They might as well just beg them outright.

"Fang Yuan, let me ask you something." Wu Zhangkong looked at Fang Yuan, his expression serious. "Can your martial soul transform into any soul beast?"

"As long as I've seen it and preserved its bloodline imprint, I can transform into it."

Fang Yuan answered frankly. There was nothing worth hiding.

"That martial soul is way too ridiculous..."

Xie Xie muttered to himself, shaken once again. He sat in his chair for a long time without recovering.

"How long can the transformation last?" Wu Zhangkong continued asking.

"About ten minutes for now." Fang Yuan thought for a moment, then replied, "The exact duration depends on my soul power level and mental state."

"A very interesting martial soul."

Wu Zhangkong nodded, his tone carrying a bit of genuine appreciation.

"If the few of you can form a team, then among your grade, you basically won't find any opponents."

He paused, then looked at Fang Yuan and Gu Yuena again.

"The Class Promotion Tournament is a very good opportunity to temper yourselves."

"How about this. If you're willing to participate, consider me owing the two of you a favor each. What do you say?"

He refused to believe that with both soft and hard approaches, he still couldn't handle two children.

Fang Yuan felt a little speechless inside.

Why was this Teacher Wu so fixated on him?

Would getting promoted to Class One through the Class Promotion Tournament even raise his salary or something?

A dignified six-ring Soul Emperor—was he really short on these little resources?

If it was truly for the students' own good, then what was the point of setting up Zero Class later?

Thoughts turned in his mind, but none of them showed on his face. He only smiled.

"Since you've put it that way, Teacher, then I really will have to think it over properly."

"No rush. Take your time."

Seeing that he had relented, Wu Zhangkong's tone softened a little as well.

"It's getting late."

Gu Yuena suddenly spoke, her tone turning cold as she tugged on Fang Yuan's hand. "My little brother is hungry. Teacher, what about the Meal A you promised?"

"No problem." Wu Zhangkong stood up and picked up the coat draped over the back of his chair. "Let's go. I'll treat you to dinner."

"Teacher, what about us?" Tang Wulin hurriedly raised his hand, a bit of anticipation in his eyes.

Xie Xie also immediately leaned over, looking at Wu Zhangkong with a face full of expectation.

"Dream on."

Wu Zhangkong swept a glance over the two of them, his tone chilly.

"Don't think I don't know you two secretly cheated during physical training class."

"Teacher, we were wrong!"

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie spoke in unison, immediately lowering their heads with an extremely sincere attitude of admitting their mistake.