The Class Promotion Tournament Begins

"Tang Sect?"

"Forgive me, Teacher, but I can't obey. I'm not interested in the Tang Sect." Fang Yuan shook his head calmly.

Wu Zhangkong looked at how completely unconcerned he was and could only sigh softly, his eyes filled with regret.

Such talent, such temperament, such unfathomable martial soul foundations—he was simply a born top-tier genius.

If he could enter the Tang Sect, he would absolutely become one of the Federation's most dazzling figures in the future.

Unfortunately, geniuses had always been willful, unwilling to be bound.

"All right, then..." Wu Zhangkong helplessly withdrew his thoughts.

Xie Xie immediately leaned in from the side, his face full of excitement, unable to suppress his glee.

"Teacher Wu! With Fang Yuan and Gu Yuena here, we're definitely guaranteed to win this Class Promotion Tournament! We're completely invincible, right?"

"You!" Wu Zhangkong glared at him, disappointed at his lack of ambition. "You don't have the slightest backbone. All day long, all you think about is clinging to your teammates' thighs. Are you content to spend your whole life as a foil? As support?"

Xie Xie answered with perfect confidence, not the least bit ashamed.

"Getting to be teammates with this kind of peerless genius is my good fortune! Other people want to cling to them and don't even get the chance!"

Wu Zhangkong was choked speechless by his words for a moment.

Then he coughed lightly twice and forced his face to turn stern.

"Good fortune, my ass! Cultivation ultimately depends on yourself! Are you even a man?"

"I am!" Xie Xie raised an eyebrow. "Men can rely on teammates too! There's no contradiction!"

"You still dare talk back?" Wu Zhangkong laughed despite his anger. "Fine! Tonight, your punishment is to treat Fang Yuan and Gu Yue to dinner! Reflect on yourself properly!"

"Don't, Teacher Wu!" Xie Xie instantly wailed. "My allowance really isn't enough! I'll accept punishment training, but I really can't handle a money penalty!"

Looking at his painfully reluctant expression, Wu Zhangkong waved his hand helplessly.

"All right, all right, I'm not teasing you anymore. It's too late. Everyone go home and rest. Get your energy up and take tomorrow's Class Promotion Tournament seriously."

Everyone nodded in turn.

"Mother, I'm so sleepy. Let's go back." Fang Yuan let out a long yawn, his eyelids drooping.

"Mm, let's go home." Gu Yuena gently took his little hand.

Behind them, Xie Xie was still shouting, "I really don't have to treat you?"

"No need." Fang Yuan did not even look back. "The food my mother makes is far better than anything outside."

The two of them left the training hall side by side. The night was quiet, the evening breeze slightly cool, and the day's training came to an end.

Early the next morning.

The intermediate division's main field at East Sea Academy was packed with voices, so lively it seemed about to lift the roof off.

The once-a-year first-year Class Promotion Tournament officially began.

The broad competition grounds were divided into three elevated platforms, and the tiered stands around them were filled with students from every year. Bright sunlight spilled over the smooth stone stages, reflecting a pale white glow.

At the rostrum, the academy leaders, referee teachers, and soul power recording instruments were all in place. The atmosphere was solemn yet fervent.

In past years, the first-year events had always been utterly ordinary, with only Class One hogging the spotlight.

But this year was different.

Ever since Class Five had defeated Class One's substitute lineup in the last sparring match, the eyes of everyone in the entire year had all been fixed on Class Five.

The moment Class Five's team entered the arena, they instantly became the focus of the entire venue.

Fang Yuan in particular, small in build, delicate and clean in appearance, and looking younger than everyone else, had only just shown his face when he immediately attracted a large crowd of girls.

"Little Brother Fang Yuan! Give me an autograph, okay?"

"Junior! Add me as a friend!"

"This is a little gift I prepared. Take it, please!"

A group of girls crowded around so tightly that not even water could get through, chattering nonstop as all kinds of notes and snacks were handed forward.

Fang Yuan frowned slightly, not quite used to such a lively scene.

In the next second, a slender figure steadily blocked the way in front of him.

Gu Yuena's expression was calm, neither cold nor severe. She simply raised a hand and lightly pushed aside the jostling crowd, her presence quiet yet intensely oppressive.

No one dared squeeze even half a step closer.

She calmly took Fang Yuan by the wrist, ignored every gaze around them, and led him steadily toward Class Five's waiting area.

The students of Class Five stood in the corner, completely different from before.

In past tournaments, Class Five had always been the least noticeable, the most insecure—the bottom-ranked class shrinking at the very back.

Anyone could step on them, and anyone could mock them a little.

But today, every member of Class Five stood with their backs straight, their eyes carrying a confidence they had never had before.

Because their team had two monsters.

All across the arena, every class was secretly tense and praying.

"Please don't draw Class Five! Please don't draw Class One!"

"Those two classes are both monsters. Run into them and you're eliminated on the spot!"

"Please, may the draw show mercy!"

Everyone understood perfectly well:

This year, there were only two favorites to win the Class Promotion Tournament—Class Five and Class One.

Before long, Director Long walked up to the rostrum. His spirit power amplified his voice, pressing down the noise across the arena.

"Quiet!"

"I hereby announce that this semester's first-year Class Promotion Tournament officially begins!"

"The format: classes will be randomly paired off for one-on-one matches, with single-round elimination. The winners of the two matches will advance to the finals, and the final winner will challenge Class One for the defending champion's seat!"

The entire arena instantly held its breath.

"First match, Class Two versus Class Three!"

The competitors from Class Two and Class Three immediately went up onto the stage to fight.

Everyone below naturally began watching.

Class Two's main force was a control-type Entangling Vine martial soul, extremely strong at pulling and restraining; Class Three's Rock Bear was a domineering assault type, with both offense and defense.

The two sides fought back and forth. Blue-green vines wrapped around stone armor, the ground collapsed and rocks cracked, spirit skills clashed with constant booms, and cheers rose and fell from below the stage.

Tang Wulin watched with exceptional focus.

He had just broken through the first seal of the Golden Dragon King, and his mentality had changed greatly.

In the past, he had always felt weak, like he was holding everyone back, but after undoing the seal, his physical body, spirit power, and resilience had all improved across the board.

He quietly clenched his hand, making a silent resolve in his heart.

In this match, he could no longer just coast along. He had to truly shoulder the control position and coordinate properly with the team.

Xie Xie also watched without blinking, staring at the opposing agility-attack type's movement and ambush rhythm, silently comparing it with his own Light Dragon Dagger fighting style and stealing what experience he could.

Gu Yuena's gaze swept faintly over the arena. She seemed to be watching the match, but in truth, her mind was calm and undisturbed.

In her eyes, the fighting of these low-level spirit masters was full of openings and posed no threat at all.

Fang Yuan leaned against a pillar, eyes half narrowed, quietly resting.

To him, a match of this level was far too immature and could not stir even the slightest interest.

A few minutes later, the first match ended.

Class Three narrowly defeated Class Two with their stronger physical endurance under pressure, successfully advancing.

At last, it was time for the second group to draw lots.

Director Long's voice rang out again:

"Second match, Class Four versus Class Five!"

The entire Class Five team instantly let out a breath of relief in unison, joy appearing on everyone's faces.

Avoiding the strongest Class One in the first round was absolutely a heavenly start!

Just as everyone relaxed and prepared to go onstage, Wu Zhangkong slowly walked up before the four of them, his expression serious. He lowered his voice and specifically gave them the team tactics.

"Listen carefully, all four of you."

"Class Four's overall strength is decent. Their lineup is balanced, with assault, agility attack, control, and support all present. Their coordination is practiced, so don't underestimate them."

He first looked toward Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

"Wulin, you'll be in charge of main control. Prioritize using Blue Silver Grass to lock down their control system and limit their earth spike formation. Xie Xie, you restrain their agility-attack Wind Cat. Only harass them, don't get greedy for kills, and stabilize the tempo."

The two immediately nodded. "Understood, Teacher Wu!"

Next, Wu Zhangkong's gaze fell on Fang Yuan and Gu Yuena, his tone solemn.

"You two, remember my arrangements especially."

"In this round against Class Four, hide your strength the entire time."

"You are not allowed to release high-level spirit skills, not allowed to reveal your true combat strength, and not allowed to crush them too quickly."

Fang Yuan raised his eyes slightly, a little puzzled.

Wu Zhangkong continued explaining:

"Class Four is only a minor checkpoint. The truly hard fight is the final, against Class One."

"Class One has a two-ring Great Spirit Master holding the fort. Their trump cards are unknown, and their combat strength is extremely high. They are the real roadblock."

"If the two of you expose all your strength now, that is equivalent to revealing every trump card in advance and letting Class One figure out your fighting styles beforehand."

"In this round, just casually cooperate with your teammates and win easily. Your true killing moves and full strength are all to be saved for the final battle against Class One!"

That sentence completely settled the team's tactics.

Gu Yuena nodded slightly, her expression calm. "Fine."

Fang Yuan nodded indifferently. "Whatever. I'll listen to Teacher."

He hadn't wanted to take a minor competition like this seriously anyway. Hiding his strength and slacking off suited him perfectly.

Wu Zhangkong looked at the two of them and reminded them again:

"Remember—steady, low-key, and keep your trump cards hidden."

"Just beat Class Four. Preserve your peak condition for the final battle against Class One!"