Promotion Match

The typhoon continued to rage for several days.

During that time, Xu Yue had been steadily consolidating his newly advanced soul power while gaining a deeper understanding of the Spear Intent of Water.

When the typhoon finally passed and classes resumed at the academy...

Though no one said it aloud, anticipation had already filled their faces and hearts.

Today was the day of the promotion match between Freshman Class One and Class Five.

Ding-ling-ling...

As the final class bell rang...

A flicker of excitement immediately flashed through Ye Yingluo's beautiful eyes.

"Wu Zhangkong, I've waited far too long for this day."

Without hesitation, she looked toward all the Class One students below, her gaze lingering on Xu Yue for an extra moment.

"Everyone, stand up. Assemble at the training grounds!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

The Freshman Class One students followed behind Ye Yingluo and hurried toward the Intermediate Division's training grounds.

Xu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan walked side by side at the front.

As for Wei Xiaofeng, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi, they followed closely behind. One looked pleased with himself, while the other two were caught between envy and disappointment.

Naturally, Wei Xiaofeng was the pleased one.

According to Ye Yingluo's arrangements, if Class Five only sent out three people, then aside from Xu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan, he would be the third person filling out the lineup.

This left Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi consumed by envy, jealousy, and resentment toward Wei Xiaofeng.

They wanted a satisfying one-sided crushing match too.

Near the arena at the training grounds.

Quite a crowd had already gathered there.

Apart from the first-year freshmen of the Intermediate Division, students and teachers from every other grade had surrounded the area so densely that not even water could pass through.

At the very least, Xu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan spotted Mu Xi, Ouyang Zixin, and Xu Xiaoyu among the crowd.

The other three freshman class advisers were all present as well. Only Class Five's adviser, Wu Zhangkong, had yet to arrive.

"Big Sis!"

Ye Yingrong, the adviser of Class Three, quickly walked over to Ye Yingluo's side.

"Mm." Ye Yingluo responded, her beautiful eyes sweeping the surroundings.

"Big Sis, stop looking. That person still isn't here."

Ye Yingrong smiled helplessly. She truly did not know how to describe her sister. Her looks, figure, talent, and everything else were outstanding, and plenty of people pursued her.

But her personality was really difficult to praise. After finally encountering Wu Zhangkong...

Who would have thought that when the two met, they would clash like needle against awl?

"Isn't Wu Zhangkong supposed to be so arrogant? I'd like to see what gives his students the right to defeat Class One!"

The adviser of Class Four exchanged a glance with the Class Two adviser beside him and chuckled.

However.

Even when Gu Yue led Xie Xie and the other Class Five students into the arena, Wu Zhangkong was still nowhere to be seen.

Xu Yue watched this scene thoughtfully.

"If nothing unexpected happened, it should be because Tang Wulin unlocked the first seal of the Golden Dragon King."

"But without Uncle Mu's help, he still managed to unlock it at the predetermined time. Did Tang San's divine sense intervene?"

Thinking of that possibility, his gaze deepened slightly.

He could choose not to act against Tang Wulin, but that was only on the premise that Tang Wulin continued to be raised by Tang Ziran and Lang Yue, without much connection to the Tang Family Group.

Misfortune should not extend to one's family, but the premise was that fortune did not extend to one's family either.

Even the emperors from his previous life, when executing entire clans or exterminating three generations, would not turn their blades upon illegitimate children related by blood who had never received any benefits.

Because being born was not their fault.

But once Tang Wulin began accepting Tang San's blessings, then in his eyes, the two could be placed in the same camp.

And that was something he absolutely could not tolerate.

On the other side.

Long Hengxu, the Director of Education, looked at the still-absent Wu Zhangkong before finally turning his gaze toward Gu Yue at the front.

"Student Gu Yue, where is your class adviser, Teacher Wu?"

Gu Yue did not speak, but Xie Xie hurriedly answered from beside her.

"Teacher Wu said he was going back to the dormitory for a moment and would be right back. Could you wait a little longer?"

Long Hengxu frowned. To be honest, in his eyes, there was no need for this match at all.

Even though Gu Yue was quite strong as well, he did not believe she could defeat the three-ringed Xu Yue across such a gap.

After all, even among geniuses of equal caliber, the side with higher soul power would always hold the greater advantage.

Especially after witnessing the battle with Guang Biao, this was even more apparent.

But since Wu Zhangkong had not forfeited, the match still had to proceed.

"Fine. If you haven't arrived before the match time is up, I'll declare Class Five to have forfeited."

As Xie Xie thanked him, time quietly slipped away.

Long Hengxu frowned as he watched the timer in his hand reach its final countdown, and he was just about to speak.

"I declare—"

"Wait!"

At that moment, a cold and arrogant voice rang out.

With a frosty expression, Wu Zhangkong strode over while carrying the anxious-looking Tang Wulin by the collar. "Time isn't up yet! The match continues!"

Long Hengxu forcibly swallowed his words, his brows drawing together. "Teacher Wu, please pay attention to the time next time."

Wu Zhangkong nodded indifferently and set Tang Wulin down.

But when his gaze swept across the arena and finally landed on Xu Yue, he too felt an overwhelming pressure.

Then—

Seeing Tang Wulin standing stiffly, his face full of tension, he patted him on the shoulder and spoke softly in an unusually gentle tone.

"Relax. There's no need to take what I said before to heart. It's only a promotion match. Just do your best."

"I understand, Teacher Wu." Tang Wulin answered and walked toward Gu Yue and Xie Xie.

Wu Zhangkong watched Tang Wulin's back and sighed.

Who could have expected Class One to produce a freak like Xu Yue?

What Wu Zhangkong did not know was that his words had not relaxed Tang Wulin at all. Instead, they made him even more tense.

As he walked, Tang Wulin clenched his fist tightly.

He thought of Wu Zhangkong's guidance over the past few months, as well as how Wu Zhangkong had given him so many spirit fruits without hesitation a few days ago.

Not only had they resolved his life-or-death crisis, but they had also opened the first layer of the Golden Dragon King seal, greatly increasing both his strength and potential. It had truly been timely aid in a snowstorm.

How could he ever forget such a teacher's kindness?

"Teacher Wu, don't worry! I'll do everything I can to seize victory."

"Those who endure to the end are the victors."

Long Hengxu had already stepped onto the competition stage and asked Wu Zhangkong in a deep voice.

"Teacher Wu, how many people will your class be sending out today?"

The number of participants would be decided by the challenging class. This was also one of the rules of the promotion match.

"Three." Wu Zhangkong replied expressionlessly.

A three-person battle—this had been a classic format since ten thousand years ago.

As soon as he spoke, Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie stepped out from among the Class Five students at the same time.

Long Hengxu nodded, then looked toward Class One.

Ye Yingluo called Xu Yue and the other two out while pretending to remain calm, but her beautiful eyes, fixed tightly on Wu Zhangkong, betrayed her excitement.

"Xu Yue, Xiao Yan, Xiao Feng, it's your turn!"