Hall of Heroes

Because they had absorbed too much spirit energy in the Spirit Ascension Platform yesterday, the academy would arrange for Zero Class's five students to test the age of their spirit rings and their physical fitness over the next few days.

Then Wu Zhangkong took them to their practical combat class for the day.

Originally, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi would have failed their martial soul fusion in this practical combat class because of Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King bloodline, ultimately choosing to withdraw from Zero Class.

But Xiling, this butterfly, had flapped his wings. Everyone who came into contact with him had their fate changed to some extent, so that part of the plot naturally no longer existed.

As for the development of Ouyang Zixin and Tang Wulin's relationship, Xiling had stopped paying attention after giving the former a letter of recommendation from the Mecha Masters Association.

Still, seeing the uncontrollable curl of Tang Wulin's lips every afternoon after school, things seemed to be progressing quite well.

Sure enough, the moment Wu Zhangkong left the classroom after tossing out, "The exam will be held tomorrow."

Tang Wulin was the first to stand up, hurrying toward the field. He had arranged to eat grilled fish with Ouyang Zixin today, so he could not be late.

Watching his retreating figure, Xiling thought, If I remembered correctly, according to the original plot, Ouyang Zixin and Tang Wulin were going out to eat today, then they would run into Xu Xiaoyan and her brother.

And Tang Wulin would realize at that time that Ouyang Zixin had a crush on Xu Xiaoyu, right?

He wondered whether Douluo Continent had some sort of plot-correcting force. If it did, would it make them meet again? And what choice would Ouyang Zixin make?

Xiling had no intention of interfering in any of this. Matters of the heart could not be forced; it would all depend on Tang Wulin himself.

The next day, Wu Zhangkong led the six members of Zero Class out of the academy. Their second final exam would still be held outside the academy.

The seven of them boarded a soul guidance bus and headed straight for the suburbs.

"Teacher Wu, could you give us a little hint about what today's exam will be?" Xie Xie asked with a flattering smile.

Wu Zhangkong did not even look at him. "You'll know when you get there. It's somewhat like the Spirit Ascension Platform, but not exactly the same."

Not getting the answer he wanted, Xie Xie could only mutter an "oh" and drop the matter helplessly.

They got off the bus in the suburbs, and Wu Zhangkong led them to a massive complex called East Sea Soul Guidance Technology.

The complex contained vast green belts, and every building was constructed from metal.

The complex was enormous. Wu Zhangkong led them through it for half an hour before they arrived at a smaller compound within it.

It was a small dark-blue building, its outer walls pieced together from panes of glass. Wu Zhangkong walked up and pressed his right hand against one of them.

A bright blue flash disappeared in an instant, and a projection lit up. A voice with a hint of playful humor rang out. "Well, if it isn't Little Zhangkong of East Sea. Long time no see."

Wu Zhangkong's eye twitched as he said coldly, "Open the door."

The voice clicked its tongue, sounding somewhat helpless. "You're still as boring as ever."

With a soft ding, the glass doors slid open to either side.

The nickname Little Zhangkong of East Sea left Tang Wulin and the others behind him stunned. They exchanged looks, each seeing the curiosity in the others' eyes.

But because of Wu Zhangkong's usual authority, no one dared ask.

After they entered through the glass doors, a circular metal platform floated over, bearing six metal wristbands.

"Put them on," Wu Zhangkong said to Xiling and the other five.

"Teacher, what are these for?" Xie Xie asked as he looked at the metal wristband in his hand.

"Identification. Only by wearing them can you ensure that this place's defense system won't treat you as enemies."

"That sounds so high-tech," Xie Xie exclaimed.

Wu Zhangkong said nothing more. He led them through countless twists and turns, and after passing through another glass door, they vanished.

When they reappeared, they were already in a space composed of dark-blue crystals and silver-white metal.

Wu Zhangkong was ahead of them. He walked to one side of the wall and performed some unknown operation. The wall suddenly split apart, revealing a large screen, and then a keyboard extended outward.

Wu Zhangkong ran both hands over the keyboard, tapping away rapidly. No one knew what he was entering.

"Identity confirmed: Little Zhangkong of East Sea."

"Test difficulty: medium. Number of participants: six. Ten-second countdown."

"Ten—" "Nine—"

"What's going on? Why did the countdown start right away?" Xie Xie looked completely bewildered.

Wu Zhangkong turned to look at them. "Did you think you would be given plenty of time to prepare? Do whatever you want to do."

"Eight, seven, six, ... three, two, one, begin!"

Six beams of blue light descended without warning, instantly landing on Xiling and the other five. The blue light flashed, and they vanished without a trace.

After a dizzying whirl, Xiling found himself in a strange space. The ground was white, there was no sky, and it stretched beyond the limits of sight.

"Welcome to the Hall of Heroes. First trial, intermediate difficulty. Name: Xiling. Age: ten."

"Test requirement: First round, endure for thirty seconds."

"Oh?" Xiling tilted his head. Naturally, he knew what this Hall of Heroes was, but he was even more curious about who his opponent would be.

The white light ahead stirred slightly, and a figure slowly solidified.

It was a young man who looked about Xiling's age. He had short dark-blue hair, a straight and upright build, and his hands hung naturally at his sides, giving off an elegant air.

"So it's Bei Bei? I thought it would be Tang San." Xiling sounded somewhat disappointed.

"Begin!" the electronic voice rang out again.

The instant the voice fell silent, Bei Bei's eyes lit up. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul possessed him, and three spirit rings—two yellow and one purple—rose beneath his feet.

Then, his first spirit ring lit up. A blue-violet dragon claw made of condensed lightning, about a foot in diameter, shot straight toward Xiling.

This was Thunder Dragon Claw, Bei Bei's first soul skill.

"The presence is pretty impressive, but it's useless." Xiling's gaze sharpened, and the incoming Thunder Dragon Claw was instantly distorted and annihilated by the power of space.

Before Bei Bei could react, a Subspace Spear pierced through his heart. The entire exchange took less than a second.

The electronic voice rang out again. "First trial cleared. Second round begins. Defeat your opponent or endure for thirty seconds."

With a flash of light, the Bei Bei who had just disappeared reappeared. Unlike before, four spirit rings—two yellow and two purple—rose beneath his feet.

"A four-ringed Soul Ancestor?" Xiling shook his head. To him, there was no difference between three rings and four.

The lesson from just now made Bei Bei dare not lower his guard. His second and fourth spirit rings lit up.

Thunderous Force! Thunder Dragon Head!

A web of lightning filled the sky, and a massive lightning dragon head roared as it charged at Xiling, intending to end the battle in an instant with overwhelming force.

Faced with the lightning assault rushing at him, Xiling did not dodge at all. With a thought, his third soul skill activated instantly.

Without any warning, violent spatial turbulence formed around Bei Bei. He only had time to reveal a look of horror before his body, along with his soul skills, was completely torn apart by the spatial turbulence.