Meanwhile, at Eastsea Academy.
In a faculty apartment.
Wu Changkong returned to his quarters and promptly changed into his favorite little yellow duck pajamas, then sat cross-legged on the sofa, ready to cultivate.
This was not the first time he had done this.
He never went anywhere in Eastsea City. Outside of teaching, he stayed alone in his quarters and devoted himself to cultivation.
Although...
He had never improved even once.
"I hope that this time..."
"I can find a chance to break through."
Wu Changkong wore a complicated expression, his heart anything but calm. Ever since his own student had effortlessly put him in his place, he had clearly realized that if he did not break through soon...
He would not even be qualified to teach students anymore.
He did not know whether breaking through to Soul Saint would qualify him to teach that child-those children-but at least...
He had to break through first.
A glimmer of anticipation quietly flashed through Wu Changkong's eyes. In just an instant, it became a roaring blaze.
He admitted that he was not a particularly capable teacher.
But if he could...
During his time as a teacher, he would at least try to be a competent one whose strength measured up!
"..."
"Teacher, you wanted to see me?"
Next door to Wu Changkong's quarters.
Tang Wulin knocked on the door. Somewhat ill at ease in the apartment's living room, he looked at his homeroom teacher, Bai Xiaobai, who had summoned him. His slightly vacant eyes filled with confusion as he spoke.
"Yes!"
"Tang Wulin, you're here. Please, have a seat."
"I called you here today to tell you about an upcoming academy event. First, I must explain that, under the academy's rules, our first-year Class Five..."
"Really is the worst class."
The white-haired middle-aged man spoke slowly and evenly.
"Yes, yes..."
Tang Wulin looked a little embarrassed, but he still nodded. He did not deny that his martial soul was a trash martial soul.
"But that doesn't mean our Class Five has no possibility or opportunity to climb higher!"
Teacher Bai spoke with a resolute expression.
"At Eastsea Academy, every year group has an event called the Class Promotion Tournament. In this tournament, each class sends representatives to compete and challenge better classes."
"Our first-year Class Five starts by challenging Class Four. If we succeed, we become the new Class Four. From there, we can challenge Class Three, and then we would become Class Three."
"The better the class, the more resources the academy invests in it. And what I hope is..."
"That you'll be one of our class's competitors and, in two months, lead up to two of your classmates into the Class Promotion Tournament and secure..."
"Ideally, the position of Class Two!"
Passion surged in Teacher Bai's eyes. As he looked at the child before him, he could not conceal the hope on his face.
He could tell.
Although Tang Wulin was only rank 14, and although his martial soul was the weakest of the weak, Blue Silver Grass, he showed exceptional promise.
In the future, he might well become a top-tier powerhouse!
And at Eastsea Academy, he would surely climb higher as well. The Class Promotion Tournament might be the first step in revealing his talent.
"Teacher Bai, I..."
"I'm willing to take part in the Class Promotion Tournament!"
Tang Wulin took a deep breath. Faced with his homeroom teacher's invitation, and seeing how much faith he placed in him, he immediately agreed.
He already needed to interact and spar with other students who were stronger than him. Only then could he grow stronger.
If he could...
He hoped to reach the very top!
"Good!"
"You've got ambition. I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
Seeing Tang Wulin agree so firmly, Bai Xiaobai was in excellent spirits as well. Smiling, he gave Tang Wulin's shoulder a firm pat and spoke with a chuckle.
"But, Teacher, I don't understand."
"If we're talking about challenging every class..."
"Why did you say... reaching Class Two at most would be enough?"
Something occurred to Tang Wulin. After considering it for a moment, he asked somewhat hesitantly. They could not retreat without a fight!
"Because Class One..."
"Is simply unbeatable."
Bai Xiaobai paused, then laughed.
"Wulin, I know you're ambitious, but if you think hard work alone will let you match Class One's geniuses, all I can say is that it's absolutely impossible. Do you know..."
"You can send at most three students into the Class Promotion Tournament. What rank do you think the weakest of their top three is?"
"I don't know."
Tang Wulin shook his head blankly, clearly having no idea.
"A rank 23 Soul Grandmaster."
"A full nine ranks above you."
Bai Xiaobai held up two fingers and spoke earnestly.
"And the strongest among them is hailed as the East Sea's future star, a great genius the likes of whom Eastsea City hasn't seen in ten thousand years, and even a peerless powerhouse who could one day dominate the world-"
"Jiang Yan, who has the makings of a Limit Douluo!"
As Bai Xiaobai spoke, even he seemed intoxicated by Jiang Yan's talent. He took a deep breath, marveling at it.
A genius like that...
Truly did not belong in Eastsea City.
Even those geniuses who had already become Soul Grandmasters were only barely qualified to be his companions. As for everyone else...
They would do better not to come anywhere near him.
"Wulin, take your teacher's advice."
"You must never entertain the idea of comparing yourself to him."
"The gap between you and him..."
"Is beyond what the word 'vast' can describe. Do you understand?"
Bai Xiaobai looked at Tang Wulin and spoke bluntly.
People were not all the same.
They never had been.
"..."
After leaving his homeroom teacher's quarters.
Tang Wulin wore a subdued expression and remained distracted the whole time. Even after he returned to his dormitory, he showed no sign of improving.
Before you continue