第45章 结束请假,再次汇合的众人

The next day, the four-person squad returned to Zero Class.

Unlike what everyone had expected, most of the students wore expressions of exhaustion.

"What happened to you guys? Why do you look half-dead?"

As the class monitor, Luo Qing instinctively asked Zhang Yangzi, who was sitting nearby.

"Ever since you guys came back from the Ascension Platform that one time, Teacher Wu Zhangkong has made our training plan much stricter."

"Even though our strength is improving quickly and we have plenty of time to recover, it still feels so exhausting..."

Wang Jinxi added from the side.

"Exactly. I don't know where Teacher Wu Zhangkong learned his training methods, but he actually drives a Soul Tool Car and makes us charge straight at him."

"Are you kidding me? The quality of that Soul Tool means its impact force is comparable to the charge of a bull-type soul beast. If you actually get hit, you'll die!"

Thinking about it made him want to cry. Perhaps because his talent was the strongest among the group—aside from the four-person squad—he was the one who received the most "special attention." He even still had the imprint of Wu Zhangkong's license plate on his backside, clearly having been hit quite hard.

"Huh? Did Teacher Wu Zhangkong really turn into a Cane Alien?"

Tang Wulin was just about to say something when she felt a murderous aura coming from behind her.

"Everyone, go back to your seats and sit down--"

Wu Zhangkong glanced at the group, his eyes lingering on the four-person squad with clear scrutiny.

But since he had a lecture to give, he didn't say anything more and simply turned on the Soul Tool Projector again.

As the projected image appeared before everyone's eyes, Wu Zhangkong's cold yet steady voice began to ring out: "Today's lesson is about secondary professions. Does any student know what a secondary profession is?"

At the thought of this, Tang Wulin immediately became energized: "Teacher, I know!"

Wu Zhangkong signaled for Tang Wulin to continue.

"A secondary profession concerns a soul master's second identity. The primary choices involve crafting mecha and Battle Armor to enhance one's strength. For example, forging, Battle Armor design, Battle Armor manufacturing, mecha design, mecha manufacturing, and so on..."

Tang Wulin grew more confident as she spoke, and Luo Qing couldn't help but applaud her.

"Student Tang Wulin is quite correct. Most secondary professions are based on these goals, though there are some niche professions. However, those are not the focus of our introduction today."

Wu Zhangkong waved a hand, and Battle Armor attached itself to his body. The sharp aura and elegant form made the students gasp in wonder.

"This is Battle Armor. Its prototype is a miniaturized mecha. It is called Battle Armor because it attaches to the surface of the body and resembles armor. It generally has four stages, and a single character can be engraved on each stage. Once all four characters are formed, the Battle Armor reaches its current peak."

Wu Zhangkong lectured fluently, and everyone began to have new visions for their future.

"By the way, do you guys have any secondary professions you want to choose?"

After school, Xie Xie leaned in, looking at his three companions with curiosity.

"I plan to be a mecha designer, maybe also double as a Battle Armor designer?"

Luo Qing was most interested in those two, and given his strength, he might even be able to handle manufacturing as well.

"Uh, as long as you're sure about that--"

Xie Xie then looked at the remaining two: "Tang Wulin has already chosen forging, I know that. Gu Yue, what do you plan to choose?"

Gu Yue pondered for a moment. Although she wanted to say she disdained such things, she remembered that it was precisely because of such arrogance that soul beasts had gradually declined.

At the same time, she weighed her own advantages and finally said slowly: "I plan to study design as well. After all, my spiritual power is decent, and the control of an Elementalist should be quite helpful for design."

"What about you, Xie Xie?"

Xie Xie was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "That goes without saying, I'm going to be a mecha pilot! My family specializes in mecha. When the time comes, I'll get a few mecha, and we can all play around with them?"

A thoughtful look flashed in Xie Xie's eyes. He wondered if he should use this as an excuse to gift a few mecha to his partners. After all, it would be a waste not to take the old man's assets, and his partners were his dearest friends and brothers! They had even let him have a precious thousand-year External Soul Bone; what was the harm in giving them a mecha to play with?

"Wait a moment, you guys--"

Just as the group was chatting animatedly and preparing to walk out of the campus, Wu Zhangkong and Long Hengxu appeared behind them.

"What's wrong, Teacher, Dean?" Luo Qing looked at the two in confusion. They didn't beat around the bush.

"I heard from Teacher Wu Zhangkong before that you have the intention to participate in the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition."

A glimmer of excitement flashed in Long Hengxu's eyes. As the dean, if these children achieved an excellent ranking in the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition, not only would the school gain glory, but he would also be promoted and get a raise.

"Isn't it true that the four of you are still a bit short on numbers? Moreover, most of you specialize in offense; there aren't many control-type or support-type soul masters who can coordinate with you. So, I'm here to introduce a new teammate to you—Student Xu Xiaoyan, come on out."

Xu Xiaoyan poked her head out from a corner. When she saw their faces, her expression immediately paled.

Wu Zhangkong keenly noticed this: "You know each other?" He then recalled the Ice Staff Siblings who had been taken prisoner in the footage that day and immediately understood.

Xu Xiaoyan nodded, trembling slightly: "I know them, but we aren't exactly close..."

Her gaze landed on Xie Xie. At that time, the boy's dagger had been only a hair's breadth from her throat; if he had moved even slightly, she would have been eliminated from the Ascension Platform on the spot. This threat of death was different from the feeling of being ambushed and instantly killed. Even now, a long time later, she still felt a chill on her neck whenever she saw Xie Xie.

"Isn't that the sister of the Ice Staff guy?"

Xie Xie clearly recognized her as well.

Luo Qing nodded and extended his hand toward her: "Although we might have had some unpleasantness before, if you want to join us, we will never make things difficult for you. Now, it depends on what you want to do."

Xu Xiaoyan was silent for a moment, then gritted her teeth as if she had made up her mind.

She reached out her hand and lowered her head, saying: "Please take care of me!"

Luo Qing grasped her hand, and the warmth from his palm helped Xu Xiaoyan slowly relax.

The tension on her face faded, and Xu Xiaoyan became lively again: "Then we're teammates from now on! But you can't hold a dagger to my throat like you did before!"

"Of course! If anyone bullies you, just tell your Brother Xie! Your Brother Xie will definitely help you get even!"

Xie Xie patted his chest in assurance, and the rest of the group welcomed the new member in their own ways.

Just like that, the four-person squad became a five-person squad.

But the outcome... it should be good, right?