The next day, the four-person team returned to Class Zero.
Contrary to what everyone had expected, most of them looked utterly exhausted.
"What happened to you guys? Why do you all look half-dead?"
As class monitor, Luo Qing instinctively asked Zhang Yangzi, who was beside him.
"Ever since you came back from the Ascension Platform that time, Teacher Wu has been even stricter with our training."
"Though our strength is improving quickly, and we have plenty of time to recover..."
"I still feel so tired..."
Wang Jinxi chimed in from the side.
"Exactly! I don't know where Teacher Wu learned his training methods, but he actually drove a Soul Tool Car and made us charge at him."
"Are you kidding me? That Soul Tool's impact could've matched a charging bull Soul Beast. If it hit you, you'd die!"
Just thinking about it made him want to cry. Perhaps it was because, apart from the four-person team, he had the best talent among them.
He was also the one who got the most special attention. Even now, there was a license plate mark on his butt from Wu Zhangkong's car. It had clearly hit him pretty hard.
"Huh? Has Teacher Wu really turned into the Cane Alien?"
Tang Wulin was about to say something when she felt a murderous aura behind her.
"Everyone, get back to your seats—"
Wu Zhangkong glanced at them. When his gaze swept over the four-person team, there was a clear look of scrutiny in his eyes.
But he had a lesson to teach, so he said nothing more and simply activated the Soul Tool Projector again.
As the projected image appeared before the students, Wu Zhangkong's cool, steady voice rang out. "Today's lesson is about second professions.
"Does anyone know what a second profession is?"
At the thought of it, Tang Wulin immediately perked up. "Teacher, I know!"
Wu Zhangkong gestured for Tang Wulin to continue.
"A second profession is a Soul Master's second identity. The main options are professions that enhance your strength by making Mechas and Battle Armor.
"For example, blacksmithing, Battle Armor design, Battle Armor manufacturing, Mecha design, Mecha manufacturing, and so on..."
The more Tang Wulin spoke, the more confident she became. Even Luo Qing, beside her, couldn't help applauding.
"Student Tang Wulin is quite right. Most secondary professions serve these purposes, though there are also some less popular ones.
"But those aren't what we'll be focusing on today."
Wu Zhangkong swept one hand out, and Battle Armor appeared over his body. Its fierce aura and elegant appearance left the students marveling.
"This is Battle Armor. It was originally a scaled-down form of a Mecha. It's called Battle Armor because it attaches to the body and resembles armor.
"It usually has four stages, and you can inscribe one character on each stage. Once all four characters are complete, Battle Armor reaches its current peak."
Wu Zhangkong lectured with great fluency, and everyone began to imagine new possibilities for their futures.
"By the way, have any of you decided what second profession you want?"
After school, Xie Xie came over, curious about what the other three planned to do.
"I'm planning to become a Mecha designer. Maybe I'll do Battle Armor design too?"
The two professions that interested Luo Qing most were Mecha design and Battle Armor design. And given his abilities, he might even be able to handle manufacturing as well.
"Uh, as long as you're confident..."
Then Xie Xie looked at the other two. "I know Tang Wulin has already chosen blacksmithing. What about you, Gu Yue? What are you planning to choose?"
Gu Yue pondered for a moment. She had wanted to say she had no interest in such things, but then she remembered how Soul Beasts had gradually fallen into decline because of that very arrogance.
She also considered her own strengths before finally saying, "I'm planning to study design too.
"My spiritual power is decent, after all, and my control over the elements as an Elementalist should be a big help with design."
"What about you, Xie Xie?"
Xie Xie froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Of course I'm going to be a Mecha pilot!
"My family specializes in Mechas. Maybe I'll get a few Mechas and we can all try them out together?"
A thoughtful look flashed through Xie Xie's eyes. He wondered if he could use this as an excuse to give his friends a few Mechas.
After all, you might as well take the old geezer's fortune while you could. His friends were his closest companions, his brothers in arms!
They'd even let him have the 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 still chatting excitedly and heading toward the school gates, Wu Zhangkong and Long Hengxu appeared behind them.
"What is it, Teacher? Director Long?" Luo Qing asked in confusion. The two didn't beat around the bush.
"I remember Teacher Wu once telling me that you were interested in taking part in the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition."
A hint of excitement flashed through Long Hengxu's eyes.
As director of instruction, if these children earned a good placement in the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition, it would bring glory not only to the school but also a promotion and a raise for him.
"But there are still only four of you, which is a bit too few.
"Besides, most of you specialize in attacking. You don't have many control-type or support-type Soul Masters who can work with you.
"So I'm here to introduce a new teammate—Student Xu Xiaoyan. Come on out."
Xu Xiaoyan poked her head out from a corner. The moment she saw their faces, she looked visibly alarmed.
Wu Zhangkong noticed at once. "You know each other?" He then recalled the Ice Staff Siblings who had been captured in that footage and immediately understood.
Xu Xiaoyan nodded, trembling slightly. "We know each other, but we're not that familiar..."
Her eyes settled on Xie Xie. Back then, his dagger had been only a hair's breadth from her throat. One slight movement, and she would have been eliminated from the Ascension Platform on the spot.
The threat of death felt different from being ambushed and killed in an instant. Even though a long time had passed, whenever she saw Xie Xie again, a chill still crept along her neck.
"Isn't she the Ice Staff guy's little sister?"
Xie Xie had clearly recognized her too.
Luo Qing nodded and held out his hand. "Things may have been a little unpleasant between us before.
"But if you want to join us, we definitely won't give you a hard time.
"It's up to you now. What do you think?"
Xu Xiaoyan fell silent for a moment. At last, she clenched her teeth as if she had made up her mind.
She held out her hand and lowered her head. "I look forward to working with you!"
Luo Qing clasped her hand. The warmth of his palm gradually eased Xu Xiaoyan's nerves.
The tension drained from her face, and Xu Xiaoyan became lively again. "Then we're teammates from now on!
"You can't hold a dagger to my throat like before!"
"Absolutely! If anyone gives you trouble, tell your big brother Xie! I'll help you get even!"
Xie Xie thumped his chest as he promised. The others welcomed their new member in their own ways, too.
And just like that, the four-person team became a five-person team.
But the result... should be a good one, right?
Before you continue