Are You Two Dating?

"I'm fine." Shui Bing'er shook her head, a smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Running is good for both body and mind."

"Besides, I barely exercised this morning. I'll treat it as a warm-up."

"By the way, what exactly was that blueprint you drew last night?"

"It was a blueprint for a suit of armor. Wearing it can increase one's strength."

"How much can armor increase someone's strength?" Shui Bing'er frowned, her tone carrying a hint of confusion.

In her understanding, armor was merely defensive gear made of iron and copper. Not only was it unbearably heavy, but against Soul Skills, it was hardly any better than paper. Who would waste effort researching armor?

"This isn't ordinary armor." Wu Changkong shook his head. "A Soul Elder wearing it could fight a Soul Ancestor without falling behind."

At those words, Shui Bing'er nearly stumbled and fell on the track.

She steadied herself, quickened her pace, and caught up to Wu Changkong. "What? Really? You're not lying to me?"

"Bing'er, I might lie to others, but I'd never lie to you."

Shui Bing'er's face suddenly felt hot. "Y-You saying that will make me overthink."

"There's no need to overthink it. I'm telling the truth."

Looking into his serious eyes, Shui Bing'er felt as though she were falling into them. Her heart pounded, but it wasn't from running.

Just then, Ling Shuang called out, "You two are chatting and laughing over there. Are you dating?"

"Want me to mark out a separate area for you two so you can have a proper chat?"

All the Heaven Class students on the field turned their heads in unison, dozens of gazes focusing on the two running side by side.

Some covered their mouths and snickered, some nudged the people beside them with their elbows, and others quietly egged them on.

Shui Bing'er's face instantly turned scarlet. She hurriedly sped up, leaving Wu Changkong behind within a few strides and putting at least five meters between them.

Wu Changkong watched her suddenly accelerating figure from behind but didn't chase after her, merely maintaining his original pace.

"You two can stop running now. Return to formation first."

"We haven't finished yet. There are still twenty laps left," Wu Changkong replied.

Ling Shuang paused, then her expression softened somewhat.

She suddenly felt that although this boy could be a headache sometimes, the stubborn seriousness in his bones was worthy of his talent.

"You like running that much?"

"No."

"Then return to formation. You can owe the remaining twenty laps for now. Double them if you're late again next time."

"Huh? They'll be doubled?"

"Enough nonsense. Return to formation. Are you going to make everyone wait for you to finish running?"

After the two returned to formation, Ling Shuang walked to the front of the line.

"Today is the first official day of school. To better understand your Martial Soul traits, combat styles, and actual strength, today's class will be held at the Spirit Battle Platform for practical combat testing."

"Only by personally seeing each of your combat performances can I formulate suitable training plans based on your Martial Soul characteristics and strength."

"This practical combat test isn't an exhibition match. You'll be fighting for real. So let me remind you in advance: don't hold back. Use all your strength."

"Whether it's Soul Skills, tactics, or on-the-spot adaptability, use everything you can."

"If anyone goes up there thinking of hiding their abilities or slacking off, don't blame me if you get beaten senseless on the Spirit Battle Platform. I've warned you already. Is that clear?"

"Clear!" the entire class answered in unison.

Ling Shuang nodded in satisfaction, then turned around. "Headmistress, do you have anything to say?"

"I won't say much. Teacher Ling, proceed according to your arrangements."

"Alright." Ling Shuang turned back and waved toward the training grounds. "Everyone, destination: Spirit Battle Arena. Run there!"

They arrived at the training grounds.

Three basalt Spirit Battle Platforms stood side by side in the center of the grounds.

The spectator stands rose in tiers, but there wasn't a single person there.

The twenty-four Elite Class students stood in neat formation before the Spirit Battle Platforms.

"Today's practical combat test will include not only traditional one-on-one matches but also two-on-two rounds, considering that our class has support-type Soul Masters."

"A support-type Soul Master's value in actual combat is no less than that of a battle Soul Master. A timely boost or a crucial heal can often turn the tide of an entire battle."

"So, the way we'll test support-type Soul Masters isn't by having them fight alone. Instead, each of them will support a battle Soul Master in a two-on-two coordinated match."

The moment Ling Shuang finished speaking, a hand rose from the formation.

It was Shen Liuyu. The short-haired girl, who was usually calm and quiet, stood in the line with her usual composed expression.

"Teacher, I have a question."

"Speak."

"Will the class monitor also fight everyone one-on-one?"

Ling Shuang slightly raised an eyebrow. "What, you can't? If you encountered an opponent stronger than yourself on a battlefield, would you raise your hand and ask them whether you could switch to someone else?"

"Avoidance solves nothing. It will only make your teammates bear the burden for you."

Shen Liuyu wasn't cowed by Ling Shuang's imposing manner and continued, "Teacher, I understand what you mean."

"But today's test is meant to assess each of our combat styles and actual levels. If we face the class monitor, given his strength, we'll probably be instantly defeated the moment the match begins, before we've had a chance to show anything."

"In that case, Teacher, aside from seeing us get instantly defeated, you won't learn anything about us. And aside from learning that we can't beat the class monitor, we won't gain any valuable practical feedback either."

"Yeah, yeah, Liuyu has a point..."

"It's not that we're afraid of getting beaten up. It's just that being one-shotted by a sword would be way too fast..."

"I don't want to go up and come back down two seconds later without even having time to reveal my Martial Soul..."

"The class monitor's Skyfrost Sword can one-shot even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Wouldn't we just be giving ourselves away for free..."

"Please, don't let me draw him, don't let me draw him. Whoever draws the class monitor is doomed..."

Wu Changkong took in everyone's reactions. His face remained calm and indifferent, but inwardly, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Was he really that scary?

"Teacher Ling Shuang, let me say a few words."

At that moment, Shui Qinghan slowly stepped out from among the teachers.

"Alright, Headmistress." Ling Shuang yielded the central position.

Shui Qinghan said, "I heard what Shen Liuyu said just now. She made a very valid point."

"Wu Changkong's practical combat ability is indeed far beyond that of his classmates. If he fought any student one-on-one, the result would be without suspense."

"Such a test would do nothing to improve him, offer no real training value to the students being instantly defeated, and wouldn't help Teacher Ling understand everyone's actual level."

"How about this... Shui Bing'er, Xue Wu, you two are the only Soul Elders in the class besides Wu Changkong."

"The two of you against Wu Changkong—two versus one. What do you think?"

The moment those words were spoken, a commotion broke out in the formation.