The Whole Class Was Shocked

His gaze was like tangible threads of ice as it swept across the classroom, finally settling on the row at the very edge—

It was the corner where Bai Lin, Xie Xie, Yun Xiao, and Zhou Changxi sat.

His finger pointed in that direction as well.

Yun Xiao, seated in the front row, bore the brunt of it. Under Wu Changkong's icy stare, his body visibly trembled, and he hurriedly stood up in a panic.

"E..."

"Hello, everyone."

Yun Xiao's voice was tense, and he did not dare meet Wu Changkong's eyes.

"My name is Yun Xiao. My martial soul is the Star Compass, and my soul power is level twelve."

"I want to become an intelligent support-type battle soul master."

After saying that, he practically fled back into his seat, his face slightly pale.

After Yun Xiao, it was Bai Lin's turn.

Bai Lin slowly rose to his feet, neither hurried nor slow. Wu Changkong's gaze, seemingly capable of freezing souls, fell upon him, yet it failed to stir even the slightest ripple in his clear eyes.

His calm was not feigned, but came from the strength and resolve within his heart.

This composure, far beyond that of his peers, came not only from the pressure and tempering brought by Hei Lin, but also from the confidence granted by his genuine cultivation as a two-ringed Grand Soul Master.

He stood straight, his clear voice carrying throughout the classroom.

"Tang Wulin. Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass. Soul power: level twenty-three."

"My goal is to become stronger, then protect the people I want to protect."

His words were brief, yet they contained an undeniable determination.

"Level twenty-three soul power!"

"Wait, his name is Tang Wulin!"

"So it's him!"

"The one whose three years of tuition, miscellaneous fees, and meal expenses were all waived by the academy!"

"Is he a Blue Silver King or a Blue Silver Emperor?"

The moment Bai Lin finished speaking, the classroom erupted!

Cries of shock and astonishment rose one after another.

None of them had expected that the rumored genius would actually come to Class Five.

With his talent, shouldn't he have gone to Class One?

No one questioned him, or called Tang Wulin's martial soul useless.

After all, reaching the two-ringed realm at the age of nine meant that his Blue Silver Grass definitely was not ordinary Blue Silver Grass.

Behind the podium, even Wu Changkong's face, frozen like eternal ice, finally showed the faintest fluctuation—

It was surprise.

For the first time, his deep, icy blue eyes lingered on Bai Lin for more than a second. His sharp gaze seemed intent on seeing through this boy, who possessed a useless martial soul yet displayed astonishing soul power.

"Tang Wulin?"

Wu Changkong's cold voice sounded, carrying a hint of confirmation.

"You're the new student Director Long Hengxu personally went to Aolai City to recruit?"

Clearly, when Long Hengxu had briefed him on Class Five's students, he had specifically mentioned this "special" student.

Bai Lin nodded calmly. "Yes."

Wu Changkong's gaze sharpened further, like an ice awl.

"Blue Silver Grass martial soul, nine years old, level twenty-three soul power..."

"Your cultivation speed is abnormal. You must have some hidden bloodline potential or encountered a special opportunity, correct?"

His knowledge far surpassed that of ordinary teachers, and he immediately arrived at the most reasonable explanation.

After all, a purely useless martial soul could not possibly achieve such heaven-defying speed.

Then an even greater question surfaced in Wu Changkong's mind, and his tone took on a cold edge of inquiry.

"If that is the case, then with your potential, why were you assigned to Class Five?"

This clearly did not fit the academy's usual principle of cultivating only the best.

Faced with Wu Changkong's question, which struck directly at the heart of the matter, Bai Lin's expression remained as calm as still water, as if he were merely stating an ordinary fact.

"I believe Class Five will temper me better."

The answer was concise and straightforward.

But in truth, Bai Lin's thoughts went far beyond that.

He did not care at all which class he was assigned to. Or rather, coming to Class Five, the widely acknowledged "class for poor students," suited him perfectly.

In the supposedly "best" class, an anomaly like him—someone with the "useless martial soul" Blue Silver Grass yet possessing two-ring cultivation—would inevitably attract more curiosity, doubt, and even deliberate mockery and provocation.

He had always believed that pointless trouble and conflict should be avoided whenever possible.

Otherwise, if Hei Lin were enraged...

Those self-important students in Class One probably would not meet a good end.

A relatively "low-profile" environment like Class Five was better suited for him to conceal his strength and cultivate in peace.

After hearing Bai Lin's answer, Wu Changkong's cold expression did not change in the slightest, as though he had merely heard something irrelevant.

Yet deep within those ice-blue eyes, a faint trace of satisfaction flashed by, so subtle it was nearly impossible to notice.

He did not press further and merely said in his trademark icy tone.

"Since you've come to Class Five, cultivate properly."

Those words were both an order and an implied acknowledgment.

"Continue."

Wu Changkong's gaze shifted to the next student.

Zhou Changxi, who sat behind Bai Lin, hurriedly stood up. His voice was loud, though it carried a faint, barely noticeable tension.

"My name is Zhou Changxi. My martial soul is the Mighty Divine Ape, and my soul power is level eleven!"

"My goal is to become a powerful strength-type battle soul master!"

After speaking, he secretly glanced at Bai Lin before sitting down.

Finally, it was Xie Xie's turn.

He rose to his feet, standing tall with the sharp edge unique to an agility attack-type soul master. His voice was clear and filled with youthful pride.

"Xie Xie. Martial soul: Light Dragon Dagger. Soul power: level eighteen. My goal is to become the best agility attack-type battle soul master!"

Level eighteen soul power was absolutely outstanding among the new students. Under normal circumstances, it would have been enough to cause a stir of envy.

But now, compared to Tang Wulin's astonishing level twenty-three, the exclamations in the classroom were clearly much quieter.

Although everyone still looked at Xie Xie with envy, their sense of shock had already been completely seized by the Blue Silver Grass boy before him.

After the last student finished introducing themselves, Wu Changkong's cold gaze swept across the room again, committing every new student's face to memory.

"Classes officially begin tomorrow."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached every ear.

"My classes are harder than those of other teachers."

He paused, seemingly giving the students time to absorb those words, before delivering his ultimatum in an utterly flat tone.

"So you need to be mentally prepared."

"If you aren't confident you can persist, either go to Director Long Hengxu now and apply to change classes, or..."

"Withdraw from the academy."

The two words fell like two blocks of ice smashing onto the ground.

He did not waste another word, nor did he leave the students any time to ask questions or hesitate.

He turned around and left without looking back, his long, cold strides echoing through the terrifyingly silent classroom.

The slightly worn door gently closed behind him, leaving behind a roomful of students with differing expressions and heavy hearts, along with the lingering chill in the air.