Ultimate Class

"Hello, students. Every year at this time, I felt a little sentimental, because a group of students from the intermediate and advanced divisions would be leaving..."

The new student entrance ceremony proceeded as scheduled. The leaders on the stage lamented each class of departing students and the arrival of new ones, their speeches long-winded and formulaic.

The new students below listened attentively, but Chen An alone looked distracted. Not a single word entered his ears.

Those formal remarks were hollow and tedious. There was no need to listen.

Still, it was surprising that the Level 12 Soul Power he had reported had actually gotten him assigned to Class 1.

Did that mean nearly every class besides Class 1 consisted entirely of Ten-Year Soul Rings? There was no balance at all; the gap was completely one-sided.

Just as he was yawning, a hand poked Chen An in the back.

When he turned around, he saw Wei Xiaofeng, who lowered his voice.

"Bro, didn't you say you were assigned to Class 2? Why are you standing in the Class 1 area? Yesterday, when I asked about your Martial Soul, you wouldn't say a word. I've already asked around about everyone else in Class 1. You're the only one left."

Chen An had no interest in chatting with this kind of boring little brat. He could not even be bothered to put on the obedient act he used around Tang Wulin.

Besides, the other boy had abruptly interrupted his thoughts, leaving him with even less patience.

"None of your business."

That extremely cold sentence rejected everything.

Wei Xiaofeng froze. The arrogance in his eyes was instantly replaced by hostility, and his expression darkened slightly.

"You sure talk big. I hope you're also a Two-Ring Grand Soul Master, not some useless fraud who slipped in."

After the entrance ceremony ended, Class 1's homeroom teacher, Ye Yingluo, led the students to their classroom. Chen An chose a seat by the window in the back row and continued to drift off.

That strange dream from last night was still vividly etched in his mind.

The Star Dou Great Forest, the brimming Life Lake, Na'er's back as she walked across the water, and the endlessly expanding blocks of exclusive identification numbers covering the entire Roulette—it had all been bizarre.

Especially how he had suddenly awakened at the end of the dream. Could it have been because his pillow was too high?

"Students, let's briefly introduce ourselves so everyone can get to know one another," Ye Yingluo said gently.

Everyone stood up one after another to introduce themselves, and soon it was Xie Xie's turn.

"Xie Xie. Soul Power Level 18. Martial Soul: Light Dragon Dagger. My future goal is to become an agility-type battle Soul Master."

"Very good. Next." Ye Yingluo nodded in approval.

Wei Xiaofeng instinctively turned his head, his gaze locking directly onto Chen An in the back row with a hint of anticipation for a show.

Chen An slowly stood up, his tone calm and flat. "My name is Chen An. Soul Power Level 12. Martial Soul: Crimson Fish Scales. No future goal."

Meanwhile, over in Class 5, Tang Wulin had just finished introducing herself. Some of her classmates could not hold back their laughter.

"Hahahaha, a Bluesilver Grass Martial Soul! Of course she doesn't have a goal!"

Tang Wulin's heart suddenly tightened as the scenes of mockery and contempt from three years ago resurfaced in her mind.

She lowered her head slightly, quietly clenching her fingers as that familiar bitterness and helplessness welled up inside her.

At that moment, a cold, stern gaze suddenly swept over from the front. Wu Changkong hooked a box of chalk with his finger and flicked it out at a speed too fast to see.

The student who had mocked Tang Wulin was struck in the face by dozens of pieces of chalk at once, with several even flying into his open, laughing mouth.

The noisy classroom instantly fell deathly silent.

Wu Changkong's voice was icy, each word forceful and ringing through the entire classroom.

"When you mock someone else's Martial Soul as trash, first weigh your own character. In this world, there were never useless Martial Souls—only useless Soul Masters."

Ye Yingluo spoke softly to ease the atmosphere. She patiently reminded the new students to cultivate diligently, help one another, and never look down on any classmate. Martial Souls had no inherent superiority or inferiority; only hard work led to a future.

After that gentle encouragement, Ye Yingluo announced the end of class.

Formal lessons would begin tomorrow. Today, they only needed to familiarize themselves with the campus and adjust their state of mind.

The dismissal bell rang, and the classroom immediately became lively.

The students left in groups of two and three, exploring the campus.

Chen An headed straight to the entrance of the cafeteria for his appointment. Before long, Tang Wulin hurried over.

"Xiao An, how's the atmosphere in Class 1? Is the pressure overwhelming?"

Tang Wulin took the initiative to ask, her eyes full of concern.

Chen An nodded lightly, his tone sincere.

"There are many strong people in the class, so there is pressure. But I'll work hard and keep up with everyone."

Hearing that, Tang Wulin instantly relaxed. An easy smile appeared on her face, her eyes filled with trust and certainty in her younger brother.

"Then you have to work hard. You're not allowed to slack off in cultivation like before!"

She raised her head, her tone carrying a stubborn refusal to admit defeat as she repeated the words she had said before.

"Your big sister will work hard too. I'll catch up to you as soon as possible, then surpass you!"

Chen An quietly looked at her clear, stubborn eyes and understood.

His mind had long been that of a mature adult, so naturally, he saw through it all.

Tang Wulin's words sounded confident and spirited, but they actually concealed insecurity. They were words of encouragement she was saying to herself.

With his current personality, if he carried a universally recognized useless Martial Soul like Bluesilver Grass, he would never have the courage to speak of catching up or surpassing anyone. Giving up would have been his first choice.

Only because she was a child who still held hope for the future could she say such things.

With a soft sigh in his heart, Chen An revealed nothing on his face. He merely nodded warmly, going along with her stubbornness.

The two entered the cafeteria side by side, found an empty seat, picked up their trays, and ate in peace.

Just as they were eating enthusiastically, a light figure approached.

Her footsteps made no sound, and she drifted over like a ghost. It was Li Chushui, Tang Wulin's roommate whom she had met only yesterday.

Li Chushui lowered her head and rested her chin on Tang Wulin's shoulder. Leaning close to her ear, she teased her with a mischievous smile in her eyes.

"Not bad, Wulin. On your very first day, you already have someone eating with you. Is he your childhood sweetheart boyfriend?"

Tang Wulin jumped in fright, her cheeks instantly flushing red. She hurriedly waved her hands in explanation, her tone nervous yet earnest.

"No, no. This is my younger brother, Chen An."

"Chen?"

"He's the younger brother my family adopted! It's not that kind of relationship!"

"Oh, oh. Got it, got it."

Li Chushui smiled and nodded. She did not continue teasing Tang Wulin and instead greeted him openly.

"Hi—"

Chen An looked up at her voice and calmly swept his gaze over the girl in front of him.

Subconsciously, he waited for the Roulette in his eyes to react, but the interface remained completely still, refreshing neither blocks nor variables.

After confirming that she was merely an ordinary passerby with no special fate or opportunity, Chen An withdrew his gaze and lowered his head to continue eating quietly. His expression remained indifferent as he politely replied.

"Mm, hello."

Li Chushui set down her tray and sat beside Tang Wulin, looking as though she had been wronged. "So cold— Even a beautiful girl like me can't catch your eye?"

Tang Wulin narrowed her eyes apologetically. "Sorry, my younger brother is introverted and doesn't like talking."

Li Chushui did not care about that and instead asked, "Your younger brother is also a new student? I haven't seen him in class. Which class is he in?"

"Class 1."

The moment she heard Class 1, Li Chushui's expression changed dramatically. "Really? This year's new students are the strongest in recent years!"