The Second Gate

Wu Changkong withdrew his martial soul, still somewhat unable to believe it.

Only after a long while did he speak.

"Not bad. With the strength of the Two-Ring Realm, I can no longer defeat you."

Xie Xie stood up excitedly at the first time he had ever seen Wu Changkong lose, but the injury on his leg made him pay for his excited movements.

"You did it! That's amazing, Little An! I still can't figure out Teacher Wu's footwork."

Tang Wuling happily applauded Chen An.

Wu Changkong brushed the ice crystals from his body and gave his assessment.

"Chen An, full marks. Tang Wuling, 90 points. Gu Yue, 90 points. Xie Xie, 70 points. You passed."

When they heard they had passed the test, everyone let out a breath of relief.

They had finally completed the first semester's coursework.

But before they could celebrate for more than a few seconds, Wu Changkong added,

"You may arrange your own time freely for the next two days. You may rest or come practice with me. The second assessment officially begins in two days."

Xie Xie was dumbfounded. "Wait? It starts in two days? Then what was today?"

"Today was merely a warm-up in advance. If you couldn't even pass my test, there would be no need for you to take the later ones."

Wu Changkong had matters to attend to and left first, leaving behind the four of them, battered black and blue.

So the exam had only just begun after all that.

Chen An waited outside the infirmary until Tang Wuling, whose injuries had been treated, walked out.

"Sister Wuling, are you all right?"

Chen An deliberately took Tang Wuling's hand and inspected it, closing the distance between them.

Tang Wuling looked at Chen An, her eyes full of pride