Class Zero, Activate!

"Alright, snap out of it, all of you."

Seeing that everyone present was somewhat lost in thought, Yu Lian immediately spoke up, trying to pull them back. "The purpose of establishing Class Zero is that I'm afraid your talents will be wasted. But if any of you keep thinking you're geniuses and act arrogant because of it, you'd better rein yourselves in early!"

"Behave yourselves properly. Otherwise, don't blame the academy and me for being harsh with you. We give you the best resources, and if you still pull this nonsense, not even the heavens will be able to save you."

"Oh, right. Class Zero's teacher will be Wu Zhangkong, the teacher with the worst temper and coldest demeanor in our academy. You'd all better behave yourselves, or you can wait to get beaten up."

He snorted coldly and continued.

However, there was one thing he did not mention: even if he, the principal, fought Wu Zhangkong, he would only end up getting beaten.

Wu Zhangkong's strength was absolutely beyond what ordinary people could compare to. Below Soul Sage rank, no one could defeat him.

"Although all of you possess excellent talent, if that makes you lose yourselves in pride and think you are exceptionally gifted, then you are gravely mistaken. There are plenty of people in the Federation with greater talent than yours."

"This world has never lacked geniuses, nor has it ever lacked geniuses who died young. If a genius wishes to become an even stronger genius, they must likewise put in effort far beyond that of ordinary people."

"Only then will you be worthy of your talent. Do you understand?"

Yu Lian's expression was solemn and cold. After some thought, he slowly continued.

"We understand."

Upon hearing that, the group immediately nodded and answered.

"Good. It's good that you understand."

"Now sign this agreement."

At that moment, Yu Lian's fox tail finally showed itself.

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to perform a magic trick, instantly taking six agreements from his Soul Guidance Device and placing them on the table. Looking at the students before him, he spoke.

The group subconsciously took them. At the top were three simple words: "Agreement."

The contents were not extensive. In essence, it stated that the signer voluntarily entered into an agreement with Donghai Academy and would not transfer or withdraw before completing the Intermediate Division and Advanced Division curricula.

"What is this?"

For a moment, Xie Xie was the first to voice his question.

"This is an agreement."

Yu Lian answered bluntly.

Xie Xie: "..."

Of course he knew it was an agreement. But why did they need an agreement?

"After establishing Class Zero, the academy will invest more resources in all aspects of your development, far beyond what any other class can compare with."

"Precisely because of that, the academy must ensure that you can continue studying here and do not deviate from your path due to uncertain reasons. Alright, sign it."

Yu Lian gave them a rough explanation.

"Is that so?"

Hearing the principal's words, Xie Xie paused, clearly weighing the pros and cons. Given his family's circumstances, they might not necessarily need the academy's resources.

Especially since, once he joined, it seemed he could no longer leave. Wasn't that a little...

"Principal, I've signed it."

While Xie Xie was still thinking, Tang Wulin had already filled in his information and set down his pen.

Clearly, he was willing to join Class Zero. Any normal person faced with such enormous free benefits from the original story would probably not refuse—

Donghai Academy would provide them with resources far beyond those available to ordinary classes, along with multiple opportunities to enter the Spirit Pagoda's Spirit Ascension Platform to raise their Soul Spirits' cultivation years. Yet the price they had to pay was merely "finishing the Intermediate Division and Advanced Division courses here."

Especially since, around the fourth grade, they would set off for Shrek Academy. They only needed to stay here for three or four years. It was truly an absurdly profitable deal.

What they gained and what they gave up were completely disproportionate. Tang Wulin only had two words for it: insanely profitable.

Of course, with his current cheat, he was not particularly short on these resources. But who would turn down something given away for free?

"I've signed too."

At that moment, Gu Yue responded as well. As she spoke, she glanced at Tang Wulin beside her.

Naturally, she was not interested in Class Zero itself. She was merely interested in Tang Wulin—at the moment she saw him sign the agreement, she picked hers up and began filling it out.

See that? This was called love!

"Brother Lin, Sister Gu Yue..."

"You're making me look like an idiot. Wait for me!"

Xie Xie could not help but freeze slightly at the sight. He immediately followed their lead and began filling in his information as well.

Wherever Brother Lin went, Xie Xie would be right there!

"Not bad."

Watching this scene, Yu Lian was absolutely delighted inside. His three best students had all joined. Who would not be happy?

"Yangzi, should we too?"

At that moment, Wang Jinxi looked at Zhang Yangzi beside him and asked tentatively.

"We have no reason not to sign."

Zhang Yangzi smiled faintly.

With that, the two signed the agreement together. For a time, Wei Xiaofeng was the only one in the room who had not moved.

"Student Wei Xiaofeng, are you unwilling to sign?"

Yu Lian looked in his direction and asked.

"Principal, wouldn't it be inappropriate for me not to discuss this with my family?"

"I think I should talk it over with them. After all, my family may want me to attend a better academy when I reach the Advanced Division in the future."

Wei Xiaofeng's face was filled with conflict as he spoke.

In truth, his reason for thinking this way was that Yu Lian had not clearly explained what resources Class Zero would receive. Deep down, he also did not think the resources would amount to much—

Surely he could not delay his future six years from now just because of vague promises of "resources beyond other classes," could he?

What if he got the short end of the stick?

"Alright."

"Everyone has their own aspirations. You may return to Class Two. Class Zero of the first grade will have five students instead, Student Wei Xiaofeng."

Faced with this, Yu Lian did not show much emotion. He simply took the agreement from Wei Xiaofeng's hand and spoke.

"..."

"Goodbye, Principal."

A hint of complexity appeared in Wei Xiaofeng's eyes, but in the end, he did not take back the agreement. After bowing to the principal, he turned and headed toward the teaching building.

Compared to so-called resources, he trusted the family that had raised a genius like himself.

"Mm..."

"Ahem. Welcome, five students, to become the first students of Class Zero at Donghai Academy!"

After Wei Xiaofeng left, Yu Lian's formerly stern expression changed as he spoke.

In an instant, all his prior solemnity, coldness, and severity melted away, replaced by a gentle smile.

Are you performing magic tricks here?

The group could not help grumbling inwardly.

"Alright, signing this agreement means that from this moment onward, you will become the academy's most core elites."

"We respect Student Wei Xiaofeng's choice, but I believe that he will definitely regret the choice he made today in the future..."

"Although Donghai Academy does not rank highly on the continent, it is still the only Intermediate Soul Master academy in a major city. When the academy's resources are fully concentrated on you, even the legendary Shrek Academy may not be much stronger than us."

Yu Lian snorted softly and declared with righteous conviction.

"Really?!"

Upon hearing that, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi could not help but brighten up. Their excitement clearly rose another level.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, meanwhile, showed little change. To them, until they actually saw the resources, they would not believe anything.

"..."

Wu Zhangkong, who was present as a teacher, froze the moment he heard that final sentence. The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.