Zero Class Is Established, and the Battle for Seats

The Formation of the Zero Class and the Battle for Seats

The end of the Class Advancement Tournament arrived faster than anticipated.

Long Hengxu stood in the Academic Affairs Office conference room, his slender figure glowing under the soul guide lighting, yet his voice carried a rare solemnity. "Dean, that group of children... they can't fight anymore. If they keep fighting, someone is going to die."

The dean was a lean, elderly man with sparse white hair and thick black-framed glasses, looking much like an ordinary retired teacher. Yet East Sea College had stood tall in Skysea City for years precisely because of this seemingly harmless old man—he was a graduate of the Shrek Outer Court, and though he had failed to enter the Inner Court, he deeply understood the value of monsters.

"An unknown high-tier dragon bloodline," the dean said slowly, tapping his fingers on the table. "The Bone Dragon Soul, and that Yun Zhiyu... is her martial soul truly an ordinary sword martial soul?"

Long Hengxu wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The file states 'sword-type martial soul, innate full soul power,' with the specific breed unknown, but the aura she emitted when suppressing Tang Wulin..."

He did not continue. The purple eyes and slit pupils that Yun Zhiyu had unintentionally exposed that day, along with the majesty that caused bloodlines to stagnate, had been witnessed by everyone present. Although she later brushed it off with a "special secret technique" and simulated dark brown eyes with spiritual power after her contact lenses shattered, that oppressive sensation originating from the depths of the bloodline could not be explained by any secret technique.

"Regardless of what she is," the dean finally decided, "this group of children cannot be trained conventionally. Establish the Zero Class, pour the entire academy's resources into it, and have Wu Changkong serve as the head teacher. The terms of the agreement—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the playground outside the window, where the traces of the tournament still remained, the gullies left by the collision of the bone dragon claw and golden dragon claw not yet filled.

"For the next six years, no transferring allowed. Upon graduation, priority choice to enter Shrek Academy. If their future achievements are extraordinary, they must return to East Sea College to teach a few courses in return."

Long Hengxu nodded, quickly recording the details. "Members?"

"Yun Zhiyu," the dean reported the first name, "Wu Nianbing, Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, Wei Xiaofeng—eight in total."

"What about Zhou Cheng and Shi Yu from Class Two?"

The dean shook his head. "Their talent falls short by a fraction. The Zero Class only wants... monsters."

The agreement was signed early the following morning.

The eight students were summoned to the dean's office, with a gilt document placed before each of them. Yun Zhiyu glanced over the contents. The corners of her lips curved into a slight arc—no transferring, priority entry into Shrek, and returning to teach in the future; rather than a restriction, this was East Sea College's "investment," trading six years of resources for future fame and returns.

She picked up her pen and signed, her handwriting as neat as if it were carved.

Tang Wulin stood beside her, his ink-blue eyes still carrying the exhaustion from the Golden Dragon King's berserk state, his pen tip trembling slightly as he signed. Gu Yue stood on his other side, her black hair reaching her waist, her gaze clear. Her signing motion was crisp and decisive, though her eyes lingered on Yun Zhiyu's pen tip for a moment.

Xie Xie finished signing, tossed his pen aside, and wore an excited expression on his handsome face. "Zero Class! The strongest class! Let's see who dares to mock our Class Five as trash from now on!"

Zhang Yangzi cast a cold glance at him. "Your twin martial souls? Those are the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger, not two of you."

"What do you mean?"

"It means," Wei Xiaofeng chimed in, the afterimage of the Azure Shadow Serpent flickering faintly around him, "you count as two fat guys by yourself, but your martial soul only counts as one skinny guy. You got cheated."

Xie Xie: "..."

Wang Jinxi did not join in the banter. He stood in the corner, his pale face carrying a complex expression—the experience of the Bone Dragon King being suppressed by the Golden Dragon King, only to be pacified under the Torch Dragon Bloodline. It had ingrained a reverence for Yun Zhiyu deep into his bones. The look he cast toward Yun Zhiyu carried a near-pious devotion, like a subject gazing up at a monarch.

Wu Nianbing tightly clutched the ice chain around her neck, her plain white skirt brushing the ground as she stood steadfastly by Yun Zhiyu's side like a quiet shadow.

"Alright," Long Hengxu put away the agreements with a beaming smile. "The Zero Class is officially established today, and your benefits are as follows—"

He cleared his throat as if reading some imperial decree. "A separate classroom located on the top floor of the teaching building, boasting a wide view and complete soul guide facilities; individual dormitories for each of you, equipped with meditation rooms and cultivation equipment; resource inclination, each receiving three millennium soul spirit fragments and one piece of thousandfold forging metal every month, free soul guide equipment maintenance, and meals..."

He paused, a meaningful smile appearing on his face. "Grade-A meals every single time, soul beast meat, spirit fruits, and medicinal cuisine—all you can eat, along with a monthly training excursion into the Ascension Platform of the Spirit Pagoda."

Tang Wulin's eyes lit up like two twinkling stars. "Grade-A meals?! Those insanely expensive Grade-A meals?!"

"Insanely expensive," Zhang Yangzi rolled his eyes. "You're drooling."

The Zero Class classroom was more spacious than imagined.

Located on the top floor of the teaching building, it featured floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides and one wall embedded with soundproof soul guide runes. Outside the windows lay the panoramic view of East Sea City: the harbor, the streets, and the distant sea were all visible at a glance. Eight sets of desks and chairs were placed within the classroom, crafted from rare Warm Jadewood that slowly released gentle soul power to assist with meditation.

Yun Zhiyu walked straight toward the windowside spot—the last row on the left, where the window looked directly out at the old banyan tree. She rested her pack on the back of the chair, spun Zhen Hua's Star Ring between her fingers, and let her gaze fall upon the flowing clouds outside.

"Sister Yun," Tang Wulin's voice came from behind, "can I sit next to you?"

"No."

The answer did not come from Yun Zhiyu, but from Wu Nianbing. The plain white figure was already seated to Yun Zhiyu's right, the Icebound Frost Sword resting across her lap, her pitch-black eyes holding unquestionable firmness. "This place is mine."

Tang Wulin was stunned, a trace of grievance flashing in his ink-blue eyes. He looked toward Yun Zhiyu, who was gazing out the window with a faint arc curving the corners of her lips, resembling silent permission or perhaps watching a show.

"Nianbing," he attempted to negotiate. "Sister Yun saved me, I want to—"

"I want to as well," Wu Nianbing interrupted him, her fingertips brushing against the ice chain. "She knows my father, she taught me. This spot is mine."

Xie Xie rushed in through the doorway, the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger spinning in his palms. "What are you arguing about? The seat beside Sister Yun should belong to the capable! Come on, let's fight!"

"Fight then!" Tang Wulin's Bluesilver Grass emerged in his palm, golden light flickering faintly beneath his skin—though suppressed, the Golden Dragon King bloodline stirred slightly at his emotional agitation.

"Wait!" Zhang Yangzi leaned against the doorframe, the Dark Illusion Demon Eagle martial soul flashing playfully in the depths of his eyes. "The three of you fight, and I reap the fisherman's profit?"

"In your dreams!" Wei Xiaofeng's Azure Shadow Stack transformed into three afterimages, pouncing toward Zhang Yangzi from three directions simultaneously. "Let's deal with you first!"

Wang Jinxi stood in place, a hesitant expression on his pale face. He looked at Yun Zhiyu, who was still gazing out the window as if completely indifferent to the chaos behind her. Yet he knew the class monitor was waiting—waiting for them to decide the outcome, or perhaps... waiting for a certain unexpected person.

"All of you, stop."

Her voice was as cold and clear as a spring, yet it carried a majesty that froze everyone in place. Gu Yue stood at the doorway, her silver hair reaching her waist, her silver eyes clear. Her indifferent gaze swept across the chaotic classroom and finally landed on the empty seat beside Yun Zhiyu.

"That seat," she said, her voice flat yet carrying unquestionable certainty, "I want it."

The room fell silent.

Xie Xie's Light Dragon Dagger hung suspended in mid-air, Tang Wulin's Bluesilver Grass froze in his palm, Wu Nianbing's fingertips condensed a wisp of frost, and the entanglement between Zhang Yangzi and Wei Xiaofeng abruptly ceased. Everyone looked at Gu Yue, gazing at the girl who was usually indifferent and detached, never participating in contests for things.

"Gu Yue?" Xie Xie's voice carried disbelief. "You... you want to fight for it too?"

Gu Yue did not answer. She walked slowly toward Yun Zhiyu, her silver hair shimmering softly under the soul guide lights, every step carrying a strange rhythm as if stepping to some ancient beat. She stopped before Yun Zhiyu's desk, her silver eyes meeting those deep brown eyes that occasionally flashed with purple radiance.

"Yun Zhiyu," she spoke, her voice so soft that only the two of them could hear. "Your bloodline... when you suppressed the Golden Dragon King that day, I felt it."

Yun Zhiyu's eyelashes fluttered without responding.

"I won't say anything," Gu Yue continued, her silver eyes holding a complex emotion, "but I want to sit here, closer to you, to feel that aura. It makes me..."

She paused as if searching for the right words. "...feel at ease."

Yun Zhiyu finally turned her head to meet her gaze. Her spiritual power quietly spread outward, touching the interior of Gu Yue's body—an avatar of the Silver Dragon King, the secondary personality of the Beast God, and the sovereign master of the origins of seven elements. Within that small body slept a power capable of overturning the mainland, yet at this moment, because of a single seat, it revealed a near-fragile longing.

"...Alright," Yun Zhiyu finally said, her voice soft yet clear. "You can sit in front of me."

Gu Yue was taken aback.

"In front," Yun Zhiyu repeated, the corners of her lips curving into a slight arc. "My desk-mate's spot is for Nianbing; she came first. You sit in front, you're still close to me, and you'll still be able to feel... what you're looking for."

Gu Yue was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. She took the seat directly in front of Yun Zhiyu, her black hair cascading down to obscure her profile, yet unable to hide the fleeting softness of satisfaction that flashed within her dark eyes.

Wu Nianbing breathed a sigh of relief, the frost vanishing as her grip on the ice chain relaxed slightly. Tang Wulin pursed his lips, his ink-blue eyes filled with grievance, yet he dared not contend further—he feared Gu Yue, and even more, he feared that occasional flash of Yun Zhiyu's gaze that caused his Golden Dragon King bloodline to stagnate.

"Then what about me?" Xie Xie pointed at his own nose. "Where do I sit?"

"Wherever you want," Yun Zhiyu waved a hand. "Just don't fight within my field of vision."

Zhang Yangzi and Wei Xiaofeng exchanged glances, simultaneously dashing toward the windowside spot on the other side of the classroom—where sunlight could reach, suitable for the martial soul attributes of the Dark Illusion Demon Eagle and Azure Shadow Serpent. Wang Jinxi walked silently to the diagonal rear of Yun Zhiyu, his pale face carrying a sort of near-pious satisfaction—being able to watch the class monitor's back was enough.

The battle for seats had settled.

When Wu Changkong walked into the classroom, this was the scene that greeted him: Yun Zhiyu by the window, Wu Nianbing to her right, and Gu Yue in front; Xie Xie and Tang Wulin squeezed into the second row on the left, glaring at each other; Zhang Yangzi and Wei Xiaofeng demarcating territory by the right-hand windows using desks and chairs as boundaries; and Wang Jinxi in the diagonal rear like a silent statue.

"Zero Class!" Wu Changkong spoke, his white robes purer than snow, his blue sword carried behind his back, his stern countenance carrying a trace of unperceived exhaustion.

"Starting today, I will serve as your head teacher. Course schedule: morning meditation, theory in the morning, actual combat in the afternoon, free cultivation at night, single-day rest on weekends, and halved during holidays."

He paused, his gaze falling upon Yun Zhiyu, his blue eyes carrying complex emotions—gratitude, puzzlement, and a heavy sense of being entrusted.

"Yun Zhiyu!" he stated. "Class Monitor, assist me in managing the class, organizing training, and formulating tactics."

Yun Zhiyu stood up and bowed. "Understood, Teacher Wu."

"Gu Yue," Wu Changkong continued. "Deputy Class Monitor, assist Yun Zhiyu and take charge of organizing the elemental courses."

Gu Yue nodded slightly, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes, yet she offered no refutation.

"The rest of you," Wu Changkong's gaze swept over the remaining six, "group up according to your martial soul attributes, pairing up as duos for daily sparring. Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, control paired with agile attack; Zhang Yangzi and Wei Xiaofeng, control paired with speed; Wang Jinxi and Wu Nianbing, power attack paired with power attack. Any questions?"

"I have one!" Xie Xie raised a hand. "Why am I paired with Tang Wulin? He's so weak..."

"Weak?" Wu Changkong raised an eyebrow. "When his bloodline went berserk that day, you hid faster than anyone else."

Xie Xie: "..."

"Any other questions?"

"None!"

Wu Changkong turned around, his blue sword emitting a crisp hum from within its scabbard. "Begin meditating. Theory class in the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn."

The classroom during meditation was quiet enough to hear the sound of breathing.

Yun Zhiyu sat cross-legged on the Warm Jadewood chair, her spiritual power sinking deep within her body as she sensed the steady circulation of the Torch Dragon Bloodline. Having unsealed thirty-five percent of her bloodline, she could now control it freely, though her exposure that day made her all the more cautious—contact lenses replaced daily, hair color dyed monthly, soul power fluctuations intentionally suppressed to the Grand Soul Master level, and even the Xuanyuan Sword martial soul displaying only the sharpness of an "ordinary sword."

Yet her spiritual power was quietly spreading outward.

The perception of the Spirit Sea Realm at five hundred and ten points covered the entire classroom, touching the soul power circulation of every single person.

Tang Wulin's Bluesilver Grass grew slowly within his meridians, golden light suppressed deep within like a sleeping behemoth; Xie Xie's twin martial souls alternated and circulated in his left and right hands, the fusion of light and shadow smoother than before; Zhang Yangzi's Dark Illusion Demon Eagle circled within his sea of consciousness, black soul power undulating like a tide; Wei Xiaofeng's Azure Shadow Serpent slithered along his spine, its speed ten percent faster than before; Wang Jinxi's Bone Dragon King lay dormant within his bone marrow, grayish-white bone patterns flickering faintly without going berserk; Wu Nianbing's Icebound Frost Sword condensed a frost flower in her dantian, resonating with the chill of the ice chain around her neck.

And Gu Yue...

Yun Zhiyu's spiritual power paused slightly when it touched Gu Yue.

Within that small body, the origins of four elements flowed slowly—fire, water, earth, wind, and light, five entirely distinct forces forming a perfect balance under a much more ancient will.

Yun Zhiyu "saw" it: at the core of the five elements, a wisp of silver light slumbered quietly like a sealed moon, occasionally opening its eyes to cause all four elements to tremble simultaneously.

The Silver Dragon King.

Yun Zhiyu withdrew her spiritual power without probing further, knowing that Gu Yue had detected her snooping—her eyes opened slightly, meeting her gaze through the mirror-like air with a tacit understanding.

"I won't say anything," Gu Yue's voice rang directly in her mind via spiritual transmission. "Your secret, in exchange for..."

"In exchange for what?"

"Let me feel your aura," Gu Yue said. "During daily meditation, release a trace of the Torch Dragon Bloodline's fluctuation. Not much, just a trace is enough. It makes me..."

She paused as if searching for vocabulary. "...remember certain things, things I haven't yet recalled, but should know."

Yun Zhiyu was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly.

She knew that Gu Yue was seeking her own identity, pursuing the connection between the Silver Dragon King and Na'er, and exploring the boundaries between the Beast God and the human world. Her Torch Dragon Bloodline, as the aura of the dragon ancestor, might just awaken certain slumbering memories.

"Good!" she replied via voice transmission, "Every morning, during meditation, a sliver."

Gu Yue's lips curved into the faintest arc, like the first drop of melting ice and snow, and she closed her eyes again as her silver hair fell to conceal her profile, though it could not hide the flash of a certain satisfied peace in her eyes.

After class, Yun Zhishu went alone to the terrace on the top floor of the teaching building.

The sea breeze blew in from afar, carrying a salty scent that whipped her pitch-black hair back, and she looked out at the panoramic view of East Sea City, the oceangoing soul guide warships docked at the port, and further out at the sea surface dyed into molten gold by the setting sun.

"Sister Yun?"

Tang Wulin's voice came from behind, and she turned to see the dark blue-eyed boy standing at the doorway holding two cups of warm soul beast milk, a naive smile on his face.

"Teacher Wu asked me to give this to you," he handed one over, saying, "She said the class monitor has worked hard, drink up to nourish yourself."

Yun Zhishu took it, feeling the warmth of the cup wall, and suddenly thought of Yun Zhiyu—that soft little girl who always loved to cling to her back. Months had passed since their parting, and messages in the Tang Sect Bracelet arrived every day, yet they could not compare to a real embrace.

"Thank you," she said, her voice carrying an imperceptible softness.

Tang Wulin sat down beside her, gazing at the same sea view, and the setting sun was reflected in his dark blue eyes. "Sister Yun, that day... thank you for suppressing me. The power of the Golden Dragon King, I... I still can't control it."

"You will control it," Yun Zhishu said. "Step by step, steadily."

"Just like you?"

"Just like me."

Tang Wulin turned his head to look at her pitch-black hair glowing softly in the setting sun, watching the occasional flash of purple light in her dark brown eyes that made his heart skip a beat.

He thought of how she looked when she suppressed the Golden Dragon King, recalling that tenderness originating from the depths of her bloodline, a near-maternal gentleness, and suddenly felt that this girl harbored too many secrets, too many stories, and too much warmth that he had yet to touch but inexplicably yearned for.

"Sister Yun," he spoke, his voice carrying the distinct clarity characteristic of a youth, "will you always be in Zero Class?"

"Six years," Yun Zhishu said. "The agreement was signed for six years, and after six years—"

She paused and did not continue. Six years later, she had to go to Shrek, to face a deeper abyss and a heavier destiny. As for Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie, this group of protagonists from the original work would walk along their respective trajectories toward that ending that kept her tossing and turning at night.

"Six years, or even earlier," she finally said, her voice as light as if she were speaking to herself, "I will take you to a better place."

Tang Wulin smiled, his dark blue eyes reflecting the setting sun like two stars soaked in honey. "Alright, I'll wait."

The sea breeze swept past, tangling their hair together—pitch-black and black locks, resembling some sort of nascent bond that was already beginning to sprout.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Gu Yue stood by the classroom window, her dark eyes gazing at the two figures on the terrace while her fingertips unconsciously grazed the desktop, leaving a shallow trace eroded by the water element.

"Torch Dragon..." she chanted silently in her heart, "Golden Dragon King..."

Her gaze fell upon her own palm where five elements circulated at her fingertips, yet they simultaneously stagnated when touching a certain ancient memory. That was the inheritance of the Silver Dragon King, the mission of the Soul Beast Master, and the unfully awakened shared destiny belonging to "Gu Yue" and "Na'er".

"Yun Zhishu," she said in her heart, her voice carrying an obstinacy inconsistent with her detachment, "who on earth are you?"

No one answered; there was only the sea breeze, only the setting sun, and only the stars belonging to the night gradually lighting up on the distant ocean surface.