Tang Li, Bold as Can Be

Tang Wulin supported Tang Li, looking at his pale face with some heartache as she quietly complained,

"Teacher Wu is really something else. Isn't this just bullying the weak?"

Tang Li chuckled. He knew Wu Zhangkong had gone easy on him. Wu Zhangkong had not even summoned his Martial Soul right away, while Tang Li had merely taken advantage of an information gap.

Besides, judging by Wu Zhangkong's current state, he was probably about to resolve the knot in his heart and break through to Soul Saint.

As one of the next-generation successors specially nurtured by Sea God Pavilion, Wu Zhangkong's talent was beyond doubt. If not for his old injuries and unresolved inner turmoil, then with his talent, even if he had not become a Titled Douluo, he would at least be a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse by now.

"Since Teacher wanted to see my strength, then I, Tang Li, naturally had to go all out. I gained a great deal from this battle too, so I should thank Teacher Wu."

Tang Li raised his eyes toward Wu Zhangkong, speaking in an indifferent tone as if he did not care at all about his weakened state.

At that moment, Wu Zhangkong had eyes only for the Heavenly Frost Sword that had accompanied him all the way to this day. He carefully stroked its blade, as though he were caressing his deceased lover.

He could clearly feel that the shackles within his body had loosened. With only a little effort, he would be able to break through to Soul Saint.

After taking several deep breaths and calming the thoughts in his heart, Wu Zhangkong looked toward Tang Li as well, a trace of satisfaction in his emerald-green eyes.

"Teacher Wu, I surrender!" Tang Li shouted.

Wu Zhangkong did not say much. He merely gave a quiet grunt and had Tang Li return to the group.

As for the crater blasted into the grass, Wu Zhangkong planned to speak with the Principal afterward. With such an outstanding student, the Principal would probably be too happy to care and should not make Tang Li pay compensation.

If that did not work, he would pay for it himself.

Seeing Tang Li surrender, the surrounding spectators began to disperse. Yet even as they left, they continued discussing the magnificence of Wu Zhangkong's final strike. Eastsea Academy's number one handsome man and number one powerhouse truly deserved his reputation!

Along with him, Tang Li, the freshman who had forced Wu Zhangkong to use a Ten Thousand Year Soul Skill, became famous throughout Eastsea Academy.

After Tang Li returned to the group, he immediately closed his eyes and began restoring his Spiritual Power. Spiritual Power damage was the hardest to recover from, so he had to recuperate as soon as possible.

Fortunately, he was merely weak from exhausting his Spiritual Power. Otherwise, things might have become troublesome.

Just as Tang Li closed his eyes and relied on Big Eyed's Spiritual Power to keep his body balanced, the Silver Pendant Na'er had given him quietly released a strange fluctuation, resonating with the Silver Mark between his brows.

Streams of Pristine Qi flowed into Tang Li's body, and his dizzy mind instantly cleared. It was as if an invisible hand were soothing his soul.

Tang Li knew that the mark Na'er had left that night was taking effect. According to Na'er, this was the blessing she had given him.

With that blessing, Tang Li's Spiritual Power quietly grew a little stronger during its recovery...

Wu Zhangkong returned to the front of the class and began arranging matches for the others. Compared to the previous battle, the fights of the other Class Five students were rather ordinary.

Even while acting as referee, Wu Zhangkong found time to check on Tang Li. Only after confirming that Tang Li's face was no longer pale and his breathing had stabilized did he finally relax.

Tang Wulin did not have Wu Zhangkong's wealth of experience. Having stayed close to Tang Li the whole time, she could only ask Wu Zhangkong about his condition.

"Teacher Wu, how is my little brother now?"

"Don't worry. Tang Li is fine. He has a treasure that can restore Spiritual Power. He should fully recover after a little while."

Wu Zhangkong transmitted his voice to Tang Wulin, and his tone lacked its usual cold hardness.

After hearing Wu Zhangkong's answer, Tang Wulin finally breathed a sigh of relief. She did not care what kind of treasure Tang Li possessed that could restore Spiritual Power.

Soon, it was Tang Wulin's turn to fight. With her outrageously powerful divine strength and mutated Clear Sky Hammer, she sent her opponent flying with a single swing.

If not for the strength control Tang Wulin had developed through forging, that blow could have smashed the Level Eleven Soul Master standing opposite her to death.

When she returned to the group again, Tang Li had already recovered. He was smiling at Tang Wulin.

"Xiao Li, you're awake! Are you okay?"

Faced with Tang Wulin's concern, Tang Li still wore a smile as he teased,

"I'm fine, but you might be in trouble."

Tang Wulin:?

"What trouble could I possibly be in? What is Xiao Li talking about?"

"Didn't you notice? The people around you used to look at you with at least some warmth, but now there's only fear. If you keep swinging that giant hammer around and scaring people, you might never get married!"

Tang Li could no longer hide the smile at the corners of his mouth, completely failing to notice that Tang Wulin's face had turned as red as a little tomato.

Bang!

Under the astonished gazes of everyone around them, Tang Li, who had just exchanged a few moves with Teacher Wu, was knocked flat by Tang Wulin's punch.

"You rotten Xiao Li! If you dare spout nonsense again, I'll! I'll! I'll beat you to death!"

Tang Wulin glared at Tang Li angrily. Tang Li nonchalantly climbed back to his feet, clearly long accustomed to this.

"My mistake. I won't do it again." Tang "Bold as Can Be" Li rubbed his head and promised.

"Hmph! As if I'd believe you!"

Tang Wulin was about to give Tang Li another piece of her mind when Wu Zhangkong suddenly called out, "Next match: Tang Wulin versus Xie Xie."

Tang Li looked up. Nearly everyone in the class had been defeated by Xie Xie already. Only Tang Wulin and Xie Xie remained.

Tang Wulin twisted Tang Li's arm once more before heading onto the field to prepare to beat up Xie Xie.

The result was obvious. After Tang Wulin's Golden Scales possessed her body, even the speed she unleashed while wielding the Clear Sky Hammer did not lose to Xie Xie's. Xie Xie barely dodged two attacks before Tang Wulin knocked him down with one hammer strike.

"Tang Wulin wins!"

Afterward, Wu Zhangkong led Class Five back to the classroom and began his summary. "The matches are over. Do you know what impression you gave me?"

"Rotten wood cannot be carved!" Wu Zhangkong answered his own question.

"But it's fine. Even if all of you are scrap iron, I will hammer you into Hundred Refined Steel! You saw the final match between Xie Xie and Tang Wulin. Xie Xie was clearly an Agility Attack System Soul Master, yet in terms of speed, he failed to overwhelm Tang Wulin, a Strength Type Soul Master! This is the importance of the body!"

Wu Zhangkong's tone was extremely stern as he continued,

"Perhaps you believe Soul Power and Soul Skills are the most important things, but how many levels can you ultimately reach? How many Soul Skills can you possess? In this era, Soul Power is no longer a strict requirement for Mecha Masters. Powerful energy-storage Soul Tools can already support ordinary people in becoming Mecha Masters, but a strong body remains the foundation of a Mecha Master.

Without a powerful body, you cannot withstand the internal impact of a Mecha or high-intensity combat. Therefore, from now on, every morning will be for physical conditioning and practical combat training, while the afternoons will be for theoretical studies and Meditation training. This morning's class is over. Go back and think carefully about today's matches. Tang Li, Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, the three of you come with me."

With that, Wu Zhangkong turned and walked toward the teaching building where his office was located.

Tang Li and the other two rose and followed him.