Sorry, We're Not Suited to Team Up

Blue Star, Linjiang Advanced Transcendent Academy.

Today was the day this year's students of Linjiang Advanced Transcendent Academy entered various planes for training.

Every student who had turned eighteen and passed the assessment could earn one chance to descend into another world.

As long as they returned alive, the cultivation, Soul Bones, Martial Soul Evolution, and even increased lifespan they gained in the other world would be fully synchronized to reality.

If they could reach the pinnacle in another world, a single person could change their entire family's fate.

Of course, they might also never return.

"Quiet!"

A cool, mature voice suppressed the murmurs of the crowd.

Standing at the very front of the group was a tall young woman.

Her long black hair was pinned up behind her head. Her fitted black uniform accentuated her neat, graceful figure, while her fair, striking face revealed little emotion. Yet her brows and eyes carried an air of mature competence.

Zhou Ruolan.

The homeroom teacher of Class Seven, and also a Seven-Ring Soul Sage who had returned from Douzhe Continent.

Simply standing there was enough to make the restless students around her quickly fall silent.

"Training across the heavens is not a game."

"Everything obtained in another world can be brought back. If you die there, then you truly die."

Zhou Ruolan did not continue emphasizing the dangers.

Those who could stand on the training plaza had begun preparing for this day years ago.

"All forty-seven of you in Class Seven chose Douzhe Continent."

"This world has been explored for many years. Its descent coordinates are stable, and its cultivation system is complete. Martial Souls, Soul Rings, Soul Bones—from Soul Scholars to Titled Dou Practitioners, every step has the experience left behind by those before you."

"As long as your identity and Martial Soul are not too poor, you may one day be able to compete for a Divine Position."

At the mention of a Divine Position, many people's breathing became hurried once more.

The reason Douzhe Continent had become the most popular training world was not merely because it was relatively safe.

More importantly, it possessed a proven path to godhood.

Tang God-King, who had established the Transcendent Association and now guarded the real world, was the first God-King to return from Douzhe Continent.

That was the true reason countless students chose Douzhe Continent.

A Soul Emperor could live for several hundred years.

A Titled Dou Practitioner was enough to preside over an entire region.

If one could inherit a Divine Position, it would truly be a single step into the heavens.

At the back of the group, Gu Xuan looked at the firmament that had just dimmed, his expression barely changing.

He had arrived in this world less than a month ago.

Before that, he had lived in another world without supernatural powers.

This was a world called Blue Star, yet several hundred years ago, it had connected to countless planes and gained the ability to let people descend into other worlds for training.

When he had first transmigrated here, Gu Xuan had examined every plane discovered by the real world.

Magic, immortal cultivation, technology, martial arts—there was everything.

Except for the myths he had known in his previous life.

There was no Pangu splitting open heaven and earth, nor was there any so-called primordial wilderness.

Therefore, like everyone else, Gu Xuan chose Douzhe Continent, which had the most complete information and was also the easiest place to grow stronger.

He had no reason to abandon a path countless people had already walked successfully to gamble on an entirely unfamiliar world.

"Gu Xuan."

Su Qingxue's voice came from beside him.

She wore the academy's standard white uniform, her long hair falling over her shoulders. Her delicate, beautiful face stood out sharply among the crowd.

"Once the identity matching is over, we'll decide on a meeting point."

As she spoke, she raised her wrist.

A silver mark on her identity bracelet was faintly glowing.

Gu Xuan had an identical mark on his wrist.

It was the training team mark the two of them had applied for in advance.

The original owner of Gu Xuan's body and Su Qingxue had grown up together.

Their families lived in the same neighborhood, and they had been classmates from elementary school all the way to the Transcendent Academy.

Childhood sweethearts who had spent many years together.

Quite a few classmates had even long assumed that they would continue traveling together after entering Douzhe Continent.

When Gu Xuan had transmigrated here a month ago, the two had already agreed to choose Douzhe Continent together and look after one another.

Gu Xuan had not changed the arrangement left behind by the original owner.

"Alright."

He nodded.

A classmate beside them could not help laughing.

"You two even applied for a team mark in advance. Your starting identities honestly won't matter that much."

"Su Qingxue has always ranked near the top in theory. Gu Xuan, if you match with an ordinary identity, you'll have to rely on her to carry you."

A burst of laughter rose around them.

Su Qingxue did not refute it. She merely looked toward the identity-matching formation that was about to activate.

Soon, another notification sounded from the center of the plaza.

[Douzhe Continent identity matching will begin shortly.]

[All trainees, please prepare.]

Pillars of light descended from the sky, landing before everyone.

When the light faded, an identity panel belonging exclusively to each person appeared before them.

"It's here!"

"My identity is the second son of a viscount in the Heaven Dou Empire!"

"Beast Martial Soul, Scarlet Flame Tiger, Innate Soul Power Level Eight! I have a chance to enter Four Element Academy!"

"Why am I a commoner? My Martial Soul is even a sickle, and my Innate Soul Power is only Level Two?"

Cries of delight and lament rang out one after another.

Some were ecstatic at receiving powerful Martial Souls.

Others turned pale the instant they saw their ordinary identities.

There was no second chance at identity matching.

Every word on the panel could determine how far they would be able to go in the future.

Just then, a golden pillar of light far more dazzling than everyone else's suddenly rose from the crowd.

A majestic phoenix cry echoed across the training plaza.

Bone-chilling cold spread in every direction, freezing countless ice crystals in the blazing summer heat.

Everyone turned at once.

Within the pillar of light, a phantom phoenix of icy blue, its wings spread wide, hovered behind Su Qingxue.

Her identity panel also fully unfolded at that moment.

[Name: Su Qingxue]

[Training World: Douzhe Continent]

[Starting Identity: Core Disciple of Soul Hall Academy]

[Martial Soul: Ice Phoenix]

[Innate Soul Power: Level Ten]

After a brief silence, cries of astonishment erupted.

"Ice Phoenix!"

"And Innate Full Soul Power!"

"On top of being a core disciple of Soul Hall Academy, with a start like that, becoming a Titled Dou Practitioner is only a matter of time, right?"

"She definitely qualifies to compete for a Divine Position!"

Even Zhou Ruolan's eyes showed a trace of approval.

A top-tier Beast Martial Soul.

Innate Full Soul Power.

Along with the starting identity of a core disciple of Soul Hall Academy.

The moment Su Qingxue descended into Douzhe Continent, she would receive direct priority training.

Soul Rings, Soul Bones, and cultivation resources would all be prepared for her by dedicated personnel.

She would not need to struggle up from the bottom like ordinary trainees.

"Not bad."

Zhou Ruolan gave a slight nod.

"After entering Soul Hall Academy, do not rush into dangerous missions. With your aptitude, you have every chance to compete for the Golden Generation."

A bright gleam appeared in Su Qingxue's eyes as well.

"I understand."

Soon, another beam of light descended beside her.

Gu Xuan's identity panel appeared immediately afterward.

[Name: Gu Xuan]

[Training World: Douzhe Continent]

[Starting Identity: Work-Study Student at Dingnuo Junior Soul Master Academy]

[Martial Soul: Iron Sword]

[Innate Soul Power: Level Three]

There was no phenomenon.

Nor did it draw any reaction from the Monitoring Firmament.

The Iron Sword was merely the most ordinary Tool Martial Soul.

Innate Soul Power at Level Three also meant that Gu Xuan's cultivation speed in the early stages would lag far behind those true geniuses.

As for being a work-study student at Dingnuo Junior Soul Master Academy...

Compared to being a core disciple of Soul Hall Academy, it was practically another world.

"The gap is way too big."

"One has Innate Full Soul Power, while the other has Innate Soul Power Level Three."

"Who was it that said Gu Xuan could rely on Su Qingxue to carry him?"

Someone let out a low laugh.

"She'll be part of Soul Hall's Golden Generation in the future, while Gu Xuan is only a work-study student at Dingnuo Academy. Even if he wants her to carry him, he first needs the qualifications to enter Spirit City."

"Childhood sweethearts, so what? Once you enter another world, talent and strength are what truly matter."

Faint laughter drifted over from the surrounding crowd.

Just moments ago, many people had envied Gu Xuan for being able to team up with Su Qingxue.

Now that the identity results were out, that envy instantly became undisguised ridicule.

Gu Xuan ignored them and simply looked at Su Qingxue. "If you want to cancel the team connection, you can do it now."

Given the reality of the situation, the two of them truly were not suited to team up.

Su Qingxue was slightly stunned. In truth, she had wanted to say it earlier.

She simply did not know how to bring it up, and she was afraid others would think she was the sort of person who...

But she had not expected Gu Xuan to speak first.

That self-awareness made her favor toward Gu Xuan increase by quite a bit.

Still, perhaps the two of them might once have had a chance to be together. In the future, though, that was probably no longer possible.

Su Qingxue said, "Gu Xuan, my starting identity is in Spirit City. After entering Soul Hall Academy, the academy will arrange a separate cultivation path for me. I also need to compete for a place in the Golden Generation."

"You were assigned to Dingnuo City. With your identity, it is impossible for you to enter Soul Hall Academy."

"We have to consider reality. Thank you for understanding. Our starting points are already different. There is no point in keeping our team agreement any longer."

Gu Xuan glanced at the silver mark that had already disappeared.

"Alright."

Gu Xuan did not feel much.

Su Qingxue and the original owner had been together for more than ten years, and their feelings truly had been very good.

But the feelings that belonged to the original owner were, to the current Gu Xuan, merely a past preserved within his memories.

He knew Su Qingxue, and he knew everything she had experienced with the original owner.

But knowing her did not mean he liked her, much less that he would lose his composure because she changed her choice.

"Then... I wish you the best of luck." After saying that, Su Qingxue turned and walked toward her Arrival Platform.

Whispers rose around them again. "He agreed rather readily."

"What else could he do if he didn't? Was he supposed to beg Su Qingxue to take him along?"

"What a pity. More than ten years as childhood sweethearts, and in the end, it still could not compare to Innate Full Soul Power."

Gu Xuan's expression did not change as he walked straight past them.

Zhou Ruolan stood not far away, taking in the scene, but she did not intervene.

Training in other worlds was bound to change many things.

Identity, power, and the future.

Gu Xuan and Su Qingxue would not be the only ones parting ways today.

She checked the time, then raised a hand to silence everyone.

"Identity matching has concluded."

"Everyone, enter the Arrival Platforms."

"Once the trial begins, the real world can only inspect your status through the Monitoring Firmament. We will be unable to resolve any dangers for you."

"One final reminder."

"Come back alive."

Arrival Platforms lit up one after another.

The forty-seven students entered according to their assigned numbers.

Su Qingxue stood within the golden pillar of light at the very center.

Gu Xuan stood toward the rear.

As everyone took their positions, massive spatial fluctuations enveloped the entire plaza.

[Identity confirmation complete.]

[Locking onto Douzhe Continent.]

[Arrival countdown begins.]

[Ten.]

[Nine.]

[Eight.]

Some looked toward their parents on the elevated platform.

Some stared fixedly at their identity panels.

Others trembled faintly with excitement.

Gu Xuan stood within the pillar of light, his expression calm throughout.

As if sensing something, Su Qingxue glanced at him from across several Arrival Platforms.

Gu Xuan had already looked away.

The next moment, the countdown reached zero.

[Arrival begins!]

Boom!

Dozens of pillars of light shot into the sky at once.

Figure after figure rapidly turned ethereal.

Arrival coordinates across Douzhe Continent lit up in succession.

Everyone's spatial passageways appeared clearly on the Monitoring Firmament.

Gu Xuan's own arrival information appeared before him as well.

[Arrival location: Dingnuo City.]

[Identity loaded: Work-study student of Dinuo Junior Academy.]

[Entering Douzhe Continent...]

Just as Gu Xuan's figure was about to vanish, the previously stable spatial passageway suddenly twisted violently.

A piercing alarm instantly rang throughout the entire plaza.

[Warning!]

[Plane coordinates have shifted!]

[Relocking onto Douzhe Continent!]

[Lock failed!]

Zhou Ruolan's expression changed drastically.

"Shut down the passageway immediately!"

Several instructors responsible for maintaining the Arrival Formation acted at once.

But the pillar of light containing Gu Xuan had already shattered with a thunderous crash.

His figure vanished from the Arrival Platform as well.

He had not entered Douzhe Continent.

Instead, he had completely departed from all recorded plane coordinates.

Inside the monitoring hall, the forty-seven names representing the entire class lit up one after another.

Su Qingxue had arrived successfully.

The other students' initial identities and locations appeared on the firmament one by one as well.

Only Gu Xuan's name remained gray.

[Trial participant Gu Xuan has not arrived on Douzhe Continent.]

[Recapturing life signal...]

[Capture failed.]

[Attempting to establish connection...]

[Connection failed.]

After several consecutive attempts, Gu Xuan's name went completely dark.

In the end, only a line of scarlet text remained on the Monitoring Firmament.

[Trial participant Gu Xuan: Missing.]

Zhou Ruolan stood before the now-empty Arrival Platform, all composure gone from her face.

There had been forty-seven trial participants in this cohort.

Forty-six had successfully entered Douzhe Continent.

Only Gu Xuan's whereabouts were unknown.