East Sea Class Zero

With the Class Promotion Tournament over, Eastsea Academy promptly began wrapping things up, holding a grand closing ceremony for the tournament.

On the junior division's athletic field, all the students from the five first-year classes had gathered. Tang Wulin swept his gaze across them and keenly noticed that Zhang Yangzi was missing from the first-year Class One lineup. Presumably, he was still recuperating in the infirmary.

On the raised speaking platform stood not only Director of Academic Affairs Long Hengxu, but also Eastsea Academy's principal, Yu Zhen, who had personally attended.

Long Hengxu gave Yu Zhen a slight nod, then announced that all first-year students had been summoned to this impromptu year assembly primarily for two important notices.

"First, now that this year's Class Promotion Tournament has concluded, the winning class will no longer need to participate in the subsequent round-robin promotion matches. The overall first-year class rankings will be reassigned according to the tournament results. The former first-year Class Five will become the new first-year Class One, and the other four classes will shift down accordingly."

Warm applause immediately rose from below the platform.

Long Hengxu raised a hand to quiet the noise and continued, "In light of the new first-year Class One's outstanding performance in this tournament, the academy has awarded Class One one Grade A Meal every day for the remainder of this semester."

Beside him, Xie Xie immediately nudged Tang Wulin with his elbow and whispered excitedly, "Wulin, look! Free Grade A Meals! Your title of East Sea Big Eater is going to ring throughout Eastsea Academy!"

Tang Wulin rolled his eyes helplessly and said nothing.

Xie Xie was about to tease him some more when Wu Changkong gave a soft cough nearby.

In an instant, Xie Xie stopped all his little antics, stood ramrod straight, and fell silent as a cicada in the cold.

Seeing how obedient and restrained he had become, Tang Wulin couldn't help snorting with laughter.

Not far away, Gu Yue took in their little exchange, the corners of her lips unconsciously lifting into a gentle, lovely curve.

On the platform, Long Hengxu continued in a clear voice, "Given the exceptional overall talent and outstanding combat strength of this year's first-year students, the academy's board has decided, after careful deliberation, to select the year's top students to form first-year Class Zero. Teacher Wu Changkong will assume full responsibility as its homeroom teacher.

Class Zero's students will be chosen from the best across all classes in the year. For now, there will be six:

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng.

If other students in the year demonstrate equally outstanding strength and performance in the future, they may also qualify for exceptional admission to Class Zero."

The announcement of Class Zero's establishment stunned every student on the field. The entire field fell silent, leaving only the faint rustling of the breeze through the treetops.

In the hundred years since Eastsea Academy's founding, there had never been a precedent for "Class Zero." Moreover, this entirely new special class would be personally led by Wu Changkong, the academy's most mysterious teacher, whose strength was unfathomable. Such an honor was unprecedented.

In the new Class One lineup, Xie Xie's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face. He instinctively turned to exchange a glance with Gu Yue beside him.

A flicker of surprise also crossed Gu Yue's cool eyes, and her fingertips curled slightly. Clearly, she hadn't expected the academy to make such a decision either. In Class Two, Wang Jinxi and Wei Xiaofeng looked even more dumbfounded, their expressions mingling surprise and delight with the unease of being caught off guard. Since Zhang Yangzi was still in the infirmary, only Wang Jinxi and Wei Xiaofeng were present.

Among the current first-year Class One students, only Tang Wulin remained composed, without the slightest ripple in his eyes.

He thought silently, First-year Class Zero? Funny-wasn't I Class Zero's class president in the original story? I have to say, this feels pretty strange.

Wu Changkong stood tall beside the lineup, his handsome face calm throughout, without a trace of surprise in his cool eyes. The board had informed him of all its decisions the previous night. Class Zero's establishment and the selection of its students had all been within his expectations.

On the platform, Long Hengxu waited for the commotion below to subside before speaking again. His tone grew markedly sterner as he broke the silence. "Besides those two notices, there is also a disciplinary announcement. During yesterday's Class Promotion Tournament match between the former first-year Class Five and first-year Class Two, the students on both sides fought excessively, completely violating the tournament's principle of friendship first, competition second. This ultimately left three students seriously injured and had a deplorable impact."

His gaze swept toward the five students, his voice harsh and stern. "I hereby severely reprimand the six students who competed yesterday and revoke all your individual rewards from this Class Promotion Tournament. Let this serve as a warning to the entire year, so that such vicious competition never happens again!"

Having finished the announcement, Long Hengxu turned and bowed slightly to Principal Yu Zhen beside him. "Principal, please address the students."

Yu Zhen nodded slightly and stepped forward. His gentle yet weighty voice carried across the open field. "Teachers and students, I imagine you are all wondering why the academy has made an exception and established an unprecedented first-year Class Zero."

His gaze settled on Tang Wulin and the others, his tone solemn. "It is because these six students' individual talents, practical combat abilities, and martial soul foundations already far surpass those of ordinary first-year students. Keeping them in regular classes and training them step by step would only shackle their growth and bury rare talents."

"I am telling you this today to remind everyone of something as well. Talent is never an unchanging asset. Only through diligent effort, day after day, can you surpass yourselves and shine brilliantly. The academy's Class Zero will never be a greenhouse whose occupants remain fixed. In the future, any student in this year who proves sufficiently outstanding and meets the required standard of strength will have a chance at exceptional admission. I look forward to seeing more Eastsea students rise to the top and become pillars of the academy!"

After these words of encouragement, Yu Zhen announced firmly, "Dismissed! Homeroom teachers, lead your students back to their classrooms in an orderly manner and resume normal lessons!"

Then he added two final arrangements. "The homeroom teacher position for the new first-year Class One is temporarily vacant. Director of Academic Affairs Long Hengxu will oversee it until the new homeroom teacher takes up the post. Everyone else may leave. Teacher Wu Changkong and Class Zero's six students will remain."

Once the instructions were given, students from the other four classes looked up, their gazes converging on Tang Wulin and the other four. Their eyes were filled with shock and envy, mixed with jealousy and resentment they could barely conceal.

Countless complicated gazes lingered around the five students. Everyone envied this unique special treatment.

The homeroom teachers quickly organized their classes and led their students away in lines, each student carrying different thoughts. In just a short while, the bustling field became empty and quiet.

In the end, only Principal Yu Zhen, Director Long Hengxu, Wu Changkong, and the five newly appointed Class Zero students remained on the vast field.

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng stood shoulder to shoulder.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue were perfectly calm. Xie Xie looked composed, but excitement quietly sparkled in his eyes. He stole glances at the principal and Wu Changkong, already imagining Class Zero's special resources.

Compared with Xie Xie's excitement, Wang Jinxi and Wei Xiaofeng wore somewhat complicated expressions. After all, the Class Promotion Tournament had only just ended, and now they were expected to share a class with their opponents from the tournament.

Before the academy's highest authority, all five reined in their emotions, straightened their posture, and stood quietly with bated breath, awaiting further instructions.

Looking at these five children, still young yet brimming with potential, Yu Zhen smiled gently and beckoned to them. "Children, come closer."

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng exchanged glances and obediently stepped forward.

Yu Zhen, who had just seemed as kindly and gentle as an elderly neighbor, suddenly darkened his expression. His warmth vanished, replaced by the stern authority of an academy principal.

"You lot certainly think highly of yourselves."

His heavy gaze swept across the five, his tone openly reproachful. "Do you think being somewhat outstanding among your peers and having a little talent gives you the right to run wild and disregard the rules? Look at what you did during the match! What kind of behavior was that?"

"Six students fought, and two suffered serious injuries with broken arms, while another is lying in the infirmary with two ribs broken by force!"

When he said "two ribs broken by force," Yu Zhen's gaze grew especially grave and settled pointedly on Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin's heart tightened. An inexplicable chill shot up his back, making him shudder instinctively. He hurriedly lowered his eyes and collected himself, not daring to relax in the slightest.

Beside him, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and the others were completely bewildered. They had assumed they were being kept behind to hear about Class Zero's generous benefits. Never had they imagined that the principal would instead unleash a harsh scolding straight at their heads. For a moment, they all held their breath in silence, not even daring to breathe loudly.

After a while, the coldness in Yu Zhen's eyes faded slightly. His expression returned to calm, though it still carried a weighty warning.

"On the platform, I already announced Class Zero's establishment. But let me make the unpleasant part clear first: put away every trace of arrogance, impatience, and swagger born from your talent. Once you enter Class Zero, you will learn to be decent people before you learn to cultivate. If you refuse to mend your ways after repeated instruction, don't blame me for showing no mercy, and don't blame Eastsea Academy for dealing with you impartially. We will not tolerate it!"

"The academy permits competition and encourages you to test yourselves against one another. Measured rivalry drives growth. But uncontrolled brawling and malicious fighting that seriously injures your classmates, like what happened yesterday, are absolutely forbidden! If it happens again, every one of you will receive a disciplinary demerit. There will be no leniency!"

His gaze swept across their varied expressions, every word ringing like metal and striking their ears like thunder. "You think you are extraordinarily gifted, far above ordinary people? Let me tell you, Eastsea City is neither particularly large nor particularly small. But across the entire Douluo Continent, within Shrek Academy, which stands at the pinnacle, there are countless people stronger than you, more talented than you, and more hardworking than you!"

"What this world lacks least is geniuses, and it certainly has no shortage of arrogant geniuses who fall halfway down the road before they can mature. For a true genius to transform into an unparalleled talent, they must invest dozens of times more sweat and perseverance than ordinary people. Only then can they live up to their own gifts and the academy's nurturing!"

"Do you understand?"

All five straightened and answered firmly in unison, "Understood!"

Seeing their proper attitudes, Yu Zhen nodded slightly, then quietly turned his wrist.

With a swish, five neatly prepared paper documents appeared out of thin air in his right hand, their pages orderly and their text clear. He extended his hand and passed one to each student.

The five instinctively reached out to take them. Their eyes fell on the prominent title at the top of the pages: "Zero Class Training Agreement."

They quickly scanned the agreement. Its clauses weren't particularly complicated, and its central terms were clear: I voluntarily join Eastsea Academy's Class Zero and accept training through the academy's exclusive resources. I pledge not to transfer, withdraw, or leave the academy's training system without authorization before completing all studies in Eastsea Academy's intermediate and advanced divisions.

All of them were perceptive enough to understand the academy's intentions immediately.

Eastsea Academy had poured its efforts into establishing its first Class Zero in a hundred years, breaking precedent and investing top teachers and exclusive resources to train them. Naturally, it couldn't simply let them enjoy those benefits and then walk away. This agreement was the academy's means of binding its geniuses to it and retaining talent, serving as both a restriction and a guarantee. It was perfectly reasonable and beyond reproach.

Only after all five had finished reading and held the documents firmly did Yu Zhen continue in a grave voice, slowly laying out the academy's ultimate plan:

"The academy has devoted tremendous effort to establishing Class Zero and will direct its finest resources and strictest training system toward you. This is not so you can become arrogant, complacent, and fight recklessly, but so we can truly forge you into talents."

Yu Zhen looked at their differing expressions and spoke again, his tone solemn and measured. "In essence, this agreement secures your path of growth so the academy can fully support your progress, ensuring that you steadily improve throughout your education and never stray from the proper path of cultivation. I won't waste any more words. Now, sign."

Holding their agreements, the five prepared to put pen to paper.

Xie Xie, who had listened quietly throughout the reprimand, finally couldn't help raising his hand and asking timidly, "Principal, this agreement... shouldn't we discuss it with our families first and get our parents' consent?"

Yu Zhen lifted his eyelids slightly at this, his expression indifferent but his tone uncompromising. "Certainly. Go back and discuss it now. I have a busy schedule and no time to stand here while you drag this out and debate it with me. But once you go back, you need not take part in this newly established Class Zero."

Xie Xie stiffened all over at those words and immediately lost the courage to utter another syllable.

At almost the same moment, Tang Wulin picked up his pen and, without the slightest hesitation, signed his name at the bottom of the agreement in one smooth, flowing motion.

The characters of "Tang Wulin" settled firmly on the page, each stroke upright and neat.

Watching him, Yu Zhen's stern gaze softened a little, and his expression eased.

Gu Yue followed right after him, calmly lifting her pen and signing her name.

Seeing Tang Wulin and Gu Yue sign without hesitation, Xie Xie's remaining uncertainty vanished like smoke. He stopped fretting over consulting his family and obediently signed.

Wang Jinxi was equally decisive, swiftly signing his name without a moment's hesitation.

Of the five, only Wei Xiaofeng still hadn't put pen to paper, his brow filled with hesitation and conflict.

After wavering for a moment, he finally gathered his courage and spoke. "Principal, I... I think I still need to discuss this with my family. Our family already has plans, and they will most likely send me to a better academy for further study when I enter the senior division."

Yu Zhen didn't grow angry. He simply nodded, his expression composed. "Everyone has their own ambitions. There is no forcing such things. In that case, return to your former Class Two and continue your studies. From this moment onward, first-year Class Zero's membership is officially reduced to five."

As his words fell, he gently retrieved the unsigned agreement from Wei Xiaofeng's hand.

Though Wei Xiaofeng felt a trace of regret, he was more certain about following his family's arrangements. He bowed slightly to Yu Zhen, then turned and silently left the empty field.

Once Wei Xiaofeng's figure had receded completely and vanished from sight, the heaviness instantly disappeared from Yu Zhen's composed face. His brows relaxed, and his eyes once again warmed with a leisurely smile.

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Wang Jinxi watched this and silently marveled at how astonishingly fast the principal could change his expression.

Yu Zhen's gaze returned to the five who remained, and his expression grew solemn. "Since you have signed this agreement, from this moment onward, you are Eastsea Academy's core elite students and the primary focus of its training."

"I respect that student's choice just now, but I can say frankly that sooner or later, he will regret the decision he made today."

With a measure of confidence in his tone, he continued slowly, "Eastsea Academy does not rank among the continent's finest. In the end, it is only an intermediate soul master academy. But I can guarantee that from now on, all of the academy's top resources will be directed toward your Class Zero. In terms of training systems and resource provision for students of the same school age and stage, even the legendary Shrek Academy may not surpass us by much."

Hearing Yu Zhen's confident words, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, and Wang Jinxi's eyes instantly lit up. Their lingering unease vanished completely, replaced by excitement and anticipation, and their spirits lifted.

Only Tang Wulin, standing in the lineup, felt the corner of his mouth twitch uncontrollably.

He grumbled silently, The principal's bragging is getting a little out of hand. Shrek Academy has a legacy stretching back more than twenty thousand years. In terms of foundations alone, I doubt even the Spirit Pagoda can compare with today's Shrek Academy, let alone Eastsea Academy.

At the front of the lineup, even Wu Changkong, whose expression had remained cold and unruffled throughout, showed a slight change. The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

Master and disciple had arrived at the same thought without a word.

With perfect tacit understanding, the two quietly exchanged a glance. Both saw through the claim but chose not to expose it, then casually looked away and resumed their composed stances.