Stepping out through the Blacksmith Association's heavy rear door, Tang Wulin instinctively narrowed his eyes as the afternoon sunlight spilled over him. He had just straightened his collar when a tall, aloof figure caught his eye a short distance ahead.
The man wore an ice-blue robe that swayed gently in the breeze, his entire body radiating a forbidding chill that warned strangers away.
"Teacher... Teacher Wu?" Tang Wulin froze for a moment, then his face lit up with delighted surprise, and he hurried forward.
Wu Changkong gave a slight nod, his face as cold as an iceberg that had stood for ten thousand years. He seemed unsurprised to find Tang Wulin here. "I knew you would be here."
Tang Wulin instinctively hid his right hand, which wore his storage ring, behind his back. Scratching his head with a guilty look, he gave an awkward laugh. "Teacher Wu, I earned this storage ring through my own abilities after leaving school. That shouldn't count as cheating, right?"
Wu Changkong glanced at the hand behind his back without dwelling on the matter. His voice remained cool. "Do whatever you need to do. Don't mind me. From now on, I'll be following you until you finish your final exam."
"Huh?" Tang Wulin stared blankly. "Didn't you say you'd supervise us from the shadows? Could it be..."
Wu Changkong's brows drew together slightly, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes. "After investigating the earlier train hijacking, the academy confirmed that it was a terrorist attack planned and carried out by Evil Soul Masters. The academy is taking this very seriously and has sent additional teachers to ensure your safety and allow the final exam to proceed smoothly. I'll personally accompany you through yours."
He paused, his gaze shifting toward a nearby street corner. "However,