Long Hengxu

On his way back to the academy, the setting sun stretched Tang Wulin's shadow long behind him. He was weighing whether to refine his power delivery for Eight-Level Collapse or cultivate his soul power first once he returned, completely unaware of the figure quietly following him.

As he turned into a secluded alley, several figures suddenly blocked the road ahead.

"Tang Wulin, stop right there!" a clear, angry voice shouted.

Tang Wulin stopped and looked closely. Leading the group was Mu Xi, whom he had just met at the Blacksmith Association. Behind her stood several tall upper-year students who appeared to be his seniors at Eastsea Academy. Their hostile expressions made it clear that they had not come with good intentions.

"Senior Mu Xi?" Tang Wulin asked, somewhat taken aback. "What are you doing?"

Mu Xi planted her hands on her hips, her golden ponytail swinging behind her head, defiance blazing in her eyes. "Enough talk! Back at the association, my dad wouldn't let me compete with you. Now it's just us, and I want a one-on-one fight! I'll prove that I, Mu Xi, am no worse than a Divine Craftsman's disciple!"

Tang Wulin felt a headache coming on. He had just fought Wu Changkong and met Mu Chen, and he really did not want another fight right now. He spread his hands helplessly. "Senior, can't we skip the sparring? We're all schoolmates..."

"Who's your schoolmate?" Mu Xi waved a hand, and the upper-year students behind her immediately surrounded him. One with a brutish face sneered, "Kid, if Junior Mu Xi tells you to fight, you fight. Don't throw a favor back in her face!"

Tang Wulin frowned slightly. The Golden Dragon King bloodline within him instinctively stirred with a trace of battle lust.

"If you insist on fighting..." Tang Wulin took a deep breath, his short black hair stirring without a breeze. "Then don't blame me for being rough."

The upper-year students flew into a rage at the sight of a freshman acting so arrogantly. One charged first, soul power surging, clearly intent on putting Tang Wulin in his place.

But Tang Wulin lightly tapped his toes against the ground and instantly activated Three Thousand Thunder Movement, becoming a blur. The student's vision swam, then a sharp pain tore through his abdomen. He flew backward like a kite with its string cut and crashed heavily to the ground, unable to get up for a long while.

"Next." Tang Wulin's expression remained calm, as though he had done something utterly trivial.

The remaining students exchanged looks. They had never expected this freshman to be so strong, but with their pride at stake and Mu Xi watching, they could only grit their teeth and charge together.

The outcome was never in doubt. Against overwhelming speed and strength, their advantage in numbers vanished. Tang Wulin struck with both fists and feet, every blow landing precisely on a joint. Within a few breaths, all the upper-year students lay on the ground groaning. Not one had lasted a single exchange against him.

Mu Xi stared, dumbstruck. She had known Tang Wulin was formidable, but had never imagined he was this strong. Yet she was stubborn by nature, and the stronger he proved to be, the fiercer her competitive spirit burned.

"Fine! Very well!" Mu Xi gritted her teeth, a flash of resolve crossing her eyes. "Looks like I'll have to get serious!"

Before her words had faded, a scorching aura erupted from Mu Xi. Three soul rings rose from beneath her feet—two yellow and one purple—brilliant and dazzling.

"Martial Soul—Blazing Sun!"

With her sharp cry, the golden phantom of a blazing sun appeared behind her, its searing heat instantly enveloping the alley. A wave of heat struck them head-on, carrying the oppressive force of utmost yang and unyielding strength.

Tang Wulin's heart tightened, and he immediately released his own martial soul.

"Blue Silver Grass!"

Emerald-green blue silver grass spread from beneath his feet, attempting to bind Mu Xi. Yet a strange sight unfolded. The moment the grass touched the golden light radiating from Blazing Sun, it withered and curled, like wild grass scorched beneath a merciless sun. It could not get anywhere near Mu Xi.

Martial soul suppression! Tang Wulin realized with alarm.

He had never expected Mu Xi's martial soul to be the exact counter to his blue silver grass. Beneath the light of that Blazing Sun, his grass was utterly useless, and even the power of his soul skills had been reduced by more than half.

A smug smile curled Mu Xi's lips. Though she admitted that Tang Wulin was strong, skill was useless against an absolute elemental disadvantage.

"First Soul Skill—Blazing Sunlight!"

Countless golden arrows of light shot out of the blazing sun, raining densely toward Tang Wulin. He dared not hesitate and immediately used Three Thousand Thunder Movement to evade them, but the arrows pursued him relentlessly, as though they had eyes.

Bang!

An arrow of light grazed Tang Wulin's arm, leaving a burning sting. His heart sank. He knew he was truly in trouble this time. With his martial soul suppressed, the strength and speed he took such pride in were severely restricted.

Golden light and a black figure crisscrossed the alley. Though Tang Wulin barely managed to dodge with his movement technique, he could not avoid taking injuries. Mu Xi's attacks rolled on like an unending tide, clearly giving him no chance to catch his breath.

"Looks like I'll have to use that move..." A glint of gold flashed through Tang Wulin's eyes. He did not want to reveal too many of his trump cards, but if he did not fight back, he might truly fall here today.

The golden rain of light in the alley grew denser. Under Blazing Sun's suppression, Tang Wulin fought as he retreated, several red marks already scored into his arm by the scorching arrows.

"Stop!"

A clear, cold cry, like shattered jade striking a platter, abruptly cut through the stifling heat in the alley. Two figures swept into the battlefield as swiftly as the wind. Before anyone could react, the situation had already reversed.

On the left, lustrous black hair streamed in the surging soul power, and purple eyes that usually held a hint of languor were now cold as frost. Gu Yue lightly raised her slender hand. An intensely condensed Ice Cone, seemingly imbued with the utmost chill, had silently come to rest at Mu Xi's long neck. Its tip had not even touched her skin, yet its icy aura had already made the hairs on the back of Mu Xi's neck stand up and covered her skin in fine goose bumps.

On the right, Xie Xie appeared like a phantom. His Light Dragon Dagger drew a dazzling silver streak, cutting off Mu Xi's retreat completely.

"If you dare touch him, I'll dare kill you."

Gu Yue's voice was utterly calm, as though she were discussing some trivial matter that had nothing to do with her. Yet a chilling gleam flickered in her deep purple eyes, making hearts tremble. It seemed that the slightest move from Mu Xi would send that Ice Cone straight through her throat.

Mu Xi froze where she stood, even her breath catching.

She was not afraid of death, much less ghosts, but at that moment, the blood in her veins seemed to freeze solid. She could clearly feel that the aura radiating from the black-haired, purple-eyed girl behind her exerted an absolute suppression on her at the very source of her being.

Mu Xi's martial soul was Blazing Sun, representing the utmost light and heat. Yet the elemental power radiating from Gu Yue seemed to be the purest master of this world. It existed on a level far above hers, bearing a pressure that encompassed all things while towering over them. Before that pressure, the Blazing Sun she took such pride in felt as insignificant as a speck beneath the vast starry heavens. The circulation of her soul power instantly became sluggish, as though her blazing sun had encountered an eternal night that swallowed every last ray of its light.

This crushing suppression at the level of her martial soul left her more despairing than blades held against her body.

"Gu Yue, don't be rash!" Though Xie Xie urged her not to act rashly, the Light Dragon Dagger in his hand did not budge. He stared coldly at Mu Xi, his voice carrying a warning. "Make your people get lost, now. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what'll happen."

Seeing this, Tang Wulin hurried forward a step and said urgently, "Gu Yue, Xie Xie, stop! She's President Mu Chen's daughter. This is a misunderstanding!"

At his words, the chill in Gu Yue's eyes eased slightly, but she did not withdraw her Ice Cone. It remained suspended before Mu Xi's neck, radiating a biting cold. Her gaze swept over Mu Xi appraisingly, as though judging whether she still posed a threat.

Mu Xi bit her lip, her face pale. She could feel the aura suppressing her slowly receding, but the lingering dread would not fade. For the first time, she realized that there were people in this world with greater talent and stronger martial souls than hers.

"Let me go..." Mu Xi's voice was somewhat hoarse, with a trace of resentment. "I only wanted to compete with him in forging..."

"A forging contest requires a bunch of upper-year students to block the road?" Xie Xie scoffed and put away his Light Dragon Dagger, though he continued to watch her warily.

Gu Yue also withdrew her Ice Cone and returned to Tang Wulin's side. Her purple eyes passed briefly over Mu Xi before regaining their usual indifference, as though the murderous girl from moments earlier had merely been everyone's imagination.

Tang Wulin rubbed his still-burning arm and looked at Mu Xi. "Senior Mu Xi, we can compete in forging anytime, but this isn't an acceptable way to settle things. Let's leave today's incident at that. We're heading back to the academy."

The air in the alley seemed to freeze. Mu Xi was still suffocating beneath the chill emanating from Gu Yue's deep purple eyes when, without warning, an icy aura even more terrifying than Gu Yue's, as though it came from beneath the Netherworld, enveloped the entire space.

"Who gave you permission to gather here and brawl?"

The voice was cold and clear, untouched by any worldly warmth, yet it made everyone present feel as though they had plunged into an ice cavern.

Everyone turned in alarm. At some unknown point, a young man in a dark blue robe had appeared, standing with his hands behind his back. His stern features seemed carved with a blade. His icy blue eyes were calm, yet seemed to harbor a storm capable of destroying heaven and earth.

"T-Teacher?" Tang Wulin was somewhat surprised. He had never expected Wu Changkong to have been nearby all along.

Wu Changkong ignored Tang Wulin. His cold gaze swept over the upper-year students lying on the ground before finally settling on Mu Xi. Though Gu Yue had suppressed her, the soul power fluctuations around her and the surrounding wreckage clearly showed that she had also taken part in the conflict.

"Teacher Wu..." Mu Xi's face drained of color. She had heard of Eastsea Academy's strictest, cold-faced teacher, but had never expected to run into him here.

"Come along."

Wu Changkong uttered those words flatly, then lightly waved his right hand. Space seemed to twist at that moment, and an irresistible blue halo instantly enveloped the upper-year students and the still-dazed Mu Xi.

The next instant, everyone's vision blurred. The narrow alley vanished, replaced by the spacious, bright office of Long Hengxu, the director of Eastsea Academy's Academic Affairs Office.

Long Hengxu was leisurely drinking tea when a group of people suddenly appeared out of thin air, startling him so badly that he nearly dropped his cup. Looking closer, he saw Wu Changkong at their head, followed by several bruised and battered students, one of whom was the daughter of Mu Chen from the Blacksmith Association. He immediately felt a headache coming on.

"Teacher Wu, what is this...?" Long Hengxu rubbed his temples, regarding this star teacher who never played by the rules with speechless frustration.

Wu Changkong's expression was indifferent, his tone utterly level. "Director Long, I came today for two reasons. First, these upper-year students gathered to bully my student. I hope the academy will deal with them fairly and severely."

He paused and turned his gaze toward Gu Yue, whose expression was complicated, before continuing, "Second, regarding this student, Gu Yue, I originally wanted to observe whether she could adapt to my teaching methods. But just now, she acted decisively and coordinated well with Tang Wulin. Since they have already spent some time together, switching her to another class now would be inappropriate. I'll sign her enrollment papers."

Long Hengxu followed his gaze, taking in Gu Yue's distinctive black hair and purple eyes, then glanced at the much better-behaved Tang Wulin beside her and sighed inwardly. He had approved Gu Yue's enrollment application long ago; all it needed was Wu Changkong's signature to take effect. The man had clearly agreed in his heart ages ago, yet still insisted on finding such a high-sounding excuse.

As for the upper-year students, Long Hengxu found their cowering appearance disgraceful. He shook his head and said helplessly, "You students are becoming more and more outrageous. Since Teacher Wu has spoken, I'll deal with this strictly. Your classes' cultivation resources will be halved for this month. Go back and write a ten-thousand-word self-criticism. If you're even one word short, you'll be suspended for a week!"

At those words, the upper-year students and Mu Xi turned deathly pale. None dared offer the slightest objection, and they could only meekly agree.

Once Long Hengxu had finished handling the matter, Wu Changkong nodded slightly, his tone as flat as ever. "Sorry for the trouble, Director Long."

Seeing his businesslike yet utterly matter-of-fact manner, Long Hengxu could not stop the corner of his mouth from twitching. He grumbled inwardly, You say you're sorry for the trouble, but that look and that attitude—where's the slightest sign that you respect me as the director? Still, the man was one of the academy's finest teachers. Long Hengxu could only swallow his frustration and wave a hand. "All right, go back, all of you. Stop being an eyesore."

Wu Changkong turned, glanced at Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, and said flatly, "Back to the classroom."