Class Zero's first lesson

Morning sunlight spilled across the doorway of Eastsea Academy's first-year Class Zero classroom, gilding it with a golden edge that seemed glorious but was, in truth, awkward.

With the dust settled on the promotion tournament, the former Class Five had risen to become the strongest class, Class Zero, while the once-arrogant Class One had suffered demotion to Class Two. Yet inside this spacious, brightly lit private classroom, the atmosphere was cold enough to form shards of ice.

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie sat on the left near the windows, their books neatly arranged, exuding the confidence of newly crowned victors. On the right, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi sat isolated, their expressions darker than the overcast sky outside.

Although Wei Xiaofeng had transferred schools for family reasons and was absent, the grudge forged on yesterday's battlefield lay between them, heavier than any physical barrier.

"Hey, you two, could you stop bringing that stink of sore losers into the classroom?" Xie Xie was the first to lose patience. Spinning a pen in his hand, he stared hostilely at Zhang Yangzi. "This is Class Zero, not your old Class One where you coasted through your days. Since you lost, act like it. Stop pulling those long faces as though someone owes you money."

Zhang Yangzi's hand abruptly froze as he organized his martial soul notes, his pen leaving a long streak of ink across the paper. He slowly raised his head, anger instantly igniting in his habitually gloomy eyes. "Xie Xie, what are you so smug about? Don't think winning one match makes you the king of heaven. If the referee hadn't blown the whistle, there was no telling whose deer would fall!"

"Oh, really?" Xie Xie shot to his feet, planted both hands on his desk, and leaned forward. "Can't take a loss, huh? Want me to help you relive how it felt yesterday with my Light Dragon Thrust against your neck?"

"You're asking for death!" Wang Jinxi slammed a hand on his desk and rose. His burly frame radiated an oppressive presence, the pressure of his Ancient Dragon King Martial Soul faintly seeping from his body and rattling the teacup on his desk. "Xie Xie, say that again! We were careless yesterday. Do you dare fight us again today?"

"Then let's fight! Who's afraid of whom?" With a quick shift of his feet, Xie Xie appeared in the middle of the aisle, the Light Dragon Dagger flickering in his palm.

Just as the two powder kegs were about to ignite, the previously silent Tang Wulin finally spoke. Rather than looking at Xie Xie, he stared straight at the furious Wang Jinxi, his voice calm but carrying an unquestionable force. "Sit down."

"Tang Wulin, you..." Xie Xie stared at the class monitor in disbelief.

"I said, sit down." Tang Wulin raised his voice slightly and released a faint trace of his golden dragon king bloodline's aura, instantly overwhelming Wang Jinxi's draconic pressure.

Wang Jinxi gritted his teeth, his clenched fists cracking. In the end, under Gu Yue's indifferent, icy gaze, he dropped heavily back into his chair. Zhang Yangzi snorted and turned away, still muttering under his breath, "Putting on airs like some big, bushy-tailed wolf..."

"Xie Xie, come back." Tang Wulin looked at his teammate.

Xie Xie shot an angry glare at the other side before returning to his seat, disgruntled. He continued muttering, "I seriously don't get it. Why did Director Long drag these two troublemakers in here? Isn't that just asking for grief?"

Dead silence descended on the classroom again, but it was more uncomfortable than the argument. The air seemed to solidify, every breath tasting of gunpowder. The trio from the former Class Five and the pair from the former Class One were like two magnets that could never fuse, their north and south poles facing each other, their repulsion threatening to burst the little classroom apart.

Just then, the classroom door opened.

Their homeroom teacher, Wu Changkong, walked in expressionlessly. His frigid gaze swept the classroom, as though he could see through everyone's thoughts. He approached the lectern, set down his lesson plan, and looked at that invisible dividing line.

"I know there are conflicts between you." Wu Changkong's voice was cold as ice. "The results of the promotion tournament and your personal grudges mean nothing to me."

He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Since you're all in this classroom now, you're members of Class Zero. I don't care whose underlings you used to be, nor do I care that you can't stand each other. But from today onward, if I see any mistakes in your teamwork during training caused by personal grudges..."

A fierce Sword Intent suddenly erupted from Wu Changkong, shooting toward the heavens and making the windowpanes hum.

"I will show you what true 'pain' means."

Not a sound came from the classroom. Both Tang Wulin's side and Wang Jinxi's side shuddered involuntarily. Although the argument had stopped, that taut hostility remained like seeds buried underground, waiting for the right moment to break through the soil again.

Wu Changkong stood before the lectern, straight as an unsheathed sword. The chill radiating from him lowered the temperature of the already deathly silent classroom further. He wasted no more words on their earlier conflict, as though, to him, overwhelming strength was the cure for every dispute.

"Sit down."

At his command, Tang Wulin and his companions, along with Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi, obediently straightened in their seats. Their resentment remained, but Wu Changkong's pressure cowed them.

Wu Changkong surveyed the room, his gaze finally settling on those eyes filled with confusion and discontent.

"Since you're all members of Class Zero now, I have a duty to tell you what Eastsea Academy's true competitive advantage is." Wu Changkong's voice remained cold and hard, though it now carried a lecturing tone. "In this era where soul masters and technology coexist, do you think your soul power level alone will let you laugh proudly above the martial world?"

He walked to the blackboard, picked up a piece of chalk, and wrote one large word: Mecha.

"Mecha are a modern soul master's second body." Wu Changkong pointed at the blackboard, his tone solemn. "The standard-issue Mecha you see every day stand between five and eight meters tall. Those are the white and Yellow Mecha deployed by the military. They have plenty of agility, but insufficient power. They are not your goal."

Tang Wulin listened intently, and Xie Xie stopped spinning his pen. Only Zhang Yangzi couldn't resist muttering, "Tch, easy for him to say. Operating Mecha is so hard, and you have to cultivate both soul power and spiritual power. I heard only upper-year students are allowed near them..."

Perhaps Wu Changkong's words seemed too far-fetched, or perhaps his rebellious streak was stirring. Zhang Yangzi suddenly raised his hand, then stood without waiting to be called on and asked loudly, "Teacher! Isn't all this too far off? I heard battle armor and high-level Mecha are courses that only start in the upper years. Our soul power levels haven't even stabilized yet. Isn't it too early to learn this?"

The instant he said this, the classroom became so quiet that a pin dropping to the floor would have been audible.

Xie Xie stared wide-eyed at Zhang Yangzi as though looking at an idiot. He had witnessed Wu Changkong's methods before, and this teacher hated interruptions in class more than anything!

Sure enough, Wu Changkong's already icy expression dropped to freezing point at Zhang Yangzi's words. He slowly turned, his gaze stabbing toward Zhang Yangzi like a blade. The classroom temperature seemed to plunge by more than ten degrees, and tiny ice crystals even condensed in the air.

"Zhang Yangzi."

Wu Changkong's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a suffocating pressure.

"What did you just say?"

He walked toward Zhang Yangzi, his Sword Intent growing stronger with every step. Zhang Yangzi felt his legs weaken, but stubbornly refused to lower his head. Bracing himself, he said, "I... I'm telling the truth! What's the point of teaching us things meant for upper-year students?"

Wu Changkong stopped before Zhang Yangzi's desk and lightly tapped his fingers against it. Each soft knock struck at everyone's heart.

"First, there is no such thing as 'too early' in my class." Wu Changkong looked at him coldly. "If a Class Zero student lacks even that much ability to learn, get out of this classroom while you still can."

Zhang Yangzi's face flushed crimson, his fists clenched tight, but he dared not argue again.

"Second," Wu Changkong raised his voice slightly, sweeping his gaze over every student, "do you think Class Zero's privileges are merely better food and accommodations? Wrong! Class Zero's privileges are bought with twice the pain and twice the training! What others learn in the upper years, you will begin learning now! Because you are geniuses, and geniuses who don't work hard are fools!"

He abruptly turned his back on Zhang Yangzi, his tone allowing no argument. "Sit down! Remember my rule: if you have a question, raise your hand first! Anyone who dares interrupt my class without permission again will have their physical training doubled today!"

Zhang Yangzi gritted his teeth, but under that terrifying pressure, he finally sank dejectedly into his seat. He lowered his head, his eyes filled with humiliation, but even more with a newly kindled fighting spirit.

Wu Changkong returned to the lectern and surveyed them. His tone softened slightly but remained stern. "Now, keep listening. Battle armor is a soul master's ultimate pursuit..."

Silence returned to the classroom, but this time, both Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi put away all their contempt and arrogance and listened with complete concentration. They knew this "demon" of a teacher truly meant every word he said.

Wu Changkong once again surveyed the class, his deep eyes seemingly able to pierce their hearts. He understood these youngsters all too well, especially the newly recruited Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi, as well as Xie Xie, who remained proud and arrogant despite winning the match.

"I know you're not convinced." Wu Changkong's voice was level, yet it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer. "Especially you, Xie Xie. And you, Wang Jinxi."

Both students stiffened when their names were called. Xie Xie instinctively clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened, while Wang Jinxi abruptly raised his head, a flicker of irritation at being seen through flashing in his eyes.

"You don't say it, but you're thinking, 'Give me a chance, and I can win,' aren't you?" A faint, almost mocking curve appeared at the corner of Wu Changkong's mouth. "In actual combat, there are no what-ifs. Fantasies cannot bridge a gap in strength."

He casually picked up his signature Ruler from the lectern and tapped it against his palm twice.

"Since your minds won't settle, let's stretch your muscles first. Xie Xie, Gu Yue, come out."

"Huh?" Xie Xie froze for a moment before fighting spirit flared in his eyes. "Teacher, do you mean... a duel?"

"Not a duel." Wu Changkong shook his head and looked at Gu Yue. "Both of you will attack together. Let me see just how much substance this supposed Class Zero mainstay and newly emerged Elemental Prodigy have."

"You said it!" Overjoyed, Xie Xie darted out onto the open ground outside the classroom doorway, Light Dragon Daggers instantly appearing in both hands. With Tang Wulin's "teaching match" yesterday as a precedent, he knew the teacher was powerful, but his refusal to admit defeat made him feel that, working with Gu Yue, they might still have a chance.

Gu Yue silently rose and walked to Xie Xie's side. Silver soul power flowed around her fingertips, and a dangerous aura instantly filled the air.

"Begin." Wu Changkong spoke flatly, his Ruler hanging casually at his side.

"Attack!" Xie Xie shouted low, his figure becoming a blur. As an agility-type soul master, his speed ranked among the best of his peers. His left foot pushed hard against the ground, and he shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, instantly circling behind Wu Changkong's flank. Both blades slashed through the air toward Wu Changkong's shoulder-well and hip-ring pressure points—the ideal places to restrict movement.

At the same time, Gu Yue moved. Without chanting, she brought her hands together before her chest. Three rapidly spinning Wind Blades formed out of thin air, arranged in a triangular formation that sealed every route for Wu Changkong to retreat or dodge. Then the ground trembled slightly, and several thick Earth Spikes burst from beneath his feet, attempting to restrict his movement.

Their coordination flowed like moving clouds and running water, combining offense and defense. Xie Xie kept their opponent occupied at close range while Gu Yue sealed his escape from a distance. It was precisely the tactic they excelled at.

Yet Wu Changkong didn't move at all.

Just as Xie Xie's Light Dragon Daggers were about to touch the hem of his clothes, Wu Changkong lightly tapped the ground with his toe. The Earth Spikes instantly crumbled into powder. Then the Ruler in his hand seemed to come alive, trailing a blur nearly invisible to the naked eye as it struck later but arrived first.

Smack!

A sharp crack rang out.

"Ow!" Xie Xie's wrist went numb as though struck by a high-voltage current, and he almost dropped both blades. To his horror, he discovered that Wu Changkong's Ruler had not only struck his wrist precisely, but had also sent a surge of powerful soul power through his arm, instantly sealing his meridians.

Almost simultaneously, Wu Changkong flicked his wrist. The Ruler traced a perfect arc through the air and, with a gentle force, precisely caught the three Wind Blades and swept them aside.

Those three Wind Blades, powerful enough to cut through gold and jade, instantly dissipated into the air like obedient children.

"Too slow." Wu Changkong's voice remained flat, as though he had merely done something utterly insignificant.

His Ruler rose again. This time, his target was Gu Yue.

Gu Yue's expression changed slightly. She hadn't expected her elemental attacks to be neutralized so easily. Retreating rapidly, she formed hand seals, intending to summon a more powerful ice wall.

But Wu Changkong was impossibly fast.

The Ruler whistled through the air, crossing several meters in an instant before lightly touching the ground in front of Gu Yue. A blast of cold erupted from its point of contact. The ground beneath Gu Yue instantly froze, locking both her feet firmly in place.

The entire exchange, from beginning to end, had taken less than ten seconds.

Clutching his wrist, Xie Xie stared pale-faced at that seemingly ordinary Ruler, cold sweat instantly soaking his back. Gu Yue also stopped moving, staring at the thin layer of frost beneath her feet with shock in her eyes.

The other students in the classroom—Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi—held their breath.

Was this their homeroom teacher's strength?

"This is what you call teamwork?" Wu Changkong withdrew his Ruler and swept a cold gaze over them. "Xie Xie, your ambush was too hasty. Your center of gravity shifted a fraction when you landed, giving your opponent time to react. Gu Yue, your elemental attacks were precise, but lacked variation. Once an enemy closes in, you're a lamb waiting for slaughter."

He turned toward the students still staring blankly inside the classroom, his tone chilling. "Is this what gives you the right to feel unconvinced? On a real battlefield, you would have died twice by now."

Wu Changkong set the Ruler on the lectern with a dull thud that seemed to strike everyone's heart.

"Remember, before absolute strength, every technique and coordinated attack is a joke. Want to beat me? Still not convinced? Then show me strength greater than what I just displayed. Otherwise, put away your arrogance and behave like students!"

The entire room fell silent enough to hear a pin drop. At that moment, every trace of defiance and resentment was utterly crushed beneath that feather-light Ruler.