Unfortunately, before an absolute gap in strength, any flashy tricks were as flimsy as paper.
Lu Chen felt an invisible surge of Soul Power suddenly coil around every limb and bone, leaving him unable to move. Then, with a crisp smack, the belt in Wu Zhangkong's hand landed squarely on him.
The blow was not particularly heavy, and it barely hurt, but the frustration of being completely suppressed instantly brought Lu Chen to his senses.
Time to stop.
Even so, his string of maneuvers just now had already far exceeded the standard expected of a new student.
Wu Zhangkong released the Soul Power binding him, an inscrutable hint of inquiry in his eyes. "Who taught you that swordsmanship?"
"I-I learned it from books." Lu Chen scratched his head and put on a bewildered expression, though inwardly, flowers of delight had already bloomed.
Books had nothing to do with it. He had clearly learned it while practicing alongside Chu Zihang at the youth palace back then.
In those days, the two of them had been known as the "youth palace's peerless duo." After twelve lessons, their teacher had even roped them into performing onstage.
Tsk, those were the days.
But now was not the time to reminisce. He reckoned he would probably have to give Wu Zhangkong a proper explanation of his Martial Soul.
Wu Zhangkong glanced at Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, who lay collapsed on the ground from exhaustion nearby. His brows furrowed, and his voice was as cold and hard as ice. "To be frank, in my eyes, you lot are rotten wood that cannot be carved. Lu Chen excepted."
At those words, the students nearby all drooped their heads, without even the confidence to argue.
"All right, class dismissed." Wu Zhangkong put away the belt and left them with one sentence. "Lu Chen, come with me."
Just like yesterday, the two headed toward the office, one behind the other. Their crisp footsteps rang through the corridor, making hearts pound.
The moment they entered the office, Wu Zhangkong went straight to the point, unable to hide the puzzlement in his eyes. "Tell me, what Soul Skill corresponds to your first Soul Ring?"
At the question, Lu Chen immediately stalled.
He scratched the back of his head, his mind utterly blank.
Right, it seems I haven't used my first Soul Skill at all since awakening my Martial Soul. What exactly is it again?
Should I just do what Gu Yue did and make something up to bluff my way through for now?
All right, that's the plan! I'll get past this hurdle first and worry about the rest later.
"M-my first Soul Skill is Elemental Control." Lu Chen's voice grew quieter as he spoke, his lack of confidence obvious.
"Oh?" Wu Zhangkong raised an eyebrow and looked up at him, his tone carrying a measure of scrutiny. "What kind of control?"
"It's... it strengthens my control over the elements and shortens the incantation time for Word Spirits." As Lu Chen spoke, his thoughts began to flow, and his confidence grew considerably. Even his gaze became assured.
Wu Zhangkong nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly recalled something and pressed on. "Then those things you were muttering before releasing the flames just now weren't your first Soul Skill?"
"No." Lu Chen shook his head, swiftly weighing things up inwardly before deciding to reveal a little truth mixed with falsehood.
"Actually, I don't know why either, but ever since I awakened my Martial Soul, some strange patterns have appeared out of nowhere in my mind. When I try reciting the syllables corresponding to those patterns, I can trigger all sorts of abilities."
After all, he would have to make a living under Wu Zhangkong for the next several years. Rather than wait for someone to uncover it later, he might as well voluntarily reveal part of it now.
Hadn't Tang Wulin done exactly that back then?
After revealing his Golden Dragon King Bloodline, not only had he not been shunned, but he had also received greater attention and a larger share of resources.
He was alone now, with no one to rely on, and he needed a powerful backer.
After turning it over in his mind, Wu Zhangkong was definitely an excellent choice.
Wu Zhangkong was one of the rare, truly competent good teachers in the third Douluo installment.
"Can you draw those patterns?" Wu Zhangkong tapped his fingertips lightly against the desk and asked after a moment's consideration.
Lu Chen actually knew perfectly well that he could trace those Word Spirit runes with his eyes closed, but he shook his head without hesitation as he answered, "Teacher, I can't draw them."
He did not dare casually expose something that crossed between world settings. Who knew what trouble it might cause?
"Then forget it." Wu Zhangkong did not pursue the question. He merely looked up at him, his expression unusually solemn. "Remember, if those patterns undergo any new changes in the future, you must come and tell me, to prevent anything unexpected from happening."
"Yes, Teacher. I'll remember." Lu Chen hurriedly nodded in agreement.
"All right, you can go." Wu Zhangkong waved a hand, then added, "Oh, and call Tang Wulin and Xie Xie over while you're at it."
"Sure thing." Lu Chen answered, turned, and slipped away, even thoughtfully closing the office door behind him.
The moment the door closed, he let out a long sigh of relief and raised a hand to pat his chest.
Good grief, spending every day with Wu Zhangkong is like undergoing a tribulation and being tortured. I don't even dare breathe too loudly.
He hurried all the way back to the dormitory, where Tang Wulin and Xie Xie were huddled together, animatedly demonstrating the moves from their earlier match. They were also talking about arranging another bout to settle who was better.
"Teacher Wu Zhangkong wants you two to go to his office." Lu Chen leaned against the doorframe and spoke unhurriedly.
At those words, the fighting spirit that had only just flared up in the pair instantly wilted.
The smile froze on Tang Wulin's face, while Xie Xie's face fell outright. Like an eggplant struck by frost, he had lost every trace of his earlier exuberance.
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged a look, each seeing deep despair in the other's eyes.
"Seriously? We just finished fighting and got singled out as useless, and now we're about to get chewed out?" Xie Xie wore a mournful expression and dragged his feet, looking for all the world as though he were heading to the execution ground.
Tang Wulin swallowed and steeled himself to pat his shoulder. "L-let's go. Teacher Wu probably... won't be too harsh, right?"
Despite his words, his own voice was trembling.
The two dawdled their way to the office door. Xie Xie even sidled furtively up to the crack in the door, hoping to listen to what was happening inside.
But the instant he pressed his ear against it, the door was pulled open with a swish.
Wu Zhangkong stood expressionlessly behind the door, his cold gaze sweeping over them. "Eavesdropping?"
Xie Xie jumped three feet in fright and nearly performed a tumble on perfectly level ground.
Xie Xie frantically waved his hands. "N-no! We just came to, to...!"
"Brother Lu Chen told us to come," Tang Wulin said, far more composed than Xie Xie.
Wu Zhangkong ignored their embarrassment and stepped aside from the doorway. "Come in."
With their heads lowered, the two slunk into the office like a pair of defeated roosters, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Sit down," Wu Zhangkong said, glancing up at them.