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After dinner, Fang Yang, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie arrived at the training field.
Xie Xie hadn't wanted to come—but the other two practically dragged him along.
To their surprise, Gu Yue had already arrived—and looked completely refreshed.
Evening had fallen. The sky burned with the fiery afterglow of sunset, casting a warm crimson light across Gu Yue's delicate face—enhancing her natural grace with a touch of vivid charm.
Wu Zhangkong stood nearby, expression as icy as ever, now dressed in a sleek black athletic tracksuit.
Not far off, groups of senior female students had gathered, their eyes fixed intently on him—until Fang Yang's group arrived. Only then did the girls' attention shift.
Though young, the four of them radiated remarkable presence:
- Fang Yang: sharp, heroic aura.
- Tang Wulin: gentle, jade-like composure.
- Xie Xie: lively and spirited.
- Gu Yue: serene and ethereal.
Together, they formed a scene worth painting.
"You four—follow me," Wu Zhangkong said coldly the moment he saw them, turning without another word.
They trailed him deep into the campus, arriving at an indoor training arena—secured just today after Wu Zhangkong had "cooperated" with Director Long Hengxu.
In exchange for promising to support Long's work—and not cause him trouble—Long had granted full access without hesitation.
Wu Zhangkong didn't care about Long's petty schemes. He got what he wanted.
Normally, he'd never apologize or compromise.
But these four students—rare talents he hadn't seen in a lifetime—had changed that.
If properly trained, they could earn admission to Shrek Academy:
- Fang Yang: bore a mysterious bloodline and commanded fire beyond the Ultimate.
- Gu Yue: her Elementalist martial soul could bend all natural forces.
- Xie Xie: possessed the rare twin martial souls—Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger.
- Tang Wulin: wielded the legendary twin martial souls—Blue Silver Empress and Hao Tian Hammer—a combination unseen since Tang San, the Sea God and God-King, two hundred centuries ago.
If Tang Wulin joined the Tang Sect, he would be the next Sect Master.
The circular arena was shielded by soul-guided protective barriers—reserved for high-level martial soul training.
After all, ordinary fields couldn't withstand the destructive power of advanced soul techniques.
Wu Zhangkong led them to the center.
"From tonight onward, you'll train with me every evening," he declared. "To prepare for the Class Promotion Tournament."
Originally, he'd planned to send only three students.
But Gu Yue's arrival—and her exceptional talent—changed his mind.
He'd train all four… and decide later who would compete.
"Teacher," Xie Xie asked hopefully, "will this special training involve more physical drills?"
He was still traumatized. Those runs were nightmare fuel!
"Of course not," Wu Zhangkong said coldly. "All training serves one purpose: to increase your combat strength.
And strength is forged only through real battle.
So tonight—you fight."
At the word "battle," Xie Xie's eyes lit up.
Real combat? I love this!
(He would later deeply regret this enthusiasm.
He couldn't beat any of them:
Fang Yang crushed him like roadkill, Gu Yue overwhelmed him with endless combos, and Tang Wulin just Blue Silver Entwined him into submission.)
Wu Zhangkong's gaze swept over them like a blade.
"First, I'll give each of you key guidance—then we begin real combat."
"For Xie Xie," he began, voice sharp. "Your speed is excellent for your level—but your stamina is a fatal flaw. You can't sustain it. And your second martial soul must remain your trump card—don't reveal it unless you can guarantee a kill."
He turned to Tang Wulin, tone softening slightly.
"Tang Wulin—your Blue Silver Grass is incredibly resilient. Focus on soul power cultivation and master control-type tactics. And do not reveal your Hao Tian Hammer—not yet."
Tang Wulin nodded seriously. "Understood."
Then to Gu Yue—his voice carried rare praise.
"Your elemental control is gifted beyond measure. But remember: single-element attacks are limited. Your true power lies in combining multiple elements."
"Thank you, Teacher Wu," Gu Yue said, bowing slightly.
Finally, his eyes settled on Fang Yang—and hesitated, an uncharacteristic pause.
"…You… just keep doing what you're doing."
"Training begins now," he announced flatly.
Xie Xie, fired up, grinned. "Teacher Wu—who fights first?"
Wu Zhangkong took three steps back—and with a flick of his wrist, the Skyfrost Sword materialized in his hand.
Bone-chilling cold flooded the arena.
"All four of you—attack together. I won't hold back."
Before Xie Xie could react—a blue-ice sword beam slashed toward his face!
"Teacher Wu! That's not fair—you ambushed us!" he yelped, scrambling backward, Light Dragon Dagger barely blocking in time—metal screeching through the air.
"Less talk!" Wu Zhangkong snapped. "On the battlefield, only victory matters—there's no 'fair play' in death!"
Even as he spoke, a second sword aura lashed out.
Fang Yang reacted instantly—his first purple soul ring blazed.
Dozens of deep golden fire lotuses formed in his palms.
"Go!"
The lotuses shot forward, searing the air.
Gu Yue moved in perfect sync—her yellow soul ring flashed, and with a graceful wave, dozens of ice spikes crystallized midair—complementing the fire with a devastating ice-fire combo.
Tang Wulin wasn't idle either. His first soul ring ignited—Blue Silver Grass silently snaked across the floor.
"First Soul Skill: Blue Silver Entwining!"
Tough vines coiled toward Wu Zhangkong's legs—while a secondary tendril yanked Xie Xie out of harm's way.
Faced with this seamless trio assault, Wu Zhangkong's lips curled into a faint, approving smirk.
His first soul ring flared.
"First Soul Skill: Frost Scar!"
The Skyfrost Sword carved a perfect arc through the air.
Ice met fire and ice—exploding in a deafening thunderclap of elemental collision.
Amid the smoke and steam, the Blue Silver vines wrapped around Wu Zhangkong's legs.
Tang Wulin almost smiled—until Wu Zhangkong snorted coldly.
Hmph!
A wave of absolute zero cold erupted from his body.
The Blue Silver Grass froze solid—then shattered like glass.
"Scatter!" Fang Yang barked.
Instantly, all four understood. They leapt into position—forming a diamond-shaped formation, surrounding Wu Zhangkong from four angles.
Xie Xie wiped sweat from his brow—both Light and Shadow Dragon Daggers now in hand.
Gu Yue's palms shimmered with swirling elemental energy.
Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass coiled protectively around him.
And Fang Yang—stood ready, fire lotuses burning in his palms, poised to unleash hell at a moment's notice.
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