Today's Class Promotion Tournament had concluded, and the students who came to watch dispersed in small groups, their murmurs fading into the distance.
This wasn't even a "crushing victory"—there had been no contest at all.
Tang Wulin had ended the match with a single, effortless use of "Blue Silver Bind."
Those seemingly fragile Blue Silver Grass vines had revealed terrifying resilience on the arena.
The entire sequence was smooth as flowing water—Tang Wulin needed only one move to seal the outcome.
"Teacher Wu," Fang Yang walked over to the sideline and asked Wu Zhangkong, "do we have special training tonight?"
Wu Zhangkong didn't even spare a glance toward Kong Hanwen—the utterly dejected homeroom teacher of the former Class Four.
He lifted his chin proudly and addressed Class Five coolly:
"No training—maintain your peak condition during the tournament. Dismissed!"
Without waiting for a response, Wu Zhangkong turned and strode away.
"YES! No more special training!" Xie Xie couldn't contain his joy, face alight with relief—as if he'd escaped death itself.
To him, Wu Zhangkong's "special training" was pure nightmare fuel.
Whether sparring against Fang Yang, Gu Yue, or Tang Wulin, he'd never tasted victory.
Worst of all were the sessions against Wu Zhangkong himself—the cold, arrogant prodigy knew no mercy, leaving Xie Xie battered and bruised every single time.
Meanwhile, Director Long Hengxu stepped down slowly from the arena, his gaze complex as he studied the four students.
It was precisely because of their first-day brawl that he'd assigned all four to Class Five.
Even Gu Yue had only joined later—a special exception granted by Wu Zhangkong's request.
Who could've guessed that these four would become Class Five's tournament core?
"That cold, arrogant god really got the better deal…" Long Hengxu sighed inwardly.
Although few at the academy liked Wu Zhangkong, none could deny his peerless teaching and combat prowess.
"Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Wulin—how about we go relax?" Xie Xie suggested excitedly, eyes twinkling.
Tang Wulin shot him a knowing glance. "Xie Xie… you're treating?"
Xie Xie's expression instantly fell. "Seriously? Again?!"
Fang Yang smoothly delivered the finishing blow: "If you don't treat, we're not going."
"Fine, fine," Xie Xie surrendered with an exaggerated sigh.
Donghai Academy's rules weren't overly strict, and Donghai City itself was prosperous and safe.
Fang Yang naturally took Gu Yue's delicate hand. "Let's go, Gu Yue."
"Mm," she replied softly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Just as the four prepared to leave—a graceful figure appeared before Tang Wulin.
Ouyang Zixin smiled warmly. "Hello there, junior brother. Mind if we get to know each other?"
The sudden appearance left Fang Yang, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie stunned.
Tang Wulin froze—his long-admired senior sister standing right before him!
"O-of course, Senior Sister!" he stammered, ears turning crimson.
Ouyang Zixin waved her soul-guided communicator. "Then… could I have your contact info, junior brother?"
"Y-yes! Absolutely!" Tang Wulin fumbled with his device, fingers trembling slightly.
Xie Xie, watching from the side, gnashed his teeth. "Oh, so you've learned this trick too, Tang Wulin?!"
After securing Tang Wulin's contact, Ouyang Zixin departed with quiet satisfaction.
"Hehe… Junior Brother is quite the catch—and so shy!" she thought to herself.
Fang Yang and Xie Xie immediately closed in on Tang Wulin, eyes gleaming with menace.
"Wulin," Xie Xie narrowed his eyes, voice dripping with suspicion, "care to explain? Who was that senior sister?"
Fang Yang added with a teasing grin, "Didn't know you had it in you, Wulin! So quiet, yet such a charmer when it counts?"
Tang Wulin's face burned red. "I—I've only seen her around campus a few times! She didn't even know me! I have no idea why she'd—"
"Spare us the act!" Xie Xie cut in. "Since you've secretly landed peach blossom luck (romantic luck), it's only fair you treat us to dinner!"
"Alright… fine," Tang Wulin conceded—though a secret sweetness bloomed in his chest.
He'd never dreamed his crush would proactively ask for his contact!
"Then it's settled—Tang Wulin's treating!" Fang Yang declared, giving Gu Yue's hand a gentle squeeze. "Go, go—let's go!"
"Where to?" Tang Wulin asked Xie Xie, who'd suggested the outing.
Xie Xie's eyes sparkled with mischief. "How about we fill your stomach first? I know a snack street that'll blow your mind."
"Perfect!" Tang Wulin's eyes lit up.
The snack street wasn't close—it took them half an hour to arrive.
On both sides of the narrow lane, shops stood shoulder to shoulder.
The moment they reached the entrance, mouthwatering aromas hit them like a wave:
- The savory sizzle of grilled meat
- The rich, bubbling fragrance of slow-cooked broth
- The crisp, toasty scent of fresh pancakes—
all swirling together into an irresistible symphony of hunger.
"Hmm… let me think…" Xie Xie stroked his chin dramatically, then snapped his fingers. "Clay-Pot Beef! The beef's so tender it melts in your mouth, served with steaming hot rice—absolute heaven."
As a lifelong Donghai native, Xie Xie proudly took the lead.
"Sounds great!" the trio agreed instantly—happy to let their local guide decide.
Xie Xie walked confidently ahead, leading them to a small but spotless shop.
Their specialty, Clay-Pot Beef, was slow-cooked in custom amber-colored earthenware pots.
Fresh beef was first blanched with scallions and ginger, then simmered for hours with dozens of secret spices until fork-tender—each bite a perfect fusion of meat and aroma, making it famous across Donghai.
Though tiny, the shop had charm.
Its stove stood outside, lined with nearly a hundred small burners, each topped with a steaming clay pot.
The pots rattled gently as vapor pushed their lids, releasing waves of beefy fragrance that danced through the street, tempting every passerby.
Inside, only five long tables fit the space—seating a maximum of twenty.
At dinner hour, half the seats were already taken.
Though autumn air was cool, stepping inside greeted them with warmth and rich beef-scented air, instantly soothing their weary bodies.
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