The announcement of Class Zero's formation sent ripples through Donghai Academy.
As the academy's priority elite class, Fang Yang and his peers quickly experienced the special treatment bestowed upon them.
The most immediate change was housing. Their cramped four-person dorm was replaced with private single rooms. Spacious, bright, with en suite bathrooms, matching the standards reserved for faculty.
All six students' rooms were clustered on the same floor, side by side—
balancing privacy with easy access for collaboration.
Even homeroom teacher Wu Zhangkong's quarters were upgraded, from a standard teacher's room to a luxury suite, right next to his students'.
The classroom was equally transformed.
Class Zero moved into a vast new hall—twice the size of their old room, equipped with cutting-edge holographic projectors and a dedicated combat training zone for live drills.
Dining privileges reached new heights too—
unlimited, complimentary Class A meals, thrice daily.
A perk that left even senior students green with envy.
As Donghai's premier Soul Master Academy, the institution spared no expense in nurturing its future stars.
…
First Lesson of Class Zero
Fang Yang's six classmates sat in perfect formation at the center of the cavernous classroom.
In the echoing silence, even breathing sounded loud.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Crisp footsteps approached.
Wu Zhangkong entered in his signature white robes, ice-blue hair tied back, face as unreadable as ever.
"I am Wu Zhangkong. Your homeroom teacher for the next six years."
His voice was glacial.
"Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie have trained under me before. As for Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi…"
His emerald eyes lingered on the newcomers.
"Though new, I've thoroughly reviewed your martial soul profiles."
"My teaching method differs from others," He surveyed all six. "Starting tomorrow, curriculum shifts drastically—combat training becomes our core. Adapt quickly."
He picked up chalk and wrote two bold characters on the board:
"BATTLE ARMOR!"
"Today's first lesson—a Soul Master's ultimate pursuit."
His voice rose. "Not soul rings. Not soul skills. But this—"
He slammed a finger on the words—"Battle Armor—the key to true transcendence!"
"Battle Armor has four tiers: One-Character, Two-Character, Three-Character, and Four-Character.
Typically requiring Five, Six, Seven, and Nine Rings respectively to equip."
"Battle Armor?!" Zhang Yangzi blurted. "Teacher Wu—doesn't that come in senior years—"
"In Class Zero, there is no 'step-by-step'!" Wu Zhangkong cut in sharply.
His gaze burned with intensity. "Your target isn't ordinary academies—it's Shrek Academy, ranked #1 continent-wide!"
"Shrek only admits monsters—not ordinary students. To become monsters, you cannot walk the common path."
The class nodded in understanding.
"The greatest strength of Battle Armor," Wu Zhangkong continued, "is its perfect fusion with martial soul and soul spirit—unlocking a Soul Master's full combat potential!"
"A complete Battle Armor system requires three core professions."
He raised three fingers.
"Mecha Designers draft schematics. Mecha Manufacturers/Makers craft the frames. Mecha Mechanics maintain and upgrade."
He folded one finger at a time. "Before third year, each of you must choose one as your second profession."
Gu Yue tilted her head, curious. "Teacher Wu… won't this distract from our main cultivation?"
"On the contrary."
Wu Zhangkong drew a perfect circle on the board.
"Elite Battle Armor Masters must personally master one key aspect. Like this circle—missing any arc renders it incomplete."
"Only then can you achieve true unity—man and armor as one."
He paused. "Of course… some have already chosen. Tang Wulin has selected blacksmithing."
A brief silence fell.
Fang Yang turned to Gu Yue. "What'll you pick?"
"Mecha Designer," she decided after a moment.
"I'll be a Mecha Manufacturers/Makers!" Xie Xie declared without hesitation.
As heir to Donghai's famed Mecha Master Xie Family, his dream was to become a legendary Mecha Pilot.
Fang Yang pondered.
With his Golden Dragon King bloodline, he couldn't just copy Tang Wulin and take up forging…
Then—inspiration struck.
With his terrifying Heavenly Flame, Mecha Mechanic was perfect!
"Teacher Wu—I choose Mecha Mechanic!" he announced firmly.
Wu Zhangkong's eyes flickered with surprise.
He'd expected Fang Yang to pick design or forging.
Yet this unexpected choice only deepened his intrigue.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi remained torn.
Wu Zhangkong clasped his hands behind his back.
"That's enough on Battle Armor for today. Those still undecided—decide by tomorrow."
"Yes, Teacher Wu!" the two chorused.
"Now," Wu Zhangkong's tone turned commanding, "to tailor your training, I need full assessments of your capabilities. Second task: comprehensive testing."
Without waiting, he strode toward the testing chamber—no room for refusal.
The six exchanged glances—then hurried after him.
"Ugh… more testing?" Xie Xie groaned under his breath, face sour.
As a twin martial souls prodigy, he kept ranking last in evaluations—a constant humiliation.
Fang Yang bumped his shoulder teasingly. "Scared again, Master Xie?"
"Who's scared?!" Xie Xie shot back—though his voice lacked conviction.
Fang Yang leaned in with a wicked grin. "Relax—you're already our weakest link. Can't get much lower!"
"Fang Yang, you—!"
Xie Xie stomped his foot—but swallowed his retort.
After that triple-team punishment from Fang Yang, Gu Yue, and Tang Wulin, he'd learned humility.
Gu Yue hid a laugh behind her hand. Tang Wulin just sighed.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi—still new to this dynamic—watched in quiet fascination at the group's unique camaraderie.
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