Wu Zhangkong's gaze pierced Fang Yang like a blade—a flicker of curiosity in his emerald eyes.
Fang Yang was wrapped in too many secrets—even this cold, aloof teacher couldn't help but feel intrigued.
And Gu Yue?
Her displayed strength had shattered everyone's expectations!
The testing chamber fell deathly silent.
All eyes were locked on Fang Yang.
Tang Wulin clenched his fists unconsciously.
Xie Xie swallowed hard.
Zhang Yangzi's eyes swirled with complex emotions.
Even the ever-silent Wang Jinxi held his breath.
Fang Yang stood before the force analyzer—calm, composed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He slowly raised his arms, fingers curling into fists.
That casual motion froze the air itself—
a suffocating pressure flooding the room.
BOOOOM!
A thunderous crash echoed as Fang Yang's left fist slammed into the machine.
The display numbers spun wildly—then froze at:
108,000 pounds!
Zhang Yangzi's legs gave out—he collapsed to the floor.
Xie Xie's jaw dropped to the ground.
Tang Wulin's pupils shrank to pinpricks, face pale with disbelief.
Before they could process it—
Fang Yang's right fist blazed through the air, striking again.
BOOOOM!
The screen flashed the same number: 108,000 pounds!
"Th-this can't be… 108,000 pounds in each arm?!" Zhang Yangzi's voice trembled.
That's the exact weight of Tang San's legendary Sea God Trident!
Tang San (somewhere in the divine realm): "Are you mocking me?!"
The room plunged into eerie silence.
Even Wu Zhangkong—ever the ice-cold instructor—wore an expression of rare shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi stared at each other—minds blank.
108,000 pounds of pure physical strength… without even activating his martial soul?!
Is Fang Yang even human?!
He's a primordial beast wearing human skin!
Only Gu Yue remained utterly composed.
To her, Fang Yang—the Golden Dragon King—possessing such power was perfectly natural.
She lifted her chin slightly—pride gleaming in her black eyes.
"Teacher Wu?" Fang Yang's voice broke the silence.
Wu Zhangkong snapped back, clearing his throat to mask his fluster.
"Very… impressive."
His voice carried an uncharacteristic tremor.
Xie Xie thought bitterly: "Great. You're all monsters. Just me—the 'normal' one."
But then he glanced at Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi—
"At least I've got these two 'lying dragons and crouching phoenixes' below me."
His mood instantly improved.
Zhang Yangzi (internally): "Are you insulting me?!"
"That's enough testing for today," Wu Zhangkong said, swiftly regaining his composure. "Numbers don't define everything. Your martial soul matters just as much. So—no one should lose heart."
His gaze lingered on Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi—
who finally snapped out of their daze, though shock still lingered in their eyes.
As for Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie?
He wasn't worried.
Gu Yue and Tang Wulin were inherently strong, and Xie Xie had long since grown numb to being outclassed.
His real concern? Stabilizing these two newcomers before despair crushed their will to train.
"Yes, Teacher Wu," they replied.
"Dismissed," Wu Zhangkong declared. "Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie—stay behind."
The four nodded in unison.
As Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi left—their steps heavy with dejection—
Wu Zhangkong led the remaining four into a soundproofed room, ensuring absolute privacy.
Once inside, he cut straight to the point:
"Fang Yang, Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie—your talents are exceptional. On behalf of my organization, I formally invite you to join!"
Xie Xie frowned slightly. "Teacher Wu… what exactly does your organization do?"
As a scion of a major clan, he couldn't recklessly pledge to an unknown faction.
Wu Zhangkong's expression turned solemn. "Have you heard of… the Tang Sect?"
"The Tang Sect?!"
At those words, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie jolted—only Fang Yang and Gu Yue remained calm.
Of course they'd heard of it!
In all of Douluo Continent, few hadn't.
The Tang Sect's legend spanned ancient to modern times, entwined with the continent's most pivotal historical events.
Its founder?
Tang San—the divine protector of 20,000 years ago, who ascended as the Sea God, wielder of the Sea God Trident!
It was Tang San who led the Original Shrek Seven Devils, forging the bond between Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect—
a legacy that birthed countless immortal legends.
Though the Tang Sect had nearly vanished in antiquity, it was revitalized by the rise of soul-guided technology—and the emergence of another peerless genius:
Huo Yuhao, the Spirit Ice Douluo, who founded the Spirit Pagoda and revolutionized soul cultivation with the spirit soul system.
When Wu Zhangkong uttered "Tang Sect," Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's faces lit with awe.
"Correct. I am from the Tang Sect," Wu Zhangkong confirmed. "Will you join?"
Tang Wulin turned to Fang Yang, eyes hopeful. "Fang Yang—let's join together!"
Xie Xie chimed in eagerly. "Yeah! We'll rebuild the Tang Sect's glory under your leadership!"
Wu Zhangkong's face darkened instantly.
Fang Yang paused—then spoke softly. "Wulin… have you forgotten? I'm already a Core Disciple of the Spirit Pagoda."
Tang Wulin's face fell—disappointment flashing in his eyes.
Xie Xie's mind raced. "Then Wulin—we should join the Spirit Pagoda instead! Fang Yang's there—he'll protect us!"
WHACK!
Wu Zhangkong smacked Xie Xie's head—his expression stormy with displeasure.
Xie Xie winced, rubbing his skull with a nervous laugh. "Haha… just kidding, Teacher Wu!"
"Fang Yang, maybe I should—" Tang Wulin began hesitantly.
Fang Yang cut him off firmly. "Wulin—the Spirit Pagoda isn't for you. Your martial soul will flourish best in the Tang Sect."
He clapped Tang Wulin's shoulder—voice unwavering.
After a long silence, Tang Wulin nodded. "I understand."
Fang Yang turned to Xie Xie. "Aren't you going with Wulin?"
Xie Xie immediately got the hint. "Of course! Absolutely!"
In the end, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie bowed respectfully to Wu Zhangkong.
"Teacher Wu—we wish to join the Tang Sect."
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