A quiet night passed. By dawn the next day—
Wu Zhangkong led Class Zero's seven students out of Donghai Academy, heading straight for Donghai Plaza in the city center.
All seven wore Donghai Academy uniforms.
This time, Dean Long Hengxu accompanied them—not just Wu Zhangkong.
Donghai's delegation wasn't just Class Zero—Senior Division students also joined for the Youth Division events.
In the crowd, Fang Yang recognized familiar faces—including Senior Liu Yuxin, the beautiful student who'd welcomed freshmen to Donghai City.
But Liu Yuxin's eyes never lingered on them.
Instead, her lovestruck gaze kept drifting to Wu Zhangkong's elegant figure,
heart-shaped sparkles practically radiating from her eyes.
"Teacher Wu's charm hasn't faded a bit!" Xie Xie whispered in Fang Yang's ear.
Fang Yang chuckled softly, nodding in agreement.
Tang Wulin also spotted Senior Sister Ouyang Zixin and Senior Sister Mu Xi in the Senior Division group.
Just then—a figure strode purposefully from the Senior ranks toward Fang Yang.
Xu Xiaoyu eyed Fang Yang critically.
"Fang Yang—I'm warning you," he hissed, voice laced with threat.
"If I hear you've mistreated Xiaoyan…"
"Bro!"
Xu Xiaoyan cut in, latching onto Fang Yang's arm.
"Fang Yang treats me wonderfully—stop worrying!"
Xu Xiaoyu's face froze, eye twitching.
He cleared his throat, straightening his collar with forced dignity.
"Xiaoyan, if this guy dares—"
"Worry about your own match!"
Xu Xiaoyan winked playfully.
"Don't embarrass yourself again—getting eliminated before preliminaries!"
"Impossible!" Xu Xiaoyu stiffened.
"Our team's all Soul Elders or higher—we'll dominate!"
(Their Senior Division entered the prestigious Seven-Person Team Event.)
Xu Xiaoyan rolled her eyes—"Yeah, right."
Xu Xiaoyu marched back, shooting Fang Yang a final glare.
"Your brother cares deeply for you," Fang Yang murmured.
"He's just overprotective," Xu Xiaoyan waved it off.
Fang Yang watched Xu Xiaoyu's retreating back—thoughtful.
From that exchange, he deduced Donghai Academy's past tournament records were… dismal.
Failing even to clear preliminaries?
No wonder the city's officials were desperate—Donghai was the East Coast's second-largest city, yet its prestige crumbled with every loss.
The Tianhai Alliance Grand Tournament was co-hosted by five Tier-1 coastal cities, with smaller cities like Donghai participating as Tier-2 representatives.
Donghai's recent performances had been embarrassing for both the Academy and city government—spurring Long Hengxu to establish Class Zero to salvage their reputation.
This tournament was critical:
If these ten-year-old prodigies impressed Tianhai's elite, Donghai could secure official backing and resources—reviving its standing.
---
As time passed, teams flooded Donghadi Plaza: associations, academies, factions—all converging for the grand event.
The plaza buzzed with energy.
"Donghai Academy—board Bus Six!" Long Hengxu's amplified voice boomed.
Students swarmed the bus.
"Move. I'm sitting with Fang Yang," Gu Yue pointed at Xie Xie, ordering him to the back.
"You—!" Xie Xie sputtered, but facing Gu Yue—and Fang Yang's terrifying shadow—he muttered inwardly: "A true man doesn't fight women…"
Xu Xiaoyu lunged, yanking his sister into the seat beside him.
Xie Xie turned to Tang Wulin for pity—only to find him cozied up with Ouyang Zixin, laughing sweetly.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi already occupied a row, inseparable as ever.
Defeated, Xie Xie slumped beside Wu Zhangkong.
WHOOSH!
Dozens of female eyes pierced him with icy daggers—How DARE he sit next to the Icily Arrogant Prince?!
Xie Xie jerked upright, ready to flee—"Stand if you won't sit," Wu Zhangkong's glacial voice froze him in place.
"Why me…?" Xie Xie groaned inwardly. "I didn't ask for this!"
The bus rode in tense silence, students speaking in hushed tones, nerves taut.
One by one, buses rolled out of Donghai Plaza, accelerating toward the city limits.
Donghai's delegation entered the soul-guided expressway—magnetic levitation and soul-guided tech propelling them at half a soul-guided train's speed.
For short distances? Faster than trains.
Fang Yang gazed out the window, the endless ocean stretching beside the highway, blue as forever.
Gu Yue slept against his shoulder, sunlight gilding her skin to translucent pearl.
She stirred, eyes fluttering open. "Fang Yang…?"
"Rest," he whispered, drawing the shade.
They drifted back to sleep, peaceful, intertwined.
Four hours passed unnoticed.
When the bus slowed to a stop, they woke gently.
"Wow—you two slept like logs!" Xie Xie grinned slyly.
Gu Yue stretched, then rubbed Fang Yang's shoulder. "Stiff?"
"It's fine," he smiled.
They stepped off the bus—Tianhai Alliance Grand Tournament awaited!
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