"Alright—dismissed. Prepare for tomorrow's matches," Wu Zhangkong reminded.
"Yes, Teacher Wu!" Fang Yang's group chorused.
"Hm."
Wu Zhangkong nodded—then strode off alone.
His solitary nature was long familiar to them.
"Wulin," Fang Yang clapped Tang Wulin's shoulder, "Give your all in forging tomorrow."
"Don't worry," Tang Wulin grinned confidently. "Forging's like breathing to me."
Xie Xie lunged, draping an arm around Tang Wulin's neck.
"Exactly! Our Wulin's a forging prodigy!"
"Wulin—do your best!" Xu Xiaoyan added softly.
Gu Yue said nothing, but her subtle nod spoke volumes.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi stepped forward. "We're counting on you, Wulin."
Tang Wulin scratched his head, blushing modestly.
This Tianhai Tournament demanded much of him:
- Forging competition
- Individual match
- Three-Person Team Event.
But he had strong allies:
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi—their Spirit Fusion Skill a lethal ace.
As for Xie Xie?
Paired with Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan?
He was getting carried, a free-win dog—pure luck.
All Class Zero members—except Xu Xiaoyan—competed in two events.
Fang Yang's goal? Singles championship—no compromises.
"Let's rest well," Fang Yang stretched, smirking.
"Tomorrow's the main event."
They nodded, leaving Tianhai Stadium.
---
Next morning—Tianhai Stadium buzzed with energy.
Fang Yang's group arrived early, arena already roaring with youth-division battles.
With most contestants Two or Three-Ring, one-on-one matches used smaller arenas—30-meter circles, packed side-by-side, soul skills flashing like fireworks.
Class Zero scattered to their venues—only Xu Xiaoyan stayed with Fang Yang.
"Fang Yang—good luck," she whispered, eyes bright with hope.
"Don't worry," he smiled, checking his match number, then strode to the arena.
The circular platform was sealed by soul-guided barriers, containing explosive soul skills.
Fang Yang's opponent appeared—a skinny boy, nervous eyes wide.
An older referee stood ready.
"Rules are simple: attack freely. I'll intervene if safety's at risk.
Match ends on verbal surrender or incapacitation. Ready—BEGIN!"
The boy summoned his Spirit:
a silver-white staff, a black dragon coiled along its length.
"Coiling Dragon Staff?"
Fang Yang raised a brow, then shook his head.
"Pity—it's not from the Qiangu bloodline…"
WHOOSH!
Fang Yang exploded forward, fist rocketing toward the boy.
But—
THUD!
The opponent collapsed, face pale as paper, terror-struck.
"STOP!"
The referee barred Fang Yang's path.
"You joined a tournament with zero combat sense?" the ref scowled.
"B-but my soul skills are strong!" the boy stammered. "I didn't get to use them!"
"Get some combat training first, then return," the ref snapped.
"Power unused is power wasted."
"He's… dishonorable!" the boy protested weakly. "Attacked before the match even started!"
"Match concluded! Fang Yang advances!"
The ref handed Fang Yang his next-round token, ignoring the complaints.
The crowd erupted—no one expected such an anticlimax!
"Wasted a Coiling Dragon Staff! Couldn't even cast a skill!"
"If the Qiangu Clan knew…"
Fang Yang shook his head, joining Xu Xiaoyan.
She greeted him, torn between laughter and pity.
"Fang Yang, your opponent…"
"Early rounds are always chaotic," he shrugged, taking her hand. "Let's watch the others."
"Mm," she agreed.
---
Class Zero swept their matches.
"How'd you do?" Fang Yang asked.
"Obviously won! With my talent?!" Xie Xie preened.
Tang Wulin cautioned: "The first round was weak—real tests come later."
"Wulin's right—stay sharp," Fang Yang warned. "Don't get tripped up by a ditch."
They nodded seriously.
Afternoon brought Team Events—Dean Long Hengxu (not Wu Zhangkong) led them.
Where Teacher Wu vanished? No one knew—but he wouldn't get lost.
"Ready, kids?" Long Hengxu beamed, proud.
He'd checked results—all Class Zero members cleared Round 1!
(He hadn't learned Tang Wulin also competed in Forging…)
"Ready!" they chorused.
Long Hengxu smiled. "Go show them your strength!"
Team arenas dwarfed singles'—50-meter circles.
Class Zero drew Ocean City and Grand Sea City—minor Tianhai affiliates.
First match: Tang Wulin's trio vs. Ocean Intermediate Academy.
Blue Silver Bind—instant KO.
Second match: Gu Yue's squad vs. Grand Sea Intermediate Academy.
She didn't even let Xie Xie act—a giant fireball erased the enemy team.
Both Class Zero teams won—utterly dominant.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)