Time flowed like a river, three years vanishing in a blink.
In Class Zero's fourth-year classroom at Donghai Academy, golden sunlight streamed through the windows, painting the floor in warmth.
"Teacher Wu—do we still need to pass any more assessments?" Xie Xie suddenly asked.
All eyes snapped to Wu Zhangkong on the podium.
He stood impeccable in white, ice-blue hair spilling over his shoulders, emerald eyes flickering with rare pride.
"Unnecessary," he said—voice still cool, yet warmer than three years prior.
He'd watched them grow—from fledglings to warriors who could stand alone.
The classroom hummed with unspoken tension.
Xie Xie blinked, realization dawning. "Teacher Wu… you mean…"
"Correct," Wu Zhangkong nodded.
"You've met Donghai Academy's graduation requirements."
"Graduating already?!" Xie Xie murmured, thrilled yet wistful.
Wu Zhangkong's gaze swept over them:
"Tang Wulin's forging has reached Level Five. Xie Xie's speed is peerless among peers. Xu Xiaoyan's star control is masterful."
"Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi's Spirit Fusion Skill is flawless. Gu Yue's elemental mastery—transcendent."
Then—he paused, complexity shadowing his eyes as he turned to Fang Yang:
"Your strength… needs no validation from me."
Fang Yang smiled faintly—said nothing.
In three years, he'd soared to Level 60 Soul Emperor—power so vast even Wu Zhangkong, now an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo, couldn't match him.
(Wu Zhangkong himself had shattered old chains—his Skyfrost Sword martial soul evolved, breaking past Level 70 with Fang Yang's aid.)
"So what next…?" Tang Wulin asked hesitantly.
"Prepare for Shrek Academy's entrance exam," Wu Zhangkong replied, frost returning to his tone.
"That is your true goal."
"Shrek Academy!"
Eyes blazed with fire.
"It's finally here…!" Xie Xie clenched his fists, resolve hardening.
(His martial soul had fused into the Space-Time Dragon—now Level 45!)
"Three years—we've waited for this day," Zhang Yangzi declared, eyes sharp.
Wang Jinxi said nothing, but battle-lust burned in his silence.
"Let's all do our best!" Xu Xiaoyan cheered, fists raised.
(Her Star Wheel Ice Staff evolved into Star Scepter—Level 35!)
Fang Yang surveyed his comrades, smiling softly:
"Yes… the day has come."
"Dismissed—prepare," Wu Zhangkong ordered, striding out.
As the door closed, the classroom erupted in chatter.
"Time flew too fast…" Xie Xie gazed out the window, nostalgic.
Freshman year felt like yesterday—now they stood on graduation's edge.
"Xie Xie—getting sentimental?" Zhang Yangzi teased, eyebrow arched.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Xie Xie lunged playfully.
Zhang Yangzi ducked behind Wang Jinxi, pointing at Tang Wulin:
"Shouldn't he be the emotional one?"
"Yeah!" Xie Xie grinned wickedly, turning to Tang Wulin. "After all, someone's gonna…"
"XIE XIE! ZHANG YANGZI!" Tang Wulin glared, ears burning crimson.
(His romance with Senior Sister Ouyang Zixin was a campus legend.)
"Alright—" Fang Yang cut in, amused. "Wulin—what's your plan for Senior Sister?"
Silence shattered.
- Xu Xiaoyan's eyes sparkled with gossip-lust
- Gu Yue watched, intrigued
- Even Wang Jinxi perked up.
Tang Wulin flushed scarlet: "Of course I'm taking her to Shrek City!"
His voice dropped to a whisper: "We've… already planned it…"
"Ooooh~?" Xie Xie drawled.
Laughter filled the room, sunlight brighter than ever.
---
Dean Yu Zhen's Office
"Teacher Wu—you're truly leaving Donghai Academy?" Dean Yu frowned, face grim, hope warring with resignation.
Wu Zhangkong nodded, voice firm: "I'll escort them to Shrek Academy. I won't return."
With Class Zero graduating, his purpose here ended.
"Must you go?" Dean Yu pressed, desperation rising.
"Stay—I'll make you Vice-Dean!"
His plea hung in the air.
"No," Wu Zhangkong refused gently.
"Sigh…" Dean Yu aged a decade in seconds. "I respect your choice."
"Thank you, Dean," Wu Zhangkong bowed—rare warmth in his tone.
Dean Yu leaned forward, urgent: "Teacher Wu—in your eyes… how far can they go?"
Wu Zhangkong's reply was absolute: "They will become Battle Armor Masters."
Dean Yu jolted upright, breath catching.
Battle Armor Masters—the pinnacle most Soul Masters never glimpsed!
He steadied his voice, trembling: "Then I have one request: When they achieve it… let them return to inspire our students."
"Agreed," Wu Zhangkong promised without hesitation.
For three and a half years, Donghai had poured resources into Class Zero.
Though enrollment boomed under Wu Zhangkong, they still lagged behind Tianhai's elite academies.
Dean Yu's ask? Merely pragmatic—investment deserved returns.
And Wu Zhangkong understood reality better than most.
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