Next Morning — Donghai Academy
Tang Wulin stood in the corridor, knocking gently on Xie Xie's door.
"Xie Xie—packed yet?"
Crash! Thud!
The door flew open, Xie Xie bursting out—hair wild, eyes frantic.
"Coming! Coming!"
Fang Yang leaned against the wall, arms crossed, smirking.
"Everyone's ready—just waiting for you."
He shook his head, no real annoyance in his voice.
Gu Yue stood beside him, cool gaze sweeping Xie Xie.
"Dragging your feet again."
Xu Xiaoyan covered her mouth, giggling.
"Uh… trained too late last night—overslept," Xie Xie scratched his neck, sheepish grin.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged knowing smirks.
"Enough," Fang Yang cut in. "Teacher Wu's waiting downstairs."
---
Dormitory Entrance
Wu Zhangkong stood pristine in white, ice-blue hair flowing like silk.
Dean Long Hengxu stood beside him, uncharacteristically earnest.
"Teacher Wu—you truly won't stay?" Long Hengxu pleaded, voice thick with sincerity.
Wu Zhangkong glanced sideways, surprised. "Dean Long—you've always resented me."
"Well…" Long Hengxu rubbed his hands, flustered.
"Yes, you're arrogant, aloof, stubborn—but Class Zero's growth speaks for itself!"
Wu Zhangkong said nothing, gaze distant.
Long Hengxu suddenly understood—he'd never be swayed.
He sighed, bitter smile tugging his lips. "Guess you're truly leaving…"
Then—two figures appeared.
Sisters Ye Yingluo and Ye Yingrong approached side by side.
"Teachers Ye?" Long Hengxu frowned, puzzled.
Ye Yingluo's eyes locked onto Wu Zhangkong, resolve hardening.
She stepped forward, voice trembling yet clear:
"Teacher Wu—I love you."
Wu Zhangkong's face remained calm as still water.
"I'm sorry. My heart belongs to another."
Ye Yingluo flinched, forcing a smile. "I see."
She'd expected this—but at least… no regrets.
Ye Yingrong moved next, softer:
"Teacher Wu—I also…"
"My apologies," Wu Zhangkong cut in gently, rejection firm yet kind.
His eyes held no cruelty—only quiet truth.
Morning wind swirled fallen leaves around them.
Class Zero watched from the stairs.
"Teacher Wu's… brutally cold," Xie Xie muttered.
"Not cold—loyal," Fang Yang corrected, thoughtful.
Gu Yue turned to him, sudden: "And you?"
Xu Xiaoyan stared, expectant.
Fang Yang froze—speechless.
Tang Wulin thought fiercely: "My heart holds only Senior Sister!"
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi pictured Zhou Hanyou and Zhou Tian'er—smiling.
"Ready?" Wu Zhangkong called, voice glacial.
"Teacher Wu! Dean Long!" Class Zero greeted, approaching.
Long Hengxu nodded stiffly.
The Ye sisters turned away, backs heavy with sorrow.
Suddenly—voices echoed.
Former Class Five students approached, led by Zhou Zhangxi.
"Zhou Zhangxi? You came to see us off?" Xie Xie gaped, touched.
"Heard you were leaving—had to say goodbye!" Zhou Zhangxi grinned.
Others nodded, faces warm.
They faced Wu Zhangkong, bowing in unison:
"Thank you, Teacher Wu!"
Most had "useless" martial souls—mocked by other teachers.
But Wu Zhangkong once declared:
"There are no useless martial souls—only useless Soul Masters!"
Those words still fueled their fire.
Wu Zhangkong stiffened—unexpected gratitude.
"Keep training. Never slack."
"Yes, Teacher Wu!" they shouted.
He gave a faint nod—acceptance.
"Fang Yang."
A familiar voice cut through.
Fang Yang turned—Xu Xiaoyu strode over.
"You came to send off your sister?" Fang Yang asked, amused.
"Of course!" Xu Xiaoyu smirked, pulling Xu Xiaoyan aside.
He whispered fiercely, then returned, dead serious:
"Fang Yang—Xiaoyan's in your care. If you hurt her…"
"Or what?" Fang Yang challenged.
"You'll never be my brother-in-law," Xu Xiaoyu threatened, smile sharp, eyes deadly.
Fang Yang sighed, defeated.
"Safe travels—Good luck with Shrek's exam!" Xu Xiaoyu said sincerely.
"Thanks," Class Zero replied.
Fang Yang tossed a jade vial to Xu Xiaoyu.
"What's this?" Xu Xiaoyu caught it, puzzled.
Wu Zhangkong and Class Zero recognized it instantly—the pill that evolved their martial souls!
"Take it—it'll refine your martial soul," Fang Yang explained.
Xu Xiaoyu clutched it reverently: "Thank you, Fang Yang."
"Family doesn't need thanks," Fang Yang teased.
Xu Xiaoyu scowled, blustering: "I haven't accepted you yet!"
Wu Zhangkong checked the time. "It's time we depart."
Class Zero took one last look—three years of youth etched into these halls.
They followed Wu Zhangkong toward the gate, sunlight stretching their shadows long—a silent farewell.
Donghai's faculty watched them go, unmoving.
Long Hengxu murmured: "They'll forge new legends."
Dean Yu Zhen appeared beside him, eyes shining:
"Always… Donghai's pride."
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