"My Martial Soul is the Star Wheel Ice Staff."
"A 17th-rank one-ring Control System Battle Soul Master."
Xu Xiaoyan spoke softly with a faint smile on her face.
"Star Wheel Ice Staff?"
"What kind of Martial Soul is that?"
Hearing this name, Wu Zhangkong's face showed a rare trace of confusion. He had heard of ice staff Martial Souls before—after all, the Xu family of Donghai City, her relatives, had passed down this very Martial Soul for generations.
But the Star Wheel Ice Staff...
Had it mutated to possess a stellar attribute?
"Hmm..."
"Martial Soul Avatar."
Xu Xiaoyan silently recited the words in her heart. As a flash of light shimmered, an ice staff materialized in her hand. At first glance, it appeared no different from an ordinary ice staff.
"Star Wheel Ice Staff..."
"It doesn't seem all that different from a regular ice staff."
Tang Wulin wore a thoughtful expression. The memory of Gu Yue (older female) instantly defeating her brother that day was still vivid in his mind—her brother's Martial Soul had also been an ice staff like this.
"Well... my Martial Soul underwent a mutation. It's different from the one inherited in my family. During the day, it's just an ordinary ice staff, but at night, it gains a special attribute enhancement—the power of the stars."
"That's why it's called the Star Wheel Ice Staff."
Xu Xiaoyan didn't hide anything and explained slowly.
"So it really is Star Power."
Wu Zhangkong nodded in understanding. Martial Souls with Star Power were never weak—it seemed the girl before him wouldn't be a burden after all.
Otherwise, with her cultivation at only the 17th rank, he wouldn't have been inclined to let her stay in Zero Class.
"Xu Xiaoyan, the Starry Sky Douluo."
"The strongest Control System Soul Master of this era..."
Tang Luochuan's gaze lingered on Xu Xiaoyan's Martial Soul, his face contemplative. The Star Wheel Ice Staff—as the true Control System Soul Master among the main group, Xu Xiaoyan certainly lived up to expectations.
Though her early cultivation speed wasn't particularly fast, with the blessing of the stars, her future strength was undeniable.
[Detected Star Power within your classmate Xu Xiaoyan. Host has been granted Star Affinity.]
[Under the radiance of starlight, your fortune and strength will greatly increase.]
"Star Affinity?"
Hearing the sudden voice in his mind, Tang Luochuan froze for a moment. He hadn't expected that merely musing to himself would prompt the system to reward him like this.
The system really was impressive!
He remembered that Xie Xie's Martial Soul would develop a trace of space-time power in the future. Could it be that...
"Seems like something to look forward to."
Tang Luochuan's eyes remained on Xu Xiaoyan, though his thoughts had already wandered far away.
"Huh?"
"Is he looking at me...?"
Noticing Tang Luochuan's gaze, Xu Xiaoyan glanced over before immediately looking away, only daring to steal glances.
Ever since that day at the Spirit Ascension Platform, he had left quite an impression on her—partly because he was good-looking, but also because of the aura and presence he carried in every gesture.
"Oh? She's this shy?"
A faint smile played on Tang Luochuan's lips, but just then, a sharp pain shot through his arm.
"Enjoying the view?"
It was Gu Yue, wearing a perfectly amiable smile.
"..."
"Not as much as I enjoy looking at you."
Tang Luochuan gave a helpless, amused sigh and replied softly.
"Hmph..."
Gu Yue turned her head away, refusing to speak to him anymore.
"So, what are everyone's cultivation levels?"
At this moment, Xu Xiaoyan blinked her eyes, unable to suppress her curiosity. She had introduced herself earlier, but the others hadn't properly introduced themselves to her yet.
She knew these people were far stronger than her, but she had no idea exactly what level they had reached.
"Let's all introduce ourselves."
Wu Zhangkong wore a thoughtful expression. Given this girl's current cultivation level, knowing everyone else's strength might put immense pressure on her.
"Wang Jinxi, Spirit Bone Dragon, 24th-rank Grand Soul Master."
"Zhang Yangzi, Spirit Dark Magic Eagle, 24th-rank Grand Soul Master."
"Wei Xiaofeng, Spirit Azure Shadow Snake, 24th-rank Grand Soul Master."
"Xie Xie, Spirit Light Dragon Blade and Shadow Dragon Blade, 23rd-rank Grand Soul Master."
"Tang Wulin, 19th-rank one-ring Battle Soul Master, Spirit Blue Silver Grass."
"So strong..."
Listening to the five of them, Xu Xiaoyan's mouth fell open, her face filled with shock. Four Grand Soul Masters! Among them, even the weakest, Tang Wulin at the 19th rank, was only held back because his Spirit was Blue Silver Grass. Could Blue Silver Grass really cultivate faster than her?
She was Innate Full Soul Power, after all!
"These five classmates are already so strong, but it's obvious the other two are the most powerful among them..."
Xu Xiaoyan glanced at Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, who hadn't spoken yet. If the others were this strong, what about these two?
That girl had defeated her peak Soul Venerable brother in a single move earlier—just how terrifying must she be?
"Gu Yue, Spirit Elementalist."
"33rd-rank Control System three-ring Battle Soul Venerable."
"Tang Luochuan, Spirit Golden Dragon King."
"33rd-rank Power Attack System three-ring Battle Soul Venerable."
"..."
Xu Xiaoyan's expression froze, her heart overwhelmed with shock. Soul Venerables—both of them were Soul Venerables!
Though she had suspected as much, hearing it confirmed still left her stunned. They were all around the same age, yet these two were nearly two major realms ahead of her...
"You're all so strong... This really..."
"Puts a lot of pressure on me."
Xu Xiaoyan took a deep breath, unable to help muttering under her breath.
"Are you even human...?"
She whispered it so softly, but it still reached Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue's ears.
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Gu Yue fell into thought. The question of whether she was human... Well, she really wasn't.
But then again, Luo Chuan was even less human than her...
The next afternoon.
Not long after the members of Zero Class arrived in the classroom, Long Xuheng followed Wu Zhangkong inside.
"Director Long."
His unexpected appearance made everyone curious. Normally, no one other than Teacher Wu ever came here—especially not Director Long.
He had tried to visit Teacher Wu before, but was always turned away, forcing him to discuss matters in the office instead.
"Ah! Hello, students!"
Looking at this group of outstanding students, Long Xuheng's face bloomed with a radiant smile. Such excellent students!
With a group like this, Donghai Academy might leave a lasting mark in the Soul Master world in the future—not because they had nurtured these students, but because these students had chosen them.
Instead, their classmates appeared at Donghai Academy.
"How has everyone's cultivation been going lately? The director came here today for no particular reason, just to check on your progress and—"
"Get to the point."
Seeing Long Xuheng about to launch into a lengthy speech, Wu Zhangkong shot him an exasperated glance from the side.
"Ahem—"
Long Xuheng immediately cleared his throat lightly, his expression turning serious.
"According to the decision of our academy's leadership, all students will participate alongside their seniors in this year's—"
"Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition!"
He announced slowly.
"Huh?"
"Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition!"
Hearing this, the group was momentarily stunned before their eyes instantly lit up with excitement.
The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition was a triennial event organized by five major coastal cities in the eastern region, designed to foster exchanges among top talents across various fields.
Beyond the basic Soul Master competitions, there were also contests for Mecha Designers, Battle Armor Masters, Forging Masters, as well as events for mecha manufacturing, design, and repairs.
Whenever the Grand Competition commenced, it became the most bustling occasion for the coastal cities, with countless geniuses emerging...
This year, they could participate too!
Having grown weary of endlessly hunting Soul Beasts in the Spirit Ascension Platform, they naturally wouldn't refuse such an opportunity for real combat experience.
"Feels like..."
"It'll be an amazing way to fight."
Tang Wulin's eyes sparkled with anticipation, his blood already boiling at the thought of using his fists to teach others some... Reason.
What an incredible feeling!
"Yeah, yeah."
Beside him, Wang Jinxi and the others nodded eagerly. Winning rankings wasn't important, but sparring with other talented peers would be fantastic.
"This..."
"Is this appropriate?"
Unlike the group's excitement, Xu Xiaoyan wore a dazed expression, murmuring to herself.
Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition? Were they really participating now?
Though she considered herself reasonably strong among her peers, even the youngest youth division required participants to be under fifteen—they were a full five years younger than that limit.
Wouldn't they be at a disadvantage?
"But..."
"With Luo Chuan and Gu Yue here, we might actually achieve decent rankings."
Her gaze settled on the composed figures of Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan mused thoughtfully. With them around, making a mark in the youth division shouldn't be a problem.
"The academy's arrangement is excellent. The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition is a valuable experience for everyone. Rankings aren't important—what matters is the process."
Wu Zhangkong spoke calmly, a faint smile on his face.
"For this event..."
"Just bring home the youth division championship."
Hearing these words, Xu Xiaoyan stiffened. The championship...
Could they really win?
"Right, right, just win the youth division championship... Huh? Championship!"
Long Xuheng initially nodded along with a smile but suddenly froze. Wait, the championship!
Could they actually win it?
"What?"
"Does Director Long doubt the children's capabilities?"
Wu Zhangkong glanced at Long Xuheng, his tone indifferent.
"Well..."
"Not exactly, but perhaps we shouldn't pressure them too much."
Long Xuheng shook his head, muttering under his breath.
He wasn't doubting his classmates' abilities. If they were to participate in the next competition, they would undoubtedly take first place. But if they were to compete now...
The opponents they would face were, on average, five years older than them. The difficulty would be considerable.
"Pressure?"
"Do you see any pressure on them?"
Wu Zhangkong wore a faint smile.
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Long Xuheng was momentarily stunned before turning to look at the group. Each of them was eager and ready for action.
Of course, this was assuming they ignored Xu Xiaoyan, the little cutie standing there dazed in a trance.
"The championship."
"We'll definitely take it."
Tang Luochuan smiled faintly as he spoke calmly.
With their abilities, winning the youth division championship couldn't be called effortless, but it was certainly within their grasp.
Moreover, at the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, they would also encounter two young prodigies from Shrek Academy—Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi...
"Today's lesson is canceled."
"Everyone, go back and p
repare. Tomorrow, we'll set off for Tianhai City with the academy."
Wu Zhangkong looked at the group before him and smiled.
"For this competition, the academy will also send outer court students for friendly exchanges. She'll be coming too..."
"Then let her witness Luo Chuan's talent as well."
On the way back, Wu Zhangkong wore a thoughtful expression, smiling repeatedly.
His Zero Class students...
Were the best of the best.
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