Mu Xi's Challenge and the Arrival of Wu Zhangkong
As Yao Xuan formally became Mu Chen's disciple, the system's notification chimed pleasantly in his mind, a welcome bonus to the day's success.
"By the way, Yao Xuan, Wulin, do you have Soul Guidance Communicator numbers?" Mu Chen asked with a warm smile, changing the subject.
"Master, we do not," Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin shook their heads slightly. A standard Soul Guidance Communicator cost tens of thousands of Federal Credits. It wasn't that they couldn't afford one, but it had never been a necessary expense.
"I see. Then, please accept these as a small gift from your master." With a flicker of light, two sleek, modern Soul Guidance Communicators appeared in Mu Chen's hands.
"Thank you, Master!" They accepted the devices gratefully, fastening them to their wrists.
"Here is my soul communicator number. Save it. If you encounter any serious trouble, you can contact me directly. You may return in two days to collect your official forging medals. After that, you will be able to accept commissions from the Blacksmith Association."
"For now, continue your self-cultivation during the weekdays. Every Saturday afternoon, both of you will come here together, and I will dedicate half a day to guiding you personally. I must also remind you: do not neglect your soul power cultivation. In any profession, reaching the pinnacle is impossible without formidable soul power, especially for you, Wulin. You must put in even more effort."
Mu Chen looked at his two new disciples, his instructions patient and thorough.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master. Yao Xuan (Tang Wulin) will remember your words!" they chorused, their respect evident.
Mu Chen nodded, satisfied. At that moment, Mu Xi, who had been standing to the side, stepped forward, a stubborn glint in her eyes. "Yao Xuan," she declared, "I challenge you to a forging contest."
As the cherished daughter of a Saint Craftsman, Mu Xi had always been hailed as a prodigy in the forging world. Breaking through to Level 2 Blacksmith at thirteen was an achievement that even her father admitted surpassed his own at that age.
Today was supposed to be her day of triumph, cementing her status. But then Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin had appeared, shattering her records effortlessly. Yao Xuan, in particular, had been mistaken by her own father for a Level 4 Blacksmith. A competitive fire, nurtured since childhood, burned within her. She needed to see for herself just how skilled this new junior brother was.
"Xi'er, don't be unreasonable," Mu Chen chided, giving her a reproachful look.
"Father, I merely wish to exchange insights and learn from Junior Brother Yao Xuan," Mu Xi quickly explained, though her true intent was plain to see.
Mu Chen sighed. He could see right through her, but he also knew his daughter's path had been too smooth. A small, humbling lesson might do her good. In the end, he did not stop her.
"Senior Sister Mu Xi, I am honored by your challenge," Yao Xuan replied diplomatically. "However, Wulin and I must return to the academy now. How about we have our exchange this weekend, when I come for my lesson?"
"Alright. It's settled then." Mu Xi nodded, somewhat appeased. With that, Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin took their leave from the Blacksmith Association and began their journey back to Donghai Academy.
The Next Morning, 8:00 AM.
The vast central square of Donghai Academy was filled with students from both the intermediate and advanced divisions.
Once the assembly was in order, the Academy Dean, an elderly, bespectacled man around sixty years of age with the surname Yu, stepped onto the podium to deliver the opening speech.
Dean Yu was notoriously long-winded. Though he spoke without notes, his address lasted a full fifteen minutes before he finally concluded. Immediately after, the students from the higher grades were dismissed, leaving only the first-year intermediate students behind to receive their class assignments.
The process was straightforward. The students' strength, innate soul power, martial souls, soul spirits, and mental power had already been thoroughly evaluated and assigned to classes via a specific algorithm. This was merely the announcement of the results.
Long Hengxu, standing on the stage, offered a few brief words of encouragement before beginning the roll call. As expected, Yao Xuan, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Zhou Changxi were all assigned to Class 5—the lowest-ranked class.
Upon hearing the results, Xie Xie and Zhou Changxi's faces fell with clear disappointment. Only Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin remained perfectly composed.
"Alright, now the homeroom teachers for each class will lead their students back to their classrooms for orientation," Long Hengxu announced, clapping his hands.
Five teachers stepped forward. One of them, a man with hair the color of a deep lake, walked calmly towards the group designated as Class 5. All the students, except for Yao Xuan, were slightly taken aback. Their homeroom teacher was strikingly handsome. He stood about 1.8 meters tall, with a slender yet firm build. His eyes were a bright, piercing darkness, and he wore a simple white robe. His waist-length blue hair flowed down his back, giving him an almost ethereal quality. However, his face was a mask of indifference, and his gaze was cold enough to send a shiver down one's spine. It was Wu Zhangkong.
"Wow, the teacher is so handsome!" several girls whispered to each other, their eyes fixed on him.
"Follow me."
Arriving before the students, Wu Zhangkong spoke just two words, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable chill. An invisible coldness emanated from him, causing almost every student to shiver involuntarily—all except for Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin. Wu Zhangkong's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise as they passed over the two unfazed boys.
After a simple headcount, Wu Zhangkong turned and led the way to their classroom.
As the weakest class, Class 5's classroom was located on the first floor, tucked away in the innermost corner of the building. This was a deliberate design, reflecting the Soul Master world's principle of "the strong take precedence," intended to motivate students to strive for better.
Inside, the classroom held thirty sets of desks and chairs. The setup was familiar, with a teacher's podium and a blackboard at the front.
"Take your seats," Wu Zhangkong instructed coolly as he reached the podium. Yao Xuan chose a seat in the second row. Xie Xie and Tang Wulin naturally took the seats on either side of him.
"My name is Wu Zhangkong." His gaze swept over the students, and those who had been whispering immediately fell silent under its cold weight. The classroom became utterly quiet. He turned and wrote his name on the blackboard with sharp, precise strokes. "For the next six years, I will be your homeroom teacher."
"Now, please introduce yourselves. State your name, soul power level, martial soul, and your aspirations for the future. Begin with you." He pointed to the student in the first seat of the first row, his tone leaving no room for argument. The first day of their six-year journey had officially begun.