Physical Training, Gu Yue Arrives
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher Wu," Yao Xuan replied with a respectful bow, his voice even and respectful. "However, I have already reached Level 3 in blacksmithing and have been accepted as a disciple by Master Mu Chen. Therefore, I am committed to continuing on this path."
A flicker of genuine surprise crossed Wu Zhangkong's usually impassive face. "Mu Chen? The President of the Donghai City Blacksmiths' Association? The 8-Star Saint Craftsman?"
"Yes," Yao Xuan confirmed with a simple nod.
Wu Zhangkong studied him for a long moment, the silence stretching as he reassessed the youth before him. "If a man of his stature has accepted you as a disciple, then I will not oppose your choice. Cultivating a second profession is a mark of a disciplined mind. However, you must never forget that for a Soul Master, soul power is the root. Do not allow your forging to overshadow your cultivation."
"I understand, Teacher Wu. Master Mu Chen imparted the very same wisdom."
"A shared understanding, then." Wu Zhangkong gave a curt nod. "You are dismissed. I expect to see significant progress from you this month."
The next morning at eight o'clock sharp, the students of Class 5 stood assembled on the vast playground of Donghai Academy. The air was cool and carried the scent of damp grass, but a tense anticipation hung over the students. Not a single one dared to be late.
"Good. No one is late," Wu Zhangkong stated, his voice cutting through the morning air. "Your task this morning is simple: ten laps around the playground."
A silent wave of dismay passed through the ranks. The intermediate academy's track was a full eight hundred meters per lap. Ten laps meant eight kilometers—a daunting challenge for young Soul Masters whose training had often neglected the physical foundation.
"Yao Xuan, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie! Step forward!"
The three boys obeyed, stepping out of the formation to stand before their teacher.
"In one month, Donghai Academy will hold its annual Promotion Tournament," Wu Zhangkong announced, his voice projecting to the entire class. "As the top performers from yesterday's combat assessment, these three will represent our class. To hone their abilities for this challenge, their training will be more rigorous than yours."
With a flash of light from his spatial soul tool, three sets of heavy iron chain vests appeared in his hands. He handed one each to Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, their weight a substantial twenty jin. The final vest, a noticeably denser and darker piece of metal, he presented to Yao Xuan. It weighed one hundred jin—five times the burden of the others.
"Now," Wu Zhangkong commanded, his tone leaving no room for debate, "begin!"
The class set off, a ragged line of youths beginning their grueling run. Xie Xie, an agility-type Soul Master, shot forward initially, his form light even with the twenty-jin weight. Tang Wulin, possessing immense innate strength, settled into a steady, ground-eating pace.
But it was Yao Xuan who captured everyone's attention. Despite the hundred-jin vest—a weight that would have anchored most boys his age to the spot—he moved with a powerful, fluid grace. His strides were long and efficient, his breathing controlled. The enhancements from his Ancestral Dragon Bloodline and initial Dragon Body forged a foundation of physical power that made the immense weight a manageable challenge. He did not sprint, but maintained a relentless, leading pace at the front of the pack, a silent testament to his hidden depths.
By the fifth lap, the state of the class was dire. Nearly half the students had fallen behind, their faces flushed, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. Xie Xie's initial speed had vanished, his legs feeling like blocks of wood, each step a fiery protest. Only Tang Wulin and Yao Xuan pressed on with undiminished resolve, their breathing even, their steps measured and sure.
Wu Zhangkong observed it all from the sidelines, his brows furrowed in a deep frown. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, a picture of stern disappointment. 'Their foundations are abysmal. Spirit power without physical fortitude is a sword without a hilt—useless and dangerous to the wielder.'
Just as the run reached its most punishing stage, a figure appeared on the path leading to the playground.
It was a girl.
She looked to be their age, dressed in simple white trousers and a white top that contrasted sharply with her cascading black hair, which fell like a silken curtain to her waist. Her face was one of those rare works of art, perfectly proportioned and exuding a natural, effortless beauty. Her skin had the delicate, translucent quality of fine jade, and her large eyes, the color of polished amethyst, held a deep, captivating vitality. Her nose was straight and delicate, her lips a soft, naturally rosy curve.
Yet, it was not merely her beauty that drew the eye, but her aura. She moved with an innate, unstudied grace, each step so light and poised it seemed she barely touched the ground. There was a purity to her, a sense of being apart from the world, untouchable and serene, like a fairy who had momentarily descended to the mortal plane.
Wu Zhangkong's gaze sharpened as she approached. She wasn't in uniform, and class was clearly in session. He stepped forward, intercepting her path. "You are not one of my students. Which class do you belong to?"
The girl's amethyst eyes flickered past him for a moment, lingering on Yao Xuan's leading figure before returning to meet his gaze. Her voice was calm and melodic. "I am here to attend school, but I was told the registration period has ended."
"To attend school?" Wu Zhangkong's frown deepened. "Are you saying you are not yet a student of Donghai Academy?"
"Not yet. But I wish to be. Is that possible, teacher?" Her reply was delivered with a quiet confidence that belied her age.
Another teacher might have sent her away immediately. But Wu Zhangkong was a graduate of Shrek Academy; he recognized potential, and this girl radiated it from her very core.
"It is possible," he conceded, his voice still cool. "But this is a Soul Master academy. To study here, you must prove you have the qualifications."
"I am willing to accept any test," the girl replied, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips.
"Good. Your name?"
"Gu Yue." The name was spoken softly, yet it seemed to hang in the air.
"Very well, Gu Yue. I will give you a chance." He turned towards the track. "Yao Xuan! To me!"
Yao Xuan, who had been monitoring the girl's approach with a carefully guarded heart, immediately broke from his run and jogged over. His expression was one of polite inquiry, but beneath the calm, his mind was racing. 'Gu Yuena. It has to be her. This is the form she takes to enter human society. I must be cautious. I cannot reveal that I know her.'
He came to a stop before them, his breathing barely quickened despite the run and the heavy vest. "Yes, Teacher Wu?"
Wu Zhangkong gestured between them. "This is Yao Xuan, the most capable student in our class. Your test is simple. Fight him. Use everything you have. Prove your strength, and you may stay."
Gu Yue's amethyst eyes settled on Yao Xuan, a complex, unreadable emotion flashing deep within them so quickly it was almost missed. It was not the look of a stranger, but one of ancient recognition and profound curiosity.
She offered him a small, polite smile. "Okay."