Classroom of the Elite

The next day arrived, and Zang Wei was determined not to be late for his first lecture at the Spirit Hall Academy. He had taken an early morning bath and meticulously selected the best attire he had brought from the orphanage.

His clothing was simple but clean and well-maintained, a stark contrast to the ragged garments he used to wear. He wanted to make a good impression on his new classmates as a wise man had said, cloth maketh the man.

After bidding farewell to Alina, who had grown fond of the boy over the past week, he made his way to the lecture hall. Thanks to the information he had gathered earlier from the priest stationed at the Spirit Hall during one of his lunches, he knew exactly where it was located.

Upon entering the lecture hall, Zang Wei spotted a familiar figure seated at the front. With a playful grin, he approached her, careful not to make too much noise.

"Yo, Bibi Dong! How are you? Have you had breakfast yet, or are you just indulging in sweets?"

He teased, his asked in a hushed whisper.

Bibi Dong turned to him, irritation clear in her eyes, and returned her focus to the book she had been reading. Her lips pursed, and she seemed deep in thought.

Zang Wei chuckled, undeterred by her cold response.

"Whoa, it feels like the temperature just dropped a few degrees with your icy glare. What book are you reading?"

Bibi Dong, clearly annoyed, released a surge of spirit energy and glared menacingly at Zang Wei, causing him to raise his hands in surrender.

Deciding to give Bibi Dong some space, Zang Wei scanned the hall. He noticed that while there were several other students present, they all seemed reserved and were engaged in their own activities.

Some were reading books, others were quietly chatting with one another, and a few were quietly chatting with each other.

Zang Wei pondered the situation, considering that perhaps everyone was feeling a bit shy. It was, after all, their first meeting, and the unfamiliarity of the moment might have led to some reservations.

They likely didn't want to come across as overly boisterous or make a false impression that they were a group of rowdy youngsters. This tentative restraint seemed to hang in the air, creating an atmosphere of polite curiosity as they gauged each other's personalities and tried to find common ground.

Unfazed by their shyness, Zang Wei made his way to a boy sitting at the back near a window. The boy, cautious at first, prepared for anything Zang Wei might do, unsure if he was a potential friend or foe.

To the boy's relief, Zang Wei greeted him with a friendly smile, introducing himself and inquiring about his name. The tension in the boy's shoulders eased as he responded.

"I'm Youling Bao. Nice to meet you, Zang Wei. My martial spirit is the Black Lined Ghost Leopard. How about you?"

Zang Wei grinned, sensing that Youling Bao was a friendly individual. He considered whether to reveal his two martial spirits or not but ultimately decided to share the information, knowing it would spread quickly so he replied.

"Nice to meet you too, Youling Bao. Well, I have two martial spirits, Death Aura Axe and Life Wine Gourd. They're not impressive as yours, really."

Initially Youling Bao just nodded but as he realized that Zang Wei disclosed he had two martial spirits, he was taken aback by Zang Wei's revelation. He couldn't contain his surprise and shouted.

"WHAT!? YOU HAVE TWO MARTIAL SPIRITS!?"

The sudden outburst caught the attention of their classmates, and all eyes turned to Zang Wei and Youling Bao. Zang Wei took the opportunity to pull the holder of twin martial spirits into this mess by mentioning Bibi Dong's martial spirits as well.

"It's not that special, you know. Bibi Dong also has-"

Bibi Dong's senses tingled, and she knew that Zang Wei was about to reveal her secret. She couldn't let that happen and the most important thing she was already annoyed at this Stinky Wei.

"SMELLY WEI! CAN YOU NOT DISCLOSE MY SECRET TO OTHER PEOPLE!?"

As the echoes of Bibi Dong's passionate outburst reverberated through the hall, Zang Wei couldn't help but wear a mischievous grin. He knew that his earlier antics had achieved their desired effect – creating a delightful chaos and made Bibi Dong angry.

His laughter rang out, filling the space as he watched Bibi Dong playfully chasing after him. It was as if a switch had been flipped, transforming the atmosphere from one of studious concentration to a lively cacophony of laughter and chatter.

Their classmates, initially caught off guard by the sudden angry Bibi Dong, now joined in the merriment.

Initially, as Bibi Dong playfully chased after Zang Wei, a sense of surprise painted her features. However, her surprise quickly transformed into a joyful grin as some of the other girls in the hall joined her in the chase.

Laughter filled the air as they weaved in and out of the desks, enjoying the playful chaos they had all become a part of.

As the playful chaos unfolded, Bibi Dong's infectious laughter resonated through the lecture hall as she chased after Zang Wei.

"Come on, girls! Let's show him what we're made of!" she exclaimed between bouts of giggles.

On the other side of the hall, the boys, recognizing the spirited fun that had erupted, sprang into action to protect their friend Zang Wei. They quickly formed a protective ring around him, creating a barrier to shield him from Bibi Dong's relentless pursuit.

One of the boys, grinning mischievously, called out.

"No worries, Zang Wei! We've got your back!"

Zang Wei smiled and nodded to the boys and shouted to Bibi Dong's group.

"You guys won't catch me that easily!"

As he ran from the chase, Zang Wei couldn't resist the opportunity to add a touch of mischief to the lively scene. With a strange glint in his eye, he decided that now was the perfect moment for a playful prank.

His agility outmatched the others as he deftly plucked them from Bibi Dong's group one by one. He playfully ruffled their hair and drew whimsical designs on their faces with an ink brush he had discovered on one of the nearby desks.

With each twist and turn in the chase, the laughter grew louder, and the camaraderie among the students deepened. The once somber and silence lecture hall had become a whirlwind of joy and youthful energy, where friendships were strengthened through play and laughter.

Amidst their laughter and antics, a sudden and thunderous cough echoed through the hall, demanding their immediate attention.

In an instant, the jovial atmosphere shifted to one of trepidation as all eyes turned towards the source of the disruption – the imposing figure at the podium. Beads of sweat formed on their foreheads as they collectively realized that their carefree fun had caught the attention of a higher authority.

In that moment, a shared thought ran through their minds; they were in for some serious trouble!

...

The figure was none other than their class teacher, a role that carried great responsibility. This teacher would be in charge of delegating other instructors and setting up the lecture schedule.

He would also monitor the students' work ethic and provide guidance when it came to selecting spirit beasts for their spirit rings up until Rank 40. After a somber silence, the class teacher introduced himself with a smile that didn't quite match the stern atmosphere.

"Hello, I'm your class teacher, and I will be responsible for all of you in the junior elite classroom during your time at the academy.

My name is Qian Xunji, and I kindly asked all of you to take your seats."

Although Qian Xunji's expression remained amicable, the students couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and urgency. They hurriedly found their respective seats and awaited further instructions, hoping to avoid any more trouble on their first day at the Spirit Hall Academy.

As the students settled into their seats, Qian Xunji let out a faint sigh and began to survey his new class. His gaze swept over the youthful faces, searching for two particular individuals – Zang Wei and Bibi Dong, the most talented students of this batch, if not the entire era.

When he finally located both of them, a small, knowing smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

Unbeknownst to Zang Wei and Bibi Dong, Qian Xunji was none other than Qian Daoliu's own son. His presence in the lecture hall was not a mere coincidence but a calculated move orchestrated by his father.

Qian Xunji had been privy to the knowledge and discussions surrounding these two prodigies, and he saw this teaching assignment as a golden opportunity to get closer to them.

Being the successor to the Supreme Pontiff came with its own set of challenges and intricacies. Qian Xunji understood that having the loyalty and support of these two exceptional talents would undoubtedly make his ascent to power much smoother.

Their potential, both individually and as a pair, was undeniable. Their talents had already begun to garner attention, and Qian Xunji was determined to secure their allegiance.

As he observed Zang Wei's and Bibi Dong's interactions with their classmates and each other, Qian Xunji couldn't help but admire their confidence and the charisma that drew others toward them. He knew that cultivating a relationship with them would require finesse and patience.

With a subtle smile, Qian Xunji decided that he would use this teaching assignment not only to impart knowledge but also to lay the foundation for future alliances. Little did Zang Wei and Bibi Dong know that their actions in the lecture hall were being watched by someone with a vested interest in their futures.

After a thorough observation of the other students, Qian Xunji decided that it was time to break the silence that hung in the air. With a kind smile that held a hint of intrigue, he addressed the class, his voice projecting warmth and authority in equal measure.

He began, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Since you all seemed to be having quite the enjoyable time earlier, I suppose we can skip the formalities and introductions."

His words elicited a collective sigh of relief from the students, who were more than happy to forego the usual tedious exchange of names and backgrounds.

However, Qian Xunji was no ordinary teacher, and his approach reflected that. While his tone remained friendly, there was a subtle undercurrent of mystery, a sense that he held knowledge and insights beyond what met the eye.

He continued, his gaze sweeping across the room,

"Nevertheless, I understand that many of you may not yet know each other's names and backgrounds. At your age, friendships can form quickly, regardless of such details." 

With those words, Qian Xunji left it to the students to decide whether they wanted to take the initiative and introduce themselves to their new classmates. The room remained silent for a moment as the young talents hesitated, feeling the weight of the decision.

But as an awkward silence seemed ready to settle in, Bibi Dong, still riding the wave of excitement from their earlier antics, stepped forward and took the lead. With a radiant smile that could melt hearts, she addressed the hall, her voice clear and confident.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Bibi Dong."

She began, and the moment her name left her lips, it was as if a spell had been broken. The others realized that introductions were meant to be an ice breaking, not a test of any kind.

They began to relax and listen intently.

Bibi Dong continued.

"I have a deep passion for gardening and arranging flowers, especially rare and beautiful ones."

Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke of her hobby.

"My dream is to become the best and the most beautiful Titled Douluo!"

As she finished her introduction, there was a brief pause, followed by a ripple of applause that filled the room. The students appreciated her candidness and her willingness to break the ice.

Bibi Dong's charm was undeniable, and her ambition was seen not as boasting but as a sure thing to happen in the future.

Among the girls in the class, there was a mix of admiration and idolization. They recognized her as someone they could look up to and learn from.

Bibi Dong had not only become the class's brightest girl but also their unofficial leader, particularly among the girls.

Girls, as they often were, could be complex in their interactions. While they might occasionally feel a pang of jealousy when someone appeared cuter or more talented, they also recognized the value of having such a remarkable friend.

In Bibi Dong, they found both a role model and unofficially, they collectively appointed Bibi Dong as their big sister.

One of them exclaimed, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Big sister Bibi Dong is not only incredibly talented and she's also so beautiful!"

"I want to be Big Sister Bibi Dong's advent supporter," chimed in another, her voice filled with determination.

"I'll stand by her side through thick and thin!"

"Count me in!" yet another added enthusiastically.

"I'll help Big Sister Bibi Dong in any way I can, especially when it comes to dealing with those bad-smelling boys!"

The sentiments echoed around the group, with each girl nodding in agreement.

"Yes!"

They chorused, their voices filled with a sense of solidarity.

"We can't let the boys push around us weak and cute girls!"