Chapter 37: First-Year Class 1 vs. Class 5

"Hmph! Wu Zhangkong, isn't he always so proud? Let's see what his students have that can take down Class 1!" scoffed Kong Hanwen, the homeroom teacher for Class 4, as he nodded toward the Class 2 teacher in agreement.

No sooner had he spoken than Wu Zhangkong arrived with his Class 5 students, prompting a stir among the crowd. His icy aura compelled the students to make way, and even Kong Hanwen, aware of Wu Zhangkong's formidable power, chose wisely to keep silent.

Class 5 lined up opposite Class 1. Wu Zhangkong's gaze swept briefly over Class 1, pausing on Ye Yingluo and her sister, Ye Yingrong, without showing any emotion. However, to Ye Yingluo, his indifferent glance felt like an open dismissal.

Ye Yingluo's face turned red with anger. She felt humiliated and deeply insulted. Suppressing her fury, she turned to Jing Shaoyu and said, "Shaoyu, show no mercy. Show them what true superiority is!"

"Understood, Teacher Ye," Jing Shaoyu replied, a flicker of anticipation crossing his eyes. He was actually looking forward to this match, as it would be his first real encounter with Tang Wulin. He was curious to see whether his Origin Elf Spirit would overpower Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass, which was rumored to possess divine bloodlines, just as it had dominated Ma Zhiyuan's Green Spirit Vine.

At that moment, the director of the intermediate division, Long Hengxu, stepped onto the platform and addressed Wu Zhangkong. "Teacher Wu, how many students are you fielding today?"

"The rules allow the challenging class to decide the number of participants," Wu Zhangkong replied calmly. "We'll field three."

With a wave of his hand, he motioned for Gu Yue, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie to step forward.

"Teacher Ye, please have your Class 1 team select three participants," Long Hengxu said.

Holding her head high, Ye Yingluo replied coolly, "Shaoyu, Yangzi, Jinxi, you're up!"

She silently promised herself that Wu Zhangkong would experience the humiliation she had once endured. With Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi both at level 22, and Jing Shaoyu nearly at level 30, she doubted Wu Zhangkong's team of "misfits" could stand a chance.

The appearance of Jing Shaoyu, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi on the platform caused a stir among the Class 5 students. Xie Xie whispered to Tang Wulin, "Hey, isn't that the guy who's close to Gu Yue?"

"Yeah, it's him," Tang Wulin replied, eyes fixed on Jing Shaoyu. "He must be pretty strong if he's representing Class 1."

Xie Xie smirked. "Maybe Gu Yue should try charming him into holding back a little."

But as soon as he finished, Xie Xie felt two icy gazes—one from Wu Zhangkong and another from Gu Yue—that left him frozen in place.

"All participants, please take your places," Long Hengxu announced.

Jing Shaoyu, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi stepped onto the platform together, while Gu Yue led Tang Wulin and Xie Xie in a single-file line. It was clear from the start that Gu Yue was leading her team. Her eyes remained locked on Jing Shaoyu.

Both teams arranged themselves in the same formation, with two members in front and one in the rear. For Class 1, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi were in front, with Jing Shaoyu in the back. For Class 5, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie were in the front, with Gu Yue behind them.

"Prepare yourselves!" Long Hengxu raised his hand, giving both teams a complex look. He realized that today's situation had, in part, arisen because of his own decision to allow both Xie Xie and Gu Yue into Class 5. He had simply followed academy regulations, but who could have predicted it would lead to such a showdown?

"First-Year Class 1, Jing Shaoyu," he introduced himself, his calm smile unchanged.

"First-Year Class 1, Wang Jinxi."

"First-Year Class 1, Zhang Yangzi."

Tang Wulin looked at Jing Shaoyu with curiosity and replied seriously, "First-Year Class 5, Tang Wulin."

"Xie Xie," said Xie Xie, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Gu Yue," came Gu Yue's calm, cool voice.

With introductions complete, Long Hengxu reminded both sides, "This is an academy match; aim to prove your strength, not to injure your opponents. Any deliberate harm will be penalized accordingly!"

"Understood!" the students replied in unison.

"Begin!" Long Hengxu's shout marked the start of this much-anticipated showdown.

The four students in the front row charged forward, summoning their spirits as they moved. Yellow spirit rings appeared behind Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Xie Xie, while Tang Wulin stood out with a lone, white spirit ring.

The sight of Tang Wulin's ten-year ring caught the other participants off guard and disappointed many in the audience. This was supposed to be the ultimate first-year match, yet here was a ten-year ring?

"A white ring?"

"A ten-year ring?!"

"What's this kid doing here?"

"What a waste! This is what we came to see?"

The spectators' murmurs didn't faze those on the platform. Gu Yue and Jing Shaoyu also summoned their spirits as the others activated theirs. Gu Yue's twin yellow rings sparked a faint cheer from the audience, but when Jing Shaoyu's rings appeared, the crowd went wild.

"Whoosh!" A pair of pure white wings appeared, followed by a glowing emerald ring. Jing Shaoyu's entire aura changed as a dense life force filled the air around him. The crowd felt like they were standing in a lush, ancient forest.

Purple! Two vibrant purple spirit rings encircled Jing Shaoyu, adding a layer of regality and power. His calm, composed gaze turned serious, and the atmosphere around him shifted to one of dominance and authority, exuding a sense of noble prestige.

The presence of his two thousand-year rings and his nearly level 30 power created a powerful pressure that hit Tang Wulin and Xie Xie like a tidal wave. Tang Wulin, at only level 12, felt the weight of it instantly, his face turning pale. Even Xie Xie, who was a great spirit master, struggled to move under the pressure, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"How is this possible? Two thousand-year rings!" Xie Xie was in shock. His pride shattered as he realized how much he had overestimated himself.

Even Wu Zhangkong, normally composed and aloof, couldn't hide his surprise. His gaze was riveted on Jing Shaoyu, and the sight of those two purple rings shook him to his core. Ye Yingluo, who had been watching him closely, noticed his reaction and felt a deep satisfaction.

Yet Wu Zhangkong paid no mind to anyone else; his entire focus was on Jing Shaoyu. A spirit master nearing the third ring at age nine, with two thousand-year rings and a spirit that could manipulate elemental energy—any one of these traits would mark someone as a prodigy. But to find them all in one person? Such talent was rarely seen, even at Shrek Academy.

Wu Zhangkong's normally steely heart wavered. He recalled memories of his past. If he could nurture Jing Shaoyu's talent and eventually send him to Shrek Academy, perhaps he could atone for the mistakes of his youth.

The crowd, too, was buzzing with excitement, everyone thrilled by the spectacle. Only a few people,such as Ouyang Zixin and other close acquaintances of Jing Shaoyu, remained unfazed.

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