Chapter 48: Reflection

"We...we actually did it!" Xie Xie's mouth hung open in shock as he watched the screen.

Wang Jinxi and Tang Wulin wore equally stunned expressions. They had faced the Man-Faced Demon Spider firsthand and knew how strong and terrifying it was. Yet somehow, Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan had taken it down with apparent ease. It was clear to them now that the gap between themselves and Jing Shaoyu, as well as Gu Yue, was much wider than they had realized.

Yes—"ease" was the right word. To everyone watching from the control room, Jing Shaoyu's team had defeated the thousand-year Man-Faced Demon Spider without much effort. Against the relentless onslaught from the trio, the spider hadn't managed to mount much of a defense.

A brilliant smile spread across Long Hengxu's face. What a relief! These three had truly brought honor to the academy.

Wu Zhangkong's expression remained calm, though a barely noticeable twitch at the corner of his mouth hinted at his satisfaction with their performance.

Watching from another room, a beautiful woman with an enchanting smile also seemed quite taken with Jing Shaoyu. She murmured to herself, "Interesting little fellow! And that girl—so adept with multiple elements. Fascinating."

Inside the Spirit Ascension Platform, Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan gathered, all breathing a sigh of relief.

"Phew! I was so scared!" Xu Xiaoyan clung to Jing Shaoyu's arm, still looking shaken. "I thought that spider was going to eat me."

"It's okay," Jing Shaoyu reassured her, patting her back gently. "It's gone now. We took it down together, right? Nothing to worry about anymore."

"What should we do now?" Gu Yue asked, her gaze cold as she glanced at Xu Xiaoyan, who was clinging to Jing Shaoyu. An ambiguous emotion stirred within her.

"Brother Shaoyu, let's stop for today," Xu Xiaoyan suggested in a small voice.

"Stop?" Jing Shaoyu was momentarily surprised, then looked at Gu Yue for her opinion.

"I don't mind," Gu Yue replied calmly. "I'm out of energy."

"Alright," Jing Shaoyu agreed reluctantly. He would have preferred to continue, but seeing the girls' condition, he conceded.

After Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue activated their distress beacons and exited the Spirit Ascension Platform, Jing Shaoyu absorbed the remaining spirit power from the Man-Faced Demon Spider and also exited.

As he emerged from the cold metal capsule, he was greeted by the gazes of the others in the room. Unfazed, he left the capsule without reacting to their stares.

After a brief rest, Wu Zhangkong led Class Zero back to East Sea Academy.

In their classroom, Wu Zhangkong stood expressionlessly at the front, while the seven students sat below, each reacting differently.

"Now that you've all had your first Spirit Ascension Platform experience, what are your thoughts?" Wu Zhangkong asked.

Zhang Yangzi stood up first, offering a self-assessment. "Teacher Wu, I was too reckless. I shouldn't have flown openly in the forest."

Wu Zhangkong replied coolly, "You should be grateful this was the Spirit Ascension Platform. If this had been real, you'd be dead without even knowing why. Always stay vigilant—this should be a lasting lesson for you."

"Yes, Teacher Wu." Zhang Yangzi's face grew solemn as he nodded.

"Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi—anything you'd like to add?" Wu Zhangkong continued, his voice cold.

The three boys immediately stood, looking ashamed and regretful.

"Xie Xie, as an agility-type spirit master, you neglected your duty to scout. Not only that, but you were the first to fall in battle. It seems I've gone too easy on you in training," Wu Zhangkong chided.

"Teacher Wu, I…" Xie Xie's face fell, a mixture of frustration and helplessness in his expression.

Ignoring Xie Xie's reaction, Wu Zhangkong turned to Tang Wulin and Wang Jinxi. "Tang Wulin, tell me—what kind of spirit master are you?"

"I…a control-type," Tang Wulin stammered, his voice lacking confidence.

"Oh, really?" Wu Zhangkong responded coolly. "A control-type, you say? From how you fought, I thought you were a power-type spirit master, just like Wang Jinxi. Losing control in battle—it seems your Golden Dragon bloodline is clouding your judgment. Starting tomorrow, you're not allowed to use your bloodline power in training without my permission."

"Yes, Teacher Wu." Tang Wulin nodded dejectedly.

"And Wang Jinxi," Wu Zhangkong continued, "why did you lose focus during the battle? In a life-or-death situation, you failed to give it your full attention. What were you thinking?"

"Teacher Wu, I…" Wang Jinxi hesitated, feeling somewhat wronged. "I got distracted because of Wulin."

"Me?" Tang Wulin asked, puzzled.

"What about Tang Wulin?" Wu Zhangkong's gaze sharpened. He had expected better from Wang Jinxi and would reconsider his place in Class Zero if his answer wasn't satisfactory.

"My spirit was affected by Tang Wulin's aura while we fought side by side. It changed somehow, and I was trying to understand it—that's why I got distracted," Wang Jinxi explained.

"Your spirit was affected by his aura?" Wu Zhangkong's expression shifted, the anger in his eyes replaced by curiosity. "Fine. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. See me in my office afterward, along with Tang Wulin."

"Yes, Teacher Wu," Wang Jinxi nodded, stealing a quick glance at Tang Wulin.

"Got it," Tang Wulin replied, glancing back at Wang Jinxi as well.

Finally, Wu Zhangkong turned his attention to Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan. He was especially pleased with Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue's performance, though he started with Xu Xiaoyan.

"Xu Xiaoyan, if you want to become a powerful spirit master and avoid being a burden to others, you must learn to be strong and independent," Wu Zhangkong advised. "Only with a strong heart can true strength follow."

"I understand, Teacher Wu," Xu Xiaoyan murmured, bowing her head slightly.

"Good. Take a seat," Wu Zhangkong said, uncertain whether Xu Xiaoyan had fully taken his words to heart. He could only offer his guidance; the rest was up to her.

Wu Zhangkong then looked at Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue. "Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue—well done."

There was little more to add; their performance had been exemplary. Even Gu Yue, usually aloof and indifferent to teamwork, had worked well with Jing Shaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan in facing the Man-Faced Demon Spider.

Wu Zhangkong addressed the group once more. "Starting today, you are officially a team. Jing Shaoyu is your leader, with Gu Yue as vice-leader. That's all—dismissed."

A team?

The students' reactions varied as they absorbed this somewhat expected announcement. None of them objected, though; Class Zero had only seven students, the perfect number for a standard team composition with strength, agility, control, and support roles all covered.

There was also no dispute about the leadership assignments. Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue's abilities were well-proven, and no one felt inclined to challenge their positions.

As Wu Zhangkong left the classroom, Tang Wulin and Wang Jinxi followed after him.

Xie Xie sighed. "Why is my luck so terrible?"

"Hey, I'm the one who had it worse," Zhang Yangzi added, looking equally frustrated.

"Oh, please! All you faced was a flock of green eagles. I was up against a Man-Faced Demon Spider!" Xie Xie replied, a hint of fear still in his voice. "Do you even know how terrifying that spider was?"

"'Only' a flock of eagles?" Zhang Yangzi retorted, annoyed. "Sure, the spider was scary, but our class leader avenged you, didn't he? He and his team took down that spider for you."

"Heh," Xie Xie grinned, then turned to Xu Xiaoyan. "Xiaoyan, what was it like going up against that spider?"

"What was it like?" Xu Xiaoyan blinked innocently. "Nothing, really."

"Seriously?" Xie Xie couldn't quite believe her but, seeing that she was unwilling to say more, he could only shrug. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter now—the spider's gone."

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