Against Class 3

Ye Yingrong approached with a warm smile as Wu Zhangkong and the students from Class 5 arrived. "Teacher Wu, hello. I am Ye Yingrong, the head teacher of Class 3."

Wu Zhangkong nodded calmly, replying, "Hello."

Unfazed by Wu Zhangkong's reserved demeanor, Ye Yingrong signaled her Class 3 students to join. "Friendship first, competition second. They are all classmates in the same college. Be careful later, don't harm the students in Class 5," she advised her students.

"Yes," the triplets responded in unison.

The teaching director, Long Hengxu, arrived at the competition venue, immediately noticing the injured Xie Xie. "Teacher Wu, do you still want to send three people on the field?" he inquired.

Wu Zhangkong affirmed with a nod and directed Anping, Gu Yuena, and Tang Wulin, "You three, come on."

The trio approached the ring, positioning themselves in a perfect Zigzag formation. Tang Wulin took the front, with Anping and Gu Yuena flanking him on either side.

Ye Yingrong glanced at Wu Zhangkong's chosen three and said to her triplets, "You guys can go too."

Upon their teacher's instruction, the triplets from Class 3 gracefully stepped onto the stage, revealing an uncanny synchronicity in their movements.

As the triplets aligned side by side, Long Hengxu positioned himself in the middle of the ring, inquiring if both sides were ready. "The second game of the promotion competition, Class 5 of Grade 1 versus Class 3 of Grade 1, begins."

With the signal given, Long Hengxu stepped aside, and the triplets from Class 3 unfurled their martial spirits. Three pairs of wings emerged behind them simultaneously, setting the stage for the upcoming clash.

Three pristine white soul rings materialized beneath their feet, and with wings unfurled, the trio ascended simultaneously, soaring high into the sky.

Similarly, three individuals from Class 5 were called forth, prompting the emergence of five soul rings. Witnessing this, Ye Yingrong, the head teacher of Class 3, visibly recoiled. "How is this possible? Two two-ringed, century-old soul rings for Class 5?" she muttered incredulously.

Her hope wavered momentarily as she pondered the flying martial souls in her class. The students in Class 3 exchanged bewildered glances, engaging in a hushed conversation.

In the audience, Long Hengxu maintained his composed demeanor. He was privy to the information that Anping had been assigned to Class 5 by him, and Gu Yuena was directed to join by Wu Zhangkong.

Observing the trio in mid-air, Tang Wulin turned to Gu Yuena. "With the wind element's blessing, I can launch Anping upward with my strength, and he can bring them down."

Gu Yuena disagreed, "If they can fly, they'll descend when their soul power diminishes. Let's not engage on their terms."

Tang Wulin asserted, "I believe we should seize the initiative instead of waiting. We can't let them dictate the pace."

Anping echoed his sentiment, "They have air superiority. We shouldn't play to their strengths."

The triplets, cognizant of the soul power consumption of sustained flight, initiated a swift descent. Their ten-year-old white soul rings flickered as they executed speed-enhancing soul skills, targeting Anping.

As the first skill took effect, one of the triplets descended from the sky to the ground with remarkable speed, utilizing their advantage in a strategic maneuver.

The triplets' strategic choice to target Anping over Tang Wulin revealed their apprehension, a direct response to Tang Wulin's astounding display of power in the previous game. Anping, having not participated the day before, appeared to them as a more expendable substitute.

Observing this decision, Ye Yingrong, the head teacher of Class 3, silently nodded in understanding. She cast a discerning glance at Wu Zhangkong, but his inscrutable expression betrayed no hints. Xie Xie, stationed with Class 5, maintained a stoic silence.

"Be cautious, each handle one," Tang Wulin advised swiftly.

Gu Yuena shook her head resolutely. "No need."

Tang Wulin's concern heightened as he felt the frigid air enveloping them. Even without being an ice attribute soul master, the palpable fluctuations in the ice element disrupted his soul power perception.

Icicles materialized, soaring over the triplets' heads, then morphed swiftly to seal the airspace, creating a colossal ice birdcage that enclosed the four combatants. In the critical moment before the triplets made contact, Anping employed the flash technique, vanishing from their reach.

Witnessing this spectacle, the triplets exchanged glances and simultaneously attacked one of the icicles. With a resounding impact, the icicle held its ground, instilling a trace of despair in the triplets' eyes.

"Class 1, Grade 5, emerges victorious," Long Hengxu declared, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes, contemplating the capabilities of the second soul ring.

Even Ye Yingrong was taken aback. The outcome unfolded swiftly with just one round of engagement, catching her off guard. She cursed inwardly, unable to fathom how such formidable students ended up in Class 5.

Suppressing her dismay to maintain composure in front of her male idol, Ye Yingrong turned to Wu Zhangkong with a self-assured smile. "Congratulations, Teacher Wu. It seems you'll be taking over Class 3 now."

Wu Zhangkong glanced at Ye Yingrong coolly and remarked, "That's not my objective, Ying Rong." With those words, he turned away, leaving her standing there.

As Wu Zhangkong walked towards the dormitory building, Ye Yingrong muttered to herself, "Isn't that your goal? Indeed. With two second rings, only Class 1 could match their prowess."

Approaching Tang Wulin, Xie Xie expressed his sentiments with a touch of bitterness. "I really hope to recover soon. Despite undergoing treatment, the uncertainty of my healing and the possibility of missing out on playing linger. Unexpectedly, Anping stole the spotlight entirely, leaving me with no chance to shine."

Tang Wulin glanced at the departing Anping and Gu Yuena, shaking his head. "Indeed, the chances to showcase your skills were scarce. I'll have to put in more effort in the future."

Offering a reassuring pat on Tang Wulin's shoulder, Xie Xie affirmed, "Let's strive together."

"Strive together."

The following day's match against Class 2 garnered more attention due to the revelation of two second-ring soul masters in Class 5. Spectators sought confirmation of the rumors and sought entertainment.

Class 2, though boasting a century-old soul ring in their most formidable member, couldn't contend with the prowess of Class 5. The game concluded with Tang Wulin delivering the decisive blow, sending the last opponent tumbling off the ring.

Eager to assert himself, Tang Wulin took an active role in the battle, single-handedly dispatching two opponents, one of whom wielded a century-old soul ring.

Post-game, Tang Wulin intercepted Anping and Gu Yuena, halting their departure. "Anping, Gu Yuena, I have some matters to attend to in the forging room. Could you gather information on Class 1 for me? We're still in the dark about them, and I want to be well-prepared."