The next morning.
"My cultivation level increased by one rank?"
Upon waking up, Tang Ziran touched his head in bewilderment, unable to help muttering to himself.
It might sound a bit unbelievable, but ever since returning yesterday, he had felt the Soul Power within his body become unusually active, as if on the verge of a breakthrough.
Leveling up just by sleeping…
Could something like this really happen to him?
Meanwhile, on the commercial street of Eastsea City, Tang Luochuan, who was with Gu Yue, also wore a look of confusion.
"Gu Yue."
"What's wrong with you today?"
Tang Luochuan tugged at Gu Yue beside him and couldn't help but ask.
Today, she was acting very strangely.
This wasn't just his imagination—ever since he met her earlier, Gu Yue's usually calm face had been tinged with a gloominess that was completely unlike her usual self.
Not to mention the sense of distance she was giving off—this was definitely not how she normally behaved!
"I'm fine."
Gu Yue turned her head away, feigning indifference.
"Is that so…"
Tang Luochuan smiled helplessly. Only a fool would believe that.
But judging by how tight-lipped Gu Yue was about the reason for her mood, comforting her seemed impossible right now.
"Do you want to eat something…"
Tang Luochuan's gaze drifted to the side, where a vendor was selling candied hawthorns. Na'er loved sweets like these—sometimes, eating one would cheer her up when she was upset.
He wondered if Gu Yue would…
"Eating…"
"All you think about is eating."
"Glutton!"
However, upon hearing this, Gu Yue's expression stiffened, as if she had latched onto a keyword, and she snorted lightly.
Eat, eat, eat…
That's all he ever thinks about!
"Huh?"
Tang Luochuan was momentarily stunned by her words.
While it was true that those with dragon bloodlines absorbed energy quickly—his younger brother Wu Lin was a prime example—his own appetite was nothing out of the ordinary.
Sure, he could eat a fair amount, but compared to Wu Lin, who could down a hundred steamed buns in one go, he was practically restrained. For a moment, he pondered—was Gu Yue so angry that she was just spouting nonsense now?
"Gu Yue."
"Let me ask you something…"
Tang Luochuan hesitated, then looked at her and cautiously ventured.
"Hm?"
"Go ahead."
Gu Yue looked puzzled but nodded anyway.
"You're not… on your period, are you?"
Tang Luochuan asked warily, because even he didn't know at what age girls in this world typically started having theirs.
"?"
"You're the one on your period!"
Gu Yue froze for a second before snapping angrily, then turned and walked away without another word, leaving Tang Luochuan standing there in confusion.
So that wasn't it… but it really felt like…
She was acting like she was on her period.
"Gu Yue, slow down."
"Wait for me."
Tang Luochuan shook his head and quickly chased after her. Whether she was on her period or not…
He still had to find a way to cheer her up!
"…"
"Hmph."
Before long, Gu Yue was walking beside him again.
In her hand was a candied hawthorn skewer that Tang Luochuan had bought—the very same one she had sternly refused earlier, accusing him of only thinking about food.
It wasn't that she had forgiven him—she just figured it would be a waste not to eat it since he had already bought it for her.
"In the future…"
"You'll keep your distance from other girls, right?"
As they walked, Gu Yue suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Tang Luochuan was taken aback before responding.
"None of your business..."
"If you dare to get this close with other girls too."
Gu Yue snorted coldly and took a fierce bite of her candied hawthorn skewer. If he dared, she'd deal with them just like she was handling this skewer—by...
"..."
Two days later.
Donghai Academy, Class Zero.
"You've all performed excellently in the previous exams. Now, what remains is the final segment of your end-term assessment."
Wu Zhangkong looked at the group before him as he spoke slowly.
"Teacher Wu, what exactly is this final exam about?"
Tang Wulin's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Not just him—Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and the others also wore puzzled expressions. This question had been bothering them for far too long.
"We're going to a place similar to the Spirit Ascension Platform at the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, yet different."
"Once we arrive, you'll get your answers."
Wu Zhangkong smiled faintly as he explained.
"Alright."
The group followed Wu Zhangkong out of Class Zero, then out of the campus, boarding a bus headed toward the outskirts of Donghai City.
"We're here."
After disembarking in the suburbs, Wu Zhangkong led them into a vast compound, stopping before a building where he pressed his hand against a window.
"Well, well, if it isn't little Zhangkong."
"It's been a while since you last visited."
A projection suddenly appeared, greeting him with a chuckle.
"Open the door."
Wu Zhangkong remained impassive, his voice cold.
"Fine."
With a soft click, the glass doors of the building silently slid open to both sides. He then guided them to a room.
Instead of entering immediately, Wu Zhangkong retrieved seven wristbands from his Soul Guidance Device.
"Put these on."
"Once you step inside, the assessment begins."
He handed out the wristbands one by one as he spoke.
"Teacher Wu, this..."
Xie Xie couldn't hold back his confusion. Where were they? What exactly was their exam about?
They knew nothing.
"I'll tell you where this is once you pass the test. As I mentioned earlier, it's similar to the Spirit Ascension Platform—you'll be transported to another space upon entering."
A faint smile played on Wu Zhangkong's otherwise calm face as he deliberately kept them in suspense.
"But I must warn you—you'll be facing top-tier geniuses, individuals whose achievements have left indelible marks in history."
"There have been many geniuses, but only a select few have been remembered through the ages. Even you might not be able to defeat them at their prime."
"Alright."
"It's time for you to go in now."
Wu Zhangkong's expression remained composed as he spoke.
"Is that so..."
Tang Wulin's eyes gleamed with intrigue. In their eyes, Teacher Wu was the epitome of reliability. Challenging legendary figures of the past...
After fastening his wristband, he followed the others inside, wondering what kind of opponent awaited him.
"I wonder what Teacher Wu..."
"has in store for me."
Tang Luochuan also wore a smile, his tone brimming with interest.
"..."
"Test difficulty: Advanced."
"Number of test participants: seven."
"Retrieving data..."
As soon as everyone entered the room, the door abruptly closed, followed by a mechanical announcement.
"Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one!"
"Begin!"
Seven beams of blue light descended without warning from above, instantly landing on Tang Luochuan and the others. In a flash of blue, the group vanished without a trace.
"..."
"First-time test participant, welcome to the Hall of Heroes."
"Tang Luochuan, age ten."
"First test, difficulty: advanced."
"Current first round, duration: one minute."
When Tang Luochuan opened his eyes again, he found himself in a peculiar space. A man with golden hair suddenly appeared before him.
Beside the man, three glowing Soul Rings shimmered—yellow, yellow, purple—the optimal configuration.
"This is..."
"Dai Mubai?"
Tang Luochuan was momentarily stunned, clearly recognizing the figure. A gradually unsettling smile spread across his face. Hold out for three minutes?
This Dai Mubai wouldn't last three minutes against him.
"This is..."
Meanwhile, Tang Wulin stared at the person before him, feeling an immediate sense of familiarity. Why did he look so much like...
That damned Old Tang?
Though he knew it was wrong to judge by appearances, Tang Wulin couldn't help but instinctively clench his fists, the hateful face of Old Tang flashing in his mind once more.
"Blue Silver Entanglement!"
Before he could finish his thoughts, the two Soul Rings around the opponent flared brightly, and clusters of Blue Silver Grass abruptly manifested in his hands.
"This guy also has Blue Silver Grass?"
Tang Wulin was even more taken aback, not expecting the examiner to share his Martial Soul while bearing such a striking resemblance.
"Dark Gold Terrorclaw!"
Without hesitation, he unleashed his Blue Silver Grass like whips, while his right hand readied the Dark Gold Terrorclaw.
"Test duration: three minutes..."
"Think you can handle it?"
Tang Wulin snorted coldly, his expression resolute.
One ring against two rings.
The advantage was his.
(End of Chapter)