"Wu Lin."
"You must stay rational."
Tang Luochuan wore an expression torn between laughter and exasperation.
Since when had his usually well-behaved younger brother started teasing and poking fun at his elder brother like this?
The next day.
"Today's theoretical lesson is about mechas..."
"Class dismissed."
"After school, Gu Yue, Tang Luochuan, Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, Wei Xiaofeng, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin—follow me."
In the classroom, Wu Zhangkong's gaze settled on the group led by Tang Luochuan.
With that, he headed straight for a training room in the teaching building.
"Hmm... Huh?"
"Teacher, you wanted to see us?"
Tang Luochuan approached, with Gu Yue by his side, as the group expressed their confusion.
"I called you here regarding the advancement tournament. After all, you're the strongest in the class."
Wu Zhangkong got straight to the point as he looked at the group before him.
Naturally, Grand Soul Masters like Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue needed no explanation. Even Tang Wulin had proven his strength by defeating Xie Xie, an 18th-rank Soul Master. They were all top-tier geniuses.
"You've likely heard already—we can challenge higher grades. Our goal is to fight our way up to fifth grade and become Class One of fifth grade."
Wu Zhangkong spoke plainly. If they were going to compete, they had to do so with real momentum, showcasing their true talents.
Even fifth grade wouldn't be anything special.
"Two months from now, in the advancement tournament, the main team will consist of Tang Luochuan, Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi, with Wei Xiaofeng, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin as support."
"Yes, Teacher."
No one objected to this arrangement.
Naturally, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, as the only two non-Grand Soul Masters present, would play more of a supporting role than a primary one.
Though Wei Xiaofeng was somewhat unwilling to be secondary to Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi, he knew full well he couldn't compare to them.
Those two...
They possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!
"However, in the lower-grade matches, Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue won't participate. Tang Wulin and Xie Xie can take the field—this is the fastest way for you to improve: through combat."
Wu Zhangkong's words earned the group's agreement. With Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue's cultivation levels, they could effortlessly dominate any match before fourth grade.
But for the two younger brothers who weren't Grand Soul Masters, combat would still be immensely beneficial.
"Before that, though..."
"Let's address your individual issues first."
Wu Zhangkong's penetrating gaze swept over them. Everyone except Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue felt as if they were being stared down by a fierce lion.
"Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, you two..."
"No issues."
Looking in their direction, even Wu Zhangkong couldn't find the slightest fault.
These two were like natural-born monsters.
"Tang Luochuan's Golden Dragon King is truly the king among dragons. I've never seen such an extraordinary Martial Soul. Though I am curious..."
"What exactly is the Elementalist Martial Soul? A mutated variant capable of wielding elemental powers?"
Wu Zhangkong spoke slowly.
"That's correct."
"My first Soul Skill is called Elemental Control—just as the name suggests, it allows me to manipulate elemental forces..."
"Ice, fire, earth, wind—the seven primary elements."
Gu Yue nodded, and in her hands, various elements appeared one by one as she spoke slowly.
"..."
Wu Zhangkong's face was filled with astonishment.
Although he had long speculated about the abilities of her Martial Soul, witnessing it firsthand still left him deeply surprised. Multi-elemental control—how terrifying was that?
For others, even possessing a Martial Soul with two elements was already a rare occurrence, let alone mastering a full seven elements. It was nothing short of horrifying.
[Detected that your friend Gu Yue's Elementalist Martial Soul possesses elemental power. Host is specially granted Full Elemental Affinity.]
[All elements will become your most amiable companions, silently aiding you in your endeavors.]
At this moment, the system's voice suddenly rang out.
"Full Elemental Affinity?"
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan's lips curled into a faint smile. Elemental power was not uncommon, but with such an ability, his future development would undoubtedly be even brighter.
"One more thing—Gu Yue's Martial Soul has a high compatibility with mine. In the future, we might even develop a Martial Soul Fusion Skill..."
Tang Luochuan added calmly.
"Hmm?"
"Luo Chuan, you're even answering for me now."
Gu Yue chuckled playfully.
This Luo Chuan...
Now he's even answering for me!
"They could develop a Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
Hearing this, everyone's faces were filled with unmistakable shock—even Wu Zhangkong was no exception.
Two prodigies, both with nearly thirty levels of Soul Power at the age of nine—if these two could also form a Martial Soul Fusion...
It would become a legendary tale for the ages!
And...
"One, the King of Dragons; the other, the Master of Elements. Combining these two—I can't even imagine what that would look like..."
Wu Zhangkong couldn't help but inhale sharply.
The situation with these two once again shattered his understanding!
"Wei Xiaofeng."
"Your Martial Soul is the Azure Shadow Serpent, and your Soul Skills lean toward the Control System. There's no issue there..."
"Zhang Yangzi, your Spirit Dark Magic Eagle is an excellent Power Attack System flying Martial Soul. Paired with your cultivation, it's already quite formidable. Next, focus on further refining your Martial Soul."
"Wang Jinxi, your Martial Soul's quality surpasses Zhang Yangzi's, and its potential is even greater. I hope you cherish it."
"And the connection between you all—I believe it will always be your greatest trump card. I won't ask you to demonstrate it now."
Turning his gaze toward Wang Jinxi, Wu Zhangkong gave him a deep look as he spoke.
The quality of his Martial Soul was also among the finest of dragons. Though it might pale in comparison to Tang Luochuan's, across the entire Douluo Continent, it was still an extraordinary top-tier Martial Soul.
Coupled with a Martial Soul Fusion Skill...
This was an overwhelmingly powerful top-tier Martial Soul.
"Yes, Teacher."
Listening to Wu Zhangkong's analysis, the three nodded earnestly, having no objections.
"Next is Xie Xie."
"I can sense that your Twin Martial Souls seem to have significant drawbacks. In this era, absorbing Soul Spirits is already limited by spiritual power, making it difficult for Twin Martial Soul possessors to leverage their advantage—let alone yours, where..."
Wu Zhangkong's expression turned pensive. Any combination of Twin Martial Souls was manageable, but having two Martial Souls—both daggers—was...
This truly was a unique case.
"Teacher, you're absolutely right about this..."
Xie Xie forced a bitter smile, utterly baffled by his own situation. Other people's twin Martial Souls were far better than his!
These twin Martial Souls... offered no advantages whatsoever. Even his cultivation speed lagged behind others, trailing several levels behind even Zhang Yangzi and the others.
The most frustrating part was how abstract his drawback was—he had to absorb a Soul Spirit for both Martial Souls just to break through to the next realm. Was this even a twin Martial Soul?
"Finally, regarding Tang Wulin..."
"Your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul is a benign mutation, but it seems there's another Martial Soul within you, correct?"
Wu Zhangkong turned his gaze toward Tang Wulin and spoke slowly.
"Yes, Teacher. As I mentioned before, I often dream of a giant dragon—one that resembles Brother's Martial Soul, yet not quite the same..."
Tang Wulin answered earnestly.
"Your immense strength likely stems from that dragon. The question is how to truly awaken it."
Wu Zhangkong wore a troubled expression. If a Martial Soul wasn't innately awakened, doing so later would be far more difficult.
Meanwhile, Tang Luochuan observed the scene, his mind suddenly stirring with realization. He abruptly remembered...
How had Wu Lin's bloodline been activated in the original story?
If he recalled correctly... wasn't it Xie Xie who... stabbed him?
"Xie Xie."
In an instant, Tang Luochuan turned to the latter.
"What's up, Boss?"
Xie Xie blinked in confusion.
"Do exactly as I say."
"Got it."
"Release your Martial Soul, then stab Wu Lin."
"Sure, sure, I'll stab—"
"Wait—what?!"
"Boss, what did you just say?!"
Xie Xie's eyes widened in shock upon hearing the command. As for Tang Wulin, the would-be victim, his face was a picture of utter bewilderment.
Brother...
Is this really okay?!
(End of Chapter)