Chapter 26: Admit defeat?
Time flies. In the blink
of an eye, three months had already passed since Wu Changkong's attack!
Witnessing Wu Changkong's prowess,
the students in Class Five were exceptionally enthusiastic during training and cultivation, without a single complaint.
As a result of this diligent effort, the overall quality of Class Five continued to improve.
As students receiving special training from Wu Changkong, Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin made even more rapid progress.
First, in terms of their spirit power levels, after a month of training, all four had seen significant improvements.
Zhao Tao and Gu Yue's spirit power increased by two levels, reaching levels 19 and 17, respectively.
As for Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, their spirit power levels increased by one level, reaching levels 19 and 12, respectively.
Beyond their spirit power, Wu Changkong's practical training and guidance also fostered a deeper and more harmonious teamwork among the four.
Under Zhao Tao's organization and command, they developed a set of effective tactics.
After undergoing specialized training and developing a comrade-like bond, the atmosphere among the four of them became much more lively.
Gu Yue, in particular, had largely opened up to Zhao Tao's deliberate care,
often smiling when speaking to him.
While still far from romantic, they were already considered friends.
However, when facing Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, Gu Yue maintained her aloof demeanor, as if they were from a different world.
Of course, after spending time together, Gu Yue's hostility towards humans had subsided considerably.
Finally, the time for the promotion tournament arrived.
To avoid disrupting classes, the tournament would be held every afternoon after class.
To prepare for the tournament, a 100-meter-diameter arena constructed from heavy metal plates was constructed on the playground of the East Sea Academy Intermediate Department.
Soul guides were installed around the arena to generate a soul shield, preventing the aftermath of the battle from affecting the academy.
The bell rang, and students from First Grade Class 4 and First Grade Class 5 arrived on the playground.
As for the other spectators, there weren't many, after all, this was just a match between lower grades.
"Now, the first match of the promotion tournament officially begins. First Grade Class 5 challenges First Grade Class 4!"
"Teacher Wu Changkong, please confirm the number of participants!"
Referee Long Hengxu stepped onto the stage and announced the start of the match, his eyes filled with anticipation.
After all, he wanted to know the true strength of the students Wu Changkong had dedicated himself to protecting and training!
"Three people from my class will participate,"
Wu Changkong replied calmly.
As Wu Changkong finished speaking, Zhao Tao, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie took the stage.
This match was the result of a four-person discussion.
Against the weakest enemy, it gave Tang Wulin, the substitute, a chance to play and experience the true power of a fighting spirit.
It also served to preserve their strength for the upcoming matches.
"Jia Long, Lin Zunyuan, and Moss, you three, go!"
Seeing that Wu Changkong had already selected the contestants, Kong Hanwen, the head teacher of Class 4, Grade 1, also sent out his own class.
"Both teams are fifty meters apart. Ready, go!"
Seeing both teams ready, Long Hengxu gave the order, announcing the start of the match.
The next moment, Zhao Tao, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin each lunged at their respective opponents.
The ensuing battle was naturally devastating.
Summoning the Time Burial Sword, Zhao Tao struck with a single blow, easily dispatching the opposing team's captain, Jia Long, a powerful attack-type spirit master possessing the War Wolf spirit.
The display of his Millennium Spirit Ring instantly became the center of attention, drawing gasps of astonishment!
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin's performances were equally impressive!
Wielding the Light Dragon Dagger, Xie Xie flashed, almost in a flash, to close in on the opposing support-type spirit master, Lin Zunyuan.
Facing a close-range attacking spirit master, Lin Zunyuan, a support-type spirit master, was naturally powerless. Xie Xie struck him with the end of the Light Dragon Dagger, and he was subsequently eliminated. Meanwhile,
the last member of Class Four, Grade One, Moss, whose martial spirit also consisted of a dagger, but whose spirit power was only level 13, was targeted by Tang Wulin.
Although his spirit power was inferior to Moss's, Tang Wulin's battle was equally impressive. He used his "Entangle" spirit skill to bind Moss, then dispatched him with a single punch.
The entire battle was a truly devastating success, with Zhao Tao and the other three securing victory in less than five seconds.
"First Grade Class 5 wins and advances to First Grade Class 4. Tomorrow, they'll face First Grade Class 3!"
Watching this scene, Long Hengxu announced the results without hesitation.
"Yeah, we won!"
Tang Wulin leaped for joy at his first victory.
In previous combat training, despite the combined efforts of the four, Zhao Tao and the others were easily overpowered by Wu Changkong.
And now, Tang Wulin finally tasted the sweetness of victory.
"Brother Tao, Teacher Wu's training is truly effective!"
"Three months ago, I would have easily defeated my opponent, but it certainly wouldn't have been this easy!"
Xie Xie, standing nearby, was equally delighted, his admiration for Wu Changkong growing even deeper.
"This is just the first battle, nothing to be proud of. We'll keep working hard!"
Zhao Tao smiled faintly, watching the excited Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.
If this were his first time traveling through time and defeating a powerful opponent, he might have shared Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's excitement.
But at this moment, Zhao Tao's heart was as calm as water.
After all, he knew his ultimate enemy in the future wouldn't be a few mere Great Spirit Masters.
It was Tang Hao and Ah Yin, the Lords and Cores of the Planes, and the divine consciousness of Sea God Tang San.
He needed to become stronger, and he must become stronger!
Only in this way could he redeem himself, Na'er and Gu Yue, and even the entire Douluo Continent!
...
In the blink of an eye, it was the next afternoon.
The match against Class 3, Grade 1, began as scheduled!
And according to the agreed-upon tactics, Tang Wulin, the substitute
, would not play. Gu Yue, Zhao Tao, and Xie Xie took the stage one after another.
Their opponents were quite unique: three nearly identical twin brothers—Gu Tianri, Gu Tianyue, and Gu Tianming!
Like them, each possessed the Skyhawk, a bird-like martial spirit renowned for its speed and flight.
As Long Hengxu announced the start of the battle, the three of them simultaneously chose to possess their spirits. Almost simultaneously, a pair of gray wings appeared behind them, and they soared into the air.
"Zhao Tao, I admit that you, Team Five, are formidable, but we're in the sky. You can't attack us at all. Just wait for the challenge time to run out and admit defeat!"
Looking at Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie on the ground, the leader of the three, Gu Tianming, taunted with a smug smile