The Reunion of Class Zero Students
Yao Xuan's hand lingered for a moment in the air where Gu Yue's silver hair had been, then lowered to his side. The simple act of touch, the gentle stroke against her forehead, had been enough. Words were one thing, but the physical reassurance—the proof of tenderness without demand—spoke to both the logical observer and the remembered child within her.
"There's no need for apologies between us," he said softly, his gaze steady on her violet eyes. "If something feels wrong, we talk. Keeping it inside lets small shadows grow. I'd rather have your questions than your silence, Gu Yue."
He saw the conflict in her eyes resolve, the tension in her jaw easing. The Silver Dragon King's wariness and Na'er's simple need for security both found an answer in his direct, gentle honesty.
"I understand," she replied, her voice firmer now, a decision made. It was a promise to try, a step towards bridging the gap between her calculated mission and her genuine heart.
With a final, small nod, Yao Xuan turned and left, the door sighing shut behind him. He leaned against the cool wall of his own room for a moment, the ghost of her hair against his fingers. The complexity of her, of them, was a challenge he embraced utterly.
A short while later, a familiar, energetic knock rattled his door.
"Brother Xuan! I'm back!"
Yao Xuan opened it to find Tang Wulin beaming, his face tanned slightly from travel, his eyes bright with shared adventure. The boy practically vibrated with renewed energy.
"Wulin. Good to see you." Yao Xuan clapped him on the shoulder, the gesture firm and brotherly. As he did, he subtly activated his [Eye of Observation]. The data streamed in: Soul Power, level 19. Physique, robust but stable, no signs of seal-breaking strain. The Golden Dragon King's prison was still intact. 'Good. The timeline is bending, not breaking. He advances, but on a safer path.'
"I went to Heaven Dou City with Teacher Wu! Saw so many new things! And look—I broke through to level 19!" Tang Wulin announced, puffing his chest out just a little.
"That's excellent progress," Yao Xuan praised, his smile genuine. "A Great Soul Master title is within your grasp. Keep it up." He listened as Tang Wulin chattered about his trip, then answered the inevitable question about his own vacation.
"Heaven Dou City as well, coincidentally. I stayed with Gu Yue's family. They… introduced me to the Spirit Pagoda. I've joined formally." He kept his tone matter-of-fact.
Tang Wulin's face fell for a split second, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. "Oh… so you can't join the Tang Sect with Xie Xie and me, then."
Yao Xuan shook his head, his expression reassuring. "Different paths for different people, Wulin. The Spirit Pagoda aligns with my needs. And Gu Yue is there." He placed a hand on the younger boy's shoulder again. "It doesn't change that we're classmates, brothers in Zero Squad. We have the same goal: Shrek Academy. That's what matters."
The logic and the affirmation of their bond worked. Tang Wulin's smile returned, if slightly wistful. "You're right, Brother Xuan. We're still together now."
Later, Yao Xuan led Tang Wulin to meet Xu Xiaoyan. The introduction was polite and brief. When Xie Xie returned half an hour later, his lanky frame somehow seeming more focused, the process was repeated. Xie Xie, now at level 23, gave the new girl a cursory, assessing glance—more curious about a potential rival than anything else—before offering a sharp nod. The dynamic of their small class had shifted, a new variable introduced.
The next morning's opening ceremony was a blur of familiar routine. Dean Yu Zhen's voice echoed across the playground, a drone of encouragement and expectation. Finally, Class Zero was back in their sparse, dedicated classroom.
Wu Changkong stood before them, his presence like a cold blade in the room. His eyes pinned Xu Xiaoyan. "Introduce yourself. Properly."
The girl stood, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "M-my name is Xu Xiaoyan. I'm nine years old. My martial soul is the Star Wheel Ice Staff. My soul power is level seventeen." Her voice gained strength as she spoke, defiance pushing back against her nervousness.
Wu Changkong's gaze swept across the others. "You've met. She has a one-month assessment period. Her performance determines her future here." The statement was devoid of warmth, a simple fact. "Now, after a month of laxity, I need to see what remains of your discipline and what you've gained. Half an hour to meditate and center yourselves. Xu Xiaoyan, you as well. Then, the testing room."
The half-hour passed in profound silence, broken only by the soft rhythm of breathing. Then, they moved.
In the testing room, machines hummed. Tang Wulin's punches against the impact meter showed solid growth. Xie Xie's speed on the reaction track was a blur of controlled grace. Xu Xiaoyan's results were middling for strength and speed, but the scan of her spiritual power made Wu Changkong's eyebrow twitch—higher than Xie Xie's. A point of interest.
Yao Xuan and Gu Yue did not participate in the physical stress tests. The academy's equipment wasn't built for the quiet monstrosity of their base strength. Instead, Wu Changkong directed them to the spiritual resonance scanners.
The results made the stoic teacher stare. 368 for Yao Xuan. 373 for Gu Yue. Such leaps, without the telltale signs of dangerous forcing… it defied normal convention. He sensed their auras again, deep and stable as abyssal lakes. Not flawed, just… profound.
"Hmph." He grunted, the sound almost impressed. "It seems your winter was not entirely wasted." He looked at the five of them—the steadfast Tang Wulin, the sharp Xie Xie, the unknown quantity Xu Xiaoyan, and the two enigmas at the center of it all. "The academy board is eager for a return on their investment. In two months, the East Sea Alliance Grand Competition begins. Class Zero will participate. It will be your first real test as a unit against external peers. Do not embarrass yourselves."
A new goal was set. A trial by combat, not just survival. Yao Xuan felt a surge of anticipation. He glanced at Gu Yue. Her eyes met his, and in their violet depths, he saw not worry, but a cool, shared resolve. This was a step on their path, a challenge to be faced together.
The message was a silent pulse of confirmation. As they filed out of the testing room, the rhythms of training and camaraderie settling back into place, Yao Xuan knew the quiet interlude was over. The next chapter was about to be written, not in the halls of Dragon Castle, but in the proving grounds of their peers, with her by his side.