News of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition
Wu Changkong's departure left a charged quiet in the training room, broken only by the faint hum of the stabilizing soul guides. His final instructions hung in the air—a promise of grueling, tri-daily trials to come.
Xu Xiaoyan was the first to move, her earlier nervousness transformed into vibrant awe. She practically bounced over to where Yao Xuan and Gu Yue stood, their hands still loosely linked. "Class Monitor! Sister Gu Yue! That was… that was incredible! You actually matched Teacher Wu!" Her eyes were wide, shining with a mixture of admiration and nascent determination.
Yao Xuan, feeling the lingering fatigue in his muscles and the warm, steadying pressure of Gu Yue's fingers against his, offered a modest smile. He ran his free hand through his hair in a slightly abashed gesture. "Our martial souls have some… unique synergies. But you saw the principle. Coordination, timing, using each other's strengths. That's what matters. You'll get there with hard work, Xu Xiaoyan." His encouragement was genuine, his tone warm but devoid of any condescension.
"I will! I'll work super hard!" Xu Xiaoyan vowed, clenching her small fists.
Tang Wulin, ever the pragmatist, clapped his hands together. "Speaking of work, it's almost lunch. Let's head to the cafeteria. We can show Xiaoyan around on the way." He grinned. "And maybe strategize over some food."
The suggestion was met with agreement. As they walked, the dynamic was clear: Yao Xuan and Gu Yue naturally at the center, a quiet, cohesive unit. Tang Wulin fell into step beside Xu Xiaoyan, pointing out buildings and training fields with easy familiarity. Xie Xie lingered slightly apart, his sharp eyes thoughtful, mentally replaying the earlier battle, dissecting every move.
Meanwhile, in Wu Changkong's office…
The atmosphere was one of bureaucratic pragmatism. Long Hengxu stood before Wu Changkong's stark desk, his posture slightly deferential but his words carrying the weight of the academy's administration.
"Teacher Wu, the board understands the value of Class Zero. The progress is undeniable. But value must be… demonstrated. To the public. To prospective students and their families." Long Hengxu chose his words carefully, watching the impassive face of the swordsman.
Wu Changkong leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking. His frosty eyes regarded the director without blinking. "Get to the point, Director Long."
Long Hengxu cleared his throat. "The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition. It commences in one month. The academy wishes to enter Class Zero. There are no ranking mandates, but they must… perform. Make an impression. Win the crowd, if not necessarily every match. The 'Outstanding Newcomer' or 'Outstanding Newcomer Group' awards are the stated goals." He laid a folder on the desk. "All relevant information is here."
To his surprise, Wu Changkong's lips quirked, not in a smile, but in an expression of keen interest. He reached forward and pulled the folder toward him. "Practical combat against external peers. An excellent training opportunity. I accept."
The relief that washed over Long Hengxu was palpable. "Thank you for your understanding, Teacher Wu! The academy will, of course, provide all necessary support—"
"There are conditions," Wu Changkong interjected, his voice slicing through the pleasantries. "The children's physical development is paramount. Their dietary requirements must be elevated. Donghai City sits on an ocean. I want a regimen incorporating the highest-grade, most spirit-nourishing seafood available—Deep Sea Mermaid Scalefin, Abyssal Glimmerclaw, Spirit-Whale Blubber. Daily. The cost will be significant. Convey this to the dean."
Long Hengxu blinked, momentarily stunned by the specificity and audacity of the demand. Then, he nodded rapidly, scribbling a note. "I—I will present the request. Forcefully."
"See that you do." Wu Changkong's attention had already returned to the competition folder, his dismissal implicit.
Back in the Donghai Academy cafeteria…
The five members of Class Zero occupied a corner table, which was buried under a small mountain of plates. Xu Xiaoyan stared, wide-eyed, as Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin methodically worked through stacks of protein-rich steaks and spirit-grain rice. Gu Yue picked delicately at a bowl of fruit, her gaze occasionally drifting to Yao Xuan, a faint, unreadable smile touching her lips when he looked up and met her eyes. Xie Xie ate with focused efficiency, his mind clearly elsewhere.
The afternoon was spent not in rest, but in focused discussion in Yao Xuan's dorm room. Maps of the academy's various training grounds were spread out, and they debated formations, ability rotations, and contingency plans. Xu Xiaoyan listened intently, adding timid suggestions that Yao Xuan and Tang Wulin carefully considered.
At 2:30 PM, the buzz of Yao Xuan's soul communicator cut through their tactical debate. The ID read: Master Mu Chen.
Exchanging a knowing glance with Tang Wulin, Yao Xuan answered. Mu Chen's gruff voice filled the room, instructing them to report to the Forging Master Association.
As Yao Xuan had anticipated, the summons was twofold: a progress check on their forging, and news of the Tianhai Alliance Forging Competition, a parallel event to the grand battle competition. Mu Chen's instructions were terse and demanding, but the underlying pride in his disciples was unmistakable. "Don't embarrass me," was his final, growled command before cutting the link.
They returned to the academy as evening painted the sky in hues of orange and purple. The rigorous forging session had been its own kind of training.
"No cafeteria tonight," Yao Xuan announced, a relaxed smile on his face. "We're going out. A proper welcome for our new Class Zero member."
The restaurant they chose was cozy and bustling. Over a table laden with steaming, fragrant dishes—a mix of land and sea delicacies—the formal barriers of the day melted away. Tang Wulin enthusiastically recommended dishes. Xie Xie, his guard down slightly, offered a dry comment about the efficiency of the kitchen's service. Xu Xiaoyan glowed with happiness, finally feeling the warmth of inclusion.
Throughout it all, Yao Xuan and Gu Yue shared their own quiet communion. A slight nudge of his knee against hers under the table. The way he automatically picked out the spiciest peppers from a shared dish before sliding it toward her, knowing her preference. The soft, almost invisible brush of his fingers against the back of her hand when reaching for the tea pot. Each tiny action was a silent reaffirmation of their bond, a wholesome intimacy that required no grand gestures.
As laughter echoed around the table, a sense of solid unity settled over the five of them. The challenge of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition loomed on the horizon, a storm they would face together. But for this evening, they were just classmates, sharing a meal and the simple, strengthening joy of newfound camaraderie. Gu Yue, seated beside Yao Xuan, watched the scene, and for a moment, the calculating gleam in her violet eyes was entirely absent, replaced by something softer, something that felt like belonging.