Teaching Office, East Sea Academy
"Teacher Wu, please accept this student. After the Academy's investigation, she is fully qualified to enter Class Zero," Long Hengxu said seriously to Wu Zhangkong.
Wu Zhangkong glanced at the small girl standing beside Long Hengxu. She kept her head lowered, appearing timid, and Wu Zhangkong said coldly, "My class only accepts monsters, not ordinary people. Do you really think she's qualified? She's only at the first ring."
Long Hengxu frowned. "Speaking of this, Teacher Wu, I think Class Zero may need some adjustments. I have no issue with Gu Yue or Xie Xie, but why did Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi leave? The Dean explained it to me later, but I don't think it's correct to let two second-ring talents leave for the sake of a first-ring Tang Wulin. The strength of Class Zero has dropped significantly. If this continues, what's the point of maintaining Class Zero? Now I've brought you another talent, and if you keep hesitating, I may have to request the Academy to revoke your Class Zero formation. After all, there are only four students now."
"Moreover…" His tone softened. "You've already made an exception to admit one student into Class Zero; having the Academy add one more isn't unreasonable."
Long Hengxu had applied both pressure and persuasion. Even so, he dared not speak too harshly to Wu Zhangkong—after all, Wu Zhangkong's status and power were formidable: a Soul Emperor, Battle Armour master, and a graduate of Shrek Academy.
Wu Zhangkong glanced at him coldly. "You should say that to the Dean, not me. Students have their own choices, and so do I. Xu Xiaoyan, right? I'll give you a chance: within one month, you must earn my recognition and the approval of the other Class Zero students. Otherwise, no matter your background, you will not be my student. Understand?"
Xu Xiaoyan kept her head lowered, nodding timidly. Her little head nearly touched her chest.
"Let's go."
Wu Zhangkong turned and left without slowing down or even acknowledging Long Hengxu.
Xu Xiaoyan hurriedly followed.
As she walked, she secretly observed the Academy's environment and accidentally bumped into someone ahead. She rubbed her forehead and looked up, noticing the person had stopped.
Wu Zhangkong turned and coldly looked at her. "You're from the Xu family?"
"Yes," Xu Xiaoyan replied quickly, "my second brother is Lin Xiuran."
Wu Zhangkong stared at her for a moment, then said nothing further, turning toward the dormitory.
"This will be your dormitory," he said, pushing open the door.
Xu Xiaoyan stepped inside. To her surprise, the dormitory had only one bed, but everything was fully furnished—both useful and luxurious.
When had student dormitories ever been this well-equipped? She had been treated specially at her previous academy, but that was only a two-person room.
"Remember: everything you receive is because of Class Zero. You only have one month," Wu Zhangkong said coldly.
"And if I find out you or the Xu family dare to make a move against my student, I wouldn't advise trying it," he added, then turned and left.
Only after Wu Zhangkong had fully departed did Xu Xiaoyan breathe a sigh of relief. Her face showed some grievance—Teacher Wu was so handsome, and she liked him, but he was terrifyingly strict, and she was a little scared.
After thinking for a moment, she suddenly remembered something and dashed out of the room.
"Second Brother! Which room are you in?"
She searched the dormitory for a long time but found no sign of him. Once outside in the corridor, she heard voices.
Xie Xie was skillfully keeping the conversation lively. Although Lin Xiuran wasn't very familiar with the others, he was chatting along quite comfortably.
However, whenever Lin Xiuran spoke to Tang Wulin, he felt a faint gaze on him, making him uneasy. He guessed it was probably the little observer, Xu Xiaoyan.
"Second Brother, you joined the Spirit Pagoda?"
Suddenly, a crisp female voice interrupted the conversation.
Everyone looked over and saw a pretty girl—Xu Xiaoyan.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Xu Xiaoyan. From now on, I'll also be a student in Class Zero."
Her confident introduction immediately gave the others a positive impression. A beautiful girl naturally radiates charm.
Xie Xie and Tang Wulin nodded warmly and introduced themselves in return.
Gu Yue remained emotionless, neither happy nor sad, showing little reaction.
Lin Xiuran, naturally, was cold and gave no response.
After introductions, Xie Xie asked curiously, "Is Xiuran really your second brother?"
Considering the people present, Gu Yue was a girl—so it couldn't be her. Tang Wulin's reaction indicated it wasn't him either. That only left Lin Xiuran.
Xu Xiaoyan nodded timidly, stepped forward, and softly said, "Second Brother, long time no see."
Lin Xiuran simply nodded lightly, his gaze calm, even somewhat cold.
"Second Brother, I…" Xu Xiaoyan clearly wanted to say more, but Lin Xiuran didn't give her the chance, ignoring her and walking into the dorm.
Xu Xiaoyan's face fell. She wanted to stop him, but ultimately didn't step forward.
She understood the situation between Lin Xiuran and the Xu family, and his cold attitude was expected.
Yet for someone who had always given her everything, this sudden coldness was hard to accept.
She sighed, told Xie Xie and the others goodbye, and returned to her own room.
Xie Xie shook his head. "Aren't they siblings? Why doesn't it feel like it?"
Tang Wulin was also puzzled. He had seen how close Lin Xiuran and Xu Xiaoyan used to be. This coldness seemed unusual.
Gu Yue shook her head faintly. "Stop guessing. Go rest early."
After that, she returned to her room as well.
Xie Xie touched his head, looking puzzled. "What's going on? Everyone's gone."
Tang Wulin chuckled lightly. "By the way, don't you think Xu Xiaoyan looks familiar?"
"Familiar?" Xie Xie frowned. "Yeah, seems like I've seen her somewhere."
"The girl from the Ascension Platform during the uprising, the ice staff guy's sister."
"Oh, that's right," Xie Xie realized.
"All right, let's go. Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. I'm going to meditate," Tang Wulin said, heading back to his room.
Only Xie Xie shook his head helplessly and eventually returned to his room too.
(Chapter End)