Leng Yaozhu cleared the data from the duel between the two and was about to rise when she suddenly remembered something. Her fingertips tapped lightly on the metal desk: "Gula, have you been exposed to the secondary profession system?"
Gu La shook his head, his gradient-colored hair shimmering like ripples under the setting sun. "The soul-guided technology of Dou Ling Continent has been completely sealed off by the federation. Though my father was a baron, as you know…"
He spread his hands with a bitter smile, "Our family wasn't close to other nobles, so I only learned some basic principles of soul-guided devices."
Leng Yaozhu understood. The sanctions imposed by the federation on the Star Luo and Dou Ling Continents were intricately linked—from the Soul-Guidance Technology Export Control Regulations to the Tang Sect's arms embargo list. Those senators practically wanted to chain up the entire Douluo Planet.
"I'll arrange a teacher for you. Among the four arts of a soul-guidance mentor—design, casting, repair, and manufacturing—you must master at least one."
Leng Yaozhu continued, "Remember, your future opponents won't just be your peers. A secondary profession is a necessary condition for becoming a Four-Character Battle Armor Master."
"Understood, student." Gu La nodded in response.
Leng Yaozhu gave a satisfied nod and waved them away.
After leaving the Spirit Pagoda, Gu La looked at the silent and defiant Gu Yue and smiled: "Junior Sister, which way should we go?"
Gu Yue stared coldly at Gu La. "Don't think that being my senior brother gives you free rein. I'll surpass you soon enough."
"Junior Sister, don't overthink it."
Gu La chuckled, raising his hands and taking half a step back. His eyes glimmered with purple-gold light. "You're my dear junior sister—I wouldn't dare mistreat you."
Gu Yue took a deep breath. She didn't believe Gu La's words. Although she didn't know why, she couldn't mistake the fleeting malice she had sensed earlier. If only she were stronger…
"Follow me."
Gu Yue summoned a hovering taxi, and the two headed toward Donghai Academy.
Donghai City was the most economically prosperous city in the eastern part of the federation. However, due to geographical limitations, soul masters often left after achieving success, resulting in an overall low level of soul mastery in the city.
Donghai Academy, as the top high-level academy in Donghai City, barely ranked within the federation.
Even so, admission wasn't guaranteed for everyone. But for the deputy tower master of the Spirit Pagoda, there was no need for her to intervene personally. A single word from her subordinates was enough to secure Gu La's enrollment.
---
In the office of Donghai Academy's administration department, Long Hengxu gazed out at the fluttering magnolia petals outside the window, feeling the chill in the air as he wiped the frost forming on his glasses.
Without warning, the office door opened by itself, and a silver-haired man stepped in, his footsteps leaving traces of frost on the ground. The icy heartthrob, Wu Changkong, got straight to the point: "Director Long, what do you want with me?"
Looking at Wu Changkong, who seemed oblivious to others, the director cleared his throat softly. "Teacher Wu, the principal wants to arrange for someone to join Zero Class. You'll handle their admission when the time comes."
Wu Changkong's expression remained cold, though the temperature around him seemed to drop slightly. "Zero Class doesn't accept favors."
The director coughed twice. "How can you call it a favor? The principal fully supports Zero Class and won't make things difficult for you. The transfer student is ten years old and already a thirty-five-level Soul Elder, meeting the requirements for Zero Class."
Wu Changkong nodded indifferently, showing no hint of embarrassment. "Fine, I agree."
With such cultivation, even if his combat ability was lacking, Wu Changkong could still train him properly.
The director's forehead twitched. If only he weren't weaker, he'd love to teach Wu Changkong a lesson for disregarding him entirely.
---
Gu La followed Gu Yue to complete the admission procedures and then headed to Zero Class together.
It was still early in the semester, and Zero Class was still in its adjustment phase. Students often trained together, with Wu Changkong providing guidance to solidify their foundations.
At that moment, inside Zero Class's training ground, Wu Changkong's SkySkyfrost Sword continuously unleashed sword qi, forcing the students to dodge and parry. Suddenly, the sound of the door opening interrupted the session.
"Teacher Wu."
Gu Yue greeted him coldly, showing no intention of explaining Gu La's presence, and returned directly to the group.
Meeting Wu Changkong's contemplative gaze, Gu La raised a hand and waved casually. "Teacher Wu, I'm a new student, Gula. Please take care of me from now on."
Wu Changkong nodded faintly and asked directly, "You know Gu Yue—are you related?"
"No, we just share the same teacher. She's my junior sister."
Gu La answered truthfully, but to Gu Yue, his words only made her feel uneasy.
"Introduce yourself, then join the training."
Wu Changkong wasn't one for small talk. His Skyfrost Sword carved a trail of icy blue in the air, the bone-chilling cold aimed directly at Gu La's forehead. "Earn my approval, and you'll have a place in Zero Class."
Xie Xie lowered his voice, smirking mischievously. "He's doomed. Teacher Wu will definitely give him a hard time."
Wu Changkong glanced at Xie Xie, mentally noting his behavior.
Tang Wulin awkwardly yet politely smiled, tugging at Xie Xie's shirt. The latter stiffened, slowly turning to meet Wu Changkong's gaze before hurriedly covering his mouth.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged glances, stepping aside to make room while silently wondering: Where did this favored student come from?
Gu La scanned the room. "My soul skills are highly destructive to the training ground. I'm afraid I might damage it."
Before his words faded, three pitch-black soul rings rose from his body, shocking the students into murmurs.
Gu La kept his hands in his pockets, appearing relaxed but with his body tense and alert.
If the divine consciousness of Tang San within Tang Wulin dared to act against him, he would immediately borrow power to obliterate him!
"Ten-thousand-year soul rings! How is that possible!"
Xie Xie gasped, having previously disliked the handsome Gu La. But with those black soul rings, he didn't dare say another word.
Tang Wulin's expression turned astonished. His spirit soul was still in the hundred-year stage, far from reaching the thousand-year mark, let alone imagining the strength of a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
"Three 10,000-year rings!"
Wang Jinxi clenched his bone claws tightly, his already battered confidence sinking further.
Wu Changkong's usually icy demeanor showed signs of emotion. A three-ring Soul Elder with ten-thousand-year soul rings—even at Shrek Academy, such a prodigy would appear once every hundred years.
"There's no need for testing. Welcome to Zero Class. However, as your teacher, I need to assess your abilities for targeted training. Follow me to the field."
Wu Changkong had always wanted to make up for his past mistakes by nurturing qualified geniuses to send to Shrek Academy. He had thought Tang Wulin and Gu Yue were the pinnacle of talent, but now he realized there was always someone greater…
Leading the way to the field, his Skyfrost Sword seemed to sense its master's excitement, trembling several times before emitting an even colder aura.
Gu La waited patiently, relieved to find no signs of Tang San's divine consciousness acting against him, and followed Wu Changkong closely.
Xie Xie snapped out of his shock. By nature lazy, he had squandered his twin martial souls and full innate soul power, resulting in only reaching level 23.
After the initial astonishment, he felt no motivation to catch up and decided to give up entirely. He called out to Tang Wulin, "Wulin, come on, let's go watch the show."
Tang Wulin, still adorable and chibi-like, caught up with his roommate, his eyes filled with indomitable determination.
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