As they stepped out of the Spirit Pagoda, Gu Yue suddenly spoke:
"Fang Yang… you certainly know how to cozy up to the right people."
Fang Yang's lips curled into a teasing smile. "My status? Nothing compared to the esteemed Miss Gu Yue."
Gu Yue's eyes glinted with mischief. She tilted her head slightly, black hair fluttering in the breeze.
"Fang Yang… want to know my true identity?"
Fang Yang already knew—but played along, feigning curiosity. "Then tell me, Gu Yue."
She smiled faintly. "Then… beg me."
Fang Yang chuckled softly, naturally taking her delicate hand—her skin cool as jade.
He leaned close, lips near her ear, voice dropping to a whisper:
"Please, Miss Gu Yue…"
His warm breath brushed her ear—her ears instantly flushed crimson.
"Actually…" Her voice softened. "My teacher is Leng Yaozhu—the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda's Main Branch."
"Whoa—so amazing!" Fang Yang exaggerated, though the tenderness in his eyes betrayed his amusement.
"Obviously," Gu Yue said proudly.
Fang Yang leaned even closer—close enough to see her lashes tremble.
"Then… does that mean…" He drawled slowly, voice low and honeyed, "I can live off Miss Gu Yue's generosity?"
"Hmph!" Gu Yue whipped her head away—but couldn't hide her blushing cheeks.
"You shameless rascal… dream on!"
"Then…"
Fang Yang gently squeezed her palm. "If not me… who else gets to?"
Gu Yue's heart skipped a beat. She hastily tugged his hand, quickening her pace.
"Enough! We need to get back to Donghai Academy!"
…
At the Class Zero classroom door, Fang Yang pushed it open, hand still clasped with Gu Yue's.
"Teacher Wu—we're back," Fang Yang announced, breaking the room's quiet.
Wu Zhangkong stood at the podium, gaze sweeping over them. "Hm. Nothing happened?"
"All good," Fang Yang grinned. "Just met with the Donghai Tower Master."
Wu Zhangkong nodded curtly. "Perfect timing. Now debrief on your Spirit Ascension Platform performance."
Fang Yang and Gu Yue returned to their seats.
Xie Xie couldn't resist. "Ohhh, you two—"
But Gu Yue's icy glare silenced him mid-sentence.
He shrank into his seat, not daring to utter another word.
Wu Zhangkong strode before the six.
"From today, you six form one combat squad.
Squad Leader: Fang Yang. Deputy Leader: Gu Yue.
Objections? Speak now."
Tang Wulin nodded.
Xie Xie stayed deathly silent.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi—the "crouching dragon and hidden phoenix"—had no say.
Once stars of Class One, they were now pure "roadkill" in Class Zero.
"Good. Squad confirmed," Wu Zhangkong declared, eyes sharp. "Now—share your Platform reflections. Zhang Yangzi—you were first eliminated. Start."
"Yes, sir!" Zhang Yangzi stood, face flushed with shame. "I… I performed terribly. I failed you and the academy…"
"Don't apologize to me—your life is your own," Wu Zhangkong cut in coldly.
"You still have a chance to reflect. In a real spirit beast forest, you'd be dead—rotted to bones.
Focus: What did you learn?"
Zhang Yangzi took a deep breath. "The Platform felt… utterly real. No illusion.
I was arrogant—my judgment and adaptability were terrible…
Next time, I'll stay hidden, avoid recklessness, and survive longer."
He sat down, shoulders slumped.
"Hm. At least you know your limits," Wu Zhangkong conceded. "Wang Jinxi—you're next."
Wang Jinxi stood with a bitter smile. "Teacher Wu… all I remember is that Man-Faced Spider's horrifying human face…
Its soul-freezing chill haunts me—it's my nightmare now."
His voice trembled. "I don't know if I can face it again…"
Wu Zhangkong's tone softened—a rare occasion. "Your case is special. Man-Faced Spiders are rare apex predators—even Hundred-Year individuals can kill thousand-year beasts. Dying to one isn't shameful. But next time—press the beacon immediately."
"But…" Wang Jinxi glanced at Fang Yang. "Fang Yang he—"
Wu Zhangkong's lips twitched imperceptibly.
"You have a Bone Dragon King martial soul but don't know how to use it—what do you expect me to do?"
"Ahem!" He cleared his throat. "Wang Jinxi—everyone's situation differs.
Fang Yang is… slightly stronger than average. Focus on resting and resetting."
Wang Jinxi opened his mouth—then sat back down silently.
"Xie Xie—your turn."
Xie Xie sprang up, eyes blazing. "Teacher Wu—the Platform is PERFECT for Agility-Attack Soul Masters like us!
The dense forest is our playground—I can hide, strike, and reposition flawlessly!"
He turned earnest. "And I finally get it—physical endurance isn't just training—it's survival!"
Wu Zhangkong's eyes flickered with rare approval. "Good. You've grown."
He turned to Tang Wulin. "Wulin—your thoughts?"
Tang Wulin stood, face alight. "It felt… natural. My Blue Silver Grass resonated with the forest—training felt faster, deeper…"
"Plant martial souls thrive in forests—that's expected," Wu Zhangkong nodded, then turned stern. "But remember—the Platform's primary purpose is combat training, not cultivation."
"Understood, Teacher Wu! I'll focus!" Tang Wulin vowed.
Finally, Wu Zhangkong looked at Gu Yue. "Gu Yue—your reflections. And…"
He paused. "How did you find Fang Yang?"
Gu Yue rose, calm. "The Platform felt completely real—no virtual traces. I loved it."
As for finding Fang Yang—" A faint blush colored her cheeks. "We share a bloodline resonance—I can sense his location."
The class erupted in knowing "Ooooh~"s. Xie Xie waggled his eyebrows.
Gu Yue's glacial stare froze them all solid.
Wu Zhangkong coughed lightly. "Fang Yang—your turn."
Fang Yang stood, face the picture of remorse. "I know I was wrong… I shouldn't have blown up the Platform…"
Wu Zhangkong's eye twitched.
This infuriating, brilliant student…
He waved a hand in defeat. "Enough. Debriefing ends here."
"Learn from this. Improve for next time. Dismissed!"
As his words fell—the class exhaled in unison.
Xie Xie leapt up, sidling to Fang Yang with a smirk. "Bloodline resonance? Tsk tsk…"
"Back to the dorm…"
Fang Yang grabbed Xie Xie's collar without another word—dragging him out mid-sentence.
"NOOOO, BRO! NOT AGAIN!"
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