Tang Wulin was lying down on the lush grass near the track and field. He was waiting for the result on Xie Xie condition and for the tournament.
"Aren't you worried about that boy?"
"What boy?"
"The one, that you almost killed."
Tang Wulin rolled his eyes, at Zeref accusation. It's not like he even wanted to kill the boy, he just wanted to get the fight over with.
"Right…"
"Still that spirit fusion really was similar to a unison raid but also seems to have its own uniqueness."
Tang Wulin had to agree, the fact that it was able to uniquely equip the body was a testament to its uniqueness. However, he wonders if that was the only unique variation or if there are more.
"Tang Wulin!"
He didn't move as Liu Yuxin sat down beside him. She turned to him and started talking, as he just stays quiet. Somehow she has been finding him and talking, not caring if he talks back or not.
"Hey, you're graduating soon right?"
"Hm, yeah. Oh, are you going to miss me!"
"Can you do me a favor when you do?"
Tang Wulin ignored her pouting from him not answering her question. He told her what he wanted her to do, and she started to think about it. She hesitated for a while before nodding and saying she had to go now.
"There you are."
Tang Wulin opens his eyes and looks up to see Xie Xie, with Gu Yue running towards him. He saw that Xie Xie look fine, and he went up to go meet them. They talk for a while before heading to the lunchroom to eat and attend class.
They were informed that all the students in the first grade were to gather at the sports field for a grade assembly.
Wu Zhangkong brought class give towards the assembly too. As they are walking, all the other classes were focusing their gaze on them.
Tang Wulin ignored it and also the other two banter. He was curious if class one gets any benefits or was it just an increase in status and bragging rights alone.
What he didn't notice was Wang Jinxi hiding behind Zhang Yangzi with a traumatized expression when caught a glimpse of Tang Wulin, while Zhang Yangzi tried calming him down.
In front of all the students, Long Henxu was absent and in his place was President Yu Zhen. Yu Zhen before he began speaking.
It was nothing really important other than stopping the victorious class from continuing in the class promotion. He then went on to introduce a new experimental class, call class zero.
"The students for class zero have already been selected. In class one, we have Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue. In class two, we have Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng. In the future, any other student who shows exceptional ability will also be put into class zero."
Wei Xiaofeng and Wang Jinxi were desperately trying to avoid looking at the trio, specifically Tang Wulin. While Zhang Yangzi just had a complicated expression on his face. Yu Zhen continues on with his talk going over the rewards for classes one and five.
Tang Wulin was surprised part of the prizes was two of the items he needed. It was the thousand-year- purple cloud wood and life fruit. He turns to his teammates and asks if he could get those two items, which they agreed to.
Yu Zhen ultimately dismisses everyone else but the kids he called. He next called them over to him. He then tried intimidating everyone but Tang Wulin, who wasn't even fazed. Not really caring for his whole speech, Tang Wulin tune it all out until he was passed a slip of paper.
It was a contract detailing, that they can't switch school since the school will be investing more resources in them. Tang Wulin didn't really need this class but at the same time, he was curious. Wondering about the resources that were going to be given, so he signs his name.
"You know that the contracts seem shady right?"
'True, but it not like I have to follow it. If I want to leave the academy, I will leave this academy.'
Of course, he knew the contract was shady. The fact that he won't allow nine-year-old kids to have an adult look over the contract, raises many alarms. Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi signed it but Wei Xiaofeng decided not to.
With the contract collected, they were to go enjoy the new benefit.
#
Nothing really interested happened in class zero other than Wu Zhangkong talking about Mecha suits and Battlesuit armor.
"Oh, you don't want to become a mecha master or own your own battle suit armor?"
'I don't need strength from a bunch of scrap metal and machines.'
Tang Wulin was already used to Zeref popping out of nowhere. He was being sincere with his statement about mecha suit and battlesuit armor. He doubts those things could even come close to the power he could achieve without them.
'Well, I really doubt they're any machine that could come close to Acnologia power. After all, not even the Etherion which could destroy a whole country was stronger than him.'
Zeref thought of this as he remembers more of Wu Zhangkong talk about mechas and battlesuits. He told everyone they should choose a second occupation by their third grade and used Tang Wulin as an example. Zeref wonders when he was going to tell them. He has no interest in making a battle suit.
Then he went on to combat training with everyone, to increase their experience and abilities. That was true hell for most of them.
#
The combat training was truly hell for everyone but Tang Wulin who was able to keep up with Wu Zhangkong somewhat. It has been over two weeks since the class has been established and this was there every day.
Fortunately today, Wu Zhangkong told them he will be running tests on their body, so training was suspended. It was similar to what he did before, with a spiritual test.
Xie Xie spiritual power increased by two and Wang Jinxi was pretty low only at 18. Zhang Yanzi was 41, with Wu Zhangkong saying if he does his best, he might break into the spirit origin in a year.
It was Gu Yue's turn, in which she ceased at 153 causing Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yanzi to gawk at the number. Xie Xie smirked at them before informing them, not to get too surprised. They blink their eyes, as Wu Zhangkong said it was Tang Wulin's turn.
'Wait, does the order have something to deal with the level of spiritual power…'
Tang Wulin touches the testing machine, and it instantly started to calculate the level. After a while it presented the answer, causing Zhang Yanzi and Wang Jinxi to practically die from shock.
Tang Wulin Spiritual power was 3,400!
How many people in the continent have that high of spiritual power, let alone a spirit scholar and a nine-year-old? Didn't that mean Tang Wulin was already in the spirit sea realm and may even reach the spirit abyss before he becomes an adult?
Xie Xie's lips twitch as the absurd numbering, believing he won't ever get used to seeing Tang Wulin's spiritual power. He honestly wonders how much spiritual power he had when he got his martial soul to unlock.
Wu Zhangkong and Gu Yue took it in stride, already categorizing Tang Wulin as a heaven-defying monster. He then said it was time for the strength test.
For the physical test, Gu Yue went first scoring 115 kg with her left and 143 with her right. Xie Xie and Zhang Yangzi felt that this world was unfair to talents. It was Zhang Yangzi's turn getting only 61 and 69, lower than Gu Yue.
Xie Xie scored 153 and 159 kg, reliving he wasn't lower than Gu Yue.
'I can be lower than Tang Wulin, but I refuse to be lower than her.'
Wang Jinxi walks up, feeling the gaze of Tang Wulin on him. He gathers up his courage and his result was 423 left and 468 right, exceeding that of an assault soul master.
"Full Power?"
"Full power!"
Tang Wulin nodded his head, as his whole right arm started to be covered and then ram his fist into the testing machine.
'Magic Dragon Fist.'
BANG!
The machine didn't even stand a chance as it would demolish. Wu Zhangkong was surprised because the machine could take at most 15,000 Kg of force. This means, Tang Wulin's strength with the dragon claw has surpassed that of a Spirit Sage and maybe even higher.
'Oh come on! Not only do you have to have heaven-defying spiritual power but also heaven-defying strength.'
Everyone believed the same thing after seeing the machine explode. Xie Xie feebly asks Wu Zhangkong how much the machine could take before it could break. He told them 15,000 kg of force, causing them to be shocked.
'Monster in human skin.'
Represent the general thought of the boys. The following test was the reaction test, with Tang Wulin not getting first place but Xie Xie.
'Oh, Thank god.'
Xie Xie was afraid that Tang Wulin surpassing him in this aspect too. In third place was Gu Yue which shocked Zhang Yangzi, making him wonder if they were still human.
"The testing is finished now. Today's tests were primarily on your body's abilities and don't represent everything. Martial souls are still crucial to Soul Masters, so some students shouldn't be discouraged. Now, class dismissed."Wu Zhangkong gracefully walked away.
#
Nothing much happens in the next few weeks, other than Mang Tian asking him to take Mu Chen as his teacher. Which he refused but in the end, was forced to do a dual teacher style.
But not without a condition in which they also take Mu Xi as a disciple, surprising them both.
He told them Mu Xi was almost at his level, surprising them, and had her take the blacksmith test. Mu Chen almost died from shock that she achieved 3rd rank Grandmaster. Tang Wulin himself took the test a couple of months ago, becoming a 3rd rank Grandmaster.
It has only been a few months since she became a 2nd rank master. Mu Chen happily already had his daughter as a disciple and was glad she was improving tremendously.
Mang Tian was shocked that Tang Wulin actually showed care for someone other than his family. Mu Xi herself refuse to look at him for the whole day, the reason he didn't know.
Today, class zero was going to the Spirit Pagoda. From what Wu Zhangkong said, it was for us to cultivate in the spirit ascension platform once a week.
Xie Xie spoke with a voice full of admiration. "Wow! The academy sure knows how to spend money. Looks like joining class zero was a good choice after all!"
Tang Wulin turned to Xie Xie and asks him what it was. Xie Xie was shocked at the question but quickly replied. He didn't care for the history behind it but his interest peeks at the ability to upgrade his spirit soul.
Xie Xie then mentions the cost of entering the elementary spirit ascension platform.
'Hmm, meaning I can go in there on my own if I need to.'
He didn't bother listening to the rest of Xie Xie history lesson and facts about the Spirit Pagoda.
#
Eastsea's Spirit Pagoda was incomparable to the one in Glorybound City. This Spirit Pagoda was one of the eighteen great pagodas, collectively known as the Eighteen Pillars of Heaven.
The towering pagoda was visible from kilometers away. It was at least one hundred stories tall, surpassing a height of 400 meters. Even among a forest of skyscrapers, it was tall enough to become a giant landmark.
Spirit Pagoda's foundation was in the shape of an octagon and covered a large area. The pagoda then narrowed every ten layers until it reached the peak of the spire.
They met up with director Long Henxu, who they follow inside the building. As they were walking through the first floor, Wu Zhangkong gave them some information on the founder of the Spirit Pagoda, Ice Emperor Duoluo.
"I wonder who stronger, Invel or him."
Tang Wulin couldn't say because he didn't know exactly how strong a Title Duoluo was. Wu Zhangkong continues with his talk about the Ice Emperor Duoluo and his battle with the Soul-Beast God, Di Tian. Tang Wulin was extremely interested in Di Tian and hopes he was still alive.
"Why?"
'To reap his unfortunate soul of course.'
Zeref watched as Tang Wulin was barely able to keep his smirk under control. As they continue, He the figure of the Spirit Ice Duoluo and another figure behind him.
"Dragon Butterfly Douluo Tang Wutong, wife of Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao. Look, Wulin isn't the Spirit Ice Douluo's wife beautiful?!"
Tang Wulin stop listening after hearing her name. For some reason, he felt a bizarre pull when he saw her. Zeref merely watches, not commenting as the rest of the group talks about both of the figures.
Wu Zhangkong told them to calm down and rely on themselves when they enter. They were surprised but calm down when he said only those with 4 rings or less could enter. Long Henxu mentions that they will be watching them and if they are in danger, it will depend on them in withdrawing.
Once they arrive at their destination, they were given the standard procedure and then went on the machine.
"We're going starting now. Prepare yourselves. Relax your bodies and wait for the scan to begin. You may feel some discomfort during the scan, but just bear with it for a moment."
Tang Wulin blinks his eyes, as he saw the scenery changed. It was an area with gigantic trees and large thickets of shrubbery. There wasn't a distinct path in sight. It felt like he had entered an ancient forest.
Not caring for the path, he started walking north. As he was walking north, he started seeing a lot of dead spirit bodies on the path. After a while, they came upon even more dead bodies of soul beasts.
ROAR!
Tang Wulin turn around and blink when he saw the creature that roared. It was a black dog with a monstrous head, the blue flame-like pattern on its body with hairs sticking up. With a purple ring under it four legs.
'Well now, this seems like fun.'
Tang Wulin smirks, as the Tao Tie glared at him and then it opens its mouth.
"Be Careful Acnologia!"
The Tao Tie started inhaling, causing a fierce gust of wind to be sucked in. Tang Wulin quickly punches into the ground to gain a stable hold but shocking notice it was draining his soul power.
'Are you telling me this thing can drain a person soul power.'
Tang Wulin got even more interested, but he knew he had to do something. He could already tell half of his soul power gone, he instantly raised his hand up for an attack.
'Magic Dragon Explosion'
Bang!
The Tao Tie couldn't dodge deafening explosion from it still having it mouth open. The fierce suction stop and Tang Wulin quickly rush the Tao Tie, scarcely knowing he couldn't have a stamina battle with this creature.
The Tao Tie glared at him, as it instantly disappears from his view. Tang Wulin quickly uses his shift his body and punch out.
BANG!
His fist clash with the Tao Tie, sending it flying. It went sailing through the air before it landed on the group and started to stand up with surprise in its eyes. It glared at him with rage but, too bad for it.
'Magic Dragon Chains.'
A bunch of chains bursts out of the ground under the Tao Tie, locking it mouths in place. Tang Wulin quickly uses his Bluesilver grass to add an extra layer of chains on its body. Seeing the Tao Tie struggle, he prepared to end it with one attack.
'Magic Dragon Devil Sword.'
A mighty sword of pure energy form from Tang Wulin fist as it pierces through Tao Tie body and then through it. The Tao Tie blinked, not understanding what happened and then Tang Wulin hit it with his Dragon Claw.
Bang!
A small crater was formed. He looks at the dead Tao Tie and then started to absorb it Spirit Soul.
Zeref watch this happened. He wonders how long it would take for him to absorb the purple spirit ring. It was similar to what happened when he was absorbing Leviathan but with more of a struggle. He was able to easily crush the struggle, and the Tao Tie was fully absorbed.
'Human!'
Tang Wulin blink as he heard, the Tao Tie calling him. It started roaring at him for his cheating ways, but he just ignores it. He found out the Tao Tie was actually a 4,000-year-old soul beast. He wanted to quickly try out his spirit skill.
He then saw a group of snake spirit beast appear out of the bushes of the forest.
'Just in time."
Under Tang Wulin feet, a yellow and purple ring appeared prominently.
'Second Tier Spirit Skill: Devour.'
An intangible suction field spread around Tang Wulin and the snakes. This skill allows him to leech from them their soul power and vitality to restore or even amplify his. The Snakes tried resisting but realize it was useless.
'Crap, this thing would really destroy me if it opened up its mouth again.'
'Of Course Human! You were very lucky!'
He still continues ignoring the Tao Tie, after a while, the snakes started to died from being drained to death. He counted at least a min for how long it took to kill the hundred-year snakes.
He went on to go absorb their spirit-soul for Leviathan while thinking how dangerous Tao Tie is.
'Of course human! I could even eat the space and time itself if I wanted!'
'Leave Papa alone!'
'What the! Shut up you stupid snake!'
'Shut up you glutton!'
Tang Wulin disregarded the fact that his soul spirits were disputing. Carefully checking his soul power, he was surprised some of it was refilled.
'Just imagine how strong it would be at higher levels.'
"You're pretty fortunate it didn't just hang back and spam it devouring attack on you."
Tang Wulin nodded his head, as he finishes absorbing the soul spirits. He notices Leviathan had evolved from 256-year old soul beast into a 400 one. He then moved out to go look for his other teammates.
#
The people observing the scene unfold was shocked. They just saw a rank 20 spirit master fight and defeated a four thousand year Tao Tie.
It should know a Tao Tie could easily drain all of the energy of a spirit grandmaster in a matter of seconds. Not only that but he actually absorbs the spirit soul and survived.
Wu Zhangkong was surprised but didn't care since Tang Wulin spiritual power was over 3,000. What he was surprised was that Tang Wulin showcasing a domain or something similar to him.
'Is it really a domain or is it a skill that acts like one?"
Director Long Henxu was shooting him looks, as if asking if he knew about this. Wu Zhangkong just ignored him, thinking about how strong his students are becoming.