That day, Tang Wulin didn't return to the Academy. Xie Xie said Tang Wulin got some work to do that he got suddenly, and needed to stay back.
"Boss is really busy with Tang Sect these days. Does he plan on becoming an inner court disciple already?", Xu Xiaoyan wondered.
Gu Yue didn't speak much as usual. Her head was filled with thoughts. She was still wondering if Wulin was avoiding her because of the recent incident.
The next day, early morning, Tang Wulin didn't return. The group of five went to class without him.
Shen Yi did the role call, and was surprised that Wulin wasn't present. She looked at Wu Zhangkong, who did not speak, and just wore a cold expression as usual. She proceeded with class as usual. This again left a bad impression on the class.
"Boss is ruining his image", Xie Xie said.
"His image in class was already not that good. He never bothered interacting with anyone, so those list guys are taking up all the popularity ", Ye Xinglan deduced.
By the end of the class, Shen Yi was about to make an announcement, but then a knock was heard, attracting everyone's attention.
By the door, with a bun in his mouth, a panting Tang Wulin was seen. His uniform wasn't too disheveled but he was sweating a lot.
"Class President, you are late for class again. Do you have an explanation? ", Shen Yi asked, in a strict tone, her arms folded.
Tang Wulin gulped down the whole bun in one go, and raised his hand in apology, "I am sorry Ms Shen. I had some urgent work to attent to. I already notified Elder Cai ".
'How are you still alive?!', was the question that Shen Yi, Wu Zhangkong and his friends wanted to ask, but didn't voice it. They all knew how bad the relationship between Tang Wulin and Elder Cai was.
But that wasn't the thought of rest of the class. They thought the school and Elder Cai were showing favoritism towards Tang Wulin.
How wrong they were...
Tang Wulin returned to his seat, greeting his friends, and sat next to Gu Yue as usual. Gu Yue passed him a bottle of water, which he gulped down half the bottle, without bothering it was Gu Yue's own water bottle, and returned it. Gu Yue didn't seem bothered, but the rest of the group wore complicated expressions.
"Now, there will be a Class tournament for First grade. The winning team will get a chance to compete against second grade in an interclass competition, which will evaluate tram match and the second profession ", Shen Yi said.
"Luo Guixing, Tang Wulin, your request for forming separate teams have been approved. But Ye Xinglan is not allowed to participate in the class match ", Shen Yi announced, and the last part surprised everyone.
She and Wu Zhangkong walked out. Tang Wulin's group wanted to protest, but Tang Wulin dismissed it, stating it wouldn't be fair, considering Ye Xinglan was a former inner court student.
"Oh, are you saying you could beat us easily if she participated?", a cocky sounded behind Tang Wulin. It was Zheng Yiran.
"You're not as dumb as I thought ", Tang Wulin replied calmly, not bothering to turn around.
"You you...", Zheng Yiran's face was red in anger, while rest of Tang Wulin's group couldn't help but break into laughter.
"Is the class president that confident? They how about we do this? Would you like bet on your role as class president?", Luo Guixing said, in a loud enough voice for whole class to hear, still wearing his schematic smile.
"What's there in it for me?", Tang Wulin questioned as he got up, staring at Luo Guixing, who was standing in front of him.
Whole class could feel Tang Wulin's tyrannical aura, causing them in shake. Even Luo Guixing was having trouble speaking up, but he did, "it proves you're worthy to be the Class president. We all know that only reason you are the president is because of your tricks and because teacher Wu goes easy on you. If you are not strong, how are you worthy to be class president?"
"Are you worthy to question me? ", Tang Wulin took a step towards Luo Guixing. Luo Guixing could feel an enormous pressure fall on him, as a pair of Golden eyes looked down on him. Each step Tang Wulin took made Luo Guixing's heart stop. He could clearly feel the terrifying force that was walking towards him.
"I asked you, are you worthy?", Tang Wulin asked again. Sweat beads formed on Luo Guixing's forehead but no voice came out. His mind was filled with terror and confusion, that he forgot what to speak.
"Thought so..", Tang Wulin whispered, as he walked past Luo Guixing, without sparing a glance at anyone. Just as he reached the door, "your so called wager, I agree. Good luck ", he said and walked out, his friend followed him.
Just as he walked out, the entire class let out a long sigh of relief. When Tang Wulin releasing his draconic pressure, Everyone in class subconsciously held their breath. It was as if, the air was too thick to breathe. Only when he left, did they could breathe like normal. But a question rung in their mind,
'Can the genius team really win against him?'
If it was before, they would have downright rejected the question. Their opinion of Tang Wulin wasn't too high. But his appearance today, was like a Tyrant, completely overwhelming others with just his presence. They are not so sure anymore.
"Arrogance! We will surely let him know his place!", Zheng Yiran yelled in protest. "All he knows is to talk big".
"I get the feeling, Tang Wulin isn't as simple as he appears ", comments Yang Nianxia. Wulin's performance just now left a deep impression on him. He already knew that interms of pure strength, he was not Tang Wulin's opponent, and now he doubts he even stood a chance.
"I can beat them all on my own", Wu siduo declared and walked away. Xu Yucheng didn't speak much, but Luo Guixing was still shaken to his core. That terrifying gaze of Tang Wulin was still haunting him.
Outside, Tang Wulin was on his way to dorm, while his friends followed.
"Boss, what is going on with you these days? It's like you're a different person?", Xie Xie voiced his concern. He felt something was affecting Tang Wulin, causing this attitude. What just happened now was obviously not his usual cheerful personality.
Others were also having their doubts. Tang Wulin's personality changed a lot. He was too calm and composed and when offended, he becomes very prideful. It wasn't usual.
"What happened since that breakthrough, Wulin?", Gu Yue asked. Her question was on point. Tang Wulin's change happened ever since his breakthrough to level 30. She was the closest to him in the group, how could she not know.
Wulin stopped, and let out a sigh. He knew this question would come sooner or later. Even he found his personality change too drastic.
"You guys know about my dragon bloodline right?", he asked, and others nodded. "If I tell you, my bloodline has a level of consciousness, and it is affecting me, would you believe me?", he said. Everyone were shocked when they heard this, except Gu Yue, who looked like she had some realisation.
"Dragon's Pride, huh?", Gu Yue spoke up, and Wulin nodded in agreement.
"Dragon's pride? What's that? ", Xie Xie asked in confusion.
"Dragons used to be the strongest race before their extinction. In the eyes of a dragon, a nothing in the world is more valuable than its pride. If someone hurts that pride of a Dragon, they will feel the wrath of a dragon. What Wulin is experiencing is the same thing. Anyone hurting his pride would cause him to be hostile and tyrannical ", Gu Yue explained. Others looked at him in shock.
"Then, are you saying captain's blood really is conscious?", Xu Xiaoyan asked, to which, Gu Yue nodded.
"Well, it's not too bad. I think it's quite cool Boss! Now no one would dare look down on you!",
Xie Xie exclaimed.
"Yeah, who cared if your personality changed a bit. You are still our captain", Xie Xiaoyan declared.
Others also nodded their head in agreement, causing Tang Wulin to smile.
Tang Wulin didn't lie. His change was not just because him being a God in the past. It was this mentality of the Golden Dragon King that is causing such an attitude. It was as if nothing was more significant for him at that moment than his pride that was hurt by five rankers. He wondered if this would affect him even more in the future.
He shook his head and looks at his friends. "Let's leave it be. For now, we focus on training. Gu Yue, you train Xu Xiaoyan with her training with ice element. Ye Xinglan, you as well. Your Martial Soul use the power of stars like the starwheel staff. So it could help her a lot", he said to the three girls, who nodded in agreement.
"Xie Xie and Xu Lizhi will train with me. As for the specifics, I'll explain later", Tang Wulin said, and walked towards his dorm