After completing their mission in the Spirit Ascension Platform during the riot period, Class Zero was granted a day off.
Xu Xiaoyan used this day to monopolize Jing Shaoyu's time, under the pretense that it had been far too long since they last spent a day out together—despite their recent outing to the food street just ten days prior. Jing Shaoyu, however, didn't object, letting her enjoy herself to her heart's content. He knew it was better for her to express herself openly than to keep things bottled up inside.
Sure enough, after a day of carefree fun, Xu Xiaoyan reverted to her lively, mischievous self, choosing to ignore Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue's fusion skill altogether.
The next morning, they were scheduled for the second part of their final exam. However, upon entering Class Zero's classroom, Jing Shaoyu sensed an unusual atmosphere that hinted the exam might not proceed as planned.
The strained silence between Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi created a tense atmosphere, even affecting Xie Xie, who was usually cheerful and chatty. Having already heard the situation from Tang Wulin, Jing Shaoyu's heart grew heavy. His earlier prediction had come true.
With a sigh, he thought, It seems Wang Jinxi has decided to transfer along with Zhang Yangzi. Once they leave, it's uncertain when we'll see them again.
Wu Zhangkong entered the room, unfazed by the heavy silence. "Come with me. It's time for the second part of your final exam."
"Teacher Wu!" Wang Jinxi stood abruptly.
"Yes?" Wu Zhangkong's expression remained impassive.
"Teacher Wu, I've decided… I will stop training with Wulin." Wang Jinxi spoke with a calm but resolute tone.
Zhang Yangzi looked up in shock, staring at Wang Jinxi.
That day, the exam was postponed until the following day, and Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi ultimately decided to transfer. Wu Zhangkong did not stop them, respecting each student's personal choices and values.
Class Zero was filled with sorrow over the impending departure. Though they had only spent three months together, bonds had formed, making this farewell hard for everyone. Tang Wulin, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi clung to each other, weeping, while Xu Xiaoyan cried in Jing Shaoyu's arms. Even Xie Xie, though he didn't shed a tear, had red eyes. After all, they were just children under ten, and it was natural to feel saddened by parting.
That night, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi packed up and left the academy.
Later, Jing Shaoyu learned from Wu Zhangkong that the academy had not complicated matters for Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi's families; they simply paid a basic termination fee for the two to leave.
That evening, Jing Shaoyu walked with Xu Xiaoyan through the academy grounds to help her calm down.
"Brother Shaoyu, let's promise to never part!" she said, clinging tightly to his arm, as if afraid he'd vanish with Gu Yue if she let go.
He offered a reassuring smile, gently brushing her cheek. "Don't worry, Xiaoyan. If I ever have to leave, I'll be sure to bring you along."
"Promise!" She looked up at him with a hint of insistence.
"Alright, I promise!" Jing Shaoyu raised a hand in a vow.
The next day, Wu Zhangkong took Jing Shaoyu and the remaining five students to the outskirts of Eastsea City.
They traveled by bus to the Eastsea Soul Guidance Technology Park, the city's hub of technological advancement, home to numerous high-tech industries, including many mecha factories.
Jing Shaoyu was familiar with this area, as the first production line for his reconnaissance bird project was based here.
Since the era of soul guidance devices, the industrialization of soul tech had become the core theme of civilian advancement. Apart from a few high-grade, specialized devices crafted by master soul engineers, most civilian soul tools could now be mass-produced. In fact, some combat and military-grade soul tools, like Jing Shaoyu's reconnaissance bird, were also produced on a smaller scale.
They walked for another half-hour before arriving at a small, secluded park quite different from the rest of the industrial area. While Eastsea's technology park was marked by towering, high-rise buildings, this low-profile area was rather inconspicuous.
Jing Shaoyu chuckled internally, So this is Tang Sect's technology company. Ah, the legendary arms dealers, dealing in weaponry for over twenty thousand years. It seems war always pays well.
"What kind of factory is this, Teacher Wu?" Xu Xiaoyan asked, voicing the curiosity of everyone else. Wu Zhangkong offered no response, silently leading them forward.
They approached a deep blue glass structure. Wu Zhangkong placed his hand against the door.
"Well, if it isn't Eastsea's little Wu Zhangkong!" a mischievous voice greeted them as a projection lit up.
"Open the door," Wu Zhangkong replied coldly, paying no mind to his students' surprised reactions.
"Still as serious as ever," the voice sighed in disappointment.
With a chime, the glass door slid open, and the group followed Wu Zhangkong inside, where the minimalist, sleek interior was revealed: white floors, deep blue walls, and soft lighting exuding an organized, refreshing vibe. A circular metal platform floated forward, carrying five metal bracelets.
"Put them on," Wu Zhangkong instructed.
"Teacher Wu, what are these for?" Xie Xie asked, examining the bracelet.
"Identification," Wu Zhangkong replied calmly. "Wearing it will prevent you from being treated as an intruder and ensure you're not eliminated by the defense system."
"Wow, this place is high-tech!" Xie Xie exclaimed.
Without further comment, Wu Zhangkong led them through another blue glass door. This time, a blue light scanned not only Wu Zhangkong but also each of the students' bracelets, verifying their identities.
The door opened to a hallway leading deep inside. After several turns and passing another glass door, Wu Zhangkong vanished in a flash of light.
Jing Shaoyu, at the front of the group, halted, prompting everyone else to stop as well.
"What just happened?" Tang Wulin asked, his face full of questions.
"Spatial technology!" Xie Xie exclaimed, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"Keep moving forward," Wu Zhangkong's voice echoed from somewhere, though it was impossible to pinpoint its origin.
Jing Shaoyu stepped forward calmly, his face betraying no emotion. Internally, however, he was full of exasperation. Is all of this really necessary for a first-year final exam? Is Teacher Wu showing off the Tang Sect's existence just to recruit us?
Despite his inner complaints, he walked into the area where Wu Zhangkong had disappeared. A strange energy enveloped his body, prompting his martial soul to release a faint green glow for protection.
In the blink of an eye, he found himself in a deep blue room, where crystal-blue floors and ceilings met silver metallic walls, creating an unusual blend of blue and white light.
Soon after, several more flashes of light brought Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie into the room.
"Wow!" Xie Xie exclaimed, looking around in amazement. "It really is spatial technology! Our final exam is actually in such a high-tech place?"
"Didn't we just have an exam in the Spirit Ascension Platform?" Xu Xiaoyan countered. "Isn't this pretty much the same?"
"Uh…" Xie Xie faltered, scratching his head. "I guess you're right."
Wu Zhangkong stood ahead of them, facing a screen embedded in the wall, filled with flashing symbols. A keyboard appeared, and his fingers danced across it with swift precision. Moments later, several beams of blue light enveloped Jing Shaoyu and his classmates.
Confused, they barely had time to react before they all disappeared in an instant.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/GodofTL236
Thanks!