As the Tianhai Alliance Competition approached, Class Zero's training grew more intense.
At the end of the day's lesson, Wu Zhangkong announced, "Tomorrow, we're heading to Tianhai City. Make your preparations."
Despite having expected this, Xie Xie couldn't help but ask, "Teacher Wu, are we going to Tianhai City to observe the competition?"
Wu Zhangkong shook his head, "No, we're going to compete."
Xie Xie, unsurprised but curious, continued, "So, what events are we participating in, Teacher Wu?"
"Soul Master competitions," Wu Zhangkong replied coolly. "Further details will be provided in Tianhai City. Class dismissed. Jing Shaoyu and Tang Wulin, stay behind."
With that, Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, and Xie Xie left the room, leaving the two called upon behind.
Wu Zhangkong looked at Jing Shaoyu and Tang Wulin with a tinge of pride. "Jing Shaoyu, you'll be representing the Mecha Association in the design competition. Tang Wulin, you'll represent the Blacksmith Association in the blacksmith competition. The associations have already submitted applications to the academy. Correct?"
Jing Shaoyu replied, "Yes, Teacher Wu."
Tang Wulin nodded, "Yes, Teacher Wu, but will this interfere with the Soul Master competition?"
Wu Zhangkong replied, "I've already looked into it. The Soul Master and auxiliary competitions are scheduled separately, so there's no conflict. Once we arrive in Tianhai City, you'll report to your respective associations."
"Understood," Jing Shaoyu responded, before asking, "Teacher Wu, will we be participating in both the individual and five-member team events?"
"Yes." Wu Zhangkong nodded. "The Tianhai Alliance Competition is one of the largest competitions organized within the Federation. We'll represent Eastsea Academy in the youth division. The youth events include individual, three-member team, five-member team, and seven-member team competitions. Our primary focus is the five-member team event. The individual competition is optional, and I won't object if you want to try the three-member team as well.
"Jing Shaoyu, as team leader, remember our goal: to win," Wu Zhangkong said firmly.
Jing Shaoyu's expression remained resolute. "Understood, Teacher Wu."
Tang Wulin's face, however, displayed a mix of determination and apprehension.
"Coordinate your schedules well," Wu Zhangkong advised Tang Wulin. "Always remember, being a Soul Master is the foundation of everything."
"Yes, Teacher Wu!" Tang Wulin replied confidently.
Wu Zhangkong waved them off, and the two joined their waiting teammates outside.
"Captain! Wulin! What did Teacher Wu say?" Xie Xie asked eagerly.
"Teacher Wu said we'll participate in both the individual and five-member team events," Jing Shaoyu replied, smiling.
"Not only that," added Tang Wulin. "He also said our goal is to win the championship!"
"What?! That's a high bar!" Xie Xie muttered with a grimace.
Jing Shaoyu frowned, his voice steady but firm. "Don't look so defeated! Yes, we're younger, but our talents are unmatched. I'm a ten-year-old Soul Elder, Xiaoyan and Gu Yue are Grandmasters with dual millennial rings, Wulin has a thousand-year ring, and you, Xie Xie, are a Grandmaster with twin martial souls. We're a team of rare talents and abilities. So, the championship is ours to take!"
His words reignited everyone's spirits, filling their eyes with confidence.
"Everyone, hands in!" Jing Shaoyu commanded.
One by one, the others joined their hands atop his, and together they shouted, "Let's do our best!"
Wu Zhangkong, watching from a distance, felt pride swelling in his heart. This young team would surely make waves, even at Shrek Academy someday.
---
The next day, Wu Zhangkong and the Dean, Long Hengxu, led Class Zero to Eastsea City's central square, where they met Eastsea Academy's senior team, representing the academy in the youth division. Leading them was Xu Xiaoyan's brother, Xu Xiaoyu.
"Jing Shaoyu, keep Xiaoyan safe!" Xu Xiaoyu said as he passed, his tone almost threatening.
This earned a scowl from Gu Yue, piqued curiosity from Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, and a resigned sigh from Jing Shaoyu. Xu Xiaoyan, on the other hand, only rolled her eyes.
"Brother, focus on yourself! Don't let your team get knocked out in the preliminaries again!" she retorted.
Xu Xiaoyu's face twitched in embarrassment. "That won't happen. This time, we're all Soul Elders."
But Xu Xiaoyan seemed unimpressed. Eastsea Academy hadn't made it past the preliminaries in the Alliance Competition for several years. Three years ago, Xu Xiaoyu's team had also faltered, which partly motivated the academy to create Class Zero.
Now slightly humiliated, Xu Xiaoyu left with his team, muttering, "This time will be different…"
"Who was that?" Xie Xie asked curiously.
"My brother," Xu Xiaoyan replied dismissively.
"What? You have a brother?!" Xie Xie exclaimed.
Ignoring him, Xu Xiaoyan quickly turned her attention to Tang Wulin, who was suddenly ambushed by a golden ponytail-wearing girl pulling his ear.
"Why are you so late?" she demanded.
"Senior Sister?!" Tang Wulin grimaced. Seeing Mu Xi, he could only sigh and explain, "I'm not late!"
"Not late?" Mu Xi scoffed. "We're about to leave!" She released his ear and continued, "My dad's looking for you. Go see him before we leave."
"No need, Senior Sister. I'm competing with my team in the Soul Master event. Our teacher told me to report to the Blacksmith Association once we're in Tianhai City," he explained.
"You? Competing in Soul Master events?" Mu Xi asked, barely hiding her skepticism.
"We'll do just fine!" Xie Xie snapped, unable to contain himself.
"Oh, really? Let's see how far you'll get," she teased, releasing a glimpse of her Soul Elder-level power. At fourteen, Mu Xi's progress was impressive.
"Senior Sister, you're in the three-member event, right?" Xu Xiaoyan asked. "We're in the five-member event, so it's a good thing you won't be facing us—you'd be going home early."
Mu Xi's expression softened as she realized Xu Xiaoyan and Jing Shaoyu were part of the team. Blushing, she stammered, "You're… all competing? I didn't realize…"
"Yes, our whole class is," Tang Wulin said.
"Well then, good luck!" Flustered, Mu Xi hurried off, her face still a deep red.
After the brief commotion, Eastsea Academy's delegation boarded Bus Six. The seats were in pairs, and Gu Yue immediately teleported to an empty seat, casting an expectant glance at Jing Shaoyu.
Xu Xiaoyan followed close behind, clutching Jing Shaoyu's shirt—a clear hint that she, too, wanted to sit with him.
For a moment, Jing Shaoyu felt torn, until his gaze fell on Wu Zhangkong seated nearby.
"Xiaoyan, sit with Gu Yue, okay?" he suggested, placing her in the seat beside Gu Yue before quickly sitting next to Wu Zhangkong.
As he settled, Jing Shaoyu noticed Wu Zhangkong visibly relax.
Tianhai Alliance Competition= Sea Alliance Competition
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