Tang Wulin usually produced fourth-grade Thousand Refined items. When the occasional luck was with him, he would create third-grade metal, while when it was against him, he would forge fifth-grade items.
Although making fifth-grade products were enough to complete the tasks, items of the third-grade and higher would receive additional payment. Tang Wulin was pleased to discover that after forging a third and a fourth-grade metal in the beginning, the rest were all second-grade. That was a lot of extra money!
The fact that the quality of his products had improved signified that he had bettered his understanding of metal. Teacher Mu told me before that when I can forge first-grade metals with a thirty percent success rate, Iâll be ready to try Spirit Refining.
He had originally thought that it would take three years before he could attempt it, but now it seemed that he would be able to try it sooner than he expected. If he could easily produce second-grade metals without trying his best, how far off could first-grade be?
What Tang Wulin wasnât aware of was that his harvest from his trip to Heaven Dou City truly was astounding. Apart from the Dragonscale Fruit, his experiences and gains in the intermediate spirit ascension platform had broadened his view on soul beasts and soul skills. What was most significant of all, however, was the complete upgrade he had received from absorbing the Three-Eyed Demon Apeâs spirit energy.
As a spiritual-attribute soul beast, the Three-Eyed Demon Apeâs spirit energy was far more volatile than that of normal beasts. Combined with the excess spirit energy that surpassed his bodily limits, Tang Wulin had faced a tremendous amount of danger.
If Old Tang hadnât come to his rescue, his cultivation would have deviated, resulting in permanent injuries at the best and an agonizing death at the worst. Wu Zhangkongâs guilt had stemmed from this grave possibility. \nBut, Tang Wulin had survived and made an extreme breakthrough. Although he hadnât benefited as much as breaking a Golden Dragon King seal, his gains were clear.
His spirit soul had reached heights he never thought possible and the Mysterious Heaven Method had improved both his spiritual power and soul power.
After refining these two energies, his fundamental strength had increased significantly. No matter which occupation a Soul Master has, these two energies were an essential part of their foundation. This was why Tang Wulinâs improvement in this regard had aided his forging.
Having finished earlier than he expected, Tang Wulin didnât immediately go turn in the tasks. Instead, he chose to cultivate the Mysterious Heaven Method. His understanding of metals deepened over the next three days as he comprehended many things during this meditation.
Eastsea Cityâs month-long calm came to an end with the new school semester starting and was once again bustling with noise and excitement.
Students streamed into the academy, all of them brimming with positivity. This was their second semester. After they finished it, they would advance to the next grade. Though they looked forward to moving up a grade, the dreaded grade promotion exams loomed over them.
For those attending an intermediate Soul Master academy, they absolutely had to have reached two rings by the time they graduated from their six years in the elementary division, otherwise they wouldnât be issued a graduation diploma. On the other hand, those in the advanced division needed to have three rings to properly graduate.
Regardless of the academy, not every student could meet this requirement. Those in the upper grades would be extremely pressed for time.
Students in the first two grades were still able to relax though. The urgency of advancing their cultivation was still at the back of their minds. \nYun Xiao and Zhou Zhangxi were exploring the academy while chatting about various things. The two had become good friends after a semester together.
âHave you seen Wulin or anyone else from class zero? Speaking of them, thereâs something really weird! I heard that Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi transferred to another academy.â Zhou Zhangxi smirked. âTheyâre probably too ashamed to be in the same class as those three.â
Yun Xiao rolled his eyes. âDo you think a genius who already has two rings in the first grade would feel ashamed? Itâs definitely something else. You know, I bet Wulin is feeling the pressure now. I heard Gu Yue is already a Soul Grandmaster now and heâs the only one in their class who still only has one ring. I wonder how much longer class zero will last?â
Zhou Zhangxiâs eyes lit up. âIt would be good if the class shuts down, that way they would have to come back. Weâre class one right now, but we both know how strong our class really is. What will we do for this semesterâs Class Promotion Tournament? Wonât we just get demoted at this rate?â
Yun Xiao shrugged. âWeâll just drop down to class two I guess.â
Zhou Zhangxiâs twisted with displeasure. âDonât you feel even a shred of team honor?â
Yun Xiao said, âYou need strength to win honor. Shouldnât you focus on cultivating instead of thinking about such useless things?â
The two continued to converse as they made their way to the dormitories. Suddenly, something caught Yun Xiaoâs eye. He nudged his friend and whispered, âLook, itâs Gu Yue.â
Zhou Zhangxi followed Yun Xiaoâs gaze and found an expressionless Gu Yue that was wearing the academy uniform.
She had a delicate appearance, but wasnât particularly pretty. At least, she was still far from Ouyang Zixinâs level. Her unique temperament, however, had a dominating effect on others. Even Xie Xie found himself affected by her; only Tang Wulin seemed immune to her charms. \nYun Xiao and Zhou Zhangxi were no exceptions. They felt suppressed the moment they saw her as if they were a low-level soul beast seeing a powerful soul beast.
Gu Yue had grown taller and prettier over the last semester, which somehow condensed her domineering aura.
Gu Yue didnât notice the duo and continued to walk toward the academyâs entrance.
âShe really doesnât have any regard for others!â Zhou Zhangxi waited for her to leave before he whispered to his friend.
Yun Xiao snickered. âWhat do you understand? I found out long ago that Gu Yue is actually the strongest in class zero. I donât think anyone below the fifth grade is her match. If class zero participates in the Class Promotion Tournament⌠Hehe. I canât even imagine how much she will shine.â
âSheâs that strong? Even stronger than Xie Xie?â
Yun Xiao smirked. âShould be.â
Outside of the teacherâs building.
âTeacher Wu, please take care of this student. Weâve examined her and she definitely qualifies to enter class zero.â Long Hengxu solemnly told Wu Zhangkong.
Wu Zhangkong shifted his eyes towards Long Hengxu before lowering his head to look at the timid girl before him. He coldly said, âMy class only accepts monsters, not ordinary people. Do you really think she qualifies? She only has one ring.â
Long Hengxu frowned. âSpeaking of which, Teacher Wu, I think your class zero could use some adjustment. Thereâs no problem with Gu Yue and Xie Xie, but why did Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi leave? The academy principal explained what happened to me, but I donât think forcing a pair of Soul Grandmasters to leave for the sake of the one-ringed Tang Wulin is right. Also, why does class zero still need to exist? I found a genius for you yet youâre making all sorts of excuses. Iâm going to ask the academy to close down class zero since you only have three students then.â \nWu Zhangkong gazed at him with icy eyes. âYou should say that to the principal instead of me. Students have their own choice, and I have my own choice. Youâre Xu Xiaoyan right? Iâll give you a chance. You have one month to obtain mine and my studentâs approval. If you donât, then regardless of your background, I wonât accept you as my student. Understood?â
Xu Xiaoyan listened with her head lowered, timidly nodding. She wanted to bury her little head into her chest right now.
âFollow me. Iâll arrange your dorm assignment.â Wu Zhangkong didnât bother to say goodbye to Long Hengxu, quickly turning around and leaving. \n