That was right, this was precisely what Tang Wuling did. In Tang Wulinâs mind, Xie Xie was no longer a person, but a piece of metal that he was currently forging. His mind gradually entered the forging phase where one  emptied out their thoughts and cleared their mind. Xie Xieâs previously dizzying actions seemingly slowed down and became clearer.
It was in this situation that the pair of Thousand Refined Tungsten Hammers were waved around, hammering twice each time to shield off Xie Xieâs attacks.
Though Xie Xie hadnât started his third move, he felt a gush of vile wind blowing in his direction. Tang Wulin struck  his hammer towards Xie Xie. From the ear-splitting sound it produced upon moving through the air, one could easily judge the heaviness of a single strike.
Xie Xie hastily dodged. However, Tang Wulin unfolded his hammers and started hammering down, his strikes, worthy of being called a ferocious thunderstorm, were aimed towards Xie Xie. The hammers produced a âwu-wuâ sound as they struck down, causing dust to rise from the ground. The repeated strikes left Xie Xie cowering in retreat.
Xie Xie didnât dare use his Light Dragon Dagger against Tang Wulinâs attacks. He was an Agility System Battle Soul Master. He knew that even though his opponent was just using pure power, he wasnât confident he could muster the strength to match it. If one compared both their strengths, the difference was simply too great.
With a flash of his body, Xie Xie quickly retreated and distanced himself from Tang Wulin. Tang Wulin didnât give chase; he knew that his speed was of no match to Xie Xieâs. Involuntarily, he halted his hammering, but his gaze remained glued to Xie Xie and his every action.\nâThis bastard!â Xie Xie cursed in his heart. His gaze sharpened.
Xie Xieâs expression turned solemn as he caught his breath. The Light Dragon Dagger in his right hand waved slightly. At the same time, he raised his left hand. His entire person suddenly became more vigorous and powerful.
He pressed lightly against the ground with the tips of his toes and pushed out, shooting into the air. As he shot up into the air quickly, faint afterimages of himself trailed behind him. He unleashed a speed that had increased by at least 30% more than before.
Pelted by the wind Xie Xie produced, Tang Wulin raised both his hammers.
With his body in the air, Xie Xie gave Tang Wulinâs Thousand Refined Tungsten Hammers a light tap using the Light Dragon Dagger in his right hand. As he turned, Xie Xieâs energy was recharged. Simply by borrowing some from Tang Wulin in that little move, he was able to direct his left hand towards Tang Wulin.
Pu!
Tang Wulinâs back was marred with yet another scar.
The stabbing pain brought Tang Wulin back to his senses and he staggered a little, feeling the burning pain in his back. Despite that burning pain, a wave of heat flowed into his body from his spine.
Tang Wulinâs shock was eradicated by his joy. âAre the golden scales appearing?So it was true that the golden scales will only appear under the circumstances of being attacked?â
However, when he tried stabilising himself again, the sudden heat wave he felt a moment ago disappeared. It didnât rise through his body like it did during his previous experience, when it transformed into a huge volume of strength, along with the appearance of golden scales.
âStop!â Wu Zhangkong suddenly appeared between the both of them and halted the match.\nâXie Xie wins!â
Xie Xie sighed in relief, a strand of glee appearing in his eyes. He finally won! He had finally won for the first time and tears were flowing down his cheeks. But Xie Xie was curious as to why Tang Wulinâs golden scales didnât appear. Could it be that he was still concealing them from others? Or that he was speaking the truth and didnât know how to control those golden scales?
Wu Zhangkong spoke to Xie Xie, âYou will be in charge of getting Tang Wulin a new uniform set.â
âEhâŠâ
âDidnât I win the match? Shouldnât I be rewarded?â Xie Xie felt his surroundings darken with despair. âHow is this Tang Wulin guy always finding ways to cost me money!?â
âHow!â
Wu Zhangkong turned and faced the class. He spoke coolly, âThe competition has ended and all of you have witnessed it. What are your feelings?â
âRotten wood cannot be carved!â This Icily Arrogant Prince Charming answered his own question.
âIt is no wonder why all of you have been sorted into class five, you are all a bunch of trash. However, even if you are all merely scrap iron, I will take pride in tempering all of you. As all of you wouldâve seen from the previous match. What is Tang Wulinâs martial soul? It is the widely-recognised trash martial soul, Bluesilver Grass. However, Tang Wulin has successfully made it all the way to the finals, and even almost won the final match.â
âI was the winner, right?â Xie Xie grieved silently, why did it sound as if he lost the match?
Wu Zhangkong ignored him and continued. âHe relied not only on his martial soul, but his body strength as well. Some say that physical power is useful in your current stage, but would be useless when everyone has upgraded their ranks and accumulated many soul skills.\nâHowever, let me mention this; you are in no position to even think about accumulating many soul skills. You should first ask yourself, how many of you are able to reach the stage where you are able to possess a second soul skill? How many more can possess a greater number of soul skills? As you are in charge of your body, would you not think that having a strong physique is useful?
âSoul power is no longer the only criteria used to assess an individualâs potential in becoming a Mecha Master. Possessing a powerful enough energy storage soul tool would allow ordinary people to become aMecha Master as well. However, a strong physique is the foundation of all Mecha Masters. Without a good body, you will not be able to withstand the strong impacts that exist within a mecha, nevermind the high intensity combat. Therefore, those with a weak martial soul should start your physical fitness training with me tomorrow. Physical training in the morning, then theory and knowledge class in the afternoon.
âThis morningâs class will end here. With regards to the competition earlier this morning, I want all of you to think about it. I will be teaching meditation for this afternoonâs theory and knowledge class. Class dismissed!â
This speech was one of the longest speeches the Icily Arrogant Prince Charming had given during his capacity as their teacher, yet it didnât feel like a lecture. Rather, it was a mere statement of facts. Regardless of whether he was calling them trash or announcing the initiation of special training, his tone remained confident.
âXie Xie, Tang Wulin, follow me.â Shortly after he finished that last sentence, Wu Zhangkong headed for the Academic Building.
âIs he giving me a reward?â A flash of jubilance appeared in Xie Xieâs eyes. Prior to his arrival to the school, he had heard of rewards being given out after matches within school grounds. These rewards werenât too bad. He was, after all, the champion of class five. What would the reward be for a teacher as powerful as Wu Zhangkong? He started to imagine it.\nWu Zhangkong brought both students into his office. This office of his was pathetic in size, a mere ten square meters. The room was bare except for a desk, a cupboard, and a chair.
âThe trash I referred to in my speech included both of you as well!â The Icily Arrogant Prince Charmingâs first sentence killed all the good feeling within Xie Xieâs heart.
âShouldnât there be rewards? If not, just a little encouragement?â
Wu Zhangkong looked towards Tang Wulin, âYour performance in the matches was fine. However, you didnât give your all in the matches. That must be a variant Bluesilver Grass. Its tenacity looked extraordinary, but your soul power seemed weak and couldnât last for a long period of time. In this situation, you wonât stand a chance if your opponentâs soul power is higher than yours. Whatâs with your hammers?â
Tang Wulin spoke with reluctance, âIâve learnt forging before.â\n