What Three Arts?

Hearing Luo Yanglu's words, the students who had previously ducked far away and were now gathering back fell into silence. That wasn't strong enough? Teacher, just how high are your standards? You still want to train her practical combat? Yet seeing that Gu Yuena didn't argue and accepted it humbly, the students could only marvel at how vast the gap between people truly was. She was already powerful to that extent, yet remained unsatisfied, humbly accepting instruction. While she usually seemed cold, it appeared to just be her personality. The same went for Huo Yuhao. He didn't look down on them because of his superior cultivation; he remained calm and unassuming, entirely unlike those who loved to show off after gaining a bit of strength. (Wei Xiaofeng: Are you guys taking shots at me?) "I've decided—from now on, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena are my idols!" one student muttered. In that battle just now, could a four-ring Soul Master have won against either of them? He felt it was impossible! To think such peerless monsters were right here in their class—it was thrilling just to think about. Xie Xie also wiped the shock from his face, clicking his tongue as he surveyed the devastated training ground. He felt he would never be surprised by any so-called young prodigy ever again... Seeing that Gu Yuena took his words to heart and that the other students held them both in immense admiration, Luo Yanglu gave a quiet nod. Another purpose of having the two spar had been to win over the class, so that when he granted Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao autonomy in the future, the others wouldn't object. "Well then, going forward I'll add some basic combat training for you to hone your reaction speed..." After offering a few words of advice, Luo Yanglu dismissed Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao to cultivate on their own for the time being. Once the issues were identified, they could be resolved gradually; there was no need to rush. Combat experience couldn't be forged overnight, and letting these two freaks spur each other on would be enough. Among this batch of students, Gu Yuena was the only one who could keep pace with Huo Yuhao. Perhaps across the entire younger generation of the Spirit Pagoda, only the two of them could serve as rivals for each other. Thinking this, Luo Yanglu pulled his gaze back, only to suddenly notice a chill surrounding him. What was going on? Why did it feel a bit chilly? Was it residual cold from the ice spikes Gu Yuena had conjured? ... Over in a corner of the training ground, Huo Yuhao looked at Gu Yuena. "Thank you for stepping in to cover for me at the end." How that wind-and-fire cyclone had been neutralized—as its caster, Gu Yuena certainly understood. Under those circumstances, her final attack taking the form of ice spikes was clearly an attempt to help conceal his abilities. Although he didn't care if his possession of a second Martial Soul was exposed and possessed the means to hide it, he still appreciated the thought. Gu Yuena smiled and shook her head. "It was nothing, just a small effort." For ten thousand years, only the first Pagoda Master had ever possessed the Ice Jade Scorpion Martial Soul, which was the primary reason some suspected the Ice Spirit Douluo had been the Ice Empress. If exposed, Huo Yuhao's identity would look exceedingly suspicious to certain eyes. Although Gu Yuena believed Huo Yuhao likely had ways to conceal it, one matter was one matter: that was his ability, while stepping in to help him hide it was her choice. Still... having her attentiveness noticed by Godking Huo was truly delightful. Gu Yuena: (◍＞◡＜◍) After savoring her quiet happiness for a moment, Gu Yuena recalled something. "Speaking of which, you..." "Just call me Huo Yuhao or Yuhao. No need to keep using honorifics. Right now, we're just two minor Soul Masters without much strength. Let's keep things natural." Huo Yuhao smiled and shook his head. "Without much strength... you're joking." Despite her words, Gu Yuena naturally adjusted her form of address. After all, by human customs, this was proof of growing closer. "Does that move from earlier have a name?" Before Huo Yuhao could answer, Tianmeng spoke up proudly and grandly in the Sea of Spirit: "Ten thousand years ago, Yuhao created a technique from the realm of world-transcendence. During his ten thousand years of slumber, he created another. This time, entering the mortal world, he can create one more! Three techniques in total—put together, let's call them the Three Tang-Slaying Arts! What do you all think? After all, we're going to strike down Sea God Tang San!" "Agreed!" the Little Ice Silkworm chimed in loudly. "Brother Tianmeng is mighty!" "Idiot, it's Brother Yuhao who's mighty!" "Right, Brother Yuhao is mighty!" "..." What Three Arts? Why are you guys so eager to stir things up? Why not call them the Three Dong-Slaying Arts? All right, he didn't harbor that much malice toward Miss Wang Dong'er; he was just afraid of running into her. It was only a joke. With those thoughts in mind, Huo Yuhao said to Gu Yuena, "Fleeting World Painted in Frost." Still, the Three Tang-Slaying Arts... maybe consider it? ... On Huo Yuhao's side, he gradually settled into normal academy life: cultivating, meditating, attending classes, and visiting the Mecha Master Association to advance his secondary profession. Tang Wulin was living a similar life. Until one day, his roommate Xie Xie invited him out to a snack street. "Xie Xie, what delicious food do they have here?" Tang Wulin glanced at Xie Xie beside him. Although Xie Xie was a student in Class One, dormitory assignments were set and wouldn't be changed unless students strongly requested it. They were still roommates, and on good terms. Earlier, Guild President Mu Chen's daughter, Mu Xi, had for some reason wanted to challenge him in forging, bringing a crowd to corner him outside the dorm, and it was Xie Xie who had stepped in to help him out of that jam. A good guy who was cold on the outside and warm on the inside—that was Tang Wulin's assessment of his roommate. "You'll see in a bit," Xie Xie waved a hand with little enthusiasm. He wasn't in a good mood. He had recently gone home, only to find his father looking at him with a face full of regret. Upon asking, he learned that his father had long arranged with the academy to place him in Year One Class Five to temper him. Yet he had been behaving himself, never stirring up trouble at the academy. The only two times he had fought were to help classmates, so the Dean of Students had never found an excuse to demote him to Year One Class Five. Learning this, Xie Xie had wanted nothing more than to curse aloud. Did you really want me to go to Class Five, fight my way through the Class Promotion Tournament all the way back to Class One, and then crash headfirst into those two monsters? Is that how a father screws over his own son?! Under these circumstances, he had wanted to get out for a stroll and brought Tang Wulin along. "I'm the host around here, so don't worry—I'll definitely make sure you eat your fill!" Xie Xie spoke offhandedly as he pulled Tang Wulin into a shop serving braised jar beef. "Eat all you want, my treat." Smelling the aroma of beef, Tang Wulin swallowed hard, his appetite surging, but he shook his head firmly. "No way, it's my treat this time!" He had promised to treat Xie Xie to a meal. Coming out this time was because he saw Xie Xie was feeling down and wanted to keep him company; how could he let Xie Xie pay? Xie Xie raised an eyebrow, looked Tang Wulin up and down for a moment, and nodded. "Fine then! If a penny-pincher like you wants to treat me to a meal, I won't hold back!" The shop owner was a middle-aged man familiar with Xie Xie, whom he addressed as Uncle Li. Seeing Xie Xie bring a friend, the man quickly served two piping hot bowls of braised jar beef, two bowls of white rice, and two small vegetable side dishes. "Eat up while it's hot, Xie Xie." "Will do!" Xie Xie smiled, chatting with Tang Wulin as they ate. "How's your Class Two doing?"