Establishment of Class Zero

As the match concluded, Director of Academic Affairs Long Hengxu walked over to the edge of the arena and called out to the six students who were about to leave, "Don't go just yet. Stay behind for a moment." With that, Long Hengxu stepped to the center of the ring and announced to the spectating students and teachers all around: "Considering that this incoming class is the strongest in our academy's history, and certain students possess strength far surpassing their peers, the academy will establish a special class—Class Zero—to spare no effort in nurturing them and ensure their talents do not go to waste. "The current candidates are as follows: Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena... Tang Wulin, and Xu Xiaoyan. "However, this does not mean the rest of you have no such opportunity. As long as you work hard to improve yourselves, you can also join Class Zero..." What followed was a long stretch of inspirational rhetoric that left many students looking on with yearning eyes. Having finished his pep talk, Long Hengxu glanced in the direction of Xie Xie, Huo Yuhao, and Gu Yuena. Nodding to the three of them, he led the six students behind him toward the principal's office. "Let's go as well," Huo Yuhao said to Gu Yuena and the dazed Xie Xie beside them. "Huh? Oh, alright!" Xie Xie snapped back to reality and caught up with Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena. In his mind, he was still dwelling on the moment Tang Wulin had erupted with that eerie aura earlier... At that moment, even though he hadn't been Tang Wulin's target, he had still felt deeply uncomfortable all over. No wonder he had been able to get that bracelet. That kid Wulin had secrets. ... Inside the spacious principal's office, Yu Zhen looked at the seven students before him with a beam. Partway there, Wei Xiaofeng had informed Long Hengxu that Luo Yanglu had already spoken with him about Class Zero, and he had turned it down. Thus, only seven had arrived here. Having two geniuses from the Spirit Pagoda was already an incredible bargain, but he hadn't expected to have so many outstanding students besides. Yu Zhen's gaze swept over the group. Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, Xu Xiaoyan, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi... A full seven people. Good, very good! "On the way here, you've probably already heard Director Long explain it. The question now is whether you are willing to sign East Sea Academy's agreement... Student Huo Yuhao, Student Gu Yuena, there is no need for the two of you to sign." Halfway through, Yu Zhen paused and looked toward the two Spirit Pagoda members. The remaining five looked at them as well. The Class 1 members knew the reason, and Tang Wulin knew their strength, so none of them found it strange. Only young miss Xu Xiaoyan was rather curious. Connections? Or some other reason? Why didn't they have to sign? Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena didn't pay it any mind and merely nodded. In truth, the academy's agreement wasn't as binding as one might imagine, and signing it was no big deal, because the Spirit Pagoda and East Sea Academy had a separate agreement. If members of Class Zero were willing to join the Spirit Pagoda, East Sea Academy would not stand in their way. In return, the Spirit Pagoda would grant East Sea Academy special quotas in the future to help them cultivate incoming students down the line. Well, it was a bit like harvesting leeks. Once they enjoyed the Spirit Pagoda's resources, those students' destinations upon graduation would practically be sealed. However, Yu Zhen felt it was not a loss at all! This class far surpassed past years, and there might not be so many talents in the future. With the Spirit Pagoda providing resources, the likelihood of their academy producing new geniuses later on would be vastly higher. Besides, merely enrolling gave students a shot at joining the Spirit Pagoda—was that not a fantastic selling point? If utilized properly, their academy might just ride the momentum to new heights. "So then, are the five of you willing to join Class Zero? These resources and benefits, provided in partnership between the academy and the Spirit Pagoda, are far beyond your imagination!" Yu Zhen looked solemnly at the remaining five. "I'm willing!" Xie Xie and the other two, who already knew about this beforehand, agreed without hesitation. Hearing that it was related to the Spirit Pagoda, Tang Wulin didn't hesitate either. Surely the seniors at the Spirit Pagoda wouldn't cheat a junior like him, right? Only Xu Xiaoyan hadn't caught up yet. She blinked her large blue eyes, looking bewildered. 'Why isn't anyone hesitating at all?' To be honest, Xu Xiaoyan felt things were moving a bit fast. She barely had a chance to show what she could do in the battle just now, so why had she been dragged straight over here? Just because her soul power was rank 19? And why did everyone agree to sign this agreement without a second thought? Didn't any of you think to discuss it with your families first? A hundred thousand questions flashed through Xu Xiaoyan's mind, but in the end, facing Yu Zhen's solemn gaze and recalling her family's reminders, she still nodded. "I'm willing!" Satisfied, Yu Zhen pulled back his gaze, his expression remaining stern. "Class Zero was founded so that your prospects won't be held back. However, you must not grow complacent. Throughout the entire Federation, talents superior to you are everywhere!" Xie Xie and the other two turned in unison to look at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena with bizarre expressions. More talented than these two? Are you serious? What kind of demigods would those be? Please, do tell us! Seeing this, Yu Zhen was left speechless. He had forgotten; the words had just slipped out by habit. Did anyone in the entire Federation even compare to these two? He had no idea... "Ahem." After clearing his throat awkwardly twice, Yu Zhen dropped the stern act and broke into a benevolent smile. "In any case, if a genius wishes to become a true pillar of strength, they must put in effort far beyond ordinary people. Only in this way can you do justice to the talents you were born with. "The academy can only provide resources; fundamentally, it all comes down to yourselves! Do you understand?" "Understood!" ... Class Zero was officially formed, and the students began moving their belongings to single dormitories. On the way to the single dorms, Xu Xiaoyan looked around at her new classmates. She gave a friendly greeting to Tang Wulin, who was whispering with Xie Xie, and then approached Gu Yuena. "Student Gu Yuena, can I live next to you?" Although Tang Wulin was her classmate from Class 2 and they got along decently, he was a boy after all. Out of the seven, she and Gu Yuena were the only girls, so she wanted to get closer to her. She figured she would start with some small talk. Gu Yuena glanced at her in slight surprise, but nodded nonetheless. "Of course. You can just pick Room 203." Xu Xiaoyan blinked, realizing something. "Did you already live over there?" "Mm. Both Yuhao and I did." "..." 'So that's how it is. Student Gu Yuena and that Student Huo Yuhao were preselected for Class Zero all along.' Xu Xiaoyan had an epiphany. She cast a thoughtful glance at Huo Yuhao, who wasn't far away, and began chatting with Gu Yuena about all sorts of topics. Mostly, she talked while Gu Yuena listened. Xu Xiaoyan: "..." 'With the only other girl having this kind of personality, life is going to be a bit tough from now on.' Xu Xiaoyan sighed inwardly. The academy gave Class Zero half a day to rest, allowing them to move their daily necessities, familiarize themselves with the environment, and get to know one another before classes began the next day. But that evening, Luo Yanglu and Wu Zhangkong arrived ahead of schedule and gathered everyone on the first floor. "Hello, everyone. I am Luo Yanglu, formerly the teacher in charge of Class 1. Going forward, I will be responsible for your academic courses and taking you to study at the Spirit Pagoda." After introducing himself, Luo Yanglu looked at Wu Zhangkong beside him, who radiated a chill from head to toe. "Teacher Wu, say a few words as well." Wu Zhangkong took a step forward, his expression frosty. "My name is Wu Zhangkong, and I am your practical combat teacher. As for three among you, I already know your strength. But the other four, I do not!"