Eastsea Academy.
The typhoon that struck Eastsea City had come with little warning, severely impacting the entire city. Shops were forced to close, schools suspended classes, and traffic across the city ground to a halt. The Administrative Department had been working nonstop for days.
The typhoon lasted a full week, and at its strongest, it could rip up trees by their roots. Even some buildings suffered damage.
Fortunately, it had finally passed.
In the wake of the storm, Eastsea City's air felt particularly fresh, tinged with moisture, kissed by sunlight, and even blessed with the occasional rainbow stretching across the horizon. The sky was clear and boundless.
When Nan Fusheng entered the classroom, he immediately spotted Xie Xie fidgeting restlessly in his seat. The moment Xie Xie saw him, his eyes lit up.
"Fusheng! Have you seen Wulin?"
"Wulin? Nope. What's going on?"
Nan Fusheng asked, pretending not to know, even though he already had a rough idea of Tang Wulin's situation. He figured Wulin would likely make it back in time anyway.
Even if he didn't, Nan Fusheng wasn't overly concerned—whether it was a 3v3 or 4v4, it wouldn't make much difference to him.
"I have no idea where he is. He hasn't responded to any calls. Looks like his communicator ran out of power or something—it won't connect anymore."
Xie Xie said anxiously.
Gu Yue frowned as well, worry written in her eyes.
"Do you know where his workshop is? Maybe we could go find him during lunch?"
"Ugh, I've never been interested in forging. Why would I know where his workshop is?"
Xie Xie replied with a bitter smile.
"But I do remember he called me a few days ago, saying he'd be at the workshop the whole time. If he had stayed there, nothing would've gone wrong. So why hasn't he shown up yet? Don't tell me… he forgot what day it is?"
Gu Yue's face darkened.
"You know more than you're saying. At noon, let's go to the Blacksmiths' Association. They might have his workshop address on record."
Surprisingly, Xie Xie didn't argue with her. He simply nodded.
"That's a good idea. Let's do that after class."
But even after morning classes ended, Tang Wulin still hadn't shown up. The three of them rushed out of the academy after requesting leave from Wu Zhangkong, heading straight for the Blacksmiths' Association.
Half an hour later, they emerged from the association building, all looking deeply frustrated.
The staff had given them a simple answer: any registered workshop information was confidential and could not be disclosed unless they had official clearance. Worse still, Tang Wulin's records were tagged with a higher clearance level than ordinary blacksmiths.
"What now? Should we ask Teacher Wu to request clearance?"
Gu Yue asked Xie Xie.
"Even if he does, it won't be fast enough. Approvals like that take time. There's no way we'll get it today. Looks like we'll have to go into tonight's match with just the three of us."
Xie Xie sighed.
"Wulin's not the kind of guy to flake. Something must've happened to him, or he'd never miss class."
Nan Fusheng frowned deeply.
"Let's just head back first. Either way, we should still have Wu Zhangkong apply for clearance. Wulin's safety is more important than any match."
"Agreed."
When they returned and explained the situation, Wu Zhangkong's already icy expression grew even darker.
Tang Wulin had been missing since morning, and now even the association wouldn't give them his address.
"Go back to class for now. I understand."
Wu Zhangkong said coldly.
"Then… tonight's match, is it just the three of us?"
Xie Xie asked.
Wu Zhangkong glanced at him,
"Yes. Just the three of you."
"Understood."
Afternoon classes passed quickly. Perhaps it was the weeklong typhoon keeping everyone cooped up, but the moment school ended, the academy's field was packed with students and even teachers, all eager to watch the final match of the first-year Advancement Tournament.
"You hear about this year's tourney? It's nuts! Class Five—the worst class—somehow won three straight rounds. Total underdog story. Maybe they'll go all the way?"
"Keep dreaming. Do you even know how terrifying Class One is this year? They're being called the strongest new student class in the academy's history. Three of their members are already two-ring Soul Grandmasters, and all of them have powerful Martial Souls. Meanwhile, Class Five's team only has one-ring Soul Masters. That's an entire ring—and a whole Soul Skill—of difference. It's no contest. I'm more curious to see how far Class One can go against the second-years later. Word is, even they're nervous."
Students buzzed with chatter while the teachers gathered around the platform.
Wu Zhangkong, leading Class Five's students, walked toward the arena with Nan Fusheng, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue following behind.
Just as they arrived at the field's perimeter, a stir broke out on the opposite side.
The crowd instinctively parted, clearing a path for them.
At the front strode a young woman, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, bearing a strong resemblance to Ye Yingrong—but even more beautiful, with a proud arrogance Ye lacked.
Behind her walked the famed first-year Class One, the group known as the strongest freshmen in years.
Both teams gathered on either side of the stage, waiting for the match to begin.
Dean Long Hengxu stepped up to the center of the platform. After nodding to the two teachers, he announced:
"Due to the typhoon, the Advancement Tournament was delayed. Today's match is the fourth round, featuring Class Five versus Class One.
Teacher Wu, how many students is your class sending today?"
Wu Zhangkong opened his mouth to reply,
"We will be sending—"
But just then, a voice called out behind them:
"Teacher Wu, wait!"
The moment that familiar voice rang out, Xie Xie and Gu Yue's faces lit up with joy.
Tang Wulin ran out from the crowd, breathless and disheveled.
His hair was a mess, his face pale, and his energy wildly unstable—he looked like he'd come straight from a battlefield.
"Where the hell have you been!? Why are you just showing up now!?"
Xie Xie snapped.
Tang Wulin gave a bitter smile,
"It's a long story. Let's just focus on the match for now. Teacher Wu, I'm ready to fight."
Wu Zhangkong stared at him silently, then gave a small nod and turned back to Long Hengxu.
"We'll be sending four students."
"Very well. Class One, please send four as well."
Long Hengxu said.
The elegant teacher lifted her chin proudly.
"Understood."
"Participants from both sides, enter the arena!"
To Nan Fusheng's surprise, Class One's formation was nearly identical to theirs—arranged in a diamond shape.
"My name is Zhang Yangzi."
The calm boy at the center front said plainly.
"Wei Xiaofeng. We've met before."
Said the short boy on the left, reaching out with his thumb raised, only to slowly rotate his hand, pointing it downward in open provocation.
"You—!"
Xie Xie growled, ready to lunge forward, but Tang Wulin grabbed his shoulder, holding him back.
Xie Xie turned to look at him, surprised.
"Whoa, this guy's gotten a lot stronger…"
"Wang Jinxi."
Said the tall, bony boy standing on the right, voice cold and indifferent.
"And I'm Wang Billy."
Said the last boy cheerfully from behind the other three—a tall, muscular, dark-skinned youth who flashed a toothy grin at the Class Five team.
"Tang Wulin, representing Class Five."
"Gu Yue."
"Xie Xie!"
Xie Xie glared daggers at Wei Xiaofeng.
"Nan Fusheng."
Fusheng's gaze settled curiously on Wang Billy, who—by appearance—could easily be mistaken for an upperclassman. With such a huge build, it was surprising he wasn't a power-type Soul Master.
Long Hengxu frowned, sensing the tension.
Let me remind you all—this is an internal academy match. You are to stop once victory is decided. Any intentional harm will result in disciplinary action.
Yes, sir!
All eight students replied in unison.
Good. Prepare yourselves—both sides, fall back.
With that, under Long Hengxu's supervision, both teams stepped back, creating space between them.