After breakfast, Nan Fusheng returned to the classroom—only to receive a notice: all first-year students were to gather at the training field for a year-level assembly.
Although Xie Xie had injured arms, his condition had stabilized—he was still expected to attend classes.
Wu Zhangkong maintained his usual icy demeanor as he led the students of Class Five to assemble on the field.
By now, Class Five was no longer the same. As they stepped onto the training field, the eyes of the other first-year classes were naturally drawn to them.
Most of those gazes fell on Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue. As for Nan Fusheng, he garnered only a little attention—after all, in the prior match against Class One, he had played the role of a minor support, nearly invisible.
Soon, all five first-year classes had arrived. Nan Fusheng noticed Zhang Yangzi was missing from Class One—his leg injury must've been serious. Wang Jinxi, like Xie Xie, stood with both hands bandaged.
At the front stood not only Dean Long Hengxu, but also Academy Director Yu Zhen, who had come in person.
After signaling to Director Yu, Long Hengxu raised his voice:
"Today's temporary year-level assembly has two main announcements."
"First: Due to the special nature of this year's cohort, the class that won the Advancement Tournament will not continue to participate in further promotion matches. The final rankings of the first-year classes will be determined based on the Advancement results.
That means Class Five is now officially First-Year Class One. The rest of the classes will shift down accordingly."
No more advancement matches?
The students of the newly designated Class One began murmuring—after all, not being allowed to continue meant the rewards from future challenges would be lost!
Long Hengxu continued:
"However, due to the outstanding performance of the new Class One in the tournament, the academy has awarded the entire Class One a premium meal per day for the rest of the semester."
Cheers erupted.
A premium (Grade-A) meal every day? That was a huge boon—nutritional, delicious, and a massive help for cultivation. Most families couldn't afford such meals regularly. A semester's worth for free was a huge reward.
Ye Yingluo, now demoted to Class Two's homeroom teacher, wore an even darker expression, clearly displeased.
"Silence," barked Long Hengxu.
The cheers died down quickly.
"Second announcement," Long Hengxu resumed.
"Due to the exceptional talent among this year's students, the academy board has decided to establish a pilot class, selecting the best among you to join.
This new class will be known as Class Zero, with Teacher Wu Zhangkong as homeroom instructor."
"Class Zero will be formed with seven students, selected from existing classes:
From Class One: Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, and Nan Fusheng.
From Class Two: Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, and Wei Xiaofeng."
"Outstanding future performers will also have a chance to join."
Class Zero?
What was that?
The students were stunned. Never in the history of Eastsea Academy had a "Class Zero" existed. And with Wu Zhangkong as their teacher? That alone made it extraordinary.
Tang Wulin and the others looked surprised (Nan Fusheng pretended to be). Across the field, Wang Jinxi and Wei Xiaofeng also wore expressions of disbelief. Their gazes instinctively turned toward Tang Wulin's group.
Wei Xiaofeng's eyes were full of resentment and hatred, while Wang Jinxi's gaze—directed only at Tang Wulin—was more complicated.
As for Wu Zhangkong, he remained expressionless. The academy had informed him of this decision the night before.
Originally, Class Zero was only supposed to have six members—Nan Fusheng wasn't on the list. His performance during the Advancement Tournament had been lackluster, almost invisible. Even Wang Billy might have had more justification to be chosen.
But Wu Zhangkong personally requested that Nan Fusheng be included. His reasoning was simple:
"The four from Class Five are already a team. Either they all go in—or none of them do."
Director Yu was frustrated. He asked Wu Zhangkong for a better explanation—he couldn't approve it based on sentiment alone.
Wu Zhangkong only replied:
"That child's Soul Skill... even I can't resist it. His Martial Soul has far more potential to be explored."
That silenced Yu Zhen. He knew what kind of background Wu Zhangkong had. If even someone like him gave such an evaluation, what more could he say? In the end, it was just one more student, and Wu Zhangkong would be leading the class anyway.
Even Wu Zhangkong himself didn't quite understand why he'd gone out of his way to do that.
Did I place such high expectations on Nan Fusheng?
What he didn't realize was that, in his spiritual sea and Martial Soul, three Time Worms were glowing faintly, emitting subtle waves that quietly influenced his thinking.
Long Hengxu went on:
"Finally, one disciplinary notice.
During yesterday's Advancement Tournament, the match between Class One and Class Two violated the academy's core values of 'friendship first, competition second.' Four participants sustained serious injuries.
Therefore, all eight competitors involved in that match will have any potential rewards revoked, as a warning to others."
Revoked rewards?
It sounded harsh, but since no real rewards were given beyond advancement, it wasn't a severe punishment. More like a public scolding.
"Director Yu, would you like to add something?" Long Hengxu asked.
Yu Zhen nodded and stepped forward:
"Students, I'm sure many of you are wondering why we're creating Class Zero.
The truth is—those selected have already surpassed the level of ordinary first-years.
Keeping them in the standard curriculum would only hold them back."
"This is a reminder to all of you: if you wish to shine brightly in the future, you must work even harder now.
I look forward to seeing more of you qualify for Class Zero in the future and becoming the brightest stars of Eastsea Academy."
"Alright—dismissed. Homeroom teachers, return to class with your students.
The new Class One will be temporarily led by Director Long Hengxu until a permanent replacement is assigned.
Teacher Wu Zhangkong and the students of Class Zero, please remain."
As the other students dispersed—some in awe, others in envy or silent frustration—only the new Class Zero and academy staff remained on the training field.
Children, Yu Zhen said, waving them over.
Come here.