"This is your new classmate."
Wu Zhangkong's words were brief, just this single sentence, and then he remained silent.
But Lin Xiuran immediately understood—Wu Zhangkong was here to have him join Class Zero.
Class Zero was specially organized by East Sea Academy, with the school's full resources devoted to it. Ordinary students couldn't enter. But now that Wu Zhangkong had brought him here, it meant the Academy and Ye Yingluo were already informed. Lin Xiuran could rest assured.
Moreover, it was a perfect opportunity to be near Gu Yue, fulfilling his promise to Gu Yue Na.
Without any formal introduction, Lin Xiuran was assigned a seat. Class Zero originally had five sets of desks, but two were vacant, leaving space just for him.
He sat at the far left, next to Gu Yue. Tang Wulin and Xie Xie were seated further down.
"Tomorrow is the final exam."
Wu Zhangkong said no more, leaving the classroom immediately.
Xie Xie looked puzzled. "Wu Zhangkong has been away from the Academy for several days. And now, suddenly, a test?"
Tang Wulin chuckled. "That's just Wu Zhangkong's style. Don't think too much—everything he does has a reason."
"True," Xie Xie admitted. As a student, he trusted Wu Zhangkong's methods, especially since the special training in Class Zero had clearly improved him.
"Hey, new guy, what's your name? Why did you suddenly come to our class?" Xie Xie asked with curiosity.
Being placed directly into Class Zero showed that Lin Xiuran had something special; otherwise, he wouldn't have been admitted.
Lin Xiuran looked at Xie Xie calmly. "Lin Xiuran. Wu Changkong brought me in."
"Oh, and your martial soul?"
"Wind Bird."
He hesitated for a moment but answered with the Wind Bird. Revealing that it was actually a Phoenix would have been too conspicuous, and no one would believe him anyway.
Xie Xie bombarded him with questions like an inquisitive child.
Meanwhile, Gu Yue quietly observed him. It wasn't the first time she'd seen him, but for some reason, his aura felt strangely familiar this time.
This aura had never been sensed before, yet now it was unmistakable.
It made her feel close to him instead of irritated. The sensation surprised her—such familiarity was rare, only ever felt with the Dragon God or the Golden Dragon King.
They didn't talk much longer. Xie Xie knew his limits, since it was Lin Xiuran's first time meeting him. After a few basic questions, he enthusiastically offered to take Lin Xiuran to his dormitory.
It made sense. Joining Class Zero meant moving into its dorms. Class Zero had separate accommodations, different from ordinary students.
The dorm was excellent: a single bed, making it a private room. All living essentials were provided, along with an independent bathroom.
The room was similar to a teacher's quarters. Clearly, Class Zero students enjoyed near-teacher-level treatment.
It was far better than his previous four-person dorm or the storage room in the Xu family mansion.
That afternoon, Lin Xiuran moved all his belongings to the new dorm and even visited Ye Yingluo, who encouraged him to study diligently.
After arranging his dorm, Lin Xiuran intended to rest and meditate, but a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Did you see her?"
The cold, clear voice startled him slightly. He responded silently in his mind, "I saw her."
"When did you wake? Weren't you asleep?"
No immediate reply came—just a lazy yawn—and then the voice spoke:
"You were beside her. Her aura replenished mine, and that's why I woke."
Lin Xiuran nodded and continued, "Then what do I need to do next?"
"Nothing. Just maintain your current state…"
After a moment of contemplation, she added: "I will help you master elemental power. Although you now have two elements, your elemental control is very weak."
Lin Xiuran didn't respond immediately but asked, "Someone like you shouldn't care so much about me. Why are you doing this?"
Gu Yue Na in the Spirit Sea paused slightly, then said: "You don't need to understand this yet. Just know that I am helping you. Your strength is closely tied to my survival, so it's natural for me to assist."
She paused, then continued: "If you want a full explanation, I can only say this: in the future, you will help me with something. When the time comes, you will understand."
Lin Xiuran didn't press further. At this point, guidance from a former first-rank god-level being was already hugely beneficial. Even if he were used as a pawn later, for now it was enough.
That night, inside the Spirit Sea, Gu Yue Na began teaching Lin Xiuran.
Her instruction on elemental attributes was meticulous. Lin Xiuran listened carefully, feeling enriched.
Meanwhile, in the adjacent room, the window was open, letting in the cool night breeze. A girl—Gu Yue—leaned against it.
Her hair floated in the wind. Her eyes slowly changed, the black shifting to a faint purple glow.
Today, she wasn't concerned about Tang Wulin but instead gazed at the balcony of the next room.
The feelings from today still lingered. Her curiosity about Lin Xiuran made sleep difficult.
"What exactly is with him?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she pondered. She extended her palm, opening her hand. Glowing orbs emerged: blue for water, yellow for earth, red for fire, cyan for wind, silver for space, gold for light. Finally, a deep purple orb flickered briefly before disappearing.
She sensed her own elemental power and compared it with Lin Xiuran's aura. Slowly, she felt it aligned well.
Yet she shook her head, lightly touching her forehead, her eyes hesitant. "How could this be possible?"
[Author's Note:
This chapter serves mainly as a transitional scene with some setup for future development.]
(Chapter End)