Douluo: I Am the Lord of Mysteries

Hmm? Wu Zhangkong turned to look at her.

Gu Yue spoke calmly,

"I'm a transfer student. I don't want my presence to affect anyone else. So, please withdraw your previous decision. I won't participate in the tournament."

Wu Zhangkong was momentarily stunned.

Ever since he became a Soul Master, he had always been treated like a chosen one.

Even when he was sent to Eastsea Academy under unfortunate circumstances, he was still a man people dared not provoke.

Those who had tried had all met with miserable ends.

But now, hearing this little girl speak, he realized—he couldn't find it in himself to refute her.

Xie Xie's twin martial souls were already considered extremely rare and valuable in Wu Zhangkong's eyes,

but even so, when compared to Gu Yue's Elementalist Martial Soul, Xie Xie was a step below.

Tang Wulin hadn't expected Gu Yue to speak up for him. He looked at her gratefully.

"Thank you, Gu Yue. But Teacher Wu is right.

This is about the honor of our class—it's only natural that the strongest should represent us.

But don't worry, I'll work hard too.

It's not like the tournament only allows three people.

If I become strong enough within three months, I believe the Teacher will let me compete as well."

Wu Zhangkong looked at Tang Wulin with a trace of surprise.

"Teacher, what does this special training involve?

Don't tell me... more physical training?" Xie Xie asked. He was focused on other things.

"Of course not," Wu Zhangkong replied coldly.

"No matter the training, the purpose is the same: to increase your strength.

That strength comes in two forms—hard power and soft power.

But in my view, all power comes from real combat."

"So your training will consist entirely of actual battle.

Through combat, you will push your limits. Through combat, you'll gain experience.

I'll first explain key points for each of you, then we begin."

He turned to Xie Xie.

"Xie Xie, your speed is already excellent at your level,

but your stamina is poor, so you can't maintain your advantage long-term.

During combat, be sure to manage your energy.

Your second martial soul is good for surprise attacks—

But don't use it lightly. When you do, make sure it counts."

He then looked at Gu Yue.

"Today, I watched your elemental control.

I don't say this lightly, but I must admit, at your current level,

Your control over various elements is outstanding.

Tomorrow, I'll take the four of you to test your spiritual power."

"Teacher, I've already been tested before..." Tang Wulin interrupted.

"I only trust my own eyes," Wu Zhangkong cut him off coldly.

He turned back to Gu Yue.

"After thinking it over today, I've come to understand your Martial Soul.

An Elementalist... essentially means you're attuned to many elements.

But because your soul rings don't enhance a specific one,

you can't become exceptionally strong in any single element.

It may seem like a big advantage now, being able to use different elemental abilities.

But as your cultivation grows, you'll notice that you lack powerful soul skills to support you.

Future soul skills will only help you extend your elemental control or strengthen your soul power.

So, if you want to become truly powerful,

there's only one path available to you—combining multiple elements.

This is an unprecedented path,

but I saw the potential when you combined earth and ice to trap Xie Xie.

If you can fuse elements and control that compound power,

you will someday stand at the pinnacle of this world."

That kind of praise coming from Wu Zhangkong's mouth was rare.

It was clear how highly he regarded Gu Yue.

"Yes, thank you, Teacher," Gu Yue said with a nod.

Wu Zhangkong turned to Tang Wulin.

"As for you, you need to start by controlling your Martial Soul.

Only when you fully control it can you start developing into a Control-Type Soul Master.

Also, your raw strength is significant, which is useful at this stage.

The class advancement tournament bans soul tools, but not regular weapons.

Maybe you can use something like a hammer as your weapon."

"Yes, sir."

Finally, Wu Zhangkong looked at Nan Fusheng.

"Nan Fusheng, at your level, you're already among the elite.

Your Martial Soul has undergone a positive mutation, leaning toward the spiritual type.

If your first soul skill is used effectively,

it can even achieve instant takedowns.

Your physical endurance far exceeds most Power Attackers.

Frankly, I've never seen a case like yours before.

My recommendation is to pursue the spiritual path."

"Understood. Thank you, Teacher Wu," Nan Fusheng replied.

"Then the special training begins now." Wu Zhangkong said lightly.

Xie Xie, realizing this wasn't more physical torture but actual combat, was suddenly excited.

"Teacher Wu, who's fighting whom first?"

"There is no 'first'—all four of you will attack me together.

I'll be your opponent."

Tang Wulin, Nan Fusheng, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue all froze.

A flash of light appeared in Wu Zhangkong's hand.

He held a simple wooden sword.

"I won't use my Martial Soul or any soul skills.

You may attack freely. Begin."

As he spoke, his wooden sword suddenly thrust toward Xie Xie.

Xie Xie reacted quickly, retreating at full speed.

But Wu Zhangkong's sword followed like a shadow—fast and relentless.

"Whoosh!"

A deep roar of wind echoed—Tang Wulin had made his move.

He took Wu Zhangkong's advice to heart.

His thousand-forged tungsten steel hammer flew through the air,

connected by a strand of Blue Silver Grass.

But Wu Zhangkong didn't even look.

He continued thrusting his sword toward Xie Xie,

letting the hammer fly harmlessly past him.

Missed... Tang Wulin thought, embarrassed.

A gentle breeze swept in from the side—Gu Yue's wind element.

It pushed Xie Xie away just in time, and Wu Zhangkong's strike missed.

Then, the ground softened—Wu Zhangkong's footing turned to mud,

while ice spikes shot up from below. Gu Yue was repeating her earlier combo.

Wu Zhangkong smiled faintly.

He prepared to parry the ice with his sword—

But then, a sudden daze hit him.

Nan Fusheng had waited for the perfect moment to steal his awareness.

By the time Wu Zhangkong came to, the ice spikes were already inches away.

His pupils contracted. Now he understood the frustration of facing Nan Fusheng's ability.

With a twist of his wrist, a strange wind burst from his wooden sword.

The spikes veered off course.

He leapt out of the mud just as two more tungsten hammers came flying at him—

This time, from both sides, swinging in a wide arc.

Wu Zhangkong tapped each hammer with his wooden sword,

knocking them down midair with ease.

His eyes showed a glint of surprise.

This kid's strength... is truly remarkable.

Just then, a fireball reached him—Gu Yue's next attack.

A wooden sword against fire—surely the flames would do some damage.

But Wu Zhangkong deflected the fireball... toward Xie Xie.

Xie Xie slashed it apart with Light Dragon Dagger, then lunged in close.

He triggered an invisible blade arc, his Shadow Dragon Dagger following up in sync.

At the same time, Tang Wulin's hammers struck again from below.

Three more fireballs rained down—a coordinated assault!

Unfortunately, their opponent was simply too strong.

Wu Zhangkong's wooden sword became a blur of motion—

His parries sent the hammers flying once more.

One strike hit Xie Xie on the shoulder, sending him flying—

straight into the path of the fireballs.

If not for his quick reaction, using both daggers to deflect them,

He would've been seriously injured.

Wu Zhangkong descended from the air—this time targeting Tang Wulin.

His wooden sword thrust straight at Wulin's chest.

With Xie Xie stumbling, and Gu Yue blocked by him,

no one could come to help.

Nan Fusheng, after using his skill once, had stepped back to observe.

This was no coincidence—Wu Zhangkong had isolated Tang Wulin on purpose.

He had done this sort of pressure training before in the Advanced Division.

Under intense stress, a student's true potential would be forced out.

The sword neared—

But Tang Wulin's eyes suddenly sharpened.

He entered a strange state.

Twin gray lights flared—his soul rings.

The right hammer blocked the sword, while the left hammer swung in retaliation.

"Clang!"

The wooden sword struck the gray hammer, producing a metallic clang.

Tang Wulin felt an immense force surge through him.

His Thousand Refined Heavy Silver Hammer slammed back into his chest,

Knocking him backward.