Douluo: I Am the Lord of Mysteries

Wu Zhangkong stood before them and said coolly,

"The class advancement tournament is about to begin. One match per day, continuing until you're defeated. Your only goal—fight your way to Grade Four."

Grade Four?!

Hearing that, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie looked visibly shocked. Only Nan Fusheng and Gu Yue remained calm, seemingly unaffected.

After all, in Eastsea Academy, even average Grade Four students were at least Rank 20 with two soul rings, and there were even some Soul Grandmasters among the Grade Threes. They were just first-years. To make it to Grade Four? That sounded insane.

Wu Zhangkong added with a cold tone,

"By the way, I specifically mean Class One of Grade Four. If you defeat them, you'll earn all available rewards.

Otherwise... everything you've won will be confiscated as class fees."

Xie Xie protested loudly,

"Teacher Wu, that's too harsh!"

Wu Zhangkong answered without emotion,

"If you think it's too harsh, you're free to withdraw. Fusheng, Wulin, and Gu Yue will compete."

Gu Yue didn't miss a beat. Twirling her fingers casually, she added,

"Perfect. We didn't want this deadweight anyway."

"You—!"

Xie Xie turned around, glaring at her with burning fury.

Though he'd often been beaten by Nan Fusheng's first soul skill in one-on-ones, he had always blamed himself and worked harder.

But Gu Yue was different. Not only was she completely dominant, she also frequently gave him that cold, dismissive look, as if he were some low-level mob character.

Worse yet, he had the creeping suspicion that Gu Yue was after his best friend, Tang Wulin, and that she was thirsting for his body. For that reason, he always harbored hostility toward her.

Gu Yue tilted her head slightly, still staring him down,

"What? Got a problem?"

Xie Xie turned to Nan Fusheng and Tang Wulin for help.

Nan Fusheng shrugged,

"You know how Teacher Wu is. We can't help you."

Xie Xie: I'll endure this… for now.

Wu Zhangkong's lips curved slightly. Though he didn't show much emotion, he was very satisfied with his four students.

For Eastsea Academy, the Class Advancement Tournament was a major annual event. It was the only tournament that involved all grades, from Year One all the way to the top.

Any student who performed well in the Advancement Tournament would be recorded in the academy's archive, which held great weight in future admissions to Advanced Soul Master Academies.

There were also substantial material rewards.

A class that did well could not only rise in the rankings, but their homeroom teacher would also be commended.

Over the years, the Advancement Tournament had become a symbol of honor.

Losing to a lower-ranked class was shameful.

Defeating a higher-ranked class brought great glory.

The reason the tournament was scheduled three months after the semester started was to give each class time to select their fighters and develop tactics.

The weather today was slightly overcast.

In the center of the intermediate division's training grounds, a massive dueling platform had already been set up.

Despite being called a "platform," it was a 100-meter-wide metal arena, with plates ten centimeters thick.

It took up nearly half the field and was surrounded by soul barrier shields to prevent accidents during battle. Several teachers stood nearby as supervisors.

Since this was the first day of the tournament, the match was held after classes ended, so it wouldn't interfere with normal lessons.

As the school bell rang, students poured out of the academic building—but only a small portion headed for the arena.

Year One Class Five vs. Year One Class Four?

Who cares about some rookie-on-rookie fight?

Upperclassmen weren't interested at all. Only a few other Year One classes came to spectate, especially Class Three, who would compete the following day. Their full roster came to watch.

As the bell rang, Class Five's students jogged in neat formation to the field and lined up beside the arena.

After three months of brutal training, their demeanor had completely changed.

While they weren't the most gifted class, their physical fitness had skyrocketed, and even their soul power had noticeably increased.

By contrast, Class Four arrived much more slowly and was disorganized.

They strolled in by twos and threes, looking bored and indifferent.

A short, stocky teacher strolled up to Wu Zhangkong, plastering a wide smile on his face.

"Teacher Wu, your students are very impressive! Look at those perfect formations.

Unlike mine… the kids in Class Four have always been a bit unruly."

He chuckled awkwardly,

"Please take it easy on us today. Even if we don't get promoted to Class Three, I hope you'll help us at least hold on to our position in Class Four."

Wu Zhangkong didn't even look at him. He simply stared forward, treating him like air.

Class Four's homeroom teacher, Kong Hanwen, was so furious that he nearly blew his top.

This guy's arrogance knows no bounds.

Sure, he was strong, but his students were from the worst-ranked class. How strong could they possibly be?

The academy assigned class rankings strictly based on Martial Souls and soul power at the start of the year. There was no way Class Five could catch up.

"Heh… looks like Teacher Wu's quite confident.

Fine then—see you on the battlefield,"

Kong Hanwen said sarcastically as he turned and walked toward his students.

At that moment, Director Long Hengxu stepped onto the dueling platform.

Today marks the official start of the Class Advancement Tournament.

Year One Class Five will challenge Year One Class Four.

Teacher Wu Zhangkong, how many students from your class will participate?"

Normally, low-year matches didn't draw much attention, but Long Hengxu was especially curious to see what kind of students Wu Zhangkong had trained in just three months, especially after the teacher had gone out of his way to request a transfer.

Wu Zhangkong nodded calmly,

"Four students will compete from Class Five."

Long Hengxu turned to Class Four,

"Class Five is sending four students. Teacher Kong, you have five minutes to choose your lineup."

Kong Hanwen's smile vanished. He sneered,

"Against Class Five?

Doesn't matter who we send—anyone will do."

He waved to his class,

"Jialong, Kato Eagle, Lin Zunyuan, Moss—you four go.

Remember, show them what Class Four is made of."

On Wu Zhangkong's side, he simply gestured, and Tang Wulin, Nan Fusheng, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue stepped onto the platform.

Long Hengxu gave Wu Zhangkong a curious look.

Normally, when a lower-ranked class issued a challenge, they'd field fewer participants—usually just their top two fighters.

But Wu Zhangkong sent out all four. Did this mean the overall strength of Class Five had become… formidable?

But then he noticed Tang Wulin and frowned.

Wasn't that kid the one with the useless Martial Soul?

Among Class Four's fighters, Jialong was the leader.

Short but sturdy, he gave off a solid, grounded vibe.

Lin Zunyuan was a thin and fragile-looking boy.

Moss had an average build but looked eager and excited.

Kato Eagle had a dark and gloomy aura around him.

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue took a triangular formation, with Tang Wulin positioned in the center.

Yes—he was standing in the main position.

Nan Fusheng was protected at the rear, flanked by his teammates.