"Teacher Wu, does that mean I can enroll now?"
Looking at Wu Zhangkong, who was checking Tang Wulin's injuries, Liu Ying asked softly.
"Since you defeated Tang Wulin, I will keep my promise."
Tang Wulin was fine — he had just fainted because his head was struck by something hard. Considering his powerful vitality, he would wake up soon.
However... he'd definitely need to eat a feast afterward!
Tang Wulin's vitality was incredibly strong, but it didn't come from nowhere — it was the result of constant cultivation and eating.
The only reason he could show such vitality these past two days was because he'd had a few hearty meals recently. If he had been starving, he might not have seemed so powerful.
"But I want to know — is your Martial Soul that set of armor you just used?"
Martial Souls came in all shapes and forms — from everyday tools to soul beasts, all kinds of strange things existed. Over the years, Wu Zhangkong had seen many unique Martial Souls. The most unusual one he had seen so far belonged to Bo Zhi Zun of Heita (Black Tower).
Even now, Wu Zhangkong still had no idea what Bo Zhi Zun actually was.
But Liu Ying's Martial Soul was easier to guess. From the battle just now, it was clear — that set of armor was her Martial Soul.
To be honest, armor-type Martial Souls had appeared before, but none had the soul tech style Liu Ying's did — they were always just traditional, ancient-style armor.
"You could put it that way. My Martial Soul can indeed be considered a suit of armor. However... the true form of my Martial Soul isn't just the armor itself. It's this."
As she spoke, Liu Ying slightly moved her palm. A point of silver light flashed in her hand, and along with it appeared the green flames that had flowed out during the battle.
This is…?
Wu Zhangkong's brows furrowed. He remembered the thing in Liu Ying's hand very clearly — it was the object that knocked Tang Wulin out just now...
To think that could transform into a full suit of armor?
"Firefly Armor — 'Sam'. That's my Martial Soul!"
When Liu Ying spread her arms, Wu Zhangkong could finally see the true form of her Martial Soul. No matter how he looked at it, it was soul technology! Something like this could actually be a Martial Soul? Wu Zhangkong was stunned.
"After I release my Martial Soul, I can control the armor in battle. I can also use the power of fire to assist me — I'm capable of unleashing intense firepower."
After hearing her explanation, Wu Zhangkong silently nodded. He had seen her fight earlier, but this armor's flames weren't just support!
Even though he was standing at a distance, Wu Zhangkong could still sense the level of power released — at least the strength of a Level 30 soul master. And yet Liu Ying... she was only Level 20!
Being able to fight beyond one's level was not something just anyone could do.
Impressive — truly impressive!
To think that even after Heita left, he could still come across such a talent?
He must really be blessed by the heavens!
"You go join the others for running practice now — and bring Tang Wulin with you."
As he spoke, Wu Zhangkong glanced at the ground. Tang Wulin was still not awake? All that powerful vitality for nothing!
So Wu Zhangkong raised his foot and gave Tang Wulin a solid kick, instantly waking him up.
"Hurry up and get moving! Don't forget what I said — twenty extra laps!"
Tang Wulin: Who am I? I only recognize Liu Ying now!
Tang Wulin: So love really does fade away, huh?
Before they left, Wu Zhangkong added one last thing:
"Liu Ying, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie — come see me again after dinner tonight."
Just like that, Liu Ying effortlessly joined Eastsea Academy and became Tang Wulin's classmate. In the days to come, she would have many more opportunities to observe the divine power within him.
---
Evening.
"Starting today, we begin special training — to prepare for the Class Advancement Tournament three months from now."
In the original Class 5 of the new students, only Xie Xie and Tang Wulin had real combat power. Although there weren't many of them, their strength was solid.
But what Wu Zhangkong hadn't expected was the surprise that came during the day.
That girl named Liu Ying — her talent was no less than Tang Wulin's. In fact, it might be even stronger!
Given that, Wu Zhangkong would never waste the potential of these three. Just like with Heita, the moment he realized he had nothing more to teach, he'd immediately recommend the student to a better place.
Because only that way could their full potential be unleashed.
"So your special training will be... fighting me!"
"For the next three months, I'll do everything I can to improve your combat ability. Our goal: First place in the Advancement Tournament!"
Wu Zhangkong's words were not empty talk — the look in his eyes made it clear he was serious. He had high expectations for the three standing before him.
So, they got beaten up.
Tang Wulin got the worst of it. From the start of the semester, Wu Zhangkong had noticed that this kid had insanely strong vitality. He wasn't just strong and tough — he also recovered quickly from injuries. So Wu Zhangkong deliberately began shaping him for the role of a front-line tank.
No doubt, over the next three months, Tang Wulin would be very well-acquainted with pain.
Xie Xie got beaten less. As an agility-type soul master, he had high attack speed but low defense. Usually, if Wu Zhangkong caught him even once, Xie Xie would be knocked out with a single blow.
As for Liu Ying… unfortunately (or fortunately), Wu Zhangkong never once managed to hit her.
Of course he tried — but all of his attacks landed on Sam. As for Liu Ying herself, she was practically unharmed.
Still, through Wu Zhangkong's rigorous training, the three of them quickly formed a bond. It wasn't an exaggeration to call them a small three-person team.
But in the end, Wu Zhangkong kept Liu Ying behind — because he had something important to ask.
And naturally, what he wanted to ask was related to Heita.
In the letter Heita had sent, along with recommending Liu Ying, he had also given a detailed explanation of her Martial Soul.
For example… she didn't need battle armor!
Because her Martial Soul was incompatible with battle armor, "Sam" could directly serve as her battle armor!
And more importantly — "Sam" could grow stronger!
Most soul masters had to become blacksmiths or buy rare metals in order to craft their own battle armor.
But Liu Ying didn't have that problem — her Martial Soul could directly absorb high-grade metals to enhance Sam's strength.
In other words — Sam is a Martial Soul that can grow!
As long as it absorbs enough high-quality metal, Sam could become a top-tier Martial Soul — or even surpass the top-tier!