Qiang Ming's new dormitory was modest compared to the Clear Flow estate he'd just left behind, but compared to Slaughter Barony? It was a palace. The sun filtered softly through the window shutters, casting long lines of amber light on the freshly waxed wooden floor. The scent of sea breeze and inkstone lingered faintly, a testament to Shrek City's blend of culture and power.
The knock on the door was hesitant.
Qiang Ming blinked once, then rose from his bed and crossed the room. He opened the door—and for a moment, time paused.
Tang Wulin stood there, just a little taller than before, golden eyes wide with familiar warmth. Behind him was Xie Xie, grinning ear to ear like he'd been waiting for this moment for years. Gu Yue lingered at the back, arms crossed, her expression unreadable but cool. Beside her stood a girl Qiang Ming didn't recognize—silver-haired, curious—but like Gu Yue, she didn't approach.
"Ming," Wulin said simply, a smile blooming across his face.
Qiang Ming smirked. "You really made it, huh?"
Xie Xie stepped forward and clapped him hard on the back. "Brother! You look like a monster now!"
"You look like a featherweight," Qiang Ming shot back.
They laughed, the tension breaking—but not completely. Gu Yue remained quiet, and the silver-haired girl—Xu Xiaoyan, judging by her resemblance to the class photos Ming had seen in Chen Yi's briefings—mirrored her distance.
Qiang Ming didn't push it. Instead, he gestured to his room.
"Come in, if you want to hear how a real prodigy handles exams."
Wulin and Xie Xie stepped in immediately. Gu Yue hesitated. Her gaze lingered on Qiang Ming for a long second—analyzing, assessing—before finally entering. Xu Xiaoyan followed.
"You got your own room?" Wulin asked, raising a brow.
Qiang Ming shrugged. "Working student perks. Took the hard route in. Passed all the trials solo."
The four looked at him with growing interest.
"I'll tell you how it went." He sat back on his bed, stretching. "First, they made me do the standard trials—mental test, physical strength, endurance. I broke the mental test. Broke the strength tester. Then I out-ate their food challenge. Fought a summoned golem, crushed it. Simulated battle with a 3000-year beast, passed. Ten tests. One point off."
"One point off?" Gu Yue repeated slowly.
"Yeah." He scratched the back of his head. "Didn't forge very well. Haven't practiced in a while."
Silence.
Then came the stunned chorus.
"Ninety-nine out of a hundred?!" Xie Xie shouted.
"You forged for the first time in years and still passed?" Gu Yue's voice wasn't skeptical—it was grudgingly impressed.
Xu Xiaoyan stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
Qiang Ming tilted his head. "Guess I'm just that good."
The room fell into a rhythm then. The conversation drifted, turned to them—Class Zero.
Wulin recounted their trip through Heaven Dou City, the auction house, their growth under Wu Zhangkong's guidance. Gu Yue shared little, but Xie Xie had enough stories for all of them—he even made Xiaoyan laugh a few times, and Qiang Ming noted the way Gu Yue glanced at Wulin when she thought no one was looking.
Some time passed like that, and when it grew quiet again, Qiang Ming leaned forward.
"You've all come far," he said. "I'm proud of you. But we'll need a match soon—just to recalibrate where we all stand."
Wulin's eyes sharpened. "Why don't you join us? The group, I mean."
Qiang Ming was quiet for a beat. Then:
"I've grown too used to freedom. To making decisions without asking permission. I won't bend the knee to anyone my age. Not unless they break me down first."
Xie Xie blinked. "That's a challenge if I ever heard one."
Qiang Ming looked to Wulin. "Beat me, one-on-one, and I'll think about it."
Wulin didn't flinch. "Give me a month."
Qiang Ming stood, stretching his arms behind his head. "After 36 hours of killing, running, and back-to-back trials, I'd like a nap."
Wulin smirked. "Rest well. You'll need it for your beating."
"Can't wait to see you try," Qiang Ming replied, grinning.
They started to file out. Gu Yue was the last to leave, glancing over her shoulder once before stepping into the hallway.
But just before the door fully closed, Qiang Ming darted forward and shouted:
"Oh, and Wulin! Gu Yue! Congrats on the relationship! I'm happy for you both!"
A blast of ice and a fireball came screaming back through the door—Qiang Ming barely ducked behind the frame and slammed it shut behind him, cackling.
Outside, Wulin and Gu Yue were scarlet. Wulin tried to speak and failed. Gu Yue's arms were still raised, frost and fire licking her fingertips. Xie Xie was doubled over laughing, and even Xu Xiaoyan was stifling giggles behind her hand.
Gu Yue growled under her breath, "If you don't win against him—I will."
Tang Wulin swallowed hard.