Fang Yang and Tang Wulin stepped out of the Tian Dou Blacksmith Association headquarters.
Nearby, a slender figure in azure caught their eyes—ice-blue hair drifting in the breeze, white robes radiating serene elegance.
Their teacher: Wu Zhangkong.
"Ah… Teacher Wu?" Fang Yang greeted, mild surprise in his voice.
"Teacher Wu," Tang Wulin bowed respectfully.
Wu Zhangkong's gaze swept over them—icy eyes unreadable—a faint nod as his only reply.
"Mm."
His voice carried winter's chill.
"Teacher Wu—did you come for us?" Fang Yang asked, already sensing the reason.
Wu Zhangkong's expression remained impassive:
"Due to the evil soul master attack, the Academy issued an emergency order: teachers must accompany students during this final exam."
He paused. "But with limited instructors… you'll proceed in squads."
"Understood, Teacher Wu," Fang Yang nodded calmly.
Tang Wulin echoed his agreement.
"Follow me."
Wu Zhangkong turned. They trailed him through bustling streets to a classical-style hotel.
Inside the lobby, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi awaited.
At their arrival, Xie Xie waved enthusiastically: "Fang Yang! Tang Wulin! Finally!"
Before Fang Yang could reply—
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan darted forward, nestling into his arms.
He caught them gently, arms encircling both of their forms with tender ease.
"Miss me?" Fang Yang murmured, voice warm.
Gu Yue buried her face against his chest—a soft "Mm," ears tinged pink.
Xu Xiaoyan lifted her head, beaming: "Always!"
Tang Wulin smiled knowingly.
Xie Xie dramatically covered his eyes: "Agh! Too bright! My eyes are burning!"
"Silence," Gu Yue shot him a glacial glance.
Xie Xie froze—hands dropping sheepishly.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi chuckled. Some things never changed.
Ahem.
Wu Zhangkong's cough cut the warm atmosphere.
Fang Yang released the girls. All turned to their teacher.
"Evil soul masters are no trifling threat. Stay vigilant at all times," Wu Zhangkong intoned, gaze sharp as blades.
"With Teacher Wu here, what's there to fear?" Xie Xie grinned.
"And if a high-tier evil soul master pins me down?" Wu Zhangkong countered, frost in his tone.
Xie Xie sputtered: "I…"
"I will ensure your safety. The exam remains your trial."
"Understood!" they chorused, faces sobering.
Evil soul masters were synonymous with terror. Corrupted practitioners whose methods defied morality, whose cunning turned weakness into lethal advantage.
Originally, teachers merely observed exams from afar.
But with evil soul masters stirring unrest—the rules had to be changed.
"Have you completed your Tian Dou City challenges?" Fang Yang asked the group.
"Not yet," Xie Xie admitted; others shook their heads.
Fang Yang pondered. Ask Zhen Hua again? That would b unreasonable.
Tang Wulin's uneasy expression confirmed it.
Then—light dawned.
"Let's go to the Spirit Pagoda."
Eyes brightened.
Of course—the Spirit Pagoda teemed with soul masters!
With Fang Yang and Gu Yue there… arranging opponents would be effortless.
"Go."
They hailed soul-guided cars through Tian Dou's vibrant streets, heading straight for the city's Spirit Pagoda—second only to Shrek City's headquarters in grandeur, its spire piercing the heavens.
Inside, reverence settled over them.
Wu Zhangkong followed silently, face unreadable.
Fang Yang glanced at him—he remembered: Teacher Wu's beloved rested in Tian Dou's cemetery.
Wu Zhangkong met his gaze briefly, then looked away.
After Fang Yang presented his credentials, an attendant bowed deeply:
"This subordinate pays respects to Honored Fang Yang!"
"You know me?" Fang Yang raised a brow.
"Your renown echoes across all eighteen Spirit Pagodas!" the man replied, voice trembling with awe.
All eyes swiveled to Fang Yang—even Wu Zhangkong's icy gaze sharpened.
"Ah… nothing much," Fang Yang shrugged lightly.
"Just eliminated an ordinary Titled Douluo… and casually crippled someone."
The attendant's forehead beaded with sweat.
Ordinary?! That was Qiangu Zhongchen! And you crippled the Pagoda Master's grandson!
"What?!" Tang Wulin and the others gasped.
A Six-Ring Soul Emperor felling a Title Douluo?!
"Rest assured—I don't kill wantonly," Fang Yang clarified gently.
"He threatened Gu Yue. I merely… neutralized his cultivation."
"Then his subordinate attacked me—a senior bullying a junior…"
He smiled faintly. "If I hadn't possessed just a tiny bit of strength… well."
Silence.
What…?
Their minds reeled.
"So… Honored Fang Yang," the attendant wiped his brow, voice hushed with reverence, "What aid do you require?"
Fang Yang gestured to his squad:
"Five opponents—Levels 40 to 50—to fulfill our exam's combat requirement."
"Easy to arrange!" The man visibly relaxed.
"The Spirit Pagoda overflows with soul masters. I'll gather the suitable challengers at once!"
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