The next day, early morning.
The rising sun gilded Shrek Academy with a layer of golden light.
Since defeating Second Year Class One, this year's freshman class had been dubbed the strongest freshman class in a hundred years.
The class was filled with talented individuals; not only did they have the Zero Class Team led by Fang Yang, but also the Genius Team with Luo Guixing, Wu Sido, and others.
These dozen top students shone like brilliant stars, far surpassing others, which, while putting immense pressure on the other students, also ignited an unprecedented Battle Intent in them.
The entire class was enveloped in a positive and upward-striving atmosphere, with everyone desperately trying to catch up, eager to reach the pace of the leaders as soon as possible.
This healthy competition filled Grade One Class One with vibrant vitality.
Inside the Grade One Class One classroom, during class.
Shen Yi had just finished today's lesson and closed her teaching plan.
Wu Changkong, sitting in the back row of the classroom, stood up at the appropriate moment and walked steadily to the podium.
His gaze swept over the several students he was particularly focused on, finally settling on Fang Yang, Luo Guixing, and the others.
"Zero Class Team, Genius Team, come to my office after class."
Wu Changkong's voice was as cold as ever, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"Understood, Teacher Wu."
Fang Yang, Luo Guixing, and the others responded in unison.
Wu Changkong nodded slightly and left the classroom alongside Shen Yi.
As the two teachers departed, a flurry of whispers immediately erupted in the classroom.
The students speculated about the reason for this sudden summons, some envious, some curious.
Fang Yang stood up and said calmly, "Let's go, we'll go find Teacher Wu."
"Okay."
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan nodded, following closely behind.
"By the way, why is Teacher Wu suddenly looking for us?" Xie Xie scratched his head, asking with a puzzled expression.
Tang Wulin looked at him helplessly: "Xie Xie, are you serious? You don't even know this."
"Wu Lin, what do you mean?" Xie Xie retorted, unconvinced.
Tang Wulin sighed, shaking his head with feigned profundity: "Poor memory at such a young age, it truly worries this father."
"Tang Wulin, you…" Xie Xie was about to retort but was interrupted by Zhang Yangzi.
"Alright, Wu Lin, stop bullying Xie Xie."
Zhang Yangzi said, suppressing a laugh, "Xie Xie is already a bit silly, and you're still bullying him."
Wang Jinxi, hearing this from the side, couldn't help but nod, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Zhang Yangzi, Wang Jinxi, you guys…"
Xie Xie glared at them, pouting, which only drew more chuckles from the others.
"Have you forgotten about the inter-year exchange competition for first, second, and third years?" Fang Yang turned back and reminded them calmly.
"Oh, right, I remember now!"
Xie Xie suddenly understood, "Didn't we get disqualified? So…"
"Alright, we're going."
Fang Yang interrupted his explanation and walked out of the classroom.
And so, the Zero Class Team and the Genius Team went to Wu Changkong's office together.
Inside the office, Wu Changkong stood by the window, sunlight streaming through the glass onto his tall figure.
"Find a place to sit," Wu Changkong said, turning around.
The teachers' offices at Shrek Academy were quite spacious, enough to accommodate these dozen students.
Upon hearing this, everyone found a seat and sat down.
"Do you know the strength of the third-year students?" Wu Changkong asked directly.
"No."
Xie Xie shook his head honestly.
"Move over a bit, I'm mainly talking to the Genius Team," Wu Changkong pointed to the seat next to him.
Xie Xie immediately blurted out, "It's over, Teacher Wu doesn't want us anymore."
"Xie Xie…" Wu Changkong's face darkened.
The next moment, his hand directly tapped Xie Xie's head.
"Teacher Wu, it hurts…" Xie Xie wailed, clutching his head.
The Zero Class Team and the Genius Team immediately fell silent, a hint of amusement in their eyes.
Wu Changkong cleared his throat and said seriously, "The rules for this exchange competition are based on a point system, with a total of ten points for the competition."
"Among them, three one-on-one matches, each worth one point; one two-on-two match, worth two points; and the final seven-person team battle, worth five points. Six points are needed to win."
Luo Guixing, hearing this, spoke up, "Teacher Wu, we represent the first year, what about the second year?"
"Teacher Shen has gone to the second year,"
Wu Changkong explained, "For this exchange competition, both the first and second years will send their most outstanding students to participate."
"You must remember not to underestimate them. Third-year students have Cultivated for two more years than you, and their strength should not be underestimated."
"Understood, Teacher Wu." Luo Guixing and the others responded in unison.
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open. Shen Yi walked in with seven second-year students.
Fang Yang and the others looked up and found them to be familiar faces.
The second-year team was led by Yuanen Yehui, with Le Zhengyu and six other team members following behind her.
"Alright, since everyone is here,"
Wu Changkong said after Shen Yi brought the people in, "you two teams discuss the roster for the team battle against the third-year team."
"Understood."
Luo Guixing and the others nodded.
"How should the numbers be arranged?"
Yuanen Yehui didn't say much and asked directly.
Luo Guixing thought for a moment and then said, "From the first year, I, Wu Sido, Zhou Hanyou, Zhou Tian'er, and Xu Yucheng will participate."
"From the second year, Yuanen Yehui and Le Zhengyu."
Yuanen Yehui was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, I agree."
Neither side's team had any other objections to this lineup arrangement.
Among the crowd, a trace of almost imperceptible gloom flashed in Xu Lizhi's eyes.
He lowered his head, his hands unconsciously clenching, and he thought to himself, "Good, you forced my hand."
It turned out that not long ago, Dark Hummingbird, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Holy Spirit Church, had secretly approached Xu Lizhi.
Outside Shrek Academy, in a secluded corner.
Dark Hummingbird's low voice echoed: "Xu Lizhi, as a support system Spirit Master, you can't make progress without sufficient resources. Why not join our Holy Spirit Church?"
Xu Lizhi had flatly refused at the time: "No, I am a student of Shrek Academy; it's impossible for me to associate with you Evil Soul Masters."
"Oh? Don't you want revenge?"
Dark Hummingbird continued to tempt him, her voice laced with a strange allure, "Think of those who looked down on you, think of those who excluded you from the core circle…"
Xu Lizhi's heart was visibly swayed upon hearing this: "Can you make my steamed buns have offensive power?"
"Of course."
Dark Hummingbird promised, "Our Holy Spirit Church has many ways to give your food system Spirit powerful destructive capability. By then, who would dare to underestimate you?"
Xu Lizhi pondered for a long time, finally saying, "Wait for me to go back and make a decision."
"Good, I look forward to your joining." Dark Hummingbird finished speaking and disappeared into the shadows.
"Then it's settled."
Wu Changkong's voice pulled Xu Lizhi back from his thoughts, "Next, the participating students from both your years need to intensify your cooperation and familiarize yourselves with each other's combat styles."
Yuanen Yehui and Wu Sido exchanged glances, both seeing the Battle Intent in the other's eyes.
This inter-year exchange competition was not only an opportunity for the first and second years to prove themselves but also to compete for a spot in the upcoming Star Luo Continent exchange competition.
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