The Legend of the Dragon King Chapter 371-380

Chapter 371 – Marginal Victory

Tang Wulin smiled as he watched the furious Diamond Baboon. “Now we just need to wait. Lizhi, give Yuanen a few pork buns. We need her in top condition as soon as possible. Once she’s ready, we’ll kill it.”

Challenging one trial after another without much rest had exhausted them. If not for their luck and their wits, they would never have made it this far.

Tang Wulin admired Yue Zhengyu and Yuanen Yehui’s strength. With two flight-capable soul masters in their team he could use many more tactics

and pull off much more daring plans while maintaining minimal casualties.

The Diamond Baboon roared and kept jumping toward them, only to

always fall short. Fifty meters was an impossible height for it to reach, and there was nothing it could climb. All it could do was howl at them.

The Bloodthirst effect on Tang Wulin and Yuanen Yehui soon dissipated

and their complexions paled with the loss of strength. However, their bodies were strong and they could endure the feeling of weakness. They quickly

ate a few pork buns, color returning to their cheeks as they did so.

The Diamond Baboon’s howls gradually died down as the crazed look in its eyes retreated and its body shrunk. Before the ten minute mark was reached, its enraged state seemed to have ended.

“I’ll go first!” Yue Zhengyu announced.

He extracted himself from the bluesilver grass and unfurled his wings, golden flames bursting into life as he dove down to the baboon. His holy

sword manifested in his hand as an ethereal gold light surrounded him. All

three of his soul rings were lit, as he constantly switched between his three soul skills. That golden light around his body seemed to have come from his third soul skill! This was an advanced soul skill manipulation technique that required high mechanical skill and powerful soul skills.

Yue Zhengyu stopped his descent meters away from the Diamond Baboon and hovered in place, his figure obscured by the light and flames.

“Light of Judgement!” He raised his sword toward the heavens. Light gathering around the tip of his sword, lighting the entire hall up like a miniature sun. Soon, the holy sword grew to ten meters in length!

Tang Wulin looked over at Yuanen Yehui, noticing the shock in her eyes.

This was Yue Zhengyu’s true power, which he had concealed this entire time. He really hid this much strength? Is this what a rich kid does, only choosing to reveal his power at the very end of the tower attack?

In that split-second, Yue Zhengyu’s Holy Angel was far stronger than Yuanen Yehui’s Fallen Angel! While having twin martial souls made her

stronger overall, individually her martial souls were weaker since she had to spread her efforts between the two.

The air trembled as Yue Zhengyu slashed at the Diamond Baboon and sent it flying backward, golden flames devouring its body.

He had combined the power of all three of his soul skills to produce this frightening slash!

Yuanen Yehui chose this moment to attack too, transforming from a Fallen Angel into a Titan Giant Ape as she fell straight onto the Diamond

Baboon’s head. The others dropped after her. There was no suspense in the outcome of the battle anymore.

The Diamond Baboon was still struggling to get up when Yuanen Yehui

arrived, bringing her fists down to smash its head. Yet, a few feet before she struck it, its body twitched and instantly shrunk by a third. Her fists missed and struck the stone floor instead.

What?

Everyone stood there, stunned. Before they could react, the Diamond

Baboon shot to its feet and headbutted Yuanen Yehui, sending her flying with a resounding thud. The Diamond Baboon followed up on its attack, delivering a punch to her stomach.

No one had expected the weakened Diamond Baboon to suddenly unleash such strength! They couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. Tang Wulin wanted to rush in to save her, but she was too far away and he

wouldn’t make it in time. Everything had happened too suddenly. By the time he realized Yuanen Yehui was under attack, the baboon was already in pursuit.

The Diamond Baboon wasn’t injured, its eyes still filled with bloodlust. The entire time it had led them by the nose and luring them into a trap. Its

enraged state hadn’t ended at all! This wasn’t a normal stupid Diamond Baboon. No, it was intelligent like the one that led the other Diamond Baboons in an uprising against the Titan Giant Apes long ago!

Yuanen Yehui barely managed to twist her body in time to, thrust out her fists to meet the baboon’s attack. Inches before the baboon’s fist struck her, she disappeared in a burst of silver light.

However, the Diamond Baboon’s fist didn’t strike empty air.

A whirlwind of light collided with its fist. The resultant shockwave shook the room and a blurry projectile shot back, headed towards the wall. A

shield of water appeared between the projectile and the wall in an attempt to cushion the impact. The projectile was Xie Xie. He had done his best to mitigate the force behind the Diamond Baboon’s punch with his Light

Dragon Storm, but he was no match for its strength. “Xie Xie!” shouted Tang Wulin.

Everyone else had recovered from their shock now. Yue Zhengyu flew toward the Diamond Baboon, brandishing his holy sword once more.

The Diamond Baboon swelled once again as strength surged through its body again, but the bloodlust in its eyes was rapidly fading. Its enraged state was about to end. Yuanen Yehui attacked it as well, completely forgetting her differences with Yue Zhengyu.

With a boom, the Diamond Baboon was sent backward again. This time, however, its defenses were weaker, and its entire body was engulfed in holy flames. Yuanen Yehui descended, smashing her fists onto its head. Feet firmly planted on the ground now, she followed up with a straight punch, then an uppercut!

The Diamond Baboon was too weak to put up any resistance and could only get pummelled by her.

Meanwhile, Tang Wulin rushed to Xie Xie’s side.

Gu Yue had teleported Yuanen Yehui out just as Xie Xie arrived in front of the Diamond Baboon’s fist. It had taken his all to put up a defense with Light Dragon Storm.

Originally, he was going to take the hit for Yuanen Yehui, but it was impossible for him to receive the attack and come out unscathed. The difference in strength between him and the Diamond Babon was simply too great. Instead, he planned to push her out of the way at the last minute.

However, Gu Yue had teleported Yuanen Yehui out of the way, foiling his plan to be the white knight saving the princess. Rather, he was even sent flying by the Diamond Baboon.

Tang Wulin’s vision reddened with rage. Xie Xie was an agility-type soul master! It was fundamentally impossible for him to endure such an attack. Xie Xie was lucky to not have died from the five-thousand-year Diamond Baboon’s attack! Even Yuanen Yehui in her Titan Giant Ape form would have been gravely injured by the baboon’s attack, not to mention Xie Xie.

Xie Xie lay prone on the floor, his eyes looking down at his limbs that were twisted in impossible angles. His spine was crushed. Even with the water

shield cushioning the impact, his body couldn’t survive the attack.

“Xie Xie, Xie Xie!” Tang Wulin screamed. He rushed over to pick Xie Xie up.

As Tang Wulin held Xie Xie in his arms, his friend’s crippled body dissipated into specks of light. A moment later there was nothing left in his arms and a pale-faced figure appeared in the distance.

“Xie Xie…” Tang Wulin looked up to see Xie Xie, not a single hair out of place. Relief flooded him.

Xie Xie’s body swayed, then fell onto his butt. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his complexion paling. It was his clone that had taken the attack. Yet even though it was his clone, he still received much of the damage the clone sustained. Fear filled his eyes as he looked toward the Diamond Baboon.

Chapter 372 – Heavenly Phoenix Douluo

Yuanen Yehui continued to pummel the Diamond Baboon. It weakly tried to defend itself, but the attacks left it too disoriented. The baboon fell to its knees, no strength left to resist. Yuanen Yehui grabbed its head and twisted it a full 180 degrees. A resounding crack filled the hall. Then the baboon

crumpled onto the floor like a puppet with its strings cut. It was dead.

Turning back, she saw how pale and frightened Xie Xie was, and unsettling butterflies upset her stomach. After a moment though, she cooled down and shrunk back down to normal size.

Yue Zhengyu touched down beside her, his wings folding back into his back. He furrowed his brow. “What a cunning Diamond Baboon.”

“Twelfth trial cleared. You may choose to fuse with the Diamond Baboon spirit soul or continue onward.”

Yuanen Yehui strode over to Xie Xie.

He gave her a wide, shaky smile. “I’m fine. You don’t have to thank me.” “You don’t owe me anymore,” she said quietly, then turned around and

walked over to touch the floating illusory Diamond Baboon beside the door.

The baboon scattered, turning into golden specks of light and gathered

around her shoulder. It tried to struggle away from her, unwilling to become her spirit soul. But Yuanen Yehui didn’t care. She sat down and began

absorbing it, not taking no as an answer.

Tang Wulin sat down behind Xie Xie and placed his hands on his friend’s back, using the Mysterious Heaven Method to help Xie Xie recover.

Although their martial souls were different, their soul power was similar since they both cultivated the same method. Tang Wulin gently sent soul

power into Xie Xie, helping steady his breathing. Color quickly returned to Xie Xie’s face.

“You’re so reckless!” grumbled Tang Wulin. Xie Xie smiled wryly in response.

Tang Wulin was the only one who had clearly seen what happened. When Yuanen Yehui was in danger, he decided to use his Purple Demon Eyes to attack the Diamond Baboon’s mind. It was his only ranged attack, but he

didn’t know how effective it would be. A side effect of Purple Demon Eyes was improved eyesight, and it was while he was preparing his attack when he saw Xie Xie rush in with his real body!

If it wasn’t for the fact that the Diamond Baboon was weak and slow after its enraged state ended and Tang Wulin had attacked its mind to delay it, then Xie Xie wouldn’t have been able to summon his clone in time. He only had a split-second to summon a Shadow Dragon Clone and use Shadow

Dragon Storm to defend himself. Even with his Purple Demon Eyes, Tang Wulin hadn’t been able to see Xie Xie use his soul skills. It nearly gave him a heart attack when he thought Xie Xie had taken the attack with his real body. Xie Xie truly would have a crippled and mangled body right now if he hadn’t managed to summon his clone in time.

“Pfft. Didn’t you also take a hit for Gu Yue?” Recalling the moment he jumped in to save Yuanen Yehui, a magical feeling filled Xie Xie. He hadn’t thought things through at all, throwing herself between her and the baboon without any hesitation. It wasn’t until he was staring at death right in the

eye that he remembered to use his clones.

The only explanation was that dire situation compelled him to move. Fortunately for him, he had benefited from facing this danger and managed to fuse his second and third soul skills in that moment of peril to save his life.

Xu Lizhi ran over with some pork buns in hand. Xie Xie accepted the buns and happily ate them. I almost died! I wouldn’t have been able to eat

anything anymore! That was way too dangerous.

They finally understood just how different the tower attack and the spirit

ascension platform were. Any wounds they received here were real. Xie Xie truly had brushed by death just then.

Yuanen Yehui sat to one side, quietly fusing with the Diamond Baboon spirit soul. No one dared disturb her.

The twelfth trial was their limit. They wouldn’t survive against the soul beast on the next floor. The beasts they faced would only got stronger with each trial they cleared. Luckily, they had accomplished their mission. Both Xu Xiaoyan and Yuanen Yehui found a suitable spirit soul.

Everyone sat down and began to recover their soul power. Ten minutes later, the door of light disappeared. Two hours later, beams of light descended on them. When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in the room they had entered the tower from.

Xu Xiaoyan stood there waiting, beaming when she saw them. To her side was Leng Yaozhu, who smiled warmly and exclaimed, “I thought you kids would only make it to the ninth floor, but you actually cleared the twelfth! As expected of geniuses from Shrek. Let me tell you, it normally requires a full team of four-ringed soul masters to clear the twelfth trial! Your bravery and wits are truly admirable. If you’re interested, the Spirit Pagoda would love to welcome you to join us. We would provide you with the best

cultivation resources we have. This won’t affect your studies at Shrek Academy either.”

Everyone looked at each other silently. Tang Wulin was the first to step forward. He shook his head and said, “Senior, my apologies. I already belong to an organization.”

Everyone else tactfully declined as well. No one else wanted to join the Spirit Pagoda, and Gu Yue had already joined them.

“Mn. That’s fine. Here’s the bill then.” Leng Yaozhu smiled understandingly.

Bill? Oh right! We still have to pay for the spirit souls we got in the tower, but they’ll be half price!

“Senior, how much does my ice bear cost?” asked Xu Xiaoyan.

“Yours is ten million federal coins. The Diamond Baboon is thirty million. That’s after the discount, by the way.”

Tang Wulin gulped. That’s already half price? It’s still so expensive! If thousand-year spirit souls are this expensive, then just how much are ten- thousand-year ones? Wouldn’t the price be astronomical?

Leng Yaozhu smiled wryly at his reaction. “Do you think this is expensive?

It’s quite normal considering they’re both first-rate thousand-year spirit

souls. Actually, all the spirit souls in the tower were carefully gathered and selected by the Spirit Pagoda over hundreds of years. It costs a lot of manpower, resources, and money to replace them each time. What you’re paying for them is nothing in comparison. The spirit soul tower was

established to help promising young soul masters and forge a relationship

with them. If you bought the spirit soul directly, then you would have to pay the full cost to replace it. Don’t worry though, you have a month to pay us.”

“Thank you, senior.” They all bowed to her.

Leng Yaozhu shook her head. “Yue’er, you can escort them out.” Then she left.

A moment after she was gone, Yue Zhengyu turned to Gu Yue. “Hey Gu Yue, is Senior Leng the Spirit Pagoda’s Heavenly Phoenix Douluo?”

Gu Yue nodded.

Leng Yaozhu was a Titled Douluo! Her title itself was enough to fill their hearts with awe. They couldn’t even begin to imagine how powerful she was.

Yue Zhengyu gulped. “S-she’s a four-word battle armor master.”

Apart from Gu Yue, everyone’s eyes went wide. After learning about battle armor in class, they understood just what sort of important position and power she occupied.

A four-word battle armor was a supreme existence, their power on a

strategic scale, with the might to split the heavens and sunder the earth!

Chapter 373 - Four-word Battle Armor Master

Tens of thousand of years had passed and technology had made several leaps since humanity grasped the power of martial souls. With the advent of Titled Douluos, humans no longer ran from soul beasts with their tails tucked between their legs.

The number of soul rings a person possessed reflected the strength of their cultivation. Mankind had advanced to the point where amassing more than nine soul rings was no longer a dream. Every soul power rank from 90 onward provided a surge in strength.

In order to become a Titled Doulou, one needed to break through the threshold of rank 90. After reaching rank 95, they would stand at an even higher peak and possess the powers of a Super Douluo. Ultimately, a soul power of rank 99 gave rise to a Limit Douluo. Only with a Limit Douluo could humanity contend with the greatest of soul beasts, for the two types of existences stood on equal footing.

The first appearance of a Limit Doulou marked a turning point in mankind’s history, opening the door to humanity’s rise as the masters of the continent. Then came the mythical generation in which the Tang Sect Founder, Thousand Hands Douluo Tang San, was born. With his Tang Sect arts and twin martial souls, he surpassed his limits, rose to the summit of the world, and ascended to godhood. He was the sky beyond the sky.

But he wasn’t the only legendary figure to appear. His six companions,

which along with him wore the banner of the Shrek Seven Monster’s first

generation, also reached the heavens.

To this day, after thousands of years of progress, no subsequent generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters surpassed the first.

Another turning point for humanity occured ten thousand years after Tang San’s ascension. That was when the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao appeared, bent on reviving the Tang Sect. In a time of a declining soul beast population, he created spirit souls in order to ease the tensions between soul beasts and humanity. With spirit souls as the basis, he founded the Spirit Pagoda.

From then on, soul technology rapidly progressed and mankind invented all sorts of soul devices and mechas.

After a few thousand years, battle armour was introduced to the world. This marked the occasion in which mecha technology could finally transcend the might of soul masters.

Battle armor gave a soul master an incredible power boost. With four-word battle armor equipped, a new Titled Douluo could match a Limit Douluo in might!

Although a Limit Douluo was the highest form of existence attainable by mortals, aided by battle armor, no soul beast could stand a sliver of a

chance. In the end, most of the common soul beasts were wiped out.

So, Tang Wulin and the others clearly knew how formidable a four-word battle armor master was. They could count the number of these powerhouses on the continent on their fingers! The most revered of beings. Rumor had it that the other two continents also had their share of four-word battle armor masters, the residents of the Douluo Continent wholeheartedly believed that with their homeland being the birthplace of soul masters, theirs were the greatest!

Tang Wulin was already acquainted with a few Titled Douluos: his grandteacher, Scarlet Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi, his blacksmithing teacher, Blazing Dragon Douluo Feng Wuyu, and the Silver Moon Douluo, Elder

Cai! However, according to Wu Zhangkong, none of them were four-word battle armor masters!

There were people at Shrek Academy who were capable of being four-word battle armor masters. But they were stuck with three-word armor due to the academy’s limited resources, unable to advance to the next level. This was because creating a set of four-word battle armor was nigh impossible.

Yet just a moment ago, Tang Wulin and the others met the youthful-looking Heavenly Phoenix Douluo who was a four-word battle armor! From that

alone, they could piece together the puzzle. Her authority in the Spirit Pagoda must be astonishing.

For once, Yuanen Yehui reacted to Yue Zhengyu’s words. “The Heavenly Phoenix Douluo? The vice-chairman of the Spirit Pagoda’s council?”

Yue Zhengyu forced out a smile. “Who else could she be? I never expected I would be so lucky to meet the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo today! That’s three lifetimes worth of luck right there!” Yearning filled his face, as if he had just met his idol.

Tang Wulin glanced at Gu Yue and was met with a smirk. “Let’s go,” said Tang Wulin.

They were finished with everything they had set out to do today. It was up to Xu Xiaoyan and Yuanen Yehui to think of a way to pay for their new

spirit souls.

“Tang Wulin,” Yuanen Yehui called out.

He flashed her an amiable smile. “You don’t need to thank me. We’re all working students here, so we should help each other out.”

“I’m not thanking you,” she said. “I wanted to tell you to pay me my twenty thousand contribution points as soon as possible. I need to raise money to pay for my spirit soul.”

“Oh…” Tang Wulin’s face froze, prompting Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan to burst out laughing.

Then his expression soured. Twenty thousand contribution points… twenty thousand! I’m never getting into debt again! Never, dammit!

As soon as they arrived back on campus, Tang Wulin made a beeline for his blacksmithing workshop. Being in debt gave him an unbearable, unpleasant itch. He wanted to work it off as soon as possible.

Just as he was about to begin forging, a knock sounded on the door. He opened it to find Yue Zhengyu outside.

“Why are you here? Are you here to watch me work? Oh right, you still need to pay me for the jade silver. I’m sure you saw Yuanen Yehui asking me for her money,” Tang Wulin said helplessly.

Yue Zhengyu smiled. “I came here for exactly that reason. I don’t have enough contribution points to pay you yet, but I do have federal coins.

According to the Academy’s exchange rate, it should be one hundred federal coins per contribution point. She needs federal coins to pay for her spirit soul anyway, so you can just pay her two million federal coins. I thought I’d pay you two million federal coins as a downpayment for the jade silver, and I’ll make up the rest with metals. That should be better for you, right?”

“Sounds good,” said Tang Wulin.

With the way blacksmiths slowly chipped away at their work, raw metal was far more valuable to Tang Wulin than contribution points. He needed materials to forge battle armor in the future. Since Feng Wuyu was paying for his food now and he didn’t have anything to spend points on, he didn’t need to hoard points for the time being.

With a wealthy customer like Yue Zhengyu lined up, he didn’t need to worry about how to obtain spirit items in the future either. He could just forge for Yue Zhengyu in exchange for what he needed.

Lately, forging jade silver had been on the top of his blacksmithing list. It was better to focus on one goal at a time. He would forge other alloys once he was satisfied with his jade silver

His current success rate for alloy forging was thirty percent, which

amounted to seven out of ten forgings being trash. Of the successes, most barely reached a sixty percent harmony rate. He had only forged two pieces with over a ninety percent harmony rate so far, and he had given both to Yue Zhengyu. As for the low harmony rate pieces, he just kept them to himself. There were over a dozen pieces he saved to spirit refine them properly in the future.

The value of spirit alloys and spirit refined metals were pretty close, but a spirit refined alloy was on an entirely different level. Everyone yearned to

use such metal and the price was exponentially higher. For this reason, Tang Wulin wasn’t too anxious about making money from forging at the moment, patiently waiting to reap greater rewards down the road instead.

There was another reason why he wasn’t losing sleep about this. Even though spirit refined alloys might contain impurities, the higher the harmony rate of the alloy, the more chances he had to reforge and perfect it.

Yue Zhengyu’s scheme was coming to fruition as well. He wasn’t in a hurry for Tang Wulin to spirit refine the ninety percent harmony rate pieces of jade silver. With his current cultivation level, a one-word battle armor was his limit. As such, thousand refined metal was sufficient. If he created his one-word battle armor with thousand refined jade silver, then he could add another metal to the jade silver in the future, spirit refine it, and directly upgrade his armor to two-word.

Going about his battle armor this way was luxurious. Tang Wulin had been reluctant to comply with Yue Zhengyu’s requests at first, but now that he understood what Yue Zhengyu was aiming for, his heart raced as he imagined the possibilities.

Two-word battle armor could fuse with its user. Whether it was spirit refined metal or a spirit alloy, both possessed some intelligence and life.

Because of this, the longer one was in contact with it, the greater their compatibility rate.

Chapter 374 - Determination

Investing time to forge good foundational metal was better than forging new metal later on. Tang Wulin understood this. However, forging spirit alloys was no walk in the park, and forging ninety percent harmony rate pieces was even harder. Every success was birthed upon a mountain of failures.

Yue Zhengyu’s Holy Angel clan might have the resources to burn, but Tang Wulin didn’t! Fortunately, Yue Zhengyu was providing him with raw materials for practice, not to mention he would pay for pieces with a ninety percent harmony rate or higher. That said, what Tang Wulin truly wanted

wasn’t money. It was more metal.

After blacksmithing for an entire afternoon, Tang Wulin took a break to meet his friends for dinner. He had worked up an appetite.

“Wulin, don’t push yourself too hard.” Concern flashed in Gu Yue’s eyes as she took in his his exhausted expression.

“Gu Yue, I came up with an idea recently. Let’s call Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing after we’re done eating so I can tell you guys all at once,” said Tang Wulin.

“Okay,” said Gu Yue, nodding.

True to his word, Tang Wulin summoned them to his workshop after their meals.

“Class president, what’d you call us for?” Luo Guixing was quick to voice this question the moment they gathered.

Although Tang Wulin managed to gain some measure of respect from Luo Guixing and Wu Siduo, enough to make them behave, there was still a wide distance between them. Both were prodigies with their names etched onto the Genius Youths Rankings. Their pride made it difficult for them to accept Tang Wulin just yet. At the very least, they didn’t acknowledge his strength.

“So here’s the deal. I’ve got an idea I want to present to you guys. I’ve been forging metal for a second-grade student who’s also preparing to make battle armor, and compared to us, he’s going about it in a completely different way. His way seems like it’ll lay down a better foundation. If we borrow his method, I think it’ll really help us as once we become battle

armor masters.”

Tang Wulin explained Yue Zhengyu’s plan. Yue Zhengyu had neither sworn him to secrecy nor was this method feasible for just anyone. It required a

skilled blacksmith and a mountain of raw materials.

“Is that even possible?” Luo Guixing was unconvinced. “Just how much resources will it take to create a set of one-word battle armor made of spirit alloy? I can’t approve of such a method.”

Wu Siduo shook her head. “Your alloy forging success rate is low enough, but your chances of producing a piece with a ninety percent harmony rate is even lower. I’ll admit I’m shocked that you can forge spirit alloys, but we’ll have to bet on luck if we choose this method. Once we start on our battle

armors, there’s no going back. Beginning with ninety percent harmony

alloy means using the same material for the entire set. Do you really think you can produce that much? If we go through with this and you can’t, then even if we’re only short one part, it’ll be all for nothing. We won’t even be able to graduate like that.”

She frowned. “The sooner we finish our battle armors, the higher our

chances of entering the inner court. Are you telling us to all gamble on your forging success rate?”

Tang Wulin couldn’t help but nod at their words, his brow furrowing. “It seems I was too eager and didn’t think things through.”

Their criticisms were reasonable. Yue Zhengyu was wealthy enough to take this approach, but they weren’t.

“Let’s just stick with our original plan. Gu Yue’s nearly done with the hand and forearm armor designs and I’m ready to start making them the moment she is.”

“I think what Wulin said makes sense,” Gu Yue interjected. “It’ll be

challenging to create our armors with alloys, but the rewards will be great if we succeed. It'll be far easier for us to upgrade our armors in the future. Are you telling me you two aren’t planning on using spirit alloys for your two- word battle armor? You’ll never become a three-word battle armor master otherwise. If you have to do it eventually, then why not get a head start? I know it’ll be tough for us, but it’s worth the risk. I say we do as Wulin

suggested.”

Gu Yue moved to stand by Tang Wulin’s side.

Wu Siduo stared her down cooly. “If you want to gamble, then do it yourself. Since we’re split on what to do, how should we resolve this? How will our group proceed from here on?”

Luo Guixing remained silent, but it was clear he agreed with Wu Siduo.

Tang Wulin patted Gu Yue’s shoulder. “Forget about it. Let’s just go with the original plan. I was letting my imagination get the better of me. Making our armors with alloys would be too expensive, and I’m not confident I

could produce that much spirit alloy anyway.”

“No. I want to use alloys for my battle armor,” declared Gu Yue.

Tang Wulin was taken aback by her stubbornness, then warmth filled his heart. He understood that this was her way of supporting him!

Wu Siduo’s expression blackened. “So are you saying we should disband?”

Gu Yue snorted. “If you want to disband, then we’ll disband. You two didn’t like us from the beginning anyway.”

Wu Siduo sneered. “Fine! We’re disbanding! Just remember that this is what you wanted! Don’t regret this later. Let’s see how you make your

battle armor with just you two.” With this said, she turned around to leave.

Before Tang Wulin could call out to her, Gu Yue stopped him with a tug of his sleeve.

However, Luo Guixing ran in front of Wu Siduo, barring her from leaving. “You’re all so impulsive! This is no good for any of us. We were put in a group together by the Academy to make mechas or battle armor as a test.

How do you think we’ll be evaluated if our group breaks up? It’ll crush out chances of getting into the inner court! Everyone, just take a moment to

calm down. How about this: I’ll continue with the original plan with Wu Siduo. You two will forge and design as was planned. But on my side, I’m not skilled enough to work with spirit alloys, so you’ll have to find another maker.”

Wu Siduo looked like she swallowed a lemon. She didn’t leave, but she didn’t say anything either.

Staring Luo Guixing in the eye for a moment, Tang Wulin gestured his

approval. “Alright. We’ll do that then. I’ll first-grade thousand refine your metals and Gu Yue will finish the designs for your armor. As for our own armor sets, we’ll find someone good enough to make them.”

Luo Guixing smiled. “It’s settled then. Let’s end things here today. Give me a call when the designs are finished so I can start as soon as possible.”

After watching Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing’s figures disappear into the distance, Gu Yue turned to Tang Wulin with fury. “Why did you agree to that? That Luo Guixing is no good! He’s just taking advantage of us now. We’re forging and designing for them, but they’re not doing anything for us!”

Tang Wulin gave her a reassuring smile. “Just because I didn’t fight back doesn’t mean I don’t understand what’s going on. First-grade thousand refining is as easy as cake for me now and designing for them will also

serve as valuable practice for you. Luo Guixing was right about us being a

group. Even if we have conflicting views, we have to do our best to work together. Don’t forget we’re the leaders of the class. We can’t let the other students see us fighting with each other.”

Chapter 375 - Eyes

Gu Yue snorted, indignant about their situation.

Tang Wulin pressed his lips into a meek smile. “They think it’s impossible for us, so we’ll just have to show them. Gu Yue, we’ll still use magic silver in your armor. But heavy silver isn’t suitable for you. That means no jade

silver either. I think essence gold would be a better alternative. Magic silver and essence gold can be forged together into spirit gold, an alloy with great elemental amplification properties.”

“Okay. I’ll just listen to you,” Gu Yue said immediately. “What about you then? What are you going to use?”

“For me… I’ll still try my hand with heavy silver as the base since I’m so familiar with it. It’s also very dense, perfect for a foundational metal. Then I’ll add star iron to form star silver.” He rubbed his chin. “Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. Star silver is really strong, has good soul power amplification properties, and can give way to so many possibilities when I add more metals to it in the future. My bloodline might be special, but I can’t rely on just it. I have to think about how to grow my bluesilver grass as well, so star silver is the most suitable metal for me right now. The two alloys are about as hard to forge as jade silver. Well, actually, your spirit gold is a tad bit more difficult, but I think I’ll be able to pull it off. As for how high the harmony rate will be… that’ll be up to luck.”

“It’s settled then. Since you already have heavy silver and magic silver, I’ll go get some star iron and essence gold for you,” said Gu Yue.

“You will?” Tang Wulin stared at her in astonishment. Star iron and essence gold were far more valuable than heavy silver or magic silver. The only reason he had decided on these alloys was because Yue Zhengyu was providing him with heavy silver and magic silver.

Gu Yue had never talked about her family before and always lived a simple life, seldom indulging in any luxuries. He always thought her situation was similar to his own.

“Where are you going to get all that money from?” Tang Wulin asked. “You don’t have to worry about it. Just focus on forging. I’ll handle the

metal. We have lots of metal at the Spirit Pagoda, you know? And I’m the vice-chairman’s direct disciple.”

“Don’t force yourself! We can work on it together, and if worst comes to worst, I can just sell some of my alloys to get the funds necessary. They should fetch quite a sum if I do.”

“It’s fine, I can handle this,” said Gu Yue.

Her determination moved him, bright like a flame. “Let’s tell Xiaoyan and Xie Xie about this when we get back. We’ll let them practice with their group first, then once they’re more skilled, we can help them make a one- word armor as well.”

“Okay. I’ll head back first,” said Gu Yue. “There’s a lot I have to change in the designs now that we’re going to use spirit alloys. The original circuit

core isn’t suitable anymore. I’ll need to think about this.”

Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing’s concerns had made sense. If Tang Wulin

couldn’t guarantee high harmony rate alloys, then it was too risky for them to make their one-word battle armor with alloys. This was also why Tang Wulin agreed to find another maker.

Since those two weren’t making their battle armor now, he had to find someone else to fill the gap. As for who, he had no clue.

Originally, he had originally been uncertain about this plan, but Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing’s attitude toward him and Gu Yue helped him steel his resolve. Everyone had their own pride and Tang Wulin was no exception.

He convinced himself that he could prevail through his efforts. Although his martial soul was the trashy bluesilver grass and his Goldlight had been a defective spirit soul, through sheer perseverance, he grew stronger. Now he was the class president of Shrek Academy’s first grade. Even Goldlight

evolved to become Goldsong. Compared to everything that he had been through, this challenge was nothing. A speck at the bottom of his shoe. No matter what obstacles came his way, he’d face them one step at a time.

☀

A cool evening breeze greeted Gu Yue once she stepped outside. She frequently left campus for the Spirit Pagoda to handle her personal affairs.

Not long after she passed through the gates, a glossy black SUV pulled up in front of her. A tall man got out of the driver’s seat and walked over to open the door for her.

If Tang Wulin were present, he would have been shocked. It would have been the most luxurious soul car he had ever laid eyes on.

Gu Yue entered the vehicle. The interior flaunted red leather seats and tanned wood covers accented by shiny metal linings and gems.

She took her seat calmly. “Prepare ten tons of essence gold and star silver for me.”

“Yes, young miss,” answered the driver.

“Let’s get going to the Spirit Pagoda then.”

“Understood.” The black SUV pulled onto the road and sped off. Despite how fast the vehicle was going, Gu Yue didn’t experience a single bump or hear anything from outside. She relaxed into the soft leather seats, leaning

against the window as she watched cars zoom by. As she stared out at the world, her eyes gradually lost focus.

A while later, the SUV rolled to a stop in front of the Spirit Pagoda headquarters. Once again the driver got off to open the door for Gu Yue, a hand hovering protectively over her head as she got disembarked.

As Gu Yue headed toward the Spirit Pagoda headquarters, the driver returned to the vehicle and drove off into the darkness.

Gu Yue made straight for the elevator and up to Leng Yaozhu’s office.

“Oh, you’re here?” Leng Yaozhu smiled in greeting. “Your mom just called me and asked how you were doing. She’s really worried about you, you know!”

Gu Yue laughed. “What’s there to be worried about? With you around, who would dare harm me?”

The corner of Leng Yaozhu’s mouth quirked up a bit, but it wasn’t quite a smile. “Yueyue, I found out about your little secret now.”

“What secret?” Gu Yue asked suspiciously. Leng Yaozhu smirked. “Your eyes.”

“My eyes?” Her confusion was evident by her creased brows.

“There’s something different about your eyes when you look at Tang Wulin.

You weren’t looking at him like he was just anybody. So, you’ve got something going on with him?”

“I don’t!” .

“I’ve looked into Tang Wulin’s background. He obtained a defective spirit

soul from us in the past yet he was still able to make it into Shrek Academy. Unbelievable.”

Gu Yue’s expression darkened. “You investigated him?”

Leng Yaozhu chuckled. “Of course I investigated the person our little princess is interested in. But you don’t have to worry. We won’t interfere with your life. If you really do like him, then that’s that. As a student at

Shrek, he’s got the qualifications to be with you. Your family is really open- minded too, so they won’t act all melodramatic about it. Just don’t forget that you’re only thirteen years old. It’s too early for you to be thinking

about this kind of stuff. If you’re serious about wanting to date him, then at least wait a few years until you two are both more mature.”

Gu Yue blushed, blurting out in a fluster, “No way! Stop talking such nonsense, Teacher! We’re just classmates and nothing more!”

“Mhm. Sure. If that’s what you want to call it,” Leng Yaozhu said with an eyebrow raised. “That Tang Wulin’s quite a catch though. He might not be very powerful right now, but he shows great potential. I watched his battle with the Demon Lizard Dragon, and was shocked when he completely

suppressed it with his aura and killed it in one hit. You guys wouldn’t have made it to the twelfth floor if not for him. If my guess is right, he has a draconic bloodline. I’m not sure which one it is, but it’s definitely inclined towards pure strength.

“Although the Demon Lizard Dragon is a land dragon, its draconic blood is quite strong. The fact that he could suppress it shows how formidable his bloodline is. Though, it’s a pity about his martial soul. A strong bloodline won’t be enough to make up for that. Are you sure he doesn’t have twin martial souls?”

Gu Yue frowned. “I’m not sure either. His body’s situation is special. HIs bloodline can produce a golden ring, but I’m absolutely certain it’s not an actual soul ring. The aura is completely different. He’s able to use that power even without a single drop of soul power in his body.”

“Hmm. Let’s just watch for now then. It’s really a pity that the Tang Sect has already snatched him away,” said Leng Yaozhu, sighing. “Otherwise, I’d definitely have recruited him. Those other kids are quite something as well. They may not be as talented as you, but they can still be considered geniuses. Well, that’s to be expected from Shrek.”

“Let’s begin,” Gu Yue said.

“Mn.” Leng Yaozhu waved her hand and a metal door on the side of the room opened.

Chapter 376 - Reunion with Ye Xinglan

Gu Yue took the lead walking toward the door. Behind her followed Leng Yaozhu. “Yueyue, your cultivation is coming along nicely and your design skills are improving quickly. Shall I help you start a one-word battle armor?

I can get it done for you within half a year. Considering your design skills, a three-metal alloy would work out well. You’ll be able to upgrade it easily in the future.”

“No, I’m fine. But thank you, Teacher. Please allow me to handle my own battle armor.” Not batting an eye, Gu Yue refused an offer ordinary soul masters would only dream of, and with that matter settled, the master and disciple pair stepped through the door.

☀

Tang Wulin returned to his dormitory late in the evening, his muscles as heavy as lead. He flopped onto his bed. After struggling to sit and bend his legs into a pretzel, he let himself drift into meditation.

His efforts these past few days paid off. He helped two of his friends obtain a new spirit soul, gained valuable combat experience in the process, and

settled his path toward creating a one-word battle armor. Gu Yue’s support lit the embers of confidence in his soul. He was convinced that as long as he kept persevering, he would one day become a mighty battle armor master.

It didn’t matter if it took him a little longer than others. There was still plenty of time before the outer court graduation deadline. The path he chose

would cause him to endure some difficulties and be pressed for time, but the reward would be worth it in the end.

After Gu Yue handed him a staggering amount of star iron and essence gold, he was curious over her method of obtaining it. However, he didn’t press the issue. Everyone was entitled to their secrets.

With the materials gathered and their daring plan ready for execution, gone were Tang Wulin and Gu Yue’s free time. Tang Wulin attended classes in the morning and forged in the afternoon. Under Feng Wuyu’s personal guidance, he made much progress with alloy forging and added spirit gold and star silver to his repertoire.

Although his success rate was low, it was steady. As his perception and

experience increased, his success rate would naturally follow. Now was the time to forge like his life depended on it, no matter how tedious it was.

Feng Wuyu still criticized him as harshly as before, nitpicking every mistake, small or otherwise. Compared with Mu Chen’s, their teaching styles were as different as night and day. Initially, Tang Wulin had been shocked by the difference, but he adapted to his situation and soaked up Feng Wuyu’s knowledge and experience. He harbored no resentment

toward Feng Wuyu for he knew that the crazy old man had his best interests at heart.

☀

“It’s been a month since the beginning of the school year and I’m sure you’ve all grown quite a bit. We will be holding a competition between the first and second grades in the four main professions and combat,” Shen Yi

announced from behind the lectern, sweeping her gaze through her students.

“In order to decide on the participants fairly and put forth the best

combatants, you will be tasked to form your own teams. Then each team will sign up for a competition where the winners will represent our class.

Each team may have no more than seven people and no less than three. The class council will be representing us for the profession competitions. When forming your teams, keep in mind that for the sake of fairness, the second

grade’s team will have one less person than ours. So if our representative team has three people, then the second grade’s team can only have two. Now, let’s begin the process for selecting the representative team. Tang Wulin.”

“Yes.” Tang Wulin stood up.

“Once class is over, record all the teams and submit a report to me.” “Understood.”

After class, the entire classroom erupted into chatter. Everyone was tantalized by the possibility of representing their class in a battle against the second grade. It was an opportunity for them to earn extra credit, boosting their chances of entering the inner court in the future. There wasn’t a single person willing to let this chance slip through their hands.

Gu Yue nudged Tang Wulin. “Who’s going to be in our group?”

Tang Wulin glanced at Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing. He knew that their best chance was to gather all of the class’s greatest talents into one team.

In their class, apart from himself and Gu Yue, the five most powerful people were Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing, Yang Nianxia, Zheng Yiran, and Xu Yucheng. Each of the five were on the Genius Youths Ranking, so if they formed a seven-man team with him and Gu Yue, their chances of winning over the second grade were high.

Within the second grade, Tang Wulin knew of Yuanen Yehui and Yue Zhengyu. Just thinking about those two was enough to make him sweat. The strength Yue Zhengyu revealed during the tower attack sent him into a state of awe, and he didn’t even want to think about Yuanen Yehui with her new Diamond Baboon spirit soul. Coupled with four soul rings, her power undoubtedly reached a frightening new level. Holding back against such opponents meant certain defeat!

If they didn’t fill the first grade’s team with the cream of the crop, then even with a one-man advantage, they’d have to fight tooth and nail for victory.

Tang Wulin glanced at his classmates. Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing, and Yang Nianxia stood beside each other, huddling together as they exchanged some hushed words.

“It doesn’t look like they plan on grouping with us.” Gu Yue sneered.

Lately, Tang Wulin and Gu Yue felt ostracized by their classmates under the lead of the five rankers. This change started after Tang Wulin and Gu Yue

chose to make their battle armor from alloys. Since then, they became estranged with Wu SIduo and Luo Guixing.

“We’ll just make our own group,” Tang Wulin said.

Turning to face him, Gu Yue was astonished to see the confidence burning within his eyes.

She liked this look on him best. That determined expression that appeared in the face of challenge. He never backed down, always sweating tears and blood to strive for victory, never cowering from tribulations, even when all hope seemed lost. He always advanced with sheer willpower, guiding his teammates like a shining beacon. Being shunned by the five rankers was but a trifling matter to him.

Tang Wulin cast his attention to his other friends. “Xie Xie, Xiaoyan, let’s form a group.”

Their individual power wasn’t particularly remarkable. However, a team’s strength didn’t necessarily stem from the sum of its members. Teamwork was just as important. Tang Wulin’s team made up for its lack of power

with its extraordinary teamwork. As comrades for so many years, they held a deep understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Together they had been through thick and thin. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they had forged unbreakable bonds. In comparison, the team of rankers

were practically strangers with one another. A team in name only. Since that was the case, Tang Wulin was bent on showing everyone their might. He only had eyes for the goal: to become the class representative team!

While Tang Wulin’s heart burned with resolution, Shen Yi returned to the classroom with two people in tow.

As soon as he recognized them, Tang Wulin was shocked. A moment later, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Everyone, quiet down,” Shen Yi said.

The entire class went silent, everyone’s attention focusing on Shen Yi.

“Two new students will be joining our class today. This here is Ye Xinglan, an assault-type soul master. The other one is Xu Lizhi, a food-type soul master. Give them a warm round of welcome.”

Amidst the scattered applause, some whispers could be heard between the students. “When did Shrek get so relaxed? Why are they only joining us now? Isn’t this strange?”

Tang Wulin still remembered the beating Ye Xinglan had served him on a silver platter, and he had reunited with Xu Lizhi a few days ago. His smile grew bigger as he recalled Xu Lizhi’s tremendous help during the tower

attack.

If we have him, then...

Chapter 377 - Genius Youths Ranking? What's That?

Xu Lizhi’s enormous bulk immediately made him the center of attention, but Tang Wulin observed Ye Xinglan. He was surprised at how much she had changed in the past few years.

They were ten years old last they met. Three years later now, Ye Xinglang became a budding beauty. She stood at about 160 centimeters tall, her

slender figure accented by her alluringly long legs. She stood on equal ground with Xu Xiaoyan in terms of looks, and so everyone’s eyes drifted to her after recovering how shockingly fat Xu Lizhi was.

However, her serious expression hadn’t changed one bit from their last meeting. She still regarded everyone else coldly, an invisible barrier forming around her.

“Since you two transferred in late, you can take the empty seats in the back. We’re preparing for our match against the second grade right now. You two can choose to join a team as well. I hope you’ll be able to fit in quickly,” Shen Yi said.

Tang Wulin had doubtful when Xu Lizhi said him and Ye Xinglan might be transferring into the outer court since it seemed such an improbable

situation. Yet here they were. Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan were now his classmates.

Ye Xinglan had left a deep impression on Tang Wulin. Her use of her Stargod Sword had reminded him of Wu Zhangkong, and he knew her

strength couldn’t simply be measured by her cultivation.

Shen Yi left, but everyone’s eyes were still focused on the two newcomers. The majority of the gazes, however, were focused on Ye Xinglan.

Luo Guixing approached them first, greeting Ye Xinglan with a warm

smile. “Hi, I’m Luo Guixing. May I ask how many soul rings you have?”

Ye Xinglan glanced at him before walking toward the back of the classroom without speaking a word.

Luo Guixing stood there, stunned. His handsomeness, gentle smile, and

status as someone on the Genius Youths Ranking had never failed to charm anyone before. He had absolute confidence in himself, yet Ye Xinglan hadn’t even spared him a second glance! Her attitude toward him was

absolutely ice cold.

The other students moved out of the way as Ye Xinglan walked to the back of the classroom. Meanwhile, Tang Wulin ran over Xu Lizhi, patting him on the shoulder. “We’re classmates now, so you should join my team. I really want you.”

Xu Lizhi hushed him. “Can’t you be a bit quieter? People are going to misunderstand!” Gu Yue couldn’t help but giggle as she watched the two from the side.

After fighting shoulder-to-shoulder in the tower attack, Tang Wulin trusted Xu Lizhi, and his companions knew Xu Lizhi’s strength was more than

sufficient to make him a good teammate.

“Wulin,” Xu Lizhi said in a hushed tone. “Can you invite Xinglan too? With her personality, she’ll just end up all alone if you don’t. I can’t bear to see her like that!”

“Sure!” Tang Wulin held no grudge against her. Their team would gain

another cornerstone if she agreed to join. He could only imagine how much stronger she had grown in the last three years.

Since Ye Xinglan refused Luo Guixing’s advances, no one else dared

approach her. Luo Guixing and he was one of the most respected students of the first grade, more so than Tang Wulin, and everyone wanted to enter the team of a ranking control-type soul master like him. Although Tang Wulin was the class president, everyone knew that his martial soul was bluesilver grass. Even after showing some of his power, his classmates placed him below the five rankers. The fact that Tang Wulin never

socialized with his classmates as he was busy cultivating or blacksmithing served to compound their lukewarm opinion of him.

Tang Wulin sauntered over to Ye Xinglan. “Long time no see!”

Ye Xinglan glanced at him, her brow wrinkling when she saw it was him.

“Who let you drag Lizhi with you off to the tower attack? You’ve still got to answer to me for that.”

“Eh…” Her stubbornness hasn’t changed at all!

“So? What about it?” Gu Yue interjected. She couldn’t stand Ye Xinglan’s attitude.

Ye Xinglan snorted but remained silent.

Yet Tang Wulin met her cold shoulder with a warm smile. “Ye Xinglan, you should join my team. The competition this time requires teams of a minimum of three people to participate, so it’s impossible with just you and Lizhi.”

“I just won’t participate then.” Ye Xinglan glared at him. “Okay. Tell me then, why are you cultivating?”

Ye Xinglan was surprised he didn’t press the issue but instead posed such a question to her.

“To become strong!” she answered.

“Oh. I see. Well, our opponents this time will be the second grade. There

are some powerful people in their class. Don’t you want to spar with them?”

“Powerful people?” Ye Xinglan’s cheek twitched.

Tang Wulin’s smile grew bigger at her showing interest. “How about you try battling them? How else would you know if they really are strong or not? Even the most boring things have value in doing. Join my team and you’ll have a chance to fight them.”

“The class president sure is confident, huh?” a voice interjected from the side.

Tang Wulin turned to see Zheng Yiran looking at him dismissively. Indeed, it was Jade Snake Zheng Yiran, the poison-wielding ranker!

“Confidence is important for soul masters to have.” Tang Wulin smiled wryly at her.

“Oh my. Let’s see you defeat everyone in our class and battle the second grade’s represnetatives then.” She pointed at him. “Our team isn’t too powerful either. We just have Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng, Yang Nianxia, and me. But we don’t need any deadweight. Just us five on the Genius Youths Ranking will be enough to win.”

Tang Wulin frowned. He looked over toward the rankers, and sure enough, Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng, and Yang Nianxia stood together.

Wu Siduo was expressionless while Luo Guixing wore his usual half-smile. Yang Nianxia waved at him with an amiable expression.

Those five are joining hands?

Tang Wulin’s frown deepened. He understood that they were targeting him. All five were rankers and had the strength to match. Yet he became class president without fully displaying his strength. It was natural that the rankers had no respect for him.

Alright, bring it on then!

“Genius Youths Ranking? What’s that?” Ye Xinglan asked Zheng Yiran.

Zheng Yiran was stunned. “You don’t even know what the Genius Youths Ranking is? It’s one of the minor rankings under the Continental Ranking! It’s a list of the top thirty young soul masters, and the five of us are on it!” Pride filled her eyes as she proclaimed her status. Her sense of pride was rightly so, being able to climb into such a prestigious ranking.

Ye Xinglan shook her head. “Never heard of it. I only know of the

Continental Ranking. I guess you five are alright since you made it onto that ranking though.”

Ye Xinglan’s change of attitude took Tang Wulin by surprise. Huh. She does have a cute side to her.

Zheng Yiran sneered. “Fine! I’ll show you just what it means for someone to be on the Genius Youths Ranking if we meet in the arena!” She turned to Tang Wulin and smiled with narrowed eyes. “Class president, good luck.

Really though, what meaning is there in you being class president?”

Tang Wulin maintained a warm smile as he raised a hand to stop Gu Yue from speaking out.

Zheng Yiran turned around and walked away. There had been some

students hanging nearby, but after Zheng Yiran’s last remark, they all moved away from Tang Wulin.

So the five of them are working together to shun us? To shun me?

Tang Wulin had never expected such a development. But then he began to understand where he had gone wrong. It was his fault for not forming

connections with his classmates after becoming class president. He had neglected to socialize.

After coming to a difference of opinions with Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing about their battle armor plans, their bad will against him grew, ultimately leading to the current situation.

Now Luo Guixing walked over.

“Class president, I’ve discussed things with Wu Siduo and come to the

conclusion that since we can’t help you as a maker or mechanic, then it’s not right for us to have you forge for us still. I went to talk to the teachers today and got their approval to split up our group. Sorry for inconveniencing you.”

Now he’s turning his back on me? Splitting up the class council group? “Fine.” Tang Wulin said quietly, almost in a whisper.

Luo Guixing kept his eyes trained on Tang Wulin. “Class president, the future is long.”

Tang Wulin smiled again. “You’re right. The future is long.”

Chapter 378 - New Companions

“Did they plan this?” Xie Xie was fuming. “They’re just taking advantage of this competition to single you out. I bet they knew about the match a long time ago.”

“It’s fine.” Tang Wulin shook his head, then turned to Ye Xinglan. “As you just saw, I’m being shunned by our classmates right now.” He made to return to his seat.

“Wait a second,” she called out.

“Huh?” Tang Wulin stopped in his tracks, turning back to face her.

Knowing the situation, he thought that no reasonable person would want to join his team.Ye Xinglan singlehandedly shattered his expectations.

She rose from her seat and looked him straight in the eye. “Actually, I like being isolated. I’ll join you guys.”

Like an ocean wave, her words swept through the classroom, leaving

everyone drenched in shock. She likes being isolated? There are actually people like this? Is she crazy?

Unlike the others, Tang Wulin picked up on the unwavering solemnity in her eyes. This girl’s got some story to her!

“Alright. Welcome to the team.” Tang Wulin offered his hand and Ye Xinglan accepted.

Xu Lizhi grinned as he watched. “Great! This is fantastic!”

After shaking hands with Ye Xinglan, Tang Wulin flipped around, shifting his attention to the spectators in the room. “I’m sure everyone’s aware of the situation by now,” he said, making sure to project his voice. “There’s this idea floating around that I’m unjustly occupying the position of class president. And to that, I have to say no. I earned this position with my

strength. Since some of you don’t believe that, use this competition to verify for yourselves. If me and my team aren’t selected to represent our class, I will resign from being the class president.”

Tang Wulin paused to let his words sink in, directing his gaze toward Wu Siduo, Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng, Yang Nianxia, and Zheng Yiran. His

eyes flickered gold, his pupils narrowing into vertical slits as he stared them down, blood essence surging within his body. “But if my team wins, don’t you dare provoke me!”

His declaration struck everyone mute. The crowd parted as he made his way to the front of the classroom, confidence dripping from his body.

“Report your groups to me here,” Tang Wulin said.

Luo Guixing was the first to approach him, a faint smile on his lips. “Class president, here’s my group of five.”

The two locked gazes. Luo Guixing wore his usual insincere smile, which contrasted with Tang Wulin’s serene expression. No one could fathom their thoughts.

An explosive aura around the two, akin to a ticking time bomb, kept the rest of the class holding their tongues. One by one each group signed up, letting slip not a peep in the process. Some looked at Tang Wulin with eyes of

contempt. Some sneered, others were indifferent, and some even showed sympathy.

However, there was no one who truly saw him for who he was. Luo

Guixing’s team of five rankers was powerful, especially with a top ten ranker like Wu Siduo amidst them. On the other hand, the cornerstones of Tang Wulin’s group were him and Gu Yue. Compared to them, Xie Xie and

Xu Xiaoyan weren’t anything special. Even with the addition of the two new students, no one believed they could overcome that golden team.

“You may all leave now,” Tang Wulin said after accomplishing his duty, promptly making for the door.

Gu Yue, Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, Xu Lizhi, and Ye Xinglan followed him out.

The moment the last of their team left the classroom, everyone exploded into chatter.

“Who does he think he is to provoke the Five Greats?” This statement mirrored the majority’s thoughts.

Yang Nianxia frowned and motioned to Luo Guixing. “Why is he so confident?

In terms of strength, he should fall a bit short of us. Gu Yue’s the one we

should be concerned about. Even so, that only makes two of them who are worth something.”

“Please. Confidence? It looks to me like he’s just bluffing,” Zheng Yiran

said mockingly. “Things have already progressed so far, but he just refuses to admit defeat. Now we just have to come up with the best method to knock him down in the class tournament. Didn’t he say he would resign if they’re defeated? Let’s see if he keeps his word when the time comes.”

Luo Guixing narrowed his eyes. “It wasn’t merely coincidence or luck that Tang Wulin became the class president. Strength also played a role.

Besides, I’m certain he wouldn’t make such a declaration without some basis. He probably knows those two new students. I don’t think that Ye Xinglan is any ordinary person.”

“So what?” Wu Siduo didn’t seem one bit concerned. “Just me alone is enough to deal with their entire team.” Her words rang true. With Hell

White Tiger, there was no one in her soul ring level that could stand against her. Not only that, she had four soul rings! Because Tang Wulin had just gained his third ring, she barely gave him another thought.

Not only did they join hands to target Tang Wulin, they also wished to fight in the match against the second grade. Defeating those stronger than them yielded the most course credit, and like how water flows downstream, a team of five powerful people would result in a powerful team!

☀

The first thing Tang Wulin did after leaving the classroom was pay a visit to the teachers’ office, handling the matter of his previous group’s division. He didn’t explain the situation to them. If he did, it would have have come off

as him complaining. His pride forbid him from doing that.

As soon as he concluded his business in the teacher’s office, he led his teammates to his blacksmith’s workshop. From start to finish, his

expression was nothing less than tranquil.

They were isolated from the world once the door shut behind them. Tang Wulin swept his gaze across his teammates and said in a low voice, “I’m sorry. I’ve dragged you all into my troubles. I’ve been neglecting my

responsibilities as class president too much and that has lead to the current situation.”

Gu Yue frowned. “How can you be blamed for that? They were clearly targeting all of us. And so what if they’re working together now? What do we have to be afraid of?”

Tang Wulin smiled wryly at her response. “I’m not worried about that.

Actually, I brought you all here to discuss the plans Gu Yue and I had for the future. Perhaps you guys will be interested in joining in. I won’t lie, there are a few quirks that need to be hammered out, but if we succeed, our future growth will be tremendous!

“Luo Guixing and Wu Siduo withdrew from our group, so I went to the teachers’ office and applied to form a new mecha making group with the six of us here. But we’re not going to make mechas.” The corners of his lips tilted upward. “We’re going to make battle armor.

Ye Xinglan’s eyes went wide at the mention of battle armor, her gaze firmly fixed on Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin explained his and Gu Yue’s plan regarding the usage of spirit alloys for their one-word battle armor.

Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan could only listen passively. Their knowledge on blacksmithing was surface-level at best, but from the vibrant way in which Tang Wulin spoke of spirit alloys, they understood that such metal was powerful and challenging to work with.

However, Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglang were from the inner court. It was impossible for them not to know how amazing spirit alloy was.

Ye Xinglan’s expression finally broke from its usual cool indifference. “I never expected such ideas from the outer court. Count me in.”

Tang Wulin faced Xu Lizhi. “How about you?” Xu Lizhi grinned. “Count me in too.”

Xu Xiaoyan and Xie Xie exchanged a look, their expressions grim.

Forcing out a bitter smile, Xie Xie said, “Boss, I’ve been working hard, but I can’t advance in my profession in just one or two days. There’s nothing I can do to contribute to this plan!”

Tang Wulin shook his head. “Don’t worry about it and take it easy. We still have time. We have six years to make a one-word battle armor. This method might require more time than the normal way, but if we’re successful, we’ll speed through making two-word battle armors. The normal way won’t be

able to compare.”

He turned to Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan. “So, what are your professions?”

Chapter 379 - Divine Alloy

“I’m a fourth-rank mecha mechanic,” said Xu Lizhi. “Mecha maker, fourth rank,” Ye Xinglan stated.

Tang Wulin and Gu Yue rejoiced when they heard the two’s professions.

A huge grin lit up on his face as he stared at them. “You guys are just what we needed! This is fantastic! Xie Xie, you can help Ye Xinglan and learn from her. You’ll need to improve if you want to make your own battle

armor in the future. Xiaoyan, you can learn from Gu Yue.”

Xu Lizhi looked at him curiously. “So you’re a blacksmith and Gu Yue’s a designer?”

Tang Wulin nodded. “Yeah. She’s a fourth-rank designer.”

“Can you really forge alloys?” Ye Xinglan asked. Although he had filled her in that he was a fifth-rank blacksmith, and thus capable of forging

alloys, she found it hard to believe. Blacksmiths were the rarest of the four main professions due to how much time it took and how difficult it was to advance. As a result, the average age of blacksmiths tended to be much higher than those of other professions in the same rank.

Tang Wulin smiled wryly. “I understand you’re skeptical, so see for yourself.” He walked over to the shelf of metals, picked out two chunks, then brought it to the forging table.

“I can only forge two-metal alloy at the moment and my success rate is thirty percent. The metals I’m currently able to forge are jade silver, spirit

gold, and star silver. I’ll need you guys to decide on an alloy soon. That way, I can start working on it.”

At the sound of his words, Ye Xinglan’s eyes lit up. “You can forge jade silver?”

“Mn.”

“I want jade silver then!” she blurted.

“I’ll have star silver,” said Xu Lizhi. Clearly, the two had already put much thought into their own battle armor.

“Great. That saves me some trouble. Also, we might all need to pitch in for the metals,” Tang Wulin said.

Ye Xinglan grunted her affirmation.

Receiving the responses he desired, Tang Wulin broke into a smile. “Alright, one jade silver coming right up.”

A minute later, the two metals needed to create the alloy were heated to a glowing red. Tang Wulin summoned his two hammers into his hands. Both arms swinging at once, he began slamming down into the metal.

It’s been several days since he started forging alloys, yet his success rate was stuck at a measly thirty percent. It was a bottleneck restricting him from taking the next step.

As Tang Wulin forged, his world shrank until all he could perceive was the glow of the metals. Even the weight of his hammers and the burn of his muscles faded away. Each of his strikes contained near-tangible focus as he vented his frustrations.

He had been putting up a brave front in the classroom. If he hadn’t been affected by the gossip and bullying, he wouldn’t have made such a

provoking declaration! He was still only thirteen years old after all. He was determined to prove himself to his classmates as the legitimate class president.

As such, to say that he was itching to battle against the five rankers was an understatement. In the event he met defeat by their hands, he would resign as class president.

☀

“What do you think of the situation?” Shen Yi sat on the sofa in the teacher’s lounge with one leg crossed over the other, a half-smile on her lips.

Wu Zhangkong’s expression was stern as usual. “I think it’s best to treat them the way our teacher treated us. Shrek Academy offers a lot of freedom to its student and refuses to suppress their individuality. I do have one

concern though.”

“What concern?” Shen Yi asked.

“The match doesn’t give Tang Wulin enough pressure.”

“Not enough? Just how great do you think your disciple is?” Shen Yi stared in astonishment. She didn’t view Tang Wulin’s chances at victory in an optimistic light. The team of five rankers was just too powerful, especially with Wu Siduo’s Hell White Tiger. No one could stand against it. Gu Yue may have won against Wu SIduo previously, but it was during a time when Wu Siduo had been exhausted and unable to use Hell White Tiger. Wu Siduo in peak condition was a more frightening foe than any of them could imagine. Moreover, she was supported by Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng, Yang Nianxia, and Zheng Yiran. In their team of five, two had four soul rings.

This was one of the most powerful teams to appear in recent Shrek Academy history.

Yet Wu Zhangkong didn’t believe that yielded enough pressure for Tang Wulin.

“Let’s hold back Ye Xinglan from the coming match. We’ll let her fight in the match against the second grade,” Wu Zhangkong said.

“Huh? Isn’t that too mean?” Shen Yi gaped.

“You don’t understand Tang Wulin. He’s resolute and patient. Even after teaching him for three years, I still can’t see his limits. Time after time, he has accomplished the impossible. Ye Xinglan came from the inner court, so there’s no need to doubt her strength. If we let her help Tang Wulin against the rankers, they’ll gain an easy victory. Tang Wulin is like a spring. The more pressure on him, the harder he’ll push back. In that respect, Gu Yue

and him are quite similar. Her limits are a mystery to me as well. As for Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan… They’ve finally realized how far behind they are

after coming here, and are working hard to catch up. What they need now is confidence. The four of them plus Xu Lizhi makes exactly five. It’s suitable to have a five-on-five battle.”

Shen Yi remained silent. Suitable, huh...

☀

A humming radiance shot up, glittering like jade.

Ye Xinglan stood rooted in place, utterly shocked. She hadn’t thought much of Tang Wulin beforehand. Her memory of him amounted to a stingy kid, a boy who ran off and left behind an outrageous dinner bill for her and Xu Lizhi. She still held a grudge for that. That said, Ye Xinglan also remembered how unyielding he had been in the Skysea Alliance Tournament match afterward. Yet what Tang Wulin had just accomplished

shattered her previous view of him. He succeeded at forging an alloy! There were few fifth-rank blacksmiths who could forge them due to their lack of

spiritual power. Most only started learning how to after becoming a sixth- rank blacksmith skilled at spirit refining. So she was absolutely shocked!

From the moment he landed the first strike of his hammer to the last resounding bang, she and Xu Lizhi had been drawn in by his forging tempo, utterly mesmerized. It was their first time witnessing such a sight. In their

eyes, it was as though Tang Wulin and the metal had become one. His hammers rose and fell nimbly yet forcefully. His movements flowed like river water.

“I’m going to appraise its harmony rate now.” With that said, Tang Wulin took out a small device he had borrowed from the Shrek Blacksmith’s

Association and placed it on the jade silver. Although he had technically borrowed it, with a wave of Feng Wuyu’s hand, that borrowing became long term. It was practically his now.

A moment later, a number appeared on the screen that left him dumbstruck. Peering over his shoulder at it, Gu Yue was similarly left speechless.

Tang Wulin’s mouth quivered for a second before he let out a long sigh.

“Is it low? It looks like you succeeded though. Even a harmony rate in the sixties is good,” Xu Lizhi said as he approached the two. But when he saw the number displayed on the screen, he inhaled sharply.

“N-ninety-five! No way!”

Without a doubt, the number flashing brightly was ninety-five! It was Tang Wulin’s greatest piece yet!

Ye Xinglan rushed over to see for herself. She could hardly believe her eyes when she saw the number.

“Why did you sigh when the harmony rate is so high?” Ye Xinglan asked.

Tang Wulin smiled bitterly. “I sighed because I can’t use it! It would have been better if I chose to forge star silver instead. This piece of jade silver is enough for one battle armor part.”

“It’s mine.” Ye Xinglan snatched it up and stored it into her storage ring. “Well aren’t you shameless,” Gu Yue groaned.

Ignoring Gu Yue’s comment, Ye Xinglan said to Tang Wulin, “I’ll pay you for it later.”

“Okay…” The corners of Tang Wulin’s mouth twitched. He was heartbroken to part with a ninety-five percent harmony rate piece! Seven more metals could be added to it in the future to make it a nine-metal alloy!

Although at first glance there didn’t seem to be much of a difference between ninety-five percent and ninety-one percent, among blacksmiths, a ninety-five percent alloy was called the foundation of divine alloy.

Two-metal alloys were known as basic alloys, three-metal ones were quality alloys, four-metal was top-quality, and five-metal was holy. But alloys with five or more metals were extremely rare, their value comparable with that of soul refined metal.

The greatest alloy in recorded history thus far was an eight-metal alloy. The more metals added, the harder it was to succeed. A nine-metal alloy had yet to be created, though many had tried, including the all seven of the Divine Blacksmiths to have appeared in history. To forge a nine-metal alloy was to forge a divine alloy. Such a metal could allow Limit Douluos to progress to the next level of strength. But that next level wasn’t something to scoff at.

That level was godhood!

Chapter 380 - Divine Foundation Metal

Considering that an alloy with a ninety-five percent harmony rate opened a path to godhood, its value was clearly astronomical. The possibility of becoming a divine alloy, no matter how miniscule, was enough to make it the one of the most expensive metals in the world. Rarely would blacksmiths sell such a metal. Instead, they would keep it for themselves.

Forging alloys and forging regular metals was different; luck was an important factor. Even a Divine Blacksmith couldn’t guarantee to forge an alloy with a harmony rate ninety-five percent or higher. The average harmony rate of their products were just higher.

Unknown to Tang Wulin, he had broken yet another record! In the history of blacksmithing, never before had a blacksmith below the sixth rank forge an alloy with ninety-five percent harmony rate. Tang Wulin had achieved the impossible as a fifth-rank blacksmith and set a new bar!

Suddenly, Ye Xinglan spoke up. “Don’t say I’m taking advantage of you. I’m actually a fifth-rank maker,”

A fifth-rank maker?

Everyone was stunned, unable to form words. Among the four professions, designers progressed the fastest since the profession mainly relied on

spiritual power and perception. As long as a designer was sufficient in those two aspects, they would reach the third rank.

In comparison, it was much harder for makers to advance. It required

constant and repetitive practice, and a strong perception was essential as well. After all, without being able to understand the design, the mecha or battle armor they created would only ever be subpar

Ye Xinglan was just thirteen years old, nearing fourteen. She was the same age as the rest of them. Being a fifth-rank maker at her age made her a genius!

Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged a glance, shame colouring their cheeks red. The two of them were the lowest ranking professionals in their group.

“Don’t forget, Lizhi is a fourth-rank mechanic,” Ye Xinglan said.

Tang Wulin nodded enthusiastically. “This is great. Gu Yue is in charge of the designs, so tell her any specifications you have for your armor. We’re going to make our battle armors one part at a time, starting from the right hand. I’ll work hard to forge the alloys, but don’t expect another ninety-five percent alloy. I will guarantee we’ll use alloys of at least ninety percent though.”

A single successful piece of alloy was enough for one hand armor. After that, the most pressing concern was whether the metal could be successfully transformed into hand armor. Although failure wouldn’t turn the metal into scrap, its quality would decline.

“Alright!” Ye Xinglan nodded. Contrary to her calm expression however, her heart was quite disturbed. A fifth-rank maker their age was rare, but a thirteen-year-old fifth-rank blacksmith was an impossibility! There was no one within all of Shrek Academy whose blacksmithing talent could

compare with Tang Wulin’s. She would be able to grow even faster working together with a genius blacksmith like Tang Wulin. Upon this realization, her ill feelings toward him dissipated.

Shrek Academy’s policies seemed to grant much freedom, but she knew that this was to put even more pressure on the students! Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi had moved to the outer court to gain experience and face greater pressure to improve. If they didn’t complete enough achievement, then they

couldn’t return to the inner court. They had to make a set of battle armor for themselves to do so and there was no one better to help them than a blacksmith capable of forging alloys!

After directing Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi to Gu Yue, Tang Wulin continued to forge. With Yue Zhengyu providing the materials, he was going to take advantage of this and sav the high harmony rate alloys for himself and his

companions, while selling the agreed pieces to Yue Zhengyu. As for the low harmony rate ones, he would just sell them. Meanwhile, Gu Yue discussed the designs for their armors with everyone else. The entire workshop buzzed with energy as everyone rushed to complete their part in the plan.

Tang Wulin’s heart gradually calmed as he continued to forge, each reverberating strike of his hammer venting his frustrations at being

suppressed by the rankers. Now, more than ever, did he understand that the only way to obtain the respect and acknowledgement of others was through strength! Everything else would follow after obtaining power. He still remembered what his father had told him. In this world, the only one he

could rely on and trust was himself! Relying on others would only lead to failure. Only by striving relentlessly and depending on himself could his talent blossom and let him stand tall and proudly before his peers.

His pride pushed him to greater heights. His forging improved, and his alloy success rate was higher than ever. He forged into the night, until he finally

collapsed in exhaustion. He had succeeded in forging eight pieces of spirit alloy. Among them, one was a spirit gold with a ninety-three percent harmony rate. With that, Gu Yue’s metal was finished. The remaining seven

ranged from seventy to eighty percent harmony rate, which was fairly good. Tang Wulin collected them into his storage ring to set them aside for the future. He still needed to obtain the spirit items necessary to break the fourth Golden Dragon King seal, and these alloys would help.

☀

“Huh?” Tang Wulin stared at Shen Yi in shock, mouth gaping.

“Why? Teacher Shen, why can’t Ye Xinglan participate in the class representative selection tournament?” Tang Wulin asked.

Tang Wulin’s mind went blank the moment Shen Yi had told him Ye Xinglan couldn’t participate in the class representative selection

tournament, his plans crumbling apart. He had felt pressured to face the five rankers, but with Ye Xinglan’s help, especially after three years of growth, he had been confident of their victory. Although she did not have four soul rings yet, her combat power was on par, if not better. Her skillful techniques were still etched into his memory. His original plan was to have Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan and himself be the main attack force of their team. That way, they would have a chance against Wu Siduo’s Hell White Tiger. But without Ye Xinglan, their chances of victory dropped to next to zero! The disparity between his team and the five rankers was too great!

“Don’t ask me why. There is no reason. But your mecha group reassignment has been approved. The condition, of course, is that Ye

Xinglan cannot participate in the tournament. Now go back to prepare. You don’t have much time.”

Throughout the rest of his classes, Tang Wulin was lost in a daze with his brow furrowed. The atmosphere in the classroom was charged the moment he stepped in, and the majority of his classmates took care to maintain a distance from his group. He and his friends were being shunned by

everyone. Even his new companions, Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi, were being treated the same way.

The addition of Ye Xinglan’s combat strength and Xu Lizhi’s buns had given Tang Wulin confidence in their victory. But now Ye Xinglan was no longer allowed to participate. Their odds for victory were laughable without her strength. His mind occupied by this problem, Tang Wulin didn’t pay

attention in class for the first time since coming to Shrek Academy.

“Good luck in the tournament, class president. Well, you don’t have to

worry about it too much. Even if you resign from being the class president, you can still be the blacksmith representative,” Luo Guixing said as he

approached Tang Wulin after class.

Yang Nianxia followed closely behind Luo Guixing and looked at Tang Wulin with sincere eyes. “You’re the most suitable person to be the blacksmith representative. Please don’t force yourself.”

“What do you mean force himself? He’s just overestimating himself!” Zheng Yiran cut in as she walked by, not even bothering to look back as she left.

Cerita silat IndoMandarin

The Legend of the Dragon King Chapter 371-380

Chapter 371 – Marginal Victory

Chapter 372 – Heavenly Phoenix Douluo

Chapter 373 - Four-word Battle Armor Master

Chapter 374 - Determination

Chapter 375 - Eyes

Chapter 376 - Reunion with Ye Xinglan

Chapter 377 - Genius Youths Ranking? What's That?

Chapter 378 - New Companions

Chapter 379 - Divine Alloy

Chapter 380 - Divine Foundation Metal

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