In the classroom, Luoyang Lu looked at the students below and said with a smile:
"As expected, in the match between Class 3 and Class 2, Class 2 emerged victorious. It will be your turn to compete in a few days. Who wants to participate?"
Upon hearing this, Xie Xie glanced at the classmates around him, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
The three soul masters who were level 19 at the beginning of the academy year had now advanced to become great soul masters.
He possessed the Light Dragon Dagger as his martial soul, with a soul power level of 21, and was an agile attack-type combat soul master.
Wang Jinxi, with the martial spirit Bone Dragon King, had a spirit power level of 21 and was a strong attack-type combat spirit master.
Zhang Yangzi, with the martial soul Shadow Phantasm Eagle, had a soul power level of 21 and was a control-type soul master.
Wei Xiaofeng, with the martial soul Green Shadow Snake, had a soul power level of 22 and was an agile attack-type combat soul master.
Including Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao, there were six soul masters above level 20 in their class!
Wouldn't it be an easy win if they just sent three of them?
Luoyang Lu noticed Xie Xie's indifferent expression and reminded him.
"Xie Xie, don't be careless."
"Yes, teacher," Xie Xie replied, snapping back to attention and nodding quickly.
He still held great respect for this teacher who treated everyone equally.
Luoyang Lu scanned the class and frowned slightly.
Having so many talented students was a bit of a dilemma. Who should they send to compete?
After careful consideration, Luoyang Lu decided to exclude Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena.
After all, asking them to face Class 2 would be nothing short of bullying.
After a moment, Luoyang Lu addressed the remaining four students:
"Wang Jinxi, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, Wei Xiaofeng, the four of you come with me to the office. We'll draw lots together."
The four of them exchanged glances, immediately understanding Luoyang Lu's intention. They smiled and followed him.
Who doesn't enjoy the chance to shine at their age?
Huo Yuhao watched the four of them leave with some amusement.
He stood up, nodded to Gu Yuena beside him, and walked out of the campus.
He planned to accompany Gu Yuena to observe the forging site and refine the details.
…
When they arrived at the office, Luoyang Lu didn't immediately take out paper for the students to draw lots.
Instead, he retrieved an agreement.
"This is a plan from the academy. The dean was supposed to present it to you after the promotion match, but I thought I'd discuss it with you first."
"The dean plans to establish a Zero Class to train geniuses who stand out among their peers. In my eyes, all of you are suitable candidates. Of course, Yuhao and Gu Yuena are also fitting candidates. They have already been internally selected and are now living in single dormitories, just beyond the green belt of the academy. If you join this program, you will also be accommodated there."
The four of them showed looks of realization.
So that's how it is. No wonder things felt a bit off.
"This agreement outlines the terms set by the academy. If you sign it, you'll be admitted to Class Zero and receive the academy's full training. But!"
Here it comes.
The four of them listened intently, their hearts skipping a beat.
The most feared thing in any situation is the word "but."
Luoyang Lu pointed to a section of the agreement and spoke in a serious tone, "After signing this agreement, you cannot transfer to another academy before completing both junior high and intermediate studies at the Intermediate academy. So, you'd better think carefully."
Luoyang Lu understood why Yu Zhen had included such a clause in the contract.
After all, the academy had invested significant resources into training these students.
If they were to leave for other academies midway, all that effort would go to waste.
However, while he understood the reasoning, whether the students in front of him could accept it was another matter entirely.
The other three students still seemed hesitant. Wei Xiaofeng was the first to raise his hand and ask:
"Um, Mr. Luo, does this mean that if we join Class Zero, we won't be able to transfer to other advanced academies?"
"That's correct."
Luoyang Lu's expression softened, and he smiled gently.
"It depends on what you think. You can also discuss this with your parents and family members first. This is a privilege I'm giving you. If you wait for the academy to formally present this, you won't be given the opportunity to consult anyone."
Wei Xiaofeng was stunned. He fell silent for a moment, a trace of struggle flickering in his eyes, before finally saying:
"Thank you, teacher, but I want to study at Shrek Academy. That's what my family expects of me."
Luoyang Lu shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. Everyone has their own aspirations. As long as you don't regret your decision, it's fine. But I want to emphasize that the training resources provided by the academy this time are no worse than those of Shrek Academy."
Wei Xiaofeng's eyes widened in surprise, and he subconsciously found it hard to believe. After a moment of thought, he shook his head and said, "Thank you for your kindness. I've made up my mind... I'll take my leave now."
With that, he turned to leave the office, apparently assuming that since he had rejected the offer, he was no longer eligible to participate in the promotion competition.
"Wait, when did I say this had anything to do with drawing lots?"
Luoyang Lu called out to Wei Xiaofeng with a look of mild exasperation.
He then turned his gaze to the three silent students standing nearby, who were watching the exchange with uncertainty.
"Before we proceed with the drawing, I'd like to hear what the three of you think."
Hearing this, Xie Xie recalled the conversation he had with his father when he returned home.
…
"Our teacher gave me an abridged version of the Spirit Pagoda Meditation Method. He might be someone from the Spirit Pagoda."
"Really?" His father's expression had grown complicated, as if he had realized something.
"If he's at East Sea academy, there must be some agreement between the Spirit Pagoda and the academy. If he makes any move, don't hesitate."
"But, isn't the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy the most suitable academy for me?" Xie Xie asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
The Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy, backed by Illustrious Virtue Hall, was one of the leading academies on the continent.
Illustrious Virtue Hall itself had a history stretching back ten thousand years, with ties to the Silver Moon Douluo of the Sun Moon Empire.
It boasted a rich heritage and served as a crucial talent cultivation base for the Federation.
For mecha enthusiasts and those passionate about soul tools, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Instructor Academy held an allure that rivaled even Shrek Academy.
"Which do you think is stronger, Shrek or the Spirit Pagoda?" his father had asked him once.
"Each has its strengths, doesn't it?" Xie Xie had replied.
After a long pause, his father looked at him quietly before saying, "Don't forget the soul you are destined to inherit."
"..." Xie Xie had fallen silent, then nodded slowly. "I understand."
…
Now, standing in the office, Xie Xie took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Teacher, I am willing to join the Zero Class Project!"
Teacher Luoyang Lu was from the Spirit Pagoda, and Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena were likely affiliated with it as well.
Since they had both joined this plan, it was clear that the resources involved were substantial.
Eastsea City Academy alone couldn't provide the resources needed to train such geniuses. Only the Spirit Pagoda could.
The core executor of this Zero Class Plan had to be the Spirit Pagoda!
Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi exchanged glances, then nodded without hesitation.
They had no intention of going home to discuss the matter further.
A faint smile flickered in Luoyang Lu's eyes. "Good. Let's proceed with the drawing."
After the selection process, the final contestants were determined to be the three of them, excluding Xie Xie. But Xie Xie didn't mind at this point.
As they were about to leave, Luoyang Lu stopped the three who were set to join Class Zero and said with a smile, "The previous agreement was from the academy. Now, I want to show you the agreement from the Spirit Pagoda."
…
Xie Xie and the other two walked out of the office in a daze, taking a while to fully process what had just happened.
Wang Jinxi was visibly shocked. "Is that the foundation of the Spirit Pagoda?"
As long as they met the contract's standards and joined the Spirit Pagoda, they would be granted a ten-thousand-year soul ring that best suited them, along with access to high-end training facilities like the Spirit Ascension Platform and the virtual battlefield... Could Shrek Academy even compare?
The influence of major factions was truly on another level.
Zhang Yangzi was equally stunned. He quickly thought of Wei Xiaofeng, who had refused the offer, and sighed. "What a pity. Xiaofeng shouldn't have turned it down."
Meanwhile, Xie Xie kept his head down, silent, with only one thought echoing in his mind:
His father hadn't lied to him this time.