When the game ended, Director of Education Long Hengxu walked to the side of the field and called out to the six students who were about to leave, "Don't leave yet. Stay for a while."
After saying this, Long Hengxu stood at the center of the arena and addressed the students and teachers watching the match:
"Since this year's freshman class is the strongest we've ever had, some students possess abilities far beyond their peers. To ensure their talents are not wasted, the academy has decided to establish a special class, Class Zero, to provide them with focused training."
"The current candidates for Class Zero are as follows: Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena... Tang Wulin, Xu Xiaoyan."
"However, this does not mean that other students are excluded from such an opportunity. As long as you work hard and improve yourselves, you too can earn a place in Class Zero..."
What followed was a lengthy motivational speech, leaving many students filled with envy and determination.
After concluding his inspiring talk, Long Hengxu glanced in the direction of Xie Xie, Huo Yuhao, and Gu Yuena, nodded at them, and then led the six students toward the principal's office.
"Let's go," Huo Yuhao said to Gu Yuena and Xie Xie, who was standing there in a daze.
"Huh? Oh, okay!" Xie Xie snapped out of his thoughts and followed Huo Yuhao.
He was still preoccupied with the moment Tang Wulin had unleashed his power, and a strange aura had emanated from him...
At that moment, although Xie Xie wasn't Tang Wulin's direct target, he still felt an overwhelming discomfort.
No wonder Tang Wulin had managed to obtain that bracelet. He must have some hidden secret.
…
In the spacious dean's office, Yu Zhen looked at the seven individuals before him with a smile.
Wei Xiaofeng had informed Long Hengxu midway that Luoyang Lu had discussed Class Zero with him, but he had declined the offer.
Thus, only seven students were present.
Having two geniuses from the Spirit Pagoda was already a significant gain, but Yu Zhen hadn't expected so many other outstanding students to emerge.
His gaze swept over each of them: Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, Xu Xiaoyan, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi...
Seven in total. Excellent, truly excellent!
"I'm sure Director Long has already explained the situation to you on the way here. The question now is whether you are willing to sign the East Sea academy agreement... Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena, you two are exempt from signing."
Midway through his speech, Yu Zhen paused and looked at the two representatives from the Spirit Pagoda.
The other five students also turned their attention to them. The first group understood the reason, and Tang Wulin was aware of the duo's capabilities, so they weren't surprised. Only Xu Xiaoyan seemed curious.
Was it favoritism? Or some other reason? Why were they exempt from signing?
In response, Huo Yuhao and the others simply nodded, unfazed.
The binding force of the college agreement wasn't as stringent as one might think, and signing it wasn't a big deal.
This was because the Spirit Pagoda and East Sea Academy had a separate agreement in place.
If members of Class Zero chose to join the Spirit Pagoda in the future, East Sea Academy would not stand in their way.
In return, the Spirit Pagoda would allocate special resources to East Sea Academy to help nurture future students.
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, though somewhat transactional.
Having benefited from the resources of the Spirit Pagoda, the future paths of these students after graduation were likely already set. However, Yu Zhen didn't see this as a loss.
The number of talented students in this class far exceeded that of any previous class, and such a concentration of geniuses might not appear again anytime soon.
With the resources provided by the Spirit Pagoda, the academy stood a good chance of cultivating even more exceptional individuals in the future.
Moreover, if these students joined the Spirit Pagoda, it would reflect well on the academy.
If handled strategically, the academy could leverage this relationship to elevate its status.
"So, are the five of you willing to join Class Zero? The resources provided by the academy and the Spirit Pagoda are beyond your imagination!" Yu Zhen asked, his expression serious as he looked at the remaining five students.
"I do!" Xie Xie and the two others, who had already been informed, agreed without hesitation.
Tang Wulin, upon hearing that it involved the Spirit Pagoda, also nodded immediately.
The seniors in the Spirit Pagoda wouldn't betray a junior like him, right?
Only Xu Xiaoyan hesitated. She blinked her large blue eyes, looking utterly confused.
"Why is no one else hesitating?" she wondered.
To be honest, Xu Xiaoyan felt things were moving too quickly. She hadn't particularly stood out in the battle earlier, so why was she being included? Was it simply because her soul power was at level 19?
And why was everyone signing this agreement so readily? Didn't they want to discuss it with their families first?
A flood of questions raced through Xu Xiaoyan's mind, but under Yu Zhen's serious gaze and recalling her family's advice, she finally nodded.
"I do!"
Yu Zhen's expression softened with satisfaction, though he maintained a serious tone. "Class Zero was established to ensure your talents are not wasted. However, you must not become complacent. There are countless individuals across the federation who are stronger and more talented than you!"
At this, Xie Xie and the others glanced at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena with peculiar expressions.
Better than these two? Are you serious? What kind of god are you talking about? Please, do tell us about it!
Yu Zhen, who witnessed this scene: "..."
He had forgotten. He spoke without thinking. Was there really anyone in the entire federation who could compare to these two? He didn't know…
Ahem. After two awkward coughs, Yu Zhen dropped his serious demeanor and smiled kindly instead. "In short, if a genius wants to truly become a pillar of society, they must put in far more effort than ordinary people. Only then can you live up to your innate talents."
"The academy can only provide resources, but the rest depends entirely on you! Do you understand?"
"Understood!"
…
Class Zero was officially established, and the students began moving into single dormitories.
On the way to the dormitory, Xu Xiaoyan glanced around at her classmates.
She greeted Tang Wulin, who was whispering to Xie Xie, in a friendly manner, and then approached Gu Yuena. "Gu Yuena, I'll be living next to you."
Although Tang Wulin was her classmate and they had a decent relationship, he was a boy after all.
Among the seven of them, she and Gu Yuena were the only girls, so she wanted to get closer to her.
Let's start with some small talk.
Gu Yuena looked at her in surprise but nodded. "Of course, you can choose room 203."
Xu Xiaoyan was momentarily stunned, then realized something. "Did you originally live there?"
"Yes, Yuhao and I both live here."
"…"
So that's how it was. Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao were the designated candidates for Class Zero.
Xu Xiaoyan suddenly understood and glanced thoughtfully at Huo Yuhao, who was standing not far away.
She then began chatting with Gu Yuena about various topics.
Mainly, she was the one talking, while Gu Yuena listened quietly.
Xu Xiaoyan: "…"
Being the only girl with this kind of personality made her feel a little lonely.
Xu Xiaoyan sighed inwardly.
The college gave Class Zero half a day to rest, allowing them to move their belongings, familiarize themselves with the environment, and get to know each other.
Classes would officially begin the next day. However, in the evening, Luoyang Lu and Wu Zhangkong arrived early and gathered everyone on the first floor.
"Hello everyone, I am Luoyang Lu, the teacher in charge of Class 1. I will be responsible for your cultural courses and will also take you to study at the Spirit Pagoda in the future."
Luoyang Lu introduced himself and then glanced at Wu Zhangkong, who was radiating a cold aura.
"Teacher Wu, please say a few words as well."
Wu Zhangkong took a step forward, his expression icy.
"My name is Wu Zhangkong, and I'm your combat instructor. I already know the strengths of the three of you. But I'm still not clear about the other four!"