"Though I'm relieved you put the hammer down..."
"It's still really heavy..." Xie Xie wiped away his tears as he spoke.
He had to admit he was happy when the other boy finally set the hammer aside—but then came that long, unbreakable Blue Silver Grass whip in his hand...
Which sneaky old bastard taught him that?!
It wouldn't shake off, couldn't be cut through...
"This 'Azure Silver as Whips'..."
Even Tang Luochuan fell into silence for a moment. Though it was a bit strange, he had to admit it was a rather effective combat method.
Azure Silver as Swords was elegance combined with power, but when it came to fully utilizing the Blue Silver Grass's traits, the whip was superior—its tight binding and inherent flexibility.
"One of the mutated Blue Silver Grass's traits is extreme toughness, so using it as a whip for offense..."
"Could it be Teacher Wu who taught him?"
Glancing at Wu Zhangkong standing nearby, eyes brimming with amusement, Tang Luochuan suddenly had an epiphany—so he was the mastermind behind this.
"Makes sense."
"Teacher Wu's junior sister apparently has a vine-type Martial Soul, specializing in whip techniques. So this..."
"Falls right into his expertise."
Tang Luochuan couldn't help but chuckle.
"Truly your brother."
"Also... well, interesting."
Beside him, Gu Yue stared at the whip in Tang Wulin's hand, silent for a moment before sighing softly.
Even she knew Blue Silver Grass was considered a "trash" Martial Soul. For him to fight purely with it was no easy feat.
"Now then, does anyone still object to Tang Wulin joining us?"
After the match concluded, Wu Zhangkong reined in his smile and addressed the group.
"..."
"No objections."
When the students looked at Tang Wulin now, their faces were filled with awe. No one would dismiss him as just an ordinary Soul Master anymore.
Whether it was the forging hammer half a person's size or the serpent-like Blue Silver Grass, both had proven his strength.
A prodigy like this belonged in Class One.
"Good."
"From now on, he's officially a member of our class."
Wu Zhangkong nodded in satisfaction.
Starting today, he could properly guide this new class.
"Wu Lin, now we can attend classes together."
After school, Zhang Yangzi and the others immediately approached him, smiling. They were already close, and now being in the same class made things even better.
"Exactly."
Wang Jinxi and Wei Xiaofeng nodded in agreement.
Everyone was in high spirits.
The only one not quite as happy was Xie Xie, who had just been beaten and now sported a swollen face. He shot Tang Wulin a glance before turning away, refusing to speak.
At least for today, he had no intention of talking to him.
"Hey, Xie Xie, I'm sorry."
Seeing Xie Xie's miserable expression, Tang Wulin felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't meant for things to turn out this way.
"I didn't expect an agility-type Soul Master like you to be unable to break free from a whip."
"..."
But those words only deepened Xie Xie's misery, making him even less inclined to respond.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
"Alright, let's make Wu Lin treat us later. Xie Xie, we'll go all out and make him pay—how about that to cheer you up?"
Witnessing this scene, Zhang Yangzi couldn't hold back his laughter and chuckled heartily.
"Right, right, right."
"Let's go out to eat."
Tang Wulin quickly nodded in agreement.
Brother had once said that to make someone happy, you must first make their stomach happy—this seemed like the perfect situation to apply that wisdom.
"Brother, everyone."
"Let's all go out to eat something delicious together."
Tang Wulin's eyes sparkled as he spoke.
Money wasn't an issue for him. Over the past three years, the commissions he earned from forging had totaled nearly thirty thousand Federal currency, all of which he had saved up. He could definitely treat everyone to a good meal.
"I'm not really in the mood to eat..."
"No."
Just as Xie Xie was about to say something, Gu Yue, standing beside Tang Luochuan, spoke up first.
"Luo Chuan can't go out with you this time."
"He has to come with me."
There was a hint of determination in Gu Yue's expression.
Last time, Tang Luochuan had turned her down to focus on his professional evaluation. This time, she wasn't going to let him slip away again.
No matter what, nothing could interfere with their time together.
Of course, she meant spending time together—nothing more urgent than that...
"Hmm?"
Tang Luochuan's face remained calm, but inwardly, he was baffled. Since when had he agreed to this?
How come he didn't even know about it?
"Oh?"
Hearing this, everyone was taken aback.
"Luo Chuan already promised me."
"Next time, he's going out with me."
Facing Tang Wulin's confusion and Zhang Yangzi's gossipy expression, Gu Yue remained completely unruffled, speaking with absolute seriousness.
"We're about to leave now, right, Luo Chuan?"
As she spoke, she glanced toward the person beside her.
"Mmm..."
"That's right."
A faint smile played on Tang Luochuan's lips as he quietly observed her, choosing not to expose her little lie.
He wanted to see what she was up to...
"Then we'll be going first."
"You all can go ahead and eat if you want."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Gu Yue grabbed his hand and began leading him away toward the edge of the field, their figures gradually receding into the distance.
"Alright then, I guess Brother can't come with us this time..."
Tang Wulin nodded thoughtfully. If Brother already had plans, then he couldn't join them.
"..."
"Actually, I'm not that keen on going out either."
Xie Xie finally seized the opportunity to speak.
Maybe making someone happy started with their stomach, but was there a chance that when someone was upset, they just couldn't eat?
"Huh?"
"So... we're not going then?"
"But who was that girl just now? She seemed really close with Brother..."
Tang Wulin mused aloud. Where had that girl come from?
"Is there a possibility..."
"That she likes the boss?"
Zhang Yangzi grinned, looking utterly unfazed.
"Hmm?"
Tang Wulin's eyes instantly lit up.
Really?
Was he about to get a sister-in-law?!
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Gu Yue, what are you..."
Tang Luochuan gazed at the girl pulling him along, hesitating for a moment. Gu Yue was acting so strangely.
"What?"
"Don't want to be with me?"
Gu Yue shot him a sidelong glance and spoke softly.
"This..."
"That's not really the case, is it?"
Tang Luochuan fell silent for a moment.
"But aren't we being too hasty about this..."
Not to mention, he was just a nine-year-old kid!
And Gu Yue, aren't you the same!
"Not really, so that settles it..."
"Huh?"
"What on earth are you thinking about!"
Hearing this, Gu Yue was suddenly taken aback.
What the...
That wasn't what she meant at all!
"Tang Luochuan!"
"There's a connection between our Martial Souls. Spending time together would be highly beneficial, and I have a feeling we might even develop a Martial Soul fusion."
"Besides, we're fated to meet. We'd definitely get along well..."
"Wait, no."
"I meant spending time together!"