Douluo Dragon King: Embarking on the Path to Godhood from the Start

Time flies, and the month-long vacation quietly passed by in the midst of training, adjustment, and occasional "special guidance."

After a month of quiet, Donghai College was once again filled with the noise and energy of returning students.

At the start of the new semester, a secret deal was taking place in the teaching affairs office.

"Dance teacher, please, you must accept this student!"

With a sincere smile, Dean of Students Long Hengxu pointed to a girl beside him and introduced her in a solemn tone.

"After a thorough investigation and comprehensive review by the college's expert panel, she is absolutely qualified to enter Class Zero!"

The girl standing next to Long Hengxu looked a year younger than Yu Chen and the others. She had long, smooth blue hair that was neatly tied into a ponytail.

She was wearing the brand-new school uniform of Donghai Academy. She was slender with a delicate face and bright, sparkling eyes, but they were slightly lowered at the moment, and her hands were nervously clasped together. She looked timid and endearing. It was Xu Xiaoyan.

Wu Changkong's gaze swept over Xu Xiaoyan for only a moment before his brows furrowed and his voice turned cold and hard:

"Are you sure she can do it? She's only a one-ring Soul Master, and her Soul Power... looks like it's only around level ten. My Class Zero doesn't accept pretty faces."

Feeling Wu Changkong's undisguised scrutiny and icy tone, Xu Xiaoyan lowered her head even further, her body trembling almost imperceptibly.

Long Hengxu quickly explained, "Teacher Wu, I'm sure! Her name is Xu Xiaoyan, she's a year younger than the other students, and her soul power has already reached level seventeen. This progress is already excellent among her peers! More importantly, her martial soul is a mutated martial soul! If you give her another year, I believe she can definitely break through to the Great Soul Master level!"

"A mutated martial soul?" A faint hint of interest finally flashed in Wu Changkong's eyes. He gestured, "Then let her release her martial soul and let's see."

"Uh... this..."

A hint of embarrassment appeared on Long Hengxu's face. He rubbed his hands together and explained,

"It's like this, Teacher Wu. Xu Xiaoyan's martial soul is called 'Star Wheel Ice Staff.' This martial soul... is quite special. During the day, its performance is not much different from ordinary ice staff-type martial souls, and its power is relatively ordinary. However, once night falls, her martial soul undergoes a true mutation, becoming able to communicate with and manipulate the power of the stars, and its power is incomparable to that during the day..."

"So," Wu Changkong's voice turned cold again, interrupting Long Hengxu's explanation, "her martial spirit is essentially a 'half-finished product' that can only function at night?"

His words were direct and sharp, causing Xu Xiaoyan, who was already nervous, to turn pale, revealing obvious fear on her face, and her eyes to redden slightly.

Long Hengxu's forehead was beaded with sweat, but he persisted:

"Ms. Wu, what you're saying... isn't entirely wrong. However, letting her join Class Zero is the consensus of several board members. If you insist on refusing, I'm afraid... the special resources and funding that Class Zero will enjoy in the future will be affected to some extent."

He adopted a more earnest tone:

"So, Ms. Wu, please give her a chance! At least... give her a chance to prove herself, to give it a try? I believe that tonight she will not disappoint you!"

"Are you threatening me with resources?"

Wu Changkong's voice suddenly turned icy cold. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk in front of him, making soft "tap, tap, tap" sounds. He raised his eyes, staring at Long Hengxu without any emotion in them. The air in the office seemed to freeze.

Long Hengxu immediately felt immense pressure, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He knew that this icy teacher's temper was not as pleasant as his face.

"Uh, of course not! Teacher Wu, please don't misunderstand!" Long Hengxu hurriedly waved his hands, his forehead covered in even more cold sweat.

"You can rest assured about the resources; the school board will never mistreat the children in Class Zero! It's just... it's just that there are only four members in Class Zero right now, which is indeed too small."

"We've encountered a truly promising student with exceptional talent, and the school hopes to inject fresh blood into the class and enhance its overall strength. Therefore, we earnestly request Ms. Wu to give her a chance to showcase and prove herself, no matter what!"

Wu Changkong stared at Long Hengxu in silence for a few seconds before finally speaking slowly, "Alright. Xu Xiaoyan, is that right?"

Xu Xiaoyan quickly looked up and timidly replied, "Yes, Teacher Wu."

"Since you want to join Class Zero, I'll give you a chance."

Wu Changkong's words were concise and cold: "A one-month assessment period. Within one month, gain my approval, as well as the approval of the four current students in Class Zero. If you do it, you will be a formal student of Class Zero. If you don't..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Please leave Class Zero and return to a regular class. Understand?"

Long Hengxu has already made his point so clear, so giving him a chance is understandable. But this chance is by no means easy to come by.

"I...I understand!"

Hearing Wu Changkong's almost harsh "disdain," even Xu Xiaoyan, who was somewhat timid, was stirred up with a stubborn determination not to admit defeat.

She mustered her courage, straightened her small back, and answered loudly, "I will do my best, dance teacher!"

"That's more like it."

Wu Changkong nodded slightly, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes. "I hope that during this month-long assessment period, you can truly live up to your word and give it your all."

"I can tell you in advance that the training for Class Zero is at least several times more rigorous than that of other classes, so I hope you are prepared."

Wu Changkong nodded and gave a warning.

"Understood, I won't fall behind, Teacher Wu."

Xu Xiaoyan raised her voice again.

Wu Changkong said no more. After nodding briefly to Long Hengxu, he turned to Xu Xiaoyan and said, "Come with me, I'll take you to your dorm to settle in."

After saying that, he turned and left, his steps crisp and decisive. Xu Xiaoyan didn't dare to delay and quickly jogged to catch up.

"Ring ring! Ring ring!"

Shortly after Wu Changkong left, the soul-guided communicator on Long Hengxu's desk rang.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead and picked up the microphone.

"Hengxu, how's it going with that girl from the Xu family?"

On the other end of the communicator came the calm voice of Yu Zhen, the dean of Donghai Academy.

"Dean,"

Long Hengxu quickly reported, "It's like this, Teacher Wu has agreed to give Xu Xiaoyan a one-month trial period. If she can adapt to the teaching and training intensity of Class Zero and gain the approval of Teacher Wu and the students, she can stay. Otherwise... Teacher Wu's attitude is still very firm."

"Well, Teacher Wu is willing to give us a trial period, that's fine."

Yu Zhen's voice sounded somewhat satisfied. "In this way, even if Xu Xiaoyan doesn't end up staying, our academy will have given the Xu family a satisfactory explanation, and it won't be too embarrassing. Thank you for your hard work, Hengxu."

"Of course, Dean."