novelhk Chapter 86: Parting
Chapter 86: Parting
Yu Chen wasn't the only one who gained a lot from this trip to the Ascension Platform.
Gu Yue also successfully broke through and officially became a second-ring Great Soul Master.
Although the others had not broken through to a higher realm, their soul ring ages had all increased considerably.
"Yu Chen".
Wu Changkong's gaze finally settled on Yu Chen, and he gave him one instruction after another:
"I know your strength far surpasses that of your peers, but I must warn you, next time, don't take such a risk again."
"Until you truly mature, you are merely a 'genius,' not a 'strongman.'"
"Whether on the Ascension Platform or in the real world, never put yourself in a desperate situation. A dead genius will only become a sigh in the mouths of others."
Yu Chen touched his nose somewhat awkwardly, after all, he wasn't really used to Wu Changkong showing "concern" in this way.
The others exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes conveying the same surprise:
Is Teacher Wu trying to... express concern? That's quite rare.
Wu Changkong ignored the students' subtle reactions and continued, "Now, I'm going to ask you a question."
His voice turned somber:
"If you had been in a vast, real forest ravaged by rampaging spirit beasts yesterday, instead of the Spirit Ascension Platform with its escape route and rules... would you still be standing before me unharmed now?"
The classroom was silent; no one answered.
"remember,"
Wu Changkong said, word by word, "No matter how great the temptation or how much benefit you face, nothing is more important than 'living.' Survival is always the first priority."
Xie Xie couldn't help but raise his hand and ask, "Teacher Wu, what should we do if we actually encounter a soul beast of the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear's level in real life?"
Wu Changkong glanced at him and answered crisply, "If you don't have the strength of Yu Chen, then run. If you can't escape, then wait to die."
Xie Xie was momentarily speechless, muttering softly, "This... what's the difference between this and not saying anything at all..."
"The Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear is a very special kind of soul beast."
Wu Changkong ignored his grumbling and subconsciously began tutoring the group.
"From birth, it has been the overlord among soul beasts, and its true combat strength cannot be measured simply by the number of years it has cultivated."
"However, the probability of you encountering a real Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear in reality is infinitely close to zero."
"Is it because they are dangerous?" Zhang Yangzi asked.
"Is it because they are too dangerous and rarely appear?" asked Zhang Yangzi, a model student.
Wu Changkong shook his head, a hint of coldness in his voice:
"No. It's because the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear has an extremely high probability of producing Soul Bones. Many years ago, they were on the verge of extinction due to overhunting by humans."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over all the students, his tone tinged with emotion:
"From the perspective of soul beasts, humans are perhaps the most greedy creatures on this planet."
"The endangerment or even extinction of many spirit beast species does not depend on how much of a threat they pose to humans, but on how much benefit they can bring to humans."
These words startled Yu Chen and Gu Yue, and the others also fell into deep thought.
Self-interest is a powerful motivator, a universal principle in any world.
In the distorted cultivation system of Douluo Continent, the value of soul beasts, from their fur and flesh to their soul rings and soul bones, is thoroughly analyzed and extracted by humans.
.........
Since that day's summary and admonition, the atmosphere in Class Zero's classroom has become somewhat subtle.
Zhang Yangzi became more silent than usual, while Wang Jinxi almost became mute.
The root of the problem still lies in the Martial Soul Fusion Technique that could not be used in the Spirit Ascension Platform.
They tried again in their spare time, but no matter how hard they tried, the familiar bridge of fusion between Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi seemed to have completely broken.
After the initial panic subsided, through Wu Changkong's careful observation and analysis, the cause gradually came to light:
Wang Jinxi had been cultivating with Tang Wulin for a long time, and also had frequent and unavoidable contact with Yu Chen in his daily life.
Under the long-term influence and pressure of high-level dragon might, his Bone Dragon King Martial Soul quietly underwent a benign mutation that tended towards becoming stronger.
It was this still unstable mutation that caused a rejection phenomenon when fused with Zhang Yangzi's Dark Eagle Martial Soul.
Now, a realistic and difficult choice lies before Wang Jinxi.
Choosing Zhang Yangzi is a way to maintain the friendship and tacit understanding that has lasted since junior high school.
He had to actively distance himself from Yu Chen and Tang Wulin, and stay away from the dragon bloodline aura on them that continued to affect his martial soul.
Given enough distance and time, his martial spirit might gradually stabilize back to its original state, and everything would seem to return to what it was before.
Choosing Yu Chen and Tang Wulin means embracing this rare and precious opportunity for the evolution of martial souls.
The benign mutation of a top-tier martial soul like the Bone Dragon King has enormous potential and will undoubtedly bring immeasurable benefits to his future path as a soul master.
On one side is deep friendship and familiar fighting style, and on the other side is a bright future that can be seen with the naked eye.
Wang Jinxi was plunged into unprecedented confusion.
For several days in a row, as soon as the school bell rang, he was the first to leave the classroom, lock himself in his room, and cut off all communication with the outside world.
Yu Chen saw all of this.
But he did nothing, because he understood that when a person needs to use a method similar to "flipping a coin" to help them make a decision, the answer they truly prefer often emerges the moment the coin is tossed.
……
Two days flew by, and the day for the second part of the final exams arrived.
"Come with me, we'll proceed to the second part of the final exam," Wu Changkong announced succinctly.
"Dance teacher."
Just then, Wang Jinxi stood up from his seat.
"Um?"
Wu Changkong looked at him, his eyes calm but without surprise, as if he knew what was about to happen.
All eyes in the classroom were on Wang Jinxi.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over his former teammates before finally settling on Wu Changkong's face. His speech was calm, but every word was clear and firm:
"Teacher Wu, I've made up my mind. I've decided... to give up this opportunity for martial soul evolution."
Zhang Yangzi suddenly looked up, staring in astonishment at her companion beside her. Her eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions, including shock, confusion, and a hint of being moved by the firm choice she had been made to make.
Wu Changkong stared at him:
"Are you really sure? This isn't just about choosing a partner; it's a crucial decision that will affect your future."
Wang Jinxi nodded seriously: "I've thought it through."
Yu Chen thought to himself, never expecting that the "heaven-sent" opportunity for evolution would ultimately be no match for the deep bond between "childhood sweethearts".
However, Wang Jinxi's choice is difficult to judge in a simple right or wrong way.
His choice of Zhang Yangzi, a choice whose resolve remained unwavering despite immense personal gain, is truly moving.
Having passed the test of Tang Wulin, the "other woman," the trust and friendship between him and Zhang Yangzi will likely become even stronger.
However, from a realistic and utilitarian perspective, this choice seems rather "foolish".
Giving up the rare opportunity for a positive mutation of the Bone Dragon King Martial Soul is tantamount to personally cutting off a shortcut that could lead to a higher level.
This is gambling with one's most precious future.
Wang Jinxi finally turned his gaze to Yu Chen, Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie.
He took another deep breath, as if using all his strength; his voice was a little strained, yet exceptionally clear:
"And... Ms. Wu, thank you for your dedicated teaching this semester. Thank you to my classmates as well; I will never forget this time."
He paused, his voice lower, but with an undeniable determination, he spoke each sentence clearly:
"But I'm sorry. I've decided to transfer schools and leave here with Yangzi."
"The bloodline aura emanating from Brother Chen and Wu Lin had a very direct and profound impact on me."
"As long as I remain in the academy, no matter how much I subjectively want to resist, I will be unconsciously drawn in and changed."
"So, so... leaving is my only option."
The classroom was completely silent.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on the silent shoulders of the boys.
A chapter about choices, friendship, and the future has come to a poignant and solemn close at this moment.
The exams for Yu Chen and the others were also postponed to tomorrow due to this unexpected turn of events.