Douluo Continent III Haotian Wulin

This can hardly be called a crushing defeat.

Because there is no "grinding" process at all.

From start to finish, it all happened incredibly fast. Tang Wulin and Gu Yue barely even unleashed their martial souls before defeating their opponents. Tang Wulin, in particular, was someone many of his peers at this stage simply couldn't withstand at his raw, direct power. Wu Changkong had long ago said that at their age, strength itself was an extremely effective tool. Today's match was just another testament to that statement.

Wu Changkong didn't even bother to glance at Kong Hanwen in the distance again, merely raising his chin slightly and coldly uttering two words.

"School's out."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Xie Xie stood next to Tang Wulin, stretched lazily, and looked on with a sigh.

"I suddenly realized how wonderful it was to be in the promotion tournament."

Tang Wulin glanced at him. "Because you don't need special training?"

"Nonsense." Xie Xie said matter-of-factly, "During the competition, we don't need to practice extra at night to maintain our form. I wish we could have more days like this."

Tang Wulin couldn't help but chuckle.

At this moment, Long Hengxu also stepped down from the competition stage. His gaze lingered on the three of them for a moment, and his expression clearly became more scrutinizing.

Xie Xie was personally assigned to Class 5 by him.

The dormitory fight was originally an opportune moment. Given Xie Xie's talent, it would have been perfectly normal for him to be placed in Class 1, but the Xie family had other ideas—they hoped the boy wouldn't have it too easy and would need to temper his temperament. In addition, Wu Changkong had just been transferred to teach Class 5 at that time, so Long Hengxu simply gave him a push and placed Xie Xie in the worst class.

He was thinking a lot at the time.

Class 5 has been at the bottom for a long time and is under the most pressure; although no one likes Wu Changkong, no one can deny his teaching ability and personal strength; in addition, with Xie Xie, a genius, in Class 5, once the promotion competition starts, the other first-year classes will naturally be forced to feel the tension, and the competitive atmosphere of the entire grade will be brought up.

Get more in one fell swoop.

But now it seems that things have gone a bit beyond his original expectations.

Xie Xie alone is already troublesome enough, but then there's that girl named Gu Yue, and—

Long Hengxu's gaze involuntarily fell on Tang Wulin.

He remembered this child very clearly.

In the initial information, his martial spirit was clearly very ordinary. But now, Wu Changkong has actually placed him in the position of the main general, and judging from today's match, this is definitely not a random arrangement.

As for Gu Yue, she was the student Wu Changkong had specifically come to apologize and demand her return. Although she didn't fully unleash her power today, that yellow spirit ring alone was enough to explain a lot.

This is a team from Class 5, Grade 1...

Long Hengxu suddenly had a bad feeling.

If they really do climb all the way up, then I, the person in charge of class assignments, might not look so good.

Thinking about this, he even felt a little regretful, wondering why he had agreed to let Gu Yue into Class 5.

"How about we go out and have some fun?"

Xie Xie lowered his voice and whispered something in Tang Wulin's ear.

Tang Wulin's first reaction was to shake his head.

"Let's not go, the cafeteria will be opening soon."

Xie Xie was speechless.

All you ever think about is eating.

Tang Wulin was quite frank, "I'll be hungry if I don't eat."

Xie Xie rolled his eyes.

"Alright, come out with me. It's on me, how about it? I'm practically turning into a moldy slump from being cooped up in the academy these past few days."

The management of Donghai Academy is not very strict, and the security in Donghai City is good, so it is not a big deal for students to play around in the surrounding area.

Tang Wulin originally wanted to go back and think about his level 2 forging quest, but he immediately hesitated when he heard the words "treat him to a meal".

He'd saved up a considerable sum of money over the past few months by taking on forging jobs. It was still a long way from his goal, of course, but every little bit he saved gave him a sense of security. If he could save enough for a meal, that would be even better.

He quickly nodded.

"All right."

"I'll go too."

Gu Yue had already walked up to them without them noticing.

Xie Xie's expression immediately fell.

"I don't play with girls."

Gu Yue glanced at him, too lazy to say anything more, and looked directly at Tang Wulin.

"Are you going with him, or with me?"

Xie Xie immediately became unhappy.

"What do you mean, 'come with me' or 'come with you'? We're roommates, we're friends, what's it to you?"

Gu Yue nodded, and the next moment, she suddenly raised her voice in the direction Wu Changkong had left.

"dance--"

She had barely uttered a single word when Xie Xie had already flashed in front of her.

"Stop! Stop! Ancestor, don't shout!"

A flash of silver light appeared on Gu Yue's body, and she moved two meters to the side, standing steadily next to Tang Wulin, looking at Xie Xie with a cold smile.

"Want to fight?"

Xie Xie looked utterly defeated.

He really had no way to solve it.

He couldn't beat her in a fight. He couldn't win an argument either. Gu Yue was particularly good at manipulating him; she always knew exactly when to speak to make him feel the most uncomfortable.

"Fine, fine," Xie Xie raised his hands in surrender. "You can come if you want."

Over the past two months, a very strange yet unusually stable relationship has formed between the three of them.

Gu Yue and Tang Wulin have a very good relationship.

Xie Xie and Tang Wulin also have a good relationship.

But whenever Gu Yue and Xie Xie get together, at least nine out of ten sentences they exchange are barbed.

Ironically, in actual combat, all three of them are indispensable.

Xie Xie was responsible for the initial attack, Gu Yue for the variations and control, and Tang Wulin stood in the middle, bringing the two together. Many times, it was precisely because Tang Wulin could keep them in check that Gu Yue and Xie Xie's competitive spirit didn't completely explode in actual combat.

This is why, in the end, the leadership of Class 5 fell to Tang Wulin.

The three changed back into their own clothes before leaving the academy together.

"Where to?" Tang Wulin asked.

Xie Xie had clearly planned this all along.

"Eat something first," he said seriously. "Isn't this your favorite? I know a street full of delicious snacks."

Tang Wulin looked at him suspiciously.

"Are you sure it's your treat?"

Xie Xie snorted coldly.

"It's just a snack, surely I can afford it?"

Gu Yue added casually from the side.

"Reeks of money."

As she spoke, she deliberately moved closer to Tang Wulin's other side, clearly showing her disdain for Xie Xie.

Xie Xie almost laughed out of anger.

"If you're so capable, then don't eat it."

Gu Yue raised her chin.

"I wasn't planning on accepting your invitation anyway." She turned to Tang Wulin, her tone suddenly becoming calm. "You're treating me."

Tang Wulin was immediately at his wit's end.

"Can you two just shut up for a second? Didn't you say you were going to relax?"

Gu Yue just looked at him intently.

"So, are you going to invite them or not?"

What else could Tang Wulin say?

"My treat."

Gu Yue was finally satisfied. She turned to look at Xie Xie, her eyes filled with undisguised smugness.

"Don't worry, you cheapskate. I won't eat what you offer."

Xie Xie took a few deep breaths and forced the breath back down.

He's already very experienced.

Arguing with Gu Yue always ends up hurting you the most.

The snack street wasn't close to Donghai College; it took the three of them more than half an hour to walk there. Even before they actually entered the street, waves of various aromas wafted over. Grilled, boiled, fried, braised dishes—the steam mingled with the night air, making the whole street exceptionally lively.

Tang Wulin's stomach reacted almost immediately.

Xie Xie, with the air of a landlord, raised his hand and pointed forward.

"Let's eat that first. The braised beef is cooked to perfection, the meat is tender just right, and it's especially delicious with a bowl of white rice."