Freshman Class One,
Since the freshman assessment would begin in the afternoon, after Zhou Yi's grouping, each team had gathered to discuss their plans.
Su Yunlin, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao were in the same group. Huo Yuhao wanted to ask whether they had any tactics.
He knew very well that he might be the weak link of the team. After all, both the class monitor and Wang Dong were incredibly strong—both had thousand-year second Spirit Rings, and the class monitor was even a Spirit Elder.
Huo Yuhao spoke first, "Class monitor, my Martial Soul is the Spirit Eyes. My Spirit Ability is Spiritual Detection Sharing. It allows you to clearly perceive any movement within a fifty-meter radius during battle, and it also provides a certain level of predictive advantage."
Wang Dong looked over, somewhat surprised. "Spirit Eyes? Your Martial Soul is actually your eyes? That's a rare body-type Martial Soul."
Su Yunlin rested his chin on one hand. "Huo Yuhao, let me try your Spirit Ability."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Alright! First Spirit Ability—Spiritual Detection Sharing!"
Su Yunlin and Wang Dong immediately sensed the uniqueness of this ability. Wang Dong found it novel, while Su Yunlin fell into thought.
'As expected of a Spirit Ability from the million-year soul beast, the Skydream Iceworm. This guy is clearly hiding his strength, playing the fool while being anything but weak. What a cheat… After this semester, he'll probably start his rise. But that has nothing to do with me. After that…'
"Yunlin, what are you spacing out for? I'm talking to you!" Wang Dong patted him, pulling him back to reality.
"Huh? Sorry, I was thinking about something just now."
Wang Dong put on an exaggerated, dignified expression. "It's fine. I, your lord, am magnanimous and won't hold it against you. Just treat me to lunch later. So, what were you thinking about?"
Su Yunlin shrugged. "I was thinking about what soul beast to choose for my fourth Spirit Ring. Forget it, there's still time. Let's talk about the freshman assessment first.
"Huo Yuhao is a spiritual support Spirit Master, while you and I are both assault-type. Our team doesn't really have any weaknesses. As for tactics, there's no need to overthink them—combat changes in an instant. This is more about adaptability."
Huo Yuhao felt enlightened hearing this. He had always thought tactics were crucial in battles between Spirit Masters, but had overlooked the countless variables during a fight.
First, they knew nothing about their opponents—their Martial Souls or their Spirit Power. Any so-called "tactics" would just be empty talk. Proper tactics required first gathering information, then formulating targeted strategies.
In battles where both sides lacked information, adaptability was key. After all, who could guarantee they'd never encounter sudden, unexpected fights? Being overly rigid would eventually lead to trouble.
"Oh right," Su Yunlin added, "Wang Dong and I can both fly. If we take to the air, you'll likely become the primary target. So you need to be able to run. I remember you're from the Tang Sect, right?
"There's a technique called Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track—do you know it? If you do, just focus on running. If no one's chasing you, use your Spirit Ability to support us."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Got it."
Wang Dong's interest was immediately piqued. "Oh? Tang Sect? The one founded ten thousand years ago by the Sea God?"
"Yes. What's wrong, Wang Dong?"
Wang Dong said excitedly, "How did you join the Tang Sect? I want to join too—I've always wanted to."
Huo Yuhao looked confused. "Huh? The Tang Sect barely has anyone now. Aside from me, Senior Brother, and Teacher Xiao Ya, there's no one else. Are you sure?"
Wang Dong nodded firmly. "I'm sure. I want to join the Tang Sect to learn hidden weapons! What about you, Yunlin?"
"No interest."
Huo Yuhao nodded. "Alright, I'll pass it along to Teacher Xiao Ya. She's the sect master."
...
Dormitory 108,
"Yunlin, why won't you join the Tang Sect with me?" Wang Dong asked. Su Yunlin's refusal made him a bit disappointed.
Su Yunlin was busy dismantling a soul tool. "There's not much in the Tang Sect that interests me. Those so-called hidden weapons aren't as practical as my soul tool cannons. I don't deny that the Tang Sect's top-tier hidden weapons are powerful, but they're too costly and not cost-effective.
"At the end of the day, they're still cold weapons. Soul tools, on the other hand, are already hot weapons. In terms of precision targeting and attack range, soul tools are far superior."
Wang Dong pouted, sitting on the bed while hugging a pillow. "But I don't really like soul tools. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned and haven't accepted these new things yet."
Without turning back, Su Yunlin continued dismantling the device. "That's the trend of the times. Those who don't adapt will be eliminated."
Wang Dong looked at him. "You sound pretty philosophical today. So you're not against me joining the Tang Sect?"
Su Yunlin turned his head, looking puzzled. "Why would I oppose it? It's your choice—your interests. Why would I stop you?"
Wang Dong originally wanted to say, "Aren't you afraid I'll be taken away by someone else?" But remembering his current identity, he swallowed the words.
Su Yunlin might have some reservations about the Tang Sect, but Wang Dong joining it was no issue at all. The daughter of a God King, the daughter of the Tang Sect's founder, joining the Tang Sect—there was nothing wrong with that. He wasn't the type to have obsessive control over others. Wang Dong could have his own preferences.
Hugging his knees, Wang Dong looked at Su Yunlin. "Yunlin, you're such a good person. I wonder which girl will end up benefiting in the future…"
Without even turning around, Su Yunlin continued his dismantling work, the sounds of clicking echoing. "Am I that cheap? Honestly, beauties and girls are nothing but clouds—none of them compare to you."
Wang Dong's face instantly turned red. What did he mean by "none compare to you"? Could it be that Su Yunlin…
Wang Dong swallowed. "Yunlin… you don't like men, do you?"
Only then did Su Yunlin turn around, looking at him speechlessly. "If I liked men, you wouldn't be the only one around me."
What did that mean?
Wang Dong's heart began pounding. Could it be that he already knew?
Avoiding eye contact, Wang Dong spoke softly, "Yunlin… do you already know?"
A faint smile curved on Su Yunlin's lips as he walked over, gently lifting Wang Dong's chin with his finger.
"Know what?"
Wang Dong's face flushed crimson, as if it might catch fire. It almost seemed like steam was rising from his head, and his beautiful pink-blue eyes grew hazy.
Su Yunlin smiled slightly, gently caressing his face. "What do you want me to know? Are you hiding some secret from me? If you don't tell me, I'll tickle you~"
Wang Dong instantly curled up into a ball. He was extremely ticklish. The last time Su Yunlin poked his waist, it had felt like being electrocuted.
He had tried to get revenge, but Su Yunlin wasn't ticklish at all.
A smirk appeared on Su Yunlin's face. Handling this prideful little butterfly was effortless. So what if he was the daughter of a god?
Seeing that Su Yunlin didn't actually tickle him, Wang Dong quickly grabbed the blanket and wrapped himself up tightly like a cocoon.
"Stupid Yunlin, you're bullying me again!"
Su Yunlin couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Wang Dong wrapped up like a caterpillar. He reached out and pinched his nose lightly.
"So what if I am?"
"Ah you're so bad"