Chapter 84: Battle Against Wu Zhangkong!

"Don't let me find out who he is, or he's definitely going to suffer!" Xu Xiaoyu said through gritted teeth, his face dark with anger.

However, in his mind, a certain figure kept resurfacing—those indifferent eyes, that calm expression, those aggressive words, and the overwhelming power of that single punch that had obliterated him. Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine. Who exactly was he?

Even now, Xu Xiaoyu's heart was filled with confusion and disbelief.

--------------------------------

"You're acting crazy first thing in the morning. Old man Zhuo, if you have something to say, say it quickly!" Cai Yue'er crossed her arms, her brows furrowing. Zhuo Shi had been acting erratic since early morning, muttering non-stop.

"I made contact… I finally contacted him!" Zhuo Shi burst into laughter.

"Made contact? You mean Wu Zhangkong?" Cai Yue'er's expression shifted slightly. She couldn't possibly be unaware of that matter—the boy who had once fallen in love with an evil soul master and ultimately failed…

Yun Ming also appeared silently. "I remember that child well. Where is he now?"

"It's Gu You! Your good godson convinced Wu Zhangkong!" Zhuo Shi exclaimed. After hearing from Wu Zhangkong, he realized just how monstrous that kid Gu You really was.

Gu You… Cai Yue'er remained silent. Why did this name keep coming up every single day? She hadn't even met the so-called godson of the Pavilion Master yet.

"As long as there's contact, that's good enough. He should be in Eastsea right now, and Gu You is there as well. In the future, we must properly compensate that child." Yun Ming chuckled. Seeing these old-timers show their rare smiles made him feel as if he had become decades younger.

---------------------------------------

By noon the next day, Gu You was abruptly awakened by Wu Zhangkong. The sudden summons left Gu You feeling at a loss. Wasn't the teacher supposed to be overseeing the students' final exams? Why was he looking for him? And he hadn't even trained properly yet—he was just enjoying a good nap! This completely wrecked his image in front of his teacher.

"Teacher Wu, um… what's going on?" Gu You asked curiously.

"Fight me. I will suppress my cultivation to the peak of the five-ring level. If you can win, you pass your final exam." Wu Zhangkong's tone was icy. After learning more about Gu You from Zhuo Shi, he finally understood just how abnormal this kid was.

"Huh? Alright." Gu You agreed readily. Wu Zhangkong had immense combat experience, and battling him at three rings without using divine power would undoubtedly be a great way to temper himself.

"Follow me."

Gu You followed Wu Zhangkong to the academy's trial arena.

This was a special place designated for students to practice soul skills and combat. Since soul skills could be highly destructive, the arena was equipped with soul devices to form protective barriers, minimizing damage.

"Gu You!" Xie Xie ran up to him excitedly. This was going to be a legendary duel between a teacher and student. They couldn't miss it! Wu Zhangkong had even instructed them to carefully observe this battle—to witness firsthand whether talent could truly bridge the gap in cultivation.

Wu Zhangkong found a teacher in charge of the trial arena and reserved a field.

These standard arenas varied in size, ranging from thirty to fifty meters in diameter. The trial hall had three floors, each containing four different-sized arenas used by students from various grades.

Wu Zhangkong chose the third floor because it was empty—no other classes were using it, ensuring absolute silence.

A fifty-meter-wide battlefield—spacious enough. Wu Zhangkong led the six students inside.

Xie Xie was already itching with excitement. "Teacher, hurry up and start!"

Neither Wu Zhangkong nor Gu You spoke. They stood twenty meters apart, facing each other.

"Begin!" The moment Wu Zhangkong spoke, rings of soul rings rapidly rose from beneath his feet.

Two yellow, two purple, one black—his soul power surged out, releasing immense pressure. But to Gu You, it meant nothing.

The soul device barriers activated, and Xie Xie and the others retreated outside the battlefield to watch.

This was Gu You's exclusive final exam. After this, their own second round of tests would come soon. That morning, they had already fought Wu Zhangkong in a team battle, and even with his cultivation suppressed, they were completely overpowered. Now, they wondered—could Gu You do it?

A frost-blue longsword extended from Wu Zhangkong's right hand. His usually icy gaze softened slightly as he looked at his Skyfrost Sword.

White robes, blue sword—pure cold and unyielding!

Gu You's three soul rings rose, unleashing the aura of a Beast God-level powerhouse. Even though they had seen Gu You's hundred-thousand-year soul rings before, Tang Wulin and the others were still awestruck. The sheer pressure could be felt even through the protective barrier. Fortunately, Wu Zhangkong had cleared the arena of other staff members—otherwise, this would have caused another shocking campus-wide sensation.

Dragon might radiated from Gu You's body.

Wu Zhangkong's Skyfrost Sword shimmered with a layer of white light as he slashed forward. A streak of blue sword energy flew toward Gu You, while his footsteps suddenly turned bizarre and elusive, creating a dazzling illusion.

That move again! Gu You grew serious. Just like when he had fought Xie Xie before, he could only defend against one attack. No matter what, he had to take one head-on.

But… the best way to counter such a technique was to attack first!

His first and second soul rings lit up simultaneously—Purple-Gold Annihilation Strike!

A ripple of purple light surged from his eyes—spiritual and physical attacks combined! Wu Zhangkong had no choice but to take a hit as well. It was a contest to see whose body could endure the impact!

Wu Zhangkong realized Gu You's intent and had to admit—the boy was terrifyingly decisive. If they were both going to take damage, then bring it on!

He halted his movement and activated his third soul ring. The surrounding air condensed into ice, forming a sheath over his sword before he slashed upward—Skyfrost Slash!

Ice and snow engulfed the battlefield, nullifying even the spiritual attack!

Gu You was startled. Such absolute ice control! If he had fought Yue Zi back then, but it had been Wu Zhangkong instead at the same cultivation level, would he have survived until Yun Ming's arrival?

However, Gu You still had something he hadn't shown yet.

He was a master of Ultimate Ice!

Even if Wu Zhangkong's skills contained ice attributes, innate suppression was absolute. No debate needed!

"Dragon God's Wrath!"

Gu You let out a cold chuckle as Ultimate Ice and Destruction Energy surged together. A dragon apparition manifested behind him, gathering an orb of energy.

With a boom, he launched the attack!

Skyfrost Slash was instantly neutralized—completely absorbed and nullified!

On the field, Wu Zhangkong's gaze sharpened. Ultimate Ice!

Outside, Tang Wulin was in complete shock. Was this Gu You's full strength? Fighting a Soul King felt like dealing with a powerful soul beast!

Wu Zhangkong knew he had lost. But his fifth soul ring still lit up—his ten-thousand-year soul skill! There was still a faint glimmer of hope.

Yet, the gap between ordinary ice and Ultimate Ice was insurmountable. No matter how much one trained, some things simply couldn't be surpassed.

(Chapter End)