Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

After leaving the Star Dou Forest, Zi Ji didn't fly Xia Yi directly to Eastsea City. Instead, she retrieved a small soul-guided car from her storage soul tool and drove Xia Yi to the city.

"Flying at high altitude would be too much for you, and low-altitude flight risks being detected by human radar, which would cause unnecessary trouble," Zi Ji explained.

On the way, Xia Yi marveled at the towering buildings lining the roads. He couldn't help but sigh. No wonder humans had managed to enclose the entire Star Dou Forest—their development had far surpassed anything in the forest.

Zi Ji's driving was not only fast but also remarkably steady. However, it still took them a full day and night to reach Eastsea City from the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.

"Why travel so far?" Xia Yi asked, puzzled. Shortly after leaving the forest, Zi Ji had pointed out a massive city, introducing it as Shrek City.

Although Shrek Academy was an advanced soul master academy and didn't admit students of Xia Yi's age, there were plenty of intermediate and junior soul master academies within Shrek City that were of much higher caliber than Eastsea Academy.

Xia Yi couldn't understand why they were bypassing better options and traveling so far for a lesser choice.

"This was the Lord's decision," Zi Ji replied somberly.

"Don't you ever question why?" Xia Yi asked, curious.

"The Lord has her reasons for everything she does. Besides, since she's in a weakened state after taking human form, it's our duty to protect her position, not question her," Zi Ji said, her tone firm.

"You're all so loyal," Xia Yi remarked, rolling his eyes. Then, glancing at the steering wheel in Zi Ji's hands, he asked, "Can I try driving?"

"If you want to learn, I can teach you later—but in an open space," Zi Ji said, giving Xia Yi a big eye-roll. She had no intention of letting him wreck her beloved car.

"Come on, just let me try! I've been watching you drive the whole way, and I remember every move you made," Xia Yi pleaded with a pitiful expression.

"Drop that disgusting look," Zi Ji said, shuddering as goosebumps ran down her arms. Reluctantly, she sighed. "Fine, I'll pull over, but let me make this clear—no speeding."

Zi Ji originally intended to let Xia Yi try driving and give up on his own. But to her astonishment, after only a brief attempt, Xia Yi got the hang of it and immediately drove them onto the highway.

"Even I took three days of hands-on lessons from Di Tian before I could drive," Zi Ji thought, utterly shocked. Xia Yi had merely watched her drive and learned without any instruction.

Xia Yi was enthusiastic about trying new things. After they reached Eastsea City, he insisted on circling the city's ring road with Zi Ji. Over and over, he drove, leaving the helpless Zi Ji to serve as his power source, continuously supplying soul power to the vehicle.

With a fierce beast like Zi Ji beside him, there was no need to worry about running out of energy, even after five days and nights of driving.

It wasn't until Zi Ji received a soul-guided call from Gu Yue that Xia Yi finally drove the car to Eastsea Academy.

Using the navigation system, Xia Yi quickly found his way to the academy's entrance.

Gu Yue was already waiting at the gate. She had arrived via the mecha of a high-ranking figure in Spirit Pagoda, which was far faster than Zi Ji's car. If she hadn't been delayed at the Spirit Pagoda, Xia Yi wouldn't have had the chance to take Zi Ji for a spin.

When Gu Yue saw Xia Yi driving, her brows furrowed deeply. She turned to Zi Ji in disbelief, silently asking how she could have let Xia Yi drive.

Zi Ji shrugged and made a helpless gesture. She had planned to take over once they entered the crowded city, but Xia Yi had refused to give up the wheel.

Though Gu Yue was impressed by Xia Yi's quick learning, she didn't show it. "Enough. Follow me. I'll take you to meet Teacher Wu. I heard there's another transfer student besides you joining Class Zero this time. Perhaps you'll both be accepted."

Eastsea Academy wasn't very large, but Class Zero occupied an entire teaching area. It had its own independent training grounds, dormitories, and even a special dining hall with dedicated chefs to ensure balanced nutrition for every meal.

By the time Xia Yi and Gu Yue arrived, the other members of Class Zero had already gathered. As Xia Yi and Gu Yue walked in side by side, a hostile gaze immediately fell upon Xia Yi.

Following the gaze, Xia Yi looked up and saw a pair of beautiful eyes and a handsome face.

"So this is the Tang Wulin you mentioned? Not bad looking, but he's still a bit short of my level," Xia Yi said narcissistically. As he spoke, he dramatically flipped his long hair draped over his shoulders.

Of course, he had the confidence to make such a statement. It was said that foxes in human form were always stunningly beautiful, and he was no exception.

Unlike ordinary foxes, whose appeal was purely visual, Xia Yi exuded a profound and grounded charm that captivated attention effortlessly.

"Stop showing off," Gu Yue snapped, glaring at Xia Yi before turning to Teacher Wu Zhangkong. "Teacher, this is Xia Yi, the one I mentioned earlier."

"Got it. Introduce yourselves," Wu Zhangkong said with an icy expression, sparing only a glance at Xia Yi and the girl beside him, Xu Xiaoyan.

He had already sensed Xia Yi's soul power. This introduction was more a formality before rejection.

Xu Xiaoyan spoke first. Facing Wu Zhangkong, she seemed a little shy. "Hello, everyone. My name is Xu Xiaoyan. I'm ten years old. My martial soul is the Starwheel Ice Staff, and my soul power is at level 17."

Wu Zhangkong nodded slightly. "For the next month, you'll need to prove your strength and suitability for Class Zero. After a month, we'll decide whether you stay or leave."

"Yes, Teacher," Xu Xiaoyan replied obediently.

"Your turn," Wu Zhangkong said, turning to Xia Yi.

Following Xu Xiaoyan's example, Xia Yi said, "My name is Xia Yi. I'm ten years old. My martial soul is a fox, and my soul power is at level 10."

"You can leave," Wu Zhangkong said flatly, his tone curt and without any trace of hesitation.

A level 10 soul power? The idea of joining Class Zero with such a low level was laughable.

Even Xu Xiaoyan's admission had required intense persuasion from Eastsea Academy's headmaster and teaching director. Xia Yi, with even lower qualifications, was out of the question. Allowing him into Class Zero would tarnish its reputation.

"You should head back for now. Tomorrow, I'll help you try another class," Gu Yue said, taking a deep breath. She wasn't particularly disappointed, as she had expected this outcome from the start.

She didn't beg Wu Zhangkong; she understood him well enough to know it would be useless.

Moreover, with her status, she would never lower herself to beg anyone.

Xia Yi didn't leave, however. Instead, he turned to Wu Zhangkong and asked calmly, "Why does she get a chance as a transfer student, but I don't?"

He then pointed at Xu Xiaoyan.

Wu Zhangkong ignored Xia Yi and looked at Tang Wulin. "Tang Wulin, step forward."

"Yes!" Tang Wulin took a step forward.

It was only then that Wu Zhangkong turned his cold gaze to Xia Yi and said, "This is Tang Wulin, the lowest-ranked soul master in Class Zero. His soul power is even lower than Xu Xiaoyan's. Of course, it's still higher than yours. If you can last three minutes against him, I'll allow you to join Class Zero."

"Three minutes? No problem. I hope you keep your word," Xia Yi nodded.

"I always keep my word," Wu Zhangkong responded coldly, then turned to Tang Wulin again. "You have three minutes to defeat him. If you fail, all your training this semester will be doubled. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No problem," Tang Wulin responded eagerly. He had never lost to a soul master of the same level, and Xia Yi, with lower cultivation, was no match for him.

Besides, Xia Yi's martial soul wasn't exceptional either.

"Are you ready?" Wu Zhangkong asked both of them after receiving Tang Wulin's confirmation.

"Ready," both Xia Yi and Tang Wulin nodded.

However, just as Wu Zhangkong was about to shout "Start," Gu Yue suddenly stepped forward, quickly jogging to Tang Wulin's side, and whispered, "Be careful. His strength is no less than yours."

"I know," Tang Wulin responded, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He never imagined someone could match his strength—something he'd never considered before.

Although he found it hard to believe, he knew Gu Yue wouldn't lie to him, so he nodded firmly.

Seeing Gu Yue's actions, Xia Yi felt a bit speechless. Although Gu Yue's voice was very soft and no one else could hear, Xia Yi could guess what she had told Tang Wulin.

He had initially planned to catch Tang Wulin off guard with his strength advantage, but now that plan was ruined.

"I'd like to ask, are there any restrictions?" Xia Yi turned to Wu Zhangkong, helpless. Without the strength advantage, he'd have to come up with another plan.

"No restrictions. Just don't use lethal force," Wu Zhangkong replied coldly, his eyes still fixed on Tang Wulin, clearly speaking for his benefit.

"Understood!" Tang Wulin's eyes gleamed with determination. He was already a bit sly, so he quickly understood Wu Zhangkong's intention.

He had never liked Xia Yi, and now he had a perfect opportunity to show it.

No wonder Wu Zhangkong had given him three minutes.

"Start!" Wu Zhangkong didn't give Xia Yi a chance to speak, decisively calling for the match to begin.

(End of Chapter)