"Those who dare not stir trouble are mediocrities..."
A helpless expression crossed Tang Luochuan's face.
When had he ever managed to keep a straight face upon hearing this absurd statement? Without exaggeration, this was one of the most bizarre philosophies across the entire Douluo Continent.
The reasonable principle of "neither provoking nor fearing trouble" had somehow morphed into this so-called "those who dare not stir trouble are mediocrities." No wonder Tang San had never had more than five students—they'd probably all gotten themselves killed by causing trouble.
"By the way, since you're here for challenges, state your cultivation levels so I can arrange appropriate opponents."
At this moment, Li Zhilong suddenly thought of something and spoke with a smile. As he spoke, a small notebook mysteriously appeared in his hand.
"One advanced Soul King, one intermediate Soul King, one junior Soul King, and six Soul Ancestors..."
Tang Luochuan glanced at the group before him and stated the corresponding challenge levels for each.
Apart from himself and Gu Yue who didn't need testing, the three Soul Kings were Tang Wulin, Wu Siduo, and Ye Xinglan. With their Battle Armor, they wouldn't be at much disadvantage against opponents of this level.
The Soul Ancestor challenges were naturally prepared for Xu Xiaoyan, Zheng Yiran, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng.
"Three Soul Kings and six Soul Ancestors..."
"Might I ask what grade you're in?"
Li Zhilong couldn't help but inquire. Three Soul Kings—without exaggeration, this was something even fourth-year students might struggle with. In their academy, this was graduation-level strength.
Not to mention the six Soul Ancestors...
Yet these young men and women before him clearly hadn't shed their youthful immaturity, looking no older than fifteen—second-year students at most. Their strength was simply terrifying.
"Outer Court first-years."
"Those three are Soul Ancestors challenging Soul Kings. The others are Soul Venerables challenging Soul Ancestor level..."
Tang Luochuan gave a brief explanation, and these simple words nearly left Li Zhilong speechless with shock. Outer Court first-years? These were actually Outer Court first-years!
"Outer Court first-years who are already Soul Ancestors? And Soul Ancestors fighting Soul Kings? Soul Venerables fighting Soul Ancestors?"
A dazed expression crossed Li Zhilong's face. At this moment, he felt like he no longer recognized this world. Was this even humanly possible?
First-years capable of leaping an entire major realm!
"They have Battle Armor."
"Director Li, you can rest assured while arranging opponents."
Tang Luochuan smiled faintly as he spoke.
"That's right, Teacher Li."
"We definitely won't hold back."
Tang Wulin added with a grin.
"..."
Li Zhilong fell silent once more. They had Battle Armor too?
Suddenly, he understood where these youngsters' confidence came from. Battle Armor Masters—they were the ultimate answer in Douluo Continent's current meta.
First-years with Battle Armor? What kind of monsters were these?
"You mentioned challenge requirements for everyone else but didn't say anything about yourself and this young lady..."
"What are your levels? Do you wish to challenge too?"
After calming himself, Li Zhilong looked toward Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue, unable to resist asking.
He could naturally sense that these two possessed the strongest cultivation among the group—both at Soul King level.
The prolonged silence was due to either the challenge being over or some lingering hesitation.
"We're all Soul Kings..."
"Director Li, you don't need to worry about us two. The Pavilion Master canceled our final exam arrangements and will conduct trials for us after the semester begins."
"We have other arrangements."
Tang Luochuan shook his head with a smile, unconcerned.
Even as he spoke, he exchanged a glance with Gu Yue, both having already released their Martial Souls.
"..."
Li Zhilong fell silent. The dazzling Soul Rings nearly blinded him—what kind of Soul Ring configuration was this?!
Red, red, red, red, red! Five reds!
Black, black, black, black, red! Four blacks and one red!
Especially the "Pavilion Master" they mentioned—that was none other than the Sea God Pavilion Master, the world's strongest Atlas Douluo!
"I understand."
"You two really aren't suited for the final exams."
He couldn't help but blurt out.
It was clear to him now—if these two were to fight, their opponents wouldn't be students but the academy's teachers.
"Everyone, please follow me to the academy's combat arena. Wait there while I arrange suitable opponents for you. Though I doubt we have any advanced Soul Kings available..."
Shortly after settling the group, Li Zhilong forced himself to look away and hurried off in another direction, his emotions far from calm.
This day might just become...
The most shocking moment of his entire life.
"..."
"Teacher, you can't be serious."
Not long after, when the group of students followed Li Zhilong to the arena and looked toward Tang Luochuan's team, each wore an odd expression.
So young...
They wouldn't even qualify for the senior division in their academy, would they?
And yet here they were—top students from Tianding Academy, future outstanding graduates. Fighting them would be like bullying children.
"These are Shrek Academy's top geniuses."
"Just go ahead and challenge them."
Li Zhilong didn't elaborate. If his students were truly this careless, these elite talents from Shrek Academy would soon teach them a harsh lesson.
"But we're all..."
A Soul King-level student instinctively protested—his strength was undoubtedly superior to these kids.
"No buts."
"Yes, teacher."
Seeing their teacher's firm stance, the group had no choice but to step onto the arena, preparing for what was clearly an unfair match. On one side stood Tianding Academy's strongest team—future outstanding graduates with an average age of twenty.
On the other side stood Shrek Academy's prodigies—average age twelve, appearing utterly unremarkable.
"The stronger side is obvious..."
The students said with sunny smiles.
"..."
"Brother, we're done here."
Soon after, as Tang Wulin and the others stepped down from the platform with smiles, the twenty-year-old students from Tianding Academy lay scattered across the ground in disarray.
Three Soul Kings, six Soul Ancestors—all defeated!
"Can someone explain..."
"How are there Battle Armor Masters this young?!"
The leading young man wore a desolate expression, barely holding back tears as he said, "If only there hadn't been a Battle Armor Master, I would never have lost!"
"Captain, even without the Battle Armor..."
"That Golden Dragon kid was still beating you up," another person nearby couldn't help but add.
The captain: "..."
"Director Li, I wonder what that over there..."
"...is for?"
Meanwhile, from the spectator stands, Tang Luochuan's gaze was fixed on another area—an unusually elevated platform not far from the martial stage.
Now, his fox tail was finally showing. After all, whether it was coming to challenge others or previously stunning his opponents into submission, it had all been for this Star Observation Platform.
"That? It's our academy's Star Observation Platform," Li Zhilong naturally saw no reason to hide it and smiled slightly.
"Would you like to take your friends for a look?" he invited.
"How could I impose?" Tang Luochuan smiled faintly, then in the next moment, he grabbed Gu Yue beside him and practically vanished in an instant, heading straight for the Star Observation Platform.
Of course, he wouldn't impose for himself—but this was for his companions!
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