Astral Douluo

Arriving at the testing place after walking for a while, the group of eight were faced with dark blue double doors that were made of glass. Wu Zhangkong walked up and pressed onto the glass and a blue light suddenly appeared.

It projected an image that was accompanied by an amused voice which said, {Oh, long time no see! It's Eastsea's Little Zhangkong!} - I will use

for A.I.

Wu Zhangkong coldly said, "Open the doors."

The voice answered back willy-nilly, {You're still so boring.}

With a crisp ring, the doors wordlessly opened up. Tang Xingxi, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, Zi Hui, Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi stood there dumbfounded.

'Eastsea's Little Zhangkong? What in the devil?' they all thought, 'Zhangkong is Teacher Wu's name, and 'Eastsea' should be referring to Eastsea City right? But… this way of calling him is just… Ahem.'

Entering the door, they saw the same dark blue walls, but there was now a shining white floor and gentle fluorescent lights overhead. They came together to paint a scene of calm and order, further emphasizing the lack of people. A circular metal platform holding seven metal wristbands hovered over.

"Put them on," instructed Wu Zhangkong.

Xie Xie curiously asked, "Teacher Wu, what does it do?"

Wu Zhangkong answered back, "It's to identify you. If you wear it, you won't be considered an enemy by the defence systems here."

Xie Xie gasped. "So high-tech!"

Without wasting any more words, Wu Zhangkong lead the group over to another dark blue glass door. A bright blue light swept out once more but without the voice this time. After scanning them and taking note of their wristbands, it quieted down.

Past the door was a long tunnel with several bends in it. Walking through the tunnel, it seemed to be spatial wormhole technology. If Tang Xingxi hadn't already steeled himself for the shock, he would have been geeking out like hell.

Wu Zhangkong was leaning against a wall. A moment later, some unknown mechanism seemed to have been activated as one wall suddenly split open to reveal a large screen with a myriad of symbols on it. A keyboard popped up and Wu Zhangkong began typing. The sounds of his typing were like the pitter-patter of rain that struck down with lightning speed.

{Identity confirmed. Eastsea's Little Zhangkong.}

{Test minimum difficulty: high. Maximum Difficulty: Calamity God. Participants: seven. Commencing in ten seconds.}

{Ten…}

{Nine…}

"What's going on? Why is it starting a countdown?" Xie Xie asked, startled.

Wu Zhangkong turned to stare at them. "Don't tell me you still want more preparation time? Just go do what you always do."

{Eight, seven, six... Three, two, one. Begin!}

Seven blue lights descended onto the group and in a flash, they disappeared.

Inside the light, Tang Xingxi felt a sense of weightlessness before appearing inside an empty plane which looked similar to his spirit sea if the things inside it would disappear.

Xie Xie and Gu Yue were nowhere to be found. The ground was made of black tiles with blue edges. There was no sky, yet, there seemed to be no boundaries to this world and light somehow irradiated the entire area.

{Welcome to the Hall of Heroes. The first trial, high difficulty. Name: Tang Xingxi. Age: 10.}

{Test objective for the first round: Defeat your opponent or survive for sixty seconds.}

A beam of light appeared in front of Tang Xingxi, revealing a handsome man. He had blue hair and had a belt with 24 marbles embedded in it. With gentle, yet battle-hardened eyes, he gave off a dangerous aura.

'Holy shit! I'm fighting Tang San!' Tang Xingxi thought. He already knew that this was the test, but he didn't expect to be matched up against the founder of the Shrek's Seven Devils.

{Begin!}

The man's eyes lit up with power. A yellow glow appeared above his head, and out came a yellow soul ring. Strands of grass moving outwards from him, his eyes glowed purple.

Seeing this, Tang Xingxi wasted no time. Jumping upwards, Tang Xingxi activated his Leo's lightning domain and electrocuted Tang San to death.

Tang San charred body falling to the ground, the electronic voice spoke again: {Thirty seconds have passed. First trial over.}

{The second trial begins. Test difficulty has increased to hell. Defeat your opponent or survive for two minutes.}

Tang San's charred body recovered it's youthfulness and stood up again. Releasing his soul rings, Tang Xingxi thought to himself, 'What the hell is going on!?'

Tang San stood up again, but this time, he had 3 soul rings, and his hands were already at his sides, ready to pull out his hidden weapons.

Seeing no other option, Tang Xingxi used his lightning domain the electrocute Tang San to death again, or so he thought.

Immediately after sensing the lightning, Tang San dispersed it with his spider lances and went in for the kill and activating his first spirit ring.

Seeing the countless blades of grass shooting for his body, Tang Xingxi released his kagune and activated his Cosmic Thunder Lion Form. Jumping into the sky and electrocuting the grass, they all withered away.

Swinging a claw down, Tang Xingxi engaged Tang San in close-combat. Seeing the claw aiming at his head, Tang San nimbly dodged and grabbed Tang Xingxi's hand. Pulling him down and lifting his knee, Tang San got ready to use his silent sleeve darts.

Noticing the knee aiming at his gut, Tang Xingxi flipped just inches off the ground. Sliding a few feet away from Tang San, he felt some darts try to scratch his body.

Seeing his darts fail to penetrate his opponent, Tang San activated his mysterious jade hands and ghost perplexing shadow track. Seeing his opponent trying to catch his movement, Tang San punched Tang Xingxi's face, only to get stopped by a golden claw.

Holding Tang San's fist Tang Xingxi used his kagune in an attempt to impale Tang San.

Tang San of the other hand, somehow managed to dodge all of his kagune and slipped away from Tang Xingxi's grip. Looking at his jade left hand, there were sharp cracks. Tang Xingxi, feeling Tang San slip away, managed to crack his jade hands.

Looking at each other, Tang San took out his hidden weapons and Tang Xingxi activated his armaments. Looking at each other, they both gave each other a battle-thirsty grin before engaging.

Leaving behind a bright red trail of light, Tang Xingxi twirled a black staff, blocking Tang San's hidden weapons from all directions. When the trail of light got so big that the twirled staff looked like a glowing shield, Tang Xingxi moved.

Rushing towards Tang San, Tang Xingxi twirled his staff even faster.

Retreating, Tang San, threw out as many hidden weapons he could in an attempt to waste time. However, Tang San's speed couldn't even be compared with Tang Xingxi, who's speed was being boosted by 3 sources.

Twirling his staff even faster, Tang Xingxi caught up to Tang San and smashed it right on his side. The red energy focusing on the point of impact, Tang San's body split in half at the sixty-second mark.

{Calculating results…}

'Huh? Calculating?' Tang Xingxi thought.

{The third trial begins. Test difficulty has increased to Apocalypse. Defeat your opponent.}

Seeing the charred body get up again, Tang Xingxi readied Kanshou and Byakuya, fearing the worst.

Seeing seven rings floating around his opponent, Tang Xingxi decided to use his trump cards. All of them.

Activating all his bloodlines and trump cards, it was almost impossible to recognize Tang Xingxi when compared to his normal self.

Tang Xingxi's right eye was completely black, and his iris was blood-red. Red veins spreading out onto the right side of his face, twelve blood-red tails exited out from Tang Xingxi's back. His left eye shined green and seemed to see everything. Both irises were slit like a dragon's, and they gave off an odd mix of sovereignty, bloodl.u.s.t and wisdom.

Fangs showed below his teeth and his claws were even sharper than normal. Silvery cosmic hair fell to his back. His body glowing with light, one could see three figures by his side.

The first one lay on his shoulder. It was a relatively small snake. It had enough length to circle Tang Xingxi's entire arm. With eight armoured segments, it had the aura of a dragon, even if it wasn't one. With a big horn on its head, it similar eyes to Tang Xingxi and large, vampiric fangs. Eyes filled with understanding, it seemed to store poison in each segment. With a regal, bloodthirsty and wise aura, it made all snakes bow before it. Tang San's first spirit ring was even flickering under the pressure.

The second one was a thunderous blue lion. Letting out a fearsome roar, it became the sovereign of lightning. It's mane straightened up and levitating, it looked similar to the sun. Galaxies of red in its eyes, yellow and blue lightning coursed through its entire body. Formed almost entirely out of thunder, it gave off the aura of a king.

Last but not least, was a 12-tailed butler. With yellow eyes reminiscent of his bestial form, he wore a red vest and tie with white gloves. With formal clothing, he had two catlike ears on his head, one red and one black, each of them on a red and black tuft of hair respectively. Black and red tails extending from his tailbone, red balls of energy formed at the tips of them while claws of energy formed at his fingertips.

Covered in a black version of Deathbrand Armour from Skyrim, Tang Xingxi wielded Kanshou and Byakuya (Archer's Weapons). Hundreds of weapons behinds him, sparking with green and blue thunder, they radiated a suppressive aura.

Tang San was especially intimidated by the slightly crude black sword which had an enmity to plants. Its name was the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, or the grass-cutting sword, and was especially lethal towards grass.

Seeing Tang San's reaction, Tang Xingxi replaced Kanshou and Byakuya with two Kusanagi-no-Tsurugis. His golden and silver claws firmly grasping the weapons, Tang Xingxi imbued strength, bloodl.u.s.t and power into the sword in his right claw and every single element into his left.

In his Astral Form, Tang Xingxi willed himself to the aspect of speed. His celestial armament reducing the burden, he got into position.

"Astral Body: Star Aspect: Speed!" a distorted voice said.

Boom!

Spiderweb-like cracks left the ground where Tang Xingxi stood. His swords piercing Tang San, the attacks of his spirit souls still on their way.

Looking at Tang Xingxi, Tang San smiled, before revealing that it was an illusion and Tang San had disguised himself using grass. Shocked, Tang Xingxi found Tang San by Kuroji who was defending with all he had. Unfortunately, Tang San had already shot Yama's Invitation towards each of Tang Xingxi's spirit souls. Reabsorbing them, Tang Xingxi felt nothing as he was immune to poison.

Looking at Tang San, both of them began to circle each other. Charging up his tails, Tang Xingxi started to rapid-fire as Tang San shot out his hidden weapons (Seriously! How many does he have!).

After firing at each other for a while, they started to take out the big guns.

Tang San brought out three Yama's Invitations, two Peac.o.c.k Plumes and one Buddha Fury Tang Lotus.

Dodging the consecutive lasers, Tang San threw out three Yama's Invitations at different angles. Using his mysterious heaven skills, he directed them at impossible angles while also releasing a peac.o.c.k plume in Tang Xingxi's direction.

Seeing this, Tang Xingxi activated UBW and copied all or his weapons, shooting them at each other to nullify his attacks.

Clearing the dust with his entry, Tang San released another peac.o.c.k plume before activating a Buddha Fury Tang Lotus.

Barraged by an endless amount of small, yet powerful blades, Tang Xingxi released his scales.

Ching! Ching! Ching!

All of the projectiles hit each other fiercely. Looking at each other, Tang San released his Clear Sky Hammer.

In response, Tang Xingxi summoned out Mjolnir in front of him. Changing its shape into something akin to a war hammer, Tang Xingxi welcomed Tang San's attack.

With penetrating gazes locked onto each other, Tang San took the initiative and rushed towards Tang Xingxi smashing his hammer downwards.

Seeing this, Tang Xingxi lifted his hammer and swung it at Tang San's hammer. Hitting each other squarely, the air currents made by the Clear Sky Hammer did nothing to stop Mjolnir's charge.

Boom!

Both of their ears ringing, Tang San was distraught to discover that his hammer was destroyed.

Looking at Tang San with a respectful gaze, Tang Xingxi lifted his Mjolnir. Activating his second spirit ring, Tang Xingxi solemnly said, "Mjolnir's Birth: Birth of The Thunder God," as he swung the hammer down. Heavenly thunder raining from the sky, Tang San died for the third time in this trial.

Collapsing on the ground, Tang Xingxi panted heavily as he thought, 'What the hell is wrong with this machine! This is too hard dammit!'

{Calculating…}

'Oh no, not that! What's next, Tang San as a god?'

{The fourth trial begins. Test difficulty has increased to Calamity God. Defeat your opponent.}

Looking at Tang San's body, it didn't regenerate. Instead, it disappeared in a flash of light. On guard for what may be next, Tang Xingxi turned around before being blinded by a bright light.

Looking at the source, he saw a blue-haired man who radiated calmness and tranquillity. With eight pairs of heavenly wings behind his back, he held a golden trident and had the same mark upon his forehead.

"Shit, I'm screwed!" Tang Xingxi said.

Lifting his trident, Tang San summoned a tidal wave to attack Tang Xingxi.

Unable to retaliate in the slightest, all Tang Xingxi could say was, "Goddamnit! F.u.c.k me and my big f.u.c.k.i.n.g—," before dying.

Seeing a flash of light, Tang Xingxi reappeared in the room they were in.

Seeing everyone looking at him, they all asked, "How many trials did you pass!!??"

Tang Wulin stumbled out of a flash of light, his face green and purple from bruises. He truly made for a sorry sight.

When he looked up, he saw Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi standing relatively close, their appearances even more haphazard than his own. Their complexions were truly unsightly.

"How many trials did you pass?" Tang Wulin asked them thoughtlessly.

Xie Xie's face darkened.

"One trial," Xie Xie said, "This test is too hard, my opponent was way too powerful! There wasn't anything I could do against her. She surpassed me in both explosive power and speed, and even in close combat ability! I was helpless to defend against her even with my twin martial souls."

Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi's faces darkened even more.

"Not even one trial," they said.

"What about Gu Yue, Zi Hui and my brother? She still hasn't come out?" Tang Wulin asked.

Xie Xie nodded. "In the end, they're the strongest! How many trials did you pass?"

A bitter laugh escaped Tang Wulin's lips. "Just two trials. I passed the second trial only because I'm good at taking a beating."

From when they had entered until now, Wu Zhangkong hadn't moved an inch from his previous position. The screens here were different from those of the spirit ascension platform; they didn't show everything that had occurred within the test, so all he could do was wait patiently.

Another minute passed before a pale-faced Gu Yue stumbled out of a flash of light. Tang Wulin, who just happened to be standing right in front of her, saw the shock in her eyes.

"How many trials did you pass?" Xie Xie asked.

"Hell, two trials. The final level was too hard, And I was defeated in the first trial. What about you guys?" Gu Yue replied while Zi Hui just nodded.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie stood there, utterly speechless. They truly felt that comparing themselves to others could only lead to madness!

"Wait, what about my brother?" Tang Wulin asked.

Wu Zhangkong replied almost instantly, "Oh, his difficulty is the highest, and in that range, you have to defeat your enemy."

Filled with shock, the group started muttering amongst themselves.

"I-impossible. Impossible! Even if it's him. Right?" Xie Xie said.

Stunned by the question, Tang Xingxi replied, "Three trials, I completed apocalypse difficulty. what about you?"

Their mouths gaping open, everyone shouted, "Monster! We say we're the monsters here, but you are even worse than a monster!"

Even Wu Zhangkong was shocked at this, 'That difficulty? You have to defeat a spirit emperor of your assigned devil, and even though these replications only have 70% power, the designers just enhanced their abilities based on personal touch to make it reach 100% at this difficulty! How did he do it!' he thought.

Without giving the group any more time to bicker, Wu Zhangkong clapped his hands together as a bright light flashed, and the group disappeared in a spatial wave.

With another light flash, they found themselves in an expansive office. It was at least 200 square meters in area. Off to one side, there was a large office desk and a white sofa across from it.

"Take a seat. There are a few matters I need to discuss with you guys," Wu Zhangkong said as he pointed to the sofa.

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue and Xie Xie were genuinely confused as to what was going on. Zi Hui was still aloof and indifferent and the only people who knew what was going on was Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi.

Wu Zhangkong took a seat across from them.

"Each of you must have felt that today's test was strange. You all had different opponents who, at some point in time, were all Soul Masters that had lived on this continent. Unfortunately, only 70% of their true strength can be replicated by the simulation. How did you compare to your opponents?"

'They were real Soul Masters?' was what everyone except Tang Xingxi thought.

Tang Wulin immediately recalled that girl with twin souls, while Xie Xie recalled the tall and beautiful girl whose waist seemed as flexible as a bow.

Wang Jinxi thought of the blue-haired boy who had lightning crackling around his body, Zhang Yangzi thought of a girl who seemed as fast as the wind, and Zi Hui instantly recalled a crazy red-haired guy with a shield.

As for Gu Yue, she recalled the black-haired youth whose eyes twinkled with a bizarre splendour. He had easily defeated her in the ultimate level trial. She shuddered at the memory of their battle.

"I brought you all here for two reasons. First, you are nearing the limits of how much spirit energy you can absorb in the spirit ascension platform. After entering a few more times, you'll reach that limit, so you need another place to gain real combat experience. Compared to the spirit ascension platform, the Hall of Heroes can provide even better combat experiences as the injuries you receive in there are all real. Of course, you'll automatically be ejected when you're injured to a certain degree. There also won't be any mental rebounds like you received in the spirit ascension platform when you had your bodies destroyed. In other words, the experience you gain in the Hall of Heroes is even more valuable than in the spirit ascension platform," Wu Zhangkong stated, "Second, this test is actually unrelated to your final exam. Your final exam had already ended in the rebellion spirit ascension platform and your scores have already been given. The test here is instead an entrance test to an organization. If you become a member of this organization, you'll be able to acc.u.mulate points in the future to use the Hall of Heroes again."

Organization? This word, coupled with the memory of his opponent's footwork from earlier, made Tang Wulin realize immediately that this was the organization that Wu Zhangkong had told him about before. The very organization he had originally refused to join.

Xie Xie and Gu Yue stared at Wu Zhangkong with curiosity while thinking, So Teacher Wu is actually part of some organization.

"Teacher Wu, what does this organization do?" Xie Xie asked. He was from a large clan, so he couldn't casually join any organization; the fact that this organization was able to have a base here in Eastsea City's technology park, however, meant that its background should be nothing to laugh at.

Wu Zhangkong asked, "Have you heard of the Tang Sect?"

'Tang Sect?' everyone thought.

Hearing these two words, everyone, even the usually indifferent Zi Hui began to tremble with excitement.

The Tang Sect? It's the Tang Sect!

How could they not have heard of it before? There was practically no one in this world who didn't know of the Tang Sect! Legend had it that the Tang Sect had existed from the ancient era until now. It could be said that the greatest historical events of the Douluo Continent all involved the Tang Sect in one way or another.

The Tang Sect's founder was the guardian of the continent 20,000 years ago. It was rumoured that he had ascended to godhood! (Hahaha! That's still a rumour!? It's f.u.c.k.i.n.g true! What are you doing Tang Jia San Shao!)

With the Tang Sect's founder leading the first generation of Shrek's Seven Monsters, Shrek Academy had also risen to power in that era. It could be said that without him, Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect would not have become such legendary existences.

At that time, the Martial Soul Hall had been ambitious in its attempts to conquer the entire continent and unite it under one banner. Against them, the Tang Sect founder assembled the forces of nations and Soul Masters to fight with the Martial Soul Hall in a final, decisive battle. In the end, he stood on the side of victory.

It was said that while wielding the Sea God's Trident, he had ascended as the Sea God.

Tang Wulin had always loved to listen to the Tang Sect founder's story because he also possessed the Bluesilver Grass martial soul!

It was possible for someone on the continent to not know of the Spirit Pagoda, but it was impossible for them to not know of the Tang Sect.

As time went on, the Tang Sect had nearly withered away due to the advancement of soul device technology, when suddenly, another legendary figure appeared out of nowhere. That was right, he was the founder of the Spirit Pagoda, as well as the creator of spirit souls. His mark on history had completely altered the structure of the world of Soul Masters to this very day.

After the Tang Sect's resurgence into power, they had never declined again. Though, it was rumoured that, along with the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire, they had long relocated to the two other continents. In the last thousand years or so, they were rarely spoken of, but their legend had never been forgotten.

The trio was truly shocked at the utterance of the two words that represented such a legendary organization. Could it be that we're in the Tang Sect right now?

"Teacher Wu, didn't the Tang Sect already disappear? Or move to the other two continents?" Tang Wulin blurted out in disbelief.

Wu Zhangkong shook his head. "No, the Tang Sect never truly disappeared. While it's true that the Tang Sect has founded bases on the other two continents like the Spirit Pagoda, but the Tang Sect has never left the Douluo Continent. The federal government knows of the Tang Sect too, but for the sake of adapting to the current societal norms, the Tang Sect now operates in a low-key manner. After all, Tang Sect's reputation is truly too great. The building we're in is owned by a company under the Tang Sect; the Dazzling Era Tang Sect Technology Company. They developed the Hall of Heroes as a learning system, and the opponents you just fought were once members of the Shrek Seven Monsters."

Tang Wulin was electrified. He recalled his opponent with the newfound realization of her identity. "My opponent… was she in the same generation as the Spirit Pagoda's founder from the Shrek Seven Monsters ten thousand years ago? The possessor of the Three Cycles Soul Cauldron and the Nine Phoenix Flute, Xiao Xiao the Phoenix Flute Douluo?"

The dumbstruck Xie Xie gasped. "Then, wasn't my opponent also from the same generation of Shrek's Seven Monsters, the Demon Rabbit Douluo Jiang Nannan?"

Everyone gasped at who their opponents were when they connected the dots. Gu Yue's eyes were blank.

Wu Zhangkong glanced at her, not particularly surprised at her expression, and said, "Gu Yue, your opponent was the Spirit Pagoda's founder, the Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao back when he only possessed two soul rings."

Looking towards Tang Xingxi, Wu Zhangkong said, "You, on the other hand, are a complete monster."

Everyone's eyes turned to Tang Xingxi as soon as Wu Zhangkong said those words.

Not answering anyone's gazes, Wu Zhangkong said, "Tang Xingxi, you defeated Tang San, and that's all I'm going to say for the other's sake," while thinking, 'Tang Xingxi, you defeated Tang San, when he was at spirit emperor. That was even a bugged out version as the developers gave Tang San 120% of his power at that time by buffing him out with an unlimited supply of hidden weapons, and his hammer's rings also filled up to the seventh ring!'

Looking back at everyone, "So you three shouldn't be discouraged. You were defeated by powerful legends after all. If you do well in the Hall of Heroes and keep rising up, you might even get the chance to battle the original Shrek Seven Monsters one day."

Tang Wulin subconsciously swallowed at these unbelievable words. He didn't even need to think about his answer and directly shouted out, "I want to join!"

Having heard the tales of the legendary Tang Sect since childhood, one could only imagine his burning d.e.s.i.r.e to join the organization. These stories, however, weren't the main reason behind his willingness to join—it was his idol, the founder of the Tang Sect who possessed the same martial soul as him! Any previous doubts he held towards joining Wu Zhangkong's organization were blown away after hearing that it was the Tang Sect.

Xie Xie came to a similar conclusion after a moment of hesitation. "I want to join too."

Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi and Zi Hui said the same too after a bit longer.

Looking at Tang Xingxi, Gu Yue's eyes were asking whether or not it was fine to join instead of the spirit pagoda as per her plan.

Nodding at her, Tang Xingxi and Gu Yue stood up and both said yes.

Wu Zhangkong cautioned them, "You don't need to decide so quickly. You can go home and ask your family first."

Xie Xie shook his head whilst saying, "There's no need. I don't want to miss out on such an opportunity. Teacher Wu, I will join. I'm sure I can convince my family too."

Without the slightest hesitation, Tang Wulin said, "I don't need to think it over. I want to join the Tang Sect. It's my dream!" That was right, he had dreamed of joining the Tang Sect since childhood.

Everyone else said the same thing, while Gu Yue and Tang Xingxi reaffirmed their answer.

Though he didn't want to separate from Gu Yue, he had to prioritize his dream!

"Fine. We'll end today's testing here. After filling in some forms later, you will officially become outer members of the Tang Sect. I'll explain to you at a later time everything you need to know about the organization such as rules, benefits and duties," Wu Zhangkong said, "Also, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, even though you're leaving this class, I can at least start you off somewhere good."

Dropping Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi off at a station, the duo tearfully said goodbye. After having one last hurrah and team huddle, the group finally separated.

On the bus ride home, Tang Wulin stared off into the distance with a lonely expression.

Wang Jinxi had left and Zhang Yangzi had left. He truly felt powerless since he had no basis to influence their decisions.

Yet, it was as if fate had decreed that he must be alone. His family and friends were leaving one after the other, and the only one left by his side was Xie Xie and his brother. 'Will Xie Xie or my brother leave me too?' he thought fearfully.

Seated beside him, Xie Xie prodded him with a few words. "What's up? Are you feeling down because of Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi leaving?"

Tang Wulin shook his head and said, "I just feel like everyone I hold dear is leaving. My parents and Na'er left. Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi left, who next?"

Before Xie Xie could even continue, Tang Xingxi spoke up, "Are you seriously kidding me right now?"

He was listening to Styx Helix/ Re: Zero Ending 1 - (youtube.com/watch?v=tIhL2KHVdgE). When he heard his brother's whining, he inwardly thought to himself, 'Come on, guess I have to knock some sense into him again.'

"We are brothers, we are comrades. We will never leave each other. Even if one of is…slightly eccentric," Tang Xingxi said to his brother looking him straight in the eye.

"What was that!?" Zi Hui retorted causing everyone in the bus to laugh.

"None of us are going to leave you, dimwit! I'll always be with you guys, and that also means you guys aren't allowed to leave!" Gu Yue said, putting pressure on Zi Hui and Xie Xie specifically.

Seeing an opening, Xie Xie took this chance to cut in. "If you just say 'you' instead of 'you guys', and remove the last bit, he'd be far more moved."

"Go away!" Tang Wulin and Gu Yue yelled at him in unison.

"You guys are bullies!" Xie Xie said with grievance.

"It's your fault, I mean…I already have Tang Xingxi, so don't go doing that to us!" Gu Yue said, grabbing Tang Xingxi's arm and blushing slightly.

"Oi! Oi! Since when have you two been together!" Xie Xie asked, shakily pointing his finger at the couple.

"Oh, since she first arrived," Tang Xingxi said, earning a small tug and face burying on Gu Yue's part.

"Hah!" Xie Xie said, "Then why do you still put her through all that torture you call, 'Training!'"

"Good point hun, I might leave you, you know?" Gu Yue said, getting back at Tang Xingxi.

"What! Okay! I'll lighten your training, so please don't!" Tang Xingxi said, playing along with the joke.

Laughter filled the bus that day as the group left home. Meanwhile, in the Xu household…

"Alright Xu Xiaoyan, you're going to Eastsea Academy's Class Zero!" two happy voices said.

"Alright," said a blue-haired girl. Even though she was only 9, she still looked stunning. On the inside though, she was thinking, 'Hold on, I'm training and meeting with those monsters! How am I supposed to keep up!!!'

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Yay! Xu Xiaoyan is here! I have two paths in my head for this story right now, so tell me if I should make the seven devils, nine asuras or nine…you get it right?