The second academic year of the first grade was nearing its end, and the final exams were approaching.
However, this had nothing to do with Jing Shaoyu and his companions anymore. After today, they would be setting off for the Star Luo Continent for an exchange program.
In the first-grade classroom, Wu Zhangkong stepped onto the podium and said, "Class begins."
"Stand up," Jing Shaoyu called out as he rose to his feet.
All the students stood up, bowed, and then the class began.
"Before we start, I have an announcement to make," Wu Zhangkong said with an expressionless face. "Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, Jing Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, Ye Xinglan, Wu Siduo, and Mo Hentian will represent our academy for a one-year exchange program on the Star Luo Continent. I will be leading the team, so today's class will be my last for the next year.
Jing Shaoyu, today's class will also be the last for you seven in the first grade. Tomorrow, you will have a day to rest and prepare, and the day after, you will depart.
Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan's class positions will be temporarily taken over by Luo Guixing, Tang Wulin, and Xu Yu Cheng. Luo Guixing will be the class monitor, while Tang Wulin and Xu Yu Cheng will be the vice monitors. Additionally, Yang Nianxia will be appointed as the forging committee member..."
Wu Zhangkong quickly finished the announcements without giving the students time to digest the news and immediately began the lecture.
Most of the first-grade students were in no mood for class. Many already knew that the class committee group would represent the academy for the exchange program on the Star Luo Continent, but hearing the official announcement from Wu Zhangkong still stirred some emotions in their hearts.
After all, this was the departure of their strongest team in the first grade!
After class, Wu Zhangkong left the classroom directly.
Luo Guixing, Tang Wulin, and others walked up to Jing Shaoyu. Luo Guixing said, "Class Monitor, don't slack off, or you might not get your position back when you return!"
Jing Shaoyu smiled slightly and replied, "I hope that's the case. To be honest, I'm already tired of being the class monitor."
"Really? That's quite hurtful!" Luo Guixing immediately showed a speechless expression.
"Shaoyu, I wish you a smooth journey," Tang Wulin said, offering his blessings.
"Thank you for your kind words. I will," Jing Shaoyu responded with a smile.
After chatting with the others, Jing Shaoyu stood up, glanced at his classmates, and then walked out of the classroom first. Gu Yue, Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, and the other five followed him out.
This farewell would last a year, and by the time they returned, the scene might be entirely different.
Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion.
"Ah Yu, when you go to the Star Luo Continent, make sure to protect yourself. If anything happens, go to Elder Cai. She will accompany you to the Star Luo Continent," Ya Li said, holding Jing Shaoyu's hand with a hint of reluctance.
"Master's wife, don't worry. I will definitely protect myself," Jing Shaoyu replied with a smile.
"Na'er, when you're outside, you must listen to your brother. Don't be willful, and don't argue with him, understand?" Ya Li also reminded Na'er.
Na'er, hearing Ya Li's words, couldn't help but roll her eyes and said, "Master's wife, do you really think of Na'er as such a disobedient child? Boohoo, it seems Master's wife doesn't like Na'er anymore."
"Uh..." Ya Li's expression turned slightly awkward. Her earlier words had indeed been a bit biased, but she didn't think there was anything wrong with them.
"Shaoyu, this time you are representing Shrek Academy. Every move you make will be under scrutiny," Yun Ming said. "So, when it's time to act, don't hold back. But when it's not necessary, don't be ostentatious. Remember, outside, you are the face of Shrek Academy."
"I understand, Teacher," Jing Shaoyu replied.
"Also, my Soul Skill and your teacher's Soul Skill should not be used unless absolutely necessary," Yun Ming added as a final reminder. "The journey ahead is long and distant. If something really happens, it will be difficult for us to arrive in time, so you must be cautious."
Spirit Transfer Pagoda Headquarters, 101st Floor.
"Teacher, we will be setting off the day after tomorrow," Jing Shaoyu said, looking at the indifferent Leng Yaozhu in front of him.
"Hmm, I know," Leng Yaozhu nodded.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?" Jing Shaoyu probed.
"What should I say? It's not like you're not coming back. Why are you making it sound like a life-and-death separation?" Leng Yaozhu glanced at Jing Shaoyu and chuckled lightly.
"Sigh!" Jing Shaoyu sighed upon seeing her reaction. "It seems the bond between us as teacher and disciple has faded. Teacher, you don't even care about A Yuan anymore!"
"Get lost!" Leng Yaozhu immediately raised her jade-like foot and kicked at Jing Shaoyu, annoyed. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Jing Shaoyu deftly dodged Leng Yaozhu's kick, a mischievous smile appearing on his face. "Hehe, I just wanted to come and say goodbye, that's all. Nothing else."
"Now that you've said it, get lost. Stop fooling around here," Leng Yaozhu said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Class Committee Group Studio.
Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan, Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, and Mo Hentian were sitting together in an orderly manner, discussing the upcoming journey.
"How are we getting to the Star Luo Continent?" Xu Xiaoyan asked.
"By ship, of course. How else would we get there? Fly?" Na'er said.
"I've checked with the Blacksmith Association. The federation is sending a large delegation this time, including the returning Star Luo delegation, so they've dispatched the most advanced cruise ship, said to be comparable to a warship," Mo Hentian explained.
"Regardless of the type of ship, we will definitely be at sea for at least two months," Wu Siduo said. "Speaking of which, I've never seen the ocean before."
"Well, this will give you a chance to see it to your heart's content," Ye Xinglan said with a smile.
"Hehe, I've never seen the ocean either," Mo Hentian raised his hand and said.
"Not only will we see the ocean, but we might also encounter sea Soul Beasts," Gu Yue hinted meaningfully.
"Right, the number of Soul Beasts in the sea is much greater than on land, and they are also much more powerful," Xu Xiaoyan added.
"It's not easy to see sea soul beasts near the coast. We'll probably have to wait until we sail into the deep sea area to have a chance of encountering them," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile. "Is there anyone among us who can't swim? It would be a shame to miss the opportunity to swim since we've finally gotten the chance to be out at sea."
"Giggle, I, Sister Gu Yue, and Na'er can all swim. What about you, Maomao, Xinglan, and Xiao Mo?" Xu Xiaoyan asked with a grin.
"I can, but I'm not very good at it," Ye Xinglan replied.
"I'm not sure, I've never tried, but I think I should be able to," Wu Siduo said ambiguously.
"I'm in the same boat as Duoduo," Mo Hentian added.
"Well, we can give it a try later. If you can't swim, I can teach you," Jing Shaoyu said with a smile. Seeing his grin, Gu Yue couldn't help but roll her eyes. She could guess exactly what he was thinking without even opening her eyes.
"Great!" Wu Siduo and Mo Hentian immediately nodded in agreement.
"Should we pause our Battle Armor production?" Ye Xinglan finally brought up a serious matter, drawing everyone's attention.
"I don't think it's necessary," Xu Xiaoyan said. "If we pause, we might end up delaying the completion of our One-Word Battle Armor by a whole year."
"I agree with Xiaoyan. There's no need to pause," Wu Siduo supported Xu Xiaoyan's opinion.
"I also think we shouldn't stop. We've all completed about 70% of our Battle Armor. The remaining 30% might just get finished during the journey," Gu Yue added.
Over the past year, their Battle Armor production had been progressing smoothly. As Xu Xiaoyan and Ye Xinglan's Mecha Manufacturing skills had advanced to the level of a fifth-rank Mecha Manufacturer, their efficiency and success rate in crafting Battle Armor had reached an extremely high level.
As a result, each of the six girls now possessed almost twelve pieces of Battle Armor, with the upper body pieces nearly completed.
"Agreed," Na'er said.
"I agree too," Mo Hentian added.
All six girls turned their eyes to Jing Shaoyu, who smiled and said, "Why are you all looking at me? Of course, I support your decision. Everyone's Soul Power is almost at the level of a Soul King. During this year of travel, our Soul Power won't stagnate. In fact, someone might even break through to the Soul King level while at sea. Naturally, we can't stop making Battle Armor now."
"Mhm," the girls nodded in agreement.
Since Jing Shaoyu had been the first to break through to the Soul King level, none of the girls wanted to fall too far behind him. Thus, everyone had been actively cultivating, especially the few who could engage in Dual Cultivation with him. They would pull him into Dual Cultivation every few days, which had led to rapid progress for all of them.
Currently, Wu Siduo had the highest Soul Power at level 49, just one step away from level 50 and the Soul King rank. N
ext were Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan, both at level 47, followed by Na'er, Ye Xinglan, and Mo Hentian, all at level 46.
(End of Chapter)