In the Selection

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Ming Lunyu began his speech.

"Students, it's our first time meeting. I'm Ming Lunyu, and this is Ma Hongjun. We're students of the academy's Advanced Competition Class, also commonly known as members of the school team."

"We're here today to assess all of you. Those who pass may join the academy's Advanced Competition Class and receive one-on-one guidance from our two Soul Saint vice principals. The team representing our academy in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament will also be selected from the Advanced Competition Class."

"The rules for this selection are simple: face either me or Ma Hongjun in a one-on-one battle. You aren't required to win, but you must do your best to show what you can do. I'll record the names of those who qualify. Of course, support-type Soul Masters won't need to fight us. Separate arrangements will be made for them later."

"I hope everyone participates enthusiastically and shows your best side. When the time comes for the continental-level competition, the academy will be proud of you!"

"Everyone, do you understand?"

Thick Soul Power carried Ming Lunyu's voice across the entire spirit arena, stirring the hot blood of the young students.

"Understood!"

Nearly four hundred Soul Master students answered in unison, with quite a few of them likewise using Soul Power to carry their voices. Their cries seemed to halt the clouds and echoed above the spirit arena for a long time.

"Good! Very spirited! So, which student will go first?" Ming Lunyu asked.

"..."

Everyone looked at one another.

Being excited was one thing, but actually being the first to step onto the stage and fight this senior made their hearts quail.

This was a monstrous genius whose first four Soul Rings were all ten-thousand-year rings! Anyone could tell that not a single one among them stood a chance.

Half a minute of silence passed before the first brave warrior finally appeared.

A blond young man leaped down and stopped in front of Ming Lunyu.

"Xu Chengfeng, Martial Soul: Mountain Splitting Saber, level thirty-two assault-type Battle Soul Master. Let me be the first to learn from your skills, Senior!"

Feeling the fighting spirit in his eyes, Ming Lunyu was quite pleased.

"Ming Lunyu, Martial Soul: Folding Fan, level forty-six control-type Battle Soul Master."

Yang Ling, acting as referee, was about to announce the start.

"Wait, wait." Xu Chengfeng suddenly interrupted. "May I boldly ask, Senior, how old are you...?"

"Almost thirteen."

Ming Lunyu answered calmly, but everyone else in the arena sucked in a cold breath at once.

This kid was terrifying beyond belief!

Then came overwhelming delight.

This senior was such a freak. At only twelve, he was already level forty-six. Wouldn't he become a Soul King in two years?

And not just any Soul King, but a Soul King among Soul Kings, an unprecedented Soul King. Those pitch-black Soul Rings were simply too shocking, completely shattering their old notions.

"Even Spirit Hall's team probably can't compare to Senior Ming!" the students said.

"Monster!" After recovering from his shock, Xu Chengfeng steadied himself and drew out his Mountain Splitting Saber. "Then please teach me!"

"Begin!"

At Yang Ling's command, Xu Chengfeng made the first move.

"Sweep the Thousand Armies!"

His first Soul Ring lit up, and Xu Chengfeng's speed surged. His second Soul Ring followed, saber light flickering as he slashed horizontally through the air like a bolt of lightning.

Ming Lunyu neither dodged nor retreated. The Jade Bone Golden Face Carved Fan, which had evolved once more after contracting Yang Wudi, took on a hint of earthen color and struck directly against the Mountain Splitting Saber.

"Clang!"

Xu Chengfeng's expression changed, and he hurriedly released the hilt.

Knocked spinning through the air by the immense force, the Mountain Splitting Saber was finally caught by Xu Chengfeng's other hand.

"Savage Hunter's Blade!"

Catching the saber, Xu Chengfeng spun with the momentum and unleashed his third soul skill, sending a blade aura slashing toward Ming Lunyu.

Ming Lunyu shot forward at high speed. At the same time, six small crimson fans condensed into existence and flew ahead to meet the blade aura.

Turbulent Soul Power surged as the fans collided with the blade aura and exploded.

Ming Lunyu burst from the flames, his fan extended like a dagger as he charged toward Xu Chengfeng.

"Slash!"

Xu Chengfeng hurriedly sent out another blade aura.

It turned out that his third soul skill allowed him to unleash two blade auras.

Ming Lunyu flicked his folding fan. Solid rock rose beneath his feet, and he stepped onto it, using it to execute a nimble flip and evade the blade aura.

"Tap."

Ming Lunyu had already landed behind Xu Chengfeng.

Xu Chengfeng's hairs stood on end. Just as he was about to turn with his saber, something cool pressed against his neck.

"I concede." Xu Chengfeng was fully convinced.

Ming Lunyu nodded. "That'll do. Go back and wait for notification."

As Xu Chengfeng left the arena, thunderous cheers erupted from the stands.

"Next."

After about another half minute, a figure jumped into the arena.

"Senior, you said earlier that we can choose either you or Senior Ma for the battle?"

"That's right."

"Then I'd like to ask Senior Ma for guidance."

"No problem. Xiao Jun, he's looking for you." Ming Lunyu stepped back.

Ma Hongjun bounced onto the stage. "Kid, you've got good taste."

"My name is Luo Kai. Please guide me, Senior." Luo Kai greeted her politely.

"Tell me secretly, were you sent here to probe my strength?" Ma Hongjun asked in a lowered voice.

Luo Kai gave an awkward laugh. Ma Hongjun had guessed right. He had indeed been nominated by his dorm mates to test her strength.

"I noticed you guys whispering among yourselves earlier. Just as I thought," Ma Hongjun said. "Begin. I was going to show off a little anyway."

The match began.

"Luo Kai, Martial Soul: Nether Wolf, level twenty-eight Agility Attack System Soul Master."

Luo Kai's Soul Rings were one white and one yellow. After Martial Soul Possession, a pair of pointed wolf ears grew atop his head, his eyes glowed with an eerie green light, and his claws became sharp.

Brilliant flames ignited all over Ma Hongjun's body. Amid everyone's stunned silence, she completed Martial Soul Possession.

"Ma Hongjun, Martial Soul: Fire Phoenix, level forty-five assault-type Soul Master."

"Another set of all ten-thousand-year Soul Rings!"

The students who witnessed this became even more fired up.

With such powerful figures, they would surely make a name for themselves in this tournament!

For a time, the students felt extremely fortunate that they had chosen Sunset Academy. Their sense of belonging toward the academy deepened, and admiration for Ming Lunyu and Ma Hongjun rose within them.

Cracking her knuckles, Ma Hongjun said impatiently, "If you're fighting, hurry up. Others are waiting!"

"Ah, right!" Luo Kai answered, secretly grumbling, Senior Ma looks beautiful and sounds sweet. Who knew she had such a fiery temper?

"Hurry up!" Ma Hongjun urged again.

"Be careful, Senior!"

The eerie glow in Luo Kai's eyes intensified. Moving like a ghost, he pounced at Ma Hongjun.

"First Soul Skill, Evil Wolf Claw! Second Soul Skill, Nether Break!"

His sharp wolf claws, glowing with ghostly light, clawed at Ma Hongjun's face. At the same time, a dark green bead flew alongside his claws toward her.

"Overlord Flame Heavy Armor!"

Brilliant flaming armor covered Ma Hongjun's delicate body. Its formidable defense instantly turned Luo Kai's wolf claws into kitten scratches.

Nether Break followed, striking Ma Hongjun.

"Hm?" Ma Hongjun was surprised. This soul skill did not deal direct damage; instead, it inflicted a negative effect on its opponent.

The moment the bead touched Ma Hongjun, it transformed into a cloud of mist that enveloped her entire body. At the same time, Ma Hongjun felt her Soul Power circulation become slightly sluggish, her speed slow, and a chill sweep over her body.

"A rather good soul skill." After offering that faint praise, Ma Hongjun punched Luo Kai in the stomach, sending him flying more than five meters away.

"However, it's useless against me."

Phoenix flames flowed over her body, quickly dispersing the minor negative effect.

Ma Hongjun looked at Luo Kai. "Can you still go? Want another round?"

Lying on the ground, Luo Kai smiled bitterly. "Probably not. Senior, you're far stronger than I am. I can't even stand up anymore."

Yang Ling waved his hand, and several medical Soul Masters who had arrived immediately stepped forward and carried Luo Kai away.

"Next!"