Trying on Crimson, Youlan Takes the Field

It was still the familiar testing ground, but after the lesson from White Training, far fewer people had come to test and observe the Crimson Armor this time. Only around a hundred were present.

Standing in the center of the field were the five girls who had volunteered to try on Crimson.

Lu Xueling stood on high ground, his gaze passing over the five of them one by one before finally settling on the youngest-looking girl.

Her golden hair fell to her shoulders, and her pupils gleamed gold. Even the academy uniform could not hide her budding figure, while her calm eyes showed not the slightest hint of nervousness.

Her file said she was only eleven, yet she was as tall as a fourteen-year-old. Even standing quietly in place, she gave off the impression of a young lioness that had just entered the world.

Young, but not to be underestimated.

"Youlan," Lu Xueling called.

The golden-haired girl raised her head. Her expression shifted slightly when she saw Lu Xueling, and she softly answered, "Here."

Lu Xueling asked, "You're a new student who just enrolled, right? You're still young. Are you sure you want to participate in this armor test?"

"I'm sure." Youlan nodded firmly.

Unlike Lu Xueling, Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince beside him, was watching the first girl from the left.

She had long black hair and looked to be around sixteen. Her lively large eyes were still hazy with sleep, and her skin was exceptionally well cared for, smooth and tender without the slightest visible pore, as though water could be squeezed from it with a pinch. The same academy uniform fully accentuated her lovely figure, while her lazy, somewhat airheaded temperament easily drew the eye.

"Ju Zi, don't disappoint me." Xu Tianran tapped the armrest of his wheelchair and murmured softly.

At that moment, Jing Hongchen pushed the Crimson Armor into the field. After sweeping his gaze over the five girls, he asked, "Ju Zi, Nana, Keke, Jing Ziyan, and Youlan, who wants to go first?"

Under Xu Tianran's watchful gaze, Ju Zi volunteered and decided to go first.

Once the Pulse Armor Crimson was equipped, Ju Zi gradually felt her entire body grow hot. This was because the Honkai Energy Lu Xueling had charged into the energy core on her chest beforehand had begun to take effect.

Unlike White Training, which at least had pistols for ranged attacks, Pulse Armor Crimson was a purely close-combat armor. This placed tremendous demands on the wearer's physical fitness and martial soul specialties.

The moment she picked up the Katana, Ju Zi felt her arm go numb from an electric current. But when she thought of Xu Tianran watching, she gritted her teeth and swung it!

Swish, swish, swish...

Three flashes of blade light passed through the air. The three metal cylinders placed in the testing ground were sliced into two, striking the ground with a clatter. The cuts were incomparably smooth, making the Katana's sharpness obvious—it could truly cut through iron like mud!

Jing Hongchen's eyes shifted slightly as he clicked his tongue.

The raw materials of those three iron cylinders were nearly as hard as black iron, yet Crimson Armor had cut through them so simply, one strike each...

Then, looking again at the theoretical techniques for Crimson Armor recorded in his hand, Jing Hongchen fell into thought.

The researchers responsible for recording data reported in amazement, "Crimson Armor's basic attacks—each strike is equivalent to an attack from a level seventy Soul Saint."

Lu Xueling crossed his arms. After glancing at the researchers once they had recorded the data, he continued, "There's no problem with the basic attacks. Try jumping up and doing a spinning combo next?"

Ju Zi nodded heavily, tightening her grip on the Katana. She kicked off fiercely with both legs, leaving a black depression in the ground beneath her heels. Spinning as she soared into the air, she swung the Katana, sending invisible blade arcs slicing out as the air exploded with a shriek!

"Hall Master! The space around student Ju Zi is showing slight distortions!" one researcher reported to Jing Hongchen in shock as he read the data they had recorded.

Clap, clap, clap.

Xu Tianran silently applauded, and his royal attendants hurriedly followed suit.

Only Lu Xueling shook his head. "She's already at her limit."

Xu Tianran's gaze sharpened at those words. Sure enough, after Ju Zi landed from the air, she fell to one knee, using the tip of her blade to support herself as she panted heavily.

"Your Highness, Hall Master... I can't feel my hands anymore..."

Xu Tianran's expression darkened. "Next."

Lu Xueling could not help but chuckle inwardly. He knew that more than half the students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had improved so quickly through pills. Otherwise, there was no explanation for why twelve-year-old Meng Hongchen and Xiao Hongchen had already reached the peak of Soul Ancestor.

Even the Hall Master's grandchildren relied on pills, let alone ordinary students.

If their physical strength could not keep up with their cultivation, forget Valkyrie Armor—even some heavy Soul Cannons would be too much for them to handle.

Under Lu Xueling's calm gaze, Keke and Jing Ziyan only managed the basic attacks. Only Nana was able to perform the same aerial spin as Ju Zi.

Jing Hongchen did not show much emotional reaction. He seemed to be used to this already. Back when Meng Hongchen had unleashed White Training Armor's ultimate move, she had only moved once before dislocating her arm and suffering mental trauma.

However, Xu Tianran's expression turned half pleased and half worried.

This Valkyrie Armor was indeed a priceless treasure, but hardly anyone could wield it.

Tasteless to keep, yet a pity to discard.

"The last one, Youlan."

Taking the Crimson Armor from Nana, Youlan silently equipped it and gripped the Katana. Since the first four students had not made many moves, eighty percent of the initial Honkai Energy Lu Xueling had filled remained.

The researchers adjusted their machines and waved to her. "Begin."

Swish, swish, swish—crack!

To everyone's surprise, Youlan did not stop after delivering three consecutive slashes. Instead, she seamlessly transitioned into an almost perfect movement, launching herself into the air and completing a spinning aerial slash.

The entire process took only three seconds.

The dimmed gazes of Jing Hongchen and Xu Tianran immediately lit up again. They had not expected this newly enrolled little girl to be such a dark horse!

"Can you continue?" Xu Tianran's tone sounded somewhat urgent.

Youlan sheathed the Katana, let out a soft breath, and answered, "I can."

The corners of her lips were already curling upward uncontrollably, and the delight in her pupils was completely undisguised. Beneath the armor, her fair skin even shimmered with a faint golden glow.

You playful Little Golden Mane...

Lu Xueling nearly laughed in exasperation. He had no idea why the Silver Dragon King had agreed to let this little ancestor roam free, and from the looks of it, she was already addicted to playing around.

Jing Hongchen announced, "Then next comes actual combat. No matter how strong something is in theory, it's useless if it cannot be brought out in battle. Student Youlan, are you sure you're ready?"

Youlan's gaze was resolute. "I'm ready at any time."

"Good. Then your opponent will be..."

"Bella." Lu Xueling announced before him, pressing the button to open the gate at the same time.

Creak...

The iron gate on the other side of the testing ground opened. Bella slowly entered the field, her Dragon Eyes revealing indifference. She extended her left hand toward Youlan as waves of chilling aura rose around her!