Guidance

Ye Nantian's reputation was thunderous. In the Academy, apart from those participating in this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, he was one of the highest-level Soul Masters.

Dai Yao's heart gradually sank. Against a twenty-ninth-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master with a top-tier Martial Soul, he had no chance of winning.

These past few days, his mood had been poor. Encouraged by the two princes, people kept coming to the place where he cultivated to disturb him.

Some had even challenged him by name. There were Soul Masters and Soul Grandmasters among them.

But he had accepted none of them.

All these people had been incited by the Second Prince to interfere with his cultivation.

Once he accepted a duel out of wounded pride, whether he won or lost, the challenger would become famous. As a result, people would keep coming to challenge him.

Then Dai Yao would never be able to cultivate in peace, and the gap between him and Dai Yaming would grow increasingly larger.

Before one wave had settled, another rose. Ye Nantian came looking for him as well. His heart darkened slightly as he said to Ye Nantian:

"You're a Soul Grandmaster challenging a One-Ring Soul Master like me. Don't you find that embarrassing?"

Ye Nantian smiled calmly. "I heard that after obtaining your Spirit Ring, you defeated the seventeenth-level Dai Mubai. Today, I won't use my Second Spirit Skill. How about we have a match?"

Over the past several days, Dai Yao had received countless challenges. Now, whenever he heard the word "duel," he reacted almost instinctively.

Accepting a duel was no trivial matter. He had already been somewhat hesitant about it. After all, those people challenged him merely to show off and gain fame. Accepting their challenges would only bring trouble.

But Ye Nantian was different.

He had come because Commoner Soul Masters were being bullied. As the leader of the Commoner Soul Masters, his reason was entirely justified.

Moreover, the chance to exchange pointers with an expert was truly rare.

"Fine. I accept."

"Good nerve! Many people surrender as soon as they hear my name. Not only did you refuse to surrender, you even dared to accept my challenge. Not bad. You're quite different from the coward described in the rumors."

Ye Nantian laughed boldly, and a trace of appreciation for Dai Yao appeared in his eyes.

The two of them took up fighting stances beside the shore.

The bank of the pool was broad enough to accommodate their duel completely.

"Dai Yao, twelfth-level Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: White Tiger. Please instruct me." Dai Yao activated Martial Soul Possession and cupped his hands.

Ye Nantian slowly lowered his folded arms, releasing a powerful aura.

"Martial Soul Possession!"

With a loud shout, his body expanded by an entire circle. His already sturdy frame became even more terrifying, while his hair grew thick, resembling a lion's mane.

He stood there arrogantly. "Twenty-ninth-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Mystic Armor Mad Lion!"

Before his voice had even faded, Dai Yao unleashed Explosive Step and shot toward him like lightning.

"So fast!" Ye Nantian was startled. This speed had already caught up with that of an ordinary Agility-Attack Type Soul Master.

How did this kid manage that?!

With such speed, combined with the rumored powerful Self-Created Soul Skill, the might of this punch was probably not to be underestimated.

Ye Nantian put away his contempt. With only their first exchange, he had already realized how formidable Dai Yao was.

He crossed his arms in front of his body to block.

However, he soon realized something was wrong. The seemingly ferocious punch landed on his defense, yet it felt light and airy, like a breeze brushing past him, without the slightest force.

"Why is this punch so light?" Ye Nantian was puzzled, but in the next instant, he realized something was wrong!

That punch was merely a feint! The other punch was Dai Yao's true attack!

A sharp gleam flashed through Dai Yao's eyes. The Soul Power within his body surged like a great river. As the feint struck Ye Nantian's defense, Dai Yao turned with the momentum, sending his full-powered punch through the gap beneath Ye Nantian's crossed arms and straight into the center of his chest.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

Dai Yao shouted furiously.

With a muffled thud, a deep sound rang out. The powerful fist force stirred up dust from the ground, enveloping Ye Nantian completely.

Dai Yao secretly rejoiced. He had immense confidence in his Eight Extremes Collapse. In a battle between One-Ring Soul Masters, even the seventeenth-level Dai Mubai could contend with him through Eight Extremes Collapse.

When he had dueled Dai Mubai, Dai Mubai had relied on his abundant experience and techniques combining feints and real attacks to completely suppress him, toying with him as though he held him in the palm of his hand.

After winning, Dai Yao had reflected on his shortcomings.

The first thing he had done was imprint the concept of combining feints and real attacks into his mind. This was his first time using it, and it had already produced results!

Yet when the dust dispersed, a scene that shocked Dai Yao appeared. Ye Nantian stood there completely unharmed, his body once again enlarged, radiating the terrifying aura of an ancient giant beast.

Appearing alongside Ye Nantian were two yellow Spirit Rings, the first of which was shining brightly.

After taking that attack, Ye Nantian said seriously, "That was a good strike. Among One-Ring Soul Masters, the power of that attack can be said to rank near the top. If I hadn't promptly used my First Spirit Skill, Mad Lion Transformation, you probably would have injured me."

Dai Yao's mood sank. He had never expected the attack he was certain would succeed to be blocked so easily, though Ye Nantian was several years older and had a stronger physique.

The air seemed to solidify. The true battle was only beginning now.

After using Mad Lion Transformation, Ye Nantian's speed, strength, and every other aspect had increased. He was practically a miniature version of White Tiger Vajra Transformation.

In the exchanges that followed, Dai Yao collided with Ye Nantian several times using Eight Extremes Collapse. Although he achieved some results, he could not establish an advantage.

Moreover, using Eight Extremes Collapse required time and a considerable amount of Soul Power. He could not use it continuously, so he had no choice but to rely on Explosive Step to maneuver around Ye Nantian.

Compared with Dai Yao, who was sinking into a quagmire and growing increasingly uneasy, Ye Nantian was even more shocked.

Although he had come today at Feng Wutong's request, he had no intention of holding back.

Without using his Second Spirit Skill, he had already exerted his full strength! Dai Yao was like a loach. Whenever he found an opportunity, he would strike Ye Nantian with Eight Extremes Collapse, then slip away with Explosive Step whenever Ye Nantian prepared to counterattack. His speed was inferior to Dai Yao's, and he could not catch him no matter how hard he tried! It frustrated him immensely.

"Good kid. I refuse to believe I can't catch you, you slippery loach," he thought viciously.

Dai Yao, who was circling Ye Nantian from the outskirts, suddenly flashed with insight. He had discovered an enormous opening in Ye Nantian's defense.

Without a moment's hesitation, he charged forward and unleashed Eight Extremes Collapse.

At that moment, a triumphant smile appeared on Ye Nantian's face. This opening had been deliberately exposed. He had merely been waiting for Dai Yao to fall into his trap.

"Still too young!"

Ye Nantian sighed.

He tensed his muscles and forcibly withstood Dai Yao's punch. The powerful force made his chest ache sharply. Even though he had estimated Dai Yao's fist force beforehand, he had not expected it to hurt so much. Still, he had achieved his objective.

His arms gradually closed around Dai Yao, and a victorious smile spread across his face. "Brat, you've punched me so many times. I'm definitely going to pay you back properly!"

Dai Yao realized that something was wrong. Once Ye Nantian completed the embrace, he would be completely restrained. Ye Nantian was extremely burly, and Dai Yao would certainly not be his match in close combat.

Alarm bells rang in his mind, but he could not think of a way to escape. Explosive Step was useless at this point. Ye Nantian's arms were closing too quickly, and there was no time left.

Ye Nantian felt increasingly exhilarated. He could hardly wait to beat Dai Yao soundly.

But in the next second, his smile froze.

He felt an intense pressure before him, one originating from the depths of his Martial Soul and impossible to resist.

A pair of snow-white wings suddenly appeared behind Dai Yao. In the blink of an eye, he changed the direction of his body and narrowly avoided Ye Nantian's embrace.

"Huff—huff—huff—"

After escaping Ye Nantian's attack range, Dai Yao panted heavily, sweat continuously dripping from him. His momentary carelessness had nearly determined the outcome of the duel. If he had not promptly activated the second form of his Martial Soul, he would have already lost.

He steadied his mind and said to Ye Nantian, "Again!"

The astonishment on Ye Nantian's face was impossible to conceal. "Is this your true Martial Soul?"

Dai Yao nodded.

Stormy waves surged through Ye Nantian's heart. In the past, it had always been his Martial Soul suppressing others. This was the first time he had been suppressed by someone else's Martial Soul.

His Martial Soul was already one of the most top-tier Martial Souls. Even when fighting the First Prince and the Second Prince, he had never felt pressure from their Martial Souls.

Yet now, he had felt it from Dai Yao.

He gave Dai Yao a complicated look, then dispelled Martial Soul Possession and said helplessly, "I'm done."

"Huh?" Dai Yao was somewhat dumbfounded. They had just been fighting enthusiastically, so why had Ye Nantian suddenly stopped?

"As long as I defend seriously, you won't be able to injure me. But I can't catch you either. In the end, the result can only be a draw." Ye Nantian seriously analyzed the situation and deduced the outcome.

But in the end, he still could not help complaining, "You really are a slippery loach!"

Dai Yao also dispelled Martial Soul Possession, walked before Ye Nantian, and cupped his hands. "Thank you, Brother Nantian!"

Although Ye Nantian had fought in an aggrieved manner, he had not violated the rules or used power beyond that of a One-Ring Soul Master. His character was upright.

Moreover, Dai Yao had sensed goodwill from Ye Nantian. Although he had said he wanted to teach Dai Yao a lesson, he had not brought anyone else along. Instead, he had given Dai Yao some dignity.

Besides, Dai Yao was already the laughingstock of the Academy. Ye Nantian had had no need to kick him while he was down.

Ye Nantian nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Not only are you exceptionally talented, you're also a meticulous person. Feng Wutong asked me to come and give you some guidance."

When he heard that Feng Wutong had asked Ye Nantian to come, gratitude toward her welled up in Dai Yao's heart.

Suppressing his emotions, he hurriedly asked Ye Nantian, "Brother Nantian, may I ask what shortcomings I have right now?"

Ye Nantian pondered for a while before replying, "As things stand, your several Self-Created Soul Skills have already placed you in an undefeated position among One-Ring Soul Masters."

He paused, then said heavily, "But your enemy is the Second Prince. The gap between you is simply too great. Even I wouldn't be able to defeat him."

"Although the Second Prince's Soul Power is only at the twenty-fifth level, he possesses a Spirit Bone, which has greatly increased his strength!"

"Your current Spirit Skills are enough to deal with battles against One-Ring Soul Masters, but you lack a method capable of threatening a Soul Grandmaster!"

Dai Yao's heart jolted. He had sensed this during the battle just now.

Even when using his most powerful skill, Eight Extremes Collapse, he still could not inflict effective damage on Ye Nantian! And that was while Ye Nantian had been holding back! But Ye Nantian continued to state the cruel truth:

"The gap between you isn't limited to Spirit Skills. There's also Soul Power. How can your Soul Power in the teens compare with the Second Prince's twenty-fifth-level Soul Power?"

"In my opinion, you have no chance of defeating the Second Prince."

Hearing Ye Nantian's conclusion, Dai Yao felt as though a massive boulder had been placed on his heart, leaving him unable to breathe.

He forced a smile and asked Ye Nantian, "Indeed, as things stand, I'm no match for the Second Prince. But I won't give up."

"Good!" Ye Nantian instantly changed his expression and laughed heartily. "If you really listened to me and gave up on yourself from now on, I wouldn't think much of you. I may only be a Commoner Soul Master without the excellent cultivation conditions enjoyed by Noble Soul Masters, but I don't believe my future will be inferior to theirs!"

"In my opinion, your Eight Extremes Collapse has tremendous potential. I once encountered someone whose Spirit Skill involved punching. Although his fists weren't as powerful as your Eight Extremes Collapse, he possessed a unique method known as Hidden Strength!"

"Everyone who fought him suffered terribly."

"If you can also imbue your Eight Extremes Collapse with Hidden Strength, it will definitely become a devastating weapon. Even against a Soul Grandmaster, you'll have the strength to fight!"

Ye Nantian encouraged him.

"Thank you, Brother Nantian." Dai Yao was grateful.

Ye Nantian's words of wisdom had pointed Dai Yao toward the road ahead. If he successfully added Hidden Strength to Eight Extremes Collapse, he would gain several more chances of victory in his battle against the Second Prince!

"All right, I've said everything I needed to say. That Feng Wutong girl finally has no reason to bother me anymore." Ye Nantian wore a wary expression, as though Feng Wutong were some terrifying creature.

"Speaking of which, I really want to beat you up! Your punches hurt like hell." Ye Nantian gritted his teeth at Dai Yao.

"The ignorant are innocent, Brother Nantian." Dai Yao smiled awkwardly. Soul Power was already circulating beneath his feet, as though he would unleash Explosive Step and flee at the slightest sign of trouble.

"I'm joking. I'm leaving. Don't see me out." Ye Nantian laughed heartily, turned, and walked away. He left Dai Yao with a carefree wave of his hand.

"By the way." He turned his head back. "If we're ever at the same level, you must fight me. I've been suppressing my Soul Power the entire time today, and it really wasn't satisfying!"

After that, he did not look back again. His figure disappeared into the dense forest.

Dai Yao watched Ye Nantian leave. Only after he vanished from sight did Dai Yao return beneath the waterfall.

The cold waterfall crashed against his body, and Dai Yao's thoughts gradually calmed.

After defeating Dai Mubai, he had become somewhat complacent. After all, he had overcome such a huge gap in Soul Power.

But today, merely sparring with Ye Nantian while he suppressed his strength had already made him realize that the realm of Soul Grandmasters was entirely different from that of One-Ring Soul Masters.

And the Second Prince was not only a Soul Grandmaster—he also possessed a Spirit Bone.

Dai Yao rubbed his forehead. The difference in strength left him somewhat desperate.

Forget it. I'll cultivate seriously and narrow the gap. With my potential, I'll surpass him one day.

He raised his fist and muttered, "Against the Second Prince, Eight Extremes Collapse must be imbued with Hidden Strength!"

Four thousand words, combining two chapters.