Crushing Victory

After the groups were assigned and the lots drawn, Qing Piaopiao looked at the document in her hand and said, "The draw results are out. The first match will be between the Elite Groups: Elite Group One of Class One of New Students versus Elite Group One of Class Nine of New Students. Elite Group One of Class One of New Students consists of Yu Ling, Ning Keke, and Shui Wuyue. Elite Group One of Class Nine of New Students consists of Zhao Xin, Peng Shuai, and Liang Jing."

Qian Yuling's group and Zhao Xin's group stepped onto the arena.

Looking at the six participants in position, Qing Piaopiao said, "Begin."

As soon as she spoke, Zhao Xin and the other two unleashed their martial souls. Zhao Xin's martial soul was the Nether Wolf, Peng Shuai's was the Great Thief Dragon, and Liang Jing's was the Healing Scepter. Once their martial souls were released, a yellow soul ring rose beneath each of their feet. Elite Group One of Class Nine of New Students were all one-ring Soul Masters. After activating their martial souls, Zhao Xin and Peng Shuai charged straight at Qian Yuling's group.

Once Qian Yuling's group saw that their opponents were one-ring Soul Masters, they lost all desire to fight. Ning Keke and Shui Wuyue could not even be bothered to activate their martial souls, leaving everything to Qian Yuling.

Qian Yuling extended her right hand and circulated her Soul Power. A fifty-centimeter-long branch appeared in her hand, while three soul rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—rose beneath her feet.

"What?! A Soul Elder?!" Zhao Xin and the others were instantly dumbfounded when they saw Qian Yuling's three soul rings. This little girl, who was only seven years old, was actually a freaking Soul Elder.

Qing Piaopiao also shouted, "Yu Ling was only a level 21 Soul Grandmaster a year ago. Who would have thought that in just one year, she would grow into a Soul Elder!"

Yu Tianheng and Ye Lingling's expressions changed drastically in the spectator stands as they looked toward Dugu Yan. Their gazes made Dugu Yan understand what they meant. She shrugged helplessly. "I'm already used to Yu Ling's talent."

Meng Shenji, one of the three judges, said, "This Yu Ling is a true genius. We must keep a firm hold on her within the Heaven Dou Empire. We absolutely cannot let her join Spirit Hall." The other two judges nodded in agreement.

Qian Yuling paid little attention to the three who had stopped in their tracks. While Zhao Xin and the others were still stunned, her second soul ring had already lit up. She softly uttered a few words: "Contract Summon—Black Knight Sander."

As her words fell, the familiar Black Knight appeared before Qian Yuling. She remained where she was and did not summon any other Summoned Beasts.

As Zhao Xin and Peng Shuai looked at the Black Knight in the distance, a crushing pressure bore down on them. It was no wonder—Sander's strength was equivalent to level 37. That pressure was enormous for two one-ring Soul Masters.

"First Soul Skill, Hell Stab." Zhao Xin activated his First Soul Skill. His speed instantly soared, and he darted around the arena before a blade of light appeared in his hand and shot toward Black Knight Sander.

Just as Zhao Xin was about to strike Sander, Sander slammed the shield in his right hand into Zhao Xin's body. Zhao Xin's Martial Soul Possession instantly vanished, and he collapsed to the ground, losing the ability to continue fighting.

After dealing with Zhao Xin, Sander slowly walked toward Peng Shuai.

When Peng Shuai saw Zhao Xin, the backbone of their group, defeated in a single move by the Black Knight before him, he immediately lost the will to fight and shouted, "We surrender!"

After he spoke, Qian Yuling dismissed the summon, and Black Knight Sander vanished from the arena. At the same time, Qing Piaopiao announced, "Elite Group One of Class Nine of New Students has surrendered. Elite Group One of Class One of New Students wins. Yu Ling, Ning Keke, and Shui Wuyue advance."

The audience applauded. Although the match had not been exciting, seeing such a young Soul Elder made it worthwhile.

Ning Keke said, "That was so boring. It felt like we weren't needed at all. Our opponents were way too weak."

Shui Wuyue smiled. "If you think it's boring, why don't you go up alone in the next match? Yu Ling and I can stand to the side and rest."

Qian Yuling chimed in, "I think Shui Wuyue's suggestion is excellent."

Ning Keke laughed and scolded, "Excellent, my ass. Come on, let's go back to the lounge and keep watching."

After returning to the lounge, Qian Yuling looked at Mo Ying, who was sitting quietly to the side, and gave him a smug smile. Mo Ying clicked his tongue, turned his head away, and said nothing more.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for the final match of the day.

Qing Piaopiao announced loudly, "The next match is the final match of the day: Elite Group Two of Class One of New Students versus Elite Group Two of Class Two of New Students. Elite Group Two of Class One of New Students consists of Mo Ying, Lu Xiaoguo, and Hua Ruyi. Elite Group Two of Class Two of New Students consists of Buli, Ouyang Feng, and Gu Ka."

After seeing that the students were in position, Qing Piaopiao shouted, "Begin."

Mo Ying stepped forward and circulated his Soul Power, summoning his martial soul. A massive red sword and a slender blue sword appeared in his hands, while three soul rings—one yellow and two purple—rose beneath his feet. Surging Soul Power radiated from him.

The water Qian Yuling had just swallowed sprayed straight out of her mouth.

Ning Keke: "..."

Shui Wuyue: "..."

Qing Piaopiao said, "Oh my! Mo Ying was only level 22 in Soul Power a year ago, yet he has now broken through to Soul Elder as well. Class One of New Students truly hides dragons and crouching tigers! And with this soul ring configuration, he is indeed the strongest genius in the history of Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

Yu Tianheng said helplessly from the stands, "What kind of monsters are the freshmen this year?"

Dugu Yan pondered for a moment. "Yu Ling has it tough again."

Qian Yuling: "My life is too hard..."

Looking at Mo Ying on the arena, Meng Shenji smiled. "Heaven blesses the Empire. With little ones like Mo Ying and Yu Ling here, the Heaven Dou Empire has nothing to worry about." The other two judges nodded in agreement.

A glint flashed through Meng Shenji's eyes, strengthening his resolve. He had to keep Mo Ying and Qian Yuling in the Heaven Dou Empire. He absolutely could not let them join Spirit Hall.

On the arena, Lu Xiaoguo smiled. "Sister Ruyi, perhaps neither of us will need to take the field in this New Student Competition."

Hua Ruyi smiled in reply. "That's right, Brother Xiaoguo. With a little genius like Mo Ying here, we won't get a chance to make a move."

On the other side of the arena, Buli shouted, "Lightning Leopard, possess me!" As his voice fell, Buli's body began to swell. His features became increasingly leopard-like, with threads of lightning flowing over his body. At the same time, two yellow soul rings rose beneath his feet.

Buli was fourteen years old. A fourteen-year-old Soul Grandmaster was already considered talented on the continent, but compared with Mo Ying before him, he seemed utterly insignificant.

"Gale Force." Without another word, Buli directly activated his Second Soul Skill, intending to exchange a move with Mo Ying. His figure flashed like lightning as he launched a fierce attack at Mo Ying.

"Good." Seeing Buli use his ultimate move right from the start, Mo Ying activated his second soul ring out of respect. It shone with purple light.

"Starburst Gale Slash." The twin swords in Mo Ying's hands radiated dazzling light. In a brief instant, Mo Ying unleashed sixteen consecutive slashes, meeting the charging Buli head-on.

A Soul Grandmaster clashing head-on with a Soul Elder—and a Soul Elder like Mo Ying at that—the result was obvious. Buli was sent flying backward and was caught squarely by the referee.

Following Buli's earlier instructions, Ouyang Feng and Gu Ka immediately surrendered as well. There was simply no point in fighting.

Qing Piaopiao announced loudly, "Since Elite Group Two of Class Two of New Students has surrendered, Elite Group Two of Class One of New Students wins! Mo Ying, Lu Xiaoguo, and Hua Ruyi advance!"

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the Battle Arena.