"Test"

Wang Dong's gunpowder-laden "Why should I tell you!" was like a pebble tossed into a calm lake, the ripples it stirred not yet settled before that cold killing intent from the Divine Realm, coiled around Long Yao's Sea of Consciousness, struck like a venomous snake that had been waiting to spring!

"Hiss!"

An invisible Spirit Shock, sharp as a sword of divine punishment, stabbed viciously into his mind without warning! Contained within that impact was Asura God's utterly tyrannical will of judgment, enough to make any soul master with an unsteady mind collapse on the spot and turn into an idiot. Even though Long Yao's Soul Essence far surpassed that of a mortal, the sudden blow still made him feel a brief, needle-prick burst of severe pain.

It really does hurt... he thought silently, though the lazy smile on his face did not change in the slightest.

Just a daughter-con who inherited a god position and throws his weight around in the Divine Realm, and he thinks a strand of Divine Sense lets him do whatever he wants? A trace of icy mockery flashed through Long Yao's eyes. You're a god? Sorry, but in this world, I'm the "Code Warrior" who can rewrite the rules.

His will, as though issuing an absolute command, instantly connected with the system.

[Highest Authority Command Received: Item "Vast Sea Ring" is executing root-level elevation...]

[Elevation target: divine artifact level... Elevation complete!]

[New item name: True Vast Sea Ring (Divine Artifact)]

[New trait activated: Absolute Shielding. Capable of isolating and absorbing all forms of investigation and interference on the levels of spirit, Divine Sense, karma, and fate. Before the wearer actively exposes himself, his existence is "absolute nothingness" to all investigative methods below God Tier.]

The instant the system notification fell, within the deep-blue gemstone set into the simple ring on Long Xiaoyao's left index finger, it was as though billions upon billions of stars were being born and destroyed, and an unfathomably deep light flashed once before vanishing.

The next moment, that icy Asura God Divine Sense hovering over his head like the Sword of Damocles melted away without a trace, like snow meeting its natural enemy! It was not repelled, not blocked off, but completely "erased." It was as though Long Yao himself, as a "coordinate," had utterly vanished from Tang San's Divine Sense perception map.

The whole world seemed to become quiet and clean in that instant. The oppressive feeling of being watched at every moment disappeared completely.

"All right, then."

Long Yao seemed to have only just answered Wang Dong's fiery retort. He shrugged indifferently and no longer dwelled on the matter. He took a step and quietly walked behind Wang Dong, both hands still clasped behind his head, his gaze turning toward the assessment field ahead, where the contest was in full swing.

This series of actions once again caught Wang Dong, who had been fully expecting a new round of confrontation, off guard. She could sense that the strange quality about him, the one that made her both curious and wary, seemed to have undergone some subtle change in that instant just now. She could not say exactly what it was. She only felt that now, standing there, he really was like an ordinary stone, and she could no longer catch any special feeling from him at all.

That feeling left her even more confused and uneasy than his earlier effortless composure had. Just how many faces did this guy have? What exactly did he want to do?

Wang Dong's heart was thoroughly in turmoil. She found that she could no longer focus on watching the match on the field at all; her mind was filled with the figure of that Black-Clad Youth behind her. She did not even dare turn back again, afraid of meeting those eyes that seemed able to see through everything. She could only stand there stiffly, using that silence to conceal the ripples surging through her heart.

As for Long Yao at that moment, although on the surface he was watching the battle on the field with great interest, the vast majority of his attention had already sunk into the system's real-time monitoring.

By now, Yuhao, that kid, should have already fused with Sky Dream Ice Silkworm... Begin search.

[Real-time dynamic search in progress... Target "Huo Yuhao"... Data Stream connected...]

An incomparably clear image slowly unfolded in his mind.

Image scene: Star Dou Forest, faint morning light.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya were facing off tensely against that ten-year Wind Baboon. However, before they could launch an attack, a boundless, supremely noble golden light swept over from the depths of the forest like the descent of a miracle!

Before this Golden Light, that arrogant ten-year Spirit Beast, the Wind Baboon, could not even raise the slightest thought of resistance. Its huge body fell to its knees with a thud, trembling all over, its eyes filled with the most primal fear.

Within the Golden Light, a massive silkworm slowly emerged, its entire body seemingly carved from ice crystal and giving off a soft white glow. Its large eyes were filled with wisdom and the vicissitudes of time, and also carried a trace of relief at its imminent liberation. It was the Spirit Beast with the strongest Spiritual Power in the history of Douluo Continent, one that had slumbered for a million years—Sky Dream Ice Silkworm!

"Finally... Brother finally waited for this! This pure Spiritual Origin, this perfect host!" Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's deeply moved voice rang directly in Huo Yuhao's mind.

Bei Bei and Tang Ya were completely stunned. (Although they had no idea what had happened, the two of them fainted in an instant. Clearly, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm did not want a third person to discover this matter.) They could not even move in the slightest and directly lost consciousness, while Huo Yuhao, under that spiritual pressure, felt as if his soul were about to be squeezed out of his body.

What came next was a "forced sale" that could be called a miracle to any mortal. Sky Dream Ice Silkworm gave Huo Yuhao no chance to refuse at all. Its vast Spiritual Origin turned into a golden ocean and instantly swallowed Huo Yuhao whole.

"AAAAAAAAAAAH—!!!"

Huo Yuhao let out an incomparably shrill scream. His body convulsed violently, and thin threads of blood even seeped from his seven orifices. That was his body's instinctive reaction as it passively endured an energy transformation far beyond its limits. Countless Memory Fragments, a massive torrent of energy, and a million years of loneliness and wisdom were madly pouring into his only eleven-year-old Sea of Consciousness.

The golden light turned into a huge cocoon of light, wrapping him tightly. At the top of the light cocoon, a dazzling Golden Soul Ring that radiated an emperor-like majesty slowly coalesced!

[Ding! Target Huo Yuhao is undergoing deep soul fusion with "Sky Dream Ice Silkworm"...]

[Fusion progress: 78%... 85%... 99%... Fusion successful!]

[Status update: Huo Yuhao has obtained First Soul Ring (Golden · Million-Year disguised form), Soul Power Level is soaring...]

[Obtained First Soul Bone: Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's Spiritual Origin Wisdom Skull (fused)]

[Huo Yuhao - Character Status Panel (Real-Time Update)]

Current location: Star Dou Forest, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm fusion site

Age: 11 years old

Height: 155cm

Hairstyle and hair color: black short hair

Eye color: ink blue (currently flickering with faint golden light)

Martial Soul: Spirit Eyes

Soul Power Level: Level 21 (Soul Grandmaster) [Soul power continuously rising...]

Number of soul rings: 1

Soul ring color: Gold (currently disguised as white)

Spirit Skills: Soul Impact, Mental Interference Domain, Mental Chaos, Soul Deprivation (all four Spirit Skills are sealed)

Soul Spirit: Sky Dream Ice Silkworm (bound)

Long Yao's consciousness withdrew from the system image, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

Everything was going according to plan. Huo Yuhao's cheat had arrived. Then next, it was his own turn to truly start enjoying this "game." His gaze inadvertently swept over the pink-blue figure in front of him, who was still pretending to watch the match but whose back was ramrod straight, and the smile at the corner of his mouth became even more playful.

The seething noise in the plaza seemed to have been muted by an invisible hand.

"Number 144, Number 233, enter the field!"

The proctor's booming, emotionless voice carried clearly into the ears of everyone in the lines.

Long Yao, who had been staring boredly at the field ahead, finally moved when he heard his number. He showed no trace of nerves or excitement, merely stretching his limbs casually and letting out a few faint cracks. Under the gazes around him—some envious, some curious, some provocative—he took a step forward and walked out of the line at an unhurried pace, heading toward the designated circular arena.

Each of his steps was steady and powerful. That calm, unflustered bearing stood in stark contrast to the youths about to enter the field with tension written all over their faces.

Wang Dong stood where she was, her Pink Blue Big Eyes fixed unblinkingly on his back. Her heart was full of contradiction. Reason told her that a mere Level 24 Soul Grandmaster was not worth so much attention from her. But her intuition—that sharp intuition born from Deity Bloodline—was frantically warning her that this man was definitely not as simple as he appeared.

Hmph, it's finally your turn. she thought. I'd like to see just what tricks a pretender like you can pull!

Long Xiaoyao stepped onto the hard stone field. His opponent, a burly, muscular youth, was already in position. When the youth saw Long Yao's lean, lanky build, a trace of contempt immediately appeared in his eyes.

"Number 233, Luo Fei, Level 26 Soul Grandmaster, Martial Soul: Ironclad Rhinoceros." Luo Fei announced himself in a Muffled Voice, displaying his spirit rings at the same time. Two standard hundred-year Yellow Spirit Rings, filled with a sense of power.

Long Yao merely nodded faintly. "Number 144, Long Yao, Level 24 Soul Grandmaster." Aside from that, he showed no further expression.

"Begin!" the proctor ordered.

Luo Fei did not hesitate in the slightest. He let out a low growl, and his First Spirit Ring suddenly lit up! His body instantly swelled by a full size, a hard horny layer surfacing over his skin. Like a humanoid tank, he charged fiercely toward Long Xiaoyao!

"First Soul Skill, Savage Charge!"

The collision came with tremendous force, and the Strong Wind it stirred up even made the spectators at the edge of the field feel a wave of pressure.

Facing this violent strike, Long Xiaoyao still wore that calm, unruffled expression. Only when Luo Fei's huge body was about to slam into him did he finally move. Black light flashed over his Right Hand, and the entirely Pitch Black Soul Breaking Spear, radiating a sharp aura, appeared out of thin air and was gripped steadily in his hand.

"Ding, ding!"

Along with two Crisp Sounds, one yellow and one purple spirit ring emerged in response, circling the Pitch Black Spear Body and giving off Soul Power Fluctuation far purer than the opponent's two yellow rings.

(This is the best cover I have for hiding my Second Martial Soul!) In his spare moment, Long Yao even silently explained it to himself.

In that split second, Long Yao did not choose to meet the attack head-on. Instead, he lightly tapped the ground with the tips of his toes, and his body shifted three steps sideways to the left as if boneless. His movement was graceful and precise, narrowly avoiding Luo Fei's Savage Charge by a hair.

Luo Fei's strike missed, and the huge inertia sent him staggering several steps before he could steady himself. He turned back in anger, only to find that Long Xiaoyao had already clung to him like a maggot in the bone. The Black Spear in his hand turned into a tricky Black Shadow, stabbing straight toward the vital point under his armpit!

This thrust was not so fast as to be extreme, but the angle was exceptionally cunning. It landed precisely in the most uncomfortable defensive blind spot, at the moment when his old strength had run out and new strength had yet to arise.

"Damn it!" Luo Fei roared. His Second Spirit Ring lit up, and the horny layer on his body instantly became even thicker. "Second Soul Skill, Ironclad Barrier!"

"Clang!"

The tip of the Soul Breaking Spear struck Luo Fei's iron armor with pinpoint precision, producing a Crisp Sound of Metal Clashing. A powerful countershock surged back. Long Yao used the momentum to drift backward, opening up the distance, while Luo Fei, though struck, merely swayed and suffered no substantial injury.

Outside the field, Wang Dong had already completely cast aside the distracting thoughts in her heart. Brilliant light flickered again and again in those beautiful Pink Blue Eyes.

"Such precise control..." she murmured to herself. "That spear strike just now didn't use any soul skill at all. It relied purely on his grasp of timing and strength... He didn't choose to attack the front, where the defense was strongest, but attacked the weakest side instead. And the instant the opponent's soul skill activated, he withdrew his strength and retreated, avoiding wasting power... That isn't the Combat Power a normal Level 24 Soul Grandmaster should have!"

Most of the students in the plaza could only watch the excitement, but in the eyes of a genius like Wang Dong, what Long Yao had displayed was far more terrifying than a flashy victory. It was a kind of battle wisdom that could be called horrifying, one that made use of every last bit of his own strength to the utmost limit!

The battle on the field continued.

Relying on his thick skin and sturdy flesh, Luo Fei's attacks grew even fiercer. His iron fists swung with whistling force, while Long Yao was like a small boat, drifting with the waves amid a violent storm. He looked as if he might collapse at any moment, yet he always managed to avoid fatal attacks at the most critical instant. The Soul Breaking Spear in his hand was sometimes like a venomous snake leaving its hole, stabbing at cunning angles; at other times, it was like a Spirit Snake coiling, parrying and defending. He never used his Second Soul Skill. Only occasionally, at key moments, did he activate his First Soul Skill, "Swift Shadow Stab," using a brief burst of acceleration to break free from entanglement or create an opening.

To outsiders, throughout the entire battle, Long Xiaoyao seemed to be suppressed and was not winning easily. He was even brushed by Luo Fei's fist wind several times and looked rather disheveled. But from beginning to end, his breathing stayed steady and his eyes remained focused, portraying the image of a "Soul Grandmaster searching for a chance to win in a bitter fight" to perfection.

Finally, after nearly five minutes of entanglement, Luo Fei's long period of fierce attacks caused Huge Consumption of his soul power. His breathing also became heavy, and an unavoidable trace of sluggishness appeared in his movements.

Now!

A sharp gleam flashed in Long Yao's eyes. He seized an opening in Luo Fei's punch, shifted his Footsteps, and spun like a top. The Soul Breaking Spear in his hand drew a brilliant arc, cleverly bypassing Luo Fei's guard. The Spear Shaft, at an inconceivable angle, struck heavily against the joint of Luo Fei's Knees!

"Crack!" A Light Sound rang out.

"Aow!" Luo Fei cried out in pain. His right leg went weak, and he dropped to one knee.

The outcome had been decided.

Long Yao withdrew his spear, breathing slightly, and even a fine layer of sweat had appeared on his forehead. He glanced at Luo Fei, who was kneeling on the ground, and cupped his hands. "You let me win."

The entire process could not be called crushing, nor could it be called overly difficult. The Combat Power he displayed had been perfectly controlled within the scope of a Level 24 Soul Grandmaster relying on exquisite technique and battle awareness to narrowly defeat a Level 26 Assault System Soul Grandmaster. Not a fraction more, not a fraction less. The balance was just right.

"Number 144, passed!" The proctor's booming voice drew the curtain on this splendid "performance."

Long Yao walked off the field. Under countless admiring gazes, he went straight back to his original line and once again stood behind Wang Dong, as if the person who had just entered the field had not been him at all.

Wang Dong sensed the calm aura behind her, but her heart could no longer settle. For the first time, she felt deep doubt about her own judgment.

Time: Douluo Calendar Year 2030 Season: Autumn Next morning 8:50

Location: Shrek Academy, Second Assessment Area

Audience: 38,961

Equipment: True Vast Sea Ring (Divine Artifact)

Items: Silver Soul Coin x8, Copper Spirit Coin x90

First Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear [Traits: Armor Breaking, Soul Devouring, Penetration]

Second Martial Soul: Chaos Holy Dragon (Hidden) [Traits: Strength, Time, Space]

Soul Power: Level 45 (Soul Ancestor) [Status: Shielded by True Vast Sea Ring, External Perception is Level 24]

Spirit Rings: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Ring (Yellow Hundred-Year), Second Soul Ring (Purple Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year)

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Ring (Black Thirteen-Thousand-Year), Second Soul Ring (Black Twenty-Eight-Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Forty-Six-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Rose Gold Hundred-Thousand-Year)

Spirit Skills: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Spirit Skill: Swift Shadow Stab, Second Spirit Skill: Whirlwind Spear, Third Spirit Skill: Armor Breaking Spiral, Fourth Spirit Skill: Thousand Spirit Spear Rain

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Spirit Skill: Star Ring, Second Spirit Skill: Holy Dragon Claw, Third Spirit Skill: Void Claw, Fourth Spirit Skill: Time and Space Roar

Spirit Bones: None

Soul Spirits: None

Reward Stash: [Million-Year Spirit Beast Inverse Scale] [Hallucinatory Perfume]