Unbreakable Will, Unwavering Heart

The Soul Arena fell silent.

Apart from Lin Tianyang and Shu Manyun, who had immense confidence in Fang Ling, no one had expected the battle to end so quickly.

The voices that had just been calling out the Exploding Fire Monkey Spirit Master's name abruptly fell silent.

Even the host was stunned.

An adult One-Ring Spirit Master with a long-range skill and a powerful fire-attribute Beast Martial Soul.

Not only was he strong and sturdy, but he had also fought several matches already.

His opponent was merely a disabled child under ten years old, with a mutilated left calf.

How long had it even been? He had tried to play a clever trick, yet lost in a single blow.

What kind of trash was that Red Hair?

No, it should be said that the lame kid was a genius!

He had perfectly predicted his opponent's attack. His movements were swift and precise, without a single unnecessary action.

His every move was calm and unhurried, carrying a peculiar kind of beauty.

He truly deserved to be a student of War King Academy.

"Good!"

"A new genius from War King Academy!"

"Genius, woohoo~!"

A cripple, yet far more formidable than anyone could have imagined.

Everyone in the stands applauded instinctively, and for a moment, thunderous applause filled the arena.

Only then did the host recover from his shock and announce, "Spirit Master Fang Ling wins. Record: one win, zero losses. Please register your points after leaving the stage."

"Spirit Master Tian Wen's record: five wins, two losses!"

The spectators were still abuzz with discussion, dazzled by the clean and decisive battle.

Fang Ling had already left through the passageway.

Because of the rule that allowed only one battle per day, he headed straight back to the stands after registering.

Lin Tianyang and Shu Manyun, who had been waiting for him, could not stop smiling when they saw Fang Ling return victorious.

His teacher ruffled his hair, while Shimu asked softly, "Our little genius is back? How did your first Soul Arena match feel?"

Fang Ling did not even raise his eyelids. The corner of his mouth twitched. "Not much. He was too weak, his movements were too obvious, and there were too many openings."

"Even after I provoked him that much, I still couldn't feel the slightest pressure."

It was certain that this kind of one-sided battle did little to train him.

At least there was money to be made.

There were more Soul Grandmaster spectators, and winning a match earned ten gold coins.

But One-Ring Spirit Masters had fewer spectators and less spectacle, so they only earned three coins. It was better than nothing.

Fang Ling tossed the gold coins in his hand before putting them away. After a brief hesitation, he said, "How about I try fighting for a week first?"

"Hehe, just don't become arrogant." Shimu chuckled softly, her slender pale finger tapping Fang Ling between the brows.

"You should know that your teacher lost many Soul Arena matches before because he was arrogant and complacent."

"Yes, thank you for the lesson, Shimu." Fang Ling did not believe he would become arrogant.

But people were often unable to see themselves clearly, which was why they needed others to occasionally keep them in check.

A week passed quickly.

Fang Ling maintained his habit of coming every night for one Soul Arena match.

In the blink of an eye, he had won seven in a row.

He had already gained a small reputation here.

His fighting style was fluid and precise, and he was a cripple.

With such a stark contrast, many spectators and contestants had learned that a genius student who had just enrolled at War King Academy had arrived at the Soul Arena.

And that genius student everyone spoke of was currently arguing strenuously with his teacher and Shimu in the courtyard.

"Teacher, Shimu, you've both seen my strength. Believe in me!"

"My innate spirit power is only rank one. I need the stimulation of facing death; only under immense pressure can I grow quickly."

Fang Ling held his teacher Lin Tianyang's hand in his left and Shimu's hand in his right, his words earnest.

His eyes were full of pleading.

"A Life and Death Battle? That's a Life and Death Battle! Failure means death!" Lin Tianyang slapped the table so hard it rang out with sharp smacks.

"How can you expect us not to worry?" Shu Manyun gently tugged at Fang Ling's hair, entirely lacking her usual gentle and graceful demeanor.

Her brows were tightly furrowed. Fang Ling's terrifying idea had given her a tremendous fright.

"Are you short on money? If there's something you want to buy, you can tell us."

Fang Ling decisively shook his head. "I'm not short on money. I've realized Gambit Battles aren't enough. What I need is the thrill of struggling on the brink of life and death!"

"By facing the oppression of death head-on, I can unleash my potential."

"Teacher, although the School Motto is very well said, I know my own situation. My cultivation is slow. Even if my will is firm, that cannot change this established fact."

"Gambit Battles really aren't enough?" Lin Tianyang let out a soft sigh.

He had never expected his disciple to think this way.

A Life and Death Battle—he himself had participated in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, yet even he did not dare to take part in one.

This young disciple of his, born a beggar, was truly bold.

"Not enough!"

Fang Ling was extremely resolute. He turned to Shu Manyun. "Shimu, don't try to persuade me either. I've walked the line between life and death more than once. I know my own feelings best."

"Before I killed that Fallen Spirit Master at the age of seven, I was only level five. But after killing him, I directly advanced to level six!"

"That was the result of accumulated progress finally bearing fruit. You can't lump the two together!" Lin Tianyang argued reasonably.

Fang Ling refused to give an inch. "That feeling of facing life and death can make my Soul Power active to the greatest extent!"

"Teacher, I want to become the strongest Soul Master in the world!"

"I want to stand at the pinnacle of this world!"

"I know my own talent, but I refuse to accept fate. Even if I die, I want to die on the road forward!"

What shone from his brown eyes was an unchanging determination.

His resolute expression, as though he regarded death as home, left the two of them unable to say anything in refusal.

Advancing toward the strongest, his will could not be taken from him by steadfastness, nor could countless thoughts throw his heart into disorder.

His powerful talent for battle had not made him evade his shortcomings. Instead, it illuminated his spirit like a dazzling gem, making him shine all the more brilliantly.

His goal was lofty, his will unwavering, his body and mind united. They could only admit they were inferior.

Far inferior!

After a long silence, Lin Tianyang said, "I'll help you train properly. Train well, and don't die!"

"I'll treat you. Don't leave behind any hidden injuries." Shu Manyun's fingers, clenched at her side, turned white at the knuckles. "In Life and Death Battles, you'll always get hurt."

"Every time you go, your teacher and I will go with you."

"Thank you, Teacher. Thank you, Shimu. I..." Fang Ling was too moved to speak.

He had already prepared himself for Lin Tianyang to no longer want him as a disciple, forcing him to take part in Life and Death Battles alone afterward.

He had not expected to receive even more help. This was truly wonderful.

"What do you mean, 'I'? I really took in a troublesome disciple!" Lin Tianyang's face twisted as he viciously poked the head of this kid who never gave anyone peace of mind.

The poke made Fang Ling's head jerk backward.

"Now I finally understand why you strike so ruthlessly."

"How many people have you killed?" Lin Tianyang asked.

Fang Ling replied, "Four. One was an Old Beggar who had once had a dispute with me. After seeing that I had obtained my Soul Master certificate, he tried to kill me in the middle of the night."

"One was that Fallen Spirit Master, and the other two were mountain bandits on the way here."

Afraid that Lin Tianyang and Shu Manyun would misunderstand, he hurriedly added after explaining, "Teacher, I haven't killed people indiscriminately!"

"You really haven't killed indiscriminately. You're a natural-born killer—you've killed even more people than I have." A flash of amazement passed through Lin Tianyang's eyes.

"You little troublemaker, just don't die and make us come collect your corpse." Shu Manyun rolled her eyes at Fang Ling.

So this was where his desire to take part in Life and Death Battles came from.

"Hehe, long live Teacher and Shimu!"

Fang Ling cheered joyfully.

Everything was ready. He could finally begin leveling up.