Suit Thug

"Wang Zihan, continue."

"Yes, Teacher!"

Although he wanted to calm himself down, he kept feeling everyone's gazes converging on him, as if everything about him were being laid bare before the crowd.

Ah, no, no, no!

Seeing that he was still frozen in place, Zhang Yu roared directly.

"Wang Zihan!"

"Here!"

"Attack me!"

"Yes—!"

As he dragged out the reply, he finally raised his sword.

Two yellow Soul Rings appeared around him. He stepped forward, his sword tip slicing through the air as it thrust straight at Zhang Yu.

"Yaah!"

The longsword pierced through empty air, its blade gleaming coldly beneath the sunlight.

The instant before the sword was about to touch Zhang Yu, he shifted slightly to the side, dodging what had seemed like an unavoidable strike. He even pinched the sword tip between his fingers, leaving it unable to advance or retreat.

"Hah!"

He gave a soft shout and exerted strength with both hands, his little face flushing red, yet the sword remained utterly unmoved—like an unattainable goddess.

The sword... had really missed.

Zhang Yu seized the instant when he relaxed after exerting himself and lightly lifted his right hand.

The sword... flew away!

Wang Zihan now faced Zhang Yu barehanded.

"Gulp..."

Wang Zihan froze. He watched the sword trace an arc through the air before landing in the distance. His heart sank at once. He knew he had probably made a fatal mistake.

Zhang Yu's gaze remained calm. He did not take the opportunity to attack, instead standing where he was and waiting for Wang Zihan's next move.

Wang Zihan took a deep breath. He knew this was not the time to panic. He needed to stay calm. He needed to think.

Though he was empty-handed, he had not expended much Soul Power.

So he still had to take a gamble.

At the very least, he could not lose so completely!

His brows rose as he gathered all the Soul Power in his body and poured it into his right fist. This time, it would decide the outcome.

He took a deep breath and swung his right fist. Because of the difference in their height, his punch could only reach Zhang Yu's lower abdomen.

He gritted his teeth, his fist shooting like an arrow loosed from a bow toward Zhang Yu's lower abdomen. The air itself seemed to ripple from the force behind it.

Zhang Yu's expression remained calm. Just as Wang Zihan's fist was about to touch him, he suddenly moved. Exactly like before, he merely shifted slightly to the side, and Wang Zihan's fist brushed past his body.

Wang Zihan's heart jolted, but he did not stop. Instead, he used the momentum to turn around, his left fist following immediately toward Zhang Yu's face. His movements were smooth and swift, completed in one flowing motion.

Zhang Yu nodded inwardly, barely satisfied with Wang Zihan's reaction and speed. He easily dodged Wang Zihan's attack once more, then reached out and lightly patted Wang Zihan on the shoulder.

The pat looked gentle, yet it contained tremendous force. Wang Zihan only felt an immense power surge from his shoulder, and his body instantly lost balance as he staggered backward.

But he did not fall. He quickly steadied himself, took a deep breath, and gathered all the Soul Power in his body again.

"Alright, stop."

Zhang Yu halted his next move and said, "You have many problems. First of all, why did you perform a completely useless sword-dance routine during a fight? Did you think that would help you in any way?"

"I..."

Wang Zihan hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he could not say anything.

Zhang Yu shook his head, his eyes filled with severity. "Wang Zihan, you must understand that actual combat is not a performance. Every move and every stance must have meaning and purpose. Your sword-dance movements may look flashy, but they are completely useless in real combat. Instead, they waste your Soul Power and stamina."

Wang Zihan lowered his head. This really was his mistake. He had been so focused on showing himself off, and once he got on the stage, he had become too nervous and forgotten what he was supposed to do.

"I'm sorry, Teacher. I understand." Wang Zihan spoke sincerely.

Zhang Yu looked at him, a trace of satisfaction flashing through his eyes. "Good. Being able to recognize your mistakes is progress. Remember, actual combat is not a performance—it is survival. Every move and every stance must serve a purpose. They must be able to protect you and defeat your opponent."

"Also, after losing your sword at the end, you were still able to face your opponent with your fists. Your willpower and ability to adapt on the spot are fairly decent."

"If you do this again in the future, I won't be as easygoing as I was today."

"Yes." Wang Zihan nodded gratefully.

"Alright, your test ends here for today," Zhang Yu said. "Go back and reflect carefully on today's problems. I hope you'll improve next time."

Wang Zihan left the training platform with his head lowered and his heart heavy.

But the tests were not even halfway over yet!

"Next."

Hearing Zhang Yu's voice from the stage, Li Mingxuan and his sister stood up.

"We'll go up first. See you later!"

"Mm, see you later."

Before taking the stage, they made a point of greeting Chen Yan and Gu Yuena.

Li Mingxuan and Li Xuanya walked side by side onto the training platform. Before them stood the same calm and composed Teacher Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu looked at them, a trace of anticipation flickering in his eyes.

As siblings, perhaps they might possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.

After stepping onto the stage, Li Mingxuan and Li Xuanya quickly readied themselves for battle. Their goal was simple: they could not win, so enduring meant victory!

A scepter appeared in Li Xuanya's hand, while Li Mingxuan held a holy sword.

He shielded Li Xuanya behind him.

Teacher Zhang Yu watched their stance and nodded slightly. Choosing defense?

This was where the difference showed, because he had not specified who was attacking and who was defending.

Yet this pair of siblings had seized upon that detail and chosen to defend.

He undid two buttons on his suit, and the atmosphere on the training platform immediately grew tense.

"It begins." Teacher Zhang Yu's voice was calm yet firm.

Li Mingxuan and Li Xuanya immediately entered combat mode. Li Xuanya's second soul ring flashed, and her staff emitted a gentle glow, forming a shield around herself and Li Mingxuan. Meanwhile, Li Mingxuan gripped his holy sword tightly, his determined gaze fixed on Teacher Zhang Yu.

Teacher Zhang Yu did not act at once, instead observing their preparations. Suddenly, his figure flashed, and he appeared at Li Xuanya's side in an instant, striking her shield with his palm. Li Xuanya quickly adjusted her staff, intensifying the shield's glow and successfully blocking Teacher Zhang Yu's attack, though her face instantly turned pale.

Seeing this, Li Mingxuan immediately swung his sword forward, trying to divert Teacher Zhang Yu's attention. Teacher Zhang Yu easily evaded the blade and sent a palm strike toward Li Mingxuan. Though Li Mingxuan was pushed back several steps, he quickly steadied himself and charged forward again.

Sword and palm clashed, while Li Mingxuan stubbornly kept Xuanya protected behind him.

A trace of approval flashed through Teacher Zhang Yu's eyes. However, he chose to intensify his assault!

His movements became even faster, his palm strikes fierce, and the pressure on Li Mingxuan and Li Xuanya abruptly soared.

Just then, Li Mingxuan suddenly let out a shout. Dazzling light burst from his holy sword as he thrust it fiercely toward Teacher Zhang Yu. At the same time, Li Xuanya's staff lit up with her first Soul Skill, releasing an intense glow that formed a beam of light and shot straight at Teacher Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu's expression sharpened. He had not expected her first Soul Skill to possess a certain degree of offensive power as well.

He swiftly retreated and waved his hand, forming a wall of air that blocked the siblings' attacks.

"Not bad."