Banquet Ends

Shi Jiao's two spirit rings lit up at the same time.

First Spirit Skill, Rock Body.

Second Spirit Skill, Heavy Armor Charge.

With both spirit skills activated, Shi Jiao's aura rose steadily, giving off the heavy, immovable feeling of a mountain.

He stomped forward with heavy steps and charged straight at the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear.

Compared to Yin Xiaotian's Scorpion Tail Fire Lion martial soul, the Shi Family's Ancient Stone Beast martial soul excelled even more in defense, far surpassing the Iron Arm Bear.

This was his strongest attack. He refused to believe that, with the cultivation of a Two-Ring Great Spirit Master, he could not defeat Liu Xinghan.

The Battle Stage rumbled beneath his feet.

A flash of golden light.

The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear raised its paw in another simple swipe.

Bang!

Shi Jiao's expression changed drastically. The instant the bear's paw struck him, all his confidence shattered!

What terrifying strength!

His entire body went numb, and he was hurled dozens of meters through the air, landing directly beneath the Battle Stage. By the rules of the duel, he had already lost!

Of course, as a Two-Ring Great Spirit Master whose Ancient Stone Beast martial soul specialized in defense, and with the enhancement of his two spirit skills, his injuries were not serious. At the very least, he was far better off than Yin Xiaotian. He could still stand up on his own!

He dispelled his Martial Soul Possession and stared in horror at the figure in the Battle Arena.

No wonder Yin Xiaotian had been unable to get back up after a single blow.

Even he could barely withstand that kind of power, let alone Yin Xiaotian, a One-Ring Spirit Master.

"Hiss!"

Shi Jiao had still been defeated in a single strike, and gasps rang out throughout the banquet.

A One-Ring Spirit Master instantly defeating a Two-Ring Great Spirit Master?

Was he even human?

This was simply heaven-defying...

At the head table, Liu Tianba and the others were equally stunned. They had not expected this outcome either. Although Liu Xinghan's one-hit defeat of Yin Xiaotian had shown them that he possessed the strength to fight above his level, they had believed the two would be evenly matched. Even if Liu Xinghan won, it certainly should not have been easy.

Yet it was another instant victory!

It was not that they lacked insight, but that they did not understand Liu Xinghan's spirit skills!

If they had known that the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear Liu Xinghan summoned possessed identical attributes to a real Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, they could have predicted the outcome.

Let alone Shi Jiao, a Two-Ring Great Spirit Master—even a Three-Ring Spirit Elder with all their spirit skills activated would not be able to withstand it head-on!

The frontal attack power of a Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear that had just entered the thousand-year level was enough to rival the finest Four-Ring Spirit Ancestors.

Of course, that did not mean Liu Xinghan possessed the strength of a Spirit Ancestor while only having one ring.

As long as someone knew his weakness and avoided confronting him head-on, using their speed advantage to wage a hit-and-run battle against Liu Xinghan and drain his Soul Power, then let alone a Four-Ring Spirit Ancestor, even a speed-specialized Two-Ring Great Spirit Master of the Agility Attack Type could force Liu Xinghan's Soul Power to be drained dry by the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear within two minutes. He would lose without even fighting!

"Who else?!"

After recalling the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, Liu Xinghan continued issuing his challenge.

Half his Soul Power had already been consumed, but he should still have no problem fighting one more battle.

The banquet hall fell silent. Even Shi Jiao, whose defense was exceptionally powerful and who could hold on for a while even against a Three-Ring Spirit Elder, had been instantly defeated. Who else would dare step forward?

"Ha ha!"

Liu Tianba laughed proudly from the head table. "Since no one dares challenge him, then this third match counts as a victory for my grandson. Three consecutive victories, ha ha!"

Liu Xinghan's performance today had satisfied Liu Tianba immensely.

After Liu Xinghan left the stage, the following duels lost much of their excitement. No one else could achieve three victories in three battles like Liu Xinghan, much less win all of them so overwhelmingly.

Without question, Liu Xinghan had stolen all the glory today!

That night, at the Liu Family residence.

"Son, how did your First Spirit Ring become a thousand-year one?" Liu Xuanfeng asked in shock.

Liu Xinghan explained honestly, "Dad, it seems my spirit rings increase their Year Limit as my cultivation rises."

Liu Xuanfeng immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

Did that mean it might eventually evolve into a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring?

And if all nine spirit rings could evolve in the future... would all nine ultimately reach the Hundred Thousand Year level?

If that were truly possible, it would be utterly terrifying...

With the birthday banquet over, Liu Xinghan's family prepared to leave Gengxin City.

After all, Liu Xinghan had to attend school, while Liu Xuanfeng had official duties as a deacon of Spirit Hall. Naturally, they could not remain for long.

However, at the repeated urging of their relatives, they stayed with the family for one more day.

That day, Liu Xinghan slipped out alone and went on a spending spree along Metal Street. He stopped only after filling all ten cubic meters of space in his Soul Guiding Ring with various rare metals. Altogether, he spent just around ten thousand Gold Soul Coins.

The next day, Liu Xinghan's family set out for Spirit City.

"Xiao Han, you must cultivate diligently. The Liu Family's future depends on you." Outside Gengxin City, the Liu Family's direct descendants had come to the city gates to see them off. Liu Tianba stroked his grandson's little head and spoke earnestly.

"Okay, Grandpa. I'll definitely work hard," Liu Xinghan replied with a serious nod.

Their group set off with one additional person compared to their journey here: an elderly man.

He was one of the Liu Family's three Soul Saint experts, Liu Tianba's cousin, the Liu Family Grand Elder, and one of the family's pillars.

To ensure Liu Xinghan's family was safe on the road, a Soul Saint expert was personally escorting them. This was the first time in the Liu Family's history that anyone had received such treatment!

In the blink of an eye, another two months passed.

Over those two months, Liu Xinghan's attainments as a Rank 2 Soul Tool Master grew ever deeper. His Soul Power had also reached a critical point and was about to rise to Level 16.

The higher one's Soul Power rose, the harder it became to improve.

Level 10 to Level 15 and Level 15 to Level 20 were entirely different concepts. Liu Xinghan had spent twice as long merely to reach the verge of a breakthrough.

At the same time, Spirit Academy was about to hold its Mid-Year Assessment.

One of Liu Xinghan's two Side Quests was to place first in the Mid-Year Exam, which would reward him with 100 Points.

Points could be used for draws, so naturally, the more the better. For this exam, Liu Xinghan gave it his all and devoted himself to reviewing the knowledge from his academic courses.

The Mid-Year Assessment consisted of two parts: the Written Test and the Combat Test. He was not overly concerned about the Combat Test. Dealing with a group of One-Ring Spirit Masters would be easy enough.

The Written Test, on the other hand, deserved his attention.

"This time, I must take first place in the Mid-Year Assessment." Liu Xinghan made up his mind.

He studied even more diligently.

Papal Palace.

The Vice Dean of Spirit Academy was reporting to Bibi Dong on matters concerning the Mid-Year Assessment.

Bibi Dong remained as cold and beautiful as ever, carrying an aloof air that made her seem impossible to approach. She asked, "How is that child named Liu Xinghan doing?"

The Vice Dean replied, "Very well. Not only is his martial soul powerful, but his Soul Power has also improved rapidly. According to my observations, his Soul Power is likely already close to Level 16. He may break through at any time."

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow. A flicker of surprise appeared on her otherwise expressionless, coldly beautiful face. "His Soul Power was only Level 14 when he enrolled. He has gained nearly two levels in just over three months? That is rather fast."

The Vice Dean nodded. "Indeed. No other new student in his year has improved as quickly. Even the best among them have barely gained a single level of Soul Power."

Bibi Dong said, "Keep his Written Test unchanged for this Mid-Year Assessment, but place him in the Second Year group for the Combat Test. If he can still take first place, bring him to the Papal Palace. I will personally teach him!"

The Vice Dean's heart shook, and he hurriedly nodded.

Liu Xinghan did not know that his goal was close to being achieved. The outstanding talent he had displayed had already caught the Pope's attention, and she was considering accepting him as her disciple!