Final Combat Exam and Rewards

Is this "Dual Star Cultivation Method" even proper?

A trace of doubt flashed in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes. It just didn't feel like anything proper. Last night, she had already memorized the locations of all 365 major acupoints in the human body.

Like the seven acupoints representing the Big Dipper Seven Stars: Great Vertebra Acupoint, Spirit Platform, Supreme Yang, Divine Path, Zhongshu Acupoint, Jizhong Acupoint, and Mingmen Acupoint.

Their locations were fairly normal, but some of the stranger acupoints made her blush furiously.

If those acupoints had to be used with this Dual Star Cultivation Method in the future, what kind of scene would that be?

She glanced down at her chest. Mm, she could still see her toes for now.

"He'll touch here... and there too."

Although Douluo Continent was known as the bottom rung of fantasy worlds, energy like Soul Power was indeed rather special.

It was not as violent as battle qi. Gentle Soul Power could accelerate a Soul Master's physical development and enhance their appearance.

That was also one reason why people on Douluo Continent were so universally attractive.

At the same time, Soul Masters' minds matured more rapidly, and their understanding of romance between men and women began at an early age as well.

Zhu Zhuqing secretly pondered that if this "Dual Star Cultivation Method" truly involved those imagination-provoking acupoints as she feared, wouldn't cultivating it be unbearably awkward?

She imagined herself sitting shoulder to shoulder with Ling Qianyue, their Soul Power guided through those private places, and her cheeks could not help flushing red.

"No, the cultivation method must require their hearts to be in sync to such an extent. How could one cultivate with focus if one had distracting thoughts?" she muttered to herself. Her gaze involuntarily drifted to her chest again. It seemed to grow slightly warm from that thought, and she hurriedly composed herself, not daring to think any further.

"Mm, that must be it. What bad intentions could Ling Qianyue possibly have?"

Zhu Zhuqing let out a soft breath and quickly convinced herself.

Time flew by. Three months later, Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power Level had reached level 9, while Ling Qianyue concealed his cultivation at level 10. The first semester's final exams arrived right on schedule.

Unlike Soul Master Academies in remote regions like Nuoding Academy, the Soul Master Academy here frequently held practical duels between students to test their cultivation results and combat capabilities.

Class One, where Zhu Zhuqing and Ling Qianyue were enrolled, placed particular importance on duels.

Ling Qianyue took first place in the one-on-one matches without any suspense, while their three-on-three team also crushed all opposition with unstoppable momentum.

Perhaps because Ling Qianyue and Zhu Zhuqing had been taking Dai Gonggong along to slaughter students of the same level, disrupting the balance too much, the academy instructors specifically arranged for three upperclassmen to fight them.

At that moment, on the martial arts platform.

"Boil Turtle, Martial Soul: mammoth, level 9 Defense Battle Soul Master!"

"Zheng Kai, Martial Soul: Fire Leopard, level 11 Agility Attack Battle Soul Master!"

"Feng Huolun, Martial Soul: Wind Sword, level 9 Assault Battle Soul Master."

The three upperclassmen stood in a row, looking fiercely imposing.

"Ling Qianyue, Martial Soul: Iron Sword, level 10 Assault Battle Soul Master."

"Zhu Zhuqing, Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat, level 9 Agility Attack Battle Soul Master."

"Dai Gonggong, Martial Soul: White Tiger, level 8 Assault Battle Soul Master."

Zhu Zhuqing, Ling Qianyue, and Dai Gonggong stood side by side. Judging from their lineup alone, whether in Soul Power Levels or team composition, Ling Qianyue's side seemed to hold no advantage at all.

After all, their opponents had two level 9 Battle Soul Masters, as well as Zheng Kai, a level 11 Agility Attack Battle Soul Master who had already crossed into the Soul Master rank. The power of his Fire Leopard Martial Soul could not be underestimated.

But who could blame them for performing far too outstandingly in their previous matches? Sometimes, excessive brilliance simply attracted more challenges and trials.

Boil Turtle looked at Ling Qianyue's group of three and snorted. "Making us fight these lower-year students just because they think our Soul Power is low? This is humiliating."

"Don't let your guard down. That Ling Qianyue is very strong. If we lose, just wait until we get home and take a beating."

"Huh? Brother Kai, you've already obtained a Soul Ring and have a Soul Skill. What nonsense are you talking about?"

Watching the other side discuss matters in low voices, Ling Qianyue could not help shaking his head. "The teachers think highly of us, but not that highly, apparently? Same as before—we'll slaughter them."

"Yes, yes." Dai Gonggong nodded. "I'll handle the slaughtering sound effects. You two handle the slaughter."

Ling Qianyue looked toward the referee and nodded.

"Begin!" At the command, the match officially began.

The yellow First Soul Ring beneath Zheng Kai's feet suddenly lit up. The instant his Fire Leopard Martial Soul Possession took effect, his entire body transformed into a crimson streak of light and lunged straight at Zhu Zhuqing.

"I hear you're a young lady of the Zhu Family. Let this descendant of the Fire Leopard Sect see what your Martial Soul can do!"

The flames coiling around his arms scorched trails through the air. This was his First Soul Skill, Leopard Shadow Burning Heart—it enhanced his leopard claws and left continuously burning flames along his charge path.

"Your opponent is me." Ling Qianyue suddenly shifted half a step sideways, the Shattered Star Sword turning in his palm. The projection of the Great Heavenly Star Array Diagram at the sword guard faintly glowed as the Yaoguang Star at his Mingmen Acupoint quietly activated: Po Jun!

Clang!

The instant the blade collided with the leopard claws, Zheng Kai suddenly sensed an incomparably sharp sword intent rushing directly up through his claws, making his heart tremble.

The sword intent was far stronger than he had expected. Two sharp segments of the leopard claws he had empowered with his Soul Skill were forcibly severed. Amid scattering sparks, Zheng Kai staggered backward, his face full of disbelief.

"H-How is this possible?!"

"Fall back!" Horror filled Feng Huolun's eyes as he hurriedly shouted at Zheng Kai. His Wind Sword slashed through the air, sending three wind-blade sword energies down at Ling Qianyue, but Ling Qianyue shattered them one by one.

At some point, Zhu Zhuqing had already circled to the flank. The Yaoguang Star at her Mingmen Acupoint bloomed with radiance as well. Relying on the unique speed advantage of the Hell Spirit Cat, she charged straight at Feng Huolun.

The Netherworld Claw in her hand gleamed with a ghostly blue light as it struck directly at Feng Huolun's ribs. Her claw tips carved a deep wound across his body, making Feng Huolun bare his teeth in pain.

"My turn." Star Power flowed through Ling Qianyue's Jizhong Acupoint, and the Wuqu Star lit up, granting him enhanced battle instincts and fighting spirit.

With a light flick of his sword tip, he charged at Zheng Kai.

"Damn it, don't underestimate me, brat!" Zheng Kai cursed. Enduring the pain of his severed fingers, he made the flames of his Fire Leopard Martial Soul surge forth once more as he charged toward Ling Qianyue as well.

Just as the two were about to collide, Ling Qianyue suddenly leaped high into the air, his body tracing an arc through the sky. The tip of his Shattered Star Sword gleamed coldly as it pointed directly at Zheng Kai's Tanzhong Acupoint.

Zheng Kai's heart jolted in alarm. He hurriedly tried to adjust his stance, but Ling Qianyue was simply too fast for him to react in time.

Pfft! With a soft sound, Ling Qianyue's sword tip struck Zheng Kai's Tanzhong Acupoint with perfect accuracy. Zheng Kai felt a powerful force rush into his body, making him shudder as his flames instantly fell into disorder.

The Soul Power in his body scattered wildly. His vision blurred, his mind grew confused, and he swayed on the verge of collapse.

Meanwhile, Dai Gonggong was still locked in a contest of strength with Boil Turtle.

"You damn turtle shell, push harder! Push faster! Can you do it or not, Boil Turtle?!"