Soul Duel! An Easy Victory! (Happy New Year!)

Faced with Zhu Ziyang's arrogant, contemptuous behavior, the freshmen in the spectator stands erupted into an uproar. Some were indignant, some shouted abuse, some were admiring, and some wore grave expressions.

Ignoring the commotion in the stands, Wang Qiao himself had already turned red with rage. Fury rushed to his head as he glared at Zhu Ziyang and roared, "You damned commoner, are you really provoking me? You'll pay for your arrogance."

Zhu Ziyang remained expressionless and unmoved.

In the stands, Xia Yu frowned but said nothing. On the Soul Duelling Arena, the Referee teacher also remained silent, quietly watching it all. Shrek Academy's students came from all over the continent, and there was no shortage of proud and aloof people. He had long since grown used to it.

"Die!" Seeing Zhu Ziyang's indifferent expression, Wang Qiao felt utterly humiliated. The First Soul Ring behind him flashed out as he shouted, "First Soul Skill, Chain Fire!"

Blazing flames instantly ignited around his raised claws, and two fiery red fireballs the size of volleyballs rapidly condensed. With an angry motion from Wang Qiao, they shot toward Zhu Ziyang like meteors.

The moment Zhu Ziyang heard Wang Qiao's furious shout, he could barely hold it together. This little fatty was way too amusing. He actually shouted the name of his Soul Skill out loud when attacking. Wasn't that embarrassing? Or did he think all his opponents were deaf?

Though speechless inwardly, Zhu Ziyang was not slow to react. Watching the fireballs fly toward him, he moved. With a sidestep, he easily dodged one fireball, then dashed forward to evade the other. His movements were nimble yet graceful.

Seeing both of his fireballs dodged, Wang Qiao was extremely displeased. Fiery red flames began raining toward Zhu Ziyang one after another. Zhu Ziyang remained calm, using agile footwork to evade the fireballs while rapidly advancing on Wang Qiao, managing defense and offense at once. At the same time, he could not help but complain inwardly. Not only were Wang Qiao's Soul Skills ridiculous, but his combat awareness was terrible too!

As Zhu Ziyang drew closer and closer, Wang Qiao finally realized the danger. He hurriedly stopped bombarding him with fireballs and directly used his Second Soul Skill. With a loud shout, he yelled, "Second Soul Skill, Fire Lion Blast!"

Hearing Wang Qiao shout out the name of his Soul Skill again, Xia Yu in the stands finally could not take it anymore. He covered his face with one hand. He simply could not bear to watch. Once the duel was over, he would have to give this little fatty a proper lesson!

Wang Qiao had no idea that Xia Yu had already formed the impression that he was an idiot. At that moment, he raised both claws as fiery red flames rapidly gathered between his hands. The surging blaze formed an enormous lion's head in an instant. Compressed by immense force, the flaming lion head turned dark red, radiating an ominous aura.

Seeing this, Zhu Ziyang became somewhat more serious. His speed suddenly increased, and with a single stride, he charged toward Wang Qiao.

Although Wang Qiao lacked combat experience, he understood that he could not let Zhu Ziyang get close. He immediately stepped back and, without hesitation, hurled the Fire Lion Blast at Zhu Ziyang.

The Fire Lion Blast flew out, its scorching heat searing the surrounding air. After flying for several seconds, the enormous lion-head fireball exploded with a boom, blazing flames surging like waves through several meters of space.

Yet such a powerful explosion did not trouble Zhu Ziyang at all, because a second before it detonated, he had suddenly accelerated and dashed straight in front of Wang Qiao.

"Ah!" Under Wang Qiao's astonished gaze, Zhu Ziyang grabbed him by the collar and abruptly exerted force. With an over-the-shoulder throw, he slammed him to the ground, then pressed one hand against his throat. Wang Qiao stared at him blankly.

The match was over.

"Whoa!"

The spectator stands erupted once more, because this Soul Duel had truly shocked these proud and arrogant genius Soul Masters.

"Oh my god! Zhu Ziyang is way too amazing! He defeated level 23 Wang Qiao without even releasing his Martial Soul!"

"His speed and strength are both incredible. He must have a Beast Martial Soul, right?"

"Very likely!"

"Wang Qiao is too useless, isn't he? All show and no substance!"

"Exactly! What a waste of such a good Martial Soul and such high Soul Power!"

"What do you know? It's obviously Class Monitor Zhu Ziyang who's too strong!"

"Right, right! I hereby declare that from today onward, the Class Monitor is my dream guy!"

"..."

The freshmen whispered among themselves as they discussed the match.

"Nannan, what Martial Soul does your Zhu Ziyang have? How is he so strong?" Tang Ya asked, holding Jiang Nannan's hand with curiosity in her eyes.

"Hehe! Of course he is! Brother Ziyang is definitely the strongest among his peers!" Jiang Nannan's cheeks flushed as her eyes sparkled, her voice full of pride.

"Uh..." Tang Ya could not help but facepalm at Jiang Nannan's expression. "So are you going to tell me what Martial Soul Zhu Ziyang has or not?"

"Hmm..." Jiang Nannan pondered for a moment, then revealed a mischievous smile. "I'm not telling you!"

"Ahh! Are we even best friends anymore?!" Tang Ya cried out in frustration.

"Oh, you'll find out someday. Don't rush!" Jiang Nannan said with a smile, wrapping an arm around Tang Ya's shoulders to comfort her.

On the Soul Duelling Arena.

Zhu Ziyang withdrew the hand he had pressed against Wang Qiao and pulled him to his feet.

"Your Martial Soul is quite good, but why did you abandon the physical advantages of a Beast Martial Soul and choose purely elemental Soul Skills instead?" Zhu Ziyang asked Wang Qiao, whose expression was dark, with a smile. "Lions are fierce beasts. They excel more at close-quarters combat and suppressing opponents with strength, not using flames for long-range attacks. Your cultivation path has obvious flaws, but it's not too late to correct them."

"This..." Hearing Zhu Ziyang's words, Wang Qiao immediately looked thoughtful. The defiance in his eyes gradually faded, and in the end, he said to Zhu Ziyang with genuine conviction, "Thank you!"

Xia Yu in the stands also heard what Zhu Ziyang had said to Wang Qiao. He unconsciously nodded in agreement, and his opinion of Zhu Ziyang rose even higher.

Talented, knowledgeable, possessed of strong combat awareness, and carrying himself with the bearing of someone from a distinguished background. If the records had not shown that Zhu Ziyang was born a commoner, Xia Yu would have suspected he was the successor of some reclusive sect.

Yet it was precisely because he was a commoner that Xia Yu became even more curious about and attentive to Zhu Ziyang.

A genius, a true genius! Should he report this to Director Du? Although the sixth-year graduation assessment was important, an eleven-year-old three-ring Soul Elder was undoubtedly even more important! Xia Yu thought to himself.

Zhu Ziyang and Wang Qiao left the Soul Duelling Arena and came before Xia Yu.

"Wang Qiao, Zhu Ziyang is right. You can consider his suggestion," Xia Yu said to Wang Qiao first. "Also, your combat awareness and combat experience are both clearly lacking. You need to train them consciously in the future. I can tell you plainly that the Freshman Assessment will take the form of combat. Your talent is good, so do not become overconfident. A high Soul Power Level does not mean you are strong. Only actual combat can prove anything."

"Zhu Ziyang, you are outstanding. You are the finest student I have ever seen," Xia Yu then said to Zhu Ziyang.

"All right, the Soul Duel is over. Everyone, return to the classroom!" Xia Yu announced.

The freshmen did not hesitate, heading toward the teaching building in groups of two or three.

An extra update for the New Year, hehe!

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