First Battle

"Her? That weirdo."

"Who else could it be? Anyone who can come here is a one-in-ten-thousand genius. She looks so arrogant, and I've never seen her speak to anyone." The students began chattering among themselves.

"Shut up!" Lin Hao shouted. These boys and girls truly didn't know their limits, daring to speak like that.

She had been sent over by the Elder Hall. If those consecrates got angry and tore down the Genius Camp, no one would dare say a word. Even His Holiness the Pope probably wouldn't interfere if she found out.

Although he didn't know Qian Ning'er's true identity, judging by her surname and talent, Lin Hao guessed that she had a close relationship with that person! He had no idea what the Elder Hall was thinking by arranging for her to come here.

Unless it was because of this boy!!! Meanwhile, Long Yu was staring blankly. To be honest, judging by appearance alone, the woman before him was the most beautiful he had encountered since coming to this world, even more beautiful than Bibi Dong.

Of course, each had her own merits. Bibi Dong's graceful grandeur and nobility were equally unique.

Although Long Yu had never met this so-called Qian Ning'er, in Spirit Hall, someone with this level of beauty and such a sacred aura could only be Qian Renxue from the original story.

He had never expected her to come here.

After a long while, Long Yu finally dazedly extended his hand, gently shook Qian Ning'er's small hand, and then released it.

Qian Ning'er appeared calm on the surface, but she was deeply shocked inside.

According to her grandfather, this little boy had awakened his Martial Soul not long ago, yet his Soul Power Level had already reached level 25. He was far stronger than she had been at the time! She was someone chosen by the Angel God, and Qian Renxue could also sense an extremely sacred aura within Long Yu's body.

She had it within her body as well, but his seemed far more powerful than hers.

Divine power! Another Divine Martial Soul had appeared, and it was far more powerful than her own Martial Soul.

No wonder Grandfather had sent her here. Such a genius had to belong to the Elder Hall. Otherwise, that woman's influence would grow enormously in the future. She, Qian Renxue, had to win him over now.

She did not have much time left here. That plan was about to be carried out, so she had to make the most of her time.

The two of them thought of many things in that instant, but to outsiders, Long Yu looked somewhat lovestruck.

"Tch, what's so great about that? Instructors, I request an open and fair battle with this student, Long Yu." A male student with regular features but a somewhat rough appearance spoke up.

"What's going on? Why would Xiong Tian challenge that little brat? He's already level 34. What's the point of this?"

"Sigh, it's probably because of that female student named Qian Ning'er. You don't know this, but Xiong Tian is always sneaking looks at Qian Ning'er. That little brat just arrived, and Qian Ning'er greeted him. Of course he's unhappy."

"See? We said it, and now he's getting anxious!"

"Oh, this is interesting."

The students once again watched the three of them with eager curiosity.

"Long Yu, do you accept?" Lin Hao asked.

Xiong Tian was considered one of the stronger students here. At thirteen years old, he was level 34. His Martial Soul was the Great Strength Barbarian Bear, and he was a power-attack-type Soul Elder.

In a one-on-one fight, the number of students present who could defeat him could probably be counted on one hand.

"I accept," Long Yu said, then gave Qian Ning'er a slight smile.

The students and instructors then stepped down from the stage, leaving it to the two of them.

"What do you think? Can that kid last three moves?"

"I think it might end in one move."

"Not that quickly, right?"

"Xiong Tian, Martial Soul: Great Strength Barbarian Bear, level 34 power-attack-type Soul Elder."

"Long Yu, Martial Soul... Martial Soul: Nine-Colored Dragon, level 25 power-attack-type Soul Grandmaster."

"This... that's terrifying. He's already level 25 at such a young age? Why have we never seen him at Spirit Hall Academy before?"

"Maybe he's the descendant of some elder and doesn't like showing himself off."

"Could he be the biological son of the legendary Ninth Elder, without any blood relation?"

"Can you be a decent person? I think he's my younger brother, also without any blood relation."

"Both sides, separate by thirty meters. Stop once a winner is decided.

Prepare, begin!" Lin Hao shouted from below the stage.

"Martial Soul Possession, Great Strength Barbarian Bear!

First Soul Skill, Bear Palm Strike!" Xiong Tian's body then grew larger, and a brown-furred bear over three meters tall appeared behind him. Three Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—lit up.

Xiong Tian charged at Long Yu. His right hand transformed into a massive bear paw and slammed fiercely toward Long Yu! Long Yu made no other movements and did not release his Martial Soul or Soul Skills. He merely raised his right hand at the instant the bear paw was about to strike him.

Bang! With a muffled impact, the students felt a blast of air rush at them. The enormous bear paw had actually been blocked by that small hand, which looked incomparably delicate, and could not advance another inch.

"Your speed and strength are still lacking. Let me show you what real speed and strength look like," Long Yu said calmly.

After knocking Xiong Tian back more than ten meters with a punch from his left hand, Long Yu unleashed Phoenix Dance Six Illusions. Leaving behind only a gust of wind, he swiftly appeared before Xiong Tian.

After all, he had made it into the Genius Camp. After a brief moment of shock, Xiong Tian reacted immediately.

"Third Soul Skill, Bear Bodyguard Shield!" Xiong Tian crossed his hands as his purple Soul Ring lit up. A brown protective barrier then enveloped him.

"First Soul Skill, Divine Dragon Body!" A yellow Soul Ring lit up beneath Long Yu. His strength increased by two hundred percent, while his speed and defense increased by one hundred percent! Long Yu's speed surged once more, and his Aura abruptly soared.

Clenching his right fist, he shattered Xiong Tian's protective barrier with a single punch before smashing heavily into Xiong Tian's crossed arms. Xiong Tian was sent flying directly off the stage.

The entire exchange began and ended in the span of a flash.

"Hiss." The students below the stage could not help drawing in sharp breaths.

What had they just seen? This child was not only level 25 in Soul Power, but this level 25 child had taken down Xiong Tian, one of their best, in just two or three moves! He had only used his first Soul Skill!

The student who had mocked Long Yu earlier for not even being fully grown stared at Long Yu in terror, afraid that Long Yu might retaliate against him.

Long Yu then stepped down from the stage, walked over to Xiong Tian, and held out his hand.

Xiong Tian felt his hands, especially his struck forearms, trembling with intense pain, but it was nothing serious.

After giving Long Yu a complicated look, he placed his hand in Long Yu's. Long Yu pulled, hauling Xiong Tian back to his feet.

"You're very strong. I, Xiong Tian, am convinced. Thanks for going easy on me," Xiong Tian said bluntly.

"It's nothing. You're impressive too. A Soul Elder at thirteen would be considered a genius anywhere," Long Yu said with a smile.

He truly had held back just now. Otherwise, Xiong Tian...

Having just arrived here, Long Yu did not want to make things too awkward.

Although Lin Hao had been mentally prepared, he was still startled. This Long Yu was far stronger than he had imagined, his strength vastly surpassing that of an ordinary Soul Grandmaster.

As for the only person who was not shocked, it was probably Qian Renxue. Someone with innate level 20 full Soul Power and a Divine Martial Soul could not possibly be that simple.

This only strengthened her resolve. She absolutely could not let a genius like this slip away!

"Ahem! Everyone, listen up. Now, let's give a round of applause to Long Yu, the newest student of our Genius Camp," Lin Hao said.

The previous silence was gone, replaced by applause. The students sincerely welcomed the new student, and even Qian Ning'er was clapping.