One Against Two! Who Was the Real Monster?

Spirit Hall Academy.

It was located in a corner of Spirit City.

Adjacent to the Pope's Palace, it boasted pleasant scenery and abundant spiritual energy.

As for the Spirit Hall Battle Team, where the top young geniuses gathered to cultivate, it was situated deep within the academy, in a secret realm inaccessible to ordinary people.

In fact, most of the time, the team members did not return to their dormitories, instead seizing every moment to train here.

They were terrified that rising talents like Xiao Xuan would surpass them.

"Student, I can only take you this far."

"Beyond this point, you need a Pope's Token to proceed."

"It's the diamond token the dean just gave you."

"Remember, this is strictly one person per token. You cannot bring any unrelated people inside."

"Work hard. I have faith in you!"

As they neared the foot of the mountain, the middle-aged teacher accompanying him

hurriedly stopped and did not continue leading the way.

Before leaving, he did not forget to flatter him, hoping Xiao Xuan would remember him more favorably.

Everyone in the academy knew that outstanding students who entered the Spirit Hall Battle Team

were destined for greatness—it was only a matter of time.

If he could build a connection while they were still weak, perhaps he might receive something in return someday.

"Thank you. Sorry for the trouble."

"So this is the Spirit Hall Battle Team's base? The energy here is incredibly dense."

"Cultivating nearby would naturally yield twice the results with half the effort!"

"No wonder the Shrek Seven Devils in the original story

were still crushed in level despite consuming immortal herbs."

"If Tang San was a cheat-user, then Spirit Hall was a pay-to-win player!"

Feeling the abundant spiritual energy around him, even without releasing his martial soul, Xiao Xuan could still sense the faint restlessness of the Three Illusion Gods.

As he thought about it, he grew even more eager for the days ahead.

He walked up the mountain path and arrived directly before the entrance to the base.

Just as expected, Xie Yue and Yan had been waiting for quite some time.

Around them, including the Li Kai who had been beaten before, the other members had also gathered to watch.

There were roughly twenty or thirty people in total.

In theory, they were Spirit Hall's candidates for the next generation of Soul Douluo, or even Titled Douluo.

"Xiao Xuan, you've finally arrived!"

"You must have heard that there's one final assessment here."

"Normally, according to the usual practice, Li Kai, Sun Chuantao, or any one of the others would only need to exchange a few moves with you."

"If you held out for the time it took an incense stick to burn, you would pass."

"But you're different. You were already able to defeat Li Kai instantly."

"So Yan and I discussed it and decided that the test should be adjusted."

The moment Xiao Xuan approached, Xie Yue took the initiative to speak.

His gaze was sharp as he scrutinized the brat before him, who might become his brother-in-law.

They said an elder brother was like a father; the frustration of marrying off his daughter filled his heart.

If he did not vent a little, he feared he would make himself sick from holding it in.

"Fine, name your terms."

"From the sound of it, you think the others aren't qualified, so you're planning to step in yourselves?"

"One at a time, or both of you together?"

Xiao Xuan curled his lips at that.

After all that nonsense, they just wanted to give him a show of force, didn't they?

He could understand the thought, but he definitely would not let them have their way.

Perfect. He could use these two as stepping stones.

He could test his current strength while establishing his prestige within the team.

Not everyone had been present to witness what happened in Soul Hunting Forest last time.

And Li Kai's reputation definitely could not compare to Xie Yue's.

This time, he might as well go big and knock both tough opponents flat.

With that thought in mind, Xiao Xuan simply became even more arrogant.

He crooked a finger, his gaze shifting toward Xie Yue and Yan.

"I'm in a hurry, so come at me together."

"If only one of you comes up, you won't stand a chance!"

Xiao Xuan's words did sound a little too cocky.

Even the onlookers nearby could not help but frown.

But as the parties involved, Xie Yue and Yan did not see it that way.

The members of the Spirit Hall Battle Team were also ranked in tiers.

Clearly, as members of the future Golden Generation, Xie Yue and Yan's status was not much lower than Hu Liena's.

They were also better informed, and had already vaguely received word.

It seemed that His Holiness the Pope had taken this guy on as a disciple.

Although it was merely in name, if anyone asked whether they were jealous, wasn't that a damn stupid question?!

"Xiao Xuan, you're far too arrogant."

"But since you've said so, Yan and I will indulge you."

"We'll also let you learn what it means to respect your seniors."

While Xie Yue was still thinking, Yan beside him could no longer sit still.

One against two did sound somewhat inappropriate.

But this guy had proposed it himself, so what was there left to say?

Fight! They had to beat him half to death!

Otherwise, they would never vent the resentment in their hearts.

Back when they had discussed it in private, the two of them had actually felt that neither of them alone was guaranteed to win; it was simply against the rules to gang up on him.

But together, with their strength and coordination, wouldn't defeating this rising star be effortless?

"Cough, cough, all right then."

"Though it does go somewhat against the rules, we respect your choice."

"Yan and I will stop at the right point..."

Seeing his buddy speak up, Xie Yue hesitated briefly.

He swept his gaze over the clearly expectant onlookers around them.

In order to preserve his own reputation, he could only agree helplessly.

All right, he had to admit it.

Whenever he looked at Xiao Xuan's face—far too youthful, yet calm and composed—

Xie Yue had long wanted to punch him hard.

Now, he was merely going along with the situation.

"Xie Yue, martial soul: Moon Blade."

"Level thirty-five, assault-type Battle Soul Venerable."

"Yan, martial soul: Flame Lord."

"Level thirty-four, assault-type Battle Soul Venerable."

When they had first met, neither of them had thought much of Xiao Xuan.

At the time, they had not even intended to introduce themselves.

Though not much time had passed, the situation had completely changed.

Without needing any reminder, the two instinctively announced their identities.

He had, at last, truly begun to take this opponent seriously.

As he spoke, he pulled back slightly to create some distance.

At the same time, he unleashed his martial soul, displaying the "perfect configuration" of two yellow rings and one purple ring.

He eyed Xiao Xuan warily, waiting for him to summon his martial soul.

After all, this was an official team-entry trial. Sneak attacks were definitely not allowed.

"Xiao Xuan, martial soul: Three Illusion Gods."

"Level twenty-nine... though I'm not sure what type of Great Spirit Master I am."

"Come on, we can begin."

Seeing the other party introduce himself first, Xiao Xuan did not put on any airs.

Halfway through speaking, he lightly raised an eyebrow.

Honestly, he really could not figure it out.

What type were the Three Illusion Gods supposed to be?

They seemed to fit assault, agility, control, and support alike, yet did not truly resemble any of them.

If he had to describe it, perhaps it was an "all-rounder type"—if such a classification even existed.

Of course, no one cared about such a minor issue.

At that moment, everyone's eyes, including Xie Yue's and Yan's, were fixed on Xiao Xuan.

Three martial souls and four spirit rings—there was nothing particularly strange about that.

But the faint trace of purple amid the yellow abruptly drew everyone's attention!

"That red spirit ring should be his second spirit ring, right?"

"How could it... be purple?!"

"What kind of joke is this? A Great Spirit Master can absorb a thousand-year spirit beast ring?"

"Was everything taught in the academy's theory classes complete bullshit?!"

"A monster! An absolute monster!"

(End of Chapter)