Golden Crow

At the sight of two black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings emanating terrifying pressure, both Wu Ming, who faced them directly, and the Elders watching from the side fell into a daze.

Was this really a normal human?

Six years old, a two-ringed Soul Grandmaster, with all Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings—how was that possible?

At that moment, all the Elders understood why Mu En had been willing to disregard the academy's rules and make an exception to admit Lin Yi into the Inner Court.

They should have realized it sooner. Mu En had not taken a disciple for decades; why would he suddenly accept a child? This child must have displayed talent far beyond ordinary people.

Wu Ming's mind was blank as well. What had she just seen? Was this really a six-year-old child?

After a long while, everyone finally regained their composure.

The assessment began.

The shock had yet to fade from Wu Ming's eyes. "Wu Ming, Martial Soul: Golden Crow. Level forty-nine Assault System Battle Soul Sect."

"Lin Yi, Martial Soul: Golden Tree. Level twenty-six Support System Soul Grandmaster."

Another silence followed.

Everyone doubted their own ears. Six years old, level twenty-six? Exactly how old had he been when he awakened his Martial Soul? Had he been taking pills every day since then?

Wu Ming suddenly cried out, "You're Support System?"

Only then did the Elders realize what was wrong. Why was a Support System Soul Master participating in a Combat Power Assessment?

With the frail body of a Support System Soul Master, facing an Assault System Soul Master with a top-tier Beast Martial Soul and a Soul Power gap of more than twenty levels, getting killed in one move was entirely possible!

Yan Shaozhe also looked toward Mu En. Teacher, was this assessment really not a joke?

Seeing Yan Shaozhe look over, Mu En merely raised his eyelids. "What are you looking at me for? Prepare to begin the assessment."

Since Mu En still insisted on continuing under such circumstances, Yan Shaozhe could only helplessly announce that the assessment would proceed.

Wu Ming was equally helpless, but she had no choice but to obey her elders' orders. She activated Martial Soul Possession. A pair of golden wings spread from her back, while two yellow and two purple Soul Rings—the optimal configuration—rose and fell around her graceful figure.

"Little brother, be careful. I'm going to attack."

After warning him, Wu Ming did not use a Soul Skill. She merely condensed her Soul Power into flames and sent them drifting slowly toward Lin Yi.

Clearly, she was afraid of hurting him. She was not stupid; Lin Yi was obviously a monstrous genius. His Cultivation Level was simply a little weak for now. Having her assess him was likely just a formality, and showing a little of his strength should have been enough.

Watching the slowly approaching flames, Lin Yi responded. His First and Second Soul Rings lit up in succession.

The Golden Tree floated from his hand and expanded in the wind, growing to a full meter tall and as thick as an adult's arm. Once it landed on the ground, its roots immediately writhed and burrowed fiercely into the earth, providing Lin Yi with an endless supply of Soul Power.

At the same time, Light Power rapidly gathered. Standing before the Golden Ancient Tree, which was filled with the aura of Radiance, Lin Yi's Second Soul Skill, Golden Protection, was clearly greatly enhanced. Light Power gathered far faster than it would in an ordinary place.

The gathered Light Power was absorbed and released by the Golden Tree, forming a hazy golden barrier that protected both the tree and Lin Yi within.

By the time Lin Yi finished all those preparations, Wu Ming's flames finally arrived, only to be effortlessly blocked by Golden Protection.

It was obvious that Wu Ming was holding back. Lin Yi called out, "Big sister, you can attack without worry. I may be Support System, but I'm not as fragile as you think."

Unexpectedly seeing that Lin Yi had defensive means, Wu Ming felt somewhat relieved. Hearing his words, she decided to reveal a bit more of her strength.

Her golden wings beat behind her, sending her soaring into the air. Her First Soul Ring lit up, and Golden Crow True Fire shot from her hands, streaking straight toward Lin Yi.

Golden Protection flickered unsteadily for several moments, but it still blocked the attack.

Wu Ming felt she was losing face. Her Second Soul Ring instantly lit up, and intense golden-red flames ignited around her body.

Second Soul Skill, Golden Crow True Fire Burn, activate!

This was a self-amplification Soul Skill that could greatly enhance her Fire Attribute.

Then came her First Soul Skill again, Golden Crow True Fire.

Golden Crow True Fire under the effects of Golden Crow True Fire Burn was indeed extraordinary. The scorching flames easily burned through the barrier formed by Golden Protection.

But Lin Yi immediately concentrated his Soul Power, and the swiftly repaired barrier neutralized Wu Ming's flames.

The Elders watching from the side secretly nodded at the sight. Wu Ming's attack just now had only been her First Soul Skill, but with the enhancement of her Second Soul Skill and her level forty-nine Soul Power, its power was absolutely no weaker than a Soul Elder's full-force strike. Yet Lin Yi had blocked it with ease. Let alone for a Support System Soul Master, even for a two-ringed Assault System or Defense System Soul Master, this was quite impressive.

Seeing that Wu Ming still did not dare to attack with her full strength, Yan Shaozhe wondered how they were supposed to see his little junior brother's true abilities. With himself watching over things, nothing would happen, so he provoked her. "Wu Ming, attack with everything you have. Don't tell me you can't even handle a Support System Soul Grandmaster?"

Fire Attribute Soul Masters tended to be hot-tempered to begin with, and Wu Ming was among the fiercest of them. After Yan Shaozhe spoke, the look in her eyes changed.

If she had previously been treating this as a game, then now Wu Ming would truly display the combat discipline of a Shrek Inner Court student.

"Be careful. I'm going all out now." Though hot-tempered, Wu Ming had clearly not lost her reason.

Her golden wings beat again as she continuously circled through the air above Lin Yi, attempting to find a weakness.

Though Wu Ming's earlier attacks had failed to achieve results, they had not been entirely fruitless. At the very least, she had learned some information about Lin Yi's golden barrier.

Wu Ming analyzed calmly, "This barrier is clearly formed from gathered light elements. There's no elemental restraint between it and my flames. Its defensive strength is quite good; it can withstand a full-force strike from a Soul Master of the same rank. Even after its defense is breached, the surrounding barrier rapidly repairs itself. To break through it, I either need to shatter it in a single blow or attack from multiple points and give him no time to react."

"He's only a Support System Soul Master. This defensive Soul Skill should be his only method. Once I break this barrier, the combat assessment will be over. In that case, I've got it!"

Wu Ming's Second Soul Ring lit up again.

Golden Crow True Fire Burn, activate once more!

Then, her First Soul Ring flashed rapidly in succession.

Multiple Soul Skill Release—an Inner Court secret technique that allowed one to rapidly unleash a Soul Skill several times in a short period. Though it could only be used with lower-year Soul Skills such as the First and Second Soul Rings, which consumed less energy, it was still an extremely practical combat technique.

Thus, as Wu Ming flew rapidly through the air, streams of Golden Crow True Fire struck different parts of Golden Protection. The barrier rapidly repaired itself wherever it was hit, but there were too many points under attack, and it was becoming unable to keep up.

Lin Yi could only pour in all his Soul Power to maintain Golden Protection.

A curve rose at the corner of Wu Ming's lips as she hovered in the air. Little guy, it's over!

Her Third Soul Ring lit up.

Golden Crow True Fire Explosion, activate!

Inside the barrier, Lin Yi's pupils contracted. In the next instant, all the Golden Crow True Fire striking Golden Protection exploded at once. Flames surged into the sky, kicking up clouds of dust.

Golden Crow True Fire Explosion was a Soul Skill that could detonate Golden Crow True Fire in every direction, unleashing immense destructive power. It was the best choice when facing a siege. Used here by Wu Ming, its effect was that Lin Yi's Golden Protection was shredded without the slightest suspense.

A few breaths later, the dust and flames dispersed. Lin Yi stood quietly beneath a golden barrier, as though nothing had happened.

Only the circle of scorched marks around the barrier told Wu Ming that what had just happened was not an illusion.

"How is that possible?"

Wu Ming had never expected that even after using her Third Soul Skill, she still could not do anything to a two-ringed Soul Grandmaster—and a Support System Soul Master at that.

Especially when, as Wu Ming looked around, all the Elders were watching!

She, Wu Ming, was the Golden Crow Saintess who had made a name for herself in the Inner Court. With talent, strength, and beauty, everything had always gone smoothly for her. Yet today, she had suffered a setback at the hands of a six-year-old child!

Rewinding to a moment earlier, Wu Ming lacked the Spiritual Power to notice it, but the Elders watching outside, along with Lin Qingxuan and his wife, had sensed it clearly.

That violent explosion had indeed directly torn apart Lin Yi's Golden Protection. But immediately afterward, Lin Yi used the residual light elements left behind by the shattered barrier to swiftly raise another Golden Protection, thereby avoiding injury.

It was difficult to imagine such a response coming from a child.

At the same time, some of the Elders had already noticed that Lin Yi's speed in mobilizing light elements was abnormally fast.

"Mu En, this child's Light Attribute is...?"

Mu En nodded. "It is indeed Extreme Light."

The surrounding Elders immediately grew excited. "An Extreme Attribute! We've only seen records of it in the academy's archives. Who would have thought we would witness one with our own eyes today?"

"Not only Extreme Light, but Extreme Life as well," Mu En added.

The Elders were rendered speechless by shock, yet their aged eyes could not help but gaze at Lin Yi with fervor. This was Shrek's future...

I got a cover, so here's an extra chapter. Please bookmark and vote with monthly tickets.