Pass

As the smoke and dust cleared, Wu Ming looked at the completely unscathed Lin Yi and nearly cracked.

What the hell is this unlucky bastard's background?!

At the thought of becoming a laughingstock among the Elders for failing to defeat a two-ring Support System Soul Grandmaster, Wu Ming found it impossible to accept.

What a joke! I, Wu Ming, am also a prodigy of Shrek Academy!

She no longer thought about holding back, the Academy's regard, or his peerless talent. Throwing all of it out of her mind, Wu Ming stared fiercely at Lin Yi. Only one thought remained in her heart: I have to win!

For the honor of the Golden Crow Saintess! For the honor of the Inner Court students! For the honor of Soul Ancestors!

I'm going all out!

A clear, resounding cry rang from Wu Ming's mouth. The flames around her surged, and the intense heat even warped the air surrounding her.

Wu Ming erupted.

Her Second Soul Ring lit up. Golden Crow True Fire Burn activated, sending the already scorching temperature soaring once more.

Then, her First Soul Ring flashed repeatedly. Multiple casts of Golden Crow True Fire!

Several pillars of flame shot straight toward Lin Yi, but just as they neared the barrier, they abruptly changed direction!

That change put their points of impact in entirely different places...

Wu Ming's Golden Crow True Fire had previously traveled in straight lines. Since Lin Yi could judge where they would land in advance, he could gather Soul Power at those points beforehand, strengthening his defenses while reducing the chance of being pierced through.

After Wu Ming's first probing attack, that was exactly what Lin Yi had done, and this time was naturally no exception.

Wu Ming had clearly noticed this and exploited it, controlling her attacks to turn and changing their points of impact. Not only did this render Lin Yi's prior preparations useless, it also forced him to waste a considerable amount of Soul Power.

The satisfied nods of the watching Elders showed just how impressive this level of Soul Skill control was.

As Lin Yi's Golden Protection was easily burned through, Wu Ming's Third Soul Ring lit up again. Golden Crow True Fire Explosion!

The explosion was just as violent as before, but this time, Wu Ming did not think it was over.

Her Fourth Soul Ring shone brilliantly. With a sharp cry from Wu Ming, the Golden Crow True Fire around her instantly surged upward. She pointed her right hand toward the sky, and a ruby-red fireball roughly the size of a longan shot into the air.

Then, the fireball rapidly expanded. In the blink of an eye, it had grown as large as a washbasin before crashing toward the ground where Lin Yi stood like a meteor chasing the moon.

Although the explosion had obscured Lin Yi's position, and Wu Ming's Spiritual Power was not strong enough to sense where he was, it did not matter. There was always area-of-effect attacks.

For a Fire Attribute soul master, area-of-effect attacks were practically a signature skill. Couldn't see where the opponent was?

No problem. Just blanket the area with firepower.

Wu Ming's Fourth Soul Skill, Golden Crow True Fire Ring!

Once it erupted, it generated immense impact force and searing power.

Wu Ming simply refused to believe that a peak Soul Ancestor could not defeat a measly Support System Soul Grandmaster.

Seeing the even fiercer explosion and the smoke spreading in every direction after the Golden Crow True Fire Ring erupted, Wu Ming's lips curved upward once more.

Then, as if realizing something, Wu Ming turned to look at Yan Shaozhe, who remained completely unmoved. Her heart immediately skipped a beat.

Damn it! I should have realized it sooner! Wu Ming cursed inwardly. Given that kid's level of talent, if he had really lost or been injured, these Elders would never be standing around so calmly. The only reason they have no reaction is because there's only one possibility...

Wu Ming stared fixedly at the slowly dispersing smoke before her. Looking at Lin Yi, whose clothes were merely slightly dirty beneath the faintly golden barrier, she said viciously, "That brat is completely fine!"

Wu Ming was genuinely starting to panic. She had cast her First Soul Skill in multiple succession twice, used her Second Soul Skill three times, her Third Soul Skill twice, and even unleashed her Fourth Soul Skill once. Even though her Soul Power had reached level forty-nine, more than half of it had already been expended. Don't tell me this unlucky bastard is going to drain all my Soul Power and beat me...

Hm?

Suddenly sensing that something was off, Wu Ming looked at the unlucky bastard still hiding inside the barrier and silently calculated. That kid has used his Second Soul Skill at least three times, plus the Soul Power spent repairing the barrier. And his Soul Skills are thousand-year-grade Soul Skills with massive consumption. Just how much Soul Power does he have? Based on the total Soul Power of a Soul Grandmaster, even if he were completely drained, he should at most be able to use a thousand-year Soul Skill once.

And his First Soul Ring has been lit this entire time. How much Soul Power does he have to waste like this...

No! Wu Ming had spotted the key point. Lin Yi's First Soul Ring had been glowing all along, but what exactly was his First Soul Skill?

Looking at the Golden Tree that had remained behind Lin Yi inside the barrier, Wu Ming recalled how its roots had sunk into the ground at the start of the battle and understood.

"Absorbing energy from underground to ease, or even replace, his own Soul Power consumption? No wonder he has lasted this long!"

Watching the thoughtful Wu Ming in the air, Lin Yi finally spoke. "Big sister, is this all the strength you have?"

Wu Ming narrowed her eyes as she looked at this troublesome unlucky bastard, unable to tell what he was trying to say.

"If this is all you have, then it's my turn to make a move."

Hearing the punchable tone of this unlucky bastard, Wu Ming gritted her teeth in irritation. What do you mean, your turn? You're a Support System soul master. What can you possibly do?

Then, she watched Lin Yi slowly raise his left hand. Several Blue Silver Vines flecked with tiny points of gold shot explosively from his palm and charged straight toward her.

"!!!"

Are you really a Support System soul master?!

Wu Ming cursed inwardly, but she still chose to dodge the incoming attack.

Tears of humiliation nearly streamed down Wu Ming's heart. A Soul Ancestor from the Assault System was actually dodging the attacks of a Support System Soul Grandmaster!

But she had no choice. Her Soul Power consumption was too great. Although Lin Yi's vine technique appeared to be restrained by her Fire Attribute, the Soul Power required to dodge and to endure an attack head-on were entirely different. To conserve Soul Power, Wu Ming could only evade.

Meanwhile, Lin Yi was in an exceptionally good mood. As a Support System soul master, he had actually reached such a level without relying on a Soul Tool.

Lin Yi was getting a little carried away. Were these Assault System soul masters simply too weak, or was his combat ability as a Support System soul master absurdly overpowered? This was his first battle in his life, and it was against a Soul Ancestor more than twenty levels above him. Yet he was actually the one holding the upper hand!

He controlled the vines in his hand to pursue and block Wu Ming, driving her into frantic evasions and even forcing her to perform all sorts of difficult aerial maneuvers. If Lin Yi had not needed to control the vines, he would have wanted to pull up a little stool and cheer.

With his First Soul Skill, Rooting... Lin Yi's thoughts suddenly drifted away. Rooting—the name of this First Soul Skill was far too uncool. It completely failed to match the brilliance of his genius, Lin Yi. Besides, since it was the Golden Tree's Soul Skill, the naming style should be consistent.

Golden Protection, Golden Perception—those names had real class!

Then Rooting should be changed to... Golden Growth. He could not think of a better name for the moment, so he decided on that for now.

No one noticed that Lin Yi had become distracted. Although his Blue Silver Vines had been relentlessly chasing Wu Ming, the distance between Wu Ming and him seemed to be steadily shrinking...

By the time Lin Yi snapped back to his senses, Wu Ming had already arrived in front of his barrier.

Lin Yi's expression changed. He hurriedly controlled the vines in his hand, trying to seize Wu Ming.

Unfortunately, it was too late...

Golden Crow True Fire Burn, Golden Crow True Fire, activate!

Wu Ming gathered the enhanced Golden Crow True Fire in her palm and struck the barrier formed by Golden Protection. She blasted open a gap, and before it could repair itself, her figure flashed as she appeared before Lin Yi.

Before he could evade, Lin Yi's neck was already in Wu Ming's grasp. Had Wu Ming not extinguished the flames in her palm beforehand, Lin Yi's throat would likely have been burned through by now.

Feeling defeat descend upon him along with the threat of death, a cold bead of sweat slid down Lin Yi's forehead.

"The assessment is over."

Yan Shaozhe's voice came at just the right moment.

Wu Ming released Lin Yi. Only then did Lin Yi notice that her hand was charred black. He immediately understood that she must have been burned when she had gathered the flames in her palm earlier.

To stay calm under such unfavorable circumstances, take the chance to close in, and risk injury to take him down in a single strike—was this the mental fortitude of a Shrek Inner Court student?

He had still underestimated her...

Lin Yi smiled bitterly in his heart. He had lost!

The pride that had risen within him earlier instantly vanished. He was merely a beginner on the path of a soul master. He had only managed to struggle a little by relying on a few powerful Soul Skills. He still had much to learn.

Yan Shaozhe had already announced the result.

"Lin Yi's Inner Court combat assessment has concluded. Lin Yi versus Inner Court student Wu Ming. The victor is Lin Yi!"

"Huh?"