Dueling Jing Hongchen

The academy, First Soul Tool Proving Ground.

A massive Protective Barrier rose, enclosing the arena, which was large enough to host a battle between Soul Douluos.

Jing Hongchen stood in the center of the arena. His expression was calm, but there was a trace of seriousness in his eyes.

He didn't think he'd lose to a Soul Sage, but since Gu Yuejin had dared to propose this, he must have something up his sleeve.

As an old fox, Jing Hongchen never underestimated his opponents.

"Young friend Gu Yue, since you insist, I'll accept your offer."

"Careful!"

Boom!

A tremendous aura suddenly erupted from Jing Hongchen.

The air behind him rippled slightly, and a golden toad phantom appeared, its body radiating a brilliant, rich glow.

Toad Martial Soul!

At the same time, nine Soul Rings slowly rose from beneath his feet.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black.

It was the standard optimal Soul Ring configuration, yet it lacked that top-tier red, Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Looking at the nine Soul Rings, Gu Yuejin marveled inwardly.

As expected, even someone as rich as Jing Hongchen can't get his hands on a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring.

This is the tragedy of Soul Masters in the Sun Moon Empire. Their overreliance on Soul Tools has left them a step behind in developing their Martial Souls and finding opportunities.

"Hall Master Hongchen, please."

Gu Yuejin stood with his hands behind his back, straight as a pine tree. He didn't even release his Martial Soul, simply watching the Titled Douluo opposite him with calm composure.

"Arrogant!"

Even Jing Hongchen, who was usually so shrewd and composed, felt a flicker of anger.

Even if you were an unparalleled genius, even if you were a High-level Soul Sage, how could you be so brazen in front of a Titled Douluo?

"Very well, then don't blame me for bullying someone younger!"

Jing Hongchen gave a low shout, and the toad phantom behind him suddenly solidified.

He hadn't used a Soul Tool, but he was still a level ninety-three Titled Douluo. The power of the world naturally bolstered his every movement.

"Ha!"

He swept out his right hand. Instead of using a Soul Skill, he directly drew upon the source power of his Martial Soul.

A dense, Dark Gold fog, carrying a sickeningly sweet stench, transformed into a giant Poisonous Python and lunged straight for Gu Yuejin's face!

It was the toad's innate venom—Lian Hongchen!

The venom was highly corrosive and could paralyze the nervous system. If an ordinary Soul Sage were touched by even a tiny drop, they'd be lucky to escape with their skin intact.

"So this is a Titled Douluo's casual strike?"

Lin Jiayi, watching from outside the arena, was horrified. He couldn't help crying out, "Why isn't Mr. Gu dodging?! The gap in Soul Power between a Soul Sage and a Titled Douluo is like a chasm. If he takes that head-on, he'll die!"

However, the next moment, something happened that left everyone dumbfounded.

Faced with the poisonous golden python hurtling toward him, Gu Yuejin didn't dodge. Instead, he casually raised his left hand.

Not a flicker of Soul Power. He simply reached out and grabbed it.

Pfft!

A soft sound rang out.

The Poisonous Python, capable of corroding metal, was caught by Gu Yuejin's slender hand right behind its head.

"How is that possible?!" Jing Hongchen's pupils contracted.

Then a faint icy-blue glow flashed across Gu Yuejin's left arm.

It was the power of Extreme Ice granted by the Water Dragon King Left Arm Bone.

Hiss, hiss, hiss!

Faced with the extreme cold, the so-called Lian Hongchen venom had no chance to resist. It instantly froze into fragments, then was shattered by the Bloodline Power surging from Gu Yuejin's palm and vanished into the air.

"This poison's nothing special."

Gu Yuejin dusted off his hands, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Hall Master Jing, if that's all you can do, I'm afraid you'll disappoint me."

"You..."

Jing Hongchen was rocked by a storm of shock.

To catch the poison barehanded and neutralize it in an instant meant his opponent's body was so powerful that he was immune to all poisons, water, and fire!

"Well done, boy! It seems I underestimated you!"

Jing Hongchen took a deep breath, the disdain in his eyes gone.

"In that case, take this move!"

Vmmm!

The sixth black Soul Ring on him suddenly lit up.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Prodigal Son Returns!"

This time, it was no longer a test.

The toad phantom suddenly opened its mouth wide. A visible golden soundwave ripple, imbued with an extreme metallic vibration, swept toward Gu Yuejin like a tsunami.

The metal floor exploded wherever it passed, and even the Protective Barrier groaned under the strain.

"Now that's more like it."

Feeling the pressure bearing down on him from all sides, the golden light in Gu Yuejin's eyes finally flared.

"Body Martial Soul, activate!"

Boom!!!

A terrifying Bloodline Power, as if from the ancient dawn of time, erupted from Gu Yuejin.

He hadn't used a single Soul Skill. This was merely the aura unleashed by Martial Soul Possession!

His skin instantly turned a brilliant gold, and he seemed to become an indestructible Golden God of War.

The terrifying golden soundwaves struck him like waves crashing against a reef. They shattered on impact without even stirring the hem of his clothes.

"Get... back!"

Gu Yuejin took a step forward and threw a punch with his right hand.

Boom!

The air exploded.

An overbearing Invisible Fist Force surged against the soundwaves, forcing its way upstream before slamming into the Protective Soul Power around Jing Hongchen.

Bang!

Jing Hongchen felt a tightness in his chest. He was sent flying like a cannonball, only managing to steady himself after stumbling back more than ten steps.

Silence.

The entire arena fell deathly quiet.

Outside the arena, Xu Tianran stared fixedly at the golden figure in the arena, who looked like a god or demon. His fingers dug into the armrests of his wheelchair.

"That's... a Body Martial Soul?!"

"He actually forced a Titled Douluo back with nothing but his physical strength?!"

Most Soul Masters in the Sun Moon Empire relied on Soul Tools and knew little about Body Martial Souls, which depended so heavily on talent and physical strength. At that moment, they all looked as if they'd seen a ghost.

In the center of the arena.

Jing Hongchen clutched his slightly aching chest. Along with shock, his eyes now held a trace of admiration—and deep wariness.

He hadn't used a Soul Tool, so his strength had been greatly diminished, but he still had the foundation of a level ninety-three Soul Power.

Even so, he had lost in a pure test of strength!

"So this is one of the oddities among Traditional Soul Masters..."

Jing Hongchen felt a bitter pang in his heart.

He realized that without the weapons of their Soul Tools, Titled Douluos in the Sun Moon Empire really were somewhat vulnerable against top-tier Power Attack System Battle Soul Masters like this one.

"Young friend Gu Yue, you win."

Jing Hongchen sighed and was about to put away his Martial Soul.

"Don't rush, Hall Master Jing."

Gu Yuejin suddenly grinned, and in that instant, his aura changed abruptly.

His earlier dominance and ferocity gave way to an oppressive, suffocating terror.

"Since we've already traded blows, how can I not show everyone my sincerity?"

"Take a good look. This is my Trump Card!"

Vmmm!

Under everyone's gaze, Soul Rings began to rise slowly from beneath Gu Yuejin's feet.

First Soul Ring, yellow.

Second Soul Ring, purple.

Third Soul Ring, purple.

At this point, everyone was astonished by the extraordinary configuration, but could still accept it.

Then came the next three.

Fourth Soul Ring, black!

Fifth Soul Ring, black!

Sixth Soul Ring, black!

Everyone drew in a sharp breath.

A ten-thousand-year fourth ring?! What kind of monster had a setup like that?!

But before they could recover from their shock, the seventh Soul Ring finally appeared, rising slowly.

In that instant.

It was as if the light throughout the Training Ground had been swallowed up.

A rich, blood-red glow, so intense it seemed to congeal, descended with boundless slaughter and majesty!

Red.

Blinding red.

It was the symbol of the highest glory in the Soul Master World, of absolute power and miracles—

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring!

Boom!!!

The appearance of the red Soul Ring set the entire arena ablaze.

"A H-Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?!"

Lin Jiayi collapsed to the ground. Xu Tianzhen covered her mouth, her beautiful eyes full of shock.

Jing Hongchen went rigid, staring at the bright red Soul Ring. His scalp tingled.

A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring for his seventh ring?!

What level of Ferocious Beast had this guy hunted?!

"Ha... ha..."

At the edge of the arena, Xu Tianran's breathing instantly grew ragged.

He stared fixedly at Gu Yuejin, a blazing fire now burning in his previously sinister eyes.

It was greed. It was desire. It was an obsession to make Gu Yuejin his, no matter what!

"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring..."

"A Soul Sage under twenty, bearing a Hundred Thousand Year treasure, with the power to rival a Titled Douluo..."

Xu Tianran's fingers dug deep into the armrests from the force of his grip.

Only one crazed thought filled his mind!

"I must have him!"

"No matter the cost, I must make him mine!"

"With his help, what could stop me from bringing peace to the world? What could stop me from destroying Shrek Academy?!"