Battle

"Hall Master Jing, forgive my impertinence."

Gu Yuejin looked at the solemn-faced Jing Hongchen across from him. Instead of using that shocking hundred-thousand-year seventh soul ring, the sixth black soul ring on his body suddenly flared.

Since this was a spar, he would use conventional means to make him concede with full conviction.

"Sixth Soul Skill, Shattering Star!"

There was no flashy elemental fluctuation—merely compressing his entire blood essence and soul power to the extreme, converging it into his right fist.

In that instant, Gu Yuejin's right fist seemed to transform into a collapsing black hole, distorting the surrounding light.

"Come on!"

Jing Hongchen bellowed. As a Titled Douluo, his pride would not allow him to retreat.

"Ninth Soul Skill, Gold Cannot Be Exchanged!"

The Toad Martial Soul blazed with radiance, condensing into a thick golden light shield that firmly protected him.

The next moment.

Boom—!!!

The seemingly tiny fist slammed violently into the massive golden light shield.

Crack.

A crisp sound of shattering rang out, especially jarring in the deathly silent training ground.

Then, under the horrified and incredulous gazes of everyone present, the "Gold Cannot Be Exchanged," which was said to withstand attacks from a Super Douluo, shattered inch by inch like fragile glass!

Bang!

Jing Hongchen's figure flew backward. Though he wasn't seriously injured, that was only because Gu Yuejin had held back.

The difference was clear.

"Thank you for yielding."

Gu Yuejin withdrew his fist and stood upright, the golden light on his body slowly fading as he resumed his calm and composed demeanor.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

On the sidelines, Lin Jiayi was the first to jump up and applaud, clapping until his palms were red. He approached with a flattering smile plastered on his face.

"Mr. Gu's punch was truly earth-shattering! Even the Hall Master's strongest defense was shattered in one blow. With such strength, I'm afraid no one below Titled Douluo is your match... No, even a Titled Douluo would be nothing more than this!"

"Director Lin flatters me. Hall Master Jing was going easy on me."

Gu Yuejin smiled faintly, giving Jing Hongchen plenty of face.

"Mr. Gu need not be modest."

Xu Tianran maneuvered his wheelchair forward, the fervor in his eyes almost tangible.

"Having witnessed this today, I finally understand what a true prodigy is."

"As a Soul Sage, overpowering a Titled Douluo—such an achievement is unmatched in this world, save for you alone."

Meanwhile, Xu Tianzhen's beautiful eyes had already turned into hearts.

Women were naturally drawn to strength, especially someone of her noble status as a royal princess. She was long tired of those groveling sycophants.

The man before her—powerful, mysterious, domineering, even a Titled Douluo laid low by his fist.

This was a real man! This was the prey worthy of Her Highness's conquest!

"Hey... Gu, was it? That punch of yours was so cool!"

Xu Tianzhen stepped forward, completely unbothered by formality, and blinked at him. "Can you teach me sometime? I want to punch those annoying flies away too!"

Gu Yuejin glanced at her, a hint of amusement in his expression. "Your Highness is a delicate flower. Leave such rough work to us coarse folk."

"Alright, Tianzhen, stop fooling around."

Xu Tianran timely interrupted his younger sister's infatuation, then straightened his expression and looked at Gu Yuejin, tossing out the olive branch he had long prepared.

"Mr. Gu, I have an impertinent request."

"Though the academy is thriving now, it is indeed lacking in the path of martial soul cultivation."

"I wish to establish a separate 'Martial Soul Department' within the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, standing alongside the original Soul Engineer Department."

"Would you be willing to condescend to take on the role of the first 'Martial Soul Department Director'?"

Department Director!

This was no ordinary Special Appointed Teacher—this was a high-ranking position with real power, capable of influencing the academy's decisions!

Lin Jiayi's eyelids twitched, but he dared not speak.

Gu Yuejin's gaze flickered slightly, and a playful curve tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Since Your Highness holds me in such high regard, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse."

"I accept the position of Martial Soul Department Director."

The next morning.

Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

The academic system here was completely different from the three original kingdoms of the Douluo Continent.

If Shrek Academy's start of term was like September in his past life's China, then the Sun Moon Empire was more like that island nation called "Little Japan," implementing a spring enrollment system with its own unique semester divisions.

At this moment, inside the first-year, first-class classroom.

"Hello everyone, my name is Huo Yuhao, from the Heaven Dou Empire. My martial soul is the Spirit Eyes."

Huo Yuhao stood at the podium, finishing his brief self-introduction.

As a transfer student, coupled with his style clearly different from the locals, he immediately attracted many curious glances.

"Classmate Huo Yuhao, you can sit in that empty seat."

The homeroom teacher pointed to a spot in the back row.

Huo Yuhao nodded and walked over. As soon as he sat down, two familiar figures came into view on his left and right.

On the left was Xiao Hongchen, looking proud and aloof, pretending to read a book.

On the right was Meng Hongchen, chin resting on her hand, her face full of anticipation.

This was clearly the "prime spot" the Hongchen siblings had deliberately saved for him.

"Oh, if it isn't Huo Yuhao?"

Xiao Hongchen glanced at him, closed his book, and said with a hint of awkward concern in his tone, "As a transfer student, don't embarrass our Hongchen Family. If you can't keep up, you can beg this young master. If this young master is in a good mood, he might give you a pointer or two."

"Thank you, Senior Xiao. I'll work hard." Huo Yuhao gave a simple, honest smile.

"Hmph, who's your senior? We're classmates now!" Xiao Hongchen snorted coldly, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Oh, big brother, say less."

Meng Hongchen ignored her tsundere brother, leaned close to Huo Yuhao's ear, and lowered her voice to ask, "Yuhao, Yuhao, why did you come alone? Where's Brother Gu Yue? Didn't he come today?"

"Master he..."

Just as Huo Yuhao was about to explain, Xiao Hongchen clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Class is starting! Shut up!"

Xiao Hongchen glared at his sister. "Always 'Gu Yue, Gu Yue.' Can't you have some ambition?"

Just then, the homeroom teacher on the podium lightly tapped the blackboard.

"Silence."

"Before we begin today's lesson, there is an important announcement to make."

The homeroom teacher cleared his throat, his expression somewhat complicated as he said:

"Following a joint decision by the academy's high-level officials and His Highness the Crown Prince, starting today, the academy will officially add a compulsory course titled 'Martial Soul Cultivation and Practical Application' alongside the existing Soul Tool curriculum."

"Furthermore, an independent 'Martial Soul Department' will be established."

As soon as the words fell, the classroom instantly erupted.

"What? A Martial Soul Department?"

"We're a Soul Engineer Academy! Why do we need to learn that outdated martial soul cultivation?"

"Exactly! Isn't having a Soul Tool enough? What's the use of practicing that stuff?"

"Isn't this a waste of time? I haven't even finished engraving my Core Formation yet!"

The students buzzed with discussion, most expressing confusion or even resistance.

In the Sun Moon Empire's educational system, Soul Tools were the true path; martial souls were merely auxiliary tools. To turn around and spend time cultivating martial souls now was practically reversing the course of history.

The homeroom teacher didn't stop their discussion, just shook his head helplessly.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept toward the window, and his body jolted violently.

Outside the corridor, a tall, straight figure was slowly approaching.

The homeroom teacher quickly straightened his collar, hurried out of the classroom, and the expression on his face instantly became extremely respectful.

Inside the classroom, the students who had been making noise gradually quieted down upon seeing this, curiously looking toward the door.

"What's going on? Why did the old class head suddenly get so timid?"

"Looks like someone's coming from outside?"

A moment later.

The homeroom teacher re-entered the classroom, but this time, he didn't stand at the center of the podium. Instead, he respectfully stepped aside and made a "please" gesture.

Then.

Under the gaze of dozens of eyes in the entire class.

A young man, wearing a black robe with gold patterns, his face handsome as a demon, his aura as deep and unfathomable as an abyss, walked with calm, measured steps and slowly ascended the podium.

His gaze swept across the entire room, finally landing on Huo Yuhao and the Hongchen siblings in the corner. A faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

"I am the director of the newly established Martial Soul Department, and also your future Combat Class instructor."

"Gu Yuejin."