First Soul Skill

From Sun Island off the southeastern coast of the Star Luo Empire to Nuoding City in the southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, Nan Li had steadily consolidated her cultivation along the way, occasionally battling the Soul Beasts she encountered. Whether in Soul Power cultivation or combat experience, she far surpassed the greenhouse flowers in the academy.

This was her first battle against human Soul Masters. She was rather looking forward to it.

What Nan Li had not expected was that upon hearing her words, Xiao Chen Yu and the others not only showed no intention of introducing themselves and sparring, but instead took several steps back.

To become the leader among the students, Xiao Chen Yu naturally was not a reckless person. The entire academy called him Boss Xiao not only because he was fairly strong, but also because he was clever.

Seeing that the little girl opposite him looked to be at most in her second or third year, then recalling the abilities she had displayed earlier, Xiao Chen Yu had already become wary. Upon hearing the words "First Year Freshman," his wariness was joined by intense shock.

Could she be some descendant of a great family out on training?

Though Nuoding City was not large, his family was one of the foremost powers in the city. Xiao Chen Yu had that much discernment.

But she had already introduced herself. Whether he responded or not, neither option seemed right.

"Boss, what are you waiting for? Teach this little brat a lesson! Let her see how formidable you are!"

One of his lackeys urged him from behind. Relying on Little Tyrant's reputation, he usually flattered Boss Xiao, but today, his flattery had landed on the wrong target.

Xiao Chen Yu cursed the idiot inwardly and was about to tell his lackey to shut up. But seeing the growing impatience on Nan Li's face, he could only force a smile. "Student Nan Li, it's like this. When we usually spar, it's between two sides. Each side sends out ten people, taking turns to fight. Whoever wins can continue fighting the next opponent, until everyone on one side has been defeated."

"But you're alone right now. That would be rather unfair. How about we forget about it today?"

These words both displayed his sense of justice and did Nan Li a favor. They sounded as though they were all for her sake, yet did not mention a single word about his side lacking strength.

"You're the leader of this group, right? How about this—you fight me. One match decides the winner. If you lose, you agree to one condition of mine. If I lose, do with me as you please. How about it?" Nan Li said with a smile. They were just a group of children; she had not intended to make things difficult for them anyway.

"This..." Xiao Chen Yu hesitated. He had a Soul Ring himself, but it was only a Decade Soul Ring, and he possessed just eleven levels of Soul Power. His opponent was a full five levels above him.

"Then pick two more partners. That should do, right?" A whole group was out of the question; a spar would turn into a brawl. Of course, she would not lose.

With things having reached this point, if he refused again, where would Boss Xiao's dignity go?

"Liu Long, Ling Feng, the two of you come with me."

The three stepped forward several paces, with Xiao Chen Yu at the lead.

Xiao Chen Yu was the first to circulate his Soul Power and release his Martial Soul, announcing his Martial Soul and rank. "Xiao Chen Yu, sixth-year student. Martial Soul: Wolf. Level-eleven, one-ring Battle Soul Master."

A layer of blue light emerged from Xiao Chen Yu's body. His eyes turned the pale green of a wolf's, and as he raised his arms, the muscles in them visibly swelled by a full circle. His hands extended forward, his nails sharp as claws.

"Ling Feng, sixth-year student. Martial Soul: Crow. Level-nine Battle Soul Scholar." A layer of black light surfaced around Ling Feng, but since he had yet to obtain his First Soul Ring, he could not undergo Martial Soul Possession.

"Liu Long, sixth-year student. Martial Soul: Long Rod. Level-nine Battle Soul Scholar." Yellow light lit up in Liu Long's hand, and a Long Rod over two meters in length appeared in his palm.

They looked fairly convincing.

Nan Li curled her lips. Crimson light burst forth behind her as her Martial Soul attached itself to her spine, enveloping her entire body in dazzling red radiance. With a slight flutter of her wings, clusters of flames, red on the outside and white within, appeared in the air. The flames gathered beneath her, lifting Nan Li into the air.

"She can fly!" Liu Long exclaimed in shock. How could someone fly without even using a Soul Skill?

"Ling Feng, drag her down." As the leader, Xiao Chen Yu remained fairly composed.

Ling Feng leaped into the air and performed a nimble flip. Drawing on the power of his Martial Soul, he spread his arms and actually began gliding through the air, pouncing toward Nan Li.

Nan Li hovered several meters above the ground without moving. It was not that she could only fly that high; if she rose into the sky, what would be the point of this spar?

Seeing that Ling Feng was about to succeed, Boss Xiao's lackeys cheered one after another.

"Good! Ling Feng, grab her!"

Xiao Chen Yu drew his right foot back slightly, the muscles in his arms tensing as he prepared to strike at any moment.

In the blink of an eye, Ling Feng had glided to within three meters of Nan Li. He straightened his body and lunged directly at her!

"Watch out," Nan Li said with a sweet smile.

What?

Ling Feng's expression froze. Nan Li's wings suddenly flared open behind her, and the flames hovering in the air gathered together. Her wings beat forward, and more than half the flames surged ahead like a savage beast baring its fangs and claws.

Ling Feng froze for a moment. Should he circulate his Soul Power to keep his body balanced and land smoothly, or block the flames and save his face? He hesitated.

But in that instant of hesitation, the flames were already before him, rushing straight for his face!

"Ah—" Ling Feng crossed his arms before himself, but the flames he had expected never came.

Xiao Chen Yu and the others watched helplessly as Ling Feng fell downward. Before they could react, a ball of flame swept past Ling Feng's side.

Nan Li grabbed one of Ling Feng's arms. The Crimson Ruby on her wrist flashed, and using the momentum, she flung him away. "You're out!"

The moment Ling Feng landed, Liu Long had already extended his Long Rod to catch his body. Even so, the impact of Ling Feng's landing knocked them both down, and they tumbled into a heap with the students behind them.

Xiao Chen Yu seized the moment when Nan Li was closest to the ground. His legs exerted force, his right foot slammed into the ground, and he launched himself upward with the rebound.

After throwing Ling Feng aside, Nan Li did not pause. She beat her wings and shot upward, then arched her head back into a backward flip. The moment she faced Xiao Chen Yu in midair, her wings folded together before her, and clusters of flames, red on the outside and white within, covered both wings.

First Soul Skill, Crimson Feather Slash!

Her wings swiftly tore through the air. Two curved blades of light were born from their tips, flames clinging to the front of the light blades as they formed an unstoppable cross-shaped slash that struck forward.

Xiao Chen Yu's eyes widened abruptly as he hurriedly circulated his Soul Power.

"First Soul—"

Too late!

Xiao Chen Yu could only imitate Ling Feng and cross his arms in front of himself. The light blades, changing direction in midair, slammed into his side and sent him flying.

A wave of heat rushed toward him. Xiao Chen Yu rolled across the ground, avoiding the center of the blast.

He braced one hand against the ground and was just about to rise when a glittering golden object flashed before his eyes. It was a reddish-gold feather-shaped object made of metal, about a foot long. Though the pointed cone at the feather's tip was not especially sharp, it could absolutely pierce through his throat.