As for the strongest technique, the Deep Sea Demonic Dragon Hammer, it was the same. However, this move required time to charge and energy that had reached the Dragon Transformation Realm—energy comparable to that of a god. Its activation requirements were extremely strict.
The Sea God Demonic Dragon Hammer was definitely out of the question. In Humanoid Form, he didn't have that kind of energy.
But he could try the Thunder Hammer Technique and the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer.
"Let's give it a try."
"Second Soul Skill, Deep Sea Demonic Hammer!"
Bang!
Ye Wen released his Second Soul Skill. With the Deep Sea Demonic Hammer in hand, he followed the technique for activating the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer and struck.
Whoosh!
A simple swing of the hammer had no power at all.
"Hm? It actually failed. Which step did I get wrong?" Ye Wen wondered. By rights, he could use the move in his Deep Sea Demonic Whale King Semi-human Form, so he should be able to use it in Humanoid Form too. After all, it was just a technique, not an ability exclusive to one form.
As long as he understood its principles, he could use it in Humanoid Form as well.
Ye Wen tried a few more times before he understood. "I see. Even though I'm very familiar with how to use the Eight-Edged Plum Blossom Hammer, this human body can't precisely carry out every step. After all, my physical strength and Soul Power are both far weaker, and using the move feels different too."
"I'll spend the next few days practicing here."
A slight smile appeared on Ye Wen's lips.
He couldn't return to the academy so soon. Obtaining a Soul Ring would take a few days at least, so he might as well use that time to practice his hammer techniques.
"Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer!"
Whoosh!
Ye Wen began trying again and again, day after day.
Since he already knew the move and was simply using a weaker human body, he mastered it again quickly. In just three days, he had learned the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer.
"Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer!"
Bang!!
Ye Wen gathered terrifying strength and brought the hammer down. The boulder in front of him shattered into tiny pieces, which rained down around him.
"Although I can use the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer now, the effect is still nowhere near what it should be! I'll need more time to master it precisely," Ye Wen analyzed.
Now he had a clear direction for his training: mastering the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer and the Thunder Hammer Technique.
"Three days. It's about time to return to the academy."
Ye Wen left the five-story villa where Scott and the other Soul Masters were staying and headed back to Skywater Academy.
With just over twenty days left until the Five Element Academy Exchange, Skywater Academy was hosting it this year, and preparations were already underway.
The academy was also selecting students from each year to represent it. The selection was a series of one-on-one matches, and the three strongest students from each year would represent their year.
Ye Wen, Evil Tiger, and Xiao Bai were the three strongest students in the Second Year. They were far better than the rest, so there was no need for a competition; they had already been selected.
Skywater Academy had been bustling lately, but it had little to do with Ye Wen. For now, all he wanted was to improve his strength in Humanoid Form as quickly as possible.
Before he knew it, half a month had passed.
Ye Wen had become increasingly proficient with the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer. His mastery was around eighty percent, but the power he could bring out still paled in comparison to his Deep Sea Demonic Whale King Semi-human Form.
He couldn't help sighing. "It seems that even if I master the Eight-Edged Overlord Hammer completely, it still won't come close in power! In Humanoid Form, my physical strength, Soul Power, and energy are all far too weak. This move relies heavily on energy."
"Still, the power I can bring out now is about on par with an ordinary Soul King's Fifth Soul Skill. That's not bad," Ye Wen said, somewhat satisfied.
"Now let's try the Thunder Hammer Technique."
Just as Ye Wen was preparing to switch to another hammer technique, Shui Bing'er walked over from a distance. "I knew you'd be here. I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"What's wrong? Did you need something, Bing'er?" Ye Wen had stopped calling her Shui Bing'er and had started calling her Bing'er instead.
"The academy selection for the Exchange Meeting is over. Instructor Xiuzhen told all of us who'll be competing to gather at the Advanced Class training ground," Shui Bing'er said, slightly out of breath. She had clearly run all the way here.
Seeing this, Ye Wen didn't waste any time. He withdrew his power and said, "All right, let's go."
"Mm."
The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing along the way.
Before long, they reached the Advanced Class training ground. Evil Tiger and Xiao Bai had already arrived. Besides them, there were students from the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Years.
There were also three students from each Advanced Class. With Ye Wen and Shui Bing'er included, all twenty-one contestants were there.
The academy's strongest instructor, Shui Xiuzhen, was there too.
Shui Xiuzhen called out to them from a distance. "Bing'er, Ye Wen, come join the group!"
"Coming!"
The two jogged over and quickly joined the others.
Ye Wen looked over the gathered students. They were the strongest fighters in their respective years.
The First Year students were all young girls he didn't know.
The Second Year consisted of Ye Wen, Evil Tiger, and Xiao Bai.
The Third Year was ordinary; none of its students stood out.
The Fourth Year was much the same. None of them were particularly outstanding.
In the Fifth Year, Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er stood out. Shui Bing'er was currently at level twenty-five in Soul Power, while Shui Yue'er was at level twenty-one. (This has been changed: originally, they were supposed to advance from the Third Year to the Fourth Year, but their ages didn't seem to fit, so they've been moved up from the First Year instead.)
The Sixth Year was also quite strong. Its students were Shen Liuyu, Gu Qingbo, and Qiu Ruoshui. All three would go on to become key members of Skywater Academy's team at the future Soul Master Tournament, and they were all very beautiful.
Shen Liuyu's Martial Soul was an Enamel Water Crocodile. She was a two-ring Strength Attack System Soul Master, currently at level twenty-three.
Qiu Ruoshui's Martial Soul was a Green Lotus Fish. She was a two-ring Strength Attack System Soul Master, currently at level twenty-three.
Gu Qingbo's Martial Soul was an Azure Marlin. She was a two-ring Strength Attack System Soul Master, currently at level twenty-four.
The Advanced Class consisted of advanced Soul Master students. It had the widest age range, from just over twelve to twenty-five, and the students' strength varied greatly too.
Two key members of Skywater Academy's future Soul Master Tournament team were still left: Yu Hai Rou and Xue Wu. Their time hadn't come yet, and they weren't among the top students in the Advanced Class, so the students representing it were all unfamiliar faces.
Their strength was fairly ordinary too. The strongest was level forty-one, while the other two were level thirty-eight and thirty-seven.
Judging by the students competing for Skywater, their overall strength was decent. But it remained to be seen whether they could beat Divine Wind, Blazing Fire, Thunderclap, and Elephant Armor.
At that moment, Instructor Shui Xiuzhen spoke up, and Ye Wen stopped looking around.
"Right, everyone. Line up in order from First Year to Sixth Year."
"Yes!"
The students quickly took their places.
Seeing that everyone was ready, Shui Xiuzhen continued, "The Five Element Academy Exchange is in ten days. At the last one, Skywater Academy only placed third! This year, I hope you can lead Skywater Academy to first place!"
Before you continue