The cafeteria was bustling with people. Spirit Master students of different ages gathered together, while the aroma of food and the smell of sweat drifted through the air.
The rules at Blue Tyrant Academy were simple and blunt—age didn't matter; only Soul Power did.
The Spirit Master Class, Soul Grandmaster Class, and Soul Elder Class were clearly separated.
But today, an "odd one out" had appeared in the Soul Elder Class's section.
Liu Erlong strode ahead in a practical outfit, her brows carrying their usual boldness. But when she looked at the young man beside her, her eyes held a hint of softness that was hard to notice.
"This is the cafeteria," she said brightly. "The food is specially prepared to meet Spirit Masters' cultivation needs. It helps increase Soul Power and strengthen the body."
Just as she was about to explain further, an assistant hurried over and whispered a few words to her.
Liu Erlong furrowed her brows slightly.
"Tiancheng, I have something urgent to take care of." She patted Yu Tiancheng on the shoulder, her tone gentle but cautionary. "Take a look around on your own first. Make yourself at home."
"Go ahead, Headmistress." Yu Tiancheng nodded with a smile.
Liu Erlong glanced around the cafeteria once more, then hurried away.
As soon as she disappeared from view, several gazes quietly settled on Yu Tiancheng.
The young man stood alone at the entrance, his gentle demeanor at odds with the vigorous, swaggering students around him.
Especially the faint fluctuation of Soul Power around him—at level twenty-three, it stood out like a candle in the night amid the Soul Elders gathered there.
Whispers rose from a few corners.
"Him? The new guy?"
"His Soul Power's so weak... Is he really a Soul Grandmaster?"
"I heard his surname's Yu. The headmistress personally arranged for him to join."
"From the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? But with that level of cultivation..."
"Who knows? Maybe he's some distant relative..."
The murmurs weren't loud, but they were more than loud enough for a Spirit Master with sharp hearing to catch.
Yu Tiancheng acted as though he hadn't heard a thing and headed straight for the "General Nutrition Set" counter.
Just then, a gruff voice rang out behind him, full of undisguised mockery:
"Hey! New guy!"
Yu Tiancheng turned around.
A short-haired student over two meters tall, his muscles bulging, folded his arms and looked Yu Tiancheng up and down with contempt.
Several equally burly students stood beside him, acting as though he was their leader.
Tailong of the Strength Clan.
"The Spirit Master Class cafeteria is over there." Tailong lifted his chin, his tone mocking. "The Soul Elder Class is off-limits to you."
Yu Tiancheng remained calm. "I'm a new student in Soul Elder Class One, Yu Tiancheng. The headmistress just brought me here. I don't think I'm in the wrong place."
"Soul Elder Class One? A new student?" Tailong laughed as though he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world. His lackeys joined in. "Kid, what do you think our class is? Anyone can get in? Everyone in our class is at least level thirty-one! You're just a level-twenty-three Soul Grandmaster. What makes you think you belong here?"
He stepped forward, his huge hands cracking as Soul Power began to ripple around him.
"Is it because your surname's Yu? Or because you know how to suck up to the headmistress?"
The cafeteria fell silent.
Everyone's eyes turned toward them.
Tailong had voiced what many people were thinking. A Soul Grandmaster whose Soul Power was clearly too low had appeared in the Soul Elder Class. It was bound to attract attention.
Now that someone had called it out, everyone wanted to see how the newcomer would respond.
Yu Tiancheng looked quietly at Tailong. Only after Tailong finished speaking did he slowly reply:
"So, what are you saying, classmate Tailong?"
"It's simple!" Seeing that the other boy seemed to be "backing down," Tailong grew even more arrogant and pointed toward the back door of the cafeteria. "There's a sparring ground back there! If you're a man, settle this with strength! Dare to have a go at me?"
He grinned, baring his white teeth. "Relax, I'll suppress my Soul Power to level thirty and won't use my third Soul Skill. Wouldn't want anyone saying I was picking on you!"
The pressure was now on Yu Tiancheng.
Countless gazes fell on him—scornful, curious, indifferent, and a few tinged with sympathy.
Yu Tiancheng fell silent for a moment.
Just as Tailong thought he was about to make an excuse and was preparing to taunt him some more, the young man nodded.
"Fine."
Tailong froze.
Yu Tiancheng continued, his voice clear and steady, yet loud enough for everyone in the cafeteria to hear:
"But if we're going to spar, suppressing your level and limiting Soul Skills will only hold us back. You're a level-thirty-seven Soul Elder, and I'm a level-twenty-three Soul Grandmaster. There's certainly a gap between us."
He paused. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he spoke slowly and clearly:
"Here's what we'll do. We'll only compare three moves."
"If you can make either of my feet move half a step within those three moves, or force me to defend myself with Soul Power beyond the intensity of my current level—"
Yu Tiancheng lifted his eyes, his gaze calm yet carrying an inexplicable certainty.
"Then I lose. I'll explain things to the headmistress myself and leave the Soul Elder Class."
A wave of sharp, startled breaths swept through the cafeteria.
Was he crazy?
A level-twenty-three Soul Grandmaster dared to say that to a level-thirty-seven Soul Elder of the Power Attack System?
Tailong's eyes widened as if he hadn't heard correctly. Then he laughed in fury. "Good! Very good! You've got guts, kid! Three moves it is! Let's see how you take all three without moving! Don't cry when you lose!"
Yu Tiancheng seemed not to hear the taunt and calmly continued:
"On the other hand, if I haven't moved after three moves..."
He looked at Tailong, his tone still gentle, yet every word rang clear in everyone's ears:
"Then I ask that you take back your comments about me being a 'nepotism hire' and a 'burden,' and promise not to disparage any classmate in the future because of their Soul Power level."
"How does that sound?"
"Deal." Tailong could hardly wait to teach this arrogant brat a lesson. "Now! Right away! Let's go!"
"Fine." Yu Tiancheng nodded, as if he'd just agreed to something trivial, then turned and headed for the cafeteria's back door.
Tailong snorted and followed with his lackeys.
The cafeteria erupted into a hubbub.
"Quick! Let's go watch!"
"Is this new guy crazy? Three moves without moving? Tailong's from the Strength Clan. His strength is among the best even at the same level!"
"Maybe he really has a trump card? The headmistress brought him here herself..."
"Trump card, my foot! Twenty-three versus thirty-seven—the gap's too big!"
Many people couldn't even be bothered to finish their meals. They got up and crowded into the passage leading to the sparring ground behind the cafeteria.
This strange contest, with its seemingly overwhelming difference in strength and unusual conditions, was about to begin.
Did Yu Tiancheng, only a level-twenty-three Soul Grandmaster whom the headmistress had personally escorted, really have an astonishing advantage—or was he just stubbornly saving face?
As he walked toward the sparring ground, Yu Tiancheng's expression remained calm, but his mind raced.
The Strength Clan's Great Ape martial soul. A pure strength-type Spirit Master, with powerful bursts of strength but lacking agility. Their attacks were direct and straightforward...
Information from the novels of his previous life flowed through his mind.
This sudden clash—
Was his first chance to establish himself at this new academy, in his own way.
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