Self-Created Soul Skill

"Today's theory lesson ends here. Everyone, stand up and gather at the Soul Fighting Area. The other class today will be practical combat. Every student in the class must undergo at least one practical combat training session."

"At Shrek Academy, actual combat is valued most highly. The New Student Assessment three months from now will also be actual combat. I suggest you prepare yourselves mentally in advance."

After saying that, Teacher Mu turned and walked out of the classroom.

With no teacher present, everyone became completely uninhibited.

"Wu Xuan, you're amazing! You're already a three-ringed Soul Elder, yet you hid it so well! You didn't even tell me!" Qian Gu Ming shouted as he lightly shoved Wu Xuan.

Some of the bolder female students also gathered around Wu Xuan, hoping to build a relationship with him.

"Teacher Mu has already gone to the Soul Fighting Area. Hurry up and gather. Don't waste time talking about irrelevant things." Wu Xuan stopped the students approaching him and pushed through the crowd.

The male students were stunned at first, then loudly agreed and filed out behind Wu Xuan.

A red-haired girl with short hair was quite displeased by the sight. "Young Mistress, you're also a Soul Elder. With your status on top of that, what right does Wu Xuan have to become class monitor over you?"

Ning Tian shook her head slightly. "It's only the position of freshman class monitor. There's nothing worth caring about. Wu Feng, when it comes to the practical combat training later, don't think about challenging him. How many geniuses who can cultivate to Soul Elder before the age of twelve have simple backgrounds?"

"And haven't I told you? Don't call me Young Mistress at the academy. We're sisters."

"Yes, Sister Ning!" Wu Feng obediently agreed, though the resentment in her gaze toward Wu Xuan had not diminished by much.

Freshman Class Nine was located on the second floor of the New Student Teaching Building.

The moment Wu Xuan came downstairs and left the teaching area, he saw a large, loosely gathered crowd of students standing on the Shrek Academy grounds.

A white-haired elderly woman of average build turned expressionlessly toward the students and said flatly, "Those whose names I call, step forward. Cheng Cheng, Qiu Jianyao, Tang Dao, Shangguan Chentian, Lin Zheyu, Zhuge Yun, Tai Long, Tang Ling, Yun Xiaopiao."

"You nine may pack your things and leave the academy. From this moment onward, you are no longer students of Shrek Academy. Shrek Academy does not need students who resort to trickery. Those who have strength but lack a sound and upright mindset will only bring disaster rather than help to any nation after they are cultivated into talents."

The students of Freshman Class Nine who had just come downstairs felt a chill run through their entire bodies upon hearing the old woman's words.

Wu Xuan cast a cold glance in Zhou Yi's direction before turning away. Five of those nine were two-ringed Soul Grandmasters, yet they had been expelled just like that. That old hag Zhou Yi was as disgusting as ever! Treating talented students like dogs was something only she could do.

According to the original course of events, wasn't that old hag supposed to make a bet with Teacher Mu? Then let her. Going along with the flow was what he did best.

The people from Class Nine behind him shuddered repeatedly at the sight and hurriedly quickened their pace, afraid that the old hag might notice them.

The Soul Fighting Area was an extremely important area within Shrek Academy. It was located at the northwestern corner of the Martial Soul Department, close to Shrek City.

It was also a place frequently visited by many upperclassmen. All kinds of matches could be held here, with specialized teachers serving as referees to determine victory and defeat, protect the students, provide emergency aid and treatment, and so on.

Of course, all of that required payment.

For a Soul Fighting match, both sides had to pay at least ten Gold Soul Coins as a venue fee. Even so, many students never grew tired of it.

That was because there were no restrictions on fighting here, and there was no need to worry about going too far and causing danger. The teachers acting as referees would control the situation well. At the same time, winning matches in the Soul Fighting Area earned a certain amount of credits, which provided bonus points during yearly examinations.

After reaching fourth grade, Soul Fighting credits became mandatory for advancing further. For example, to advance from fourth grade to fifth grade, one needed experience defeating opponents of the same grade in at least ten Soul Fighting Area matches. Advancing from fifth grade to sixth grade required even more. After sixth grade, Soul Fighting credits became especially important for anyone wishing to enter the Inner Court.

Matches in the Soul Fighting Area were also open to all students, provided they paid the fee. A Silver Soul Coin was required for admission.

However, if it was for teaching purposes, both participating in matches and watching them were free.

The Soul Fighting Area was hexagonal and roughly the same size as Shrek Square. The center was a vast open space where students competed. Around it were rows of gradually rising seats that could accommodate approximately three thousand people at once.

Teacher Mu arrived at a spectator stand, where two teachers with the cultivation of Soul Sages were already standing beside him. One was a healing-system Soul Sage, while the other was a power attack-system Soul Sage.

After scanning the crowd and seeing that everyone had arrived, Teacher Mu did not intend to waste any more words. "As class monitor, Wu Xuan should set an example. You'll take the first match."

Wu Xuan, who had just sat down, helplessly rose to his feet and walked along the passage toward the Battle Soul Platform.

Teacher Mu continued, looking at the people of Class Nine. "What I said before still stands. Whoever can defeat Wu Xuan can take his place. If anyone wants to challenge him, step forward now. If no one does, I will appoint an opponent."

"I'll do it!" Before anyone else could react, a clear voice rang out, followed by someone leaping onto the Battle Soul Platform.

When Wu Xuan saw who it was, his face darkened. It was his roommate.

"Fine." Teacher Mu then opened the folder in his hand, made a few strokes with his pen, and said, "Wu Xuan, Qian Gu Ming! Each of you, take a corner of the arena. You may only release your martial souls after I announce the start of the match."

"Well, look at you! I couldn't tell you were the one with the biggest rebellious streak." Wu Xuan smiled as he cracked his fingers, his joints immediately popping.

Qian Gu Ming hurriedly waved his hands. "I'm not opposed to you being class monitor, but if someone our age is stronger than me, then naturally I won't accept it."

"Haha! Fine! I'll make you accept it soon enough." Wu Xuan grinned maliciously.

"The Soul Fighting match begins."

As Teacher Mu's voice rang out, Qian Gu Ming let out a roar. A crimson long staff condensed from his palm. A pale golden dragon pattern coiled around the twelve-foot staff, and the scorching flames radiating from that dragon pattern made Qian Gu Ming's aura considerably sharper.

"Qian Gu Ming, martial soul Blazing Flame Coiling Dragon Staff, Rank 23 power attack-system Battle Soul Master."

Wu Xuan tilted his body slightly. With a fierce swing of his right hand, a violent gale swept across the entire Battle Soul Platform.

"What a powerful martial soul. It can actually affect the surrounding environment!" Teacher Mu exclaimed as he felt the wind around him slowly gathering toward Wu Xuan.

"Wu Xuan, martial soul Wind Element Control, Rank 34 power attack control-system Soul Elder."

"Power attack control-system?" Qian Gu Ming's heart immediately sank. Damn it! I went up too early!

"Attack. Once I make a move, you won't have another chance." Wu Xuan said calmly.

"Fine! First Soul Skill, Blazing Flame Boil!"

Qian Gu Ming shouted, and the flames around the Blazing Flame Coiling Dragon Staff suddenly began to boil. He then charged straight at Wu Xuan, swinging the blazing staff down toward his head.

"Whirlwind Defense!"

Wu Xuan raised his arm slightly. Qian Gu Ming's descending strike was directly blocked by an invisible breeze. The staff was right before him, yet it could no longer advance even an inch.

The whirlwind gathered. Wu Xuan threw a punch, and the powerful wind directly blew Qian Gu Ming nearly ten meters away.

"Second Soul Skill, Blazing Flame Strike!"

Qian Gu Ming steadied himself as his second soul ring lit up. The Blazing Flame Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand shot from his grasp like a scorching streak of fire toward Wu Xuan.

"Fast reaction!" Wu Xuan chuckled. With a light tap of his toes, he leaned back and rapidly retreated.

As he retreated, Wu Xuan raised his right hand slightly. Drawn by his Spiritual Power, a green glow rapidly gathered and formed at his fingertips.

"Finger Wind Dragon!"

With a clear chime, a Dark Jade Breeze flew from Wu Xuan's fingertips.

The instant it flew out, under Wu Xuan's powerful Spiritual Power control, the wisp of Dark Jade Breeze began to expand dramatically.

Within a few breaths, the breeze had expanded into a lifelike wind dragon over five meters long.

"Whoosh!" With a sweep of its tail, the wind dragon knocked the staff away. The next instant, it surged forward and self-destructed the moment it approached Qian Gu Ming, collapsing into a raging gale that directly blew him off the Battle Soul Platform.

"I lost!" Qian Gu Ming said gloomily as he climbed to his feet.