Battle Against Lightning Academy

"Preliminary Round, first match: Skywater Academy versus North Academy. Begin!"

As the Referee's words fell, the battle between both sides officially began!

Shui Bing'er's first soul ring lit up, and with a wave of her small hand, she said calmly, "First Soul Skill, Ice Seal!"

In an instant, a chill surged beneath the feet of North Academy's team, freezing all seven of them into blocks of ice.

"So strong!"

Seeing this, Huo Wushuang's pupils contracted slightly in Blazing Fire Academy's viewing area. His expression turned grave as he said, "She cast seven Soul Skills instantly, and with such precise control. Everyone from North Academy was controlled by her in a single moment!"

Godwind Academy's area.

"Interesting. It seems his sister isn't someone to be underestimated either!"

Feng Xiaotian stroked his chin and watched Shui Bing'er on the Arena with great interest.

Instant-cast Soul Skills were rare to begin with, while instant-cast skills that could be released continuously were even rarer. Moreover, this control skill was quite powerful. If he were still a Soul Ancestor, facing Shui Bing'er would give him quite a headache.

In Shrek's area, a plain-looking, medium-built, slightly thin middle-aged man frowned upon seeing the scene on the Arena. "A control-type Soul Skill that can be cast continuously and instantly. Xiao San, you have a formidable opponent this time."

This unremarkable middle-aged man was Yu Xiaogang, known as the foremost authority on Martial Soul theory.

"She is indeed an opponent worthy of attention."

Tang San stared intently at Shui Bing'er. Her instant freezing attack had put immense pressure on him.

He was even wondering how he would respond if he were on the Arena facing such an attack.

The battle between Skywater Academy and North Academy ended quickly. In less than thirty seconds, North Academy's frozen members were defeated by the girls of Skywater Academy. Calling it a crushing victory would not have been an exaggeration.

Afterward, amid the cheers of the audience, the girls of Skywater Academy gracefully left the Arena and returned to their team's area.

Upon arriving at Skywater Academy's viewing area, Shui Bing'er sat beside Shui Wuchen and asked expectantly, "Brother, how was my performance?"

"Wonderful. My Bing'er is the best!"

Seeing Shui Bing'er's expression, Shui Wuchen replied with a smile.

Upon hearing Shui Wuchen's words, Shui Bing'er's lips curled up slightly. Though she knew her brother had seen through her thoughts, she was still very happy inside.

In the VIP seats.

Seeing that the match had ended, Xue Ye turned to Ning Fengzhi beside him and asked, "What do you think, Sect Master Ning?"

Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile, "Skywater Academy is very strong this year. They may even have a chance to contend for the championship."

"They are indeed quite capable. If they work together, they truly have the potential to become champions."

However, Platinum Bishop Salas, who had been listening to their discussion, suddenly interjected, "But in this tournament, they can at most contend for second place."

Hearing Salas's words, a trace of displeasure flashed through Xue Ye's eyes. Still, he spoke calmly. "It seems Bishop Salas has great confidence in Spirit Hall's team this year. But if you speak so absolutely and they fail when the time comes, it will be quite embarrassing."

"It is only natural for Bishop Salas to have such confidence. After all, Spirit Hall has three Soul Kings this year!"

Seeing this, Ning Fengzhi hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"Whether that is true will be determined in a few months." Salas spoke indifferently, as though he had not heard Xue Ye's mockery.

When he said this, Salas's tone was exceedingly confident. The tournament had clearly only just begun, yet he spoke as if it had already ended.

At this, Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a brief glance, both seeing the confusion in the other's eyes.

Was this old fellow overly confident? Or had they misjudged Spirit Hall's strength?

More than a week later.

Several thousand meters in the air, Articuno carried Shui Wuchen as it flew.

After an unknown amount of time, a faint fluctuation of Soul Power emanated from Shui Wuchen, who was seated cross-legged atop Articuno. Then, Shui Wuchen opened his eyes.

"Phew... I've finally broken through to Level 63!"

Shui Wuchen let out a long breath and spoke.

After more than twenty days of meditative cultivation, Shui Wuchen had finally made up that last bit of Soul Power and successfully completed his breakthrough.

"Is it already this late? It's time to head back."

Then, Shui Wuchen glanced at the darkening sky and patted Articuno.

"Woo~~~"

The next moment, Articuno cried out as its body began descending rapidly.

A quarter of an hour later, Shui Wuchen returned to Skywater Academy's resting area.

"Wuchen, come here for a moment."

When Shui Yueruo saw Shui Wuchen return, she immediately called out to him.

Hearing this, Shui Wuchen paused, then quickly walked over to Shui Yueruo and looked at her with slight puzzlement.

At that moment, Shui Yueruo said, "Wuchen, you may need to take the field in tomorrow's match."

"Alright. Who is tomorrow's opponent?"

Shui Wuchen nodded slightly and asked.

"Lightning Academy!"

The next day, on the Arena, Skywater Academy and Lightning Academy faced each other, sparks seeming to leap between their gazes.

Yu Tianxin, captain of the Lightning Team, looked at Shui Wuchen standing before Shui Bing'er and the other girls in the distance. His eyes narrowed slightly. "I heard long ago that, aside from Feng Xiaotian, there might be another Soul King in this year's tournament. Now I can finally see for myself."

"You will."

Shui Wuchen looked calmly at Yu Tianxin, without the slightest ripple in his eyes.

After more than a week of battles, information about the various academies had more or less leaked out. Yu Tianxin was quite strong, but he had not reached the point where Shui Wuchen needed to take him seriously.

Just then, the Referee spoke.

"The match is about to begin. Both academies, please prepare yourselves!"

"Martial Soul Possession!"

At these words, everyone immediately began their Martial Soul Possession. Shui Wuchen also summoned Articuno.

"Smack!"

The instant Shui Wuchen summoned Articuno, Yu Xiaogang shot to his feet in the viewing stands. His eyes were fixed tightly on Shui Wuchen, his face filled with disbelief.

"Third Brother, look! That person's Martial Soul can leave his body just like Master's Three-Eyed Raccoon Dog!"

Beside Yu Xiaogang, a beautiful young girl with a scorpion-tail braid and pink clothes held Tang San's arm. She pointed curiously at Articuno on the Arena.

Tang San was equally astonished. "Teacher, this is..."

"That is also a mutated Martial Soul!"

Yu Xiaogang looked at the Arena with a complicated expression and explained to Tang San and Xiao Wu, "I have looked into this person. He and Shui Bing'er are siblings, so this bird should be a mutation of the Ice Phoenix Martial Soul. However, unlike the inferior mutation of my Three-Eyed Raccoon Dog, his should be a beneficial mutation!"

"A beneficial mutation? But Teacher, you said before that the Ice Phoenix is already one of the most powerful Martial Souls. Then wouldn't its beneficial mutation be...?"

Tang San was deeply shocked. He could not imagine what an already top-tier Martial Soul like the Ice Phoenix would become after evolving further.