Ning Tian's Frustration

"Things were different before. Ning, I have no intention of joining any sect right now," Lin Chen said calmly.

"Then that's a shame."

The three across from them instantly unleashed their Martial Souls.

When they saw the Soul Rings on the other side, Lin Xiaolei and Zhou Mingxing both showed surprise, because Ning Tian was a Soul Elder.

"Scared now? If you are, hurry up and surrender." Having completed Martial Soul Possession, Wu Feng, the Little Fire Dragon wreathed in flames, rolled her wrists as she spoke.

Lin Chen ignored her and turned to Zhou Mingxing. "Mingxing, this match depends on you. Take out their three-ringed one, and Xiaolei and I will quickly deal with the others."

"Huh? Me?" Zhou Mingxing pointed at himself with a dumbfounded expression.

"Yes. That Ning Tian is an auxiliary-type Soul Master and has no combat ability. Xiaolei and I will hold off those two Soul Grandmasters. You go deal with Ning Tian. Xiaolei, you handle Nanmen Yun'er. I'll handle Wu Feng," Lin Chen explained.

Lin Xiaolei nodded, then she and Lin Chen unleashed their Martial Souls and rushed forward to engage Nanmen Yun'er and Wu Feng.

"Seven Treasures turn to glazed light; the Seven Treasures are famed: first, strength; second, speed; third, soul." Ning Tian's support fell upon Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er.

"Even if you have a thousand-year Second Soul Ring, you're still no match for me. Second Soul Skill, Dragon's Wrath." Feeling Ning Tian's enhancement, Wu Feng activated her Second Soul Skill as well and spoke disdainfully.

"Second Soul Skill, Sharpness Revealed." Lin Chen also activated his Second Soul Skill, strengthening himself.

But Lin Xiaolei was having a harder time on the other side. With his thousand-year Soul Ring, Lin Chen could barely fight the enhanced Wu Feng to a standstill, but Lin Xiaolei had directly fallen into a disadvantage.

"Sister Xiaolei, catch!" Zhou Mingxing tossed a Mango Dumpling toward Lin Xiaolei. Just as she was about to catch it, Nanmen Yun'er stopped it.

"First Soul Skill, Crimson Blade." Nanmen Yun'er's Crimson Blade sliced the Mango Dumpling into powder.

"Mingxing!" Lin Chen shouted.

Lin Chen's side had already fallen into a disadvantage. With Ning Tian's enhancement, Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er grew fiercer as they fought and had already gained the upper hand.

After a struggle of thoughts, Zhou Mingxing slowly drew a pair of large blades and charged straight at Ning Tian, having eaten a Mango Dumpling beforehand.

Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er wanted to return and protect Ning Tian, but Lin Chen and Lin Xiaolei held them back tightly.

"You..." Seeing Zhou Mingxing charge at him with large blades in hand, Ning Tian bit his lower lip in anger but could not say anything. After all, no rules had been broken.

Zhou Mingxing rushed before Ning Tian and slashed down again and again. Having lost his protection, Ning Tian could only dodge frantically and no longer had the leisure to support Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er.

Ning Tian was utterly frustrated! He was a dignified Soul Elder, yet he was being suppressed and beaten by a Soul Master.

In the corner stood a white-clad middle-aged man and an old man gnawing on a chicken leg.

"Elder Xuan, this..."

"What do you mean, 'this'? I'm not blind. I can see perfectly clearly."

"That student using Soul Tools..."

Xuan Zi waved his hand impatiently, interrupting Yan Shaozhe. "Let me ask you: didn't he use the strength of a single ring to hold back a three-ringed Soul Elder?"

Yan Shaozhe nodded first, then said, "But a Soul Master's abilities should come from himself, not external objects. Over the past ten thousand years, no powerhouse has become a god through Soul Tools. These children are relying on Soul Tools at such a young age, and that won't benefit their future cultivation."

"You have a point, but Shao Zhe, have you considered how many years it has been since our academy—or even the entire Douluo Continent—produced a god? Forget these children with two or three rings; even people at our level of cultivation still cannot see the path to godhood. Gods are simply far too distant from us."

What had happened in the arena today shook the deeply rooted beliefs in Xuan Zi's mind. Of course, he could not suddenly take the side of Soul Tools either.

While Xuan Zi and Yan Shaozhe spoke, Zhou Mingxing had already hacked Ning Tian out of the arena. With two against three, Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er were quickly defeated.

"Class One of the first years, Lin Chen's team wins!"

The three of them walked lightly off the stage beneath the unwilling gazes of Ning Tian and his companions.

"Mingxing, well done!" From the spectator seats, Lin Chen gave Zhou Mingxing a thumbs-up.

"Mm-hmm. If it hadn't been for Little Star this time, even if we had won, it definitely would have been difficult," Lin Xiaolei agreed.

"How about this? Xiaolei and I will buy you a few more Soul Tools."

Zhou Mingxing: "..." I fucking thank you.

At noon, Lin Chen came to the shore of Sea God Lake and gazed toward the small island in its depths.

As Lin Chen stood there in a daze, a gentle voice sounded. "You seem quite relaxed."

At some point, Zhang Lexuan had appeared behind Lin Chen.

"Sister Lexuan." Lin Chen bowed slightly.

"No need for so much formality. We're all ordinary people," Zhang Lexuan said calmly.

Warmth filled Lin Chen's heart. The last time he had heard those words was in his previous life.

Most Soul Masters in this world used their status as Soul Masters to seek profit or even oppress others, yet Zhang Lexuan possessed such a mindset!

This undoubtedly raised Lin Chen's favorability toward her by several levels.

"What brings you here, Sister Lexuan?"

"I just returned from a mission and happened to see a student slacking off here."

"Well, I just finished a match, so I thought I'd come here and enjoy the breeze. It's quite pleasant," Lin Chen explained.

"How did the match go?" Zhang Lexuan asked casually.

"No problem at all. We won every round," Lin Chen said rather proudly.

"So you're quite impressive." Zhang Lexuan revealed a sweet smile, but for some reason, Lin Chen felt a chill.

"No, no, no. I'm still far inferior to Sister Lexuan," Lin Chen hurriedly replied.

The two figures stood there by Sea God Lake.

After a long while, Zhang Lexuan asked, "Do you plan to enter the Inner Court in the future?"

"If my strength is sufficient, then naturally I will. I don't have anywhere else to go anyway, and besides..."

"Besides what?" Zhang Lexuan asked in confusion.

"Nothing."

"Keep it up, Lin Chen. I have faith in you."

"I definitely won't disappoint Sister Lexuan."

"Mm. After all, this is also the first time I've seen a Soul Grandmaster with a thousand-year Soul Ring. All right, I'm heading back." With that, Zhang Lexuan turned into a streak of light and flew toward Sea God Island.

Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion

"You're back, Lexuan?" An aged voice sounded.

"Mm."

As if recalling something, Mu En asked with interest, "Do you know that student from earlier?"

"Yes. His name is Lin Chen. He's an orphan, and I gave him the letter of recommendation," Zhang Lexuan replied.

Mu En looked at Zhang Lexuan in surprise. He had not expected her to do such a thing.

Neither Mu En nor Zhang Lexuan liked the system of recommendation letters, but Mu En no longer had the energy to reform it. Perhaps Zhang Lexuan would carry out reforms only after inheriting Sea God Pavilion.

For now, Mu En said, "Since he is someone the girl has taken a liking to, we can give him special attention in our training."

Hearing that, how could Zhang Lexuan not understand what Mu En meant? Her willow brows furrowed slightly. "Elder Mu, that isn't appropriate. Besides, he and I do not have the kind of relationship you think we do."

"All right, all right. Whatever you say. Tell me about this mission."

"Mm, this time..."

Standing by Sea God Lake, Lin Chen's thoughts returned to his first encounter with Zhang Lexuan two years ago.

It had been during a hunt for a soul beast.

"All done. Little Lin, come on, this is the soul beast you wanted." The captain of the Soul Hunting Squad Lin Chen had been with for the past two years clapped his hands and spoke to Lin Chen.

"Yes, Brother Hu." Lin Chen hurried forward, ended the soul beast's life with a single slash, then sat cross-legged to absorb its Soul Ring.

The Seven Kill Sword floated before him as an unstable purple glow slowly gathered at the Soul Ring position of the Seven Kill Sword.

"Boss, do you think Little Lin can succeed? A thousand-year Second Soul Ring—no one on the entire continent has ever managed that, right?" A member of the Soul Hunting Squad walked to the captain's side and spoke quietly.

"Hard to say. Since joining us, Little Lin has displayed remarkable talent. I think he has around a fifty percent chance," the captain said.

At that moment, Lin Chen only felt as though the violent energy of the thousand-year soul beast would tear him apart, but he continued to endure.

My great vengeance has yet to be avenged. How can I die now?! Lin Chen's roar echoed in his heart.

In a daze, Lin Chen seemed to see his parents and clansmen again. Every one of them watched him, as though witnessing the pride of their clan.

Lin Chen's will grew ever firmer, and his body reconstructed itself time and again on the verge of collapse.

Zhang Lexuan happened to pass by and saw the youth absorbing a thousand-year Soul Ring. A trace of admiration flashed in her eyes, but quickly dimmed again. "This youth has great talent, but his physique is still insufficient to absorb a thousand-year Soul Ring."

Shaking her head, Zhang Lexuan planned to head deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.

At that moment, an aura erupted. The purple thousand-year Soul Ring settled around the Seven Kill Sword. Lin Chen had already passed the dangerous stage, and all that remained was to absorb the Soul Ring's energy.

Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan's small mouth opened slightly. After thinking for a moment, she still walked toward Lin Chen.

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