All the students would take part in the end-of-term competition.
According to the rules, students in the same grade would draw lots, and the two students whose numbers matched would compete.
Of course, the spectators weren't looking forward to the other matches.
Apart from a few children's parents, most people were waiting for Tang San and Su Yun to compete.
"Tsk, is that Tang San?"
"Good heavens—he's really only seven? His Martial Soul is clearly the Trash Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, but he still managed to defeat another Battle Soul Master with a Beast Martial Soul so easily."
"I heard his First Soul Ring came from a four-hundred-year-old Datura Snake. Apparently, one of the theories in the Grandmaster's Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul says that plant Martial Souls can absorb Soul Rings from animals."
"Could it be that the Grandmaster really is different from what people say? Could he actually be strong?"
"He managed to teach a child with a Trash Martial Soul to this level in just one year. Maybe we really did misunderstand the Grandmaster."
"..."
In the stands, many spectators praised Tang San's strength after seeing his performance.
At the same time, their opinions of Yu Xiaogang shifted a little.
"Is that child Su Yun?"
The previous match had just ended, and Su Yun entered the competition area with a spear in hand.
Facing him was another first-year student.
"Yeah, I heard he has Innate Full Soul Power and a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, just like Tang San, the Grandmaster's disciple."
"But why is he going into the match with a spear?"
"I don't know, but I heard that this child Su Yun is very skilled with a spear. Even some older students often lose to him in sparring."
"..."
As the spectators whispered among themselves, Su Yun's match against the other child began.
Since it was a match between classmates, the spear Su Yun held today was just a regular practice spear.
It didn't even have a spearhead, and the tip was covered with a thick layer of cloth stuffed with cotton to prevent accidents.
"Begin!"
As the teacher gave the signal, the boy standing across from Su Yun immediately spoke first.
"Martial Soul Possession!"
The next moment, the boy's muscles bulged.
His slender frame grew as sturdy as an adult's.
"A Bear Martial Soul! That child awakened a Bear Martial Soul!"
"Bear Martial Souls give Soul Masters the greatest boost in strength. Can Su Yun beat him?"
"If his first Soul Skill is Bind, like Tang San's, he might be able to restrain the boy."
"But... I heard the Soul Ring Tang San absorbed was a four-hundred-year-old Datura Snake that the Grandmaster specially found for him. Without the Grandmaster's guidance, what kind of Soul Ring can Su Yun absorb?"
"Heh, I heard the reason Tang San and Su Yun are competing is that the Grandmaster wanted them both as disciples, but Tang San agreed while Su Yun turned down his offer."
"Turned him down? My goodness! The Grandmaster helped Tang San get such an impressive Soul Ring and first Soul Skill. Won't Su Yun regret it terribly when he finds out?"
"Who knows? But... hey, why did that boy leave the competition area—"
Just as everyone was discussing Su Yun's Soul Skill, someone suddenly cried out in surprise.
Only then did the crowd look toward the competition grounds and see that the boy who had used Martial Soul Possession had already been knocked back by a single thrust from Su Yun. After stumbling a few steps, he left the competition area.
"Good heavens—"
"He already lost?"
"How did Su Yun do that?"
"We only talked for less than ten seconds, didn't we?"
"Did Su Yun knock the boy back with just one thrust?"
"But I remember that child has a Bear Martial Soul. Su Yun's Martial Soul is just ordinary Blue Silver Grass. How could he possibly be so strong?"
"I'm not sure. I did see Su Yun thrust his spear into the boy's chest, though. After that, the boy looked unsteady and staggered backward..."
Actually, the move Su Yun had used was very simple.
It was just the most basic and straightforward thrust in spear technique.
But mastering the simplest move and executing it perfectly was also the hardest thing to do.
Su Yun hadn't reached that level yet, but it was still easy for him to deal with a child his age who couldn't even keep a stable stance.
"You're leaving your center wide open. Aren't you practically begging me to thrust at you..." Su Yun gave the referee a polite nod, lowered his spear, and left the arena.
Su Yun's next few matches went just like the first.
He generally finished each one within three thrusts.
The more matches the spectators watched, the more excited they became.
They realized that Su Yun hadn't used his Martial Soul, let alone a Soul Skill. He had defeated several classmates with ease using nothing but a wooden spear.
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that he had real skill—and that he was holding back.
"Looks like we're in for a real show today. Su Yun's a strong kid, too."
"Mm, neither of them has a very high Soul Power Level yet."
"Even without using Soul Skills, Su Yun has the physical strength that comes with his Soul Power, plus his skill with a spear. Not many children could withstand him."
"Among these first-year students, besides Su Yun and that boy Tang San, the only one with any real strength is the little girl with a rabbit Martial Soul."
Before long, after winning several matches, Xiao Wu also took the field.
This time, however, her opponent was Tang San.
"Xiao Wu, I won't go easy on you this time," Tang San said politely.
Su Yun had already made it to the finals among the first-year students.
The winner of the match between him and Xiao Wu would get to compete against Su Yun.
So Tang San had to take this seriously.
"Hmph! Then come and try."
Xiao Wu pursed her lips, then pushed off the ground. Her body shot toward Tang San like a spring.
Tang San didn't hold back much in response to Xiao Wu's sudden attack.
He wasn't allowed to use Hidden Weapons in a match between classmates, but he could use all the other martial arts techniques of the Tang Sect.
That was enough to ensure he couldn't lose.
Just as expected, once Tang San got serious, he managed to narrowly dodge all of Xiao Wu's close-combat techniques.
In the end, he used the first Soul Skill of his Blue Silver Grass to fling Xiao Wu out of the competition area.
"Hmph! I'll definitely beat you next time." Xiao Wu didn't look too discouraged after losing. She went straight back to the area where the students were resting.
When the spectators saw Xiao Wu lose to Tang San as well, the atmosphere immediately erupted.
The match they'd been looking forward to was finally about to begin!
It was happening!
It was happening!
As the people of Notting City grew more and more excited, two slightly undersized figures rose from their seats and walked into the competition area.
"It's finally starting!"
"Those two boys look like they've got a completely different air about them now. Is this what they call talent?"
"Fight! Fight!"
"..."
City Lord Xiao looked at Tang San and Su Yun, then turned to the son beside him. "Chenyu, who do you think will win today?"
As a father, City Lord Xiao had heard that his son, Xiao Chenyu, had lost to Tang San in a match.
After losing to Tang San, Xiao Chenyu had stopped acting as arrogantly as he used to. That was one reason City Lord Xiao was willing to come watch Tang San compete today.
He also wanted to see whether this child named Tang San really was the genius his son had described.
And whether the Grandmaster's reputation was deserved.
"Dad, I can't really answer that."
Before you continue