Douluo: So You're the One Called Grandmaster?

Thus came the so-called bottleneck.

As for those geniuses, their starting point was already high. Without relying on the boost gained from absorbing Spirit Rings, being born at level 10 and gaining another level or two was merely icing on the cake for them, not timely aid.

Therefore, for a worthless Martial Soul to catch up or even surpass them, it needed to break its limits early.

By absorbing Spirit Rings beyond one's level like this, the increased cultivation speed would not fall behind that of geniuses in the future. It would simply require more sweat and resources along the way.

"Qinghe, I want to see their combat power with my own eyes."

After reviewing the reports, Great Elder quickly fixed his gaze on Ning Qinghe.

"As long as we confirm that all of this is real, the sect will support you no matter how much funding you need in the future."

Just moments ago, he had been complaining about how many resources Ning Qinghe was consuming, yet now he had changed his attitude entirely.

The old man was truly practical.

Ning Fengzhi merely smiled from the side without saying anything.

This success proved that he had not misjudged Ning Qinghe, and that everything he had invested before had not been in vain.

"See it with your own eyes? Sure."

"I'll make the arrangements. His skill's power rivals that of a Soul Elder, so we can have him fight one later and see."

After pondering for a moment, Ning Qinghe made his decision.

This awakening ceremony had gone exceptionally smoothly.

It was even more surprising than Ning Qinghe's awakening two years ago, giving the sect members quite a shock.

"Good. Arrange it quickly."

Great Elder urged him on.

Ning Qinghe did not keep them waiting long.

Although he had only just broken through and had not fully adjusted yet, Ning Yishan immediately agreed when he received the news.

After being called useless by others for so many years, he wanted to prove himself as well.

The academy arena.

This combat test was not open to a large audience.

Ning Qinghe led the others to the spectator stands.

As for the fighters, Ning Yishan had been summoned, while a fire-attribute beast Martial Soul Soul Elder was selected from the guards.

The two arrived at the arena, having already been informed of the situation on the way.

Ning Yishan was extremely excited all along the way. After entering the arena, his eyes burned with fervor.

Standing on the stage, he glanced at Ning Qinghe several times before quickly restraining himself.

After obtaining an eighteen-hundred-year Spirit Ring, his reverence for Ning Qinghe had reached an unimaginable level. He was practically a fanatical believer of some cult.

Standing across from him was a lean, slightly dark-skinned man. He was only a few years older than Ning Yishan, but he was already a Soul Elder.

"This battle is meant to test Ning Yishan's combat power."

"You may both go all out. Just don't kill each other."

The researcher responsible for recording the data acted as the referee and directly announced the start of the match.

"Ning Yishan, level 15 assault-type Soul Master. Martial Soul: Flame-Weaving Tiger."

"Wang Ran, level 33 assault-type Soul Master. Martial Soul: Crimson Flame Python."

The two introduced themselves, and Wang Ran sounded somewhat unconcerned.

Even though he knew the other man's Spirit Ring was unusual, he still thought it would be difficult for Ning Yishan to defeat him.

"Martial Soul Possession."

Both possessed beast Martial Souls, so they immediately manifested and fused with them. Two Soul Beasts wreathed in scorching flames enveloped their bodies—one in the form of a tiger, the other a python. They were somewhat similar.

However, their Spirit Rings were distinctly different. Ning Yishan had only one, a purple Spirit Ring surrounding him, while Wang Ran had three yellow Spirit Rings. This represented the gap in their levels.

Quantity or quality—which made the greater difference? Perhaps this battle would provide concrete data.

"First Soul Skill, Flame Python."

Wang Ran had no intention of underestimating his opponent. He immediately used a Soul Skill, summoning a massive Flame Python that shot toward Ning Yishan under his control.

"First Soul Skill, Zhiyan."

What no one expected was that Ning Yishan neither dodged nor retreated in the face of a Soul Elder's attack. Instead, he activated his First Soul Skill, becoming wreathed in blue flames as he charged straight at the Flame Python.

At close range, as he swung his fists, the fluctuations of his Soul Power directly shattered the Flame Python, turning the enormous serpent into sparks in an instant.

Moreover, Ning Yishan did not slow down. He sprinted toward Wang Ran.

The stage was not very large.

The two clashed in an instant.

"Are you looking down on me?"

Faced with the fierce assault, Wang Ran's expression darkened. He stepped forward and threw a punch, meeting Ning Yishan head-on.

In his eyes, a Soul Master in the teens fighting him like this was indeed an insult.

Even if his opponent did seem capable enough to shatter his First Soul Skill directly.

Wang Ran had intended to teach him a lesson, but the moment they collided, he was forced back again and again, even being continuously driven backward by Ning Yishan.

At close range, their fists collided while flames burst from both of them.

What Wang Ran had not expected was that his opponent's flames would actually make him feel uncomfortable.

His Crimson Flame Python Martial Soul had given him considerable fire resistance, yet even so, he could not endure it.

Ning Yishan's strength even seemed to suppress his own. The other man's body was as hard as Tekkai.

Anyone unaware of the situation would have thought Ning Yishan was the higher-level Soul Master.

Ning Yishan fought without regard for anything else, his style ferocious. Even if it meant trading injury for injury, he was determined to take Wang Ran down.

Anyone unaware of the situation would have thought they were mortal enemies.

Wrapped in blue flames like a messenger from hell, the ruthlessness in his fierce, merciless gaze alone placed immense pressure on others.

In such circumstances, who would dare treat him as an ordinary level 15 Soul Master?

"How is this possible?!"

The two figures collided repeatedly across the stage, and it was clear that Wang Ran was the one being suppressed.

He was completely entangled.

He could not even pull away by running.

"Get away from me!"

This forced Wang Ran to erupt with Soul Power before he could drive Ning Yishan back.

After forcing him away, Wang Ran did not dare relax in the slightest. His eyes widened, while both arms throbbed with pain that felt like fractured bones.

He could hardly believe it.

A Soul Master had actually forced him into such a state.

He could only counterattack with Soul Skills now.

"Second Soul Skill, Dance of the Swarming Snakes."

He had initially intended not to use his Second Soul Skill, but Wang Ran no longer cared about that.

This was one of his control-type Soul Skills.

Flame snakes swirled all around. The moment Ning Yishan steadied himself, dozens of fire snakes shot toward him one after another, coiling around his body.

The flame snakes nearly covered the entire stage.

This move was indeed effective. With fire snakes attacking from every direction, there was nowhere for the enemy to evade.

They directly bound Ning Yishan, and the smell of burnt flesh could even be detected from his body. The move had worked on him, and he had already been injured.

"First Soul Skill, Flame Python."

Seeing the opportunity, Wang Ran's face turned vicious as he went all out. A Flame Python condensed around his already burned and slightly bent right arm.

The next moment, the massive fire python surged forth. With this full-force strike, Wang Ran intended to end the battle outright.

"We should stop them."

"Wait..."

"That kid hasn't lost yet."

In the spectator stands, Second Elder spoke up as soon as Ning Yishan was bound by the fire snakes. After all, Ning Yishan was his descendant.

From this battle, he could see that Ning Yishan's physical qualities and Soul Skills clearly surpassed those of an ordinary Soul Elder. However, in terms of Soul Power intensity and the variety of his Soul Skills, he was obviously lacking.