Collision of Strength

To this day, Gu Yue still remembered the feelings about Yun Chen that she had read from Na'er's memories when she had first regained her own memories.

They had been complicated emotions—some closeness, dependence, and a trace of fear. Gu Yue, who did not understand human emotions, had regarded them as a disgrace and severed them without hesitation.

Yet when she had truly met Yun Chen, she discovered that even after discarding those feelings, an inexplicable fear still sprouted within her whenever she faced him.

Gu Yue found this situation strange. She had even considered having those Fierce Beasts secretly make a move and erase Yun Chen, this abnormal existence. But considering that she would still need to fuse with Na'er in the future, and that Na'er's feelings toward Yun Chen were so unusual—

To prevent flaws from appearing in her mind after their fusion, Gu Yue could only abandon that thought. However, after enrolling at Eastsea Academy and discovering that both the Golden Dragon King's host and Yun Chen were here, she decisively chose to stay away from Yun Chen and go to the Golden Dragon King's side to scheme for the bloodline power she coveted.

What was so special about that person? Why had I felt that fear back then? And why can't I feel it now? Gu Yue was deeply puzzled.

Could that fear I felt back then have also been a lingering aftereffect from having just separated Na'er? In the end, Gu Yue reached this conclusion and blamed everything on Na'er, that foolish dragon.

Quite a few students from Class One had witnessed what happened at the classroom door. Generally speaking, Class One's students felt a slight sense of superiority toward students from other classes. Though they were still children, they were Soul Masters after all, and both their bodies and minds matured earlier than those of ordinary children.

Especially under Eastsea Academy's class placement criteria, they had developed confidence in their own talent at a very early age. However, they had witnessed the battle between Gu Yue and Xie Xie before, so they did not look at that aloof girl with prejudice.

The moment Yun Chen entered the classroom, Zhang Yangzi came over. "What did that person from Class Five want with you?"

Compared to the arrogant Wei Xiaofeng and the somewhat taciturn Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi was the easiest one to get along with.

"Nothing much. She was just delivering something for someone else," Yun Chen replied.

Hearing Yun Chen say that, Zhang Yangzi shrugged. He had thought he would hear something more interesting, but that was all it was.

Soon, the bell for class rang.

After teaching the students theory for some time, Ye Yingluo began shifting her focus toward actual combat. She brought Class One's students to the training field and had them spar with one another.

Once they reached the training field, Wei Xiaofeng moved to Yun Chen's side. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Don't lose to anyone else before you meet me."

Ever since learning about Yun Chen's Soul Power cultivation, Wei Xiaofeng had been holding back a competitive fire. He did not believe he was truly inferior to Yun Chen. He even felt that with his speed and coordination with his Soul Spirit, Yun Chen might not necessarily be able to defeat him even if his Soul Power was higher.

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi beside them also looked at Yun Chen. "It's a shame Teacher arranged one-on-one sparring. Otherwise, Jinxi and I would definitely show you what we're capable of."

"Then you'd better work hard." Yun Chen answered calmly. "My Soul Power has broken through again. I might reach Rank 30 before long."

"Damn!" Wei Xiaofeng was startled. "How is it so fast!?"

He remembered Yun Chen saying that he had been Rank 28 when he arrived. How long had it been? His Soul Power had already risen by another rank?

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged a glance. The two of them possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill and could fight opponents above their level. Even in one-on-one battles, they did not feel that they could not contend against stronger opponents. Wang Jinxi in particular—his Bone Dragon Martial King Martial Soul granted him formidable strength, far beyond that of ordinary Beast Martial Soul Masters.

Yet upon hearing Yun Chen say that he was close to Rank 30, the two were still somewhat surprised. Wasn't that cultivation speed a little too fast?

However, Ye Yingluo did not give them much time to think. The sparring matches were quickly arranged. The first match was Yun Chen against another Class One student. As their teacher, she also wanted to see how capable the student with the highest Soul Power Level in her class was.

Although they were in the same class, and although he knew Yun Chen was strong, the student facing him did not cower. Instead, he gathered his courage and launched the first attack. Unfortunately, Yun Chen predicted his strike. Just as the claws he swung were about to seize Yun Chen's shoulder, Yun Chen threw a punch, striking him first despite attacking later.

The heavy punch blasted the student straight off the platform. He sat on the ground, staring blankly at Yun Chen standing above him. He truly had not expected that he would fail to withstand even a single punch.

Ye Yingluo expressionlessly announced Yun Chen's victory. After watching this match, she understood that the gap between ordinary students and Yun Chen was simply too great. If she wanted to probe Yun Chen's true capabilities, she might have to rely on the other Rank Two Soul Grandmasters in the class.

With that thought, she made her arrangements.

After the first round of sparring ended, Ye Yingluo directly paired Yun Chen with Wang Jinxi. The moment the two stepped onto the platform, Wang Jinxi immediately prepared himself for battle.

The difference in Soul Power placed enormous pressure on Wang Jinxi, but he had no intention of giving up. He wanted to see whether he could carve out a path through his own strength.

The spar began quickly. Wang Jinxi immediately summoned his Martial Soul and fused with it. At the same time, his right hand transformed into a bone claw—his first soul skill, Bone Dragon Claw.

But just as he prepared to attack, Yun Chen had already rushed toward him.

"Come on, Jinxi. Let me see your strength." Yun Chen threw a punch without concealing anything.

Facing Yun Chen's incoming fist, Wang Jinxi refused to retreat and swung his Bone Dragon Claw to meet it.

Bang!

A dull collision rang out as Yun Chen and Wang Jinxi each staggered backward. Yet judging from the distance they retreated and the stability of their stances, Yun Chen had held the advantage in this clash.

Zhang Yangzi's eyes widened below the platform. This was the first time he had seen Wang Jinxi lose in a contest of strength against someone else! What shocked him even more was that Yun Chen seemed not to have released his Martial Soul yet!?

"To fight Jinxi with his bare body, is this guy even human!?" Zhang Yangzi cried out in shock.

His words left Wei Xiaofeng beside him stunned as well. He turned blankly toward Zhang Yangzi. "What did you just say!?"