The Battle

Hu Liena gently tapped the back of Qian Yun's hand, excitement plain on her little face. "Qian Yun, there's a beauty over there."

Qian Yun chuckled and nodded. "There certainly is."

Xiao Wu hid behind Ning Rongrong, playing ostrich. She didn't dare meet Qian Yun's eyes at all.

Ning Rongrong, however, still wore her usual gentle, gracious expression. When Hu Liena waved to her, she smiled and waved back.

The chubby boy with fiery red hair finally arrived, having run as fast as he could.

"Pant—pant—"

Ma Hongjun's round belly heaved up and down. Heat rolled off him, and sweat streamed down his face. Running such a long way in so little time had been a bit too much for him.

Seeing this, Ning Rongrong quickly led Xiao Wu a little farther away to avoid Ma Hongjun's sweat spraying onto them.

After resting for a while, he finally felt a little better. He glanced around, then asked Tang San beside him, "Tang San, what's going on? Why is everyone here?"

Tang San shook his head. He didn't know either. Oscar had just told him that the dean wanted to see him, so he had come.

It was just...

His calm gaze shifted to the two unfamiliar youths across from them. Hu Liena was fiery and alluring, naturally drawing the eye, but the one he was most concerned about was the Qian Yun beside her.

For some reason, even though Qian Yun looked about the same age as him, Tang San felt an inexplicable pressure coming from him. It was even more pronounced than what he had felt from Dai Mubai earlier.

This was someone not to be trifled with! Tang San formed a preliminary impression of Qian Yun.

But why had these two come to Shrek Academy? Were they here to study too? Tang San couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Qian Yun unabashedly studied Tang San with his Golden Eyes. At first glance, Tang San seemed ordinary, with nothing particularly striking about him.

But thanks to his own exceptional mental strength, Qian Yun still noticed that Tang San's eyes were unusually bright. It was probably because he had cultivated the Purple Demon Eye, and had already reached the Subtle stage.

Keeping his expression calm, Qian Yun looked at Tang San, smiled, and nodded in greeting.

Tang San paused. In response to the goodwill Qian Yun had shown him, he smiled and nodded as well.

Seeing that nearly everyone had arrived, Flender cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention to himself. "Students, let me introduce these two first. This is Qian Yun, and the other is Hu Liena. First, let's give them a round of applause to welcome them after their long journey here."

He started clapping, and the others followed with a scattered round of applause.

Watching Flender beam with delight, Qian Yun felt speechless. It seemed that no matter where they were, academy deans liked to give speeches in front of their students.

"Furthermore, guided by the noble ideal of exchanging ideas and improving together, they've traveled a great distance from Martial Soul Academy to visit our Shrek Academy. So, Qian Yun and I have unanimously decided to hold a Spirit Fighting Friendly Match right here."

Martial Soul Academy? A friendly exchange? The Shrek students looked at one another.

Tang San frowned and asked Dai Mubai, who was more experienced, "Brother Dai, what's a Soul Fighting Tournament?"

Dai Mubai replied, "Simply put, it's a competition between Spirit Masters. There are many different formats. It's hard to explain in just a few words, but for now, it'll probably only involve one-on-one and two-on-two matches."

Tang San nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, so we're going to fight them?"

His eyes unconsciously turned toward Qian Yun.

"One-on-one?" Ning Rongrong said with a smile. "Are you sure this is a one-on-one match and not a group fight? There are six of us here. Even if each of us only hits them once, they still couldn't beat us, could they?"

Dai Mubai shook his head. He had experience with Soul Fighting and knew it wasn't as simple as she imagined.

Although they seemed to have the numbers, only he, Fatty, Tang San, and Xiao Wu were qualified to compete one-on-one.

Tang San was about to ask something else, but Flender spoke again. Looking toward Qian Yun, he said, "Qian Yun, Hu Liena, you're our guests, so I'll let you choose the format."

He hadn't expected this. Flender clearly had plenty of confidence in Tang San and the others.

Qian Yun nodded to Hu Liena. She immediately understood and stepped forward. "We choose one-on-one!"

Ning Rongrong was surprised. She hadn't expected the other side to actually choose a group fight—no, a one-on-one match.

"Good." Flender clapped his hands, praising the courage of the two visitors. This was exactly what he had hoped for.

Although Qian Yun and Hu Liena were quite capable, Shrek had Dai Mubai, whose Soul Power had reached level thirty-seven, and Ma Hongjun, who possessed a top-tier Beast Martial Soul.

Their strength on paper alone was already far greater than that of Qian Yun's side. What's more, Tang San had performed brilliantly in the earlier match against Zhao Wuji.

How could they lose?!

Zhao Wuji was just as excited and rubbing his hands together, but as soon as he lifted a leg, someone grabbed him. Flender whispered something furtively in his ear.

The more Zhao Wuji heard, the more surprised he looked. His expression shifted several times, until finally it cleared. He patted Flender on the shoulder and grinned. "Heh heh, you came up with that? I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Old Flender. You really are full of schemes!"

Flender's smug expression slowly faded. He lifted his foot and kicked Zhao Wuji in the backside. "Enough nonsense. Get over there! And I'm warning you, no one can get hurt in the match."

Zhao Wuji immediately thumped his chest. "Don't worry. With me here, there'll be no problem!"

He strode to the center between the two sides, his expression serious. "Who's going first?"

Tang San and the others exchanged glances, each of them eager to step up. In the end, Dai Mubai took a step forward. "I'll go first. I'll sound them out for you. It wouldn't look good if we actually lost."

That was the best option. Dai Mubai was the oldest and had experience with Soul Fighting, so he was the safest choice to go first.

Oscar stepped up and lightly nudged Dai Mubai. "Heh heh, good luck, Boss Dai! Show them how formidable our Shrek Academy is."

With a Sausage Martial Soul, all Oscar could do in a one-on-one match like this was cheer from the sidelines.

"Good luck!" Ning Rongrong gave Dai Mubai an encouraging little fist pump.

With so many junior schoolmates cheering him on, Dai Mubai smiled back. "Don't worry. I'll win the first match for you!"

Full of confidence, he walked up, nodded to Zhao Wuji, and stood with his hands behind his back.

Hu Liena turned her head toward Qian Yun and asked, "Are you going, or should I?"

It wasn't that she was afraid of Dai Mubai. The outcome of this first match was crucial and could very well affect the ones that followed, so she wanted to make sure they won.

"I'll go." Qian Yun walked forward to face Dai Mubai.

Looking at Qian Yun as he approached, Dai Mubai smiled. "Hehe, Brother Qian Yun, I didn't expect we'd be fighting so soon after meeting. I hope you'll go easy on me."

Qian Yun smiled as well. "You're too kind, senior. I hope you'll go easy on me too."

"Good. Both sides, take your positions. State your ages, Martial Souls, and Soul Power Levels!" Zhao Wuji called sternly.

Although he was a teacher at Shrek Academy, he was now the referee for the Soul Fighting match and needed to remain impartial.

Qian Yun was taken aback. He knew that in formal Soul Fighting matches, both sides had to state their Martial Souls and Soul Power Levels before the fight began. But what was this about stating their ages?

Unbothered by whatever Qian Yun might be thinking, Dai Mubai straightened up. "Dai Mubai, White Tiger Martial Soul, level thirty-seven Battle Soul Elder, age fifteen!"

A hint of pride unconsciously showed in Dai Mubai's eyes. At just fifteen, his Soul Power had already reached level thirty-seven. His talent truly deserved to be called monstrous.

Qian Yun glanced at the dignified-looking Flender and had already guessed what he was thinking.

Fine, you want to find out how strong I am? Then take a good look!

"Qian Yun, Crown Martial Soul, level thirty-three Tool Soul Elder, age... twelve!" Qian Yun stood tall and proud, but he still gave an age a little older than his real one. Even so, he could still make a whole crowd stare in disbelief.

"What?" Ning Rongrong covered her mouth, her eyes full of shock.

Tang San's eyes widened. With Flender watching Qian Yun, he couldn't lie. That meant Qian Yun was the same age as him, yet his Soul Power was four whole levels higher!

How was that possible?

He had the top-tier cultivation manual, the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and the advantage of Twin Martial Souls. On top of that, he had worked diligently, and only then had he barely managed to reach level twenty-nine.

He had always thought his talent surpassed that of his peers. He just hadn't expected... Qian Yun to be even more astonishing. Reaching level thirty-three at twelve wasn't something the word "monster" could describe. It was defying the heavens!

The pride in Dai Mubai's eyes vanished, leaving only confusion. Twelve years old... level thirty-three?!

Was he dreaming?

He couldn't help remembering what he had been like at twelve. The more he thought about it, the more frightening it seemed.

Zhao Wuji was surprised too, but what astonished him was how young Qian Yun was. He turned to look at Flender.

Flender frowned thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded.

Zhao Wuji turned back, grinning broadly.

Heh, things were getting more and more interesting.

"Good. Both sides have introduced themselves. Let the match begin!" With a loud shout, Zhao Wuji leaped out of the way.

Dai Mubai came to his senses. Though he was shocked by the talent Qian Yun had shown, he had no intention of backing down. Instead, Qian Yun had ignited his fighting spirit. After all, he possessed a top-tier Power Attack System White Tiger Martial Soul.

"Your talent is impressive, but your Soul Power is still lower than mine. Martial Soul Possession!" Dai Mubai shouted. His muscles began to swell, and his height abruptly increased by several inches.

Every muscle in his arms rippled. White fur covered his fingers, and sharp, dagger-like claws sprang from their tips, gleaming with a cold light.

His blond hair turned black and white in an instant, and a deep blue glow shone from his eyes. He looked like a beast ready to devour its prey, his entire body radiating a fierce, wild aura. Beneath his feet, three Spirit Rings—two yellow and one purple—shimmered, adding to his imposing presence.

Hu Liena, watching from the sidelines, felt her heart inexplicably tighten. This was the pressure of a top-tier Beast Martial Soul. Even though she was a Beast Martial Soul user herself, she still felt unable to look directly at the White Tiger.

Qian Yun couldn't help nodding as well. In all fairness, Dai Mubai's White Tiger Martial Soul was indeed very powerful. Among the various Beast Martial Souls he had seen, only Yu Tianheng of the Imperial Fighting Team had a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul that could compare.

"Martial Soul Possession."

Compared to the imposing Dai Mubai, Qian Yun's Crown Martial Soul was undoubtedly much calmer, yet it was even more brilliant.

Dai Mubai, facing Qian Yun, felt as if the sky had dimmed the moment the Crown appeared. In the next instant, a crown forged from countless stars gathered above Qian Yun's head.

Three Spirit Rings, two yellow and one purple, shimmered beneath his feet as well.

Starlight drifted through the splendid Crown. Combined with the Golden Eyes beneath it, Qian Yun truly looked peerlessly handsome.

"So beautiful." Ning Rongrong murmured blankly, though it was hard to tell whether she meant Qian Yun or the Crown.

Xiao Wu poked her head out, revealing one eye. After stealing a quick glance, she hurriedly ducked back.

Good grief, what was she supposed to do?

As her strength grew, she felt increasingly despondent about her fate.

If only she hadn't been so greedy back then...

The two faced each other in the arena, the two purple rings at their feet shining with a noble aura. To everyone watching, it was like the moon competing for brilliance—a breathtaking sight.

Tang San's eyes filled with envy. According to Grandmaster's theories, no matter how talented a Spirit Master was, they couldn't have a Thousand-Year Soul Ring at the age of twelve.

But Qian Yun's appearance had shown him that someone had done it! And that person was standing right in front of him.

Dai Mubai was now somewhat tense. He still hadn't expected Qian Yun to have a Thousand-Year Soul Ring too.

Among low-level Spirit Masters, the greatest gap was between the second and third rings.

That was because once a Spirit Master reached level thirty, they could add a Thousand-Year Soul Ring to their set! One Thousand-Year Soul Ring against two, at most, Hundred-Year Soul Rings might look like a two-to-one advantage, but only those who used them knew how enormous the difference in ring age really was.

Dai Mubai's eyes sharpened. He decided to make the first move. Facing a Spirit Master with the same number of rings, he didn't dare underestimate Qian Yun the way he had when fighting Tang San earlier. The Second Soul Ring beneath his feet lit up.

"Second Spirit Skill, White Tiger Light Splitting Wave!"

The instant a milky-white wave of light shot out, Dai Mubai bent his tall frame. As he moved, the clothes on his back split under his swelling muscles. He looked like a fully drawn crossbow, poised to spring into action.

Power Attack System Martial Souls didn't have a habit of passively defending. They excelled at relentless, ferocious attacks!