When he heard Lu Heqiu's slightly babyish voice.
Elder Wang bent down to take a look.
Those eyes were remarkably mature.
They were nothing like the innocent eyes of a child.
Instead, they held the clarity of someone who had seen through the ways of the world.
But his small frame was completely at odds with his eyes.
It was as if an exceptionally mature soul dwelled within him.
"You... what are you making a fuss for?!"
"You haven't even awakened your Martial Soul."
"And you want to go onto the Soul Fighting Platform?"
Elder Wang's voice carried a hint of anger as he said this.
He didn't think this was a normal match.
He just felt that these youngsters had come to make fun of him today.
If a six-year-old child with Innate Full Soul Power had come over wanting to test his Soul Skills on Dai Yueheng, he would have promptly opened the Soul Fighting Platform for them and let them give it a try.
But this boy was so young. He was clearly still at an age when he hadn't even awakened his Martial Soul.
What was he going up there for?
To watch Dai Yueheng put on a show, or to let Dai Yueheng make his childhood more complete?
"Mm, please open it."
"I do have a Martial Soul."
Lu Heqiu knew there was no point saying more.
It was better to let them see for themselves.
He immediately released his Martial Soul.
A golden-yellow phantom appeared behind him.
The Wind Immortal Bone phantom stood several meters tall, right behind Lu Heqiu. Elder Wang stared at its sacred, righteous aura for a long while before coming back to his senses.
He had never seen a Martial Soul like this.
"A Body Martial Soul?"
He had only just turned to ask Ma Xiaotao when, from the corner of his eye, he immediately spotted the Soul Ring circling Lu Heqiu.
It wasn't purple or black.
It was a Blood-Red Soul Ring, the mark of a hundred thousand years!
The moment that blood-red Soul Ring appeared, Dai Yueheng, who had been about to step onto the platform, froze in place. His gaze fixed on it, then quickly searched for the other Soul Rings.
His first thought was that Lu Heqiu was a Titled Douluo.
But when he couldn't find any other Soul Rings on Lu Heqiu,
he was instantly dumbstruck.
"How is this possible?!"
"A hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring?!"
"A One-Ring Soul Master with a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring?"
Elder Wang no longer had any intention of questioning him. He simply took Lu Heqiu by the hand and led him toward a more secluded Soul Dueling Arena, signaling for the others to follow.
Lu Heqiu didn't refuse. He just put away his Martial Soul and followed.
There were too many people here.
Although he wasn't worried about anyone trying to assassinate him inside the academy,
having too many people see him was still not a good thing.
Ma Xiaotao followed behind them, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. Every so often, she glanced in Dai Yueheng's direction.
Dai Yueheng still hadn't quite recovered.
That blood-red Soul Ring couldn't lie.
A Soul Master with a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring would also possess a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!
If that Soul Bone were to fall into the wrong hands on the continent, it would surely unleash a storm of bloodshed. No empire or Soul Master would ever think there could be too many such treasures.
Dai Yueheng followed behind Ma Xiaotao.
"This kid..."
"Did Dean Yan agree to let you bring him here?"
Ma Xiaotao shook her head.
"Not exactly."
"It's just that the little guy's teacher hasn't been assigned yet."
"So for now, he's staying with me. I'm coming to the Soul Dueling Arena, so naturally he's coming along."
Dai Yueheng's tone was calm. He looked Ma Xiaotao over, then spoke in a half-reminding tone. "Don't take this kid around carelessly. You should know what that blood-red Soul Ring represents."
"If the wrong people see it,"
"the academy will have a lot more trouble on its hands!"
The amusement in Ma Xiaotao's beautiful eyes faded. She answered very seriously.
"Of course I know."
"And so do all of you."
"You're Inner Academy disciples, and candidates for this year's Shrek Seven Devils."
"You can't go around spreading the academy's affairs."
"It's precisely because you're trustworthy that I brought the little guy to meet you."
Dai Yueheng didn't say anything more.
Just as Ma Xiaotao had said,
they were all candidates for this year's Shrek Seven Devils. More precisely, as long as nothing unexpected happened, everyone present today would be able to participate in the next Continental Soul Master Tournament.
They were teammates, so naturally they wouldn't reveal the academy's affairs.
Besides, they were members of the Inspection Corps.
They knew how to keep things confidential.
Before long,
Elder Wang led them to a more secluded Soul Dueling Arena.
His gaze lingered on Lu Heqiu for a moment.
"Still want to fight?"
"Dai Yueheng, get up there and test your Soul Skills against this little guy!"
Dai Yueheng walked onto the Soul Dueling Arena.
He naturally wasn't going to be scared off by a single Soul Ring. That wasn't something a member of the Dai Family would do, and the White Tiger bloodline flowing through his veins wouldn't allow him to shrink back before a fight, either.
Lu Heqiu didn't waste any words.
He walked straight onto the Soul Dueling Arena.
Down below, Yao Haoxuan was more than happy to watch the show. He turned to Gongyang Mo and joked,
"Want to make a bet?"
"I say that little guy will win this fight."
Gongyang Mo gazed at him gently.
"What are we betting?"
"Don't say gold coins. Betting money is boring."
"If you..."
He was about to name the stakes when Yao Haoxuan immediately cut him off. "Forget it, forget it. You win."
Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochеn stood there watching, too.
"Who do you think will win?"
Ling Luochеn looked at Ma Xiaotao. The coolness in her expression softened somewhat, and after a brief hesitation, she said, "Yueheng."
"Even if this little guy really does have terrifying strength,"
"at the end of the day, he's only a One-Ring Soul Master."
"At most, he has four Soul Skills."
"And the gap in Soul Power Levels is just too large. I can't see any chance of him winning."
The corners of Ma Xiaotao's mouth lifted slightly.
Wasn't that underestimating Lu Heqiu?
She had seen Lu Heqiu's Soul Skills when he fought Xuan Zi earlier. Although it had been his first time using them, Ma Xiaotao knew she couldn't withstand them. With Elder Wang here today, Dai Yueheng could be in for a hard time!
"I think Lu Heqiu will win!"
Ling Luochеn gave Ma Xiaotao a charming smile, but said nothing. They'd know who won soon enough.
The two on the platform were already prepared.
Lu Heqiu stood on the platform, facing Dai Yueheng. Dai Yueheng didn't seem arrogant in the least. He wasn't like his younger brother; he was much more modest.
"Release your Martial Soul."
"If you can't hold on during the fight, call a halt at any time."
Lu Heqiu glanced at him.
"No need."
"Let's just fight normally."
"If you can't hold on, call on that senior over there to help you at any time."
Lu Heqiu had no intention of mocking him.
Dai Yueheng really might not be able to withstand his Soul Skills.
Elder Wang, standing outside the Soul Fighting Platform, didn't give them any more time to talk. He spoke to them directly.
"Begin."
"Both of you, release your Martial Souls."
Before you continue