Zhuqing Battles Lei Xiang (Part 1)

"Do you really think you're some kind of incredible genius?"

The youth grew more agitated as he spoke.

"Isn't it just because you hold the title of Innate Full Soul Power?"

"A wild card without even half a record of actual combat, yet you dare to put on airs in the territory of Martial Soul Hall, right in front of Bishop Lang?"

"I think you have no idea how high the sky is or how deep the earth goes!"

The young girl beside him was frightened and hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, whispering a plea.

"Senior Brother, stop making a scene..."

"Get lost!"

The youth shook her hand off, stared fixedly at Zhuqing, and roared.

"If you have the guts, then fight me one-on-one! If you lose, you will kowtow to Teacher to admit your mistake, then get out of this quiet room, and never dream of stepping through Teacher's door again!"

Lang Taihui set his teacup down heavily and rebuked him in a deep voice.

"Lei Xiang, hold your tongue! Shouting and hollering, what kind of decorum is that!"

Yet, in the depths of his eyes—which appeared angry—there was not a shred of genuine irritation. Instead, he chuckled sinisterly in his heart:

Good, very good. Truly worthy of being the fine student I have cultivated.

This strike was delivered perfectly; I shall use this brat to probe the depths of this Zhuqing, and in doing so, fulfill the instructions of Miss Hu.

Lei Xiang, rebuked in public, remained unconvinced and shouted, "Teacher! I just can't stand her arrogant attitude!"

"You give her face, yet she climbs all over you. A person like this is not fit to be your disciple!"

Lang Taihui spoke again, his tone solemn.

"Do you know what her status is?"

"This is the direct descendant of the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire, the orthodox successor of the Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul."

"The Dai and Zhu families of Star Luo have held the empire's military and political power for generations, and the Martial Soul Fusion Skill of the Hell Spirit Cat and the Evil Eye White Tiger is peerless across the continent."

"Tell me, does she count as a wild card?"

Zhuqing remained expressionless, though a storm surged within her heart.

This bishop must have learned of her background from Hu Liena.

Knowing full well that she was a fugitive who had betrayed her family and was being hunted by the Star Luo imperial family, he insisted on placing the title of the Zhu Family's direct daughter on the fire to roast her in public.

The intention behind this was self-evident.

"Old fox."

Gu Chensha's cold sneer echoed in her sea of consciousness, followed by a question.

"Qing'er, do you feel you should accept this conflict?"

Zhuqing was silent for a moment before raising her eyes to look at Lei Xiang.

"I accept your challenge."

Hearing these words, Hu Liena, who had been watching the entire scene with a smile while twirling her red hair around her fingertip, exchanged a glance with Lang Taihui.

Lang Taihui nodded slightly and seized the opportunity to finalize the matter.

"Since Miss Zhu has agreed, sparring and verifying skills between young people is, after all, the rule upon which our Martial Soul Hall was founded."

"Very well, let us go to the academy's Martial Arts Arena. Remember, stop at the point of contact; do not damage the harmony."

The group passed through the side gate and stepped into the grounds of Martial Soul Academy.

The entire academy was centered around the central Martial Arts Arena, with the primary, intermediate, and advanced teaching districts arranged in a ring to guard it.

There were no access restrictions between the three districts; the academy never limited lower-grade disciples from crossing districts to observe or challenge, and in fact, highly encouraged it.

This design hid the survival laws carved into the bones of Martial Soul Hall:

First, strength is honored; the rule of the jungle must be etched into the disciples' minds from the moment they enter. Cross-grade challenges are the fastest way to grind away the fragility of a greenhouse and ignite the potential for cultivation.

Second, it completely breaks the barriers of rank, allowing lower-grade disciples to witness the peak standards of their generation early on to clarify their cultivation goals, while forcing higher-grade disciples to remain vigilant at all times, never daring to slack off.

Third, placing the Martial Arts Arena at the core ensures that all disciples, no matter which district they are in, can rush there at the first moment, turning every spar into a public trial.

It was both a contest between two individuals and a teaching model for the entire academy.

As for the advanced academy located in the inner ring, the disciples there could all be considered one-in-ten-thousand geniuses.

They were organized into groups of three, with Bishop-level powerhouses serving as their personal mentors, though many bishops were burdened with the heavy affairs of Martial Soul Hall and rarely provided constant, close-quarters supervision.

Eighty percent of the disciples' daily cultivation relied on self-polishing.

Only when they encountered a dead end in their cultivation or were about to break through a major Soul Ring barrier would they request guidance from their mentors.

Of course, there were exceptions.

As soon as the group stepped into the Martial Arts Arena, the news spread through the three major districts as if it had grown wings.

Lang Taihui, the recognized strongest offensive-type red-robed bishop of the Martial Soul Academy, had his personal disciple about to duel a new, unfamiliar girl. The news instantly drew dozens of disciples to watch.

Children in the beginner area craned their necks over the railings, while those in the intermediate area gathered in clusters, whispering.

Several high-level academy disciples, who had been cultivating on the other side of the Martial Arts Arena, also ceased their training, crossing their arms to watch the spectacle.

Even the guards patrolling the sidelines stopped their rounds, leaning against the railings with keen interest.

"Quick, look! It's really Senior Brother Lei Xiang! Bishop Lang's personal disciple!"

"I heard he just broke through level 24 last month, and he's never lost to anyone of the same level in the offensive type!"

"Who's that black-haired girl fighting him? She looks so unfamiliar, is she new?"

"I heard from senior disciples at the branch hall that she's a noble lady from the Star Luo Empire, and she only got to apprentice under Bishop Lang thanks to Miss Hu's recommendation."

"A noble lady? Coming to our Martial Soul Hall to compete on strength? Isn't she just here to gild her resume?"

"Senior Brother Lei Xiang hates these nobles who flaunt their family background the most. This is going to be good!"

Lei Xiang stood in the center of the Martial Arts Arena, listening to the discussions around him, his pride swelling.

He shook his hands, and two rings of soul power instantly rose from beneath his feet.

Yellow, yellow!

The standard optimal soul ring ratio for a Soul Grand Master.

His level 24 offensive-type soul power spread out, and a half-human-tall Mad Shadow Wolf martial soul materialized behind him, its mane bristling, fangs bared, exuding a fierce aura.

He looked disdainfully at Zhu Zhuqing, ten meters away, his thoughts perfectly clear:

This is the Martial Soul Hall. From the academy to the main hall, everyone here has been selected through layers of brutal competition, without exception.

So-called royal bloodlines, ducal heritage, are worthless here.

He himself was an orphan picked up from the slums by Bishop Lang.

More than half of his fellow disciples were either orphans with no parents or children whose families were destroyed by nobles. They harbored a natural, ingrained resistance and hatred towards these nobles born with silver spoons in their mouths.

Even if she was the legitimate successor of the Hell Spirit Cat, in his eyes, she was just a pampered young lady relying on her family bloodline.

Despite his utter contempt, he didn't falter in the Martial Soul Hall's combat etiquette.

Lei Xiang clasped his fists in front of his chest and announced his name in a deep voice.

"Lei Xiang, martial soul Mad Shadow Wolf, level 24 offensive-type Battle Soul Master, I await your guidance!"

As his voice fell, the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.

"Senior Brother Lei Xiang's aura is so powerful, truly a genius and Bishop Lang's personal disciple!"

"His soul power fluctuations are terrifyingly stable, who among his peers could withstand a single set of his soul skills?"

"This girl is probably going to lose, she's three levels behind in soul power!"