On the high platform, an unprecedented gleam burst from Mu En's eyes as he stared fixedly at Huo Yuhao on the Assessment Platform. His voice even trembled:
"A domain... It really is a domain!!"
Xuan Zi had gone completely rigid. He had lived for so many years and seen countless geniuses, yet he had never seen a Soul Elder comprehend a domain!
This was a skill even Titled Douluo dreamed of attaining!
Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo exchanged a glance, both seeing utter astonishment in the other's eyes.
Qian Duoduo swallowed and muttered to himself:
"I knew that kid was a monster... but I never imagined he'd be this much of a monster! A domain at the Soul Elder level? Who'd believe that if you told them?"
The entire arena remained silent for a full half-minute before erupting into a roar louder than any that had come before.
"My god! Am I seeing things? A domain!"
"A Soul Elder has a domain? He's not just a genius—he's a freak of nature!"
"No wonder he dared to challenge everyone by himself. With a domain, who at the same rank could beat him?"
Wang Dong'er stood beneath the platform, staring blankly at the figure surrounded by silvery-white slashing light. The resentment in her heart had long since been replaced by shock.
She finally understood that the gap between her and Huo Yuhao could no longer be bridged through effort alone.
Mu En took a deep breath, tamping down his excitement, then announced once more in a loud voice:
"Good! Very good! Since Huo Yuhao has such strength, the assessment will continue!
"Any student from the Outer Court, regardless of year or cultivation, may come challenge him—as long as you have the courage!"
At those words, the entire arena erupted!
Countless students who had been watching from the sidelines instantly reddened their eyes and rushed toward the Assessment Platform, each trying to get there first.
Who wouldn't want to test the power of a domain?
"I'll go!"
"Me too!"
"Let me try!"
In an instant, the Assessment Platform was packed with people.
But no matter how many people came up, the result was always the same.
As soon as Huo Yuhao unleashed the "Abyss of Endless Slashes," everything within fifty meters became an absolute death zone.
Countless invisible spiritual slashes rained down like a violent storm. Ordinary students couldn't hold out for even a second before being struck down.
Now and then, a few stronger students would force their way through the slashes and rush up to Huo Yuhao, only to discover that the figure before them was merely an illusion.
By the time they realized what had happened, they had already been knocked unconscious by Soul Shock.
"I can't tell which one is the real him!"
"How are we supposed to fight him?!"
The challengers came up in wave after wave and were carried off in wave after wave. Not a single person could hurt Huo Yuhao, or even touch the hem of his clothes.
Just as everyone was nearing despair, a tall figure strode onto the Assessment Platform, carrying a massive Soul Cannon.
"Yuhao, I'll give it a try!"
The crowd turned toward the voice. It was He Caitou from the Soul Guidance Department.
He was fully armed, wearing Level 4 Defensive Soul Armor and carrying a Level 4 Explosive Soul Cannon on his shoulder.
A dozen or more Soul Cannon shells of various types hung from his waist. He looked just like a walking arsenal.
"Brother Caitou."
Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded. He often went to the Soul Guidance Department to study, so naturally he knew He Caitou.
"Watch out, Yuhao! I won't go easy on you!"
He Caitou grinned and abruptly pulled the trigger.
"Boom!"
A Level 4 Explosive Shell as large as a washbasin roared out, carrying a destructive aura as it hurtled toward Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao's gaze sharpened. He didn't activate his domain, but flashed aside and dodged the shell.
It exploded behind him, and the immense shock wave blasted a three-meter-deep crater into the ground.
"Not bad!"
He Caitou's eyes lit up. The Soul Cannon in his hands kept spitting flames, shell after shell hurtling toward Huo Yuhao like raindrops.
At the same time, the Propulsion Soul Tool beneath his feet activated. He charged toward Huo Yuhao like a tank.
He Caitou didn't dare be careless. Although his full armor let him withstand the spiritual slashes, it could only protect him for so long!
He had to defeat Huo Yuhao quickly, or he would be the one to lose!
Using the cannon fire for cover, He Caitou finally charged to within five meters of Huo Yuhao.
He Caitou roared and abruptly aimed his Soul Cannon at Huo Yuhao, firing an armor-piercing shell at close range.
The spectators below the platform held their breath. At such close range, even a Soul King might not be able to dodge!
However, just as the armor-piercing shell was about to hit, Huo Yuhao's figure blurred once more.
"Another illusion?!"
He Caitou's expression changed. He hurriedly unleashed his full firepower, blanketing the entire Assessment Platform with cannon fire.
With the cannon fire so dense, Huo Yuhao would have nowhere to hide.
But to He Caitou's surprise, although he had already unleashed his full firepower, the next moment brought no explosions on the Assessment Platform.
What was going on?
Had he imagined it?
He Caitou couldn't make any sense of what Soul Skill had hit him.
Just then, a pale-blue Soul Guidance Ray shot out, striking a weak spot in He Caitou's armor with pinpoint accuracy.
The tremendous force sent him flying straight off the platform, where he landed with a heavy thud.
"Brother Caitou, thank you for going easy on me."
Huo Yuhao said with a smile.
The entire arena fell silent again.
Even He Caitou, fully armed, had lost!
And he had lost so decisively!
On the high platform, Qian Duoduo watched He Caitou tumble off the stage and, far from getting angry, grinned from ear to ear:
"Good! Good! They're both promising talents! Caitou did very well."
The battle continued from early morning until noon. The once-smooth Assessment Platform had become cratered and uneven, riddled with deep holes blasted by Soul Cannon shells and gouges left by spiritual slashes.
The Outer Court students who had been carried down lay scattered below the platform. Their faces were bruised and swollen, and they were all weak and listless.
Huo Yuhao braced his hands on his knees and panted heavily.
Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead. His white training clothes were drenched and clung tightly to his body.
He had run out of Soul Cannon shells half an hour ago.
The "Abyss of Endless Slashes" had also drained too much of his spiritual power, and he could no longer sustain it.
Now, all he could rely on were basic spiritual slashes and the Soul Guidance Ray Gun at his waist.
"Anyone else want to come?"
Huo Yuhao raised his head. His voice was slightly hoarse, but his gaze remained sharp.
The crowd below the platform was silent. Everyone stared at the boy who, though clearly exhausted, still stood with his back straight.
Nearly everyone in the Outer Court who could fight had already been defeated. No one dared step onto the platform again.
Just as everyone thought this unprecedented assessment was finally about to end, two figures slowly made their way through the crowd and headed toward the Assessment Platform.
The young man at the front was tall and handsome, but carried an innate air of arrogance.
He wore a white training outfit. Walking beside him was a slender young woman with a cool expression and eyes as sharp as knives.
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