Tang San and Xiao Wu Meet in the Finals

Tang San frowned slightly and stared intently into Xiao Chenyu's eyes. "You don't look like you're taking this seriously. If you keep half-assing it, this match will be meaningless."

[Oh? Tang San looks like he's actually angry.]

[But then again, Xiao Chenyu is making it way too obvious. Even if he really is scared, he should at least make it look convincing.]

[With acting like that, he can't even reach half my level.]

Amid the audience, Lin Yi silently assessed the situation, completely unaware of the reactions from the teachers and students around him.

But one person was watching all of this.

In a corner, Yu Xiaogang watched as people around him repeatedly glanced at Lin Yi, his brow furrowing slightly.

This child had clearly done nothing, yet he had somehow drawn everyone's attention?

On the surface, Lin Yi was far too ordinary.

With Innate Soul Power at level three, he could only be considered below average among Soul Masters.

His martial soul, the Myriad Star Core, sounded rather mysterious by name, but in practice, it was merely a support-type tool martial soul, and one with quite limited supporting abilities at that.

A student like this should have been lost in the crowd.

Yet reality was the exact opposite.

From the teachers down to the students, everyone at Notting Academy seemed especially concerned with Lin Yi.

It was not open admiration, but a subtle form of observation.

"Could it be that he has some unknown family background?" Yu Xiaogang muttered, looking toward Lin Yi. That seemed like the only explanation.

After all, Lin Yi was a Work-Study Student who had transferred in midway through the term.

It was entirely possible.

Meanwhile, on the arena platform.

Upon hearing Lin Yi's Heart Voice, Xiao Chenyu's face flashed with embarrassment.

He smiled helplessly and resumed his fighting stance. "Fine, then I won't hold back."

This time, Xiao Chenyu got serious.

Only then did Tang San nod in satisfaction.

At first, when Tang San fought using his martial soul, Xiao Chenyu could barely still put up a fight.

But later, once Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Mysterious Jade Hand, Xiao Chenyu no longer had any ability to resist.

The entire match ended in less than five minutes.

This time, intense applause erupted below the platform.

Yet most people were not applauding because Tang San had won, but because of Xiao Chenyu's courage and strength.

After all, anyone who dared trade blows with a future god had to be fairly capable.

Tang San naturally knew none of this. Seeing how drastically everyone's attitudes had changed from before, he finally felt a little better.

Sure enough, only victory earned through real skill would bring recognition.

He stepped down from the platform, his stride becoming more confident.

However, most people's attention was not on Tang San, including Lin Yi and Xiao Wu.

At that moment, Lin Yi looked at the somewhat disheveled Xiao Chenyu. Rather than mock him for losing, he felt a bit regretful.

[Sigh, Xiao Chenyu is actually pretty decent. He just lacks combat experience. What a shame.]

[If that Cheater Tang San didn't have all those Tang Sect tricks, Xiao Chenyu might actually have been able to beat him.]

[But then again, Xiao Chenyu's father is the lord of Nuoding City, and his family has plenty of resources. If he can focus on cultivation, his future accomplishments won't be low either.]

Lin Yi silently evaluated him in his heart, completely unaware that Xiao Chenyu, who had looked embarrassed just moments ago, now had brightened eyes.

That was right.

As the young lord of Nuoding City, how could he let a Work-Study Student piss all over his head?

He could not simply let such humiliation go.

He made up his mind. From now on, he would no longer be a spoiled young master. He would cultivate properly and attend a good Soul Master Academy.

Naturally, Lin Yi had no idea that his inner thoughts were quietly changing Xiao Chenyu.

He yawned and watched Xiao Wu and Li Yan, who had just stepped onto the platform, with utter boredom, continuing to complain inwardly.

[Next is Xiao Wu against Li Yan. There's no suspense here either.]

[Li Yan's earth-element martial soul has strong defense, but Xiao Wu's Soft Technique happens to counter this kind of clumsy opponent.]

[As long as Xiao Wu doesn't underestimate him and fights steadily, she'll win easily.]

The students around them all pricked up their ears upon hearing this Heart Voice.

Over the past few days, they had long discovered that Lin Yi's Heart Voice was more accurate than any teacher's commentary.

He could identify the traits of everyone's martial soul, the strengths and weaknesses of their soul skills, and even predict the flow of battle at a glance.

That ability was simply more impressive than even the Grandmaster's theories.

Of course.

They could only think such things to themselves. After all, aside from Tang San and the Grandmaster, everyone knew that Lin Yi possessed this special ability.

On the arena platform.

At this moment, both Xiao Wu and Li Yan were ready.

But upon closer inspection, Li Yan's expression actually seemed somewhat nervous.

That made sense. The seemingly harmless little girl before him was, after all, a genuine Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form.

Even so, Li Yan treated this match with great seriousness.

Only by doing so could he gain more combat experience.

As Teacher Zhang's announcement of the match beginning fell, Li Yan was the first to use a soul skill.

"Earth Barrier!"

A thick, earth-yellow shield of light condensed before him.

This was his most skilled defensive method. In previous matches, several opponents had exhausted all their Soul Power against this move.

[Not a bad tactical choice. He knows he's slower than Xiao Wu, so he's choosing defense.]

[But the problem is, Xiao Wu's speed is not something an ordinary Soul Master can compare to.]

[And Li Yan's Earth Barrier has a fatal weakness: directly above.]

Lin Yi silently assessed the battle below the platform, completely unaware that several teachers seated in the front row had quietly taken out notebooks and begun recording.

On the platform, Xiao Wu's eyes lit up when she heard Lin Yi's Heart Voice.

She had originally planned to launch a frontal assault and test the strength of the Earth Barrier.

But now that Lin Yi had pointed out its weakness, there was no need to waste time.

Li Yan, on the other hand, was speechless upon hearing the Heart Voice.

Brother, I already barely stand a chance, and you're exposing my weakness too?

Isn't this...

Before Li Yan had time to think further, a pink figure suddenly appeared above him.

"Oh no!" His face changed drastically, but it was already too late to flee.

Xiao Wu had already closed in. She grabbed his arms with both hands and twisted her waist.

"Bang!"

Li Yan was thrown to the ground, and the Earth Barrier dispersed along with him.

The entire process took less than ten seconds.

"Xiao Wu wins!" Teacher Zhang promptly announced.

[Beautiful!]

[That tactical execution was perfect. Xiao Wu's combat instincts really are impressive.]

[But how did she know Li Yan's weakness?]

While feeling curious, Lin Yi silently gave Xiao Wu his approval.

As Teacher Zhang announced Xiao Wu's victory, thunderous applause rang out across the Martial Arts Arena.

It formed a stark contrast to the cold reception when Tang San had won.

Xiao Wu waved and smiled faintly toward the audience before stepping down from the platform.

She came to Lin Yi's side, sat down, and asked casually, "Lin Yi, who do you think would win between Tang San and me?"

Lin Yi froze for a moment, then smiled. "That's hard to say. You're both very strong."

[Is there even a need to ask? Tang San would definitely win.]

[Although Tang San is ridiculously protective of Xiao Wu, with how concerned he is about saving face, it's impossible for him to lose to her—especially in front of everyone.]