Yu Jin Makes His Move, Defeating the Enemy in One Strike

"Boss, cripple him! He's just got some bizarre Martial Spirit. Besides, this kid doesn't even have a single soul ring—how could he possibly be a match for you?" A plain-looking, short boy beside Xiao Chenyu egged him on.

That was right. Although not a single soul ring had appeared around Cao Yan, some things could not be judged by the naked eye alone.

The reason Cao Yan had only provided Yu Jin with ten levels of Soul Power, concealing his own aura in the process, was naturally not simply to keep a low profile.

His purpose was to test just how much strength Yu Jin could display with only ten levels of Soul Power.

What he lacked now was not soul rings, but practical combat experience.

A Martial Spirit would always be a Soul Master's most powerful means of battle.

After all, in a clash between Soul Masters, Soul Power was merely the most basic confrontation. Once one fell into a disadvantage in a contest of Soul Power, the key to determining the battle would be the Soul Master's use of their Martial Spirit and the effectiveness of their soul rings.

After all, no matter how high one's Soul Power Level was, it could not represent everything.

"Idiot, shut up!" Xiao Chenyu shouted, cutting off his subordinate.

A bizarre Martial Spirit? Xiao Chenyu knew it was definitely not that simple.

He could not help looking up at Yu Jin, a chill creeping into his heart.

Yu Jin was several times larger than him. At that moment, he merely stood impassively behind Cao Yan, like a knight guarding his charge.

He had never seen a Martial Spirit like this before.

Could this kid have some powerful force backing him?

Xiao Chenyu's guess was not without reason. At the very least, he was certain that this kind of Martial Spirit was absolutely not something a commoner could possess.

At that thought, his back began to grow cold.

In Nuoding City, Xiao Chenyu also had a powerful backer. His father was the city lord. Without such a background, he would never have dared to act so arrogantly in Nuoding Academy.

His father had once warned him that, in this world, one must never be fooled by appearances.

Some people might look like ordinary folk, but true experts had always kept a low profile.

Thinking of this, Xiao Chenyu could not help speculating about Cao Yan's origins.

Was this guy really just a Work-Study Student?

His father had said that countless powers were scattered throughout this world. If one offended them, a single order from them might summon innumerable powerful experts. Some sects, once offended, could bring consequences that ordinary people could never bear.

"Are you really a Work-Study Student?" Xiao Chenyu asked despite himself, his hand trembling.

"When did I ever say I was a Work-Study Student?"

"Besides, do you think someone dressed like me could be a Work-Study Student?" Cao Yan smiled and pointed at his clothes.

He simply did not want Wang Sheng and the others to be bullied. From beginning to end, he had never said that he was a Work-Study Student as well.

If anyone was to blame, it was Xiao Chenyu for making the wrong assumption.

Hearing that, Xiao Chenyu's body shuddered. Only then did he notice Cao Yan's fine clothing. How could someone like that possibly be a Work-Study Student?

"Enough nonsense. If you want to fight, then fight. But rest assured, regardless of who wins or loses, we'll let this matter go. I won't pursue it any further," Cao Yan said calmly as he looked at Xiao Chenyu.

In his view, this battle was unavoidable. For one thing, Nuoding Academy was a place where strength spoke for itself. Winning this fight would establish absolute authority and serve as a warning to others.

More importantly, Cao Yan could not remain at Nuoding Academy forever. Since Wang Sheng and the others had acknowledged him as their boss, he naturally had to make sure they would not be bullied.

Defeating Xiao Chenyu could resolve many hidden troubles. At the very least, from now on, Xiao Chenyu would not dare bully the Work-Study Students as recklessly as before.

"Fine." Xiao Chenyu nodded. At this point, he had no reason to back down.

He truly had no reason to retreat now. However, considering that his opponent might possess an enormous background, Xiao Chenyu became even more cautious.

No matter what, he could not hurt him.

A first-year Soul Master's future achievements were impossible to estimate. Even if such a person were an ordinary commoner, Nuoding Academy would value him greatly. What was more, Cao Yan might have some background behind him.

If anything happened to someone like that at his hands, even his father, the lord of a city, would not be able to bear the consequences!

"You don't need to hold back. If you do, you'll only bring suffering upon yourself," Cao Yan reminded him as he watched Xiao Chenyu grow serious.

Even with only ten levels of Cao Yan's Soul Power, the strength Yu Jin could unleash was not something a minor character like Xiao Chenyu could withstand.

"First Soul Skill, White Wolf's Sharp Blade."

With a low roar, Xiao Chenyu's body was covered in a faint white glow. As his soul ring floated out, his claws doubled in size, their sharp tips carrying a trace of cutting force, as though they could tear through anything.

After unleashing his First Soul Skill, Xiao Chenyu lunged straight at Cao Yan with astonishing speed. With one soul ring, his strength far surpassed that of others his age.

Xiao Chenyu took a step forward, and surging Soul Power erupted from beneath his feet. A wave of Soul Power swiftly spread across the ground. This was an assault of absolute strength, without the slightest bit of technique. It was all about a direct clash of force.

After all, the enhancement granted by his First Soul Skill was strength. What he sought was absolute suppression through power.

And that was also the greatest advantage possessed by those with Beast Martial Spirits.

"Interesting. Wenze," Cao Yan murmured softly. With a thought, the figure behind him stepped directly in front of him.

"I was a general in life. How could I become a wandering ghost after death?"

A deep voice suddenly rang out, carrying a trace of chill. Xiao Chenyu only felt an enormous pressure surge toward him, and his body was sent flying to the side.

When Xiao Chenyu raised his head again, a long blade was already pressed against his throat. With the slightest movement, he would lose his life in an instant!

"I admit defeat," Xiao Chenyu said in terror, his face filled with horror. At that very moment, even his pants had been soaked through.

"Wenze, that's enough." Cao Yan waved a hand at Yu Jin.

Since the purpose of teaching him a lesson had been achieved, he naturally would not truly kill Xiao Chenyu.

"Yes, Young Master." Yu Jin cupped his fists and rose respectfully.

Yu Jin withdrew his Soul Power, and his figure slowly faded away. After that, Cao Yan walked over to Xiao Chenyu with a faint smile.

"You lost. Apologize to Xiao Wu."

Xiao Chenyu nodded and slowly walked over to Xiao Wu. Lowering his head, he said, "I'm sorry. I apologize for what I said earlier."

"Wang Sheng, I went a little too far with what happened before. I promise I won't bully you anymore."

"Good. Remember what you said today. If you do it again, I won't spare you." After saying that, Cao Yan lightly patted Xiao Chenyu on the shoulder and led Xiao Wu toward the second floor.

Wang Sheng and the others had yet to recover from their shock. They stood rooted in place, their faces full of disbelief. Originally, they had assumed the match would take at least several minutes to decide, after all, Xiao Chenyu was among the strongest in all of Nuoding Academy.

After all, even if Xiao Chenyu had faced Wang Sheng today, the winner could not possibly have been decided in such a short time.

Although Wang Sheng could not compare to Xiao Chenyu in either Martial Spirit or soul rings, whenever the two fought in the past, they would at least have a fierce battle before a result could be determined.

Yet Cao Yan had completely defeated Xiao Chenyu in less than a minute—and without a soul ring.

What did that mean?

It meant that Cao Yan was even stronger than he had imagined!

This was also the first time Wang Sheng had seen Cao Yan release his Martial Spirit. Leaving aside the fact that he had never even heard of such a Martial Spirit, the strength Cao Yan displayed today alone had already overturned Wang Sheng's understanding of the world.

If Wang Sheng had merely respected Cao Yan before, then now, Cao Yan had risen in his heart to the level of admiration, even worship.

"Damn, Boss is way too monstrous. That kind of strength is downright terrifying," Wang Sheng muttered, drawing in a soft breath.

Coming back to his senses and seeing that Cao Yan and Xiao Wu had already headed for the second floor, Wang Sheng quickly gave his underlings a look, and they hurried after them.

At the same time, he felt secretly delighted. Being the underling of such a powerful boss was a bargain no matter how he looked at it.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the dining hall gradually boiled over.

Although the brief battle had already ended, the commotion Cao Yan had caused was simply too great. By now, the dining hall was packed with students and teachers.

However, when they looked at Cao Yan, there was now an added trace of awe in their eyes.

As expected, today's events would leave an indelible mark in their minds.

On a secluded floor, two people had also witnessed the scene.

They were Grandmaster and Tang San, who had come to the dining hall for a meal.

"What a pity. If only that child could take me as his master. At such a young age, he already possesses such strength. Given a few more years, what kind of achievements would he reach?" Grandmaster sighed softly, feeling rather helpless.

Was a genius like this destined to have no connection with him?

This talent was far greater than even Xiao San's.

"Teacher, do you recognize that kind of Martial Spirit?" Tang San asked in confusion. The Guardian Spirit Cao Yan had summoned had undoubtedly left him somewhat shaken.

"Heh, even I have never seen a Martial Spirit like that. Xiao San, you must cultivate diligently, understand? His future achievements may not be beneath yours." Grandmaster spoke earnestly, his gaze turning solemn as he looked at Tang San.

"Mm, I will." Tang San nodded obediently.

"Xiao San, since your injuries have mostly recovered, your teacher will take you to the Soul Hunting Forest tomorrow to help you obtain your first soul ring." Grandmaster smiled, anticipation in his heart.

Tang San's talent was no less impressive. Once he obtained his first soul ring, would he be a match for Cao Yan?

Cao Yan, once I obtain my first soul ring, I'll make you die. You humiliated me and humiliated my teacher. If I do not avenge this grudge, I, Tang San, swear I am not human! Tang San sneered inwardly, clenching his fists.

"Heh, go back and prepare first. We'll set off officially tomorrow."

With that, Grandmaster led Tang San out of the dining hall. No one noticed them.