At that moment, the entire field fell utterly silent. The new students of Grade 1 Class 5 seemed to be seeing Tang Wuling for the first time. No one looked down on her anymore.
"The first match is over. Tang Wuling wins."
Wu Changkong's cool voice broke the silence.
A hint of surprise flashed through his icy blue eyes.
He had noticed that Tang Wuling hadn't used any Soul Skill in that punch. It had been pure physical strength.
Yet that seemingly casual punch had sent Zhao Gang flying three meters, even with Strength Boost active!
Zhao Gang was only at Soul Power Rank 12, but the Black Bear Martial Soul was known for its strength. His first Soul Skill, Strength Boost, increased his strength by thirty percent. Even a power-type Soul Master of the same rank wouldn't dare claim they could knock him flying with one punch.
Tang Wuling recalled her Blue Silver Grass and hurried over to Cheng Duoyi.
"Yi'er, I won!"
"Great job." Cheng Duoyi smiled and tousled her hair.
Gu Yue stood nearby, watching their affectionate interaction. The corners of her mouth turned down slightly, and she felt a little sour, but she didn't say anything. Tang Wuling's strength had earned her approval.
Wu Changkong came over and asked, "Tang Wuling, would you mind telling your teacher why you're so strong?"
The students around them pricked up their ears. Clearly, they wanted to know the answer too. Zhao Gang, who had been lying on the ground, got to his feet and looked at Tang Wuling as well, his gaze filled with anger and resentment.
Tang Wuling instinctively glanced at Cheng Duoyi. Only after he nodded did she answer honestly, "I've been learning blacksmithing from my teacher since I was six and a half. Every day, I have to swing a forging hammer for more than ten hours. Maybe that's why I'm stronger than other people."
"Blacksmithing?" Wu Changkong raised an eyebrow, understanding.
Blacksmithing was indeed the most physically demanding of all professions, and it required an extremely strong body.
Even so, it shouldn't have made her this strong.
There had to be another reason.
However, he didn't press her. Everyone had their own secrets, and as long as they didn't interfere with his teaching, he never meddled too much.
He turned to the students and held out the drawing-lots bucket, casually drawing two bamboo slips.
"Second match: Gu Yue versus Xie Xie."
As soon as he heard this, Xie Xie leaped out of line. He rolled his wrists, his face wearing a confident grin as he looked at Gu Yue provocatively.
"Hey, Gu Yue, don't cry when you lose." Xie Xie lifted his chin. "I won't go easy on you just because you're a girl."
Xie Xie was Rank 18 and possessed Twin Martial Souls: the Light Dragon Dagger and the Shadow Dragon Dagger. Among all the first-year students, he believed no one but Tang Wuling could beat him.
Gu Yue seemed capable enough, but she was only Rank 15. He was confident he could win!
Gu Yue gave him a faint glance.
Her gaze didn't waver in the slightest, as if she were looking at a buffoon.
She walked calmly to the center of the field and stood opposite Xie Xie. The air around them seemed to shift faintly with her every movement.
"You talk too much," Gu Yue said flatly.
"You!" Xie Xie was furious.
Nearby, Cheng Duoyi said quietly, "Xie Xie's in for it now."
Leng Xue'er stood beside him. At his words, she nodded slightly. "Gu Yue's mental strength is remarkable, and her control over the elements far surpasses that of her peers. Xie Xie may be fast, but against absolute Elemental Control, he won't gain the slightest advantage."
Tang Wuling nodded along solemnly, a strange sense of danger rising in her heart.
She could tell that Gu Yue was far stronger than she'd imagined.
If she had to fight Gu Yue, her chances of winning would be slim.
"Yi'er, who do you think will win?" Tang Wuling couldn't help asking.
"Gu Yue, of course," Cheng Duoyi replied. "Xie Xie is too arrogant. He has no idea who he's up against."
Just then, Wu Changkong's voice rang out again.
"Begin!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xie Xie launched his attack. A dazzling silver-white light burst from the palm of his right hand, and an exquisitely crafted dagger appeared in it.
As befitted an Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master, Xie Xie was fast. In the blink of an eye, he had reached Gu Yue. He wasn't as reckless as his earlier words had made him sound. The first time he'd seen Gu Yue use Teleport, he'd known this would be a tough fight.
He'd only said those things to provoke her. Unfortunately, she hadn't taken the bait. He hadn't used his Soul Skill right away because he was wary of her Teleport. If he missed, wouldn't he just be wasting Soul Power?
"What's Gu Yue trying to do?"
Xie Xie had already charged to within three meters of Gu Yue. Seeing this, he stopped thinking and swung the Light Dragon Dagger at her.
But just as he was about to hit her, silver light flashed around Gu Yue. She teleported to Xie Xie's right, and his attack cut through empty air.
When Xie Xie turned to look at her, three Ice Spikes and three fireballs came straight at him. The six attacks arrived almost simultaneously, leaving him stunned and disbelieving. "How did Gu Yue make three Ice Spikes and three fireballs so quickly?"
He had no time to think. A yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring slowly rose from beneath his feet.
"First Soul Skill, Light Dragon Blade!"
Silver-white light gathered on the Light Dragon Dagger, forming a sharp blade of light. With a faint dragon's roar, it instantly shattered three Ice Spikes and one fireball. With the remaining two fireballs bearing down on him, Xie Xie braced both hands against the ground and narrowly dodged them with a back bridge.
Gu Yue's assault had only just begun. A yellow glow appeared around her, and Xie Xie tried to spring up and flip away.
"What!"
Xie Xie was shocked to discover that his legs had sunk into the earth.
Then two Ice Balls pinned him in place, leaving him unable to move.
Only now did he truly see what Gu Yue could do.
Her control over the elements was incredible!
And her timing was even better than he'd imagined!
This wasn't the sort of ability someone her age should have!
Caught off guard, Xie Xie couldn't break free right away.
But he didn't panic. He hurriedly looked toward Gu Yue.
To his astonishment, Gu Yue launched three more Ice Spikes and three fireballs, leaving Xie Xie in agony.
"Are you messing with me?"
"What kind of person can control the elements this well?"
"And do you have unlimited Soul Power or something? You're using it nonstop!"
Xie Xie's gaze sharpened, and he steadied his breathing, showing the precision expected of an Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master. He now held not only the Light Dragon Dagger, but the Shadow Dragon Dagger as well. His two daggers struck the cores of the Ice Spikes and fireballs with pinpoint accuracy, shattering them.
For a moment, neither of them seemed able to gain the upper hand.
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