However, faced with Xu Sanshi going all out, Ji Jing's response was remarkably simple.
He merely raised his left fist, slowly.
First Soul Skill, Soaring Yang Fire!
His first purple Soul Ring flared to life. Scarlet-gold Bingwu Primordial Yang Sacred Fire soared into the air, then instantly drew back in, gathering over his left fist.
An overbearing aura erupted from him.
The power, speed, and defense of his next attack instantly increased by 100%! It also gained an Unyielding state!
This Soul Skill strengthened the power, speed, and defense of his next attack by 100%, while granting that strike an Unyielding state.
Most importantly, this Soul Skill could stack.
Now that it was a thousand-year God-Bestowed Spirit Ring, it could strengthen the same attack three times.
"That's it?"
Seeing Ji Jing use only one Soul Skill, Xu Sanshi felt a flicker of disdain. He activated the Black Tortoise Shield Formation and charged forward.
Watching Xu Sanshi charge at him, Ji Jing lowered his body slightly, then threw a punch.
His fist, wrapped in the drawn-in sacred fire, crashed into Xu Sanshi's supposedly impenetrable Black Tortoise Shield Formation.
An explosive boom rang out. Xu Sanshi's pride and joy, the Black Tortoise Shield Formation, failed to hold out for even an instant before being crushed!
The punch's momentum didn't falter. It struck the Black Tortoise Shell Shield Martial Soul behind the formation with pinpoint accuracy.
"Crack..."
Spiderweb-like fractures instantly spread across the turtle shell shield. Then, in utter silence, it shattered with a thunderous crash into countless black specks of light.
"Pfft—!"
Xu Sanshi took the blow like a lightning strike and spat out a mouthful of blood. He flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slammed into the edge of the Soul Fighting Arena, rolled his eyes, and passed out.
One punch!
Just one punch!
Xu Sanshi, a Soul Elder with a powerful defensive Martial Soul and two Soul Skills activated, had his Martial Soul smashed apart by a single punch from a new student!
The entire arena fell silent.
The Soul Saint referee stared with his mouth agape, unable to close it for a long moment.
Ji Jing lowered his fist. Without even glancing at the unconscious Xu Sanshi, he turned and walked off the Soul Fighting Arena.
A teacher with a healing-type Martial Soul hurried onto the arena to help. As Ji Jing passed him, he didn't break stride, merely leaving him with a casual remark:
"Teacher, when he wakes up, please tell him not to forget our bet."
Then, under thousands of awe-struck, shocked, and fearful gazes, he drifted away.
Only after his silhouette had vanished did the stands erupt in a deafening wave of chatter.
"Oh my god! What did I just see? Is he really a new student?"
"One punch... He knocked Xu Sanshi out in one shot! Now that's a real monster!"
"Quick! Find out who that red-haired new student is!"
In a corner of the stands, Beibei and Tang Ya were equally dumbstruck.
If he could knock Xu Sanshi out in one shot, then there was no doubt he could do the same to Beibei.
"Little Yuhao, your class monitor... what exactly is his Martial Soul? How can he be so strong?"
Tang Ya struggled to swallow, then turned to Huo Yuhao beside her.
Huo Yuhao looked just as stunned. He shook his head.
"I... I heard him say his Martial Soul was Ultimate Yang Fire."
"As for why he's so strong, I have no idea... This is the first time I've seen the class monitor fight, too."
A strange light glimmered in Tang Ya's eyes. She murmured to herself:
"Ultimate Yang Fire... Ultimate Fire... With strength like that... If only we could bring him into the Tang Sect..."
At the same time, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's usually lazy voice echoed through Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness, tinged with an unprecedented gravity.
"Kid! Stay away from that red-haired guy! No, wait... You have to get on his good side!"
"Brother Sky Dream, what's wrong?"
Huo Yuhao asked, confused.
"He's terrifying! Absolutely terrifying!"
Tian Meng's voice even trembled.
"My million years of spiritual power can't see through him at all!"
"It's like his entire body is shrouded in an unfathomably deep shadow. I can't pry into him even in the slightest!"
"Listen to me. No matter what, don't make an enemy of him! Make sure you become friends!"
Huo Yuhao couldn't quite understand Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's fear, but he still agreed.
"Okay, Brother Sky Dream. I understand."
Shrek Academy, freshman dormitory, Room 108.
When Ji Jing pushed the door open, Wang Dong was lying on her bed, bored out of her mind. Seeing his hands were empty, she sat up, her pretty brows drawing together.
"Didn't you go to Snack Street to get me something tasty? Where is it?"
Ji Jing smiled mysteriously, took out his cooking utensils, and began methodically preparing some fresh vegetables.
"Don't rush. I've got someone bringing it over. I'll make a refreshing cold dish first, then cook you a pot of soup. By the time I'm done, the grilled fish should be here."
Wang Dong looked doubtful, but Ji Jing's practiced movements and the fresh aroma gradually filling the air soon made her stomach growl. She could only wait patiently.
Sure enough, just as Ji Jing set a fragrant plate of cold vegetables and a pot of milky-white fish bone soup on the table, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
The door swung open, and Huo Yuhao stepped inside.
He carefully held a food box wrapped in lotus leaves and had Gold Soul Coins in his other hand. Seeing Ji Jing and Wang Dong, he hurriedly said:
"Class monitor, the four grilled fish you wanted are ready. Thanks for your help today. This... I can't take your money."
"Business is business."
Ji Jing took the food box, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"This is payment for your work. If you run into any trouble at the academy, you can come to me."
Warmth welled up in Huo Yuhao's heart. He nodded firmly, gave Ji Jing a grateful look, and then turned to leave.
"Go on, try some. I saw a lot of people lining up today, and they all said it was delicious. I brought the deep-sea fish myself."
Ji Jing opened the food box, and the rich aroma of roasted fish and spices instantly filled the room.
Wang Dong picked up a piece of fish, crisp on the outside and tender within, and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes lit up at once.
"Mmm! It's really good. No wonder it's so popular. But..."
She smacked her lips, took a sip of the soup Ji Jing had made, and smiled contentedly.
"I still think your cooking tastes better."
Ji Jing's smile deepened.
Little girl, just watch how I win your stomach over.
Wang Dong put down her chopsticks, rested her chin in her hands, and looked at Ji Jing with a troubled expression.
"Oh no, oh no. You'll have to cook for me a lot from now on!"
"I've only had two meals you made, and you've already spoiled my palate. Now I can't stomach anything from the cafeteria."
Ji Jing watched her unconsciously let her sweet, bashful charm show. Then, with a playful glint in his eyes, he said:
"Then how about I cook for you for the rest of your life?"
"Sure, sure!"
Wang Dong's eyes lit up. Without a second thought, she nodded again and again.
"You said it! You can't take it back!"
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