One Purple, Three Black

"Who is that?" Gu Qingshan tilted his head to ask Hu Liena, who was standing on the sidelines.

Hu Liena followed his gaze, the corners of her mouth curling upward.

"Gui Yuan, grandson of Ghost Leopard Douluo, a level 42 Soul Ancestor whose Martial Soul is a Ghost Leopard." She recited the information about Gui Yuan in a flat tone.

"He is nineteen this year and the strongest individual under twenty in Martial Soul Hall. It is said that his grandfather has high hopes for him, using all sorts of rare treasures to build his foundation since childhood, and his soul ring configuration is top-tier. His speed is immense—so fast that those of the same rank cannot even track his movements."

She paused, then added, "However, he is seven years older than me."

Gu Qingshan gave an "oh" and shifted his gaze away from Gui Yuan.

Only level 42 at nineteen; he could hardly be considered a true genius.

Bibi Dong stood on the viewing platform of the practice arena, looking down at the scene below.

Behind her stood three healing soul masters dressed in white robes.

Gu Qingshan hadn't even had the chance to suggest calling for healing soul masters, yet she had already made the arrangements.

These young people were the descendants of various elders, each one arrogant and having never suffered a single setback.

It was time to increase the intensity for these youths so they would learn that there is always someone better, and a mountain beyond a mountain.

Gu Qingshan was the most suitable person to provide this intensity.

Gu Qingshan seemed to sense her gaze; he looked up, caught her eye, and gave a slight nod.

At this moment, the youngsters seemed to have agreed on the order of appearance.

Gui Yuan stepped forward and arrived in front of Gu Qingshan.

"My name is Gui Yuan, level 42 Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard."

Gu Qingshan looked at him, nodded, and silently adjusted his damage reflection ratio to the minimum of 10%.

His health bar was currently at twenty thousand; a moment of carelessness could easily result in reflecting the opponent to death.

"Gu Qingshan, level 43 Soul Ancestor."

A low murmur broke out among the onlookers. Level 43 versus level 42—a difference of one level was almost negligible.

But Gu Qingshan was not even seven years old; how much actual combat experience could he possibly have?

Gui Yuan's eyes lit up, the flames of battle burning within his amber pupils.

"The position of Holy Son, I am determined to have it."

Gu Qingshan looked into his eyes, and then he smiled.

"Let's get this straight: fists and feet have no eyes. Don't go whining and complaining if you get hurt later."

The practice arena went silent for a moment.

Then, the challengers exploded.

"This brat is way too arrogant!"

"Gui Yuan, show him what you've got!"

"A six-year-old kid, what a big mouth!"

"Let him know what it means to have someone better than oneself!"

Gui Yuan's expression turned cold. "Rest assured, I won't hold back."

"Then come."

The three healing soul masters were already in position, pale green soul rings rotating slowly beneath their feet, ready to act at any moment.

The other challengers consciously retreated to the edge of the arena, leaving enough space for the two in the center.

In the middle of the arena, Gu Qingshan and Gui Yuan stood facing each other, about twenty paces apart.

Gui Yuan was the first to release his Martial Soul; two yellow and two purple soul rings rose from beneath his feet, slowly rotating around his body.

His body sank slightly, lowering his center of gravity like a true hunting leopard ready to pounce.

His speed was the fastest among those under twenty in Martial Soul Hall—bar none.

Gu Qingshan shifted the Blue Silver Leaf in his mouth, bit down on it gently, and raised his left hand.

He released his Thorn Shield Martial Soul.

A dark golden giant shield manifested in front of his left arm, the thorn patterns on the shield surface glowing with a dark red light in the morning sun.

Four soul rings rose from beneath his feet: purple, black, black, black.

One purple and three black.

A collective gasp echoed around the practice arena.

The challengers stared at those four soul rings, dumbfounded.

"The first soul ring... is purple?" someone muttered, their voice drifting.

"The second ring is ten thousand years... the third and fourth are also ten thousand years." Another person counted them, then fell silent.

Gui Yuan's gaze fell upon those four soul rings, his pupils constricting for a brief moment.

He did not retreat, however; his companions were watching him from behind, and his grandfather was waiting at home for news from him. He could not retreat, and he would not.

"First Soul Skill, Ghost Shadow Step."

His body transformed into a black afterimage, vanishing from where he stood.

The speed was indeed fast—so fast that most people present could not track his movement at all.

They only saw a black shadow flash across the training grounds like a bolt of black lightning, cutting in from Gu Qingshan's left side and circling behind him.

Gui Yuan's tactics were clear: Gu Qingshan's martial soul was a shield, a defensive type, making a frontal assault difficult to break through.

Attacking from behind was a different matter; shield defenses were generally directional, and the back was the weakest point.

He circled behind Gu Qingshan, his right-hand claws gathering dense soul power, and lunged straight for Gu Qingshan's heart.

"Second Soul Skill, Ghost Leopard Heart-Gouging!"

His claws tore through the air, emitting a sharp whistle.

Gu Qingshan did not turn around.

He did not even move.

Gui Yuan's claws struck Gu Qingshan's back with precision.

Then, Gui Yuan went flying.

The moment his claws touched Gu Qingshan's body, a massive force rebounded from that small frame, traveling up his arm, through his shoulder, across his chest, and throughout his entire body.

That force was like a spring compressed to its limit suddenly being released, carrying a destructive impact.

Gui Yuan's body flew backward like a launched cannonball, moving much faster than when he had arrived.

Through the human-shaped hole in the wall, one could see Gui Yuan lying on the ground, covered in blood, looking quite peaceful.

A moment later, Gui Yuan struggled to sit up. He glanced at his shattered right hand and collapsed chest, then looked up at Gu Qingshan, who was still standing in the same spot without having changed his posture, his face twitching slightly.

He had lost—thoroughly, completely, and without a shred of suspense.

The young spectators widened their eyes, their faces filled with horror, and everyone instinctively took half a step back.

Terrifying!

Gu Qingshan took a step forward: "Who is next?"

The youths took a step back in unison, and then, with a scramble, they scattered completely.

In less than five breaths, only Gu Qingshan, Bibi Dong, the three healing soul masters, Hu Liena and her two companions, and Gui Yuan, who was still sitting on the ground receiving treatment, remained on the training grounds.

Gui Yuan watched his companions, who had run faster than rabbits, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

He suddenly felt that being sent flying earlier didn't seem so embarrassing after all.

Bibi Dong sat in the stands, watching the scene of the youths scattering like birds and beasts, a hint of a smile flashing in her purple eyes.

This was exactly the effect she wanted.

After that day, no one came to challenge Gu Qingshan again.

Gui Yuan was the strongest among those under twenty in Martial Soul Hall, a level 42 Soul Ancestor whose speed was so fast that others at his level could not even see him.

Since even Gui Yuan had been defeated in a single second, no one else dared to harbor thoughts of coveting the position of Holy Son.