Lan Kai, the King of Coercion

As Tang Wulin cosplayed Xiao Yan and arrived just in time, the roster for the fourth match of the grade advancement competition was officially set.

On the side of Grade 1, Class 1, Lan Kai led Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi to face off against Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue from Grade 1, Class 5.

"Lan Kai, I'm begging you, teach them a harsh lesson!" Ye Yingluo, the homeroom teacher for Grade 1, Class 1, instructed Lan Kai sternly.

Lan Kai simply nodded, saying nothing more.

He had no desire to involve himself in the teachers' petty grievances and past entanglements. If it weren't for the fact that Wu Zhangkong had been acting a bit too pretentious during the competition—to a degree that even Fujimiya Hiroya might find hard to stomach—he would likely have told Ye Yingluo to go take a hike regarding her request.

Bitter lovers and their past drama? Get lost.

After a brief exchange of names, both sides retreated to the edges of the arena designated by the academy, putting a significant distance between them.

"You two only need to deal with that Xie Xie. Leave Tang Wulin and Gu Yue to me."

"Trust me, for the sake of your own physical safety, just handle Xie Xie and then stand back and watch."

Lan Kai whispered as they retreated.

Although Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi didn't understand why, they recalled that in previous sparring sessions, they hadn't even been able to force Lan Kai to reveal his Martial Soul before being beaten into the dirt. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill had melted like ice under a scorching sun when faced with Lan Kai's Self-Created Soul Skill, so they nodded obediently without argument.

On the other side, Gu Yue took the initiative:

"That Lan Kai is mine."

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie didn't answer, simply nodding in agreement.

As Long Hengxu, the dean acting as the referee, announced the start of the match, this pinnacle battle of the grade advancement competition officially began.

For Grade 1, Class 5, Xie Xie deliberately slowed his pace, rushing out alongside Tang Wulin, much like Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi on the opposing side.

Gu Yue released her yellow soul ring and raised her hands; between them, a wheel of light formed from the power of light began to coalesce.

"That is..." On the sidelines, Wei Xiaofeng suddenly felt his legs go weak.

Although the shape was quite different and it lacked that sharp, piercing aura, Wei Xiaofeng could tell that the move Gu Yue was using was somewhat similar to the Ultra Slash that Lan Kai had once used to finish him off in an instant.

It was fortunate that he was currently sidelined because his soul spirit hadn't recovered; otherwise, if he were trembling in the arena and perhaps even wetting himself, it would have been truly pathetic.

This was the source of Gu Yue's confidence, as she believed she had successfully replicated Lan Kai's Ultra Slash.

However, the next moment, Tang Wulin was forced back to Gu Yue's side, nearly colliding with her.

Just a moment ago, Lan Kai had suddenly surged forward, reaching Tang Wulin before anyone else and throwing a punch straight at his chest.

Tang Wulin hurriedly raised his hands to block, but the immense force behind Lan Kai's fist forced him to retreat several steps until he was right in front of Gu Yue.

Even though a "crackle" sound had erupted from his body and a terrifying aura had briefly flared—momentarily affecting Xie Xie, who was trying to rush out of the Darkness Veil, and Wang Jinxi, who was preparing to kick them while they were down—it hadn't changed the fact that he was knocked back by a single punch.

Tang Wulin's eyes widened on the spot, his expression one of disbelief.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

After absorbing the power of the Golden Dragon King's first seal, his already formidable strength had reached a new level, so why was he being suppressed by Lan Kai, who hadn't even released his Martial Soul?

Gu Yue's expression mirrored Tang Wulin's, but her reasons for shock were even greater.

She only knew that Lan Kai's beam attacks were incredibly powerful, but she hadn't realized his physical constitution was also this terrifying.

Furthermore, the aura emanating from Tang Wulin also left her deeply shocked.

On the other side, Xie Xie was surrounded by Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi, trapped within Zhang Yangzi's first soul skill, Darkness Veil, his fate currently unknown.

"Your opponent is me."

Lan Kai looked calmly at Tang Wulin and Gu Yue, raising his right hand and beckoning them with his fingers.

"Don't underestimate me!" Tang Wulin roared, charging straight at Lan Kai. A layer of earthy-yellow light enveloped him from behind, making him appear more solid, though his speed slowed slightly.

At the same time, a ball of red light shot out from above his shoulder—a fireball.

"Not using your simulated light wheel? I suppose, looking at your start, you need some prep time to use it, about the same amount of time it takes me to strike a pose when using the Specium Ray?"

Lan Kai maintained a posture that looked full of openings, making no defensive moves and not even revealing his Martial Soul.

The fireball struck Lan Kai first, followed by Tang Wulin's body colliding with him.

However, with a dull thud, Lan Kai's body remained unmoved, while Tang Wulin stumbled back three or four steps, nearly falling to the ground.

Gu Yue and Tang Wulin couldn't help but widen their eyes. Lan Kai had blocked their joint attack using only his protective soul power and physical strength—how was this possible?

But before they could recover from their shock, Lan Kai's right hand rose. Two purple soul rings appeared behind him, and a white Ultra Slash manifested on his right hand.

Lan Kai swung his right hand repeatedly, hurling Ultra Slashes at Gu Yue. Under the manipulation of his mental power—or rather, his Ultra Psychokinesis—these blades attacked Gu Yue from various angles.

As for Lan Kai himself, facing Tang Wulin, who had pulled out two Thousand Refinement Deep Silver Hammers and was attempting to use Blue Silver Bind on him, he kicked the Blue Silver Grass away and summoned a Light Spirit-Refined Deep Silver Hammer into his own hand.

Tang Wulin initiated a hammer-swinging invitation!

Lan Kai accepted the invitation!

The two forging hammers collided instantly, producing a crisp, sharp sound.

The next moment, the hammer in Tang Wulin's right hand flew backward, intercepted in mid-air by Wu Zhangkong's soul power. Tang Wulin himself wore a pained expression, having been forced to release the hammer in his left hand as well; he clutched his right arm and retreated several steps.

The look Tang Wulin gave Lan Kai was now tinged with fear, for he realized that Lan Kai's forging hammer was a Spirit-Refined forging hammer, and its weight exceeded that of his own Thousand Refinement Deep Silver Hammers!

That was why he had been at a disadvantage during the hammer clash, resulting in his weapon being knocked from his grip.

However, something imprinted in his DNA began to stir.

"I haven't lost yet!"

Tang Wulin roared, a blinding golden light erupting from his right arm.