Training, and the Battle with Li Ling

"Alright, that's enough joking around."

Li Yan patted his head and exhorted him earnestly, "Xiao Ban, my son is great in every way, but his personality is just too shy. You'll have to look after him more from now on."

"Mm, don't worry, Uncle Li. I'll take good care of Brother Ling," Ban Shu promised, patting his chest.

"Then I thank you."

Li Yan patted Ban Shu on the shoulder, turned to give Li Ling a few final instructions, and then left.

After Li Yan departed, Ban Shu stepped forward to Li Ling's side. "Brother Ling, wasn't today supposed to be for practical combat training? Let's get started."

"Right."

Li Ling nodded, turned, and walked to the side to stand his ground, while Ban Shu strode over to face him directly.

Both sides bowed first to signify a friendly spar before officially beginning.

Li Ling was the first to summon his martial soul: "Fire-Ling Spear!"

As the words fell, a long spear appeared in Li Ling's hand. He then struck a pose, signaling for Ban Shu to begin.

"Oh?"

Seeing Li Ling's martial soul, Ban Shu was stunned. Li Ling's martial soul appeared half-flame and half-ice, looking like a high-grade manifestation.

"Brother Ling, this is..."

"Oh, you mean my martial soul?"

Li Ling dropped his stance and scratched his head with a smile. "Although I inherited my martial soul from my dad, it underwent a partial mutation and gained some of my mom's martial soul power."

"My mom's martial soul is called the Ice Sword, a slender, ice-attribute blade known for its speed and control. I inherited that trait, and combined with my dad's flames, it resulted in this martial soul."

"So that's how it is."

Ban Shu nodded with a smile. "It seems Brother Ling is quite the genius."

Li Ling hurriedly waved his hands in modesty. "It's not that great. I still need to learn a lot and work hard to follow in my father's footsteps."

"Uncle Li will be proud of you."

Ban Shu then asked curiously, "Brother Ling, what is your innate soul power?"

"That... my innate soul power is level nine."

"That's amazing! You're just a hair away from full innate soul power!"

Ban Shu was very surprised; he hadn't expected Li Ling's talent to be so high. Then again, to survive in the extremes of ice and fire, one had to have some ability.

"Alright, let's start the training."

Seeing that Ban Shu looked ready to get to the bottom of everything, Li Ling hurriedly interrupted him.

"Mm."

Ban Shu nodded and summoned his Painted Halberd. "As it happens, I also have a dual-attribute martial soul of thunder and fire."

"Ban Shu, martial soul Painted Halberd, level twenty-five assault-system battle soul master. Please advise."

"Li Ling, martial soul Fire-Ling Spear, level forty assault-system battle soul ancestor. Please advise."

"Level forty?"

Hearing Li Ling say this, Ban Shu was stunned for a moment. Then again, with level nine innate soul power, it wasn't strange for him to reach the soul ancestor rank by age twenty.

It wasn't just Ban Shu; Li Ling, standing opposite him, was also shocked beyond measure upon hearing Ban Shu's exaggerated soul power cultivation.

One had to realize that Ban Shu was only six and a half years old, yet his soul power cultivation was already this terrifying. It seemed another monstrous genius would emerge in the future.

Facing Li Ling, Ban Shu showed no fear, nor did he care about the massive gap between them. In his heart, there was only a sudden surge of excitement. This was his first time fighting someone; he was truly, incredibly happy!

"Begin!"

Gripping the Painted Halberd, a fierce fighting spirit ignited in Ban Shu's eyes. Here I come!

"First soul skill, Demonic Thunder!"

As he spoke, Ban Shu let out a roar, his thunderous power erupting. He then swung the Painted Halberd, charged toward Li Ling, and unleashed a heavy, powerful strike.

Surrounded by thunder, Ban Shu looked like a general clad in armor—or perhaps something else entirely.

"A thousand-year second soul ring! How is this possible!"

Li Ling stared at the two exaggerated soul rings on Ban Shu and froze instantly. But since they were in the middle of a fight, that split-second of distraction was enough for Ban Shu to close the distance.

Although he reacted immediately, it was already too late. Li Ling could only activate his soul skill to defend in a rush.

"First soul skill: Ling-Flame Body Protection!"

A spherical shield instantly appeared around Li Ling, blocking Ban Shu's attack.

"BOOM!"

The two forces collided. Ban Shu was clearly the one at a disadvantage, as the gap in soul power was still too vast.

However, taking this blow wasn't particularly easy for Li Ling either. He hadn't expected Ban Shu's strength to be so great; a single strike had nearly shattered his protective shield.

"Brother Ling, are you still holding up?"

Ban Shu's excited voice came from across the way: "I think I've found the feeling! Let's fight again!"

Li Ling's interest was also piqued, and he shouted back at Ban Shu: "Come on then! Big brother will naturally keep you company!"

"Good! Here I come!"

As the words fell, Ban Shu swung his Painted Halberd once more. Every strike was heavy and powerful; Li Ling could even hear the whistling of the weapon cutting through the air.

As Ban Shu attacked again, Li Ling was already prepared with a countermeasure. He stomped hard on the ground, easily dodging the attack, and then his figure blurred into a lingering shadow, circling around him.

Seeing this, Ban Shu stood his ground, meeting change with constancy. However, Li Ling's speed was too great; with his current abilities, he had no way to track Li Ling's movements.

"Since that's the case!"

"Second Soul Skill: Demon God Body!"

The lightning around Ban Shu's body grew even more intense, and a massive surge of power instantly flooded into his limbs and bones, churning wildly.

"Second Soul Skill: Spear Soul Break!"

At this moment, Li Ling's attack had already arrived—a fiery red spear composed of soul power, flying toward him at high speed.

Under the influence of the Demon God Body, Ban Shu couldn't help but let out a long roar. Gripping the Painted Halberd in his hands, he met the spear shadow head-on.

BOOM!

The two energies collided, and a violent shockwave kicked up dust and sand, spreading in all directions.

A tremendous force traveled from the Painted Halberd in Ban Shu's hands, and he was nearly sent flying.

"It's not over yet!"

Gritting his teeth, he gathered all his soul power and thrust upward violently. The spear shadow was deflected into the air, where it exploded.

"Hoo~"

As the strike ended, Ban Shu panted slightly. He felt his blood surging, and his wrists ached intensely.

He had used every ounce of his strength to deflect the attack; otherwise, he definitely would have been injured.

"Ban Shu, are you alright?"

Li Ling had stopped his movements and arrived at Ban Shu's side, looking at him with a face full of concern.

Although he hadn't used his full strength just now, the attack still carried the power of a soul master over level twenty. If Ban Shu had been injured because of it, he would have blamed himself.

"I'm fine, Brother Ling."

Ban Shu shook his head and slowly straightened up. He had indeed barely managed to take that hit, but it wasn't enough to injure him.

"Let's go again!"

Ban Shu was not a person who discouraged easily. After adjusting his state slightly, he began to spar with Li Ling once more.