Level Thirty

The Nine-Tailed Black Flame Demon Fox didn't care what expression Zhang Nanfeng wore. It pounced straight at him, opening its jaws to spew black flames once more.

Zhang Nanfeng's gaze instantly shifted away from Duan Fan and returned to the Nine-Tailed Black Flame Demon Fox.

Seeing the fox poised to attack, the terror on his face deepened. His whole body trembled, and he hurriedly shouted, "Stop! I surrender! Duan Fan, make that Black Flame Demon Fox stop attacking! My body can't take any more!"

Zhang Nanfeng's voice quavered, and he spoke at breakneck speed, afraid that if he didn't finish in time, the Nine-Tailed Black Flame Demon Fox's flames would swallow him up.

Duan Fan hadn't intended to take Zhang Nanfeng's life. Otherwise, the fight would have ended long ago.

He immediately ordered the Nine-Tailed Black Flame Demon Fox back to his side. Then, with a thought, he made it and all the spiders dissolve into wisps of black air.

Were it not for the heat left behind by the black flames on the Soul Fighting Platform, it would have seemed as if nothing had happened.

As Zhang Nanfeng walked toward Duan Fan, he smiled bitterly. "Duan Fan, your strength really exceeded my expectations. You're far more powerful than I imagined."

"I'd occasionally heard Teacher Li mention you before. I was very interested in your Martial Soul and Soul Skills. After seeing them today, I can say they're truly extraordinary. You've left an incredibly deep impression on me!"

"I lost, and lost completely."

"And I'm grateful you didn't use your full strength from the start, leaving me a little face. Otherwise, I'd have lost even faster and more thoroughly."

"I'm no match for you!"

After speaking, Zhang Nanfeng even clasped his hands and bowed slightly to Duan Fan.

Duan Fan hadn't expected Zhang Nanfeng to be so magnanimous. He immediately returned the salute. "You flatter me, Teacher Zhang. I'm nowhere near as impressive as you say."

"I should be thanking you for holding back. If you'd used your Third Soul Skill from the start, with the Ghost Vine's speed and impact, I wouldn't have had time to release my Second Soul Skill."

The bitter smile on Zhang Nanfeng's face grew broader. "Duan Fan, there's no need to be modest. I'm not the sort of person who can't take a blow."

"Even if I'd used my Third Soul Skill from the start and sped up the Ghost Vine's attacks, it still wouldn't have broken through the protection of the Dream-Weaving Spiders you drew immediately."

"Besides, if you'd commanded all the Dream-Weaving Spiders to attack from the start, their speed and agility would have left me scrambling to defend myself."

"Enough, enough. No need to say more. The fight is over."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this sparring match and learned a great deal."

"I don't think I need to head to the Soul Skill Practice Area anymore to deepen my understanding of my Martial Soul by practicing my Soul Skills. I plan to return and cultivate right now. Perhaps I can use the opportunity this fight gave me to break through the bottleneck at level thirty-nine and enter the ranks of the level-forty Soul Masters!"

Zhang Nanfeng clasped his hands to Duan Fan once more, then turned to Fang Qingshan outside the Soul Fighting Platform with a smile. "Teacher Fang, I'll be going ahead. I've taken up your rest time today, and I'm truly sorry. I'll treat you all to a meal another day!"

Fang Qingshan smiled and nodded.

Zhang Nanfeng stepped down from the Soul Fighting Platform and clasped his hands to Fang Qingshan as well. Then he headed straight for the Soul Fighting Arena's exit, moving quickly, though his steps were a little stiff. Clearly, his fight with Duan Fan had left him with some serious injuries.

Duan Fan followed him off the platform and calmly said to Fang Qingshan, "Uncle, let's go."

Fang Qingshan looked Duan Fan up and down, his face full of pride and satisfaction. "Xiao Fan, you're incredible! Even a level-thirty-nine Soul Elder could only admit defeat before you. And you'd just demonstrated your Soul Skills, using up quite a lot of Soul Power..."

Zhang Nanfeng, who had already reached the entrance to the Soul Fighting Arena, paused.

Fang Qingshan's voice wasn't loud, but the arena was quiet, with few people around. Zhang Nanfeng had still managed to hear him faintly.

"He'd already used up quite a lot of Soul Power? Duan Fan didn't even beat me at his best?"

"Ugh, I really was a laughable level-thirty-nine Soul Elder, going out of my way to get myself in trouble."

"Looks like Spirit Hall Academy has welcomed another genius Soul Master—and he's even more impressive than those three!"

Zhang Nanfeng shook his head with a bitter smile and hurried out of the Soul Fighting Arena.

Two days passed quickly after Duan Fan's spar with Zhang Nanfeng.

During those two days, Duan Fan attended his theory classes as usual, but stopped going to practical classes.

When Zhang Nanfeng noticed Duan Fan's absence, he didn't ask any further questions.

Afterward, Li Ruolan returned and took charge of Junior Class Ten again.

The day Li Ruolan returned was also the day Spirit Hall Academy began its monthly break.

Spirit City, East District.

In a rather secluded part of the district.

There were many courtyards here, all of them inhabited.

In one small courtyard, Fang Qingshan's family lived together in perfect harmony.

Duan Fan was there today, too, fitting right into this little family without the slightest awkwardness. They had always been a family of four.

His aunt, Ding Yutang, had prepared a feast of delicious dishes. She'd even gone out to buy some of Spirit City's tastiest delicacies, filling an entire table and nearly making the little glutton Fang Qian drool.

Once all the dishes were served and the rice was dished out, the family of four picked up their chopsticks.

Fang Qian shoveled in mouthfuls of rice and said through a full mouth, "It'd be great if my brother came home every day. Then I could eat this much delicious food every day."

Ding Yutang shot Fang Qian an exasperated look. "What kind of thing is that to say, you little girl? I always make sure you eat and drink well. The way you talk, you'd think I starved you half the time."

"Duan Fan, eat more. You're at the age where you're growing."

When Ding Yutang's gaze fell on Duan Fan, it softened. She placed a chicken leg in his bowl.

Duan Fan accepted it with a smile. "Thank you, Auntie!"

Looking at his family beside him, Duan Fan felt a warmth in his heart.

It felt so good to have family around.

Six months later.

Spirit Hall Academy.

Mimicry Cultivation Area.

After finishing his cultivation, Duan Fan came out and walked toward the academy cafeteria with Fang Qingshan, who had been waiting outside.

"Xiao Fan, how's your cultivation coming along?" Fang Qingshan asked with concern.

"It's steadily progressing toward level thirty," Duan Fan replied.

Fang Qingshan smiled. "Good. Level thirty is a major hurdle for Soul Masters. Many can only gaze at it from afar their whole lives. Uncle believes you'll break through before long!"

After six months of hard work, Duan Fan's Soul Power Level had reached twenty-nine, and he was getting closer and closer to level thirty.

Duan Fan nodded confidently. "Mm. At most, it'll take me another ten days to break through."

Five days later.

Duan Fan's Soul Power Level reached thirty.

And he still hadn't turned seven.

A Soul Elder who hadn't yet turned seven—this sent shockwaves through all of Spirit Hall Academy.