Several people came to an open space, drawing the attention of many students.
"Little Brother Yang Teng!"
Shui Yunxia spoke up.
"Bing'er is a Control System Soul Ancestor. I'll arrange a Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder to partner with her. All you have to do is last for the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, and you'll pass!"
However, at her words, Yang Teng merely raised an eyebrow and shook his head.
"A Power Attack System Soul Elder? Forget it, Dean. That'd make the fight no fun."
Shui Yunxia paused, her delicate brows furrowing. A flicker of displeasure and understanding crossed her eyes. She thought Yang Teng had lost his nerve, and her opinion of him fell a little.
"You can't expect me to take on a Great Soul—"
Yang Teng cut Shui Yunxia off, smiling at her.
"What I mean is, if we're going to fight, we should make it challenging. She should be paired with a Power Attack System Soul Ancestor!"
Yang Teng looked over the people below, then fixed his gaze on a blue-haired girl standing quite close to Shui Bing'er.
"You're Sister Xue Wu, right? Would you spar with me?"
"What?!"
His words left not only Shui Yunxia stunned, but also the blue-skirted woman who had greeted Yuan at the entrance, along with several watching teachers from Skywater Academy.
Yang Teng had asked to take on two opponents at once—and they were both Soul Ancestors!
Shui Bing'er was a Level 43 Control System Soul Ancestor. Xue Wu was also a Soul Ancestor, and her strength was second only to Shui Bing'er's. The two worked together seamlessly, their combined strength far more than the sum of their parts.
Shui Yunxia had never imagined Yang Teng would make such a request.
The woman surnamed Yuan at the entrance instinctively glanced at Gu Yuena, who had been standing quietly off to the side. Suspicion filled her eyes, as if she were asking,
"Is your companion crazy, or does he have some powerful trump card?"
Gu Yuena's silver eyes were calm and still. Her breathtaking face showed no trace of worry or surprise, as though Yang Teng had suggested something perfectly ordinary.
She didn't even look toward Yang Teng. She merely lowered her eyes slightly, her long lashes casting a small shadow. Her detached air only made the woman surnamed Yuan more uncertain.
Shui Yunxia tamped down her shock and fixed Yang Teng with a sharp gaze, confirming once more, "Are you sure? You want to challenge both Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu at the same time? They're both Soul Ancestors, and they work together seamlessly."
Yang Teng replied with respectful certainty, "I'm sure. This way, I can better show all the teachers what I'm capable of!"
Shui Yunxia studied Yang Teng deeply, then glanced at Gu Yuena, who had shown no reaction. Her thoughts raced.
Whether Yang Teng was arrogant or truly had something to rely on, this was the opportunity he had chosen for himself. He would have to bear the consequences himself.
She had already given him a chance. Yang Teng had chosen the hardest mode, so even if he lost, Gu Yuena wouldn't be displeased, would she?
"Fine!"
Shui Yunxia nodded decisively, no longer hesitating.
"Since you insist, we'll do as you wish. Bing'er, Xue Wu, get ready."
"Yes, Dean," Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu answered together. They were Skywater Academy's aces. When had anyone ever dared to underestimate them like this?
Even Feng Xiaotian wouldn't dare act so brazenly.
The two sides faced each other across the open space. Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu stood shoulder to shoulder. Both girls were strikingly beautiful, one as cool as ice, the other gentle yet firm.
On the other side stood Yang Teng alone. He still looked as loose and relaxed as ever, though his hands were no longer in his pockets. A roguish smile played on his lips.
"Shui Bing'er, Level 43 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please guide me."
"Xue Wu, Level 42 Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor. Please guide me."
The two spoke at once, their voices clear and bright.
As their voices fell, dazzling Soul Rings rose from beneath their feet. Both had the ideal configuration of two yellow and two purple rings.
The teachers and students watching from Skywater Academy couldn't help holding their breath. The combined aura of two Soul Ancestors was enough to put pressure on most Soul Masters of their generation.
Yang Teng looked at the two opposite him, his smile growing a little wider.
He paused. Then, in the very next instant, a scene that plunged the entire area into silence unfolded.
The first two purple Soul Rings appeared, already enough to leave everyone incredulous.
But when the third lit up, fear gripped many hearts, and breathing became difficult. It was a black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring!
Purple, purple, black!
Three Soul Rings revolved slowly around Yang Teng. There was no sign of a fourth.
That meant he was only a Soul Elder.
"N-no way!"
A teacher from Water Academy cried out.
"Purple, purple, black... Am I seeing things?"
"A Soul Elder with a Ten Thousand Year third ring? This..."
Even Shui Yunxia, who had remained composed until now, completely lost her calm. Her beautiful eyes widened, her face filled with shock and disbelief.
With her Soul Saint senses, she had clearly detected that Yang Teng's Soul Power fluctuations had reached the Soul Ancestor level. That was why she had initially judged him to be a Soul Ancestor.
But he had only three Soul Rings! And their age... It was simply unheard of!
When had such a monstrous talent appeared on the continent?
Even Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect, hailed as the youngest Titled Douluo in history, couldn't possibly have a Soul Ring Configuration like this!
Yang Teng seemed quite pleased with everyone's reaction. He cleared his throat and spoke loudly:
"Yang Teng, Martial Soul: Space-Time Divine Dragon, Level 37 Battle Soul Elder! I hope you two sisters will guide me."
He enunciated "Level 37" and "Battle Soul Elder" especially clearly.
Shui Bing'er quickly recovered from her initial shock.
As the team captain, her will was far more steadfast than her peers'. No matter how astonishing his Soul Ring Configuration was, he was still a Soul Elder. The difference in Soul Power Level and their advantage in numbers were objective facts.
She and Xue Wu quickly exchanged a glance. They saw the same resolve in each other's eyes: they had to give it their all and couldn't afford the slightest carelessness!
"Ice Seal!"
Shui Bing'er launched the first attack. The move was incredibly fast and precisely targeted—a sudden control skill that had even given Tang San a hard time in the original story.
Yang Teng seemed unable to react, or perhaps he hadn't intended to dodge at all. In an instant, he was sealed inside a massive block of ice.
"Now's our chance! Ice Spikes!"
Xue Wu was perfectly in sync with Shui Bing'er. She had already begun gathering power as soon as Shui Bing'er made her move. Two or three dozen sharp ice spikes shot toward Yang Teng with a piercing whistle.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang..."
A barrage of impacts rang out as the ice spikes slammed into the solid ice, sending shards flying. A faint mist of ice crystals spread across the field, obscuring part of their view.
Xue Wu stared intently, then spoke with a hint of disdain.
"I thought he'd be something special. Turns out he just has scary Soul Rings."
"Bing'er, you've gotten even better with your Ice Seal. Instant control—he didn't even have time to react."
Yet Shui Bing'er's cool face showed no sign of relief. Her brows drew tightly together instead.
Something was wrong! It had gone too smoothly! Her keen spiritual sense detected a subtle irregularity.
Almost as soon as Xue Wu finished speaking, a flash of blue crossed Shui Bing'er's eyes. Without hesitation, she activated another Soul Skill.
But her target wasn't the spot where Yang Teng had been frozen. It was beside Xue Wu!
"Ice Seal!"
But she was half a step too late.
"Ugh!"
Xue Wu grunted as her body flew backward against her will, straight toward Shui Bing'er!
Shui Bing'er hurried to catch her, but when Xue Wu was less than a meter away, the space around them seemed to freeze in an instant!
An invisible force of space, as tough as the strongest chains, bound Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu in midair!
The faint ice mist dispersed. The block of ice where Yang Teng had been sealed, now riddled with cracks, shattered completely with a sharp crack. There was nothing inside.
And Yang Teng was standing seven or eight meters away from them. He brushed at ice shards that weren't there, wearing the same maddeningly lazy smile.
"Space-Time Lock."
He spoke softly, as though he had done nothing of consequence.
Shui Yunxia's pupils contracted slightly. The look she gave Yang Teng had changed completely.
"But it won't be that easy to end this!"
Before you continue