A Smooth Competition and a Legion's Crisis

"You have entered the Northern Division. Please follow the system guidance to enter the Northern Division area for the competition, and select your specific event: individual battle or mecha battle."

After Shen Nanxun and Na'er entered the simulation pods, their consciousnesses simultaneously appeared in this virtual world.

"It's so realistic."

Na'er was like a curious baby, her silver eyes unable to stop scanning the surrounding environment.

The streets and city were nearly identical to reality, only with the addition of many high-tech indicators.

For instance, a white arrow automatically appeared in front of them, guiding them toward their direction and target destination.

The arrow led them to a massive circular stadium building.

"Identity scanned. Participating in the project: Youth Soul Master Tournament."

The two separated here to match and fight.

A flash of white light passed before Shen Nanxun's eyes, and he appeared on a circular arena platform. He wore a mask on his face, concealing his true features.

Less than ten seconds later, a flash of white light appeared on the opposite side, and a figure wearing a white mask appeared as well.

"Youth Soul Master Tournament, Wangzai Qiaoqiao versus Black Tiger."

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

"Match start!"

Almost the instant the voice finished, the soul master codenamed Black Tiger completed his martial soul possession.

A dark, tiger-shaped phantom emerged from behind him. It was a jet-black beast with eyes burning with ghostly green flames. Its four paws emitted a low vibration as they struck the ground, and two extremely long, sharp, ghostly green blades extended from its maw.

It was the Nether Dark-Fang Tiger, a dark-attribute beast martial soul.

Two yellow century-level soul rings rotated beneath his feet, and his first soul ring suddenly lit up. The phantom of the Nether Dark-Fang Tiger merged with his body, his hands were covered in a layer of ghostly green dark light, and ten sharp tiger claws extended from his fingertips. He lunged toward Shen Nanxun like a black cannonball fired from a chamber.

"Black Tiger Gouges the Heart!"

His right claw, wrapped in ghostly blue soul power, aimed straight for Shen Nanxun's chest. This strike held no probing; it was almost entirely without restraint. It was a standard military combat style: go all out from the start and decide the outcome in one blow.

This Star Dou Battle King was entirely virtual, so there was no need to consider consequences; one could fight boldly and freely. This was why this Black Tiger soul master was so ferocious.

Shen Nanxun dodged to the side. The claw wind grazed his chest, leaving ghostly green light trails and dragging a lingering image before his eyes.

Black Tiger missed his strike, his pupils constricting slightly. However, his reaction was lightning-fast; his left claw followed up with a horizontal tear. The ghostly green claw blades carved five arcs of light in the air, sealing off any space where Shen Nanxun might dodge.

However, Shen Nanxun did not dodge. Golden light suddenly erupted from behind him. Two golden wings, formed purely of light, burst forth from his shoulder blades. The moment the wings unfurled, a golden longsword fell into his hand.

With one strike, he blocked the claw, and the golden soul power collided violently with the ghostly green soul power.

The Black Tiger soul master felt a scorching, domineering force vibrate back through his claw tips. His arm went numb, and his own dark soul power was instantly suppressed to the point of dissipating slightly.

Before his opponent could recover, Shen Nanxun's golden wings flapped violently, causing an explosion of air currents. His figure soared upward like a streak of light, hovering high above the arena in an instant.

Looking down from above, the golden holy light around him surged, shining as bright as a golden sun hanging in the sky.

Angel's Light!

An extremely pure, sacred power pressed down from Shen Nanxun's Angel Sword like a torrential downpour.

The Angel martial soul inherently governed the sacred and the light, possessing an innate, ultimate restraint over all dark-attribute entities.

As the light showered down, Black Tiger felt his entire body grow heavy. The circulation of his Nether Dark-Fang Tiger's soul power became sluggish and difficult, and the ghostly green light on his tiger claws dimmed rapidly.

"How is this possible!?"

Black Tiger wore an expression of disbelief. At this moment, let alone fighting, even his soul power circulation had run into trouble.

He knew his Nether Dark-Fang Tiger was a mutated combination of a White Tiger and a Nether Civet, a top-tier beast martial soul. Yet, at this moment, it was being ruthlessly suppressed.

Shen Nanxun possessed more than just the power of an angel; he possessed the Six-Winged Angel, the power bestowed by the Angel God, Qian Renxue. If one's soul power was lower than his and they happened to have a dark-attribute martial soul, they would be significantly suppressed.

This was exactly the case for Black Tiger; he only had twenty-six levels of soul power, and his attributes were perfectly countered.

Shen Nanxun did not hold back. The golden longsword slashed through the Black Tiger soul master's body, cleanly ending the match.

"Congratulations to Wangzai Qiaoqiao for winning this match."

Meanwhile, on the other side.

A silver spear swept across the arena, the shadow of the spear flickering with the sound of dragon roars. Na'er's Silver Dragon Spear struck with force, cleanly piercing the figure before her.

"Whew, finished~"

Na'er put away the Silver Dragon Spear and clapped her hands lightly, looking relaxed.

"Congratulations to Treasure Island Mom for winning this match."

The two met up outside to share their feelings about their first time in this place.

"Shen Nanxun, you didn't lose, did you?"

Na'er tilted her head, her silver eyes sparkling, a smile curling the corners of her lips that she couldn't suppress.

"I didn't."

Shen Nanxun spread his hands. "Don't worry, I won't lose before I meet you."

"Hmph!" Na'er let out a soft huff. She clasped her hands behind her back, leaned her upper body forward, and tilted her face up toward him.

"If we get put in the same group, you have to forfeit."

"Why?"

"Because if you don't, Na'er will tell Mom on you."

"..."

The Star Dou Battle Net tournament was a long process, divided into eight divisions. The top thirty-two from each division would advance to the final competition.

After a month and a half of matches, both Shen Nanxun and Na'er had successfully made it into the top thirty-two of the Northern Division.

When they stepped out of the simulation pods, a crowd had already gathered outside, Adolf among them. Naturally, the person leading them was their eldest sister, who was usually busy with official business.

Shen Yue stood tall in her military uniform, though she offered a smiling nod. "Congratulations to you both for making it into the top thirty-two."

"Congratulations to you too, and to you." Shen Nanxun stepped forward and leaned in toward his sister. "Sis, is there a reward?"

Shen Yue shot him a sidelong glance, her expression deadpan. "Don't think I don't know that you used this opportunity to extort a fortune from the Legion through Major Adolf. I haven't even settled that account with you yet."

"Sis, I was just joking. Bringing glory to the Legion is my honor. Rewards or whatever—that's just being too formal."

Shen Nanxun changed his tune immediately, putting on a show of being ready to share in the Legion's glory and shame. Even so, he took the chance to cast a resentful look at Adolf, who was standing not far away, having clearly snitched on him.

Adolf gave a light cough and said, "Vice Legion Commander, the class at the academy is an introduction and tour of military weaponry. I need to head back for the lesson."

After receiving a nod from Shen Yue, Adolf walked away at a brisk pace.

"Stop with the glib talk and let's go home." Shen Yue rolled her eyes at Shen Nanxun as the group headed out of the Legion base.

"Mom said she wants to celebrate for you two. We're having a big feast tonight."

"A big feast?"

Na'er's eyes lit up.

"All you ever think about is food."

"Big Sister, Brother is bullying me!"

"Shen Nanxun!"

Just as the group was walking out, chatting and laughing, a male second lieutenant wearing the North Sea Legion uniform walked past them with steady steps.

"Greetings, Vice Legion Commander!"

His posture was upright, his military bearing impeccable, and his face bore the solemnity typical of a soldier. His salute, turn, and stride were all executed in one fluid motion without a hint of irregularity; he looked like the most ordinary of junior officers.

But the moment he brushed past Shen Nanxun, a faint, almost imperceptible scent drifted across the tip of Shen Nanxun's nose.

The scent was so faint it was nearly negligible, masked by the metallic smell typical of a military camp. An ordinary person would never have noticed it at all.

However, Shen Nanxun's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

Ever since he had fused with the Six-Winged Angel divine power bestowed upon him by Qian Renxue, he had awakened the Angel Perception unique to angels. The Six-Winged Angel wielded the purest and most sacred power in the world, possessing an innate, extreme sensitivity to all dark and evil auras.

"Sis, what does that man do in the Legion?" Shen Nanxun didn't raise an alarm immediately, choosing to ask instead.

Shen Yue was slightly surprised by the sudden question, but she replied, "He's responsible for some warehouse management and the military exhibition area. Why the sudden interest?"

"If I'm not mistaken, there's a strange aura on him. It feels like... an Evil Soul Master!" Shen Nanxun stated decisively.

Shen Yue frowned slightly. "How is that possible? Every officer in the Legion undergoes rigorous political vetting. It's impossible for an Evil Soul Master to have infiltrated our ranks."

"No." Shen Nanxun shook his head. At that moment, within his Sea of Consciousness, Qian Renxue was lounging lazily, though a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

"He certainly isn't an Evil Soul Master, but he has had contact with one—at least within the last day."