Ruthless Dong Yi'an

For Shen Nanxun, these so-called two formations were not difficult. Relying on the powerful physical condition granted by his Dragon Prince bloodline, they were even easier than the previous assessment.

However, for this particular assessment, Shen Nanxun and Na'er could not assist Ye Xi and Dong Yi'an as they had before.

Still, the intensity of the four years of training at North Sea Academy was enough for both of them to make it through this hurdle.

After the two assessments passed, he had cleared them both with ease.

It was like a tank rolling over a chick.

Outside the room, the white-haired old man who had presided over the assessment in the square was waiting for them with a smile on his face.

"Not bad, all good seedlings. Follow me." The old man's gaze was scorching, as if he had seen some rare treasure, looking them up and down, especially Shen Nanxun and Na'er.

Na'er shivered uncomfortably and whispered, "Shen Nanxun, is there something wrong with this guy's brain?"

"Maybe."

Shen Nanxun nodded in deep agreement.

Zhang Hanlin's mouth twitched, but he didn't hold it against the two juniors, and his gaze just now had indeed been a bit excessive.

"The final assessment: actual combat!"

On the playground, a circular platform had been erected, and twenty people stood neatly below it, all wearing the uniforms of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy. There were both men and women, and they looked about three years older than them.

"The previous tests examined your physical condition and willpower, so this final one will test your actual combat experience and ability to adapt on the spot. Only by facing stronger opponents can your talents be stimulated!"

After a brief introduction, Zhang Hanlin coughed lightly, then waved his hand, pointing at the group, "You must each fight two of them once. I will grade you separately and record the total score at the end. If you pass, you will clear the assessment and officially become a member of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy."

"Therefore, even if you lose, as long as you show your spirit, you can still pass the assessment!"

Shen Nanxun glanced at the twenty people and was just about to make a move when he saw Dong Yi'an step forward without hesitation.

"I'll go first!"

The others looked at him with some surprise.

Usually, in this situation, it would be impossible for Dong Yi'an to step forward so decisively. Today was strangely excessive.

He took a step forward, his gaze locked firmly on one of the boys. The latter looked back at him with a contemptuous smile, his eyes filled with disdain.

Both sides stepped onto the circular arena.

The person opposite stood there, arms crossed with a smirk: "Little brother, are you sure you want to challenge me? I won't hold back. If you lose miserably and don't get admitted, you'll lose face for our Dong Family. When Father is furious, you won't be able to shirk the blame."

"Dong Lintian, no need for the fake concern. Isn't this what you wanted to see? I'll satisfy you!" Dong Yi'an did not lose in terms of momentum and retorted sharply.

From their conversation, it was clear that this person was Dong Yi'an's older brother, Dong Lintian, who had been heavily cultivated since childhood and had inherited the Green-Faced Wolf martial soul from their father, the Fierce Wolf Douluo Dong Zi'an. He was now a level 43 Soul Sect.

The twelve-year-old boy was already a head taller than his peers. His features were somewhat similar to Dong Yi'an's, but there was not a shred of brotherly concession in his expression; instead, he wore an arrogant smile.

"Dong Yi'an isn't going to get beaten up, is he?" Na'er muttered softly from the side, though she narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at the opponent from afar.

"Don't jinx it."

Shen Nanxun flicked the girl's fair forehead and then began to observe carefully.

This battle was undoubtedly going to be brutal; even without it starting, one could tell. The air between the two was thick with hostility. While Dong Yi'an had the right momentum, the gap in soul power was simply too vast; there was almost no suspense in this fight.

But what Shen Nanxun was looking for was what Dong Yi'an would display, to see just how resilient a boy's willpower could be under such circumstances.

Dong Lintian uncrossed his arms and slowly extended one hand, then gripped the air, dark green light overflowing from his palm.

Green-Faced Wolf martial soul manifested.

His hands were covered in a layer of dark green wolf patterns, sharp wolf claws extended from his fingertips, and four soul rings rose beneath his feet—all four were purple.

"Four thousand-year soul rings, heavily cultivated"—that statement was certainly no lie.

Dong Yi'an felt no fear; instead, he gripped the Sky Wolf Spear in his hand, his eyes becoming exceptionally resolute.

Two soul rings lit up on his body. Although they lacked the momentum of the opponent's four thousand-year rings, he still stood his ground.

Like a ship in a rainstorm, sailing against the wind!

"Level 28?" Dong Lintian looked down at his younger brother and tilted his head. "I thought you had become much stronger."

In truth, it was no small feat for Dong Yi'an to cultivate from level 5 to level 28 in three years. Only he knew the hardships involved; these four years of day-and-night cultivation had only resulted in him still being mocked today.

But he did not regret it.

"Take this!" Dong Yi'an raised his spear without hesitation, transforming into a wild wolf as he lunged forward, thrusting the spear out.

The fundamentals of this strike were excellent; the speed and power were near perfect.

But Dong Lintian didn't take it seriously at all. His third soul skill lit up, and the aura around him erupted suddenly.

"Third soul skill, Sky Wolf Angry Claws!"

A thousand-year third soul skill, full of power.

Five dark green claw slashes slammed directly onto the Sky Wolf Spear.

Dong Yi'an felt a terrifying force transmit from the spear shaft. His web between thumb and forefinger shook violently, and the Sky Wolf Spear nearly flew out of his hands. He gritted his teeth and held onto the shaft for dear life.

However, the force of this blow sent him flying backward, slamming hard into the corner of the arena wall.

He felt a sweetness in his throat, and blood nearly sprayed out, but he swallowed it back down by force.

"Is that it?" Dong Lintian twisted his neck, feigning boredom as he looked down with contempt. "You spent four years in the North Sea, and this is the level you've reached?"

As he spoke, he stepped closer, stopping right in front of Dong Yi'an. Looking down at him from his superior height, he lowered his voice to a volume only the two of them could hear. "Don't think that just because you're close with that Shen Family brat, you're set. Don't forget your own surname; the Dong Family has no use for trash!"

Because Dong Yi'an had been knocked out of the arena, the first match was naturally won by Dong Lintian. Zhang Hanlin asked the former who he wanted to challenge for his next opportunity.

Since Dong Yi'an hadn't really shown his capabilities this time, he reminded him to choose carefully for his next attempt.

"I'll fight him again!"

Dong Yi'an made this resolute choice once more. There was not a hint of dejection in him; his eyes were sharp as he stared at his opponent.

"Fine." Dong Lintian was taken aback for a brief moment before he let out a cold snort and agreed.

The second match ended even faster than the first.

Under the relentless bombardment of Dong Lintian's three soul skills, Dong Yi'an was knocked out of the arena again, barely able to stand.

Ye Xi supported him, but the youth remained stubborn, gritting his teeth tightly. "Dong Lintian, I can't beat you today, and I admit it. But remember this: I didn't lose to you. I only lost to myself, and to time."

"Given time, I will surely trample you beneath my feet!"

Dong Lintian merely shook his head faintly and muttered under his breath, "Brother, the struggle for the heirship has always been this way. Don't blame me; blame the fact that you were born into this family."

"Next round, I'm going up."

Shen Nanxun stepped forward and patted Dong Yi'an on the shoulder, then said to Zhang Hanlin, "Teacher, his soul power is too depleted; it wouldn't be fair. How about this? Call someone else up. I'll take them both on and use up both remaining opportunities at once."

Even though this was an incredibly absurd request, Zhang Hanlin gave a slight nod. This played right into his hands; he wanted to see exactly where this boy's limits lay.

Without a second thought, he agreed and looked toward the crowd.

"Long Chen, come up. You two go together."

Not far away, Weng Daimin, who had just arrived to watch and hadn't yet grasped the situation, asked in confusion, "Why is Brother Chen going up? Is he really going to fight two at once?"

"It seems so." Even the usually cold Xue Liushuang was intrigued, her gaze fixed intently on the youth on the arena stage preparing for a two-on-one assessment.

Given the age gap and the fact that it was a two-on-one fight, it seemed wrong no matter how one looked at it.

However, this was an assessment after all. Since he had made such a choice, he must surely have some extraordinary ability.