Ruthless Dong Yi'an

As far as Shen Nanxun was concerned, these so-called two trials weren't difficult. Thanks to the powerful physique granted by the Dragon Prince's bloodline, they were much easier than the previous test.

Only, in this trial, Shen Nanxun and Na'er couldn't help Ye Xi and Dong Yi'an the way they had before.

But four years of intense training at North Sea Academy had been more than enough to get the two of them through this round.

He'd passed both trials with ease.

It was like a tank rolling over a chick.

Outside the room, the white-haired old man who had hosted the examination in the square was waiting for them with a smile.

"Not bad. You're all promising youngsters. Come with me." The old man's gaze burned as he looked them up and down, as though he'd found some rare treasure. He paid particular attention to Shen Nanxun and Na'er.

Na'er shivered uneasily and whispered, "Shen Nanxun, is this guy's brain broken?"

"Maybe."

Shen Nanxun nodded in deep agreement.

Zhang Hanlin's mouth twitched, but he didn't take offense at the two juniors' remarks. After all, he had indeed been staring a little too intensely.

"The final trial is actual combat!"

A circular platform stood in the training field. Below it, twenty students stood in neat rows, all wearing the uniforms of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy. There were boys and girls, and they looked about three years older than them.

"The earlier tests examined your physical condition and willpower. Now, the final trial will test your combat experience and ability to adapt in the moment. Only when faced with a stronger opponent can you bring out your full potential!"

After the brief introduction, Zhang Hanlin cleared his throat, then swept a hand toward them. "Each of you must fight two of them, one at a time. I'll score each match separately and record your total. If you pass, you'll officially become a student of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy."

"So even if you lose, you can still pass, as long as you show what you're made of!"

Shen Nanxun glanced at the twenty students and was just about to act when Dong Yi'an stepped forward without hesitation.

"I'll go first!"

The others looked at him in surprise.

Normally, Dong Yi'an would never have been so quick to put himself forward in a situation like this. Today, he was acting strangely.

He took a step forward and fixed his gaze on one of the boys. The other boy looked back at him with a scornful smile, disdain in his eyes.

The two of them stepped onto the circular arena.

The boy across from him stood with his arms crossed and chuckled. "Little bro, are you sure you want to challenge me? I won't hold back. If you lose badly and aren't admitted, you'll disgrace the Dong Family. Father will be furious, and you won't be able to escape the blame."

"Dong Lintian, don't pretend to care. Isn't this exactly what you want to see? I'll give you what you want!" Dong Yi'an stood his ground and shot back.

From their exchange, it was clear that this was Dong Yi'an's older brother, Dong Lintian, who had been singled out for special training since childhood. He had inherited the Martial Soul of his father, Fierce Wolf Douluo Dong Zi'an: the Green-Faced Wolf. He was now a level forty-three Soul Ancestor.

At twelve, the boy was already taller than others his age. He and Dong Yi'an shared some of the same features, but there wasn't a hint of brotherly lenience in his expression. Instead, an arrogant smile played across his face.

"Is Dong Yi'an going to get beaten up?" Na'er muttered softly. Her eyes narrowed as she looked toward the other boy.

"Don't jinx it."

Shen Nanxun flicked the girl's fair forehead, then studied the two fighters seriously.

There was no doubt this would be a brutal fight. The tension between them was obvious, even before they started. Dong Yi'an had the right spirit, but the gap in Soul Power was enormous. The outcome was all but certain.

But Shen Nanxun was watching to see what Dong Yi'an would show—to see just how unyielding a young man's will could be in a situation like this.

Dong Lintian lowered his arms and slowly extended one hand. He made a fist in the air, and dark green light spilled from his palm.

The Green-Faced Wolf's Martial Soul possessed him.

Dark green wolf patterns appeared across his hands, and sharp claws extended from his fingertips. Four Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, all purple.

The claim that he'd been specially trained, with four Thousand-Year Soul Rings, wasn't an exaggeration.

Dong Yi'an wasn't afraid. Instead, he gripped the Sky Wolf Spear in his hand, his gaze growing especially resolute.

Two Soul Rings lit up around him. Their presence was nothing compared to the four Thousand-Year Soul Rings his opponent had, but he still faced him without backing down.

Like a boat in a torrential storm, sailing against the wind!

"Level twenty-eight?" Dong Lintian looked down at his younger brother and tilted his head. "I thought you'd gotten a lot stronger."

In truth, it was no small feat for Dong Yi'an to go from level five to level twenty-eight in three years. Only he knew how much hardship he had endured. Four years of ceaseless training had brought him to this moment, only to be laughed at again.

But he didn't regret it.

"Take this!" Dong Yi'an raised his spear without hesitation, charging forward like a wild wolf before thrusting it at his opponent.

His fundamentals were excellent. His speed and strength were nearly perfect.

But Dong Lintian didn't take him seriously at all. The third Soul Skill beneath his feet lit up, and his aura erupted.

"Third Soul Skill, Sky Wolf's Furious Claw!"

A Thousand-Year third Soul Skill—its power was immense.

Five dark green claw strikes slammed into the Sky Wolf Spear.

Dong Yi'an felt a terrifying force surge through the shaft. The web of his thumb shook violently, and the Sky Wolf Spear nearly flew from his grasp. He clenched his teeth and held on with all his might.

But the blow sent him flying. He slammed hard into the corner of the arena.

His throat filled with the taste of blood. He nearly spat it out, but forced it back down.

"That's it?" Dong Lintian rolled his neck and sneered with feigned boredom. "You spent four years at North Sea Academy, and this is all you've got?"

As he spoke, he walked up to Dong Yi'an and looked down at him. Lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear, he said, "You really think being friends with that Shen kid is enough? Don't forget your own name. The Dong Family has no use for trash!"

Since Dong Yi'an had been knocked out of the arena, Dong Lintian naturally won the first match. Zhang Hanlin asked Dong Yi'an who he wanted to fight next.

Dong Yi'an had barely shown anything this time, so Zhang Hanlin reminded him to choose carefully for his next match.

"I'll fight him again!"

Dong Yi'an made the same resolute choice. He showed no trace of dejection, his sharp eyes fixed on his opponent.

"Fine." Dong Lintian paused, then gave a cold snort and agreed.

The second match ended even faster than the first.

After Dong Lintian bombarded him with three Soul Skills in succession, Dong Yi'an was knocked out of the arena again and could barely stay on his feet.

Ye Xi caught him, but the boy remained stubborn, gritting his teeth. "Dong Lintian, I admit I can't beat you today. But remember this: I haven't lost. I've only lost to myself—to the time I still need."

"Give me time, and I'll make you eat dust!"

Dong Lintian only shook his head slightly and murmured, "Little bro, that's how the fight to become heir has always been. Don't blame me. Blame the fact that you were born into this family."

"I'm up next."

Shen Nanxun took two steps forward and patted Dong Yi'an's shoulder. Then he said to Zhang Hanlin, "Teacher, he's used up too much Soul Power. It wouldn't be fair. How about you call up one more person? I'll fight two at once and use both of my chances."

It was an utterly outrageous request, but Zhang Hanlin gave a slight nod. This was exactly what he'd wanted. He was curious to see where this kid's limits lay.

So he agreed without a moment's hesitation and looked toward the group.

"Long Chen, come up. You two will fight him together."

Not far away, Weng Daimin had just arrived to watch and hadn't yet figured out what was going on. She asked, puzzled, "Why is Brother Chen going up? Is he fighting two at once?"

"Looks like it." Even the usually aloof Xue Liushuang was intrigued, her gaze fixed on the boy about to take on two opponents in the trial.

There was already a large age gap, and now he was fighting two at once. No matter how you looked at it, something seemed off.

But this was an examination. If he'd chosen to do this, he must have had something exceptional about him.