Pure sword skill competition, future battles

Was that blue-haired girl waving from afar not Heroine Xu Xiaoyan herself?

Beside Heroine Xu Xiaoyan stood a black-haired girl with an indifferent expression: Gu Yue.

Na'er was quite happy to see Xu Xiaoyan; after all, the two had been messaging each other constantly these past few days, even coordinating their arrival at Sun Moon.

But why was there a... Gu Yue here too!

Na'er felt very indignant, clutching the corner of Shen Nanxun's shirt tightly.

Shen Nanxun was even more bewildered. Shouldn't those two be at East Sea Academy? How did they end up at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy?

Xu Xiaoyan skipped over from beside a stone pillar, grabbed Na'er's arm, and announced with a triumphant face, "We transferred! Gu Yue said the curriculum at East Sea Academy was too slow, so we might as well come to Sun Moon. I also thought it would be closer to Na'er, so we applied together!"

In truth, that wasn't the case. Heroine Xu's intentions were written all over her face; she simply wanted to get closer to Shen Nanxun. When a girl meets someone she likes, she should strike hard. Besides, her family supported it—after all, if she could really build a connection with the Shen Family, it would be far more valuable to the Xu Family than Xu Xiaoyan getting into Shrek Academy.

There were thousands of graduates from Shrek Academy, but how many could actually catch the eye of the Shen Family?

Na'er's ahoge twitched. After greeting Xu Xiaoyan, she looked at Gu Yue's expressionless face, her silver eyes filled with vigilance. "How did you get in? You can't just transfer into Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy."

"Special admission," Gu Yue said coolly. "A recommendation letter from the Spirit Pagoda."

She didn't chat much more with Na'er, instead looking at Shen Nanxun. "My teacher asked me to tell you to go to the Ming Capital Spirit Pagoda this weekend. She will be waiting for you there."

"Forget it, no point overthinking it." Shen Nanxun nodded in agreement, deciding to head back and rest first.

Na'er followed close behind, though she shot a threatening glare at Gu Yue.

The latter merely watched with haughty indifference, not saying a word.

Na'er suddenly stopped and turned back, her silver eyes sparkling under the streetlights.

"Xiaoyan, come stay at my place tonight."

Clutching her backpack, Xu Xiaoyan froze. She instinctively glanced back at Gu Yue.

The black-haired girl stood on the steps at the academy entrance, her hair fluttering slightly in the night breeze, her expression still detached.

"Would that be too much trouble? I just transferred, and I haven't even unpacked my dorm..." Xu Xiaoyan said, trying to decline, but the glimmer of joy in her ice-blue eyes was impossible to hide.

"It's no trouble. The Shen residence is huge; there are plenty of guest rooms." Na'er's tone was assertive. She pulled Xu Xiaoyan by the wrist and continued walking, then added after two steps, "Mom's cooking is delicious. Didn't you say last time you wanted to eat authentic braised pork ribs?"

Xu Xiaoyan felt a bit embarrassed. That was something she had mentioned offhandedly in a soul-guide message three months ago; she couldn't believe Na'er still remembered. And here she was, trying to steal her spot.

She really was a terrible person!

Being dragged along by Na'er, Xu Xiaoyan felt like a rabbit that had just been petted, her steps so light she was practically bouncing.

Yet, she kept muttering.

"That's so embarrassing,"

"I didn't bring anything,"

"What about pajamas?"

But her pace didn't slow down in the slightest.

The Ahoge King had no idea that Heroine Xu's desire was no less than Gu Yue's.

This was what you called... inviting a wolf into the den!

Meanwhile, in the Dean's office at Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy.

Tea fragrance curled in the air. Kong Jieming sat behind a large rosewood desk, flipping through the freshman assessment results. His gaze lingered on a certain page for a long time before he leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

"Old Zhang, tell me, how did those two little ones from the Shen Family perform today?"

Zhang Hanlin sat on the sofa opposite him, lifting his teacup for a sip. He set the cup down without answering directly, instead asking, "Dean, do you remember that exchange tournament ten years ago?"

Kong Jieming tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. Of course he remembered. Ten years ago, Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy had held an exchange tournament with Shrek Academy. They had sent their strongest lineup at the time, only to be swept three-to-zero by an unknown freshman from Shrek's outer courtyard. Since then, Sun Moon had never dared to challenge Shrek again.

"Of course. So?"

"I mean to say, I see an unparalleled future for Sun Moon!" Zhang Hanlin said excitedly. "With these two little ones, Shen Nanxun and Na'er, what does a mere Shrek amount to? We will surely defeat Shrek in the future and restore the glory of Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy!"

"Heh," Kong Jieming chuckled. "Actually, Shrek is already a defeated opponent of ours."

Zhang Hanlin was stunned, not catching the meaning at first.

Kong Jieming explained calmly, "Didn't Shen Nanxun defeat Shrek Academy? And isn't he one of our people now? By that logic, doesn't that mean we defeated Shrek Academy?"

"Top-tier logic!" Zhang Hanlin gave a thumbs up. How had he not thought of it that way?

But it was true!

"Then hurry up and spread the word. From now on, there is only one top academy on the continent—us, Sun Moon. Shrek is nothing but a loser."

"The Dean is wise!"

The next day.

Shen Nanxun walked out yawning, clearly having not rested well the night before.

But Heroine Xu was different—spirited, full of excitement, and even chirping away beside him.

As for the Ahoge King, she was still frantically devouring her breakfast.

Na'er, only knowing how to eat will be your downfall!

Today was the opening ceremony, so Shen Nanxun still had to attend; he could have skipped his usual classes entirely. Enrolling in Sun Moon was more of a formality to ensure his resume included the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy.

There were invisible rules for many high-level positions within the Federation, especially in the military, where it was difficult for those from Shrek Academy to reach the very top. For so many years, aside from the Yuetian Douluo Guan Yue serving in the War God Temple, high-ranking officers in the major legions—with the exception of the special Blood God Legion—rarely came from Shrek.

After all, Shrek Academy held a unique position on the continent. If it were allowed to control the military as well, the Federation's sky would change. The Parliament and the military were not fools, so they naturally placed restrictions in this regard.

Aside from special events and competitions, Shen Nanxun did not need to participate in daily coursework. Given his current situation, he had no need for classroom instruction. His four years at North Sea Academy had already laid a solid foundation, and the Shen Family possessed even better resources for advanced training.

After the opening ceremony.

Shen Nanxun did not see Gu Yue today, but he had an appointment to keep at the arena: a sword duel with Xue Liushuang.

Deep within the Mimicry Cultivation Ground, a massive mimicry arena sat quietly.

The entire arena was built upon a foundation of high-level soul guidance arrays, surrounded by a flowing pale blue light screen. Inside the screen lay an independent world, making it the most advanced practical combat training facility at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy.

Its most miraculous feature was the ability to summon various combat terrains for realistic simulations at will. By simply inputting commands into the nearby soul guidance console, the environment within the arena could change in an instant.

In a blink, it could transform into an urban battlefield of towering skyscrapers and winding alleys, with broken walls and debris scattered about—perfect for close-quarters maneuvering and street ambushes. It could also shift into an endless desert with swirling yellow sand and rolling heat waves, where the blinding dust and open terrain tested one's soul power endurance and long-range control.

Beyond that, there were frozen glaciers stretching for miles, primeval forests with towering ancient trees, coastal reefs with crashing waves, thunder-ravaged plains, and even volcanic lava or illusory valleys—every extreme environment imaginable.

The sound of the wind, the howling of sand, the flow of water, the play of light and shadow, and even the fluctuations of soul power in the air were replicated with extreme realism. The tactile sensations, visuals, and perceptions were indistinguishable from reality; stepping inside felt like truly entering another world.

The original intent behind establishing this mimicry arena was to cultivate the all-terrain combat capabilities of the academy's soul masters.

Ordinary soul masters were only accustomed to fighting in a single environment and would see their strength plummet once the terrain changed. Here, however, students could train in different terrains, adapting to various climates and geographical constraints, honing multiple combat styles, and breaking free from environmental limitations to truly fight with composure regardless of their surroundings.

Shen Nanxun walked slowly onto the arena, his gaze sweeping over the soul guidance control panel as he waited quietly for Xue Liushuang to arrive. The light screen surrounding them shimmered, and the empty arena exuded an aura of grim preparation, waiting only for the combatants to begin.

The arena was silent.

A series of light footsteps echoed, and a figure in white walked slowly into the mimicry arena.

It was Xue Liushuang.

She wore the form-fitting uniform of the Sun Moon Academy, her figure slender and upright. Her skin was as fair as snow, her brows and eyes cold, and she carried a natural air of aloofness that kept others at a distance. Her ink-black hair was tied simply behind her head, with a few stray strands falling against her pale neck.

In the spectator seats outside the arena, a pretty young girl sat waiting—it was Weng Daimin, Xue Liushuang's best friend.

She cupped her hands around her mouth, leaning forward slightly as she kept her eyes fixed on Xue Liushuang on the stage, whispering encouragement: "Go, Liushuang! Teach this guy a lesson and show him your strongest sword techniques!"

Knowing that Xue Liushuang had a cold temperament and disliked drawing attention, Weng Daimin only cheered softly, not daring to make a loud scene that would disturb the atmosphere.

Xue Liushuang glanced sideways, nodding slightly toward the spectator seats before pulling her gaze back to Shen Nanxun.

"Are you ready?"

Shen Nanxun nodded slightly. "We can start whenever you like. As agreed, we use only pure sword techniques."

The moment his words fell, Xue Liushuang lifted her hand, and a long sword, glowing with a translucent white light, materialized. The blade was as clear as glass, shimmering with a faint lunar luster—it was her martial soul, the Split Light Sword.

On a certain level, the Split Light Sword was in no way inferior to the Star God Sword, possessing its own unique advantages.

Shen Nanxun's soul power stirred in his palm, and a brilliant golden long sword fell into his hand: the Angel Sword.

The two long swords faced each other from a distance.

There was no massive explosion of soul power or manifestation of martial soul avatars; both adhered to the agreement, confronting each other solely with the pure swordsmanship they had honed over the years.

The cold girl stood still with her Split Light Sword, her posture as upright as a pine, the tip of her blade hanging low, her breathing steady.

Shen Nanxun held the Angel Sword, his stance relaxed yet focused, his eyes calmly locked onto his opponent as his sword intent quietly took shape.

In the spectator seats, Weng Daimin held her breath, her eyes unblinking as she watched the arena, filled with anticipation for this peak duel of pure swordsmanship.

The arena's light screen shimmered quietly. On the empty battlefield, the two stood facing each other, the clash of their blades ready to erupt at any moment.

Both remained frozen, neither rushing to strike first, both settling their minds to gauge the other's energy.

Xue Liushuang's eyes were cool, her fingers tightening around the Split Light Sword as she took a silent half-step forward. A flash of white light suddenly swept out—a diagonal slash, the sword path cunning and agile, blending the real with the illusory. It was the unique, treacherous sword intent of the Split Light Sword.

The sword shadows split and merged, transforming into three nearly identical white arcs that struck at Shen Nanxun from the left, right, and center simultaneously. The light was as thin as mist, the strikes dense and delicate, every trajectory calculated to perfection without a hint of redundancy.

A flash of surprise crossed Shen Nanxun's eyes. He slowly raised the Angel Sword, the brilliant golden light contained and steady, blocking before him without haste.

In a collision of pure sword moves, the gold and white lights suddenly intertwined in the center of the arena.

Crisp ringing sounds of steel striking steel exploded in succession, clear and resonant, echoing through the empty arena.

Shen Nanxun's sword style was upright and grand, his defense airtight as he moved with fluid, natural ease.

Xue Liushuang's sword path was ethereal and unpredictable, her footwork light and shifting. Her blade danced like flowing frost, advancing and retreating, real and fake, using finesse to break strength and softness to overcome hardness.

The two figures constantly crossed paths in the arena.

Xue Liushuang's swordsmanship had long since reached the pinnacle for her age, and she displayed the subtlety of the Split Light Sword to the fullest—decoy images, instantaneous thrusts, and winding strikes, every move connecting without a single flaw.

Shen Nanxun did not dare to underestimate her in the slightest, casting aside his usual casual demeanor to immerse himself fully in the art of the sword. The Angel Sword defended while attacking, finding the strange within the upright; no matter how the opponent's sword light twisted and coiled, he kept his sword heart steady.

They traded blows for over a hundred rounds, their sword lights weaving into a golden-white web, neither able to gain the upper hand.

Weng Daimin in the spectator seats was already holding her breath, her beautiful eyes wide with shock.

From the looks of it, this junior was not falling behind in the slightest against her best friend's blade, responding to every move with composure and showing no signs of stage fright.

After another dozen rounds, the two retreated three steps in unison, each standing firm.

Shen Nanxun held his sword at his side, his breathing steady and unruffled, his eyes filled with genuine approval.

Xue Liushuang held her Split Light Sword pointed diagonally toward the ground. A hint of emotion flickered across her cold, aloof brow, and her chest rose and fell slightly, yet she showed no signs of defeat.

The sword light on the field gradually faded, and the lingering, sharp sword aura slowly dissipated.

It was a draw.

Only then did Weng Daimin let out a long breath, unable to help but exclaim in a low voice, "Too incredible... Liushuang actually fought him to a draw! In terms of pure swordsmanship, she didn't lose at all!"

Shen Nanxun retracted his Angel Sword and spoke indifferently, "Fine swordsmanship. In terms of pure sword technique, you and I are evenly matched. Today shall be considered a draw."

Xue Liushuang nodded slightly, her cold voice carrying a touch of solemn respect for a peer in the way of the sword, "You are also strong. Your sword heart is steady and your sword art is profound. You are one of the strongest sword-wielding opponents I have ever encountered."

She understood clearly in her heart that if they were only discussing attainments in the way of the sword, she and Shen Nanxun were actually on the same level. Each had their own strengths in sword paths and their own foundations in sword dao; neither truly held the upper hand. Both were top-tier figures among the younger generation of sword martial soul users.

"However, sword technique is just sword technique. I look forward to your freshman team facing us in battle!"

Including Xue Liushuang and Weng Daimin, the six of them were the original strongest six-person team of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy, hailed as the strongest generation in a century.

But now that Shen Nanxun had emerged, the academy had already begun preparing for this battle. In truth, it was to build momentum for this new generation led by Shen Nanxun; if they could win against an older age group, they would undoubtedly be the strongest generation in the history of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Master Academy.