Golden Generation, Yue Guan's Lesson!

Carlson honestly had not expected Lin Xia to win. After all, there had been more than a dozen of them!

And they were all geniuses from Spirit Academy.

Yet they had been beaten so thoroughly by Lin Xia.

The shock surging through Carlson's heart had yet to subside when a clear, metallic voice rang out nearby:

"Wonderful! What an astonishing battle!"

Lin Xia and Carlson looked toward the voice and saw that three figures had appeared at the entrance to the training ground at some point.

On the left stood a tall, well-proportioned young man with handsome features and blade-sharp eyes. His short silver hair made him look neat and capable, while a faintly appreciative smile rested on his lips—Xie Yue.

In the middle was an exceptionally burly young man with short fiery-red hair. His crimson eyes brimmed with undisguised surprise and blazing fighting spirit. It was Yan.

The girl on the right had a graceful figure and a charming yet heroic face. Her peach-blossom eyes were likewise filled with curiosity and scrutiny. She was Hu Liena.

The three slowly approached. Though they deliberately restrained themselves, they still exuded Soul Power fluctuations and a steady presence far beyond those students from before.

They had clearly witnessed the latter half of the battle, especially the astonishing sight of Lin Xia's External Soul Bone erupting and Bulbasaur unleashing skill after skill.

"Let us introduce ourselves."

As the core of the trio, Xie Yue spoke first, his voice calm and steady.

"Xie Yue, level thirty-four, assault-type Battle Soul Elder."

He gestured to the people beside him.

"This is Yan, level thirty-three, an assault-type and fire-attribute control-type dual-system Battle Soul Elder. This is Hu Liena, level thirty-five, control-type Soul Elder."

Xie Yue's gaze fell upon Lin Xia, carrying sincere admiration.

"We had just finished class and heard that a monstrous new student personally summoned by His Holiness the Pope was undergoing an assessment, so we came by to take a look. I did not expect the scene we saw to be even more impressive than the rumors. Lin Xia, right?"

Hu Liena smiled sweetly and chimed in:

"Little guy, both you and your martial soul are far too unusual. Those bone spikes... and how does your martial soul have so many skills? It completely overturns conventional understanding."

Her gaze lingered on Bulbasaur, full of interest.

Although Yan said nothing, his blazing stare and clenched fists fully conveyed both his recognition of this seven-year-old's strength and his intense desire to fight him.

Xie Yue looked at Lin Xia's slightly pale but still composed face, then at the green little beast beside him, tired yet vigilant. In his heart, he had already regarded him as a companion—or even an opponent—worthy of attention in the future. He extended a hand, his tone carrying a hint of invitation.

"Shall we get acquainted? We will all be at the academy from now on. Perhaps we will have chances to spar and learn from each other, or even... fight side by side?"

Lin Xia looked at these three members of the Golden Generation, who would one day become famous across the continent. Feeling their powerful auras and sincere attitudes, his heart stirred slightly.

He knew their significance.

Just as he was about to respond to Xie Yue's invitation, a languid, somewhat effeminate voice that nonetheless contained unquestionable force abruptly cut in:

"Hehe, Nana, Xie Yue, Yan, you three little ones are certainly impatient. You have already come to recruit him?"

Everyone was startled. A figure dressed in a magnificent long robe trimmed in gold appeared between Lin Xia and the three of them as though teleporting. It was Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo!

His face bore his usual somewhat bewitching smile. His gaze first swept over Xie Yue and the others with the teasing air of an elder, but when it finally settled on Lin Xia, it became exceptionally deep and focused.

"Elder Yue Guan!"

Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan hurriedly bowed respectfully.

Carlson also bent forward in greeting.

Yue Guan casually waved a hand, but his gaze never left Lin Xia.

"This little fellow has just finished a battle. He has expended quite a bit of Soul Power and stamina. There is no need for you to catch up and recruit him right this moment."

He said this to Xie Yue and the others, but his meaning could not have been clearer—he wanted this person.

Xie Yue's eyes flickered as he instantly understood Yue Guan's meaning.

Though unwilling, before an elder—especially a Title Douluo deeply trusted by the Pope—he could only withdraw his hand and respectfully say:

"This disciple was presumptuous. Elder Yue Guan is right. Junior Brother Lin Xia truly needs rest. We shall take our leave first."

He gave Lin Xia a long look, then turned and departed with Hu Liena and Yan.

Before leaving, Hu Liena curiously glanced back at Yue Guan and Lin Xia once more.

Seeing this, Carlson also tactfully took his leave.

"Lin Xia, I will arrange the procedures and lodging for elite students. I will come find you later. Elder Yue Guan, this subordinate takes his leave."

Before long, only Lin Xia, Bulbasaur, and Yue Guan remained on the training ground.

"Come with me."

Yue Guan offered no further explanation. He turned and walked away, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Holding Bulbasaur, thoughts raced through Lin Xia's mind. He could roughly guess Yue Guan's intentions. Besides, this was Spirit Hall, and he was not particularly afraid that Yue Guan would seek revenge or anything of the sort. Without hesitation, he quickly followed.

After passing through the academy's grand buildings and patches of meticulously tended flowerbeds, Yue Guan finally led Lin Xia to an independent courtyard high within Spirit City, near the edge of Pope Mountain.

The instant the courtyard gate opened, a rich life aura that refreshed the spirit rushed toward him. It was worlds apart from Yue Hongsheng's gloomy, terrifying poison garden!

What unfolded before Lin Xia was a true kingdom of plants.

There were no lavish decorations in the courtyard. Everywhere the eye could see was lush greenery.

Towering ancient trees flourished with dense branches and leaves, their aerial roots hanging like curtains. Clusters of exotic flowers and rare herbs competed in beauty, vibrant in color without seeming gaudy, instead carrying a sense of elegant refinement.

The air was filled with a unique fragrance mingled with the scent of vegetation. The rich life energy seemed to have become tangible mist flowing among the branches and leaves.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the foliage, casting mottled shadows across the ground. Several brightly colored, strange-looking butterflies fluttered elegantly among the flowers.

Everything here brimmed with vitality and contained a harmonious, tranquil power. Standing within it, even his exhausted body and mind seemed cleansed and nourished by the abundant life force.

"Wow..."

Lin Xia could not help murmuring in admiration. Bulbasaur also seemed to sense the dense life aura here. Its weary eyes brightened as it let out a comfortable "Bulba" sound. The seed bulb on its back glowed faintly, seemingly absorbing the energy here on its own.

Yue Guan walked over to a vine covered in small pale-gold flowers and gently stroked its leaves. A nearly tender expression appeared on his face, utterly different from the effeminate demeanor he displayed in Pope Hall.

With his back to Lin Xia, he slowly spoke.

"Do you see it? This is life—flourishing, thriving, the power that nurtures all things. It is the complete opposite of the poison you encountered before, two opposing extremes."

Yue Guan turned around, his gaze blazing as he looked at Lin Xia.

"Having watched your battle, Lin Xia, the potential of your martial soul, Bulbasaur, the sheer number of its skills, and its combat prowess far surpass anything I have ever seen."

"The External Soul Bone is also uniquely blessed by nature, combining offense and defense with limitless potential. But..."

Yue Guan abruptly changed direction, his tone becoming grave and sharp.

"Your problems are equally immense! All of your power, the ten dazzling skills of your martial soul, even your newly awakened External Soul Bone—their foundation, their driving core, rely excessively on your own Soul Power and... your body!"

"What is wrong with that?"

Lin Xia frowned. He vaguely sensed that Yue Guan was about to address the concern that had troubled him all along.