"Through the introductions and the class roster, I've gained a basic understanding of everyone."
"My classes differ from those of other teachers. Although today is the first day, we'll be starting with practical combat. Everyone, follow me to the training grounds."
Wu Changkong looked at the many students in the class and spoke.
"Yes, Teacher Wu."
Before long, at Eastsea Academy's training grounds.
"Every time I come to the training grounds, I'm reminded of the fear of being dominated by the boss."
As Xie Xie arrived at the training grounds with Jiang Yan and the others, his gaze fell upon the vast field, and memories of the past flooded back.
They had just entered the intermediate division now.
Back then, they had just entered the beginner division.
At the time, he had thought he could defeat the boss, whose Martial Soul was the Holy Dragon King. Yet after just one exchange, he had nearly been beaten stupid. Luckily, he had surrendered quickly. Otherwise...
He probably would have been beaten into a pig's head.
"For today's practical combat class, everyone will need to demonstrate their strength. Next, you'll form pairs and duel one-on-one. We'll go straight into combat, and I'll serve as the referee. Let me see what you're capable of."
"The first group..."
"Wei Xiaofeng and Zhang Yangzi."
As Wu Changkong spoke, his gaze swept across the students before finally settling on Wei Xiaofeng and Zhang Yangzi.
"Yes, Teacher Wu."
Wei Xiaofeng and Zhang Yangzi both answered, stepping forward in unison, eager and swift.
"Yangzi, I won't go easy on you!"
Wei Xiaofeng said with a grin.
Behind him, a blue-green serpent shadow silently emerged. At his feet, two yellow Soul Rings flashed into existence.
A level 23 agility-attack Soul Grandmaster had entered the fray!
"First Soul Skill, Azure Shadow Assault!"
His body became intangible in an instant, his pupils turning into snake eyes as he swung his claws and lunged at Zhang Yangzi.
"You'd better have the strength to back that up."
"Second Soul Skill, Eagle Strikes the Sky!"
Zhang Yangzi smiled. Behind him, a pair of blackish-gray wings abruptly materialized, instantly boosting his speed. As he soared into the air, he dove forward.
"Second Soul Skill, Azure Shadow Clone!"
"First Soul Skill, Dark Curtain!"
For the two of them at their current level, both merely Soul Grandmasters, chaining two Soul Skills together was already the key to determining victory or defeat.
On the southern side of the training grounds, Wei Xiaofeng split into four figures, each surrounded by green light, mysterious and distinctive.
On the northern side, under Zhang Yangzi's Soul Skill, darkness briefly shrouded the entire area. With low-level Soul Masters still lacking developed spiritual power, it produced an enormous battlefield-control effect.
"..."
Gradually, as the effect of the Dark Curtain faded from the training grounds, three of Wei Xiaofeng's four figures had already vanished under everyone's watchful eyes, leaving only one behind.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yangzi remained suspended in the air, maintaining a lofty, superior stance.
The Dark Illusory Demon Eagle was a top-tier dark-attribute beast Martial Soul. Though it was a control-type Martial Soul, it also possessed extremely high burst power. Against a kiting agility-attack Martial Soul like the Azure Shadow Serpent, its advantage was simply too great.
"I'm done, I'm done! Yangzi, all you know is how to fly around in the sky. If you've got the guts, come down and duel me! This is so boring!"
Wei Xiaofeng's face flushed red. Standing on the ground, he looked like he wished he could pole-vault into the sky to fight him. He curled his lips and complained.
People said that absorbing a bamboo Martial Soul could grant the ultimate divine skill, [Pole Vault]. Had he actually lost because of that?
"If you're weak, train more."
"We'll continue next time."
Zhang Yangzi chuckled, descended, patted his shoulder, and said calmly.
"First match, Zhang Yangzi wins."
"Second match, Wang Jinxi and Xie Xie."
Having announced the result of the first round, Wu Changkong's gaze immediately locked onto the other two as he continued.
"Jin Xi, when you make your move later..."
"Remember to hold back a little."
On the training grounds, Xie Xie looked from afar at Wang Jinxi on the other side. As he gripped his two daggers, he recalled the tyranny of the other's Bone Dragon King Martial Soul and quietly spoke.
The Bone Dragon King Martial Soul was likewise a top-tier dragon bloodline. Though it was not strictly speaking a Dragon King, nor even a True Dragon of high purity, it...
Was undeniably powerful all the same.
Moreover, agility-attack Soul Masters were at a great disadvantage against power-attack Soul Masters, so he had no intention of making victory his goal.
As long as he could hold out a little longer, it would count as a useful result of his training. The more he learned and practiced, the closer he would come to success, right?
"Mm."
Wang Jinxi nodded silently and made an OK gesture. The instant he released his Martial Soul, a deathly Bone Dragon King faintly appeared behind him.
"First Soul Skill, Light Dragon Blade! Shadow Dragon Blade!"
The two daggers in Xie Xie's hands gleamed brilliantly. With the effects of his dual-Martial Soul Skills activated, both his strength and speed increased.
"First Soul Skill, Bone Dragon Claw."
In response, Wang Jinxi merely unleashed his first Soul Skill. The instant one hand transformed into a massive dragon claw, he effortlessly blocked the incoming assault.
"First Soul Skill! Shadow Dragon Blade! Light Dragon Blade!"
Xie Xie did not panic in the slightest. He adjusted his state and, from such close range, unleashed his Soul Skills once more.
"Bone Dragon Claw!"
"Second Soul Skill, Bone Soul Conversion!"
As Wang Jinxi swung his claw to defend, the second Soul Ring beneath his feet blazed brightly. In an instant, his body emitted a faint glow, looking rather unusual.
Bone Soul Conversion was a strengthening defensive skill.
While the Soul Skill was active, it could transform his bones and soul, greatly enhancing either his attack or defense.
"Hmph!"
"Second Soul Skill, Light Dragon Storm!"
A glint flashed through Xie Xie's eyes. With both daggers in hand, his speed quietly surged as he unleashed his second Soul Skill.
Unfortunately, his base attributes truly were not high enough. Though he fought tenaciously and struggled with all his might, he ultimately could not break through Wang Jinxi's Martial Soul, which combined offense and defense, and was defeated.
"Second match, Wang Jinxi wins."
Wu Changkong looked at the performance of the two on the training grounds and nodded slightly. At the same time, his gaze casually shifted toward Jiang Yan, his face carrying a trace of anticipation.
"As for the third match..."
"Jiang Yan versus Wu Changkong."
He spoke slowly and stated it directly.
He truly wanted to know—
Just how strong was Jiang Yan, this genius burdened with the title of strongest prodigy?
"Mm... huh???"
Xie Xie, who had just stepped down, nearly stumbled to the ground.
"What?"
"The boss against Teacher Wu?"
"Fighting a Soul Emperor!"
The bewilderment in Xie Xie's eyes was plain to see. Beside him, Wei Xiaofeng, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi were all equally stunned.
Teacher Wu was a level 69 Soul Emperor!
Calling him a half-step Soul Saint would not be an exaggeration.
The boss was actually going to face someone like that?
"It's nothing. He's only a Soul Emperor."
Jiang Yan smiled and shook his head upon hearing that, not finding it a big deal at all.
He had never fought a Soul Emperor, but by sheer coincidence, he really had fought a Soul King back when he had only two Soul Rings.
Besides...
His gaze turned toward Wu Changkong, and his eyes held the same hint of amusement.
Teacher Wu.
You were the challenger.
"..."
Before you continue