First Battle

"Settling this the Soul Master way—am I fighting you one-on-one, or are all of you fighting me alone?"

Hearing Yang Dong's words, the eight-year-old boy opposite him showed a disdainful smile. He truly did not understand where a freshman who had only just enrolled got such confidence.

"Of course it's one-on-one. But if you lose, no running home to call your parents!"

The eight-year-old boy facing Yang Dong stepped forward, while the others sensibly backed away, leaving the two of them enough space to fight.

"Su Zhi, Martial Soul: Savage Bull. Level twelve Attack Type Soul Master."

Only then did Yang Dong understand why those people had looked at him with pity earlier. His opponent was already a one-ring Soul Master.

"Kid, it's not too late to surrender now. Once we start, don't blame me if I can't control my strength."

Su Zhi's voice became much deeper. Two horns grew from his head, and after Martial Soul Possession, he turned directly into a miniature minotaur.

Surrender?

How could that be possible!

"Yang Dong, Martial Soul: Ghost Hand. Level eleven Support Type Soul Master."

As Yang Yu spoke, he released the Ghost Hand Martial Soul. A yellow Soul Ring encircled his left arm—it was Yang Dong's First Spirit Ring.

"He's actually a Soul Master too!"

"Didn't they say his Innate Soul Power was only level one? How is he already a Soul Master?"

"Su Zhi has run into a tough one this time."

The surrounding discussion made Wang Zhi's heart sink. He had thought he was picking up a soft persimmon, only to find that it was a rock.

"I really underestimated you. Please enlighten me!"

Su Zhi took a deep breath, and his expression became several degrees more solemn.

He did not look down on Yang Dong just because he was a Support Type Soul Master. The moment he confirmed that Yang Dong was a Soul Master, his mindset had already changed. From this alone, Nuoding Academy's teaching was clearly not bad.

With a whoosh, Yang Dong made the first move. Empowered by Soul Power, his entire body shot toward Su Zhi.

"Good timing!"

"First Soul Skill: Savage Charge!"

Savage Charge: Charge forward in one direction, increasing defense by a certain amount during the charge.

Su Zhi's First Spirit Ring flashed. His body filled with a wild aura as he charged straight at the approaching Yang Dong.

He was an Attack Type Soul Master. His opponent charging at him head-on was exactly what he wanted. There was no need to dodge at all. In a direct clash, there was no way he could lose.

Unfortunately, Su Zhi had thought too simply. The moment Yang Dong learned that he was an Attack Type Soul Master, he had already formed a strategy. That charge had merely been a feint. The instant Su Zhi activated his First Soul Skill, Yang Dong smoothly changed directions, and Savage Charge ultimately struck nothing but air.

"Smack!"

Just as Su Zhi's old momentum had faded and his new strength had yet to arise, Yang Dong, who had just changed direction, appeared behind him. With a clean over-the-shoulder throw, he slammed Su Zhi straight to the ground.

Yang Dong had practiced these basic fighting techniques countless times already, so using them posed no difficulty at all.

"Sorry, I won."

Upon hearing that, Su Zhi, who had still been struggling to get back up, froze. By the standards of the match, he had indeed lost just now—and lost in such a stifling way. He had not even forced his opponent to use a Soul Skill. This battle had truly been a complete failure.

"You won."

After leaving behind those words, Su Zhi departed alone in silence. Before long, the news that he had lost to a freshman would spread throughout the academy, and he would become a laughingstock.

The surroundings fell quiet. The gazes directed at Yang Dong now carried a trace of envy. An eleven-level Soul Master at six years old—what a bright future he had!

Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. Not only were the students shocked, even some teachers hiding in the shadows were surprised.

"This child has some skill. He pretended he wanted to clash head-on with Su Zhi, but it was actually a feint meant to trick Su Zhi into using his Soul Skill first. At their current stage, both their Soul Skills and Soul Power are limited. Once he baited out Su Zhi's First Soul Skill, he had already gained the advantage."

One of the teachers sighed. If he had not seen it happen with his own eyes, he truly would not have believed that a six-year-old child like Yang Dong could be so calculating.

"If Su Zhi hadn't rushed to use his First Soul Skill, the outcome of this battle would still have been uncertain. He was too hasty."

Another teacher spoke, somewhat disappointed by Su Zhi's performance.

Nuoding Academy's Principal still wore a smile. He offered no opinion on the teachers' discussion, but his eyes narrowed quietly.

"Have Wang Gang test this freshman's level. Nuoding Academy's tradition cannot be broken here."

The surrounding teachers could hardly believe their ears. They stood there blankly, staring at the figure ahead. What exactly was the Principal trying to do?

"Teacher Song, go call Wang Gang. Tell him not to underestimate his opponent."

Wei Cheng swept his gaze around. Seeing that no one nearby moved, his expression darkened as he directly called out one teacher by name.

"Ah, alright. I'll go right away."

A figure hurried off, and the surroundings sank into an eerie silence.

Did the Principal have some grudge against this child?

"Don't look at me like that. I know this child. He is Lord of Lin Nuo City's grandson. I'm doing this because I want to see where this child's limits lie."

After saying that, Wei Cheng ignored the teachers' reactions and watched Yang Dong in the distance with a warm smile.

Wang Gang was Nuoding Academy's number one genius. At Nuoding Academy, there were very few who could successfully graduate, let alone earn the chance to study at an intermediate Soul Master academy. Wang Gang was one who had already received an early admission notice from an intermediate Soul Master academy.

He was also eight years old this year, but his strength had already reached level fourteen, two levels higher than Su Zhi's. Becoming a Great Soul Master before graduation would not be a problem at all.

"To think Su Zhi lost to someone like you. What a disappointment."

His voice arrived before he did.

Hearing that voice, the freshmen were still completely confused, but the older students quickly parted to make way for a broad-shouldered child to walk forward. They kept calling him Brother Gang, a treatment Su Zhi had not received earlier.

"Looks like you people intend to go back on your word."

Yang Dong tried to look past the person before him, but he was too short. He could not see a single figure farther away. He knew that some of Nuoding Academy's teachers were watching everything from the corners.

Retracting his gaze, Yang Dong looked at Wang Gang standing opposite him and sneered.