Yan stood in the center of the platform in the training grounds, his short, crimson hair looking wildly defiant.
Across from him stood a girl with a ponytail. Her martial soul was seaweed, and she had three soul rings-two yellow and one purple. She was a Soul Elder.
The girl thrust both hands forward, and several dark green seaweed vines burst from the ground, curling toward Yan.
Yan did not even dodge. His first soul ring lit up, and he stamped his right foot against the ground.
"First soul skill, Hell Magma Surge!"
A blazing crimson column of magma erupted beneath his feet and surged forward along the ground.
The seaweed vines turned to ash the instant they touched the magma.
The girl had no time to react. A column of magma shot skyward beside her feet, and the heat wave hurled her backward. Her back slammed into the protective barrier at the edge of the Spirit Battle Platform, and she slid to the ground.
Her hair was singed and her sleeves had burned away, but she had escaped serious injury.
"The winner is Yan."
After announcing the result, the teacher serving as referee hurriedly had someone help the girl off the platform.
Yan withdrew his martial soul without so much as glancing at his opponent. He shook his head, his voice dripping with boredom. "Your Skywater Academy is so dull. Nothing but Soul Elders. Don't you have anyone stronger? I haven't even exerted myself yet."
In the spectator seats, Xie Yue leaned against the back of his chair and said flatly, "Yan, stop playing around. Let's go out for a meal."
"Sure."
Yan answered, then turned toward Hu Liena beside him and grinned. "Nana, what do you want to eat?"
Hu Liena sat beside Xie Yue, her short golden