Shrek Academy, Soul Fighting Arena.
In the spacious arena, the hundred new students of Class 2 stood in three rows according to height, with the boys on the left and the girls on the right. Each row contained roughly thirty-three students.
Standing before them, Yan Hongyu faced the group in her instructor's robes.
Although the instructor's robes were generally loose-fitting, they could not conceal her voluptuous figure.
"Support-Type Soul Masters, step forward."
At Yan Hongyu's command, around twenty-five students immediately left Class 2's formation and moved to the side.
The purpose of this was obvious. This was a sparring match between Battle Soul Masters, intended both to select the class monitor and to let Yan Hongyu, their homeroom teacher, gain a clearer understanding of her students' strength. Support-Type Soul Masters without combat ability naturally did not need to participate.
Yan Hongyu looked at the remaining seventy-five students and said, "In a moment, I will randomly call names from the list in my hand. Whoever I call will immediately step forward for a battle."
"Remember, this is a friendly match. You may not deliberately seriously injure your classmates, and you must know when to stop. If I discover anyone deliberately harming a classmate, I will immediately apply to the academy to have them expelled."
"Understood?"
Hearing the sternness in Yan Hongyu's voice, everyone nodded in response.
"Very good. I will begin calling names now."
"First group: Fang Qiang, Guo Yu, step forward."
As Yan Hongyu's voice fell, one figure stepped out from the left side of the second row, while another emerged from the right side of the first row.
"State your names."
"Fang Qiang, Level 18 Assault System Battle Soul Master."
"Guo Yu, Level 21 Agility System Battle Soul Master."
Their voices fell at the same time.
Upon hearing her opponent's Soul Power cultivation, Guo Yu immediately let out a sigh of relief.
Fang Qiang, however, became far more nervous upon learning that his opponent was a Two-Ring Great Soul Master.
Among Soul Masters, the gap between major realms was considerable. After all, it meant the other person had one more Soul Skill than you.
Seeing Fang Qiang's reaction, Yan Hongyu softly reassured him, "Don't worry. Your teacher is here as the referee. If there is any real danger, I will intervene and stop it."
Hearing that, Fang Qiang finally relaxed before quickly composing himself.
"Alright, no time to waste. Begin!"
As Yan Hongyu lowered her jade-like hand, the two released their Martial Souls at the same time.
"Martial Soul Possession!"
The two cries rang out almost simultaneously.
A bright yellow Spirit Ring rose beneath Fang Qiang's feet. The next moment, a layer of black scales abruptly covered the surface of his skin. From the changes in his body, it was not difficult to tell that his Martial Soul was a Soul Beast with black scales covering its body.
Guo Yu, on the other hand, had two yellow Century Spirit Rings. After her Martial Soul Possession, her body did not undergo such obvious changes as Fang Qiang's. A one-foot-long azure dagger merely appeared out of thin air in her right hand.
The two charged toward each other.
Chen Yu, the Soul Grandmaster, was the first to unleash her first Soul Skill.
A layer of pale azure light lit up from the dagger in her right hand, covering her entire body in the blink of an eye. Her movement speed then abruptly rose to a whole new level, and she even left a string of afterimages behind her as she advanced.
Seeing Chen Yu suddenly become ghostlike, Fang Qiang did not dare be careless and used his first Soul Skill as well.
Amid a roar, Fang Qiang grew half a foot taller. Not only did the scales covering his body become thicker, but his arms also swelled enormously, brimming with explosive strength.
As the two drew close, Fang Qiang drove his massive fist straight at her.
With the enhancement of Storm Blade's first Soul Skill, Gale Phantom, Chen Yu became incredibly swift and agile.
With a bend of her waist, she successfully dodged Fang Qiang's heavy punch.
His fist passed through an afterimage, and the smile that had just begun to appear on Fang Qiang's face, believing he was about to land the blow on Chen Yu, abruptly froze.
Clang—
Sparks flew as Chen Yu took advantage of the opening after evading Fang Qiang's strike. She deftly turned the dagger in her hand and slashed fiercely across his waist.
Amid the shower of sparks, Fang Qiang was suddenly forced several steps back by the hidden force within the blade.
Looking at his waist again, his clothes had already been cut open by Chen Yu's Storm Blade, exposing the skin beneath, which was covered in black scales.
At that moment, a conspicuous white mark had appeared on the scales. They had clearly protected Fang Qiang. Otherwise, Chen Yu's slash would have disemboweled him.
Fang Qiang's gaze turned grave. He lowered his body slightly and stared intently at Chen Yu.
Yet even though he tried his best to see through Chen Yu's movements, she had the enhancement of her first Soul Skill and was also an Agility System Battle Soul Master specializing in speed. The speed she displayed was simply beyond what Fang Qiang, a one-ring Assault System Soul Master, could perceive.
Chen Yu seized an opening and flashed behind Fang Qiang. Her second Spirit Ring shone as the azure dagger released a sharp, intimidating blade light that fell upon Fang Qiang's back.
Riiip—
His clothes tore apart, and a streak of blood bloomed across Fang Qiang's back.
Clearly, before Chen Yu's second Soul Skill, Storm Slash, even Fang Qiang's highly defensive black scales could not withstand its power.
"Alright, that's enough."
Yan Hongyu spoke up to stop them.
The two immediately halted. Chen Yu stood where she was and ceased her attack.
Fang Qiang, as her opponent, looked much more miserable by comparison. His entire back was stained red with blood.
"Teacher Mu, please come over."
Yan Hongyu hurriedly beckoned to the side. The healing-type Soul Master, who had long been waiting nearby, quickly came over to treat the pale-faced Fang Qiang.
While Fang Qiang received treatment, the second match began immediately afterward.
Match after match passed.
Although Lin Yan was stronger than the vast majority of those present, he still watched every battle very carefully.
Learning about more Martial Souls and studying the strengths in others' fighting methods were also things an outstanding Soul Master needed to devote attention to.
"Xia Yuan, Wu Feng, step forward!"
As Yan Hongyu's voice fell, two more figures walked out.
"Wu Feng, Level 22 Assault System Battle Soul Master."
"Wait!"
Xia Yuan looked at Yan Hongyu and said, "Teacher, can I choose my own opponent?"
Yan Hongyu was slightly startled, but she quickly reacted. A trace of interest appeared in her eyes as she said, "You can. Who do you want to choose?"
Xia Yuan immediately turned around and pointed. "Stop looking around. You, get out here. I want to duel you one-on-one!"
Everyone's gaze followed the direction of Xia Yuan's finger. The next moment, a handsome figure entered their sight.
"Me?"
Lin Yan, standing among the crowd, looked stunned. He glanced to either side, then at Xia Yuan, before finally confirming that Xia Yuan really was pointing at him.
"Stop looking around. It's you. Come out, I challenge you!" Xia Yuan shouted.
Lin Yan wore a strange expression. He genuinely felt that this yellow-haired punk was being rather inexplicable.
When had he offended him? Why was he challenging him out of nowhere?
Could it be that he saw how handsome he was and became jealous?
That must be it!
Lin Yan nodded to himself.
If he had seen Xia Yuan approach Jiang Nannan in the classroom not long ago, he definitely would not be having such thoughts now.
Still, he really was the most handsome boy in Class 2. It did seem plausible that someone might envy his good looks.
Before you continue