One Year Later

Why hadn't it had that effect just now? Was it because I was too strong? The gap between me and that kid was too great, so the gas transformed from his Soul Power had no effect on me!

Dugu Bo frowned as he watched Zhou Liang and the others walk away, puzzled by what had just happened.

One year later.

Inside a training ground at Lanba Academy.

Orderly footsteps rang out in rhythm, while deafening shouts echoed in every direction.

On the training ground, eight well-organized figures attacked a middle-aged man together.

Although this middle-aged man possessed the cultivation of a Soul King, under the condition that he only used his first and second soul skills, his room to maneuver was gradually being squeezed away, forcing him to retreat again and again.

These eight figures were Zhou Liang and his Martial Soul Soldier, along with the six energy Soldiers summoned by his first soul skill.

The one being surrounded and attacked was Teacher Wang Hu. After a year of growth, Zhou Liang had learned military combat knowledge, techniques for coordinating with multiple people, and several military formations.

What Zhou Liang was using now was the Four-Sided Eight-Support Formation. It required at least eight people to execute together and was exceptionally suited for a group attacking one person, subjecting the target to attacks from all directions.

Moreover, Zhou Liang had incorporated several of his own minor divine abilities into it.

Among the eight figures, pairs stood opposite one another and used Stepping together, generating Soul Power pressure to squeeze the encircled target.

Although the shouts accompanying every attack alerted the surrounded enemy, the addition of the divine ability commands caused Soul Power vibrations to batter the target. The mental attacks mixed within them continuously weakened the enemy's condition as well.

"Alright, this assessment ends here. Zhou Liang, your strength has improved tremendously, and your Soul Power has reached level 26. You can go to the Great Spirit Arena in Tiantou City for some practical experience!"

After calling Zhou Liang to a halt, Teacher Wang Hu looked at the Martial Soul Soldiers and spoke with a hint of admiration.

"In just one year, not only has your Soul Power risen another three levels, but you've also learned a great deal of military formation knowledge without falling behind in your other classes. Your combat awareness and combat ability have undergone earth-shaking changes. Zhou Liang, you have the greatest talent of anyone I've ever seen!"

"Teacher, you're making me embarrassed by praising me like that," Zhou Liang said with a smile.

"What's there to be embarrassed about? Your talent truly is that exceptional. I'm not exaggerating," Teacher Wang Hu said, shaking his head.

"That's right, Xiao Liang. Your talent really is remarkable. You're five years younger than me, yet your Soul Power level has already caught up to mine." Dugu Yan walked over and looked at Zhou Liang.

"Xiao Liang, your Soul Power cultivation is so fast. We both have Innate Full Soul Power, but you cultivate much faster than I do!" Xiao Wu poked her head out from Zhou Liang's other side and looked at him.

"These are all results accumulated day by day. Only through constant, diligent cultivation can you improve like this. If you two set aside more time to cultivate your Soul Power, you could improve this way too."

Zhou Liang smiled at Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan.

"Xiao Liang, you're lying. You cultivate so quickly entirely because of your talent. Hard work alone can't reach your level." Dugu Yan curled her lips as she looked at Zhou Liang.

"Alright, chatting time is over. Zhou Liang, go eat and rest. Once you've recovered, come back here. I'll take you to the Great Spirit Arena tonight," Teacher Wang Hu said slowly as he looked at them.

"Alright, Teacher Wang Hu," Zhou Liang replied with a nod.

Teacher Wang Hu nodded as well, then headed out of the training ground.

"Training's over for today. Let's go eat!" Zhou Liang said, turning to Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan.

After seeing the two girls nod, Zhou Liang took the lead toward the cafeteria.

Behind him, Xiao Wu looked at Dugu Yan beside her. She pulled down the skin beneath one eye with a finger, shut her other eye, and stuck out her little pink tongue, making a face at her.

The sight of Xiao Wu like this immediately angered Dugu Yan. She gritted her teeth and said, "Stupid rabbit, what are you doing?"

"Who are you calling a stupid rabbit?" Although Xiao Wu was young, her presence was no weaker than Dugu Yan's, especially now that she looked like a bristling cat.

But after looking at the purple-haired girl opposite her, the corners of her lips suddenly lifted. She curled her lips and muttered, "Purple-skinned snake!"

"What did you say?"

Though the voice had been quiet, Dugu Yan heard it clearly from such a close distance. Her eyes widened as she stared at Xiao Wu.

"What are you two doing? Aren't you coming?" Zhou Liang's voice carried over from afar.

The two girls stared at each other and each gave a cold snort before turning and running toward Zhou Liang.

They quickly caught up with him. The only difference was that in front of Zhou Liang, they chatted and laughed as if they had a wonderful relationship.

Dugu Yan was now also a student of Lanba Academy. Ever since Dugu Bo had confirmed that Zhou Liang could detoxify her, he had transferred Dugu Yan to Lanba Academy.

Before long, quite some time had passed. Zhou Liang and the others quickly finished their meal and returned to their dormitories to rest.

All three of their dorm rooms were single rooms next to one another, with no one else nearby.

By evening, when the sky had darkened, Zhou Liang had rested enough.

He opened his eyes, stood up, and headed outside.

When he pushed open his dorm room door, he saw Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan standing on either side.

"Xiao Liang, the spirit arena is different from the training ground. You need to be careful!" Dugu Yan said worriedly as she looked at Zhou Liang.

"Don't worry. I won't get hurt," Zhou Liang said with a nod.

"Xiao Liang, I really want to go with you! But the dean won't allow it!" Xiao Wu said, pouting in disappointment.

"Master isn't letting you go for your own good. After all, you haven't completed Teacher Wang Hu's practical combat foundation training. He's afraid you won't be able to handle real combat. What if you get hurt then?" Zhou Liang said as he gently patted Xiao Wu's head.

"Alright," Xiao Wu replied helplessly with a nod.

Zhou Liang looked at the two of them and said, "Relax and get some proper rest. Nothing will happen to me."

Xiao Wu and Dugu Yan nodded, watching Zhou Liang leave.

After he had gone far away, the two girls looked at each other.

Hmph!

After snorting coldly at each other, they turned away and returned to their respective dorm rooms.

Meanwhile, Zhou Liang arrived at the training ground, but Teacher Wang Hu was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, he saw another familiar person.

"Master!"

Zhou Liang jogged over and looked at Liu Erlong in confusion. "Master, wasn't Teacher Wang Hu supposed to take me to the Great Spirit Arena?"

"Teacher Wang Hu has some matters to deal with. I'll take you there this time," Liu Erlong said as she looked at Zhou Liang.