I Don't Want This Dragon Soul War Halberd Anymore

But no matter how clumsy their coordination was, the power of their Soul Skills was there for all to see.

The second Soul Ring—that was a nearly seven-hundred-year Soul Skill!

Xu Huxiao had not dodged immediately. Once Xiao Ji made his move, there was no way he could evade the war halberd at that speed.

Seeing this, Gale had already gathered all his Soul Power, ready to act at any sign of danger in the soul battle. His Azure Sky Demon Vine could stop the fight at once.

With his cultivation as a Soul Sage, controlling this soul battle would be effortless.

Yet he had not intervened right away because Xu Huxiao showed not the slightest panic as he faced that strike. His expression was calm and steady.

That kid... he was even smiling!

It was as though he was looking forward to the opponent's ultimate move.

That was indeed the case. Feeling the powerful Soul Power fluctuations from that strike, Xu Huxiao finally found a little enjoyment in the battle.

But that was all.

Triple Amplification, Gluttonous Grip!

His first Soul Ring lit up. In an instant, Xu Huxiao's Platinum Dragon-Patterned Twin Arms swelled to three times their original size, gleaming with platinum light as savage dragon patterns coiled over them.

The Dragon Soul War Halberd came hurtling toward him, and Xu Huxiao brought his amplified palms together.

Smack!

The sharp halberd tip stopped three inches from Xu Huxiao's face.

It could not advance another inch.

"You caught my Cloud-Piercing Halberd with your bare hands! How is that possible?!"

Xiao Ji stared in utter disbelief.

He was a Soul Grandmaster! And his Cloud-Piercing Halberd was a seven-hundred-year second Soul Skill. How could it possibly be caught by a Soul Master who had not even obtained a second Soul Ring?!

But the truth was right before him, and Xiao Ji had no choice but to believe it.

Xu Huxiao could not be bothered to explain. Even if Teacher Gale saw it and asked about the battle later, he could just blame it on his natural strength.

As for why he could catch a war halberd barehanded?

The reason was simple. His first Soul Skill was eight hundred and sixty years old, and compared to Xiao Ji's level twenty-two Soul Power—

His was no weaker.

On top of that, his physical strength far surpassed Xiao Ji's.

So with superior Soul Power, Soul Skills, and strength, catching that strike was only natural.

But the battle was not over yet.

The shockwaves beneath Xue Long's feet had not stopped. After catching the war halberd, Xu Huxiao swung one foot halfway around before stomping heavily onto the ground.

Roar!

An overbearing dragon roar rang out. Its powerful momentum made the dragon beast on the purple war halberd pull back its head.

This was a variation of Revisiting the Dragon from the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms—Shocking a Hundred Miles!

Revisiting the Dragon emphasized leaving strength unspent, while its variation, Shocking a Hundred Miles, focused on layering and tremors, endless and unceasing. Yet in Xu Huxiao's hands, it had less continuity and more fierce force and explosive power.

Xu Huxiao had used this move with his foot, but its power was no lessened.

An even more surging shockwave blasted forth, directly shattering Xue Long's trampling tremors.

The two forces of vibration erupted beneath Xue Long's feet. The immense shock sent him completely off balance. He cried out, flailed his arms, and fell backward.

After using Shocking a Hundred Miles to break Xue Long's Dragon Rhino Trample, Xu Huxiao withdrew the Thousand-Kilogram Drop stance and released the war halberd from between his palms.

The halberd's momentum did not stop. Xu Huxiao stepped sideways with his right foot and turned his body. His amplified left hand seized the middle of the halberd shaft, his waist driving his arm and his wrist exerting force. With his amplified strength, he flung the war halberd backhandedly toward Xue Long.

Whoosh!

The purple Dragon Soul War Halberd stabbed straight into the ground in front of Xue Long's crotch. Its sharp blade tore through his pants, pinning the fabric of his school uniform to the ground.

"Ah! Mommy! Save me!"

That stab did not just rip his pants. It shattered Xue Long's courage.

A trembling stream of yellow liquid poured from Xue Long's lower body onto the snow-white halberd blade, giving Xiao Ji's Dragon Soul War Halberd a thorough wash.

Xu Huxiao was speechless at the sight. He turned to the bruised and swollen Xiao Ji and said:

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take your 'piss halberd.'"

"Okay..."

Xiao Ji blankly ran to his Dragon Soul War Halberd and was just about to raise his hand to recall his Martial Soul.

Then the wind blew, carrying the stench of urine from the Dragon Soul War Halberd.

Bleurgh—

"Fuck! Xue Long, you bastard! Bleurgh—"

Xue Long trembled all over, his face pale as he said miserably:

"Young Master Xiao, I'm sorry. I couldn't control it. And I feel like I can't move my body anymore. Could you please pull your war halberd out already..."

"I feel like... its blade is about to slice my little brother!"

Xue Long truly wanted to cry without tears. How had things turned out like this?

Xiao Ji's hand stretched out, then stopped. Finally, gritting his teeth, he pulled out his Martial Soul. But those yellow urine stains...

"Wash it. It can still be used after a wash. Don't lose heart."

Xu Huxiao patted Xiao Ji on the shoulder, comforting him.

"Mm..." Xiao Ji, missing two front teeth and covered in bruises, looked even worse than if he were crying.

"And don't wander around in front of me from now on. If you piss me off, I might beat you up again. Got it? Nod if you understand."

Xiao Ji nodded, his feelings complicated.

They both had Titled Douluo backgrounds, and his cultivation was even higher than Xu Huxiao's. Yet he could not win one-on-one, nor could he win in a group fight.

This time, he could only admit defeat.

Looking at the even more pathetic Xue Long, Xiao Ji decided it was all because of Xue Long's lousy idea. Otherwise, he would not have suffered such a huge loss.

He truly regretted it now...

Thinking about it, when choosing lackeys in the future, Wang Hong's dumb and simple sort would be better.

With the trouble resolved, Xu Huxiao stopped paying attention to the two of them. He still had physical training that morning.

Meanwhile, the six-against-seven battle had also ended.

The six first-years won!

At the crucial moment, Hu Liena's Charm Light Wave proved immensely useful. The arcing light wave found just the right angle and directly struck, charming five opponents.

The Ao Family siblings followed up with attacks and knocked all five down.

Meanwhile, Xie Yue and Yun Ji held off the enemy's two-ring Soul Grandmaster and another person.

The enemy's two-ring Soul Grandmaster, Liu Ling, had an antelope Martial Soul and followed the agility-attack path. Logically, defeating two one-ring Soul Masters should have been easy, especially when one of them was a support Soul Master.

But the result was the exact opposite.

That was because Yun Ji was not a pure support type; she also possessed a degree of control ability.

As soon as the battle began, Yun Ji's Healing Bubble seemed to grow onto Liu Ling's body. Whenever he broke it, another rubber-film-like blue bubble wrapped around him again.

Liu Ling, despite already having two Soul Rings, could not make a move at all. Agility attackers feared control the most. Restrained by the control effect, he could only watch helplessly as the student wielding Moon Blades knocked down his companions.

After tearing open the blue bubble yet again, Liu Ling looked at the six opponents, whose momentum had not diminished, then at his own brothers sprawled on the ground and groaning.

Just as the opponent's blue bubble was about to envelop him again—

Liu Ling helplessly raised his hand in surrender, then pulled up his companions and slunk away from the training field.

They had won their first battle!

Everyone ate Bao Jingjing's Black Crystal Abalone to recover their strength. The team battle had gone smoothly, but they had all given it their all.

As they looked at one another, each saw the joy of unity and victory in the others' eyes.

"Wait, where's Huxiao?"

Orleans suddenly remembered Xu Huxiao. He was facing two two-ring Soul Grandmasters, both with optimal Soul Ring configurations. With only Soul Master cultivation, he had basically no chance of defeating them.

But she looked around and could not find Xu Huxiao anywhere. Even Xiao Ji and Xue Long were nowhere to be seen.

Could Huxiao have been taken away by them?

"Guys, Huxiao was taken away by them! Let's go save him!" Orleans immediately called out in a blaze of urgency.

At the same time, Orleans was secretly delighted. This time, she could finally show off her might in front of him.

But a little finger poked her, shattering Orleans's newly risen fantasy.

"Um, Boss Lady, Brother Huxiao beat those two bastards and sent them running. While you were still fighting, Brother Huxiao told me he was going to the physical training hall to train. He said we should hurry to class too."

Bao Jingjing's voice was clear and sweet.

"Oh, then Huxiao has some skills after all. Not bad."

Orleans pretended not to care, but inwardly she cursed, Damn it, he showed off again.

Ao Li'ao was stunned when he heard that. "Sis, how is that just not bad? They were two Soul Grandmasters! That freak Huxiao actually won."

"That is simply unbelievable!"

Xie Yue also muttered a curse. "That freak!"

Yun Ji and Hu Liena's eyes lit up upon hearing the news, their gazes sparkling.

As expected of my Holy Knight!

As expected of Classmate Huxiao!

Damn it, Xu Huxiao had stolen all the spotlight. Orleans felt somewhat unconvinced.

"Alright, since Huxiao is fine, let's hurry to class too. The bell has already rung several minutes ago," Orleans said.

"But I haven't even eaten breakfast yet." Yun Ji furrowed her adorable brows.

Grrr...

As soon as she said that, everyone's stomachs growled in unison.

"Go eat at the cafeteria. Being a little late for class is fine. I'll speak to your teachers."

"Teacher Gale!"

"Thank you, Teacher~"

"Mm, go on."

Watching the six little ones run together toward the cafeteria, Gale smiled. He was reminded of his own school days.

Originally, Gale had planned to give them a lecture, but when it was all over, he realized there was no need.

The experience of team battle was the best lesson, whether for the older students or the younger ones.

These little ones still had plenty of time to grow.

Rather than lecturing them, it was better to let them enjoy their current days.

Because once this year passed, it would be time for the Junior Elite Challenge Selection Tournament.

Then they would be divided into different paths.

The Junior Elite Challenge Selection Tournament mainly involved challenges between students of the same rank. It was open to all students under ten years old who had obtained their first Soul Ring.

Students who had already obtained their second Soul Ring could not participate.

The challengers would face the twenty-one newly enrolled students who had been preliminarily designated as Junior Elite reserve students. These included Xu Huxiao, Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and the Ao Family siblings.

They had been selected because of their innate Martial Soul talents, but to participate in Junior Elite training, they still had to pass this tournament.

Each person could be challenged at most three times. Those who were not defeated by challenges would pass.

And that was only the first step. To become powerful Soul Masters, they would still face layer upon layer of selection and elimination.

Nine months later, exactly one year after enrollment.

The Papal Palace in the city had also completed reconstruction under the instructions of the new Pope, Bibi Dong, following her ascension.

The old Papal Palace had been destroyed, and a grander, more majestic Papal Palace now stood in its original place.

At the same time.

Spirit Hall Academy's Junior Elite Challenge Selection Tournament began.

As Xu Huxiao's teacher, the new Pope Bibi Dong took time out of her busy schedule to come to Spirit Hall Academy and watch his soul battle.

However.

No one challenged Xu Huxiao that day...

This was the lingering effect of the incident when Xu Huxiao knocked out two of Xiao Ji's front teeth that day, which had spread throughout the academy.

Seriously, after hearing the outcome of that battle, who would challenge a monster like Xu Huxiao?

Everyone wanted to be the companion of a strong person, not their opponent.

Those who were not challenged advanced automatically, so Bibi Dong did not get to see her disciple perform on the day she had specially set aside.

However, Bibi Dong unexpectedly discovered another promising talent.

It was Hu Liena, who had been challenged three times in a row!

Not only Hu Liena's talent, but also the stubbornness and unyielding courage in her eyes deeply caught Bibi Dong's attention.

Seeing this girl reminded Bibi Dong of her own childhood.

Back then, no one had thought highly of her either, yet she had stood out through sheer stubborn determination.

Thus, after the tournament ended.

Bibi Dong accepted Hu Liena as her second disciple.

Xu Huxiao was not surprised in the slightest by this, because he had long known that he would gain another junior sister.

The Junior Elite Challenge Selection Tournament ended. Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and the Ao Family siblings all passed the selection tournament without question.

Bao Jingjing and Yun Ji passed the special assessment for support Soul Masters and entered the Junior Elite Reserve Team.

This tournament selected a total of twenty-one Soul Masters who passed.

These Soul Masters had just entered the elite reserve team and were uniformly Bronze Rank. After another year of study, they would undergo rigorous special training.