Just Sky Academy

Heaven Dou City, Just Sky Academy.

As one of the Heaven Dou Empire's oldest Soul Master Academies, it was rather like the Shrek Martial Soul Department in one respect: it had little love for Soul Tools.

Most of its teachers and students focused heavily on improving their own cultivation and combat ability, so Just Sky Academy's students were formidable.

Of course, they were also every bit as proud as those of the Shrek Martial Soul Department.

Thanks to Princess Vena's arrangements, Just Sky Academy's senior staff and tournament team said nothing, though they were none too pleased about competitors being added at the last minute.

That afternoon, Song Que, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xu Sanshi arrived at Just Sky Academy for the first time. The six followed its bluestone avenue inward.

All along the way, the academy students coming and going kept casting glances at them.

Some students who had heard the news began whispering among themselves.

"Those are the ones? The outsiders who were added to the team?"

"I heard Princess Vena arranged it. The academy had no choice but to take them."

"Are they royal children here to polish their reputations? Why didn't they go to Dio Academy?"

"Who knows? They look so young, though. I doubt they're much good."

Snatches of conversation reached their ears.

Even someone as thick-skinned as Xu Sanshi felt a little uncomfortable. He could not help muttering, "Hey, hey, hey. This is the school you arranged for us?"

"Did nobody tell them how strong we are? They're acting like we're here to coast along with the team."

Bei Bei smiled. "They don't know us. What do you expect?"

"Besides, you're only level forty-five. Don't act like you're some overwhelming powerhouse."

Xu Sanshi curled his lip. "Tch. As if you're any different."

Beside them, Song Que looked perfectly at ease. A faint smile rested on his face, and he paid the surrounding stares no mind.

They made their way to the training grounds beside the academy's martial arts plaza.

Seven figures stood quietly in the grounds.

They were Just Sky Academy's starting lineup for this year's Continental Soul Master Tournament.

The young man in white at their head stood tall and straight. His cold bearing and aloof expression made him seem unapproachable.

He was Ye Wuqing, captain of Just Sky Academy's team and its highest-level member: a level fifty-eight assault-type Soul King.

A man and a woman whose auras were no less impressive stood shoulder to shoulder beside him.

They were Yu Mengdi, a level fifty-three assault-type Soul King with the Angel Martial Soul, and Tang Xiaolei, a level fifty-two Soul King with the Violet Hua Bow.

With three Soul Kings anchoring the team, Just Sky Academy was clearly not to be underestimated.

The remaining four were all Soul Ancestors in the forties.

Ye Wuqing's expression was cool as he swept his gaze over the six newcomers. It finally settled on Song Que.

"You're Song Que?"

"I hear you once defeated a Soul Emperor. Is that true?"

Song Que nodded. "What if it is? What if it isn't?"

Ye Wuqing remained expressionless. "We don't accept you joining our team."

"If you want to compete, prove yourselves. Even with Princess Vena backing you, you'll sit on the reserve bench as substitutes unless you're strong enough. Don't expect a starting position otherwise."

Yu Mengdi nodded beside him and smiled. "Most of you look far too young."

"If you aren't strong enough, don't force it. You can always compete in the next tournament."

Song Que smiled. "No point talking any longer. We're short on time."

"Let me see what you can do."

The moment he finished speaking, Song Que vanished. The next instant, he appeared in the center of the nearby arena.

Ye Wuqing and the others stared. None of them had seen him move.

"So fast!"

"Was that teleportation?"

They exchanged shocked looks, their expressions turning grave.

Ye Wuqing frowned slightly and stepped into the arena first.

"I'll go first, then."

Song Que gave a faint smile. "No. Let's not waste time. Come at me together."

Their expressions changed, anger flashing in their eyes.

"How arrogant!"

"You think you can take on all seven of us?"

"Not even a Soul Emperor could do that."

Ye Wuqing snorted and turned to the others. "Since he has a death wish, join me."

The others entered the arena.

Ye Wuqing continued, "You chose this. Don't blame us for holding nothing back."

"Do as you like." As Song Que spoke, he drew his Zanpakutō into his hand.

Ye Wuqing and the others summoned their Soul Rings and readied themselves for battle.

The martial souls of Just Sky Academy's team were indeed unusual.

There was Ye Wuqing's Golden Leaf, Tang Xiaolei's Violet Hua Bow, Shangguan Can's Soul-Seizing Bell, and the Angel Martial Soul, which had already been famous ten thousand years ago.

The ranged Soul Masters struck first. Golden leaves, arrows, and fireballs flew toward Song Que at once.

They meant to test him before committing themselves.

Shangguan Can shook the eerie Soul-Seizing Bell in his hand. It gave off a strange sound meant to disturb Song Que's mind.

But just as the attacks closed in, Song Que vanished again.

Shangguan Can frowned. "I can't see him at all. It really is teleportation!"

Thud! Thud! Thud! Three muffled impacts rang out in quick succession.

The three Soul Ancestors at the rear of the seven-person formation flew backward and landed outside the arena.

Song Que spoke calmly. "Don't get distracted."

Then he vanished once more.

The remaining four felt a chill. They stood back to back, scanning their surroundings.

Ye Wuqing knitted his brows. "Does his teleportation have no cooldown?"

Song Que's voice drifted down from above.

"It's called Flash Step, not teleportation. Though I suppose the difference isn't that great."

Their expressions shifted, and they looked up.

At the sight of Song Que standing in midair, their eyes widened.

"How is that possible? Isn't his martial soul a sword? How can he fly?" Yu Mengdi cried.

Ye Wuqing's expression grew grim. Without a word, he attacked.

Several golden leaves shot toward Song Que in the air.

Song Que smiled slightly and raised his blade.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

Pink light bloomed across the blade. The next instant, it became a sky full of cherry blossoms raining down.

"What?!" the others cried, scrambling to dodge.

Every golden leaf hurtling upward was cut down by the petals.

Song Que swept the hilt through the air again and again.

The cherry-pink petals became countless tiny blades, crisscrossing through the air and surrounding the four of them.

Caught off guard, they were all wounded and staggered as they dodged.

Ye Wuqing and Tang Xiaolei exchanged a glance.

Ye Wuqing's second Soul Ring lit up. Golden leaves streamed out and formed a sword array in midair, blocking the attack and buying them a few seconds to breathe.

The Violet Hua Bow in Tang Xiaolei's hands flashed.

A purple arrow streaked across the sky like a meteor, aimed straight at Song Que.

But fast as the arrow was, it was still a step too slow.

The next instant, Song Que vanished without a trace.

"Damn it! We can't pin him down!"

A figure silently appeared behind Ye Wuqing. Song Que's teasing voice followed. "If you can't catch me, you should admit defeat."

"Keep dragging this out, and I'll have to get serious."

As soon as he spoke, the cherry-pink blades suspended across the sky surged to several times their former speed. The scattered petals swiftly gathered and twined together, becoming several swift, sinuous serpents of blossoms that coiled around the four fighters' limbs and bodies.

In an instant, Ye Wuqing and the other three froze in the arena, utterly unable to resist.