Spirit Hall Academy Elite Selection Tournament

Three months later, the Spirit Hall Elite Tournament selection officially began. In just a few short months, with Spirit Hall Academy's meticulous cultivation and the support of the Immortal Herb, Xiao Ran's Soul Power had risen from Level 33 to Level 36.

Hu Liena was already Level 46, while Xie Yue and Yan were both Level 47.

The tournament's format was simple. There were sixteen classes, with each class sending out three people to participate in an elimination draw.

As the academy's trump class, Angel Class naturally advanced to the main tournament in full. Meanwhile, relying on the gimmick of possessing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as his third Soul Ring, Xiao Ran was directly stuffed into the starting lineup by the instructor.

"Xiao Ran, you'd better not drag us down." Xie Yue rested his Moon Blade on his shoulder and spoke with a look of disdain.

Yan, standing nearby, was also very dissatisfied with Xiao Ran, clearly jealous of Hu Liena. "Hmph, that Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring of yours was probably forced out with some secret technique. It looks impressive but is useless, and the price must have been huge, right?" Yan let out a mocking laugh.

Xiao Ran crossed his arms. "Hahaha, honestly, the emperor isn't anxious, but the eunuchs are. You're worried that I'll perform badly, but I'm worried that you'll perform badly. Tsk."

"You... brat, you'd better be capable." Yan ground his teeth.

Xiao Ran turned to look at Hu Liena and found her flipping through the tournament's rulebook.

"Senior Sister, who are you facing in the first match?" Xiao Ran quietly leaned over.

Hu Liena kept her head lowered. "Purple Star Class. Their captain is a Level 40 Agility Attack System Soul Ancestor, and his Martial Soul is a Wind Shadow Leopard. He isn't worth mentioning."

"Then, Senior Sister, help me see who I'm facing in the first match." Xiao Ran spoke excitedly.

Hu Liena gave him a sidelong glance. "You drew the captain of Red Fire Class, Shen Yan. He's a Level 45 Power Attack System cultivator with the Fire Qilin Martial Soul, and one of the seeded contestants in this elite tournament."

Xiao Ran stared blankly. "Fire Qilin?"

Hu Liena replied calmly, "What is it? Do you have a question? You want to ask what kind of Martial Soul this is, right? It's a Auspicious Beast Martial Soul, and its quality is rather special."

"It's nothing, haha." Xiao Ran scratched his head tactically. "I just remembered the days when I used to fight in CF." Xiao Ran muttered under his breath.

"You have to be careful. The Fire Qilin comes with an innate fire-attribute domain and is practically invincible in close combat. His level is also nearly ten levels higher than yours." Hu Liena seemed somewhat worried.

"Oh? Senior Sister is actually worried about me now. Looks like Senior Sister really does cherish this junior brother of yours... Hehe." Xiao Ran shamelessly said this aloud.

"What nonsense are you spouting? Who's worried about you? I'm just afraid you'll embarrass our Angel Class." Hu Liena turned her head away.

Xiao Ran smiled and thought to himself, Once I defeat this Shen Yan, I'll be able to win a smile from the empress in one move. Bibi Dong will definitely remember me.

On the day of the competition, the Spirit Hall Academy arena was packed with spectators.

"Distinguished guests and audience members, the Spirit Hall Academy Elite Selection Tournament officially begins now!" The referee opened the proceedings.

Angel Class faced Red Fire Class. The contestants from both sides entered the arena. Angel Class sent out Xiao Ran, Xie Yue, and Yan, while Hu Liena watched from the side as their captain.

The three members of the opposing Red Fire team walked over. One of them was tall and broad, his eyes blazing as a scorching aura radiated from his entire body.

That person was Shen Yan.

"Shen Yan, Level 45 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor. Martial Soul: Fire Qilin."

Shen Yan looked at the three people opposite him, and finally glanced at Xiao Ran.

"Level 36? Is Angel Class out of people?"

Xiao Ran retorted indignantly, "Who are you calling trash?"

"You!"

"Oh~" Xiao Ran drawled. So he was calling me trash.

Several nearby students failed to hold back and burst out laughing. Even Hu Liena outside the arena covered her mouth as she laughed.

Shen Yan's face flushed red with anger. Without another word, he immediately released his Martial Soul. A golden Qilin with flames beneath its four hooves soared into the air, and scorching fire swept across the entire arena.

The referee announced the start of the match.

Xie Yue and Yan were just about to move when Xiao Ran stopped them.

"Let me handle this!"

"Are you a monster? You're nine levels lower than him, and you want to handle it?" Xie Yue looked utterly shocked.

"Trying to show off? Fine. Don't blame us for not helping if you lose." Yan spoke with ill intentions.

"Shen Yan, do you dare fight me one-on-one?"

"Hmph, why wouldn't I dare? Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

After the two sides discussed it, their proposal was conveyed to the referee. To avoid implicating their teams, they decided that whoever lost would forfeit their qualification to continue competing in their individual capacity.

It was a huge gamble.

If Xiao Ran won, he would become famous in a single battle. If he lost, he would be sent packing immediately. Not only would Angel Class lose a member, but his own path through the elite tournament would end there as well.

From the edge of the arena, Xie Yue shouted, "Madman!"

Yan, however, was quite pleased. "It's exactly what I wanted. If he loses, he'll be eliminated directly, saving me from having to look at him."

Outside the arena, Hu Liena clenched her sleeves, clearly worried.

The referee announced the start.

"One has the Fire Qilin, while I have Flying Thunder God!"

"Super Fusion, Ultraman Ginga!" an invisible voice rang out.

Everyone present watched in astonishment, marveling, "What is that? How can a short stick transform into a suit of armor?"

Xiao Ran provocatively raised his hand. "Mindless beast, come at me!"

Unable to endure the provocation, Shen Yan pushed off with both feet and descended from the sky.

"First Soul Skill, Heaven-Burning Qilin Claw!" Shen Yan's thunderous claw, wrapped in surging flames, slashed toward Xiao Ran.

"Too slow!" Xiao Ran predicted the attack in advance and dodged to the side.

"Second Soul Skill, Galaxy Fireball!"

"Boom!"

The fireball instantly exploded against the Qilin. A crack appeared in the barrier around its body, and Shen Yan staggered two steps backward.

"Is that all?" Shen Yan shook his hand. "It looks impressive, but its power is ordinary."

"Heh, you're not much better. You couldn't even touch a hair on me."

"Arrogant! Third Soul Skill, Qilin Prison-Suppressing Roar!"

Shen Yan's Qilin let out a series of roars. The shock waves mixed with flames, and the skill could even cause the opponent's divine soul to vibrate.

"There's something to it, but not much!"

"System, load the Ultraman Tiga card!"

"Loading complete..."

"Zeperion Ray!"

Xiao Ran crossed his arms, then spread them to either side. Light energy gathered, and an L-shaped purple beam blasted forth!

"Bang!"

After the burst of light, Xiao Ran took a slight step back, while Shen Yan was sent flying several meters. He was thrown through the air for quite some time before finally managing to steady himself.

"Damn it, what kind of Soul Skill is that? How can it be so powerful? You won't be so lucky with this move!"

"Fourth Soul Skill, Qilin Prison Heaven-Burning Calamity!"

The Qilin's divine fire gathered a fiery calamity cloud high in the sky, and countless flaming scale fragments poured down over Xiao Ran.

Seeing the flames descending from the sky, Xiao Ran did not panic.

"Perfect. I'll use this to test the move."

"Agul Stream!"

A torrent of sea-blue particles shot out, completely scattering the fiery calamity cloud above. In an instant, the fiery cloud evaporated.

"What? He's only Level 36. How could he possibly have such terrifying explosive power?!" Shen Yan's face was filled with terror.

"Shen Yan, catch this. It's my turn!"