Difficulty Soars

Outside the Azure Prison Spirit Realm, at the Anping Dao Academy's central Martial Training Ground.

Several enormous screens of shimmering water floated in midair, projecting the scenes inside the Spirit Realm in real time.

Several middle-aged cultivators in Daoist robes of different colors sat on a raised platform: the Dao Academy's three supervisors and a group of core instructors.

Superintendent Su was staring at the screen showing Chu Bai's fierce battle with Tao Mingzhi. The instant the heavy sword was drawn off course by Cloud Hand, the fiery-tempered superintendent slapped his thigh and burst out laughing.

"Good! This kid's control of spell power has reached the level of Subtlety. In his hands, Formless Cloud Hand even carries a hint of the true essence of Force Transformation. Even inside this blazing furnace, he can wear down an opponent's advantage of terrain through sheer control. I like him!"

Superintendent Su made no attempt to hide his admiration.

Supervisor Liu, seated to his left, frowned slightly. He oversaw instruction and was close to the Aristocratic Clans in the Prefectural City.

"Senior Brother Su, the boy is certainly skilled in combat, but his approach is rather too soft."

Supervisor Liu pointed to Lin Xuewei and Dong Feng of Class Two on another screen. "Look at Lin Xuewei. Even with the Fire Spiritual Energy suppressing her, she forced her way through with a family secret technique and killed a Qi Refining Blazing Flame Spider.

"And Dong Feng—the Golden Scale Armor's defense is unmatched. That domineering way he sweeps aside everything in his path is the spirit disciples of our Great Zhou Dao Academies ought to have."

"Aristocratic Clan disciples have deep reserves and plenty of tricks up their sleeves. In my view, the eventual winner will still come from among them."

His meaning was clear: