Challenging Qin Ming

As Yu Tianheng's low shout rang out, Soul Power surged wildly through him. Hissing and crackling sounded together as white arcs tinged with red leaped around his body. A red gleam flashed in his eyes.

Yu Tianheng's third Soul Skill sent him into a berserk state, boosting his attack power by one hundred percent!

"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw!"

Empowered by his third Soul Skill and driven into a frenzy, Yu Tianheng activated his first Soul Skill at the same time.

This time, the colossal dragon claw came with far greater force than before. It was larger, too, and the lightning dancing across it had grown more violent, turning from white threads to red!

"Come at me! Second Soul Skill: Illusory Qilin Nebula Rift!"

At the sight of the enormous dragon claw bearing down on him, fighting spirit blazed in Huo Linfei's eyes. At his command, the Soul Power within him erupted!

The next instant, the sky and earth seemed to change color around them!

Crimson flames and lightning lit each other up. Space seemed to fracture as countless streams of searing fire, like fiery snakes, rushed madly toward the dragon claw and Yu Tianheng himself!!

Bang, bang, bang!!!

Crack, crack, crack!!!

Explosions and sounds like shattering mirrors rang out without end, shaking everyone to the core!

The two surges of Soul Power collided and burst apart, sending out a shock wave that whipped dust and sand into the air. Both figures vanished within it, hidden from view.

"That was incredible! What happened? Who won?"

Everyone watching shared the same thought. Their eyes stayed fixed on the field, eager to see the outcome.

Both fighters were formidable in their eyes. It was hard to say who was stronger.

On the surface, Yu Tianheng seemed to have the edge.

But Huo Linfei, with two Thousand-Year Soul Rings and a record of killing a level-thirty-four Soul Elder, could hardly be underestimated.

Qin Ming, however, was the exception.

With his level-sixty strength, he could see straight through the storm of Soul Power and make out the result.

But he chose not to announce it at once. Instead, he let his students witness it for themselves.

He felt that would be better, and far more meaningful.

Soon, as the dust cleared, two figures slowly appeared before everyone.

The sight made their pupils contract sharply.

For Yu Tianheng was in a wretched state.

His clothes were torn, his face pale, and his hair a mess.

Huo Linfei, by contrast, still looked well. Only the hem of his clothes was a little dirty, and his hair was slightly disheveled.

How could they not be shocked?

They had known either fighter might lose, but they had expected a hard-fought victory. What they saw overturned everything they had thought.

Yu Tianheng was the strongest and most talented among them.

Yet he had lost, while Huo Linfei looked as though he still had strength to spare.

Terrifying. To think he could be this terrifying!

What an absolute beast!

They could think of no word for Huo Linfei but "strong."

Oh... no. "Monster" fit, too.

After watching that sparring match, they felt a mountain of pressure settle on them.

"Junior, I lost. You're strong, and I'm no match for you. The Continent's Peak belongs to you."

Yu Tianheng walked over to Huo Linfei and patted him lightly on the shoulder. There was no resentment in him; he was frank about his defeat, with even a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"You let me have the win, Senior Yu. You're strong too—the strongest opponent I've ever faced," Huo Linfei replied.

Then praise from the others came pouring in.

Dugu Yan said, "You really are something. So capable at such a young age—you'll go far."

Osler said, "Damn, you even beat our boss! Good thing I didn't fight you, or I'd be black and blue for sure."

Dugu Yan said, "Black and blue? More like scattered in pieces."

"Hahaha..."

Everyone burst out laughing at that.

Osler said, "Sister Yan, don't put it like that. It's only a sparring match. Our junior would know when to hold back, right?"

As he spoke, Osler looked at Huo Linfei.

"Mm. I'd make sure to hold back," Huo Linfei replied.

For some reason, that answer did not sit quite right with Osler.

"Hahaha..."

Beside him, Dugu Yan could not help laughing at him.

Ye Lingling remained quiet and said nothing, though her gaze kept settling on Huo Linfei.

She was shocked too, but none of it showed on her face. She kept it all inside.

Qin Ming had been observing Huo Linfei. Judging by his fight with Yu Tianheng and his condition afterward, Qin Ming estimated that his current strength was no weaker than that of an ordinary level-thirty-seven Soul Elder. He might even defeat one.

"All right. Since it's over, stop crowding around and get back to training," Qin Ming said.

At that, the others turned away and dispersed, their enthusiasm fading.

Just then, Huo Linfei looked at Qin Ming, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

"Teacher Qin, could I spar with you? I want to find out where my limit is."

Everyone who had started to leave stopped in their tracks. After another moment of shock, they turned around and gathered again.

Good grief, was this new junior really that bold?

Fighting the boss wasn't enough for him? Now he wanted to spar with the teacher?

Qin Ming frowned slightly. Huo Linfei's sudden request had clearly caught him by surprise.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Teacher Qin."

Huo Linfei nodded earnestly.

"Very well. In that case, I'll suppress my Soul Power to around level thirty-eight."

Seeing how serious Huo Linfei was, Qin Ming agreed.

He figured level thirty-eight should be close to Huo Linfei's limit.

"No, Teacher. Level thirty-eight is a little low. It might not be enough to test me. If possible, I'd like you to keep it above level forty, at Soul Ancestor level."

Huo Linfei shook his head before speaking.

???

What?!

His words stunned everyone again. Disbelief filled their faces.

Qin Ming fell into a brief silence as he considered Huo Linfei's request. After a moment, he agreed.

"All right, I accept. I'd like to see where your limit lies too, little fellow."

"Thank you, Teacher Qin."

Delighted that Qin Ming had agreed, Huo Linfei thanked him.

Qin Ming then walked to stand opposite Huo Linfei.

The next instant, both released their Martial Souls.

Qin Ming's Martial Soul was the Blazing Fire Wolf, a Mutated Martial Soul. Flames curled around its crimson body, and it cut an imposing figure.

The two took their stances. The fight was about to begin!

(Nothing came up today, so I updated early. Sorry for the trouble, everyone—please tap that reminder button with your fortune-making fingers. If you have any votes, I'd appreciate your support. Thanks!)