The setting sun sank completely behind the mountain peaks, and dusk shrouded Qinglan Academy. Fireflies dotted the woods, while rich Life Spiritual Energy spread on the evening breeze, lending the grounds an exceptional stillness.
Lin Chen and Su Qingyuan walked side by side along the academy's bluestone path, faint Life Soul Power lingering around them in a warm, peaceful atmosphere.
Su Qingyuan still stole glances at Lin Chen from time to time. Whenever her gaze fell on the pale green Thousand-Year Soul Ring surrounding him, the shock and admiration in her eyes remained undiminished.
Born into a great sect, she had studied Soul Master texts since childhood and knew the ironclad rule of absorbing Soul Rings: a rank-ten Soul Scholar could absorb a ring no older than four hundred-odd years. Even among the geniuses of leading sects such as the Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, no one had ever dared to break that limit.
Yet at rank ten, Lin Chen had forcibly absorbed a 3,800-year Life Ancient Tree Soul Ring. Not only had he suffered no backlash, but he had smoothly advanced to become a rank-eleven Soul Master, and his Martial Soul had undergone a complete transformation. It overturned everything she understood about Soul Master cultivation.
"Lin Chen, how did you do it? A Thousand-Year Soul Ring! Even a Soul Grandmaster wouldn't dare attempt that lightly. You're practically defying heaven." Su Qingyuan finally could not hold back, her voice filled with disbelief.
Lin Chen turned toward the girl's clear eyes, a gentle smile curving his lips. He raised a hand and lightly brushed a fallen leaf from her shoulder, the gesture natural and intimate. "Just a fortunate coincidence. My Martial Soul was already compatible with Life Force, and with the dean watching over me, I was able to absorb it safely."
He did not explain the secrets of the All Things Lifeform and the Person of Destiny. Some things had to remain buried in his heart, no matter how much he trusted someone.
Su Qingyuan nodded with only a vague understanding and asked no further questions. She knew Lin Chen had secrets of his own. All she needed was to believe that the boy beside her was destined to be extraordinary.
"By the way, your Ice Spirit Flower Martial Soul is outstanding too. With rank-nine Soul Power, you'll soon become a Soul Master if you focus on cultivating and absorb a suitable Soul Ring," Lin Chen said softly, changing the subject to encourage her.
Light sparked in Su Qingyuan's eyes, and she nodded firmly. "Yes! I'll work hard at cultivating. I can't drag you down in the future. I want to grow stronger too, so I can help you."
The girl's earnest expression stirred something in Lin Chen's heart. He said nothing, but his gaze grew gentler.
On the Douluo Continent, where Soul Masters reigned supreme and danger lurked on every side, he had to do more than rise against heaven and contend with Tang San. He also had to protect the people he cared about. Su Qingyuan was the first, but she would certainly not be the last.
They chatted as they walked and soon reached the student dormitory area.
Qinglan Academy's student lodgings were all individual wooden cabins nestled in the woods. Quiet and secluded, each came equipped with a Spirit-Gathering Array that drew in the surrounding Life Spiritual Energy to aid cultivation. These accommodations far surpassed those of ordinary Soul Master academies such as Nodling Academy.
Under the academy's arrangements, Lin Chen's and Su Qingyuan's cabins stood next to each other so they could look out for one another.
After helping Su Qingyuan settle in, Lin Chen returned to his cabin and closed the door. He immediately sat cross-legged on the bed, took out the Life Soul Power Cultivation Manual that True Person Qinglan had given him, and began studying it intently.
The manual embodied True Person Qinglan's lifetime of painstaking work, every word a pearl of wisdom. It detailed methods for circulating Life Soul Power and controlling plant Martial Souls to their utmost limits. It also included the complementary Azure Mist Life Art, which could unleash the full might of Life Soul Power, multiplying the effectiveness of healing, enhancement, and binding severalfold.
The more Lin Chen read, the more astonished he became, and his respect for True Person Qinglan deepened. This manual seemed tailor-made for his Life Blue Silver Grass. If he could thoroughly master it, his strength would surely climb to another level.
Without wasting a moment, he followed the manual's instructions, mobilizing the Life Soul Power within him and slowly circulating it through the meridians throughout his body.
Under the manual's guidance, his previously docile Life Soul Power grew increasingly concentrated and robust, circulating several times faster. The Life Spiritual Energy inside the cabin was drawn into his body in a frenzy and converted into his own Life Soul Power, steadily improving his cultivation without him even noticing.
After a night of diligent cultivation, Lin Chen's control over Life Soul Power became more practiced. His rank-eleven Soul Master cultivation stabilized completely, and he could wield his first Soul Skill with greater ease. Both Life Healing and Life Binding had grown noticeably stronger.
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, ushering in a new day at Qinglan Academy.
According to academy rules, all new students had to gather at the training grounds for the opening ceremony and an initial Soul Power assessment, allowing the academy to assign instructors and courses.
Lin Chen finished washing and stepped out of his cabin, only to find Su Qingyuan already waiting outside.
The girl had changed into the academy's standard teal robe and tied up her long hair, looking all the more lovely and fresh. When she saw Lin Chen emerge, she immediately flashed a radiant smile and hurried over.
"Lin Chen, come on! We need to get to the training grounds. I heard all the new students have to attend today, and there'll be sparring matches too."
Lin Chen nodded and headed toward the training grounds beside Su Qingyuan.
Dozens of new students had already gathered there. All were talented students who had passed this year's admission assessment. Their auras were steady, and every one of them possessed a Plant-type Martial Soul compatible with life spiritual energy.
At the sight of Lin Chen, the new students stopped talking and turned toward him in unison, their eyes filled with awe and admiration. News that he had achieved perfect life affinity in yesterday's assessment and been personally summoned by the dean had already spread among them. Everyone now knew that this seemingly ordinary boy with Blue Silver Grass was the most heaven-defying genius among this year's entrants—and even in all of Qinglan Academy.
A few proud sect disciples had initially felt unconvinced and wanted to find a chance to provoke him. But the thought of Lin Chen's talent and the dean's regard instantly dispelled that notion. They dared not step out of line.
The two joined the crowd. Soon afterward, True Person Qinglan and several academy instructors walked slowly onto the raised platform overlooking the training grounds.
The opening ceremony was simple but solemn. True Person Qinglan gave a brief address, chiefly encouraging the students to cultivate diligently and uphold the protective path of life Martial Souls. He then announced the start of the new students' Soul Power assessments and sparring matches.
The academy's intention was simple: use sparring to determine each new student's true strength and Martial Soul characteristics, making tailored instruction possible.
The new students took the stage in turn to display their Martial Souls and have their Soul Power tested, then paired up for sparring matches.
Su Qingyuan took the stage first. Her Ice Spirit Flower Martial Soul blossomed as she mobilized her rank-nine Soul Power, blending ice Soul Power with life spiritual energy. The Soul Skills she unleashed were agile and powerful, allowing her to defeat her opponent with ease and drawing waves of praise from below. The instructors nodded repeatedly, highly satisfied with her performance.
Soon, it was Lin Chen's turn.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Chen walked slowly onto the training grounds. His expression was calm, and he released not a trace of Soul Power, yet every new student involuntarily held their breath. The entire venue fell so silent that not even a crow's call could be heard.
On the raised platform, True Person Qinglan and the instructors watched intently, eager to see just how strong Lin Chen had become after absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
The instructor overseeing the matches looked at Lin Chen and spoke with particular warmth. "Lin Chen, you may choose any student below to spar with."
Lin Chen swept his gaze over the new students before settling on a tall boy whose Martial Soul was Greenwood Vine.
Apart from Lin Chen and Su Qingyuan, this boy was the most talented of the new students. His Greenwood Vine was a top-quality defensive plant Martial Soul, and his Soul Power had reached rank ten, making him exceptionally formidable. He was also one of those who had previously felt somewhat unconvinced about Lin Chen.
"You, then. Come up and spar with me," Lin Chen said evenly.
A flicker of fighting spirit flashed through the Greenwood Vine boy's eyes, and he immediately leaped onto the training grounds. Though he held Lin Chen in awe, he also wanted to take this opportunity to see just how powerful this heaven-defying genius truly was.
"Please guide me!" The boy cupped his hands in salute and instantly mobilized his Soul Power. The aura of a rank-ten Soul Scholar erupted as his Greenwood Vine Martial Soul appeared around him. Thick vines spread outward and guarded his whole body, preparing him for both attack and defense.
Everyone below focused their attention on the field, watching without blinking as they awaited the match.
Lin Chen remained standing quietly where he was. "You may attack first. I'll give you three moves."
His tone was mild, but it carried absolute confidence.
The Greenwood Vine boy frowned slightly, feeling belittled. His fighting spirit surged, and he abandoned all restraint. "In that case, forgive me! Greenwood Vine, Entanglement!"
As his words fell, several thick Greenwood Vines lashed toward Lin Chen with a fierce rush of wind. They moved with extraordinary speed, sealing off every avenue of escape.
Cries of surprise rose from the spectators. This attack already represented the peak strength of a rank-ten Soul Scholar—even an ordinary Soul Master would struggle to withstand it.
Yet Lin Chen remained composed, standing without moving an inch.
Just as the Greenwood Vines were about to coil around him, Lin Chen finally moved.
There was nothing flashy about it. He merely raised a hand, pale green Life Soul Power surging as Mystic Life Blue Silver Grass burst from his palm. It was only a single blade, yet it contained incomparably powerful force.
Whoosh!
The Life Blue Silver Grass shot out like lightning, winding precisely around the Greenwood Vines. The next instant, an astonishing scene unfolded!
Before Lin Chen's Life Blue Silver Grass, the boy's Greenwood Vines seemed to have met their natural predator. They instantly stopped moving, their formerly mighty strength rapidly dissipating. Not only could they no longer bind Lin Chen, but they were themselves pinned down by the Life Blue Silver Grass, utterly unable to break free!
This was the absolute suppression Life Blue Silver Grass exerted over ordinary plant Martial Souls!
The boy's expression changed sharply, disbelief flooding his face. He tried to mobilize his Soul Power to escape, only to discover that his Soul Power had completely lost its connection with his Martial Soul. No matter how hard he tried, nothing worked.
Then Lin Chen exerted a little force through his fingertips, and the power of Life Binding erupted. A gentle yet irresistible force lifted the boy off the ground and suspended him in midair. Life Blue Silver Grass held him tightly, leaving him entirely unable to resist.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye. Lin Chen had not even released his Soul Ring. With his Martial Soul alone, he had effortlessly subdued this outstanding new student!
The instructors' eyes shone as they watched from the platform. True Person Qinglan stroked his beard and nodded, his gaze full of approval.
The crowd below erupted. Their gazes held nothing but boundless admiration for Lin Chen. This was the strength of a heaven-defying genius—the gulf between them was like a chasm dividing heaven and earth!
Lin Chen looked at the restrained boy without making things difficult for him. He gently raised his hand, withdrew the Life Blue Silver Grass, and lowered the boy to the ground.
"I lost. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly!" After landing, the boy bowed to Lin Chen, his face full of shame. The last trace of resentment in his heart vanished completely.
Lin Chen nodded slightly and, without saying anything more, prepared to leave the stage.
Just then, soft footsteps suddenly sounded outside the training grounds, accompanied by a cool, pure fluctuation of Soul Power. A breathtakingly beautiful girl in a teal dress, her bearing aloof and serene, slowly walked inside.
The girl also appeared to be six or seven years old. Her skin was fairer than snow, her features exquisite as a painting. Faint moonlight and life energy lingered around her, and her cool, proud bearing made her seem like an immortal maiden beneath the moon. The moment she appeared, she drew every gaze in the venue. Even Su Qingyuan could not help looking dazzled.
More astonishing still, a faint Moonlight Flower mark adorned the girl's brow. Powerful Soul Power fluctuations surrounded her, already revealing the cultivation of a rank-eleven Soul Grandmaster. Her Martial Soul was the exceedingly rare Moonlight Spirit Grass, possessing both life and moonlight power. Her talent defied heaven to an extreme.
The presiding instructor's eyes immediately lit with delight at the sight of her. "Yue Huaxi? You're finally here! You're the talented student our academy specially invited from Moonlight Valley. Come up!"
Yue Huaxi!
Moonlight Valley was a secluded Martial Soul clan on the continent, passing down the Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul through generations. Its strength and deep foundations were in no way inferior to those of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It was little known only because it never took part in the continent's conflicts.
Yue Huaxi was a genius seen only once in a century in Moonlight Valley. Born with rank-nine Soul Power, she had awakened the Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul. Half a month ago, she had already absorbed a Hundred-Year Soul Ring and advanced to become a rank-eleven Soul Master!
Yue Huaxi slowly stepped onto the training grounds. Her cool gaze settled directly on Lin Chen without the slightest hesitation. Her voice was clear and pleasant, carrying a hint of curiosity. "You're Lin Chen? The Blue Silver Grass Soul Master with perfect life affinity?"
Silence fell over the venue. No one had expected this favored daughter of heaven from Moonlight Valley to single out Lin Chen the moment she arrived.
Lin Chen turned toward the aloof, exquisite girl before him, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Yue Huaxi was precisely the peerless genius Qinglan Academy had kept hidden in his memories of his previous life—and the second female lead in his plans!
Her Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul was a perfect match for his Life Blue Silver Grass. They could both complement and enhance each other. In the original story from his previous life, she had remained proud and solitary all her life, never meeting anyone compatible with her, and her story had ultimately ended in regret.
But in this life, Lin Chen's arrival was destined to rewrite her fate.
Lin Chen remained calm. "That's me."
An almost imperceptible ripple passed through Yue Huaxi's cool eyes. She could clearly sense the supremely pure Life Force inside Lin Chen, resonating naturally with her own moonlight power. She had never felt anything like it from anyone else.
"I'd like to spar with you and see whether you're really as strong as the rumors claim," Yue Huaxi said frankly. Her tone was cool, but there was no hostility in it—only a genuine desire to test her skills.
The crowd below immediately erupted. They had never imagined they would get to witness a clash between the two greatest geniuses of this year's intake!
On one side stood Lin Chen, who had defied heaven by absorbing a Thousand-Year Soul Ring and possessed perfect life affinity. On the other stood Yue Huaxi, Moonlight Valley's peerless genius and a rank-eleven Soul Master. This would truly be a clash at the summit!
Standing below, Su Qingyuan clenched her fists. She worried for Lin Chen but also trusted his strength, her eyes full of anticipation.
On the raised platform, True Person Qinglan and the instructors also grew interested. They watched the field eagerly, wanting to see which of these two outstanding geniuses would prove superior.
Lin Chen looked at Yue Huaxi, a faint smile curving his lips. He did not refuse. "All right. Make your move."
As he finished speaking, Lin Chen's aura shifted slightly. Pale green Life Soul Power slowly surged, and his green, 3,800-year Thousand-Year Soul Ring instantly rose from beneath his feet and circled him. Rich life energy swept across the entire venue!
A Thousand-Year Soul Ring!
The moment Yue Huaxi saw the Thousand-Year Soul Ring, her cool expression finally changed. Her beautiful eyes widened in utter shock!
The new students and instructors fell into dead silence once more. Every one of them was thoroughly stunned by that Thousand-Year Soul Ring!
Towering waves crashed through Yue Huaxi's heart. She had grown up in Moonlight Valley and seen much of the world, yet she had never witnessed anyone absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring while still a Soul Scholar!
The boy before her defied heaven far more than the rumors suggested!
Once her shock subsided, a spark of fighting spirit ignited in Yue Huaxi's eyes. Moonlight Soul Power burst around her, and a yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring rose. Her Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul blossomed, bathing the entire venue in cool moonlight power.
A clash between two supreme plant-type geniuses, with the title of strongest new student at stake, was about to erupt!
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