Overwhelming Soul Ring, Xiyuan by His Side

The atmosphere in the training grounds froze in an instant. Every gaze locked onto the two figures, and even breathing became cautious.

Lin Chen stood where he was, a pale green Thousand-Year Soul Ring slowly revolving around him. The powerful aura of his 3,800-year soul ring surged out without restraint, blanketing the entire training grounds in life energy so dense it seemed impossible to dissolve. Nourished by that power, the grass beneath his feet shot upward, lush and green.

There was not a trace of malice, only profound solidity and warmth. Yet this seemingly peaceful aura placed incomparable pressure on everyone present. That vivid green soul ring, in particular, branded itself deep into their eyes and shook them to the core.

Yue Huaxi stood opposite him, her cool face filled with astonishment. The Moonlight Flower mark between her brows grew faintly hot, and her Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul trembled uncontrollably within her, stirring an instinctive urge to submit.

Since childhood, she had been hailed as a once-in-a-century genius in Moonlight Valley. She had become a Soul Master at six and possessed a superb plant-type martial soul. Proud by nature, she had never yielded to anyone. Yet facing Lin Chen and that unheard-of thousand-year first soul ring, she felt, for the first time, that she could not stand against him.

But the pride in her bones would never let her retreat so easily.

Yue Huaxi drew a deep breath. Fierce fighting spirit ignited in her cool eyes as the full soul power of a rank-eleven Soul Master erupted around her. A pale yellow hundred-year soul ring circled her body, and her crystalline Moonlight Spirit Grass Martial Soul bloomed in her palm. Cool moonlight power, carrying a faint breath of life, swept across the grounds.

"Lin Chen, here I come!"

Yue Huaxi spoke softly. Her voice remained cool, but it carried added solemnity. Holding nothing back, she activated her first soul skill immediately.

"First soul skill—Moonlight Entanglement!"

In an instant, several crystalline vines formed from moonlight power burst out of the ground. Whipping up sharp gusts like nimble silver snakes, they coiled toward Lin Chen from every direction at tremendous speed, sealing off every avenue of escape.

Moonlight Spirit Grass's soul skill combined the binding strength of a plant martial soul with the penetrating power of moonlight, making it far more troublesome than ordinary plant-type soul skills. Even a rank-twelve Soul Grandmaster would have to handle it carefully.

Everyone below the platform focused at once. Su Qingyuan clenched her fists, watching with worry filling her eyes, afraid that Lin Chen might be hurt. On the raised dais, True Person Qinglan and the instructors watched intently as well, eager to see his response.

Facing that fierce strike, Lin Chen remained perfectly composed, his gaze calm and without the slightest panic.

Only when the moonlight vines were about to reach him did he slowly raise his hand and casually activate his soul power.

"Life Binding."

There was no earthshaking display, only a surge of pale green Life Soul Power. Mystic Life Blue Silver Grass spread rapidly from his palm. There were merely a few stems, yet they seemed to possess minds of their own as they headed straight for the moonlight vines.

In the next instant, an astonishing sight unfolded!

Lin Chen's Life Blue Silver Grass seemed like the sovereign of all martial souls. The instant it touched the moonlight vines, the power of Yue Huaxi's soul skill was suppressed outright. The previously fierce moonlight power rapidly dissipated, and the vines went limp, losing all ability to attack.

Pure Life Force exerted an innate bloodline suppression over plant-type martial souls such as Moonlight Spirit Grass. Combined with the overwhelming rank advantage of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, it reduced Yue Huaxi's soul skill to a child's trick before Lin Chen, unable to withstand a single blow.

Before Yue Huaxi could react, the Life Blue Silver Grass followed through and coiled around the vines. With one gentle curl, it bound every moonlight vine tight. Then a mild yet irresistible force spread outward. Yue Huaxi felt her soul power stall, and Life Blue Silver Grass instantly wrapped around her body. Her feet lifted slightly off the ground, leaving her suspended in place, unable to move.

From the first move to the finish, only three breaths had passed!

With his first soul skill alone, Lin Chen had completely subdued Yue Huaxi. He had remained unhurried throughout, without even using his full strength. The outcome had already been decided!

The grounds fell deathly silent. A falling pin could have been heard.

Everyone stared wide-eyed in disbelief. The clash of prodigies they had anticipated had turned into a one-sided crushing defeat. This was the strength of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring—the terrifying power of a perfect affinity with life!

Held in place, Yue Huaxi's cool eyes filled with shock and unwillingness. She desperately urged her soul power onward, trying to break free. Yet no matter how hard she struggled, the Life Blue Silver Grass's binding remained as steady as a mountain. Instead, threads of warm Life Force seeped into her body, soothing her restless soul power.

"You lost."

Lin Chen spoke calmly, his gentle voice carrying unquestionable certainty. As his words fell, he lightly raised his hand, withdrew the Life Blue Silver Grass, and released Yue Huaxi.

Yue Huaxi landed and steadied herself. Looking at the utterly unruffled boy before her, she felt a jumble of emotions—shock, reluctance, respect—all tangled together. In the end, they dissolved into a deep sense of powerlessness.

She had lost, and she accepted her defeat wholeheartedly.

The enormous gap lay not in their soul power levels, but in the comprehensive superiority of his martial soul, soul ring, and the very nature of his power. It was a chasm she could not cross in a short time, no matter how hard she worked.

"I lost. You're very strong." Yue Huaxi raised her head. The aloof pride in her cool eyes had faded, replaced by acceptance. Her gaze toward Lin Chen had quietly changed as well, holding curiosity, respect, and a hint of dependence even she had not noticed.

In her short life, no one had ever subdued her so easily, nor had anyone ever given her such a powerful sense of security.

Lin Chen looked at her, a faint smile curling his lips without the slightest pride. "Your Moonlight Spirit Grass is very strong. Your soul ring's age is simply too low. If you can match it with a compatible, older soul ring, your strength will rise another level."

He had seen Yue Huaxi's weakness at a glance. Her hundred-year soul ring ultimately restricted the potential of Moonlight Spirit Grass. If she could replace it with an older soul ring suited to life and moonlight, her strength would undergo an earthshaking transformation.

Yue Huaxi's heart stirred. She looked up at Lin Chen in astonishment. She had never told anyone about the weakness of her soul ring, yet he had seen through it at a glance. The boy before her understood far more than she had imagined.

Seeing this, Su Qingyuan finally let her anxious heart settle. She hurried onto the platform and came to Lin Chen's side, her face filled with delight. "Lin Chen, you're amazing!"

The girl's eyes curved with her brilliant smile. Making no effort to hide her admiration and joy, she naturally slipped her arm around Lin Chen's. Watching that affectionate gesture, Yue Huaxi's cool eyes flickered with an almost imperceptible emotion.

The two stunning girls, one gentle and lively, the other cool and proud, stood on either side of Lin Chen. They instantly became the most dazzling sight on the training grounds, stirring envy in every new student present.

On the dais, True Person Qinglan stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes filled with satisfaction. "This boy's character, strength, and talent are all unparalleled. With him here, Qinglan Academy is certain to rise, and the path of life martial souls will finally flourish."

The instructors beside him nodded in agreement, looking at Lin Chen as though he were the academy's hope for the future.

With that, Lin Chen claimed first place in the new students' sparring matches through utterly overwhelming strength, firmly securing his position as Qinglan Academy's greatest new prodigy. His name spread throughout the academy, and no one dared question him again.

The opening ceremony and the new students' sparring matches came to an end.

After everyone dispersed, Lin Chen walked along a wooded path through the academy, flanked by Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi.

Following their match, Yue Huaxi had completely set aside her aloof pride and willingly accompanied the two of them. Although she remained quiet, she was no longer distant, and the occasional glances she gave Lin Chen had grown gentler.

"Lin Chen, that soul skill of yours was incredible. It clearly wasn't offensive, but there was just no breaking free of it," Su Qingyuan said eagerly, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

"That's the nature of the Life Force. It overcomes strength with softness and wins through stability. It doesn't take the initiative to hurt anyone, but it can ward off every attack," Lin Chen explained patiently.

Beside him, Yue Huaxi felt understanding suddenly dawn. The cultivation bottleneck that had long troubled her seemed to reveal a way through at that moment. Looking at Lin Chen, she could not help asking, "How should I choose my soul rings to bring out my martial soul's full strength?"

It was the first time she had ever taken the initiative to ask someone for cultivation advice, showing just how highly she regarded Lin Chen.

Lin Chen turned toward her and considered for a moment before answering slowly. "Moonlight Spirit Grass possesses both life and moonlight power. Plant-type soul beasts that cultivate beneath the moon are suitable for it. Your next soul ring should be at least a thousand years old, preferably from a Moonlight Grass Soul. It would complement your martial soul while maximizing the growth of your moonlight and Life Force, making up for your current weakness."

Yue Huaxi listened attentively, committing every word to memory, gratitude filling her eyes. These were essential insights not even recorded in Moonlight Valley's texts, yet Lin Chen shared them with her without reservation.

"Thank you," Yue Huaxi said softly. A rare, faint smile appeared on her cool face, like melting snow and a flower blooming beneath the moon, breathtakingly beautiful. Even Su Qingyuan beside her could not help staring.

Looking at the two girls, Lin Chen understood.

Gentle and considerate, Su Qingyuan was the warmth that accompanied him along his journey. Cool and pure, Yue Huaxi was a companion who shared his aspirations. Both were peerless beauties, and both were indispensable bonds on his path through Douluo.

His path with multiple heroines was already advancing steadily. He would take them with him to grow stronger, reach the summit together, and protect everything that belonged to him.

The three walked side by side, chatting along the way in a warm, harmonious atmosphere. Su Qingyuan was lively and cheerful, while Yue Huaxi was cool and quiet. Their contrasting temperaments complemented each other perfectly, creating a unique atmosphere around Lin Chen.

Just as they reached the academy gates, news arrived at Qinglan Academy with a Spirit Hall deacon, and it reached Lin Chen's ears as well.

"Tang San, a new student at Nuoding City Junior Soul Master Academy, awakened twin martial souls with innate full soul power. He became Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's disciple and absorbed a four-hundred-year soul ring. The academy made an exception to designate him a priority student for cultivation, and his name has spread throughout the region around Nuoding City!"

The report was brief, yet it exploded like thunder in Lin Chen's heart.

Tang San!

In the end, Tang San had still taken the same path as in the original story: twin martial souls, apprenticeship under Yu Xiaogang, and a steady rise. At this rate, it would not be long before he left Nuoding Academy for Shrek, building his strength step by step until he became the Sea God's successor whose might shook the continent.

Sensing the sudden chill in Lin Chen's aura, Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi stopped talking and looked at him in confusion.

Lin Chen's gaze cooled slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Even the life energy around him took on a trace of coldness.

What was bound to come would come eventually.

He and Tang San were walking separate paths: one at Qinglan Academy, lying low as he rose and cultivating in defiance of heaven; the other at Nuoding Academy, sailing smoothly onward, following each step in order.

They seemed to have no connection, yet their future confrontation on the continent had long been destined. From the moment their martial souls awakened, the opposition between their fates could no longer be reversed.

"Lin Chen, what's wrong?" Su Qingyuan took his hand worriedly and asked softly.

Yue Huaxi also watched him, her eyes filled with confusion.

Lin Chen drew a deep breath and reined in the chill around him. Turning toward the two beauties beside him, his gaze softened again, though it now held greater resolve. "Nothing. I've simply encountered a future opponent—someone I have to surpass."

He would not seek out trouble with Tang San, but neither would he allow Tang San to rise unchecked and threaten him or those beside him.

He cultivated diligently at Qinglan Academy, increased his strength, and forged bonds so that one day, when he faced Tang San head-on, he would possess utterly overwhelming power. He would shatter the legend of the chosen one and carve out his own path of life blue silver.

"No matter who your opponent is, we'll stay beside you and face them with you." Su Qingyuan gripped Lin Chen's hand tightly, her voice firm.

Yue Huaxi nodded gently as well, certainty filling her cool eyes. "I will too."

Looking at the two girls who refused to abandon him, Lin Chen felt warmth fill his heart, and his gaze grew even more resolute.

With them beside me, the opportunities at Qinglan Academy, and my heaven-defying Life Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, why should I fear Tang San?

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."

Lin Chen spoke softly. His tone was calm, yet it carried incomparable confidence.

The sun sank in the west, its golden afterglow stretching their three shadows long across the wooded path at Qinglan Academy, capturing them in a warm tableau.

Lin Chen knew that from the moment he learned of Tang San's progress, he could no longer allow himself the slightest lapse in cultivation.

Next, he would devote himself to cultivating the Life Soul Power Cultivation Manual, break through to Soul Grandmaster as soon as possible, and find a second compatible Thousand-Year Soul Ring. At the same time, he would help Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi grow stronger alongside him and build a force of his own.