News that Lin Chen had absorbed a five-thousand-year Second Soul Ring and broken through to become a level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster swept through Qinglan Academy like a thunderclap, setting every teacher and student ablaze with excitement.
Two Thousand-Year Soul Rings, a heaven-defying level twenty-one cultivation, perfect life affinity—each distinction propelled Lin Chen from a gifted freshman into the most legendary student in Qinglan Academy's millennia-long history, far surpassing every Core Disciple of past generations.
In the past, the academy's senior and upper-year students had all been proud and arrogant, relying on their superior cultivation to look down on freshmen. Now, however, even seniors at the Soul Elder and Soul Ancestor ranks spoke of Lin Chen with awe, not daring to show him the slightest contempt.
After all, nowhere else on the Douluo Continent could they find someone who had absorbed a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as a Soul Scholar and possessed a five-thousand-year Soul Ring as a Soul Grandmaster.
After returning from the Secret Realm, Lin Chen did not lose himself in everyone's adulation. Instead, he devoted himself even more deeply to cultivation.
He spent every day immersed in the Life Spirit Valley, diligently practicing the Life Soul Power Cultivation Manual and Azure Mist Life Art, mastering his two Soul Skills, and tempering his body and soul. His cultivation steadily improved, bringing him ever closer to level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster, while his control over the Life Domain grew increasingly refined.
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi cultivated beside Lin Chen all day. Together, the three sensed the spiritual energy of life and sparred with their Soul Skills, their strength and bonds deepening rapidly.
With the nourishment of Lin Chen's Life Soul Power and his guidance, Su Qingyuan smoothly advanced to level ten Soul Scholar, ready to absorb a Soul Ring and become a Soul Master at any time. Yue Huaxi also advanced to level twelve Soul Master, her Moonlight Spirit Grass martial soul growing increasingly pure, leaving her only a step away from becoming a Soul Grandmaster.
With two peerless beauties accompanying him on either side, Lin Chen's presence grew ever gentler and steadier. Everyone at Qinglan Academy knew their names, and the title "Azure Mist Three Talents" quietly began circulating among the students.
That day, while Lin Chen and the two girls were cultivating in the Life Spirit Valley, Instructor Qinghe hurried over, her face carrying a hint of gravity and anticipation.
"Lin Chen, the academy's annual Cross-Level Challenge Tournament is about to begin. They specifically asked me to notify you."
The Cross-Level Challenge Tournament?
A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Chen's eyes before understanding followed.
Qinglan Academy's Cross-Level Challenge Tournament was its grandest competition, with extremely simple rules: students could volunteer to challenge opponents one or even two ranks above them. Winners would receive not only vast cultivation resources, but also personal instruction from the dean. They could even enter the ranks of the academy's Core Disciples and gain priority access to opportunities for obtaining Soul Rings.
The tournament was designed to draw out students' potential and test their actual combat ability. In previous years, quite a few talented students had defeated seniors across ranks and made their names in a single battle.
"Instructor, which cultivation ranks will be participating this time?" Lin Chen asked softly.
"There will be three divisions: Soul Master, Soul Grandmaster, and Soul Elder. Soul Grandmasters can directly challenge Soul Elders, and if they win, their rewards will be doubled!" Instructor Qinghe spoke excitedly, her eyes shining as she looked at Lin Chen. "You're fully qualified to challenge a Soul Elder senior. If you win, the academy will open the Secret Realm's second level to you, giving you access to more life-type opportunities!"
Hearing this, Su Qingyuan hurriedly grabbed Lin Chen's hand and said anxiously, "No! Soul Elders are all seniors above level thirty who've already absorbed their third Soul Ring. The cultivation gap is too great. You'll get hurt!"
Yue Huaxi also frowned slightly, disapproval filling her cool, composed face. "The risk is too great. There's no need to rush."
Their worried expressions warmed Lin Chen's heart. A confident smile curved his lips. "Relax. I know what I'm doing. They're only Soul Elders. I don't consider them a threat."
He now possessed two Thousand-Year Soul Rings, and his Life Domain could suppress thirty percent of an opponent's combat power. Tempered by the Life Force, his body had long since surpassed others at his rank. Even against a Soul Elder above level thirty, he was absolutely confident he could crush them. This Cross-Level Challenge Tournament was the perfect opportunity to establish his name and obtain resources.
Besides, he needed better resources to help Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi improve. He had to enter this tournament—and he had to win!
"I'll sign up to challenge the Soul Elder division," Lin Chen said firmly, without the slightest hesitation.
A flash of delight crossed Instructor Qinghe's eyes. She had known Lin Chen would not let this opportunity slip by. "Good! I'll register you right away. The tournament officially begins at the training arena in three days!"
Three days later, Qinglan Academy's training arena was a sea of people.
Every teacher and student had gathered, filling every seat. Everyone was discussing the tournament's greatest attraction: freshman Lin Chen challenging a Soul Elder senior across ranks!
Never before in the academy's history had a Soul Grandmaster freshman dared to directly challenge a Soul Elder. It was an unprecedented feat, and everyone wanted to see whether this heaven-defying youth truly was invincible or merely had an empty reputation.
On the raised platform, True Person Qinglan and the academy's senior officials sat watching the center of the arena, their faces full of anticipation.
"Dean, do you think Lin Chen can really defeat a Soul Elder? His opponent is level thirty-three and has a third Soul Skill at his disposal," one instructor could not help asking, his voice filled with concern.
True Person Qinglan stroked his beard and chuckled, his gaze certain. "Others couldn't, but Lin Chen can. Watch closely. There's no doubt about the outcome of this match."
With an announcement from the presiding instructor, the Cross-Level Challenge Tournament officially began.
The first few matches passed without surprises, with upper-year students winning every time. The cultivation gap was there for all to see, after all. Winning across ranks was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
At last, it was time for the most eagerly anticipated match: level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster Lin Chen against level thirty-three Soul Elder Zhou Hao!
Zhou Hao was one of the academy's outstanding senior students. His martial soul was the Azurewood Giant Tree, which boasted exceptional defense. A level thirty-three Soul Elder with three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—he possessed formidable strength and consistently ranked among the top ten senior students. He had always been proud and arrogant.
Standing in the arena, he watched Lin Chen walk slowly out, his eyes filled with scorn and contempt. He sneered, "Lin Chen, I admit you're talented, but you're far too arrogant. A Soul Grandmaster challenging a Soul Elder? You simply don't know your own limits. Don't start crying when I knock you flat!"
To him, Lin Chen merely relied on his extraordinary talent and lacked a stable foundation. Even high-quality Soul Rings could not bridge a cultivation gap of two ranks. Winning this match would be effortless.
Below the stage, everyone focused their attention and held their breath, waiting for this clash at the summit.
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi stood at the very front of the crowd, their hands tightly clenched. They watched the youth in the arena with worried eyes, yet still believed in his strength.
Lin Chen stood in the center of the arena, his expression calm, without releasing the slightest trace of soul power. Facing Zhou Hao's mockery, he merely said coolly, "Enough talk. Make your move. I'll give you three attacks."
His tone was mild, yet it carried the confidence of someone looking down upon everything.
Zhou Hao's face instantly turned livid. Feeling utterly belittled, he burned with fury. "Fine! What an arrogant brat! Let's see what gives you the right to be so conceited!"
As his words fell, Zhou Hao held nothing back. The aura of a level thirty-three Soul Elder erupted, and three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—circled him. His Azurewood Giant Tree martial soul appeared behind him, its thick trunk and dense foliage radiating an immensely powerful defensive presence.
"First Soul Skill—Azurewood Barrier!"
"Second Soul Skill—Azurewood Charge!"
Zhou Hao activated both Soul Skills at once. Dense soul power surged, forming a hard Azurewood Barrier around him. At the same time, a thick branch materialized and hurtled toward Lin Chen with the force of ten thousand thunderbolts, astonishingly fast and devastatingly powerful!
Cries of alarm rose from the crowd. This strike already displayed a Soul Elder's peak strength. An ordinary Soul Grandmaster could never withstand it and would suffer severe injuries immediately.
Facing this fierce attack, Lin Chen remained utterly still. Only when the branch was about to reach him did he finally move.
“Life Domain, activate!”
Without any earth-shaking display, a pale green radiance bloomed around Lin Chen. His Life Domain, with a ten-meter range, instantly enveloped the entire arena. Pure Life Force spread through it, while an invisible suppressive force descended upon Zhou Hao!
[Life Domain triggered: suppresses the opponent's martial soul and soul power by 20%!]
Zhou Hao's expression changed drastically. His soul power suddenly grew sluggish, and his Azurewood Giant Tree martial soul wilted. The power of his once-fierce charging attack instantly dropped by thirty percent, and its speed fell by more than half!
"How is this possible?! What Soul Skill is this?!" Zhou Hao cried out in shock. He had never seen such a bizarre suppressive ability.
Before he could react, Lin Chen swept his hand upward. Both Soul Rings lit up at once, the green rings of three thousand eight hundred years and five thousand years blazing brilliantly, overwhelming the entire arena!
"First Soul Skill—Life Binding!"
Pale green Life Blue Silver Grass erupted. Countless tough stems burst from the ground like agile flood dragons, wrapping toward Zhou Hao at incredible speed and sealing off every avenue of escape.
Suppressed by the Life Domain, Zhou Hao's strength had been severely diminished. He had no way to dodge and was instantly caught in the Life Blue Silver Grass. From his limbs to his torso, he was bound tightly, unable to move.
The Azurewood Barrier he took such pride in was like paper before the Life Blue Silver Grass. It was torn apart instantly, providing no defense at all!
"Second Soul Skill—Life Suppression!"
Lin Chen focused power at his fingertips, and his five-thousand-year Soul Ring shone fiercely. The power of Life Revival transformed into suppressive force, pure Life Force becoming an invisible crushing weight that slammed down on Zhou Hao.
Bang!
Zhou Hao was forced straight to his knees. His soul power was completely sealed, leaving him without even the strength to struggle. His face flushed red, and his eyes filled with disbelief and fear.
From the first attack to the finish, only three breaths had passed!
Level twenty-one Soul Grandmaster Lin Chen had dominated the entire exchange, effortlessly defeating level thirty-three Soul Elder Zhou Hao!
Deathly silence fell over the arena. A falling pin could have been heard.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the youth in the center of the arena, frozen in utter shock, their minds blank.
He won!
He really won!
A Soul Grandmaster had crushed a Soul Elder across ranks, winning so easily and decisively that it completely overturned everything they understood about cultivation gaps between Soul Masters!
On the raised platform, True Person Qinglan stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his eyes filled with pride and satisfaction. The instructors rose from their seats, their faces stunned as they showered Lin Chen with praise.
"Invincible! This boy truly is invincible! His future achievements will know no bounds!"
"That Life Domain is far too heaven-defying. Its suppression is overwhelming. Combined with two Thousand-Year Soul Rings, no one at his rank—or even two ranks above him—can match him!"
Below the stage, Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi finally let their hearts settle. Radiant smiles appeared on their faces, their eyes filled with admiration and joy for Lin Chen.
Kneeling on the ground, Zhou Hao was utterly drained. The last shred of pride in his heart had been shattered. His face filled with shame, he said with difficulty, "I lost. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly!"
Lin Chen raised his hand and withdrew the Life Blue Silver Grass. "Thank you for the match," he said mildly.
He showed no pride at all, as though he had merely done something insignificant.
Only then did the presiding instructor recover his senses. He announced excitedly at the top of his voice, "I declare Lin Chen the winner of this match! He takes first place in this Cross-Level Challenge Tournament and earns the status of Core Disciple! His rewards are access to the Secret Realm's second level, three stalks of thousand-year Life Spirit Grass, and one hundred allotments of Soul Master cultivation resources!"
The entire arena instantly erupted. Applause, cheers, and cries of praise resounded throughout the training grounds!
With a single battle, Lin Chen had risen to legendary status. By crushing a Soul Elder as a Soul Grandmaster, he became the youngest Core Disciple in Qinglan Academy's history. His fame rang throughout the academy and even began spreading toward the surrounding cities.
As the whole arena cheered, Lin Chen stood at its center and gazed into the distance toward Nuoding City, his eyes turning slightly cold.
He knew that Tang San had already absorbed his third Soul Ring under Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang's guidance and would soon head to Shrek Academy, advancing step by step onto the continent's stage.
Meanwhile, having established his legend at Qinglan Academy, accumulated strength, and widened the gap, he too would soon leave Qinglan Mountain and step into a broader world.
Their fated confrontation was drawing ever closer.
Su Qingyuan and Yue Huaxi hurried onto the arena floor and came to stand on either side of Lin Chen, their faces full of joy.
"Lin Chen, you were incredible!"
"Congratulations."
Lin Chen turned to look at the two beauties, a gentle smile curving his lips. "Next, I'll help you obtain the Soul Rings that suit you best. We'll grow stronger together."
Victory in this Cross-Level Challenge Tournament was merely a stepping stone on his path to prominence. Opportunities on the Secret Realm's second level awaited him, along with higher cultivation, stronger Soul Skills, and more people to protect—all waiting on the road ahead.
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