Ice and Fire

Lei Yin's Jade Pearl had given Yu Xinxue something to look forward to in the upcoming assessment.

I never expected that guy Zhu Youzhi to occasionally send some talented people over... she thought to herself.

Bing Lan and Yan Jin leaped onto another intact arena at the same time, moving in perfect sync.

While watching the previous matches, they had both felt something strong about the other:

This person is so annoying!

"Bing Lan, Level 30 control-type Battle Soul Master."

"Yan Jin, Level 28 assault-type Battle Soul Master."

"Two monsters!"

As they announced their identities and levels, everyone else in Class One arrived at the same thought.

Bing Lan was only fourteen, while Yan Jin looked even younger.

At such ages, with such Soul Power cultivation, it was obvious that they would one day reach heights utterly beyond the grasp of ordinary people.

When they released their Martial Souls, one ice and one magma, the arena was instantly claimed by two elements. Half the field was scorching, heat waves rolling through the air; the other half was frigid, frost covering the ground.

Amon raised his right hand and lightly brushed his Monocle, a keen look of interest appearing on his face. "Interesting."

Everyone was startled by the sheer division and opposition of it. Ice and fire, cold and heat—these two were natural enemies!

There was no need for more words. The two activated their Martial Souls.

Bing Lan raised a hand, and her First Soul Skill lit up. A surge of cold abruptly erupted around Yan Jin.

Her body began to stiffen as frost gradually spread upward from her feet.

Sizzle...

Magma gushing from all over her body drove away the chill. "Heh, not bad..."

A wild smile spread across Yan Jin's face as she extended her palm forward.

"Volcanic Barrage!"

One molten ball after another shot toward Bing Lan like cannon shells.

Bing Lan's face remained expressionless. She directly activated her Second Soul Skill, and the ice blocks began to shift, forming a round shield in front of her that protected her entire body.

"Martial Soul Solidification?" Seeing that familiar ability, Yan Jin's smile only widened.

She swung her fist in a broad arc, and the searing magma transformed into a massive fist.

"Great Eruption!"

A pale blue radiance glowed around Bing Lan's right hand. She swept her arm upward, and a large crystalline bird made entirely of ice flew toward the magma.

"Ice Bird!"

The two collided. Sound waves surged, and steam billowed everywhere.

Yan Jin used Ejection and charged at her opponent.

Their Martial Souls countered one another. If they competed through Soul Skills, Yan Jin, whose Soul Power was two levels lower, would clearly be at a disadvantage.

So she decisively chose close-quarters combat.

There was no question that magma posed a greater threat to the human body than ice.

Bing Lan knew that as well, but she had no good way to stop her. Her First Soul Skill, Freeze, was almost ineffective against Yan Jin.

With a wave of her hand, she condensed a long blade from ice.

"Ice Army Blade."

The ice blade collided with a fist covered by Magma Arm Armor.

The moment they made contact, both discovered that their Soul Power was draining at a rapid rate.

Normally, the ice and magma they created could be maintained for a long time with only a small expenditure of Soul Power. But now, as their temperatures canceled each other out, the ice evaporated and the magma cooled, forcing both sides to pour in more Soul Power.

Yan Jin reached out and grabbed the ice blade. Her other hand struck toward Bing Lan's chest, only to be blocked by Bing Lan's arm covered in crystalline ice armor.

Fists, elbows, knees... Every part of Yan Jin's body became an extremely dangerous weapon once wrapped in magma.

Compared to long-range attacks, Yan Jin's close-combat ability was much stronger. This was the fighting style she had honed over the years.

By contrast, Bing Lan's response was far weaker. She could do little more than condense chunks of solid ice into shields to block the attacks.

"It's over..." Yan Jin murmured.

After melting through a chunk of ice, Yan Jin swept a kick toward her opponent's abdomen.

But Bing Lan, who had been passive the entire time, suddenly erupted at that moment. After taking the kick, she lunged to one side with the momentum and threw a side kick at Yan Jin's head.

Yan Jin retreated half a step and drove her elbow into the side of Bing Lan's calf, defusing her final counterattack.

After falling to the ground, Bing Lan did not try to continue fighting. She knew she had lost. Struggling to her feet, she limped toward the edge of the arena.

Her calf had been fractured in that last clash!

She covered her lower leg in ice for protection, then formed an ice slide and sat down as she slid off it. Without saying a word, she left the arena.

Alana's Martial Soul healing had no effect on this kind of internal injury. Two girls supported Bing Lan as they headed toward the infirmary.

Yu Xinxue scratched her head, looking troubled.

Another one had gone to the infirmary.

It was normal to get hurt in battle, but wasn't this happening far too often?

Her gaze involuntarily shifted to Amon, who gave her a smile.

"You're not going to send another one of my students to the infirmary, are you?"

Amon adjusted the bottom edge of his Monocle and asked, "I'm already a Soul Elder. Do I still need to be tested?"

Yu Xinxue wanted to see Amon's abilities, but she was also worried that things would turn out like the previous two matches. One assessment, three students injured and sent to the infirmary—Principal would definitely reprimand her afterward.

"Yes, of course you do. Don't tell me you're backing down at the last second?" It was Roy, who had already picked out a new arena.

Having seen Lei Yin and Yan Jin's performances, Roy was already somewhat intimidated by the obviously older Amon. But he still remembered the task Brady had given him.

Since the boss had told him to probe the other side, how could a subordinate like him back down?

Besides, Boss Brady had always been generous. If he got hurt, he would probably receive quite a bit of compensation...

With that thought in mind, Roy crooked a finger at Amon in provocation.

Amon raised his right hand and adjusted his Monocle. He gave a soft "Heh." "Then as you wish."

With a light jump, he landed on Roy's arena.

"Roy, Level 33 agility-type Battle Soul Elder."

"Amon, Level 34 support-type Battle Soul Elder."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "A support-type... Battle Soul Master?"

In most people's understanding, support-type Soul Masters and Battle Soul Masters were two completely different paths of development. No support-type Soul Master possessed combat ability.

The renowned Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect of the Heaven Dou Empire was a typical example.

"Martial Souls come in countless forms, each with their own differences. Is it really so strange to be able to support others while also possessing some combat ability?" Amon said with a smile.

"That's true." Looking at Amon's gentle smile and scholarly air, much of Roy's hostility suddenly faded.

Amon continued, "Classmate, there's actually no need for us to be so confrontational... This battle is completely unnecessary.

"Lei Yin won, and Yan Jin won. Haven't you seen the strength they displayed?

"Since they could achieve victory, then I, who am stronger than them, naturally won't lose. So why not skip the process and directly announce the result?"

A smile curled across Amon's lips. "You should concede."

Roy's thoughts slowed. Before he could make sense of the logic behind those words, he only felt that Amon seemed to make a lot of sense.

So he blurted out along with him, "All right, I concede."

The students watching from the side had no idea what had just happened. Seeing this scene, they only found it bizarre and absurd.

Brady frowned. He even suspected that Roy had been bought off by Vidal and had deliberately made him lose face in front of everyone.

The moment he said the words "I concede," Roy had already snapped awake. He slapped himself, seemingly regretting that he had spoken without thinking.

Amon's Second Soul Skill, Deception, could slow an opponent's thinking and increase his own affinity, making his words more believable.

He had exploited the shock caused by the violent Martial Souls displayed by Lei Yin and Yan Jin in the first two battles.

In truth, even before stepping onto the arena, Roy had vaguely felt that he would lose.

Amon had temporarily suppressed the speed of his rational thought, guiding out the notion in his heart that he would lose.

Under the passive effect of the Second Soul Skill, Roy also felt that Amon was "trustworthy" and that his words were "correct," resulting in that rather comical scene.

"Hahaha, I was joking just now. Let's give it our all and have a proper fight!" Roy said stiffly.

Amon ignored him, merely smiling as he looked toward Yu Xinxue.

As a Soul Emperor, Yu Xinxue naturally understood what had happened just now.

Amon had used a mental skill similar to charm!

She rendered her judgment on the result of this battle. "Roy, you've already lost."

"Teacher Yu, but, but I..." Roy opened his mouth but did not continue.

He also realized that something might have gone wrong with his mind just now. Amon had done something; it was not simply that he had spoken without thinking.

When Roy looked at Amon again, his gaze held deep wariness, along with a trace of fear that even he himself did not notice.