Xiao Bro Was Super Boxed, the Champion's Reward: the Level 9 Soul Tool, Azure Sky Jade Moon (4K)

The Soul Tool Thruster roared like thunder, carrying Xiao Hongchen upward against the heavens. The third leg growing from his backside stretched taut, his kicking stance textbook-perfect and powerful. This was the resolve of the former peerless champion of his generation. A divine beast would never admit defeat!

The Hongchen Flying Kick looked intimidating at first glance, but as the spectators slowly raised their eyes, they hurriedly lifted both hands and slapped them over their faces.

A silver-white meteor whistled toward the ground. Lin Qing descended from above, his leg rubbing against the air at such speed that a brilliant layer of silver-white flame formed around it!

The two flying kicks met in midair. A silver torrent instantly crushed the Hongchen Flying Kick, which had absolutely no skill effects. Xiao Hongchen was forcibly kicked straight out of his Martial Soul Possession, plummeting like a bird with broken wings!

Everyone averted their eyes, unable to bear watching. Only Ji Juechen gazed at the battlefield, holding his sword and nodding gently. The Sword Enthusiast's mind worked in peculiar ways. He thought that his chosen whetstone truly lived up to expectations, displaying an unyielding spirit!

Xiao Hongchen was a real tough guy!

In the battered Test Zone Zero, Xiao Hongchen lay embedded in the ground with his limbs spread wide. He rolled over and propped his utterly drained body up on his knees and fists, stubbornly maintaining a half-kneeling posture. Clutching his chest, he let out a long, forlorn sigh. "You're absurdly strong. Even without the pressure of the Machine Element's innate domain, the Three-Legged Golden Toad still couldn't win.

"I feel a little guilty. I couldn't even force you to use your full strength, but I've burned through everything-

"Metal Control, sixty-four soul cannons, Gold Sacrifice, the innate gifts of my divine beast bloodline-I held nothing back. I have no regrets."

The silver-gray figure drifted down and said softly, "Xiao, I've seen the limits of the Three-Legged Golden Toad.

"This battle was a pleasure. I'll probably always remember how you refused to yield today."

"Is that so-"

Tears shimmered in his mismatched blue and green eyes. Why were Xiao Hongchen's eyes so often filled with tears? Because he loved this world so deeply!

His eyes turned toward Ai Xiao. Xiao Hongchen's lips quivered as he murmured fragmented apologies under his breath. To everyone who supported me, I've let you down-

Thud!

Xiao Hongchen, invincible among his peers, had fallen!

"Xiao Bro!!!"

Heart-rending screams erupted from the stands. The diehard Ai Xiao members could not accept the collapse of their mountain. The throne had changed hands overnight. From this day forward, there would be no more debate over the greatest genius of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

"Xiao Bro lied to us! He obviously couldn't beat ultimate metal-"

"Brothers, is anyone worse off than me? I believed Xiao Hongchen's bold claims and bet three months of living expenses on him winning. Now I don't even have a loincloth left-"

"I bet a hundred and eighty thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

Wails filled the stands. After all, ultimate martial souls existed only in the records of legends. Many Sun Moon students had chosen to bet on the renowned Three-Legged Golden Toad, only to lose every last coin!

Among them, the fellow who had wagered a hundred and eighty thousand Gold Soul Coins was a core Ai Xiao member, responsible for holding up the last character of the slogan "Xiao Bro is super fierce."

Thinking of that enormous sum, gone forever, grief overwhelmed him. It was as though an air pump had sucked every ounce of strength from his body. The character for "fierce" quietly tilted ninety degrees, becoming the character for "box." A single changed character transformed the meaning entirely!

Xiao Bro was super boxed!

Starry Sky Douluo Ye Yulin slowly descended, releasing a wisp of gentle Soul Power to support Xiao Hongchen. The Level 9 Soul Engineer had watched Lin Qing and Xiao Hongchen's battle from start to finish without interrupting.

That was because Lin Qing had always kept his blows measured. Xiao Hongchen had suffered no internal injuries, merely excessive Soul Power expenditure and a few superficial wounds. After sleeping like the dead, he would be back at full health the next day.

"The practical combat assessment for the Hongchen Class Selection Competition has concluded. Lin Qing of Class 1, Year 5 takes first place!"

Xiao Hongchen had suffered a crushing defeat, and sobs filled the Ai Xiao group. The Qing Army was the complete opposite, every youthful face wild with joy. The trolls had also found their main contingent and piled into the Qing Army, celebrating the exhilarating, overwhelming victory together!

Standing in the center of Test Zone Zero, Lin Qing waved to his supporters in thanks.

First place in the end, strong and handsome again!

Watching the spirited, heaven-blessed genius below, Ye Guyi's golden eyes shone with delight. Sharing in his glory, she applauded and cheered.

Beside her, Meng Hongchen was ecstatic. She cupped her hands around her mouth and called out loudly. Her lively, lovely face showed not a trace of distress over her brother's crushing defeat, only regret that she could not rush to Lin Qing's side and embrace him tightly!

Huff, huff! Meng was practically crying with impatience!

"Looks like there's no suspense left over next year's Sun Moon Team Reserve Team Captain," Ma Rulong commented fairly. "Their combat strength isn't on the same level. An ultimate martial soul is still that same invincible ultimate martial soul.

"Ultimate metal can trounce the Three-Legged Golden Toad with ease. Attribute suppression is a heavenly chasm that martial souls of the same origin cannot cross."

Mi Jia, a starting team member, shrugged. "The waves behind push the waves ahead. The academy's next generation of super monsters really is terrifying.

"Training as both Soul Masters and Soul Engineers is the right approach. Lin Qing, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen-these outstanding juniors all pursue both paths, and they excel at both.

"Six years from now, when they lead a team into the Soul Master Tournament, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy might really break Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year monopoly on the championship."

"What's that supposed to mean? You've already decided we'll lose to Shrek!?"

The instant those words left his mouth, Mi Jia drew furious condemnation from his six teammates.

"Pah, pah, pah! Two consecutive championships! The seven of us will stand united and definitely win the next tournament!"

Mi Jia frantically tried to salvage the situation and earn his teammates' forgiveness.

With that, the weeklong Hongchen Class Selection Competition came to a successful close. Jing Hongchen, the master of Mingde Hall, announced the class roster on the spot. "In my capacity as dean of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, I hereby announce that, based on the combined results of the three assessments in practical combat, Soul Tool manufacturing,

"and theoretical knowledge, the thirty students rank as follows!

"Lin Qing, Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Ye Guyi, Nana, Lan Xiu, Keke, Wang Shaojie, Zi Mu-Ju Zi, Tang Gang!

"Congratulations to them!"

Thunderous applause rang out as all the teachers and students cheered for the outstanding students who had distinguished themselves. Once the noise subsided, Jing Hongchen offered encouragement. "Those who unfortunately failed to qualify must not lose heart. Regroup and keep moving forward.

"Though Mingde Hall is a sacred ground for Soul Engineers, it is only the next short-term goal on the Hongchen Class's path of cultivation. Within a few years, several Hongchen Class students will gain admission to Mingde Hall. When their places become vacant, the academy will hold another selection tournament!

"As the current dean, I sincerely hope that the academy will forever achieve new glory, and that the Hongchen Class, like Mingde Hall, will become an everlasting symbol of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!"

The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy cafeteria.

Qing, Meng, and Yi came looking for food.

"Pfft."

The next second after Lin Qing stepped into the cafeteria with his left foot, his sole touching the pristine white tiles, the Sun Moon students suddenly rose en masse. Then they clapped furiously, the applause nearly lifting the roof. Some even banged their spoons against their trays, creating the distinct impression of a leader visiting the countryside and receiving an enthusiastic welcome from the masses.

"Meng, is this sort of behavior normal at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?" Lin Qing's eye twitched.

"Stay calm," Meng Hongchen said, long accustomed to it. "Our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy respects the strong more than anything. You replaced my brother as the academy's top student. This is the treatment you deserve.

"Of course, my idiot brother finds it awkward too, so he usually doesn't eat in the cafeteria.

"Grandpa gave all thirty of us a short break to relax our bodies and minds. The Hongchen Class officially starts in a couple of days, and our personalized three meals a day will start then too. In other words, you'll have to endure two more days of everyone staring at you."

"All right, then."

After glaring at Ye Guyi, who was snickering, Lin Qing headed straight for the serving counter. The students ahead automatically parted to either side.

The cafeteria lady was well informed. Nodding approvingly at the new king's accession, she scooped three delicious braised pork knuckles made from Black-Horned Mountain Boar onto his tray. She explained that they were a gift from the cafeteria staff to congratulate Sun Moon's new top student.

After thanking the cafeteria staff for their generous gift, Lin Qing sat down, feeling as though his chair were lined with needles. Every Sun Moon student looked at him with unmistakable respect. The boys had become his little followers, and the girls his fangirls.

He had conquered the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy!

Before he could adjust to his new status, Sun Moon's lively Black Pearl had already taken the initiative. With stars in her eyes, she approached the dining Azure Heavenly Emperor and took out a lipstick, asking to write her room number at the Rose Hotel on his palm. Ye Guyi and Meng Hongchen promptly snapped the lipstick in half, their faces dark.

Holding to the principle that silence was golden, Lin Qing divided the three Black-Horned Mountain Boar knuckles equally among them and immediately began tearing into his share like a hyena. He could not stay in this place a minute longer.

The chefs of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy rivaled imperial chefs, though to Lin Qing's personal taste, the pork knuckles would have been better with some pickled cabbage.

"Oh, right, Lin Qing. Grandpa asked me to tell you to stop by the dean's office later to collect your selection tournament championship reward," Meng Hongchen said, her cheeks bulging with food.

"Okay, I'll go now."

Unable to bear the hundreds of gazes prickling against his back, Lin Qing decisively went to carry out his orders. Bidding Meng and Yi farewell, he raced toward Jing Hongchen's office with the wind beneath his feet.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Dean, it's Lin Qing."

"Come in."

Jing Hongchen's voice came from behind the door. Lin Qing pushed it open, and the first thing he saw was an antique bookcase filled with an impressive array of books.

"Make yourself comfortable. Let's sit down and talk."

Abandoning the domineering manner he displayed before Lin Jiayi, Jing Hongchen transformed into a kindly old geezer. He had Lin Qing sit opposite him and asked warmly, "How is it, Xiao Qing? You've been at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy for three months now. Have you adjusted to the food and living arrangements?

"Thank you for your concern, Dean. The Sun Moon Empire's food suits my tastes, and I've made enormous progress in my Soul Power cultivation that would have been impossible in the Douluo Three Kingdoms. Sun Moon's metals truly live up to their reputation."

Lin Qing continued, "I've made many like-minded friends at the academy. We often research Soul Tools and exchange cultivation insights. Xiao and Meng, for instance-we grow together through competition."

"Now that you're here, settle in. That's exactly how it should be."

Jing Hongchen was deeply gratified. Lin Qing's answer was precisely what he wanted to hear. He laughed heartily. "My grandson and granddaughter are exceptionally gifted, each with higher standards than the other. It has made them arrogant and unruly. With you beside them from now on, you can help rein in their wild ambitions and have them cultivate steadily, one step at a time.

"Spend more time together. The future of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, and even the entire Sun Moon Empire, will ultimately rest on the shoulders of you children."

"We'll certainly make that our goal."

"Keep working hard. Your dean has faith in you."

Their brief conversation held Jing Hongchen's concern, but it was also a probe into Lin Qing's true attitude, an attempt to discover whether he still yearned for the Douluo Three Kingdoms.

From the looks of things, Lin Qing seemed to have been won over by the academy's top-tier treatment. Jing Hongchen was not surprised in the slightest.

Had he gone to Shrek Academy instead, Lin Qing would probably have just finished eating dinner standing up, then returned to the dormitory to fight four hundred fellow students for the toilets.

After a fight with his roommate, he would meditate and cultivate with half his face swollen, then drag himself out of bed the following morning to run miserable laps around the training field.

As for the finest rare metals unique to Sun Moon, Shrek Academy's reserves were limited. Every bite the Gold-Eating Beast consumed meant one less bite remaining. How could it compare to the Metal World, where he could stuff himself until he fell into a carb coma?

Ultimate metal, surrender to the Sun Moon Empire's corruption!

"Treat the Sun Moon Empire as your home from now on. We have plenty of students and teachers who immigrated from the Douluo Three Kingdoms. The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has always treated everyone equally, nurturing all exceptionally talented young people."

With that, Jing Hongchen turned to business. "Xiao Qing, congratulations on winning the first Hongchen Class Selection Competition. According to the rewards announced by the academy, you will receive a high-grade Soul Tool made by my own hands, as well as your choice of one item from Mingde Hall's black-level treasury.

"However-"

Pausing deliberately for two seconds, the hall master kept him in suspense before continuing with a smile. "The selection tournament attracted the attention of many high-ranking Soul Engineers in the empire. One highly experienced, deeply respected Level 9 Soul Engineer, whose tireless service has earned him great merit, was especially impressed by your combat performance-"

Hearing this, Lin Qing turned his head and looked around the dean's office, but found no third person present.

How strange. The Mingde Hall master's tone carried a faint hint of flattery, as though he were deliberately trying to please that Level 9 Soul Engineer with the long string of adjectives above his head.

Exhaling, Jing Hongchen felt he had thoroughly boosted his teacher's standing in Lin Qing's eyes. Secretly pleased, he kept his expression composed. "That Level 9 Soul Engineer came to me of his own accord and handed over a Soul Tool. He wanted me to give it to you in place of the Soul Tool originally prepared as your prize."

With a flash of light, Jing Hongchen produced the replacement prize. It was a palm-sized jade disc, indigo throughout like clouds heavy with misty rain. Its center was hollow, and mysterious, magnificent soul guidance patterns shimmered along its openwork carvings.

"Azure Sky Jade Moon, a Level 9 Soul Tool."

"Hmm!?"

Lin Qing was instantly shocked. One could scrape every inch of the Douluo Three Kingdoms and never find so much as a hair of a Level 9 Soul Tool. How could a mere Hongchen Class Selection Competition warrant such a prize? That unnamed Level 9 Soul Engineer was far too generous!

Jing Hongchen's mouth split into a satisfied grin. This shocked expression was exactly what they wanted from Lin Qing!

"Let me explain its specific abilities," Jing Hongchen said. "Azure Sky Jade Moon is a Level 9 Defensive Soul Tool, naturally intended to protect your life in a crisis. For a Soul Ancestor with an ultimate attribute who lacks self-preservation skills, a Defensive Soul Tool is more important than an offensive one.

"To allow you to use a Level 9 Soul Tool freely, its creator went to painstaking lengths, specially inscribing a Charging Soul Guidance Array and a Trigger Soul Guidance Array.

"When night falls and the moon rises high, Azure Sky Jade Moon will automatically activate its charging mode, absorbing the moonlight spilling down from the sky to replenish its expenditure. Charging it to its full-moon state requires an entire night.

"The moment it senses your body suffering an attack you cannot withstand, Azure Sky Jade Moon will consume its moonlight and release a Jade Moon Shield. If its moonlight is at the full-moon state, the shield can withstand a single strike from a rank ninety-five Super Douluo-"