Begin!

A faint golden glow rose between his brows, and a concentrated beam of energy suddenly shot toward Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened slightly, but she showed not a trace of panic as she gently raised her slender fingers.

The purple-black Soul Power curling around her fingertips instantly spread, forming a thick purple barrier.

Patterns flowed across the barrier, countless tiny, web-like veins faintly visible within it, giving off a cold, sinister aura.

"Hiss-"

The golden beam slammed into the purple barrier with a piercing, searing hiss.

Golden light collided violently with the purple barrier, stirring rings of energy ripples that spread in every direction.

The two forces remained locked together for several breaths before the golden light scattered into the air.

Watching this, Su Yu's expression took on a hint of disappointment, and he muttered:

"This Soul Bone Skill... can't even break a shield Teacher put up so casually?"

Seeing his expression, a flicker of amusement crossed Bibi Dong's eyes, though her tone held a measure of seriousness:

"Don't be disappointed. This Soul Bone Skill of yours is good. For a thousand-year External Soul Bone to have this much power is already rare."

She was, after all, a level ninety-six Titled Douluo. Even a Soul Power barrier she created casually was not something an ordinary Soul Saint could easily break.

Still, this Soul Bone Skill did pack a punch. A thousand-year External Soul Bone actually possessed such powerful offensive strength.

She paused, then lightly tapped Su Yu's forehead, her manner both a little helpless and gentle:

"Your teacher is a level ninety-six Titled Douluo. If a Soul Saint-stage Soul Bone Skill like yours could easily break through my defenses, that would truly be strange."

"Keep honing it. This Soul Bone Skill of yours might become a potent weapon someday."

Su Yu watched the golden light dissipate, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of his clothes, unable to hide the disappointment on his face.

Only after hearing Bibi Dong's words did he slowly lift his head, some of the dimness fading from his eyes:

"Really? But... it couldn't even break your shield, Teacher..."

A faint smile curved Bibi Dong's lips. With a light flick of her fingertips, the purple barrier dispersed like smoke:

"You've only just broken through to Soul Master. It's already rare for this thousand-year External Soul Bone to unleash such power."

"Once your Soul Power improves and you become more proficient with this Soul Bone Skill, further progress may well be possible."

Bibi Dong turned her gaze toward Hu Liena, who stood quietly nearby, and nodded slightly for her to step forward.

"Little Yu, Nana."

She spoke calmly, yet with unquestionable authority.

"Teacher!" the two answered in unison.

"The Freshman Competition will begin in a few days." Bibi Dong's gaze swept across their faces.

"I hope you will do as Xiao Yi said and not disappoint me."

"Yes, Teacher! We'll definitely bring back first place!"

Su Yu and Hu Liena spoke in unison, their voices filled with certainty.

"Good. Go back and rest well over the next few days. Gather your strength." Bibi Dong waved her hand.

"Yes!"

After bowing respectfully, the two turned and walked out of the Pope Hall.

The moment they stepped through the heavy doors, Hu Liena could no longer contain her excitement and seized Su Yu's hand:

"Brother Su Yu, now that you have a Soul Bone, we're sure to take first place in the Freshman Competition!"

Her eyes shone as though studded with stars, reflecting Su Yu's figure.

Feeling the warmth against his palm, Su Yu's lips curved confidently:

"Yes. First place will definitely be ours."

Three days later-

On the raised platform, Headmaster Xu Ding stood tall in an ink-dark brocade robe. His gaze swept over the freshmen below, all rubbing their fists and flexing their palms in anticipation, as he declared:

"Today marks our academy's annual Freshman Competition!"

"Their Eminences and Her Holiness the Pope have come in person to watch. This is your honor, and all the more reason for you to show your potential!"

In the viewing seats behind him, Spirit Hall's senior members sat upright.

The purple-and-gold patterns on their robes glittered in the sunlight. An invisible pressure spread outward, yet was deliberately restrained, leaving only solemnity and gravity.

"Remember!

"Xu Ding's voice suddenly rose, carrying a note of fervor.

"On the competition grounds today, as long as you do not endanger anyone's life, you may use everything you have learned!"

"Show your courage and your trump cards! Let everyone see who truly stands above the rest of the freshmen!"

Thunderous cheers instantly erupted below the platform, and blazing fighting spirit ignited in the competing freshmen's eyes.

"The winner of this Freshman Competition will receive a Spatial Soul Guidance Belt!"

Xu Ding swept his hand upward, and a silver belt set with sapphires hovered in midair.

"This belt contains a storage space three zhang across and can also stabilize the circulation of Soul Power. Children, fight for it!"

The freshmen stared fixedly at the Soul Guidance Belt, their breathing growing rapid.

Carried by Soul Power, Xu Ding's voice spread throughout the competition grounds, reaching every freshman's ears with perfect clarity:

"As in previous years, this competition has two trials. The first is cooperation in pairs!"

He turned sideways and pointed toward the towering green mountain behind him. Dense vegetation covered its slopes, with jagged rocks and deep ravines faintly visible:

"You will form teams of two, and your objective is to seize Command Tokens. As for their locations-"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below. "They're inside this mountain."

"The Command Tokens might be hidden deep within dark caves, or tied to a Soul Beast."

"They might even be disguised as ordinary stones. You'll have to discover them yourselves!"

At these words, the freshmen immediately erupted into a hubbub, whispering among themselves in surprise and excitement.

Some looked toward the mountain, a trace of wariness flashing in their eyes-the Soul Beasts there would not be easy to handle.

"Of course!" Xu Ding added, his tone a little playful.

"The rules do not forbid stealing. If you discover that another team has found a Command Token, you are welcome to take it from them by force."

The discussion below grew louder. What had been a simple treasure hunt instantly became a contest of both cooperation and confrontation, and the smell of gunpowder in the air suddenly thickened.

"The timer starts this afternoon and ends at this same time tomorrow."

Xu Ding raised his hand and glanced at the sundial. "The team that obtains the most Command Tokens within twenty-four hours will take first place in this first trial!"

Cooperating in pairs meant both searching for Command Tokens and guarding against theft. It would test not only their strength, but also their coordination and adaptability.

Su Yu and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, each seeing understanding in the other's eyes.

By then, Xu Ding had already ordered people to distribute team tokens, each engraved with a number to make tallying the results easier.

The sun gradually slanted westward, and a mountain breeze blew from afar, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.

"Children, the first trial begins now!"

In an instant, Martial Souls of every color lit up one after another-some mighty, some nimble, some eerie.

Everyone found their teammate and charged toward the mountain behind Spirit Hall Academy!