Training Paths

Wang Dong blurted out, "A few jade bottles for what just happened? What good stuff is inside?" As she spoke, she impatiently opened one of the bottles to inspect it. In an instant, her eyes lit up. "Soul Ascension Pills! All right, this hush money is worth it. I'll pretend I didn't see anything."

Huo Yuhao looked utterly bewildered. "What are Soul Ascension Pills?" Wang Dong shook her head mysteriously. "Not telling you." Huo Yuhao turned to Lin Qianyi, who gave him a sly smile. "Figure it out yourself!" The two girls exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with smug satisfaction at their successful little prank.

"Come on, just tell me." Huo Yuhao sighed helplessly. Wang Dong deliberately teased him, "Beg me!" Huo Yuhao snorted. "In your dreams."

Seeing this, Lin Qianyi explained, "Soul Ascension Pills are just as precious as Mysterious Water Pills. They're extremely rare, and a Soul Master can only take one in their lifetime. They can directly raise Soul Power by one rank, but if you take more than one, your Soul Power will stagnate instead." Huo Yuhao exclaimed in amazement, "That powerful? It raises you by a whole rank?" Wang Dong nodded firmly. "Of course. Let's go, it's time for class."

When everyone returned to the classroom, Teacher Zhou happened to walk in. She strode elegantly to the podium, gently set the documents in her hand on the desk, and swept her gaze over every student present. Her voice was steady and clear. "Only a few days remain before the freshman assessment. It's time for you to choose your future path as Soul Masters. There are five major paths: assault, control, agility attack, support, and defense."

She paused, as if allowing her words to settle in the air. "I have prepared selection forms. Mark the path you wish to take, then hand them in to me." As she spoke, she turned toward Lin Qianyi. "Lin Qianyi, distribute these forms."

Lin Qianyi nodded and walked lightly to the podium. She took the documents and began handing them out to each student.

As every student in the classroom immersed themselves in filling out their forms, time seemed to quietly flow from their pen tips. After a while, Lin Qianyi gently collected the forms.

Teacher Zhou cleared her throat, her voice especially distinct in the silent classroom. "This freshman assessment will test the results of your three months of study. Whether you can remain at the academy and continue your education depends on your own abilities. Next, I will explain the competition rules in detail."

As soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the classroom suddenly grew heavy, as though even the air had become tense. When the dismissal bell rang, its crisp sound failed to break the silence. "Lin Qianyi, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, stay behind." Teacher Zhou's voice rang out again, echoing in the ears of the four.

Hearing that, all four of them stopped in unison. Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong's expressions changed slightly, and a trace of nervousness flashed through their eyes.

After all, Teacher Zhou had always been known for being strict. Every private conversation with her felt like an unknown trial. In contrast, Lin Qianyi remained as calm as still water. She was the first to walk over, and the other three followed closely behind. Their steps were somewhat heavy, but none of them backed down.

As soon as they reached the podium, Zhou Yi slammed the four completed forms onto the desk with a bang. The sound was like thunder exploding through the classroom. Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao all trembled, as if their strings had suddenly been pulled taut.

Lin Qianyi, however, was like a pool of tranquil water, without the slightest ripple. She simply stood there quietly, her face utterly expressionless.

"Control path?" Zhou Yi's voice was sharp as she slammed her palm down on the podium again. The sound seemed ready to pierce their eardrums. Huo Yuhao and the other two swallowed unconsciously, their hearts filled with confusion. How could Qianyi remain so calm in the face of a scolding like this?

"All four of you chose the control path. What exactly are you trying to do?" Zhou Yi's gaze was like a blade as it fell directly on them. Lin Qianyi hurriedly said, "Teacher, please listen to my explanation!" Before she could finish, Zhou Yi's hand had lightly landed on her forehead. Lin Qianyi instinctively rubbed it, but her movement was extremely slight, not daring to make too much of a fuss.

"If you can't give me a reasonable explanation, just wait and see how I punish you!" Zhou Yi folded her arms across her chest and stared intently at them, as though she intended to find the answer in their eyes.

Zhou Yi turned her gaze toward Huo Yuhao, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure. "Huo Yuhao, you go first."

Feeling Zhou Yi's gaze, which seemed capable of piercing through his soul, Huo Yuhao felt a shiver run through him.

He stammered, "Teacher Zhou, my Martial Soul belongs to the spiritual type. It can both control and support. So... so I thought the control path might offer better prospects."

Zhou Yi frowned slightly, seeming to consider whether Huo Yuhao's words were reasonable. "Hmm, that's not entirely without merit." She suddenly turned, her sharp gaze fixing on Wang Dong, who was hiding behind Huo Yuhao. "Wang Dong, what are you hiding for? You're an assault-type student, so why do you want to take the control path too?"

Wang Dong slowly poked her head out from behind Huo Yuhao. Looking somewhat embarrassed, she scratched the back of her head and said, "Teacher Zhou, my Martial Soul is the Light Goddess Butterfly. Not only can it fly, but it can also exert a certain degree of control while attacking. If I use offensive methods for control, that still counts as control, doesn't it?"

After hearing Wang Dong's words, Zhou Yi nearly laughed in exasperation. "I don't even know how to evaluate you. If I praise you for being clever, why couldn't you think of a better excuse? If I call you stupid, you're still the strongest person in our class besides Lin Qianyi.

"Don't think I can't tell. You just don't want to be separated from Huo Yuhao. Besides, when have control and assault ever been unable to complement each other? Hurry up and change it."

Upon hearing that, Wang Dong immediately replied, "All right! Thank you, Teacher Zhou."

Then Zhou Yi turned her gaze toward Xiao Xiao and asked with some confusion, "Your Martial Soul is the Soul Suppressing Cauldron. Why are you taking the control path as well?"

Xiao Xiao smiled faintly, as if she were hiding some secret. "Actually, I have another Martial Soul!" Zhou Yi, Huo Yuhao, and Wang Dong were all astonished upon hearing this. They knew how precious and rare Twin Martial Souls were, while Lin Qianyi had long known about it and merely stood quietly to the side.

Xiao Xiao gently raised her delicate hand. In an instant, her first Martial Soul—the Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron—appeared around her. Three ancient cauldrons floated in the air, radiating a mysterious aura. "This is my first Martial Soul, the Three Lives Soul Suppressing Cauldron. It can attack, defend, and provide support." Xiao Xiao's voice was clear and pleasant, yet it carried an unquestionable strength.

However, Zhou Yi still frowned. "Even so, it has nothing to do with the control path."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Xiao waved her sleeve again, and Soul Power rippled through the air. A long azure flute appeared in her hand, like a nimble azure dragon. "This is my second Martial Soul, the Nine Phoenix Auspicious Flute."

She blew a soft note. In an instant, an invisible spiritual ripple spread outward. Zhou Yi and Lin Qianyi both instinctively rubbed their heads and closed their eyes to feel that strange power. It was as though nine phoenixes were crying beside their ears, shaking their very minds.

A moment later, Xiao Xiao withdrew her Martial Soul and said, "That is my ability. It can both support and control!"

Seeing this, though Zhou Yi still had doubts, she had no choice but to admit that Xiao Xiao's ability was indeed unique and extraordinary. She could only nod and sigh softly. "All right."

Zhou Yi's gaze fell upon Lin Qianyi again, her eyes carrying a trace of scrutiny. "Your Martial Soul is Azure Luan. By all rights, it should belong to the assault path, so why do you excel at the control path instead?"

Though Lin Qianyi appeared calm on the surface, she was quickly organizing her words in her mind. She said softly, "Teacher Zhou, Azure Luan is indeed known for powerful attacks, but it can also use sound waves for both attack and control. The two are not mutually exclusive."

Zhou Yi flicked Lin Qianyi's forehead lightly. Her body trembled slightly, but she remained silent. Zhou Yi sighed. "You really are impossible. You're just like Wang Dong—both of you are troublemakers who never let anyone rest easy. Since that's the case, the four of you will form a team. I'm giving you an order: you must win the freshman assessment championship. Otherwise... hmph, just wait and see how I punish you."

Lin Qianyi answered firmly, "All right, we can definitely do it." Huo Yuhao and the other two nodded as well, a glint of determination flashing through their eyes.