Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda

On the spectators' platform

A somewhat disheveled old man reclined lazily in his chair, his gaze resting on the arena. Wang Yan spoke respectfully, "Xuan Zi, she is Lin Qianyi. Her talent is truly extraordinary."

Xuan Zi nodded slightly, a sharp glint flashing through his clouded eyes. "I know. I can see for myself." Wang Yan answered, "Yes," then continued, "Xuan Zi, Lin Qianyi's combat aptitude and talent are indeed outstanding. Her martial soul is an extremely rare top-tier Beast Martial Soul. In terms of talent, not to mention among the new students—even across the entire outer academy, there are only a handful who could surpass her."

Lin Qianyi keenly sensed that the battle had reached a stalemate. As a tactician-type fighter, she knew Ning Tian was the core of the opposing team.

To test them, she called softly, "Xiao Xiao." After receiving her companion's affirmative response, Xiao Xiao summoned the Three Lives Soul-Calming Cauldron and instantly unleashed her First Soul Skill, striking directly at Wu Feng. Although the latter reacted quickly and barely blocked the heavy blow, she was still sent several steps back by the impact.

Seizing that fleeting opportunity, Lin Qianyi lightly leaped onto the cauldron and scattered countless azure feathers as she spun. Those seemingly soft feathers turned into sharp blades in the blink of an eye, raining down upon Ning Tian. Nanmen Yun'er and Wu Feng hurriedly joined forces to rescue her, blocking the attack together before launching a counterattack.

With a graceful backflip, Lin Qianyi landed safely and exchanged a meaningful glance with Huo Yuhao on the platform. He nodded in understanding.

In the viewing stands, Xuan Zi nodded slightly. "She knows how to assess the situation and doesn't act rashly. This student is quite adaptable."

Wang Dong and Lin Qianyi seized the fleeting opening and attacked their opponents together. Wu Feng snorted coldly and chanted, "First Soul Skill: Dragon Flame!" In an instant, blazing fire enveloped her body. Like a fire dragon descending from the heavens, she lunged at Wang Dong with bared fangs and claws.

Lin Qianyi reacted with lightning speed. At that critical moment, she yanked Wang Dong aside, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike.

Seeing this, Ning Tian laughed softly. "Lin Qianyi, you truly are clever. But I'd like to see what your real strength is." Before she finished speaking, light flashed in her hand, and a seven-colored pagoda appeared. It was the renowned Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Huo Yuhao cried out in shock, "What is that?" Lin Qianyi was equally astonished. "The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!?"

"Seven treasures turn forth glazed light: first, speed; second, attack!" With Ning Tian's low cry, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda erupted with dazzling radiance, pouring down over Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er like liquid silver.

In an instant, both their speed and attack power underwent a qualitative leap. It was as if they had transformed into two war gods, their might overwhelming.

Lin Qianyi's gaze shifted to Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao immediately understood and nodded gently before summoning her second martial soul—the Nine Phoenix Auspicious Flute.

As the melodious, winding flute melody rose, she unleashed her First Soul Skill, "Slowing," which reduced her opponents' speed by twenty percent. Thus, the speed of the enhanced Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er was suppressed once more.

At that moment, Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao moved in perfect coordination, both using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to close in on Ning Tian. Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er tried to stop them, but Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong blocked their path. "Seize the Crane, Capture the Dragon!"

Huo Yuhao gave a low shout. A force woven from Soul Power and inner force gathered in his hand and struck toward Ning Tian. Unable to evade in time, Ning Tian staggered. Lin Qianyi caught that instant of vulnerability and forced Ning Tian out of bounds.

Only then did Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er realize they had fallen into their opponents' trap. Azure light flared around Lin Qianyi, and in an instant, countless azure feathers transformed into sharp blades and shot toward Wu Feng and Nanmen Yun'er.

Wang Dong also seized the moment to attack. Seeing this, Wu Feng hurriedly unleashed her Second Soul Skill and punched toward Lin Qianyi. Lin Qianyi tilted aside, nimbly dodging the blow. She then grabbed Wu Feng's arm, circulated the Soul Power within her body, and released a fierce shockwave that blasted Wu Feng away while forcing Nanmen Yun'er out of bounds as well. Wu Feng was knocked backward and fell to the ground, while Lin Qianyi landed steadily.

Wu Feng climbed to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury. "You used underhanded tricks!" Lin Qianyi did not turn around. She merely glanced sideways at Wu Feng, her tone faintly disdainful. "Since when has the arena forbidden tactics?" Wu Feng was left speechless, her face filled with unwillingness.

After receiving simple treatment from the physician, Ning Tian was unharmed. At that moment, a young female teacher named Mu Jin came to ask about the situation, her expression as puzzled as those of the other two teachers. After briefly giving a few instructions, Mu Jin left, and Nanmen Yun'er departed as well.

Wu Feng's expression was solemn. "Young Master, Lin Qianyi dared to hurt you and even plotted against us. It is utterly unforgivable!"

Ning Tian waved her hand and lowered her voice. "Sister Feng, don't call me Sect Master outside. Calm down. Lin Qianyi truly is not simple—she is even smarter than we imagined. This time, we underestimated her. We cannot blame her. From the very beginning, she had set her sights on me. Her first attack looked like a probe, but she was actually observing our reactions. When she saw you and Nanmen Yun'er both move to protect me, she had already achieved half her goal—creating chaos and making us expose our weaknesses. I have to admit, she is deeply calculating."

Wu Feng nodded thoughtfully. "So that's how it was. Then we need to be even more careful and study how to deal with her properly. Next time, we absolutely cannot give her another opening."

The next day, there were far more spectators in the viewing stands than usual, and the Homeroom Teachers from every class had gathered there. Yet the most eye-catching figure was undoubtedly the old man sprawled lazily in his reclining chair. His hair was messy, a wine cup loosely held in his left hand while he gnawed on a chicken leg with his right. He looked utterly disheveled, but his status was incomparably exalted.

He was an elder of Shrek Academy. His status was second only to the Pavilion Master of Sea God Pavilion, and he was the designated successor to the position of Pavilion Master. He was also Shrek Academy's second strongest expert after the Pavilion Master of Sea God Pavilion, one of the few supreme existences across the entire Douluo Continent. This was Xuan Zi.

He had come specifically today to observe Lin Qianyi once more. The previous match and Wang Yan's description had both stirred his deep interest in the girl.

He slowly narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the arena as if he wished to capture every scrap of information about Lin Qianyi from the air itself.

Zhou Yi stood atop the platform, looking down at the fighting arena below. At that moment, Mu Jin hurried over and asked in a lowered voice, "Teacher Zhou, who do you think will win this match? Lin Qianyi is certainly outstanding, but her opponents cannot be underestimated either. Their strengths are evenly matched. No matter how clever she is or how many strategies she has..."

Zhou Yi frowned slightly, her tone carrying a trace of displeasure. "Mu Jin, Lin Qianyi is a student I trained personally. I know her strengths and weaknesses better than anyone. Are you questioning my teaching by saying this?"

Mu Jin gave a soft snort, a provocative glint flashing in her eyes. "Don't misunderstand, Teacher Zhou. How about we make a bet? I'll bet on the other side winning. The stake will be... a soul bone. Win or lose, it counts."

At the words "soul bone," Zhou Yi was visibly stunned. Such a rare treasure was difficult to find anywhere on Douluo Continent, even the most ordinary kind. Before she could respond, a clear voice suddenly rang out.

"Good! I believe Lin Qianyi and the others will definitely win!"

Zhou Yi and Mu Jin turned around at the same time, only to see that Fan Yu had arrived beside them at some point.

"Fan Yu, why are you so certain?" Mu Jin sneered.

Fan Yu's gaze was firm as he spoke slowly. "With Lin Qianyi leading them, this team is exceptionally talented. Not only is she herself one of the best among the new students, but Xiao Xiao possesses Twin Martial Souls, while Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao are both gifted geniuses. More importantly, Lin Qianyi's personality... she appears calm and quiet, but beneath that lies an unyielding stubbornness. She is like a flower blooming silently. Though inconspicuous, she is destined to astonish everyone."

After the arena had been expanded, Lin Qianyi's team of four faced three boys from New Student Class Two. The referee called out loudly, "Both sides, state your names!"

A round, chubby youth puffed out his chest and declared loudly, "New Student Class Two, Xie Huanyue!" His confident expression made it seem as though victory was already in his grasp.