Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy

That day, both sides of the Star Luo Empire's central district were already packed with eagerly awaiting spectators. The eight youths of the Reserve Team, dressed in dark green competition uniforms, strode into the arena full of spirit.

Ma Xiaotao, Ling Luochen, and Dai Yueheng had not come, choosing instead to rest and recover from their injuries. The Shrek Academy team sat temporarily in the rest area, their eyes holding both slight regret over their absent teammates and firm resolve for the coming battle as they quietly awaited their moment to fight.

On the Battle Soul Stage, the host loudly announced, "Welcome, everyone, to the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament! Today's first match of the first round of the round-robin stage will be Shrek Academy versus Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy. Will the captains of both sides please come forward to draw lots?"

Wang Yan's gaze was calm as he said softly, "Go, Beibei." Beibei nodded firmly and walked steadily toward the center of the stage. A captain also stepped out from the opposing side, and the two faced each other.

As the host's voice fell, "Begin the draw!" The small ball bearing their fate was tossed into the air. Almost instantly, Beibei and his opponent reached out at the same time and accurately caught it.

At the referee's command, Lin Qianyi moved like lightning and launched her attack in an instant. Before Ma Yingjun could fully react, she had already defeated him with the speed of a thunderbolt. What was even more astonishing was that she had not even given him a chance to use his Soul Tool; the battle had ended before his martial soul was fully released.

Landing lightly, Lin Qianyi gave her opponent a slight bow. "Thank you for letting me win."

Over these rounds, Lin Qianyi had not suffered a single defeat. Even more astonishingly, she had easily ended two battles without fully releasing her martial soul. On the high platform, the members of Sun Moon Royal Academy began discussing it among themselves.

Xiao Hongchen's eyes flickered. "This girl isn't simple!"

Ma Rulong, standing beside him, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Her martial soul has yet to reveal its full edge, yet she can handle her opponents with such composure. Such strength and steadiness are quite rare."

Meng Hongchen beside them frowned slightly. "Brother, she cannot be underestimated, but we'll need to watch further to see what her true strength really is."

On the other side, a tall woman stepped out from Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy. Holding two blades, she looked valiant and heroic. "Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy, Shangyue."

Lin Qianyi replied calmly, "Shrek Academy, Lin Qianyi."

The moment she finished speaking, the twin blades in Shangyue's hands suddenly lit up, transforming into two streaks of light that shot straight at Lin Qianyi. Lin Qianyi knew she could not meet them head-on. She nimbly flipped backward, braced herself against the ground for leverage, and kicked toward Shangyue. The two each retreated a step, and Lin Qianyi seized the chance to take out a concealed weapon—the Mother-and-Child Soul-Chasing Life-Taking Guts. In an instant, purple mist spread through the air, concealing dense silver needles within it.

Shangyue swung her long blade to block, but accidentally inhaled some of the purple mist. Her entire body immediately went limp, and she collapsed to the ground. Lin Qianyi put away her weapon and said flatly, "She's only unconscious. She'll wake up in a day."

The referee nodded. "This round goes to Shrek Academy."

Situ Yu, the captain of Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy, strode into the arena. He was broad and powerfully built, radiating icy battle intent. Sunlight fell across his bronze face, outlining his resolute features.

"Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy, Situ Yu!" His voice was loud and powerful, echoing through the arena.

Lin Qianyi raised her eyes slightly, her cool gaze sweeping over him. Sensing the Soul Power fluctuations radiating from him, she replied in an even tone, "Shrek Academy, Lin Qianyi."

Situ Yu's gaze sharpened. "I know you've been holding back. As Yunluo Academy's captain, I hope to fight you fairly and openly. If I lose, we'll concede all the remaining matches. The same goes for you."

Lin Qianyi nodded gently. "Fine."

At the referee's command, the two retreated three steps at the same time. Their auras could not have been more different. Situ Yu's momentum surged like a rainbow, his fierce killing intent completely undisguised; Lin Qianyi, on the other hand, was like a pool of autumn water, calm and still on the surface, yet her deep eyes faintly held a sharpness that sent chills down one's spine.

This battle was destined to be extraordinary.

In Shrek Academy's rest area, sunlight filtered through mottled leaves and fell upon the ground. Beibei frowned, a trace of concern in his voice. "Teacher Wang, Yunluo Soul Tool Advanced Academy's captain is clearly stronger than Junior Sister, and they seem to be hiding some unknown Soul Tools as well."

Wang Yan sighed softly, deep thought in his eyes. "Since Qianyi dared to agree, it means she has confidence. I've said before that her refusal to admit defeat is hidden away, concealed beneath her calmness. That is both her strength and her weakness." He paused, then continued, "Unlike Situ Yu's openly sharp personality, she is steady. That may become her advantage."

Jiang Nannan nodded lightly, her eyes filled with trust. "Yes, let's trust Junior Sister!"

Xu Sanshi, standing nearby, patted his chest somewhat regretfully. "What a pity. I didn't get a chance to show what I can do this time."

Wang Yan turned to Xu Sanshi, a hint of encouragement flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry. You'll definitely get your chance."

The instant the referee announced the start of the match, an image resembling a thousand-armed goddess suddenly appeared behind Situ Yu. Accompanied by a violent, piercing mechanical roar, his body rapidly expanded within only a few breaths, and the terrifying form of a long-range ray Soul Tool Bomb emerged behind him.

At the sight, a trace of gravity flashed through Lin Qianyi's beautiful eyes. She swiftly summoned her martial soul, and four soul rings lit up beneath her feet—purple, purple, black, black! The moment such a Soul Ring Configuration appeared, it was like a heavy bomb thrown into a tranquil lake. Everyone present changed expression, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief. This was an exceptionally outstanding Soul Ring Configuration. Every soul ring seemed to proclaim its owner's immense potential.

Behind her, an Azure Luan silently appeared, emanating an icy aura. It then let out a cry that shook the soul, like heavenly music yet carrying an undeniable majesty and power. Situ Yu's heart was thrown into turmoil at the sight, his face filled with shock.

At that moment, in Sun Moon Royal Academy's lounge, their instructor's gaze darkened slightly as he slowly said, "Such an outstanding Soul Ring Configuration—Shrek Academy has hidden itself deeply indeed.

Even a Reserve Team member possesses such strength. Given her current power, if an ordinary Soul King faced her and did not go all out, they might not even be able to defeat her."

Just as Situ Yu's Soul Tool Cannon platform finished preparing its attack and was about to fire at Lin Qianyi, she blossomed upon the battlefield like an azure lotus, her powerful Soul Power sweeping out in an instant. She gave a light shout, "Second Soul Skill: Azure Luan Bodyguard!" In that instant, an azure-green barrier spread before her like rippling water, as though creating a tranquil harbor around her.