On the third day of the preliminary rounds, Godwind Academy faced off against the Elephant Armor Academy.
The news caused another uproar in the Great Soul Arena. The aftershocks of the Godwind Academy's battle against Shrek Academy, where all seven members revealed their Fourth Soul Ring, had not yet subsided, and now they were about to face Elephant Armor Academy, known for its defense.
What intrigued the audience even more was that the lineup for the Godwind Academy had changed for both the Defense System and Support System.
Support System are fine; no matter who you switch to, their role is simply to support. But it's different with Defense System, because each person has a different defensive style.
The name listed for the current Defense System position is Shi Yan. Zhong Yue, who started the Defense System in the last match, is not on the roster this time.
" Shi Yan? Who's that?"
"Never heard of him. Didn't Godwind Academy have Zhong Yue in their Defense System? Why the change?"
" Zhong Yue played well in the last match, withstanding so many attacks from Dai Mubai. Why isn't he playing in this one?"
There was a lot of discussion in the stands.
The Iron Rock Academy team members had already taken their positions. In the previous match, they were completely outmatched by the Godwind Academy, who only fielded three players. Elephant Armor Academy was the leader in the Defense System, far superior to them in defensive matters.
"Let's see how long Elephant Armor Academy can hold out," Tie Hu said.
Shi Chui nodded. If Elephant Armor Academy couldn't withstand the pressure, then their defeat wouldn't be unjustified. If they could, it would be a good opportunity to learn from them.
--
The players from both sides enter the arena.
Leading the way for the Elephant Armor Academy was Captain Huyan Li, followed by six teammates, all burly men, each over two meters tall, their steps heavy, causing the arena to tremble slightly with each step. The seven of them stood in a row, like a wall of flesh.
On the Godwind Academy side, Jiang Lin walked at the front, followed by Cheng Luo, Shi Yan, Lu Hanxiao, Feng Lingtian, Lu Qing, and Ye Qingyu.
The referee signaled for both sides to release their Martial Soul.
The seven members of the Elephant Armor Academy simultaneously unleashed their Martial Soul forms— Diamond Mammoth. A pale golden luster appeared on their skin, as if they were wearing diamond armor. Their Soul Ring lit up, all two yellow and two purple, displaying astonishing defensive power.
Then they looked toward the Godwind Academy.
Seven people, seven Martial Soul, lit up simultaneously.
Jiang Lin's Spirit Eyes, Cheng Luo's Wind-Binding Vine, Lu Hanxiao's Snowy Owl Wings, Feng Lingtian's Peregrine Falcon, Lu Qing's Wind Scythe, and Ye Qingyu's Wind Zither —all have two yellow, one purple, and one black soul rings, and all are the Fourth Soul Ring of ten thousand years.
But no one's attention was on these people.
They were looking at the person standing in the defensive position— Shi Yan.
Before him, a bell materialized, its pale golden body floating in mid-air. Ancient patterns adorned its surface, with faint traces of wind elements flowing within. However, the bell's material was entirely different from Jiang Lin and his companions' Wind Attribute Martial Soul —it wasn't wind, but something heavier and more solid.
The moment the Martial Soul was released, the stands were silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos.
"Wait... this Martial Soul isn't Wind Attribute, is it?"
"Isn't Godwind Academy supposed to be an extreme Wind Attribute school? How come they accepted a Martial Soul that isn't Wind Attribute?"
" Bell Martial Soul? Godwind Academy has taken in a Bell Martial Soul?"
"Just who is this person?"
On the other side of the stands, a spectator whispered, "You don't know? This Shi Yan was personally guaranteed by Feng Xiaotian. I heard there's a one-year agreement involved, something about the Elephant Armor Academy and Thunder Academy. We don't know the specifics."
Feng Xiaotian sat in the contestants' seat, listening to the surrounding discussions, his gaze falling on Shi Yan.
He remembered something.
That year in the Heavenly Wind Mountain Range, he encountered Shi Yan and his sister hunting Wind-Patterned Python. The boy was knocked down three times but got up again each time. The first thing he did each time was to look back and see if his sister was alright.
Feng Xiaotian gave Shi Yan a Foundation-Fortifying and Essence-Nurturing Powder and watched him hunt for and absorb the Soul Ring. During their subsequent conversation, Feng Xiaotian sensed Shi Yan's love and care for his younger sister, which was exactly the same as his own care for his younger brother. Moved by compassion, he decided to take him back to the academy.
After being brought back to the academy, many teachers had objections, but Feng Xiaotian vouched for him despite the pressure. In those years, Feng Xiaotian personally led Shi Yan's training.
Later, during training, they became inseparable teammates, growing and getting stronger together, and the gossip in the academy finally stopped.
Over a year ago, during the Five Elements Exchange Tournament, members of the Thunder Academy and Elephant Armor Academy questioned why Shi Yan, who wasn't Wind Attribute, was allowed to join Godwind Academy. Is Godwind Academy about to betray its original mission and break the Extreme School its current style?
Feng Xiaotian did feel a little regretful at that moment—how could he have forgotten to address the issue that the Stone Rock Martial Soul wasn't wind-attribute?
But the regret was only momentary. Shi Yan was one of their own, and they couldn't let others bully their own people.
He immediately made a one-year promise: Shi Yan would prove himself by defeating the opponents from the Elephant Armor Academy and Thunder Academy. If he succeeded, no one could question his eligibility to join Godwind Academy.
Fortunately, his younger brother later created the Soul Core, and with the help of the pill, Shi Yan's Martial Soul was completely transformed and evolved into the Void Resonance Bell.
Now, Shi Yan stood before the Elephant Armor Academy.
Feng Xiaotian's lips curled up slightly.
He had some expectations for Shi Yan's performance.
--
In the VIP section, Huyan Zhen's expression was not good. As the sect leader of the Elephant Armor Sect, he was of course aware of the one-year agreement. This match was not just a victory or defeat in the preliminary rounds, but also a settlement between the Elephant Armor Academy and the Godwind Academy.
If Elephant Armor Academy loses, it would be tantamount to acknowledging that a non- Wind Attribute Soul Master is qualified to join the Extreme School Elemental Academy—once this precedent is set, the rules of the Elemental Academy will be broken.
Salas put down his teacup, his gaze lingering on Shi Yan for a moment. Shi Yan. Void Resonance Bell. He remembered that name.
Ning Fengzhi sat beside Xue Ye, watching Shi Yan on the field with a hint of interest in his eyes. He turned to look at Feng Qingxuan and whispered, " Dean Feng, your son has good taste."
Feng Qingxuan smiled slightly but did not reply.
The referee raised his right hand, and the entire stadium fell silent.
All eyes were on Shi Yan. The first test of the one-year agreement—could this boy, who wasn't of the Wind Attribute, prove himself?
The match is about to begin.