The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy's Soul Fighting Arena lay in the northeastern part of the academy and occupied an enormous area.
From afar, an oval building could be seen, like a perfectly cut sapphire set into a silver-gray metal base.
This was the core building at the center of the Soul Fighting Zone, the Great Soul Arena. True to its name, it was also the academy's largest Soul Fighting Arena, with enough room for a hundred thousand spectators.
However, it only opened for major tournaments or special events.
The newly formed Soul Master class only had twenty-six people, including its homeroom teacher, so naturally, they had no need for such a large venue. Their destination was one of the smaller Soul Fighting Arenas around it.
Compared with the grandeur and luxury of the Great Soul Arena, the hundreds of smaller Soul Fighting Arenas of varying sizes scattered around it were much simpler.
They were merely independent spaces enclosed with soul tool materials. Covered by Soul Guidance Arrays, they ensured the grounds remained sturdy while also allowing a choice of whether Soul Fighting matches would be open to the public.
Ren Jun finally led the class's twenty-five students to a small Soul Fighting Arena at the edge of the Soul Fighting Zone. The fifty-meter-diameter arena had room around its perimeter for a ring of spectators, though naturally, no seats were provided here.
The control console could raise a barrier to prevent outsiders from seeing inside the Soul Fighting Arena, but Ren Jun did not do so.
Naturally, the formation of a Soul Master class was no secret within the academy, and students and teachers alike held differing attitudes toward it.
However, today was the Soul Master class's first day of lessons, and its homeroom teacher had brought these eight- and nine-year-old students to the Soul Fighting Arena. Clearly, a battle between these newcomers was inevitable.
Quite a few people were curious about this. They also wanted to see just how strong these "geniuses" of the Soul Master class were.
Soon, a ring of people had gathered around the small Soul Fighting Arena, whispering as they looked at the children beside Ren Jun.
When Ren Jun spoke, the surrounding clamor instantly fell silent.
"Are you ready? Are you really going to take on five by yourself?"
Clearly, Ren Jun's words were directed at Xu Tianyi.
He had not expected so many onlookers, but Xu Tianyi still held his head high and said confidently, "I'm already getting impatient!"
Ren Jun gave him a meaningful look, then said, "All right, those of you who want to be class monitor, head down!"
At those words, Xu Tianyi took the lead, walking toward the downward staircase on the left. The others followed him down.
After hearing the exchange between teacher and students, the surrounding onlookers had gained a rough understanding of the situation.
Most turned their attention to Xu Tianyi, thinking that since this tall child dared to "talk so big," he must have some ability.
Those who had originally come just to watch the show suddenly felt a surge of anticipation.
Soon, all six stood in the Soul Fighting Arena below the spectators.
Xu Tianyi stood alone on one side, while the other five tacitly took their places on the opposite side.
Kong Xuan stood behind the others with his head lowered, looking silent.
Before this Soul Fighting match officially began, a voice came from among the five.
"My name is Bi Jin. My Martial Soul is the Control System Empowerment Chain, and my Soul Power is rank fifteen. I know a little about Xu Tianyi. He won't be easy to handle. Let's introduce our Martial Souls so we can coordinate in a moment."
Kong Xuan glanced at Bi Jin, who stood beside him and had spoken. He felt that, compared with the others, Bi Jin had something of a talent for leadership and would probably become a good Control System Soul Master in the future.
"Wang Xiao. Power Attack System Beast Martial Soul, Rift-Splitting Blade Mantis. Rank fifteen Soul Power."
"Han Lingxi. Auxiliary System Tool Martial Soul, Star Chart. Rank fourteen Soul Power."
"Ye Lingtong. Power Attack System Tool Martial Soul, Heavenly Spirit Staff. Rank sixteen Soul Power."
With Bi Jin taking the lead, the others introduced themselves in turn.
When Ye Lingtong finished her introduction, everyone looked at her in surprise. They had not expected this little girl to have the highest Soul Power among them.
"Kong Xuan. Power Attack System Tool Martial Soul, Atlas Spear..."
Under their gazes, Kong Xuan finally spoke slowly.
Just as he was about to state his Soul Power Level, a shout from Ren Jun interrupted him.
"You can all fight with your full strength. I'll ensure your safety!"
The Flying Soul Tool on Ren Jun's back unfolded, and he had already flown directly above the Soul Fighting Arena.
In truth, with his strength as a Soul Douluo, he was confident he could intervene and save someone at any moment even if he stood at the edge of the Soul Fighting Arena.
But because of what he had experienced, he did not dare be the slightest bit careless with his students, for fear of an accident.
"Soul Fighting officially begins!"
As Ren Jun's shout swept across the entire Soul Fighting Arena, the match between the two sides officially began.
As the only Control System Soul Master among the five, Bi Jin naturally took on the responsibility of command.
A yellow Soul Ring appeared beneath Bi Jin's feet, followed by translucent chains appearing before him, mysterious runes flowing across them.
With a thought from Bi Jin, these chains instantly wrapped around the other four's waists.
At the same time, Bi Jin began laying out their tactics. "Han Lingxi, stay at the back and support us. Kong Xuan, attack from the front. Ye Lingtong, Wang Xiao, strike from the left and right respectively. If you're in danger, I'll pull you back."
Given that they had never worked together before, this arrangement could be considered the best solution.
Thus, the others all followed his arrangements. None displayed an attitude of, "Why should I listen to you?"
They all immediately released their Martial Souls. A miniature Star Chart appeared in Han Lingxi's palm, composed of nine metallic celestial bodies that could be freely combined.
The first celestial body suddenly lit up, and a ray of starlight flew out of it, splitting into three in midair before entering Kong Xuan, Wang Xiao, and Ye Lingtong respectively.
Kong Xuan felt the Soul Power within him suddenly increase by roughly ten percent. It seemed Han Lingxi's first Soul Skill was Soul Power amplification.
Looking at Bi Jin in front of her, Han Lingxi said with a hint of apology in her eyes, "Right now, I can only apply Soul Power amplification to three people at once."
Bi Jin, who had received no amplification, did not turn around, continuing to observe the situation ahead. He said without minding, "You've already done very well."
Yellow Soul Rings also lit up beneath Wang Xiao's and Ye Lingtong's feet. Those selected for the Soul Master class all had the optimal hundred-year First Soul Ring configuration.
As a Beast Soul Master, Wang Xiao's physical attributes were enhanced after Martial Soul Possession. In theory, he should have been the fastest.
Yet he controlled his speed, keeping pace with the others.
After all, the three of them were going to surround and attack Xu Tianyi. If he rushed out in front, wouldn't he be the first to face the opponent's attacks alone?
Watching the situation below from midair, Ren Jun saw that although this was the first time Bi Jin's group of five had worked together, they had organized themselves and begun coordinating so quickly. Bi Jin, this Control System Soul Master, left a deep impression on him.
Wang Xiao, who knew to control his speed, also made Ren Jun see him in a new light.
After all, they were merely one-ring Soul Masters, and only eight or nine years old.
An impromptu battle had only just begun, yet it had already given Ren Jun a new understanding of his students.
The pride in Shrek hidden in his heart wavered once again.
But in truth, the one who surprised him most was still Kong Xuan!
His Martial Soul, the Atlas Spear, had already appeared in Kong Xuan's hand, yet no Soul Ring emerged beneath his feet.
At this sight, Ren Jun raised an eyebrow. He had not expected Kong Xuan to have mastered such a technique as well. This was a demonstration of extremely strong control over one's Martial Soul.
He had originally thought a young genius like Kong Xuan would disdain joining others to gang up on someone weaker than himself.
He had even prepared himself for the sight of Kong Xuan standing alone at the back once the battle began, waiting while the others rushed forward together.
Yet Kong Xuan had "disappointed" him. He seemed to have none of a genius's pride and was preparing to confront Xu Tianyi head-on according to Bi Jin's arrangements.