Seeing Lin Yan agree so readily, Su Wanqing's admiration deepened. She nodded slightly. "Not bad, you have guts. In that case, come with me."
The group left the office, passed through several shaded corridors naturally formed by giant leaves, and arrived at the Soul Fighting Arena, which was reserved for the Plant Academy.
This Soul Fighting Arena is different from others; it is not paved with hard stone slabs, but covered with an extremely tough dark green turf. It is surrounded by ancient green trees and swaying vines, and the life force in the air is becoming increasingly strong. You can even faintly feel the Soul Power fluctuations coming from the ground under your feet, which obviously has a certain amplification effect on Plant-type Martial Soul Master.
It wasn't the academy's official competition time, but many students were still training or sparring around the Soul Fighting Arena. When they saw Vice Dean Su Wanqing arrive in person, followed by Han Shuirou, who was somewhat famous in the academy, and a handsome young man they didn't recognize, many people curiously gathered around.
Su Wanqing stopped, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding students, her voice gentle yet clear. "Today, this young friend Lin Yan from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy wishes to borrow our library. According to the academy's rules, this requires a challenge between students of the same level. Young friend Lin Yan's Soul Power has now reached level forty, but he has not yet obtained his Fourth Soul Ring. Therefore, I will select three Soul Ancestor level students to spar with him."
Upon hearing this, a murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.
"He looks so young, and he's already level 40? Are you kidding me?"
"A genius from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Are all the students at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy this good now?..."
"He doesn't even have his Fourth Soul Ring yet, so is he considered Soul Elder or Soul Ancestor? Is the vice-dean going to send Soul Ancestor to fight him?"
"Isn't this... a bit too obvious a hierarchy-based system?"
Han Shuirou was so anxious that she stepped forward to block Lin Yan's path and said urgently to Su Wanqing, "Teacher! This is not fair! Lin Yan is only level 40, he hasn't even added any Soul Ring, and he only has three Soul Skill. How can he be considered a formal Soul Ancestor? You're sending senior students who are level 40 or above to fight him. He's at a huge disadvantage!"
Su Wanqing looked at her outspoken disciple, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes, but she said sternly, " Shuirou, don't be rude. Soul Power Level is the foundation of Soul Master. Since your Soul Power has reached level forty, you are Quasi-Soul Ancestor, which is fundamentally different from Soul Elder. If I send Soul Elder to fight him, wouldn't people laugh at young friend Lin Yan for bullying the weak? And even if young friend Lin Yan wins, wouldn't he be branded as having won unfairly?"
She paused, then turned her gaze to Lin Yan, her tone calm yet tinged with a hint of testing. " Lin Yan, what do you think? If you feel it's inappropriate, you can withdraw now. Considering your kindness to Shuirou, I can make an exception and allow you to access some basic information."
All eyes were on Lin Yan. He remained calm, seemingly unaffected by the potential pressure of his level. He gave Han Shuirou a grateful look, then bowed to Su Wanqing, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Senior Su is right. Having reached level forty in Soul Power, one should no longer be regarded as Soul Elder. Fighting a true Soul Ancestor is an excellent opportunity to examine one's shortcomings and seek a breakthrough. This junior has no objection; such an arrangement is perfectly acceptable."
His voice was clear and resonant, and his words carried a sense of composure and confidence.
These words made Su Wanqing nod in approval, secretly praising the young man's extraordinary demeanor.
"Alright!" Su Wanqing approvingly said, "In that case, the challenge begins now. Lin Yan, the rules are simple: leaving the Soul Fighting, voluntarily surrendering, or losing the ability to fight constitutes defeat. Stop when you've made a point; you must not intentionally injure your opponent."
"This junior understands." Lin Yan nodded, then his figure blurred, and everyone only saw a flash before their eyes. He had already landed silently in the center of the dark green Soul Fighting Platform, his robes fluttering, his demeanor calm and composed. He glanced in Su Wanqing's direction and said loudly, "Senior Su, please send the first senior brother or sister up to the platform."
This decisive and efficient action once again drew everyone's attention.
Su Wanqing didn't hesitate, turning her gaze to a tall, calm-looking male student behind her. " Chen Fan, you go first."
"Yes, Vice Dean." The male student named Chen Fan responded and leaped onto the Soul Fighting Platform, standing opposite Lin Yan.
His Martial Soul Possession, and four Soul Ring, two yellow and two purple, rose from his feet. Pale blue vine shadows Entanglement his body, and his aura was steady.
" Chen Fan, Plant Academy, Level 43 Control System Battle Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul: Green Vine. Please advise."
" Lin Yan, a level 40 Quasi- Control System Battle Soul Ancestor from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, with the Martial Soul: Illusory Rainbow Ice Blue Silver Grass, please advise."
As Su Wanqing shouted "Start!", Chen Fan launched the first attack. His First Soul Ring shone brightly, and with a wave of his hands, dozens of Green Vine as thick as an infant's arm burst from the ground, coiling around Lin Yan from all directions like serpents. They were extremely fast and covered a wide area, a typical Control System opening move.
Faced with the overwhelming vines, Lin Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and three Soul Ring rose from his feet—yellow, yellow, and purple! He had changed the color of his Soul Ring using his First Soul Skill.
The moment the Soul Ring activated, Lin Yan moved. He didn't use Soul Skill, but relied solely on his own speed to weave and twist through the dense vines, his steps mysterious yet light. The seemingly impenetrable Vine Entanglement couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes.
Chen Fan's heart tightened, realizing he had encountered a master, and he immediately changed his strategy. His Second Soul Ring lit up, and the surface of the Green Vine instantly shone with a metallic luster, becoming even more resilient. At the same time, their speed increased, and they intertwined, attempting to form a large net to restrict Lin Yan's room to dodge.
However, Lin Yan seemed to have anticipated his change. Just as the Green Vine were about to surround him, his First Soul Ring, that deep Purple Soul Ring, flashed with light.
First Soul Skill: Illusory Color Concealment!
His figure suddenly blurred, as if merging into the surrounding light and air, and his aura vanished instantly. Chen Fan only felt a blur before his eyes, and he lost all trace of Lin Yan. The closing vine net also missed its target.
"Where?" Chen Fan was highly focused, his senses fully activated. However, Lin Yan's " Illusory Color Concealment " not only concealed his form but also greatly reduced his aura; how could he be so easily detected?
Just as Chen Fan was filled with doubt and surprise, the air behind him rippled slightly, and Lin Yan's figure appeared like Gui Mei. His right hand was held together like a sword, with a faint blue halo emanating from the fingertip, and he gently touched Chen Fan's back. Although he did not use force, the sharp aura that burst forth in that instant made the hair on Chen Fan's body stand on end, and his movements froze instantly.
"You flatter me, Senior Brother Chen Fan." Lin Yan's voice rang out calmly behind him.
Chen Fan was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile, dissipated his Soul Power, turned around and cupped his hands. "Junior Brother Lin Yan's methods are superb, I have lost." He was completely convinced of his defeat. His opponent hadn't even used a single offensive Soul Skill, and had broken through his control with just his movement technique and concealment. The difference in skill was obvious.
A moment of silence fell over the audience, followed by bursts of discussion. Too fast! A level 43 Control System Soul Ancestor was defeated so easily? Lin Yan's combat ability far surpasses his Soul Power Level!
Su Wanqing's eyes gleamed with admiration, and her opinion of Lin Yan rose once again.
" Lin Yan wins the first match. Liu Meng, you're up for the second match."