After the three fell silent for a while, Niu Jinfeng finally spoke. "Yanyan, try fighting Podi first. If you win, then you can take on two at once."
Dugu Yan seemed full of confidence. "All right, then! I'll beat that little kid Yang Podi first, then fight both of you together."
With that, she walked straight onto the training ground, looking perfectly relaxed, as though she really were facing two little children.
Yang Ping'an hurried off the training ground and went over to Niu Jinfeng to watch, looking ready to enjoy a good show.
Only Dugu Yan and Yang Podi remained on the training ground.
Like a little grown-up, Dugu Yan began introducing her Martial Soul and Soul Power. "Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphorous Serpent. Level 21 Control System Soul Grandmaster. Please give me your guidance!"
Seeing this, Yang Podi introduced himself as well. "Yang Podi, Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear. Level 22 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster. Please give me your guidance!"
Dugu Yan seemed a little startled by his words. "Yang Podi, you're already level 22? How is that possible?"
Yang Podi couldn't help pondering inwardly. Dugu was ten and a half now, meaning she would turn eleven in another six months, yet she was only level 21. At this rate, after another year and a half of cultivation, she would be level 25 or 26 at most, barely meeting the requirements to join Shrek.
Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was probably about the same. Yet both Dugu Yan and Yu Tianheng already counted as geniuses; after all, they had received focused nurturing from their two great clans. This showed just what sort of talents Shrek had recruited. Even Zhu Zhuqing, whose Soul Power was the lowest, could probably captain a strong team after one Soul Master Tournament.
Ignoring Dugu Yan's surprise, Yang Podi summoned his Martial Soul, the Soul Breaking Spear. Two yellow Soul Rings immediately appeared beneath his feet, marking the strength of a Soul Grandmaster.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan opposite him immediately summoned her own Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphorous Serpent. Two yellow Soul Rings also appeared beneath her feet.
Yang Podi carefully examined Dugu Yan's Martial Soul. A green Jade Phosphorous Serpent seemed to cover her entire body, and she could control its swaying movements, attacks, and so on. Was this the difference between a Beast Martial Soul and a Tool Martial Soul?
At this point, his mother, Niu Jinfeng, seemed to take on the role of referee. "Both sides have summoned their Martial Souls. Begin!"
Dugu Yan controlled a Jade Phosphorous Serpent, its head lunging swiftly toward Yang Podi as though striking at prey.
Yang Podi swung the Soul Breaking Spear in his hands and thrust it at the Jade Phosphorous Serpent hurtling toward him.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent and the Soul Breaking Spear collided at once. By now, Yang Podi's Soul Breaking Spear Martial Soul weighed 300 jin, and its spearhead was exceptionally sharp, piercing a wound straight into the serpent's body.
Dugu Yan seemed to feel some pain. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent spat a mouthful of dark green gas, which shot toward Yang Podi. This was clearly the innate poison that came with the Jade Phosphorous Serpent.
Holding the Soul Breaking Spear in both hands, Yang Podi used a spear-thrusting move and drove it forward forcefully. A streak of spear light immediately pierced straight through the dark green gas. He then sprinted forward, heading straight for Dugu Yan opposite him.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan seemed to show a hint of a smile. The Jade Phosphorous Serpent's tail whipped swiftly toward Yang Podi.
Yang Podi was not surprised in the slightest, nor did he show any intention of retreating. Instead, he swept his Soul Breaking Spear straight at the Jade Phosphorous Serpent's tail, instantly batting it away. Before Dugu Yan could react, he swung the Soul Breaking Spear again, using a chopping spear move to cleave through the poisonous gas surrounding her entire body. The next instant, the spear's blade was already pressed against her neck.
The Breaking Clan's Soul Breaking Spear emphasized the word "breaking," which essentially meant thrusting. The basic spear techniques Yang Podi had learned, however, encompassed much more. Besides thrusting, they included sweeping, chopping, twisting, flicking, blocking, and more, making them more comprehensive. This was also why Yang Podi had always insisted on adding strength-type Soul Rings. It made both offense and defense more comprehensive, and would become even more formidable later on.
Top experts like Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu rarely used Soul Skills anymore, relying more on basic techniques and Self-Created Soul Skills. Tang San's Sea God Trident weighed a full 108,000 jin, which was also the fundamental reason he could contend with Bibi Dong as soon as he became a Titled Douluo.
Dugu Yan's face was a little pale now. She hadn't expected to lose so easily and so quickly.
Dugu Yan's first two Soul Skills were Jade Phosphorous Red Poison and Paralyzing Poison. Jade Phosphorous Red Poison was an excitatory poison that stimulated the nerves, increasing attack power and speed by 20%. Her second Soul Skill was Paralyzing Poison, which removed her teammates' sense of pain and increased defense by 30%. They were essentially useless in a one-on-one fight, so what she had just displayed could already be considered her full strength.
Yang Podi, on the other hand, had not used a single Soul Skill from beginning to end. He had even used his spear light only once. He could be said to have won easily without using even half his strength.
Yang Podi withdrew his Soul Breaking Spear Martial Soul. "Sister Yanyan, sorry, but you lost."
Dugu Yan also found it rather unbelievable. "I actually lost that quickly, to a little kid two years younger than me?"
Yang Podi glanced at Dugu Yan and couldn't help shaking his head. She was merely a little girl who had never seen the world, had never understood the competition between Soul Masters, and had never suffered any setbacks.
Just as Yang Podi was about to leave, Dugu Yan spoke again. "Wait, don't go yet. Let's fight another round. I refuse to believe you can beat me that quickly again."
Yang Podi was instantly speechless. My soul is already an adult's. Am I really going to get pestered by a little girl?
"Sister Yanyan, don't forget that I didn't use a single Soul Skill just now."
After saying this, Yang Podi left without looking back. He still had studying to do; how could he have time to bother with her?
After hearing Yang Podi's words, Dugu Yan seemed to realize something. This kid could defeat me without even using a Soul Skill. Just how strong could he be?
After breakfast, Yang Podi and Yang Ping'an prepared to attend class. Dugu Yan seemed a little curious about Yang Podi, so she went along with him.
Ever since becoming a Soul Grandmaster, Yang Podi had no longer particularly wanted to attend classes, especially theory classes. But after a lecture from his parents and his teacher, he could only yield helplessly. During class, however, Yang Podi spent more of his time meditating. He had long since learned everything the teacher taught from books.
And so, Dugu Yan followed Yang Podi and Yang Ping'an for the entire day. At dinner, she couldn't help asking, "Yang Podi, aren't we Soul Masters supposed to focus on improving our Soul Power? Why haven't I seen you spend much time meditating? Is training your body like this useful?"
"Sister Yanyan, I meditate in my room every night. Although we're Soul Masters, our bodies are our foundation. Only when our bodies grow stronger will meditation produce better results. Especially after training and taking a medicinal bath every afternoon, meditation works even better."
"Then don't you usually do anything else? Like shopping, playing, or going out to have fun with friends?"
"As a Soul Master, I think strength is what matters most. We're still young, and this is also the best time to train. If we want to have fun, there'll be plenty of time in the future."
After hearing this, Dugu Yan was a little speechless. Is this a child? He's practically a monster.