"A thirteen-year-old Battle Soul Ancestor, and a rare Summoning System Soul Master at that. The outstanding talents of this world truly are as numerous as carp crossing a river!"
Qian Xunji narrowed his golden eyes. He admitted that he had underestimated the heroes of the world. He had never imagined that a golden phoenix could rise from a nest of straw.
"Without cultivating, looking at him is like a frog in a well gazing at the moon above. Once you embark on cultivation, seeing him is like a single mayfly beholding the vast blue sky."
"A thirteen-year-old Battle Soul Ancestor. Truly a rarity throughout the ages!"
Beside him, Yan Yang's feelings were immensely complicated. He was two years older than Meng Qianqiu, yet he was still only a Three-Ring Soul Elder.
Yan Yang had been extraordinary from birth, with innate rank-nine Soul Power and the Blazing Lion Martial Soul. After nine years of arduous cultivation, he had only just reached rank thirty-two.
"Five years!"
"As long as I have another five years, I can surpass him completely. But then again, even if my Soul Power matches his, can I really beat him with my Soul Ring Configuration?"
Qian Xunji sank into thought. A thousand-year second ring and a ten-thousand-year fourth ring-such a Soul Ring Configuration was not merely for show.
An outrageous Soul Ring Configuration brought terrifying combat strength!
With Qian Xunji's aptitude, catching up to Meng Qianqiu was not necessarily impossible if he cultivated diligently, but he had lost the spirit for it.
The main reason was that the gulf between him and Meng Qianqiu was simply too vast. A gap in Soul Ring Configuration could not be closed through arduous cultivation alone.
There was an enormous difference between a Hundred-Year Soul Ring and a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, while the difference between a Thousand-Year Soul Ring and a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring was as vast as heaven and earth.
Soul Rings of different ages also varied in power, falling into high, low, and middle tiers.
If the destructive power of a Hundred-Year Soul Ring was that of crude homemade guns and cannons, then the destructive power of a Thousand-Year Soul Ring was undoubtedly that of rifles and howitzers.
The destructive power of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring, meanwhile, was equivalent to laser guns and laser cannons. These three were on entirely different levels.
Soul Ring slots and Soul Bone slots both concerned a Soul Master's potential for growth. Without a divine trial, one had to exercise the utmost caution.
"That damn fellow really is a troublesome opponent. It seems I'll have to think of another way if I want to defeat him completely!"
"But then again, I need to recruit some talented people first. Otherwise, with his terrifying strength and ability to rally others, I'm afraid I won't have the slightest chance of victory once the Elite Selection Tournament ends!"
After thinking for a while, Qian Xunji discovered a cruel reality. Even if he caught up to Meng Qianqiu, he would still be no match for him.
To defeat Meng Qianqiu, he would have to approach it from another angle.
Qian Xunji's identity and background were his only advantages. In this respect, he had a slight edge over Meng Qianqiu.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend!"
"As a fellow successor of the elders' faction, as long as I win Yan Yang over, the advantage in this Elite Selection Tournament will be mine."
Qian Xunji turned his gaze toward Yan Yang. This was another troublesome opponent, but also a potential friend.
Exactly how to proceed depended on a single decision from Qian Xunji.
"Congratulations to everyone here on successfully passing the preliminary test!"
"This means you have entered the sights of Spirit Hall's upper ranks, and you will no longer be easily eliminated!"
"Next comes the five-year Elite Selection Tournament."
"You will spend the first three years in Spirit City. Here, you will undertake extensive, systematic study."
"This includes noble etiquette and advanced academic courses!"
"During these three years, you will face three assessments. The first year will have an academic assessment, the second an individual combat assessment, and the third a team combat assessment!"
"These three major examinations will determine your futures!"
"After the three assessments, the third-place finisher will be a winner and may receive the title of Spirit Hall's provisional Holy Son!"
"Of course, this title does not discriminate between men and women. Men will be called provisional Holy Sons, and women provisional Holy Maidens!"
"After the three years of extensive training end, you will be assigned to Spirit Hall's branch halls to work at the grassroots level according to your assessment results."
"Based on overall ability, one of the three winners will be selected as Spirit Hall's candidate for Pope!"
"A candidate for Pope-what does that mean?"
"As a Red-Robed Bishop, I will say no more about that here!"
The Red-Robed Bishop immediately began explaining the procedures for this Elite Selection Tournament. Spirit Hall did not support idlers, nor did it want weaklings here!
Natural selection, survival of the fittest!
The law of the strong devouring the weak could be seen everywhere here.
"All right!"
"Next, you will have three days to rest and recover. Familiarize yourselves with your surroundings as soon as possible, and do not get into conflicts with anyone!"
The Red-Robed Bishop spoke calmly, turning to address everyone.
"Three days!"
"That's enough for me to recruit a group of people."
"Only by forging alliances can victory be won!"
A gleam flashed through Qian Xunji's eyes. Before coming to participate in the Elite Selection Tournament, he had already picked out four companions.
Including himself, there were five of them in total. To participate in the team competition, he still needed to recruit two more people and form a squad.
"Ling Yuan, She Long, Yan Yang!"
Qian Xunji murmured these three names. Clearly, these three had caught his discerning eye. He had set his sights on them.
There was no helping it. Among all those who had passed, these three possessed the highest-quality Martial Souls, and their Soul Power had also reached rank thirty.
Once he won these three over and had them join his squad, they would immediately form a fighting force, saving a great deal of time.
"Hello, beautiful young lady!"
"My name is Qian Xunji. Would you do me the honor of getting acquainted?"
Qian Xunji looked at Ling Yuan, his eyes shining brightly. Although Ling Yuan was only fourteen, it had to be said that her development was well beyond the norm.
The fourteen-year-old Ling Yuan had alluring features and wore blue-green robes. Her long black tresses spilled over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her skin was fair.
Ling Yuan's expression was very cool, yet she possessed a voluptuous figure at odds with her age. Her black eyes seemed capable of piercing the secrets deep within others, as though she could see through their hearts.
Her gaze was as clear as an innocent child's, untouched by a speck of mortal dust. Yet in an instant, she could become bewitchingly alluring, like a thousand-year demon spirit, her every movement stealing hearts and souls.
In her, Meng Qianqiu saw innocence and seductiveness coexist. She also possessed a scorching ability that could burn everything to ashes, yet a deep pool's mystery and coldness lay settled in her eyes.
The various expressions Ling Yuan wore, together with her already exceedingly beautiful figure, created a distinctive beauty of contrast.
"I like pure contests without grudges, love, or hatred, but I don't want to be dragged into this dispute for no reason!"
"So, sorry, handsome!"
"You're too late. I'm already his!"
Ling Yuan extended her slender hand and pointed at Meng Qianqiu. A scorching crimson flame quietly blossomed at her fingertip.
"Take her along too!"
Meng Qianqiu pointed at Ling Yuan. Although he did not know why she had sided with him, this was a good thing for him.
"Wait!"
"I'd also like to join your team!"
Standing nearby, She Long looked at Meng Qianqiu. He was a pure Soul Master and a pure martial artist. All he wanted was to grow stronger.
Among all the prodigies present, Meng Qianqiu was the strongest. After careful deliberation, She Long chose to take the initiative and join him.
"You? That works too!"
"Since you've asked, come along!"
Herding one sheep was no different from herding two. Seeing that She Long knew what to do, Meng Qianqiu nodded and accepted his allegiance as well.
"Damn it!"
"No one has ever dared reject me like this!"
Watching Meng Qianqiu and the others walk away, Qian Xunji gnashed his teeth in fury. His dignity had been trampled until not a single patch remained intact.
Qian Xunji was almost going mad with rage now!
"Out in the world, background and status do not equate to strength. In the Soul Master World, strength reigns supreme, and fists do all the talking."
"The strong will only attach themselves to those stronger than themselves!"
"Only jackals gather in packs. Lions always walk alone!"
Yan Yang spoke indifferently. He disdained keeping company with anyone. As a peerless prodigy and an elder's son, his inner arrogance would not allow him to bow his head to anyone.
"You... Yan Yang!"
"You'd better pray you never fall into my hands!"
Hearing this, Qian Xunji's defenses immediately shattered. Lies did not wound people; the truth was the sharp blade. Those words stabbed straight into his heart!
"I'm leaving. Until we meet again!"
Yan Yang waved a hand. As a peerless prodigy, who did not have a bit of a temper? Qian Xunji was not particularly strong, but his words were certainly grand.
"A ruler must possess magnanimity to achieve greatness!"
"This was merely a small test in the first round, yet this wayward son has already fallen behind in his conduct without even realizing it!"
Elsewhere in Spirit City, Qian Daoliu had taken in everything that happened here. He shook his head and could not help saying this.
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