On the square of the academy, Su Cheng glanced at the nearly hundred-strong crowd, feeling somewhat surprised.
This was almost one-fifth of the total number of students in the academy.
He had just returned with Ning Rongrong, so how could they gather so quickly? Wasn't it said that the students in the academy were dispersed in various mimicry practice grounds and not easy to gather in one place?
Meng Shenji smiled at him and nodded, saying, "It seems like the news about your second thousand-year soul ring spread somehow. Many people want to see it for themselves. It's quite a coincidence, but it saved us a lot of time."
Su Cheng suddenly realized that when he first entered the academy, his display of martial soul had caught the attention of other students.
Glancing around the crowd, he noticed several distinct groups, wondering if Xue Beng's group was among them.
Whether they were there or not didn't matter. After today's battle, the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng would likely come looking for him. He was an ambitious fellow.
In Su Cheng's imagination, Xue Beng should be an arrogant and overbearing figure with low strength, but none of the people he saw fit that description. Xue Beng as probably not among them.
However, he didn't know that Xue Beng was actually scanning the crowd at the moment. It's just that he had been disguised; after his incident with Qianren Xue disguised as Xue Qinghe, he had become much more low-key.
Meng Shenji looked at the students, his expression becoming more serious, no longer as amiable as before.
"I believe you have all heard about the new student in our academy. However, there isn't much information about him. Let me formally introduce him to you."
He gestured towards Su Cheng.
"Su Cheng, a level 32 Assault-type Soul Master, not yet eleven years old, and possesses a second thousand-year soul ring."
Initially, some students didn't quite believe the rumors, but hearing the confirmation from the Chief of the Education Committee, the square erupted into murmurs and discussions.
Some frowned secretly, some looked at him with scrutiny, and some didn't care at all. Various emotions were evident.
But most prevalent among them was astonishment.
Seeing this scene, Meng Shenji nodded inwardly.
The students of the Tian Dou Royal Academy were either noble-born or talented. They were often too proud, and letting them know that there were greater talents beyond their imagination was not a bad thing.
However, Su Cheng's reaction was unexpected.
His expression remained calm, neither nervous nor proud of being in the spotlight.
Meng Shenji made a gesture for silence and continued, "But today is not just about introducing Su to you. The selection for our academy's team for the Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, which will take place three years from now, is still ongoing. This new student also wants to participate."
Upon hearing this, the students' faces changed.
A boy not even eleven years old with the strength of a Soul Elder. In three years, who knows what level of cultivation he would reach. If he also wanted to compete for a spot, it meant fewer chances for others.
"But Su Cheng said that in the world of Soul Masters, only strength matters, not anything else. If he loses today, he'll wait for the next tournament. Who wants to fight him first?"
Su Cheng glanced at him sideways.
This old guy was quite shrewd, speaking so decisively in front of everyone, sealing Su Cheng's fate. If he lost today, it meant he would have no chance in the tournament.
As Meng Shenji's words fell, regardless of the students' initial sentiments towards Su Cheng, they all became somewhat hostile.
Participating in this tournament was not just a demonstration of strength; it involved complex interests such as honor, status, rewards, and more. No one would willingly give up a chance to compete.
Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and others who were already assured a spot in the team naturally weren't interested in fighting.
But others couldn't sit still.
Ji Yuan was one of them.
Compared to others in the academy, he came from a relatively ordinary background, from a declining aristocratic family. However, his soul had undergone mutation, reaching above sixth level innate soul force.
At twenty-one years old this year, his soul force cultivation had reached level 34, making him one of the candidates for the second team captain.
Ji Yuan had long considered this spot as his family's hope for resurgence.
At this moment, he felt the greatest threat.
Hearing Meng Shenji's words, he stood up with a grim expression.
"Little brother, are you really going to do this? That kid is also considered a genius."
"I'll defeat any genius."
Genius?
He's just a kid under eleven.
Among the five hundred students in the Tian Dou Royal Academy, apart from those noble-born idiots sent by their families, who wasn't a genius?
What use was an unfulfilled genius?
Ji Yuan leisurely walked to the center of the square, looking down at Su Cheng, who was almost a head shorter. A hint of a smile curled his lips.
"Kid, do you really want to fight? But remember, combat isn't just about levels. Of course, in terms of soul force, you can't match me. Silver Wolf, possess!"
As he spoke, a bright silver light shone on him, and silver fur appeared on his exposed arms, enhancing his defensive capabilities. His muscles bulged, almost tearing his bright yellow school uniform.
Sharp claws emerged from his fingertips, gleaming like short daggers. As they clashed, they emitted a metallic clang, indicating their sharpness.
He flexed his bones, emitting crackling sounds, and his body elongated slightly. His eyes gleamed with a ghostly light, and steel-like silver fur appeared on his temples.
As he completed the beast martial soul possession, three soul rings rose beneath his feet, emanating surging soul power.
Ji Yuan moved his fingers and lazily said, "Ji Yuan, martial soul: Silver Wolf, level 34 Soul Elder."
Su Cheng raised his right palm, and the Eternal Sword appeared in his hand.
One yellow and two purple soul rings emerged beneath his feet.
"Su Cheng, martial soul: Eternal Sword, level 32 Soul Elder."
As he revealed his martial soul, a new round of discussions erupted below.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Meng Shenji standing beside him and casually asked, "Dream Commissioner, who do you think has a better chance of winning?"
After a moment of contemplation, Meng Shenji spoke, "Ji Yuan has a better chance of winning. Su Cheng may have reached such cultivation at his age, but even with exceptional talent, he must have worked hard, yet he probably lacks experience in battles against Soul Masters and hasn't received basic education in this regard."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head at the response. "I think Su junior has a good chance."
He added in his mind, especially if he has any connection with the person Master Sword mentioned earlier.
"He can't win."
At this moment, a crisp voice interrupted their conversation.
Ning Fengzhi turned slightly, surprised to see his daughter pursing her lips. "Su Cheng just told me that he hasn't received systematic education in Soul Masters and doesn't even understand soul ring selection. He probably doesn't have strong soul skills either."
Ning Fengzhi looked at her, slightly puzzled.
This tone didn't seem optimistic about Su Cheng. Was their interaction not pleasant just now?
This wasn't a good sign.
"You see how slow his reaction is," Ning Rongrong continued.
On the square, Ji Yuan didn't intend to hold back.
After completing his possession, his entire body's physical qualities and combat instincts received a significant boost. His wolf-like body pounced forward, bringing a gust of bloody wind.
At the same time, the sharp claws on his hands shot out, aiming for Su Cheng's body.
The first soul ring beneath his feet lit up, and streams of nimble gusts of wind seemed to materialize, flowing between the claws.
He directly used his first soul skill, the Silver Wolf Divine Wind Claw!
Clearly, Ji Yuan wanted to end this quickly.
However, Su Cheng showed no reaction, not even a sign of using a soul skill.
"It's over!" Ji Yuan thought.
His soul skill enhanced his speed and power when attacking with claws. If the opponent didn't respond in time, they would likely be at a disadvantage.
But Su Cheng didn't react at all, indicating that the outcome was predictable.
"It's over."
Meng Shenji sighed, somewhat disappointed.
He didn't want Su Cheng to compete with the older students for the team spot, but he also didn't want this new student to be just a cultivation prodigy.
But at this distance, with Su Cheng not even using a soul skill, it seemed too late to make any further moves.
Activating soul power required time. Any delay would be detrimental.
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly.
"Junior brother, let me give you a lesson today. In Soul Master battles, it's not just about talent." Ji Yuan's voice echoed, accompanied by the sound of wind.
"I can defeat you because I know how to use my advantages, understand psychological warfare, and even consider the terrain. I immediately used my strongest single-target attack skill!"
Su Cheng looked calmly at the approaching body, seemingly oblivious to the words spoken.
In an instant, his soul power traversed several meridians, and the Eternal Sword angled upwards, intercepting in front of him.
His sword was swift, and his strength formidable.
A silver radiance appeared on the sword's edge, making it seem even sharper.
Thirteen Sword Forms: Seventh Form, White Tiger!
The offense and defense switched instantly, and Ji Yuan's actions were blocked by Su Cheng's sword.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan's pupils contracted, and he was forced to halt his movements. He hastily swung his claws forward, attempting to resist the sharp sword.
"Clang!"
With a resounding metallic clash, Ji Yuan grunted and retreated a few steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He had been injured by this sword strike.
This was expected. He had reacted hastily, and his strength had not yet peaked when Su Cheng intercepted him. Without overwhelming strength, he was naturally at a disadvantage in this collision.
However, before Ji Yuan could make any further move, Su Cheng's next strike was already upon him.
Su Cheng smoothly thrust his sword forward, its speed leaving Ji Yuan no time to react.
Where his gaze fell, the sword's radiance resembled a white rainbow piercing towards his forehead.
Third Form, Shadowless!
Ji Yuan's heart pounded, feeling as if the sword shadow was about to pierce through his skull. In an instant, he was drenched in cold sweat.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
In desperation, Ji Yuan tried to dodge, but it was already too late. He could only desperately use his wolf claws, which were not completely shattered, to resist.
He felt a sense of despair, as if he was standing on the edge of a cliff, one step away from death.
The sword momentum soared higher and higher.
Ji Yuan felt like he was on thin ice, on the brink of an abyss.
He wanted to roar.
He wanted to punch.
He wanted to use all the soul skills and trump cards he had.
He wanted to unleash all his hidden cards and killer moves.
But he couldn't even move a finger.
His soul power, his soul skills, were all suppressed within his body.
The fear of losing everything made his body tremble slightly.
He could only stare wide-eyed at the young man opposite him.
No, not just him.
Even the high-level students behind him, including Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan from the first team, were enveloped in a wave of sword momentum.
Despair surged from their hearts, followed by a glimmer of hopelessness.
Gazing at that sword momentum was like gazing at an unscalable mountain peak.
"You... you..." Ji Yuan's throat trembled, squeezing out a few scattered words with a shaky voice.
"I can defeat you, regardless of tactics, simply because I am stronger than you," Su Cheng's gaze was as calm as water, crossing over his shoulder to the group of figures behind him.
"Who's next?"
The entire square fell into silence.
Meng Shenji, Ning Fengzhi, and others standing behind Su Cheng exchanged solemn glances.
Ning Rongrong's gaze was vacant.
This battle had ended in less than a minute.
During that time, Su Cheng hadn't even used a single soul ring skill.
She suddenly realized that perhaps what Su Cheng had said earlier had some truth to it.