After the Five Elements Academies finished their verbal sparring, two Heaven Dou Imperial Academy students had completed their trials.
One passed at Level 6, and the other at Level 7, both earning qualifications for the Tier 3 Soul Hunting Grounds. This left many Heaven Dou Academy teachers shaking their heads in disappointment.
The academy often struggled to assign their best slots to their most capable students, so their results were frequently inferior to the Five Elements Academies.
"Next up, Elephant Armored Academy!"
Finally, it was Huyan Li's turn. His towering figure and burly frame instantly drew all eyes.
"Watch me crush Level 9 and come back victorious!"
With loud boasts, he charged into the simulation training ground...
Moments later, he stumbled out, covered in dust and frustration, and let out an anguished roar:
"That Level 9 dragon isn't something a human can fight!"
"Tch, don't act tough if you can't handle it. Watch me show you how it's done."
Huyan Li's miserable defeat didn't faze Huo Wu. Folding her arms confidently, she strode in...
But after a while, Huo Wu emerged, disheveled and coughing:
"Cough… that dragon… that dragon is just… cough, cough…"
"Huo Wu, are you okay?"
Feng Xiaotian ran over, eager to offer his concern, but Huo Wu glared and kicked him away.
"Are you here just to see how pitiful I look?!"
"Huo Wu, don't be mad. I'll avenge you right away!"
With bold strides, Feng Xiaotian headed toward the simulation grounds, hoping to leave behind a heroic image. But Huo Wu didn't even spare him a glance.
"Ice, you're up next. Don't disgrace our Tianshui Academy…"
The teacher of Skywater Academy encouraged Shui Bing'er, attempting to ease her nerves:
"Don't be intimidated by those vicious-looking soul beasts. It's all just for show. As long as you perform to your ability, you'll be fine."
"Teacher, if I only qualify for the Tier 3 Soul Hunting Grounds, will the academy lose face?" Shui Bing'er asked softly, lowering her head.
The teacher hesitated but, considering her timid personality, decided to press her:
"Yes. If students from other academies qualify for the Tier 2 region while you remain in Tier 3, our academy's reputation will take a hit."
Shui Bing'er straightened up solemnly.
"Don't worry, Teacher. I'll make it to Level 8!"
"Level 8?" The teacher was puzzled.
Shui Bing'er nodded confidently.
"Isn't Level 8 enough to qualify for the Tier 2 region?"
"So you're not even considering challenging Level 9?"
The teacher held her head in her hands...
Meanwhile, Feng Xiaotian finally returned from the simulation grounds, his clothes half-tattered.
"That Level 9 dragon… it's definitely tough…" he said with an awkward smile.
At this point, Dean Meng Shenji interjected:
"The soul beast in the Level 9 trial is five levels stronger than your own. In other words, it's equivalent to a Level 35 soul beast. It's difficult, but not impossible."
He surveyed the students and continued:
"If you want to qualify for the Tier 1 Soul Hunting Grounds, you'll need to at least match the Level 9 dragon. And if you're aiming for the Special Tier…"
He pointed toward the entrance.
"Defeat it!"
"Five levels higher? Only exceptional geniuses would have a chance of matching it."
"Do you think anyone this year will succeed? There's still Skywater Academy, Thunderclap Academy, and Dugu Yan from our academy left to go, right?"
"Didn't someone say the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's disciple, Sword Douluo's protégé, is here too?"
The crowd buzzed with speculation.
Shui Bing'er cautiously entered the simulation training ground.
After she passed Level 8, everyone eagerly awaited her attempt at Level 9, curious if she could outperform the others.
But no such scene unfolded.
Instead, Shui Bing'er… exited the simulation ground. She walked straight out... out... and out…
"Tea… Teacher…"
Shui Bing'er quickly hid behind her teacher and whispered nervously:
"Why is everyone looking at me?"
Her teacher covered her face, sighing.
"It's nothing. They just think you're pretty…"
The teacher had a sinking feeling. This year's elite tournament seemed hopeless for Skywater Academy. Despite having a prodigy with a divine beast martial soul as their vice-captain, her timid personality...
She completely lacked the icy pride befitting a Frost Phoenix.
Would she ever mature into someone capable of standing alone?
"Huyan Li, Huo Wu, Feng Xiaotian, and Shui Bing'er all qualify for the Tier 2 region…"
Dean Meng Shenji announced before turning to Yu Tianxin.
"Next up, Thunderclap Academy."
If anyone could match the Level 9 dragon, it would be Yu Tianxin. After all, the last success came from Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and they shared the same lineage.
"Hmph! Let's see if this fake dragon can beat a true dragon like me!"
Yu Tianxin strode into the simulation training ground with confidence.
The first eight levels were uneventful, drawing no surprise from the spectators.
But at Level 9, an intense battle erupted, far surpassing the clashes of the previous contenders. It left the audience spellbound.
The fight raged for an extended period until both sides collapsed simultaneously, achieving a draw.
"Thunderclap Academy, Yu Tianxin, qualifies for the Tier 1 region," Meng Shenji announced.
"Clap, clap, clap…"
The crowd burst into applause.
The match had been nothing short of spectacular.
"Next up, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Dugu Yan."
This name immediately caught Qin Jian's attention. A short-haired girl in dark green attire stepped forward and vanished into the simulation grounds.
"I wonder how she'll perform…"
Qin Jian's eyes were sharp with focus.
Unlike Yu Tianxin, Dugu Yan's battles didn't create much commotion. Her signature Jade Phosphor Serpent Venom allowed her to cruise effortlessly through the levels, including Level 9.
In the final battle, she avoided direct confrontation, opting instead to wear down her opponent with venomous attrition.
Eventually, after an arduous struggle…
Her soul power was exhausted, but the simulated dragon succumbed to her poison.
"Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Dugu Yan, qualifies for the Tier 1 region."
However, this time there was no applause. Her methodical, venomous approach paled in comparison to Yu Tianxin's visceral, blow-for-blow fight, leaving little room for admiration.
"Next, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Rongrong."
At last, Meng Shenji called Ning Rongrong's name. He quickly added:
"Given that Ning Rongrong possesses an auxiliary martial soul and lacks combat ability, the academy has decided to directly grant her Tier 2 qualification."
The announcement met with no objections but plenty of sidelong glances.
While they acknowledged the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda as the pinnacle of auxiliary martial souls, the idea of earning a qualification without fighting drew little goodwill.
"Wait a moment. I'll earn Rongrong's qualification for her…"
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