Amidst the ceaseless discussions of the crowd, the students from the Elemental Academy, like Huo Wu and Feng Xiaotian, felt a sense of tension.
Qin Jian had already equaled their scores. If he could also tie against the ninth-level Soul Beast, he would enter the first-tier zone to hunt Soul Beasts, just like Yu Tianxin and Dugu Yan.
In that area, the quality of Soul Beasts far surpassed those in the first-tier zone.
Finally, the ninth-level Soul Beast appeared.
Just like the others, it was a Heaven-Earth Profound Earth Dragon.
However, due to Qin Jian's Soul Power being only at Rank 20, the dragon's strength was suppressed to Rank 25 instead of Rank 35.
Even so, this dragon was exponentially more troublesome than the previous eight Soul Beasts combined.
"Boom!"
The dragon's claw struck the spot where Qin Jian stood, instantly toppling several large trees.
If not for Qin Jian's quick reaction, he would have been ejected from the training ground on the spot.
Outside the Arena
All eyes were glued to the projection before them.
Yu Tianxin relied on his powerful Beast Martial Soul, while Dugu Yan depended on her Jade Phosphor Serpent Venom. Now, everyone wondered how Qin Jian would handle a Soul Beast with a five-rank difference.
"Hmph! I refuse to believe he can tie against a ninth-level Soul Beast!" Huo Wu crossed her arms and snorted coldly.
Though her words were harsh, the constant tapping of her index finger against her arm betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Teacher, do you think he can match the dragon, like Yu Tianxin and Dugu Yan before him?"
In a corner, Shui Bing'er couldn't help but ask her teacher.
Her teacher gave her a curious glance and said, "Bing'er, since when have you cared whether someone succeeds? Aren't you usually uninterested in getting to know strangers?"
"I... I guess it doesn't matter..."
Shui Bing'er shrank back immediately.
On the other side, Ning Rongrong tightly clutched Ning Fengzhi's hand. "Father, Father, can Brother Jian really tie with the dragon?"
Ning Fengzhi glanced at her and said, "Based on standard evaluations, Qin Jian has a chance. However, only your Sword Grandpa likely knows his true strength."
"Grandpa Jian, Grandpa Jian, can Qin Jian tie with the dragon?" Ning Rongrong quickly turned to Sword Douluo beside her.
Sword Douluo crossed his arms and replied, "Rongrong, what you should be asking is whether Qin Jian can defeat the dragon. A tie? That's not even a concern."
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled, and she quickly turned back to the projection.
Indeed, after the initial flustered exchanges, Qin Jian gradually adapted to the dragon's attack rhythm. Relying on his Martial Soul, the Emotion Sword, and waves of sword aura, he began to hold his own against the dragon.
"He might actually tie with the ninth-level Soul Beast!"
Shui Bing'er's head peeked out again from behind her teacher.
This time, her teacher didn't tease her but instead kept her eyes fixed on the projection. In a soft voice, she remarked, "As expected of Sword Douluo's direct disciple. His attack power far surpasses Soul Masters of the same rank. Even Yu Tianxin from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan can't compare."
"And I suspect his goal isn't just to tie…"
Tian Shui's teacher's gaze deepened. "I think his goal is to defeat this Soul Beast!"
"Ah?!"
Shui Bing'er covered her mouth. "Teacher, is that even possible?"
Before her words could finish, the scene in the projection changed.
Somehow, through a series of evasive maneuvers, Qin Jian leaped onto the dragon's head.
"He—he's... What's he doing?! If he falls, he'll lose immediately!"
"He might be... trying to slay the dragon!"
"..."
The crowd erupted into an uproar.
Inside the arena, Qin Jian held his longsword in reverse grip and stabbed downward with all his might.
"I'll give Rongrong more than just the first-tier zone..."
"Haah!"
Soul Power erupted from his body, and under the shocked gazes of the spectators, he pinned himself firmly atop the dragon's struggling head.
"Die!"
Boom!
Soul Power exploded in a dazzling array of colors, temporarily obscuring the projection. The muffled sound of an explosion echoed faintly, but the scene remained unclear to the audience.
"Did he succeed? Did he succeed?"
Ning Rongrong squeezed Ning Fengzhi's hand so tightly it hurt.
"He succeeded," Ning Fengzhi quickly reassured her.
Ning Rongrong froze briefly before leaping into the air. "He did it! He did it! He did it!"
The crowd remained fixated on the projection.
Gradually, the image cleared.
Amidst the devastated forest, the massive dragon lay sprawled on the ground, its head beneath the triumphant figure of a young man standing tall.
"He actually... succeeded..." Yu Tianxin muttered.
On the other side, Huo Wu's mouth gaped open. "That was a ninth-level dragon. How could he be this strong...?"
At this moment, Head Dean Meng Shenji spoke. "His attack power is unparalleled, but his defense is weak. He had no choice but to end it swiftly. His strategy was extremely risky."
"For someone so young to show such audacity is truly remarkable!" he sighed.
"Why hasn't Brother Jian come out yet?"
Ning Rongrong paid no attention to Meng Shenji's commentary. Her gaze remained fixed on the entrance, brimming with concern.
"Because the trial isn't over yet..."
Meng Shenji wore an enigmatic smile. Before anyone could react, his eight Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black—lit up.
Simultaneously, within the projection, the ground rumbled and the forest began to regrow. In mere moments, the ravaged landscape was restored to its original state.
More astonishingly, the Profound Earth Dragon slowly rose to its feet once again.
"Rooaar!"
It roared toward the heavens before fixing its ferocious gaze on Qin Jian, who had already retreated.
"What... it's alive again?!"
Qin Jian frowned, his eyes narrowing as he dodged to the side.
Boom!
The dragon's claws struck where he had been standing, leaving a massive crater.
"Its speed increased!"
Qin Jian glanced back at the crater, then added, "Its strength too!"
The spectators erupted into chatter.
"Why is there another trial? Wasn't the ninth-level dragon already slain?" Huyan Li's voice rang out the loudest.
Meng Shenji glanced at him and announced, "This is the hidden stage of the Simulation Trial. Although Qin Jian has already qualified for the top-tier zone, the purpose of this trial is to test the upper limits of an examinee's strength. Thus, after the ninth-level, there are five additional stages."
"In other words, with Qin Jian's Rank 20 Soul Power, he must now face Soul Beasts with strengths equivalent to Rank 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30." His gaze flickered as he spoke.
The crowd finally understood.
However, the other two board members exchanged strange looks and muttered, "We don't recall authorizing a hidden stage..."
Meng Shenji muttered through barely moving lips, "Shh, keep quiet..."
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