"Wujie Academy!"
"Yun Yibai!"
"Wujie Academy!"
From the stands, voices from Heaven Dou Empire's audience rang out, loudly chanting the names of Wujie Academy and Yun Yibai.
"That guy… after just a few years, he's reached this level?"
"And to this moment… we still don't even know what his actual strength is."
Softly muttered Xue Wu, vice-captain of Tianshui Academy, her tone full of awe.
"He took down a Soul Ancestor from the Star Luo side with just his martial spirit."
"This kind of strength is far beyond what a Soul Ancestor is capable of."
To most, this overwhelming combat prowess could only be explained if Yun Yibai was a Soul King—an entire realm above his opponent.
And now, with each of Yun Yibai's appearances, everyone's estimation of his true power grew sharper and clearer.
On the Locke Academy side, unlike the more relaxed mood among the Heaven Dou supporters, their expressions were grim.
Even they could see it: beating someone using only martial spirit strength, without even revealing a single soul skill, wasn't something an average Soul Ancestor could do. The implications were obvious.
Their team captain, Oakley, one of the top team leaders from Star Luo's academies, remained calm and composed. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at the battlefield.
"This year's Heaven Dou Empire seems far stronger than previous tournaments."
At his side stood Locke Academy's vice-captain: a tall, broad-shouldered young man with a strong, chiseled face. His name was Ou Hao, and he too was staring intently at Yun Yibai, his eyes filled with wariness.
Ou Hao – Vice-captain of Locke Academy, a Level 44 Control-Type Agility-Attack Soul Ancestor.
"Captain, let me go next," Ou Hao said in a low voice.
"Go," Oakley nodded.
Ou Hao's martial spirit was a Wind-attribute Azure Feather Falcon.
The falcon, a subclass of eagle-type soul beasts, was smaller than most eagles, making it faster. Known for being aggressive and carnivorous, this soul beast was both deadly and swift—a perfect match for Ou Hao's battle style. He was considered one of the Star Luo Empire's rare genius soul masters.
"Now entering the ring: Locke Academy's second representative," Roxon announced.
"Wujie Academy's fighter—let's see what you're made of!" Ou Hao declared as he shot forward like a turquoise arrow, landing on the stage.
With both sides in position, Roxon declared,
"Begin the match!"
Ou Hao activated Martial Spirit Possession—a pair of azure wings unfurled behind him as his transformation completed.
With a flash of movement, he soared forward like an arrow loosed from a bowstring. Fierce winds followed in his wake, enhancing his already formidable speed, his figure becoming a blur.
"Oh? Going for a speed advantage?"
Yun Yibai remained calm, completely unfazed.
For their first exchange, Ou Hao was testing the waters. One moment, he vanished from view—and the next, he reappeared behind Yun Yibai.
"First Soul Skill—Azure Feather Slash!"
Soul power condensed into a massive green-blue blade of energy, which he swung toward Yun Yibai's back.
But just as it was about to strike, Yun Yibai twisted to the left, and with his lightning-charged left hand, he smashed through the energy slash.
At the same time, his right hand lifted, gathering a surge of golden lightning, which shot back toward Ou Hao like a bolt of judgment.
Ou Hao was stunned—both by how easily his attack had been shattered and by the terrifying accuracy and speed of Yun Yibai's retaliatory lightning.
He barely avoided it, thanks to his wings.
Ou Hao soared upward and began circling Yun Yibai at high speed, forming a blur in the air.
He believed Yun Yibai couldn't track him from the ground.
"Third Soul Skill—Azure Feather Storm!"
Ou Hao shouted. A green-blue cyclone erupted around him, filled with razor-sharp feather projectiles. The storm surged toward Yun Yibai like a tide.
Countless feathered arrows rained down upon him.
But then, the audience watched as Yun Yibai clenched his right fist, placing it against his left palm.
In the next moment, a long blade formed from lightning burst out from his right hand. He spun and swept it across the oncoming barrage.
A brilliant arc of lightning sliced through the air, and every incoming feather was utterly annihilated.
"Hiss… That lightning is terrifying."
"Is this his real strength?"
The crowd collectively gasped.
Even in the Thunderclap Academy stands, Yu Tianxin's normally steady gaze finally shifted.
On the battlefield, lightning swept the sky. Ou Hao didn't even have time to be shocked—he only narrowly dodged the arc by flying higher.
"I can't beat him in a head-on fight," Ou Hao thought to himself.
"At this point, all I can do is drain his spirit power, buy time for my teammates."
It was a clever choice.
"A smart man," Yun Yibai thought silently.
His opponent had quickly realized that brute force wouldn't work. Instead of acting rashly, Ou Hao adapted, shifting to a war of attrition.
This was a team tournament, not a personal grudge match. Reckless aggression would only end in ruin.
Ou Hao's flight advantage was his ace. He figured that if he simply avoided direct engagement, Yun Yibai wouldn't be able to do anything.
And it was true—unless Yun Yibai showed his spirit rings or used a spirit ability, the match could devolve into a stalemate.
"What will you do next, Yun Yibai?"
Yu Tianxin murmured, his lips barely moving.
The ranking matches were individual battles. While strength mattered, spirit power management was the real key—after all, there were multiple opponents to face.
Everyone watching—from Blazing Fire Academy, Tianshui Academy, Shrek Academy, and many elite teams from the Empire—all had one question in mind:
"Is Yun Yibai truly… a Soul King with five rings?"
His aura of mystery had left an undeniable mark on all of them. And now, that mystery had reached a boiling point.
"You've earned my respect."
Suddenly, Yun Yibai spoke aloud.
"Among your peers, few possess your strength and tactical intelligence."
"But now... open your eyes and take a good look!"
A glint of sharpness burst from Yun Yibai's eyes. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, he had already decided—
To reveal the truth behind his power.
Suddenly, a powerful aura exploded from his body, rising rapidly toward its peak.
Zzzzzzzzt—!
Countless threads of golden lightning danced wildly across his figure.
(Super Saiyan moment vibes... Next chapter still being written...)
Posted July 23 at 9:19 PM
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