"Huh!"
"After one night of cultivation in the mimicry space, my soul power actually rose by a full level… I've broken through to Rank 35!"
As the dawn's first light crept over the horizon, Yu Chen's eyes slowly opened, exhaling a long breath of spiritual fog.
Having reached the thirty-fourth rank of the Soul Sovereign realm before, Yu Chen's cultivation surged during his battle against the Emperor Battle Team in the Arena of Souls. Afterward, his focused meditation in the academy's high-energy mimicry space made this leap to Rank 35 inevitable.
"Brother Chen, are you up already?"
"I promise I'll be more careful from now on..."
Nestled against Yu Chen's chest, Xiao Wu blinked her sleepy eyes open, her expression still dazed. But the moment she noticed her current position, nestled intimately within Yu Chen's embrace, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
Panicking slightly, she jumped up, straightened her robes, and tiptoed barefoot to wash her face, hiding her bashfulness.
Yu Chen couldn't help but chuckle at her flustered reaction and followed her lead, stepping outside to clean up.
By the time they emerged from the dormitory, the sun had risen fully, casting golden light across the academy's courtyard.
Ning Rongrong and others were already assembled in the training grounds.
Standing near them were not only Flander and Yu Xiaogang but also several of the academy's senior instructors. Following his bold announcement the day before, Flander had already begun upgrading the academy's facilities for high-intensity training.
"Yu Chen, you're up."
Yu Xiaogang approached, greeting him with a calm smile, while Flander and Zao Wou-Ki also nodded in greeting.
"Morning."
Yu Chen nodded back politely and stepped forward to the center of the training area.
"You all did excellently in yesterday's Arena match," Yu Xiaogang began. "Currently, no team in the Soto City Arena is a worthy match for you. So today, you'll be training internally. Eight of you will be split into two groups of four and spar against each other."
"Of course," he added, glancing at Yu Chen with knowing eyes, "there's no need for you to go all-out. If you did, none of the others would last even a moment."
"Haha! That's a fact!" Ma Hongjun laughed awkwardly. "If Brother Chen fights seriously, we'll be wiped in seconds!"
Oscar and the others nodded rapidly in agreement, their exaggerated bobbing looking like birds pecking grain.
Everyone understood just how vast the gap between themselves and Yu Chen had become.
Just then—
Ding! The Divine Selection System has activated. Please choose one of the following options:
1. Accept the sparring match against Dai Mubai's group and win. Reward: A 50,000-year defensive-type spirit ring (compatible with the Xuanwu Divine Turtle Martial Soul).
2. Decline the challenge. Reward: A random 10,000-year spirit ring (type and compatibility uncertain).
3. Kneel and beg for mercy. Reward: A 1,000-year Tiger-type spirit ring (low compatibility).
Choose within 30 seconds!
Yu Chen's gaze flickered slightly as the options appeared in his mind.
The third choice was obviously useless—he wouldn't disgrace himself for a low-tier tiger ring incompatible with any of his three martial souls.
The second option was tempting, but the random nature posed a risk. If it was a non-compatible ring, it'd be a waste.
The first choice, however—a defensive spirit ring perfect for the Xuanwu Divine Turtle Martial Soul—was exactly what he needed to solidify his battle endurance. It was the obvious choice.
"I'll hold back—unless you give me a reason not to."
Yu Chen gave a faint smile and stepped forward.
Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing quickly took their positions beside him, their eyes alert.
Wuhun: Soft Bone Rabbit!
Wuhun: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!
Wuhun: Netherworld Civet!
On the opposing side, Dai Mubai, acting as the temporary team leader, let out a low shout.
Wuhun: Evil-Eyed White Tiger!
His golden aura surged as his martial soul activated.
Behind him, Tang San, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun summoned their spirits.
Wuhun: Blue Silver Grass!
Wuhun: Sausage Maker!
Wuhun: Evil Fire Phoenix!
Each spirit master's body was surrounded by two yellow spirit rings—signs of their twin hundred-year soul skills.
"Go straight for Yu Chen!"
"If we can eliminate him first, the rest of their team falls!"
Dai Mubai roared and charged, his body enhanced by his White Tiger Body Barrier.
"Don't worry! I've got plenty of sausages! Energy boost incoming!" Oscar cried out, tossing sausages enhanced by his first soul skill.
"Binding!" Tang San shouted, his Blue Silver Grass shooting out to entangle Yu Chen.
"Phoenix Fire Wire!" Ma Hongjun's fiery attack followed, spiraling toward Yu Chen in a hot arc.
But—
"You'll have to do better than that."
Yu Chen raised one hand calmly, and from his palm emerged three golden dragon projections—bright, roaring, and mighty!
Roar!
In a flash, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was incinerated, Ma Hongjun's fire dispersed, and even Dai Mubai—buffed by his body enhancement—was forced back three full steps.
Only Yu Chen's deliberate restraint had prevented serious injury.
"This level of strength is still too shallow," Yu Chen said plainly.
Then, turning his gaze toward Tang San, he added, "You're holding back. Isn't there… something else you haven't shown yet?"
"Huh?" Dai Mubai and the rest turned to Tang San in confusion.
Even the instructors—Flander and Zao Wou-Ki—looked puzzled.
Only Yu Xiaogang stayed silent, his gaze fixed intently on Tang San.
"…Since Brother Chen has seen through it, I won't hide it any longer."
Tang San took a deep breath, removed the black ribbon covering his right hand, and began channeling spirit power into his arm.
Hummmm—!
As the energy gathered, a massive, pitch-black warhammer appeared in Tang San's hand. Its dark gleam exuded overwhelming pressure, unlike any martial soul seen before.
"The… Clear Sky Hammer!"
Flander's pupils contracted.
This was no ordinary martial soul.
Alongside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Clear Sky Sect was known across the continent as one of the Three Great Upper Clans!
And this—the Clear Sky Hammer—was its symbol of supremacy.
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