After the elegant opening dance performance from Tianshui Academy, the matches officially began. The first event was a series of challenge-style exhibition battles.
"Who dares to face me in battle?!"
roared a student from Elephant Armored Academy, his voice booming like thunder across the arena.
He stood tall and imposing, like a moving mountain. His muscles bulged with explosive strength. From the center of the stage, he scanned the crowd like a predator searching for a worthy challenge.
"Is that Elephant Armored Academy's representative? The guy's huge! He's like a walking fortress!"
Spectators whispered from the stands, astonished by the sheer size and presence of the challenger.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept across the field. A figure clad in sky-blue robes appeared on the arena platform—it was someone from Divine Wind Academy.
Elephant Armored Academy was eager to show off—Red-Robed Bishop Stuson of Spirit Hall was watching.
Meanwhile, Divine Wind Academy had long been displeased with Elephant Armored's arrogant behavior around the city.
As time passed, the challenge rounds continued—more than ten in total.
"Tianxin, Tianheng, Yibai—any of you thinking of stepping in?"
Ming Lang asked.
Yun Yibai and Yu Tianxin both shook their heads slightly. Seeing that, Yu Tianheng, who had considered it, also let the idea pass.
Yun Yibai could guess why the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had sent him to this tournament—they wanted to see what he was capable of.
But he intended to reveal some things and keep others hidden.
He was well aware of his place: the clan might have an heir to its legacy, but that heir wasn't him—unless he made a move to change that himself.
He didn't like to assume ill intent, but he also refused to let his guard down.
On the arena stage, Elephant Armored Academy's students were fired up.
Down below, Stuson's smile betrayed his growing satisfaction.
By the twenty-second round, Feng Xiaotian from Divine Wind Academy finally entered the stage.
With three soul rings, he easily defeated his opponent.
Yun Yibai stirred slightly, contemplating whether to step up—but before he could decide, someone from Blazing Fire Academy beat him to it.
The new arrival squared off against Feng Xiaotian.
Judging by their Martial Soul, Yun Yibai guessed correctly—it was Huo Wushuang, someone who had a strong friendship with Feng Xiaotian.
The first day of matches featured many 1v1 and 2v2 battles.
Yun Yibai didn't participate at all, though both Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin entered the arena when they spotted opponents they were interested in.
Since every academy had to spar with the others, the formal rounds took a significant amount of time.
Not until the fourth day did the event transition into 7v7 team battles—which meant Yun Yibai would finally take the field.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan team (representing Thunderclap Academy) was fully prepared.
They wore matching dark blue combat uniforms embroidered with lightning motifs, symbolizing their origin and the honor of Thunderclap Academy.
Their opponents: Elephant Armored Academy—a team that had performed exceptionally well so far.
At the front of their formation stood a hulking figure—his Martial Soul was the Mammoth Giant Elephant, boasting incredible defense. He was both the core of their lineup and a direct descendant of the Elephant Armored Sect.
"Hmph! Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—today we'll show you just how strong Elephant Armored Academy is!"
Their team captain sneered.
In truth, Elephant Armored Academy's primary target in this exchange was Thunderclap Academy.
Their performance would determine whether Spirit Hall would grant the Elephant Armored Sect further support.
If they could defeat Thunderclap, Spirit Hall would be very pleased.
The battle began.
Elephant Armored Academy's team quickly leveraged their formidable strength and defense, rendering many of the Blue Lightning team's attacks ineffective.
But the Blue Lightning team adapted quickly.
They knew Elephant Armored's weakness—low agility. While their power and defense were top-tier, brute force would not win this fight.
Ming Lang's eyes gleamed as he observed the enemy's formation, searching for an opening.
"Tianheng, Tianxin—attack from the sides. Draw their attention!"
The two nodded and dashed forward.
Their Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Souls ignited, and thunderous dragon roars echoed across the arena.
Their surging energy forced Elephant Armored's formation to shift.
Ming Lang quickly gave out additional orders.
"Yibai—circle behind them. If you find an opening, take it. Prioritize safety, though."
"Understood."
"Heaven's Thunderstrike!"
Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin shouted in unison, releasing chains of blue lightning that crackled around their bodies.
The lightning struck fast and hard, carrying the power to paralyze nerves and muscles instantly upon contact.
Elephant Armored Academy's formation was thrown into disarray.
Their defenses, once solid, now showed small but crucial openings.
Seeing this, Ming Lang seized the moment—a surge of lightning burst from his palm and slammed directly into the enemy's core.
Meanwhile, Yun Yibai had already flanked them from the rear.
He remained calm and observant, analyzing the shifting battlefield for the perfect moment to strike.
Finally, as Ming Lang launched his attack, Yibai noticed a glaring weakness in one of the Elephant Armored defenders.
"Now!"
Yun Yibai vanished in a flash.
Lightning exploded around his body as his Martial Soul activated—golden lightning radiated from him like a starburst.
Yellow, yellow, purple—his three soul rings flared to life.
His speed was unmatched.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared behind the defender.
"Collapse Fist!"
With a sharp motion, Yun Yibai threw a devastating punch, lightning coiled tightly around his fist.
BOOM!
The hulking defender was sent flying—slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash.
Despite his sturdy defense, he was completely unprepared for the sudden, precise, lightning-charged blow.
Elephant Armored Academy's formation immediately collapsed into chaos.
"Hahahaha! Nicely done, Yibai!"
someone shouted from the sidelines.
Now down to a 7v6 match, Thunderclap Academy held the clear advantage—and the outcome was no longer in doubt.
That night, in the Great Soul Arena of Shuiyue City, a mysterious newcomer appeared.
"Arrange a Soul Battle for me,"
the voice said.
The staff member took the stranger's golden Soul Badge with wide eyes.
"Of course, right away!"
she replied respectfully, handling the badge with utmost care.
A moment later:
"We welcome… Mr. Thunder Dragon."