"You kids don't understand anything!"
Wu Feng's voice wasn't quiet—and Xu Sanshi, a high-tier Soul Master, heard every word clearly.
In that instant, Wu Feng shattered his composure.
He shoved past Tang Ya, who stood in his way, and lunged forward—thick black soul power flaring around his hand as he reached for Wu Feng's wrist. Clearly, he intended to teach her a lesson.
But halfway through—
He froze.
A slender, pale hand had already clamped onto his wrist. Though seemingly delicate, its grip radiated immense strength. Piercing soul power instantly shattered the black aura around Xu Sanshi's hand, and an invisible pressure rippled outward.
Xu Sanshi's expression turned grave.
His earlier frustration vanished—replaced by sharp focus. He stared at the freshman before him, eyes narrowing with newfound respect… even wariness.
"If Senior wants a spar," Chen Junting said calmly, "I'm happy to oblige."
"As for the girl…" A faint smile touched Chen Junting's lips—but his hand moved without hesitation. With a swift twist of his wrist, a surge of force slammed into Xu Sanshi's arm. "She was out of line—but since I'm here, surely Senior won't lack the grace to let it go?"
"Interesting. A knight in shining armor?" Xu Sanshi flexed his wrist, surprisingly unruffled. He studied Chen Junting intently.
"No," Chen Junting replied, hands clasped behind his back, utterly composed. "Just… seeing a worthy opponent and feeling the thrill of battle."
And he wasn't lying.
Wu Feng's loose tongue was nothing new—she'd apologized countless times, yet never learned. A little humiliation might do her good.
More importantly—Chen Junting had long struggled to find challengers among freshmen. But Xu Sanshi? Perfect. Dormant battle lust surged within him.
Xu Sanshi sensed it too.
"Brave little junior," he said, a glint in his eye. "If you dare—follow me!"
He strode toward the dueling arena.
Ning Tian's group naturally followed.
Only Tang Ya sprinted off toward the dorms, shouting gleefully for Bei Bei to come watch Xu Sanshi get humbled!
…
The Dueling Zone was one of Shrek Academy's most vital areas—located in the northwest corner of the Martial Soul Department, near Shrek City. Only here were students permitted to unleash their martial souls in combat. Most disputes were settled on these very grounds.
Official instructors served as referees—judging victories, ensuring safety, providing healing, and emergency aid. All for a fee, of course.
The base cost? Ten gold soul coins per fighter.
Additionally, duels awarded points—critical for grade advancement.
"Ning Tian, it's packed!" Wu Feng gaped, overhearing nearby chatter. "They're all here for Xu Sanshi versus Sword-jerk's duel! Makes sense—a freshman versus a fifth-year? I'd be curious too!"
"Ow!"
A red mark bloomed on her forehead.
Ning Tian glared. "Do you even realize why they're fighting?!"
"Ning Tian, I'm sorry…"
"You're sorry but won't change."
Seeing Wu Feng wilt, Ning Tian pressed harder. She understood Brother Junting's intent: part battle lust, part disciplining Wu Feng. No mercy today.
Huo Yuhao stood silently, worry etched on his face as he gazed down at the arena.
"Brother Junting… he'll be alright, right?"
"Don't worry, Little Yuhao," Ning Tian reassured him.
"Huh? Senior Bei!"
Bei Bei had just taken a seat beside them—Tang Ya trailing behind.
"Little Yuhao, Junior Ning Tian, Junior Wu Feng—long time no see," Bei Bei greeted with a gentle smile—only for Tang Ya to immediately undercut him.
"Long time? It's only been a few days!"
"Xiao Ya…"
"Hmph! What did you call me?!"
"Alright, alright—Teacher Xiao Ya."
Watching the couple bicker, Ning Tian's group exchanged awkward glances. Bei Bei quickly recovered, offering an apologetic smile before analyzing the upcoming duel.
"Of course, Xu Sanshi isn't to be underestimated," he said seriously. "His martial soul is the Black Tortoise Shield, one of the strongest defensive beast-type martial souls—arguably the best in the world. Not inferior to Junior Chen's Seven Kill Sword."
"Xuanwu…" Ning Tian's eyes widened in realization. "So he's from the Xuanwu Sect."
Just then—
"Huo Yuhao."
Wang Dong appeared before them.
Gone was his earlier arrogance. This subtle shift left Huo Yuhao stunned.
He'd been considering requesting a room transfer after their clash…
But now?
Seems unnecessary.
…
"Fifth-year student Xu Sanshi challenges first-year freshman Chen Junting," the referee announced at center stage, eyeing both combatants. "If Xu Sanshi loses, he pays an additional ten gold soul coins. Objections?"
"None." ×2
"Begin!"
Instantly, both summoned their martial souls.
Three soul rings—two yellow, one purple—rose beneath Xu Sanshi. His muscles swelled, skin darkened, and a massive black turtle-shell shield 1.5 meters wide materialized in his right hand, radiating thick black soul power.
In Chen Junting's grip—the Seven Kill Sword.
No soul rings visible… yet Xu Sanshi didn't dare relax.
The moment Chen Junting summoned his martial soul, an overwhelming aura—majestic yet laced with fierceness—flooded the arena, tearing through Xu Sanshi's soul power like paper.
This was Chen Junting's recent breakthrough.
After acquiring the fierce aura, he'd spent days fusing it with his Seven Kill Sword's killing intent—resisting, grinding, absorbing—until, just yesterday, he achieved his first success.
This fusion would be his first step beyond the shadow of Jian Dao Chen Xin.
Bzzz—!
The Seven Kill Sword hummed—First Soul Skill: Sword Unsheathed!
A yellow-tinged sword beam lanced out, slicing through Xu Sanshi's black aura in an instant.
Unfazed, Xu Sanshi raised his Xuanwu Shield, enveloping himself in a black energy dome.
BOOM—!
Instead of closing in, Chen Junting unleashed six sword beams in rapid succession. His killing intent surged—interweaving with the beams to form a colossal "KILL" character.
It descended like divine judgment—then turned black.
Xu Sanshi's eyes widened in shock.
Because he could feel that the black color within the "KILL" was his own Soul Power, yet it was completely enveloped by that "KILL" character, instead becoming the most powerful weapon against himself.
But his reflexes were lightning-fast.
Third Soul Skill! First Soul Skill!
The air grew humid. From his shield, a massive black aura erupted—expanding into a dome over ten square meters.
Yet the moment it touched the "KILL" character—
CRACK!
The dome shattered. The "KILL" character slammed into Xu Sanshi's shield, forcing him back a staggering step—but his defense held, thanks to the water-elemental cushion.
That single stumble—
Was all Chen Junting needed.
Like wind, like lightning—he struck.
His sword pierced toward Xu Sanshi's throat.
Xu Sanshi reacted instantly, blocking with his shield. Steel met shell—sparks flew, the clash deafening.
"Second Soul Skill: Xuanwu Shield Array!"
Xu Sanshi's massive shield fragmented. While one piece held Chen Junting's blade at bay, the others fanned out—encircling him.
"Hah—!"
With a roar, defense turned to offense.
The shields compressed inward, crushing toward Chen Junting.
"No wonder they call you the 'Eternal Defense' of Shrek's Twin Stars!" Chen Junting praised—but didn't retreat.
His swordplay grew fiercer, more precise. Tip after tip struck the floating shields—shattering each incomplete fragment with surgical accuracy.
"Not bad, junior," Xu Sanshi admitted, now utterly focused.
He'd finally seen Chen Junting's soul ring configuration.
A thousand-year second ring?!
Remarkable. Truly remarkable.
"Then watch closely, Senior!"
Chen Junting's voice dropped—
And his sword exploded outward.
The Shield Array disintegrated.
Before Xu Sanshi could recover from the backlash, Chen Junting's presence grew terrifying. His first and second pentagrams blazed—
And the Seven Kill Sword swung.
No flash. No edge.
Just crushing, overwhelming force.
Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth, activating all three soul skills at once. Xuanwu Shields flared with black light, forming a final barrier.
But—
Crack… crack… CRACK!
The Seven Kill Sword tore through like a storm. Shield after shield splintered.
Desperate, Xu Sanshi threw his remaining shields before him—
Useless.
The final shield shattered. A colossal force slammed into his right arm—
Snap! Snap!
Bones broke before pain registered. His arm went limp.
The Seven Kill Sword pressed against his chest.
"Chen Junting wins."
The referee's voice triggered an uproar. No one expected Shrek's famed fifth-year prodigy to fall to a brand-new freshman!
Chen Junting recalled his martial soul and approached Xu Sanshi, offering a healing pill.
"Senior Xu—my apologies for the roughness."
Xu Sanshi took it without ceremony, swallowing it down. But his eyes burned with curiosity. "What was that last move? It felt… nothing like your martial soul's aura." He caught himself, adding awkwardly, "Unless it's secret—then forget I asked."
"Just a name," Chen Junting said lightly.
"Seven Kill Sword Technique, First Form: Heavy Sword Without Edge."
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