As a support-type Spirit Master, Zhao Haochen naturally took position at the rear. He shouted, "Come! My Big Drumstick!"
A yellow spirit ring rippled beneath his feet, and twin flashes of light appeared in his hands—two steaming roasted chicken legs.
He handed them quickly to Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao. Though proud, Wang Dong knew better than to underestimate a senior with four rings. She took one bite without hesitation, activating her Radiant Goddess Butterfly.
Brilliant blue-violet wings with golden patterns unfurled behind her, glowing with ethereal splendor. The moment she swallowed the drumstick, her body felt suddenly lighter, her movements sharper.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao carefully observed Zhao Haochen's soul skill with his Eye of Truth. Taking a bite, he focused on the energy patterns within.
This soul power configuration is similar to Beibei's Thunder Rage technique—a strengthening-type structure—but denser, more stable, he analyzed.The power's nature is gentler, making it safe for others to absorb. But that also dissipates much of its potential energy, reducing its effect compared to equal-level augmentation skills.Still, this is a valuable reference for studying other support techniques later. For now—let's focus on the battle.
Wang Dong shot forward, both of her spirit rings—one yellow, one purple—flaring brightly. The purple thousand-year ring shone with particular brilliance.
Through Huo Yuhao's vision, he saw her soul power surge into her front wings, forming countless golden runes. The gathered energy condensed at the edges, turning her blue wings into twin golden blades of light.
Her rear wings spread wide, stabilizing her flight as she lunged toward the senior opponent.
The defending student didn't flinch. Golden scales rapidly formed over his body, covering every inch like armor. Only his eyes and nostrils remained visible.
Four spirit rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—rose beneath him. His first two shone in tandem.
In Huo Yuhao's eyes, his opponent's soul power circulated through specific channels, forming two layered defenses: one coating the golden armor externally, the other reinforcing the skin beneath.
"First Soul Skill: Golden Battle Armor. Second Soul Skill: Golden Tyrant Body," the man announced calmly.
Without using any flashy moves, he simply raised his arms and blocked Wang Dong's assault with sheer strength.
"Good attack power. Excellent spirit ring coordination," he remarked with mild praise.
But while everyone focused on Wang Dong's charge, none but the referee saw Huo Yuhao's subtle movement.
From the arena's blind spot, four Bone-Piercing Nails and four Flying Locust Stones curved through the air in perfect arcs, targeting the armored senior's joint gaps.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The nails struck precisely at weak points—joints and seams between the scales. Though the defense was strong, Huo Yuhao's timing and aim were flawless.
Then, the Flying Locust Stones followed, colliding with the still-lodged nails and driving them deeper. The second wave of kinetic force embedded the nails into the flesh—barely, but enough to pierce the skin.
It wasn't serious damage, but it broke defense.
"Impressive. No wonder your spirit power's low—you must be a Tang Sect recruit. Your technique's cleaner than Beibei's," the senior admitted, now taking his opponent seriously.
It wasn't merely a fluke. He'd underestimated the boy and paid the price. Even a minor wound in live combat meant he could have just as easily been poisoned.
Though the Tang Sect had declined, within Shrek Academy its name still carried weight—and everyone knew its mastery of hidden weapons and toxins.
"Looks like I've been too careless," the senior—He Heng'an—said with a grin. "Let's turn it up a notch, kids. Be careful!"
He roared, his body bursting with golden light. Wang Dong and the embedded nails were flung back by a powerful shockwave.
His third ring lit up. The scales on his body shot outward, forming a glowing silhouette around him—three meters tall, shaped like a humanoid of pure gold.
"This is my third soul skill—Golden Scale Avatar! It's not a true Martial Soul Avatar, but among three-ring abilities, it's one of the strongest!"
His aura surged. "I was careless before, but now you're facing full defense!"
He charged forward, golden energy sweeping across the field.
Zhao Haochen, being a one-ring food-type Spirit Master, froze in panic. He had no idea what to do now.
Even Wang Dong faltered—this was the first time she'd faced such raw power head-on. Back in the Clear Sky Sect, her sparring partners were gentle family members who'd never dared strike her seriously.
Now, before this overwhelming force, she hesitated between attack and retreat.
"What are you doing?" Huo Yuhao's calm voice rang in her mind. "Use your second soul skill—aim for his face. Give me an opening. If that's too much, use your first skill. Or are you planning to hold back here?"
Instinctively, Wang Dong obeyed. His tone steadied her. She raised her hand, wings glowing bright—activating Butterfly Goddess Light.
It was her thousand-year skill—powerful, but still draining.
The examiner slowed his steps deliberately, giving her time. Part of the test was to observe control and power output, after all. With his cultivation, even taking a direct hit wouldn't be dangerous.
As her purple ring shone brilliantly, golden light surged across her wings. They became radiant mirrors, gathering countless specks of light from the air.
With her combat training from childhood, her control surpassed ordinary students. Seeing her steady form, He Heng'an nodded with approval.
Her first ring lit up as well—combining both skills.
Normally, Butterfly Goddess Light released scattered light projectiles—hard to control but devastating. Her first skill, Wing Guillotine, compressed that light into sharp, concentrated blades.
Now, under Huo Yuhao's direction, she merged them.
Her twin wings turned fully golden, energy roaring to its peak. A massive crescent-shaped beam of light cleaved through the air, roaring toward He Heng'an.
It was her strongest strike—but also emptied her soul power completely.
Seeing the immense energy approaching, the veteran's expression grew serious. His fourth, purple ring lit up.
The golden avatar condensed, shrinking to two meters, its form solidifying like metal.
"Fourth Soul Skill—Indestructible Golden Body!"
His skin gleamed like polished steel. The defensive might of his layered buffs reached near ten-thousand-year strength.
But while skill linkage was additive, skill fusion—like Wang Dong's—was multiplicative.
Her fused attack hit like a hammer of light.
The explosion echoed across the arena. When the glare faded, He Heng'an still stood—but cracks lined his golden armor, a small fissure bleeding faint golden light at his chest.
He raised a hand. "Enough. That's plenty. You all pass."
"What? Already?" the scorekeeper called out. "The incense isn't even half-burned!"
He Heng'an laughed wryly. "What's the point of continuing? They've proven enough."
As his armor dissolved, everyone saw it—two tiny needles stuck in his nostrils.
The sight drew muffled chuckles. Even if it was just surface damage, those needles had pierced through his Indestructible Golden Body.
"Alright, cough—results time." Pulling them out, he straightened his face as if nothing had happened.
"Wang Dong: excellent strength, fine technique, solid combat sense. Responsive and decisive under pressure. Fourth exam—pass."
"Huo Yuhao: weak in power, but excellent technique, tactical awareness, and leadership. Exceptional perception and command instinct. Fourth exam—pass."
"Zhao Haochen: adequate strength, competent technique, fair awareness. Soul skill application steady, teamwork awareness lacking. Fourth exam—pass."
"Any objections?"
Wang Dong, pale and breathless, bit her lip silently. Zhao Haochen, still beaming, was just thrilled to pass.
Huo Yuhao, though outwardly calm, felt the strain. The Eye of Truth and mental analysis during the fight had drained his spiritual power far more than his soul energy.
"Alright, off the field. Don't delay the next group."
A senior healer stepped forward—five rings glowing—casting a wave of restorative energy over them. Their minor wounds and exhaustion vanished quickly.
Afterward, Huo Yuhao headed straight toward the new student building. Zhao Haochen scampered off, likely to brag to friends.
Behind him, a familiar voice called out: "Hey, you're from Tang Sect, right?"
"First of all, my name isn't 'Hey.' It's Huo Yuhao. Second—what does that have to do with you?"
His tone was cool, though inwardly he sighed. Trouble again. Figures. Must be fate — every time someone hears that word, they just can't leave me alone.
(End of Chapter)