Ji Juechen's appearance could be described as handsome; apart from his eyes lacking in spirit and appearing somewhat dull, his looks were absolutely top-notch.
He held a sword in his hand, about four feet long, and entirely black. The longsword had an ancient style with no distinguishing features, looking somewhat like a poker used to stoke a fire.
Yet, upon seeing him, everyone felt a chill run down their spine.
Facing Ji Juechen, Zhou Xinghao felt a strong sense of threat.
Before joining the team, he too had studied and cultivated at the Academy, and had heard of Ji Juechen's reputation. Facing him now in battle, the pressure on his heart was immense.
"Ji Juechen!"
"Zhou Xinghao."
"Let the match begin!"
Zhou Xinghao immediately completed his Armor Fusion, with numerous rays of light from soul-guided cannons appearing all over his body.
Soul-guided cannons were connected at various parts of Zhou Xinghao's armor.
Boom boom boom!
In an instant, sixth-level soul-guided cannon shells poured out as if they cost nothing.
Ji Juechen's movements were slow, yet he always seemed to dodge the shells perfectly, swinging his longsword to shatter those he couldn't dodge with Sword Qi.
Su Yu watched Ji Juechen's state, finding it very peculiar.
"This Ji Juechen is extraordinary."
Even Ellex made a comment.
Apart from the support from Soul Power, Ji Juechen didn't seem to use any of his abilities as a Soul Master at all.
No, it should be said that he didn't rely much on his Martial Soul itself.
His Soul Skill was only Soul Power Amplification.
This Soul Skill had only one capability: to enhance the quality of his Soul Power and increase the totality of Soul Power.
Along with his self-created Sword Skill, there wasn't a single student at the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy who could rival him.
Ji Juechen's Soul Power was cultivated entirely by himself; with an Innate Soul Power Level 3, he had raised his cultivation to Soul Emperor Level at the age of twenty-seven without relying on any external resources.
Apart from Su Yu and Huo Yuhao, Ji Juechen was definitely the most extraordinary Soul Master with Innate Soul Power Level 3.
Su Yu also attentively observed the battle, seriously watching Ji Juechen's every move.
"This is Sword Intent."
Ellex spoke.
"His understanding of the sword has reached the level where he can directly harness the Power of Heaven and Earth."
Spiritual Power merged with the heavens, as if entering a state of Unity of Heaven and Man, using the Power of Heaven and Earth to perceive, defend, and slay enemies.
This Realm was something that Su Yu didn't possess.
Su Yu could, at most, use rune or Spiritual Power to control the surrounding Space, achieving this through these means, but he couldn't do it relying solely on his own Will.
"Amazing." Su Yu couldn't help but say.
Ellex continued explaining the cultivation of Realm to Su Yu.
Su Yu's mind flashed with numerous insights, and in the Sea of Spirit, the "sword" rune continually improved and vibrated.
...
As Ji Juechen swung his sword, he sensed a special fluctuation, glancing toward the preparation area, that glance like a wandering hunter finding its prey.
Huo Yuhao also watched Ji Juechen's battle, finding his abilities very intriguing.
"How is this even possible?"
Ji Juechen's movements seemed sluggish, and his Sword Skills looked very simple, yet he could always unleash immense power.
A burst of Sword Qi even surpassed Brother Yu in absurdity.
Both having the same quality and quantity of Soul Power, Brother Yu's Sword Qi seemed less threatening than Ji Juechen's.
Huo Yuhao silently compared in his mind.
At the same time, the capability of Spiritual Detection allowed him to better observe Ji Juechen's every move, but precisely because of this, he was more perplexed by how it was done?
Every move he made, I could see clearly, understand, perhaps even completely replicate, yet I couldn't reach his level.
"It's his spirit merging with the heavens."
"Spiritual Power?"
"It's Heart or perhaps Will." The Ice Emperor corrected Huo Yuhao's statement, explaining her feeling to him.
As a fierce beast with forty thousand years of cultivation, the Ice Emperor still had a say in this area.
Although she didn't understand Ji Juechen's Realm at all, she had an intuition that could detect some key points of Ji Juechen's state.
Unity of Heaven and Man?
Huo Yuhao remembered when he practiced the Profound Celestial Skill, there's a record of similar states to Unity of Heaven and Man on the Profound Celestial Treasure Record.
Use the heavens and earth as my own...
Zhou Xinghao transformed into a cannon platform; in the state of Armor Fusion, along with numerous sixth-level soul-guided cannons, even a Soul Saint would find it hard to withstand his barrage.
However, Ji Juechen defiantly struck with his sword after three minutes of stalemate.
On the meteorite iron-like poker in his hand, a sword's shadow attached, and simultaneously, six soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and two black—emerged under Ji Juechen's feet.
Six soul rings flashed in unison.
Soul Power erupted.
Ji Juechen wielded his longsword, with unprecedented ferocity, swiftly slashing with a sword.
The soul-guided cannon in front of Zhou Xinghao was destroyed by Sword Qi, while the soul-guided protective shield generated by Armor Fusion shattered accordingly.
Just as he was about to infuse Soul Power to reconsolidate the shield, Ji Juechen struck out with another sword.
With this sword stroke, an even more enormous amount of Soul Power ensued.
Zhou Xinghao felt locked by the Sword Qi, completely unable to escape, forced to face it head-on.
However, this sword stroke also presented him with a fatal crisis.
Mirrors Hongchen eventually intervened, rescuing Zhou Xinghao.
Just then, that Sword Qi continued to progress, eventually dissolving and dissipating.
"You, you fellow, are even more terrifying." Zhou Xinghao looked at Ji Juechen, feeling no frustration from his defeat.
This guy really is a monster.
Unexpectedly, even with Armor Fusion support, I couldn't beat Ji Juechen.
A chief is a chief indeed.
Mirror Hongchen was also quite satisfied with Ji Juechen's performance, nodding toward him.
Ji Juechen, originally admitted into the Sun and Moon Academy and Mingde Hall, had all received special approval from Mirror Hongchen.
Zhou Xinghao returned to the preparation area to recover.
Ji Juechen's appearance was considered a beacon for the students and teachers of the Sun and Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy present.
After challenging Zhou Xinghao, Ji Juechen proceeded with challenging the remaining two.
For fairness, Mirror Hongchen granted Ji Juechen an hour's resting time.
An hour later, Xiao Ping was defeated.
Another hour later, Shi Xing was defeated.
Mirror Hongchen was likewise quite pleased with Ji Juechen's performance.
It's just such a pity that Ji Juechen is already twenty-seven. Otherwise, his level of prowess at the Soul Fighting Competition would be unbeatable, not needing any Battle Armor.
Innate Soul Power Level 3, cultivated to Soul Emperor level, without using any medication throughout his journey, additionally, barring the enhancements with soul rings, his Martial Soul has never undergone additional fortification.
From this perspective, it indirectly corroborates Su Yu's theory.
A weak Martial Soul, upon finding the appropriate path and persistently exploring its characteristics, the quality of the Martial Soul could meet the prerequisites for continued cultivation through the absorption of each soul ring at a minimum.
Of course, Ji Juechen's example includes the complex existence of Sword Intent, so its persuasive power is surely insufficient.
"Yuhao, your turn."
Mirror Hongchen selected the next individual to counter Ji Juechen.
Originally planned, the enemy that Xiao Ping and the others couldn't handle would be handed over to Huo Yuhao.
Huo Yuhao also began focused preparations.
One hour later, Huo Yuhao would compete against Ji Juechen.