Chapter 81: Yu Quan Defeated, Wei Xu's Challenge
Seeing Qian Yu foaming at the mouth, Lin Beiya shook his head and announced Shi Nuo's victory.
If the opponent had fought seriously from the start and used his full strength, he might have caused Shi Nuo some trouble.
But as always, their ages were misleading—who would go all-out against a child right from the beginning?
The spectators gathered under the arena were stunned. None of them expected the famous Qian Yu of the academy to be defeated within just two exchanges.
From this moment on, no one dared underestimate these so-called "connections-backed" students anymore.
The healing team slowly carried the unconscious Qian Yu off the stage. Shi Nuo returned to Lin Beiya's side with a face full of excitement. Successfully defending his spot on the team finally allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief; at least, the training and hard work of this period had not been wasted.
Lin Beiya smiled and nodded at Shi Nuo.
"You performed well. Next time, don't be overconfident. Just put on the Gold Cloth right away."
"I understand."
Of course, Lin Beiya knew what Shi Nuo was thinking. But as he always said, his Gold Cloth would be worn by whoever he chose. He didn't need anyone else pointing fingers or telling him how to use it.
Next, it was Yu Quan's turn to face a challenger. At this moment, he looked extremely nervous. He wasn't like Shi Nuo—he didn't possess the kind of overwhelming power that could dictate the flow of a battle.
But everyone's eyes were now fixed on him with high expectations. With things already at this point, he could only grit his teeth and step onto the stage.
Meanwhile, the legal loli Qiu Tete wasn't particularly nervous, thanks to the previous two battles. Instead, they made her firmly resolve not to underestimate anyone. Losing to a 10-year-old child was something she absolutely could not accept.
"Yu Quan, twenty-sixth rank Soul Grandmaster. Martial Soul: Storm Hunting Falcon. Senior sister, please guide me."
"Qiu Tete. Martial Soul: Demon Breaking Bow. Forty-second rank Attack-Type Battle Soul Master. Come, junior. Let big sister see what you're capable of."
As she spoke, two yellow and two purple soul rings rose around her—clearly not holding back in the slightest.
"Second Soul Skill—Guided Precision."
Seeing the yellow ring light up on her body, Yu Quan cursed in his heart at her lack of sportsmanship, but his movements didn't slow. He immediately activated Martial Soul Possession and shot into the air.
Even though he knew this woman definitely had a method to deal with airborne opponents, he had no choice.
Before he even had time to make use of aerial advantage, Yu Quan felt a streak of dark crimson light condense onto his body—every hair on his body stood upright as danger erupted in his mind.
The moment the scarlet glow fully formed, Qiu Tete drew her Demon Breaking Bow.
"First Soul Skill—Punishment."
A similarly dark crimson flash erupted. A condensed arrow of pure soul power fired straight toward Yu Quan, who was spreading his wings in the sky.
Yu Quan's soul nearly jumped out of his body. He didn't know what that red light on him meant, but no matter what, waiting in place for the arrow to hit was obviously suicidal.
Using his second soul skill—Whisper of the Wind—Yu Quan darted around the arena at breakneck speed, dodging the shot while urgently thinking about how to counterattack.
But then something shocking happened—the arrow he had just dodged suddenly curved, as if it had grown eyes, turning sharply toward the red glow on his chest.
"Oh, come on—she has built-in homing?! How is anyone supposed to play like this?!"
Yu Quan instantly understood the true purpose behind her second soul skill. Helpless and frustrated, he continued flying frantically while racking his brain for a solution.
In the eyes of the audience, the scene unfolding before them was absurdly funny—a single arrow chasing a flustered bird-man around the sky. No matter how Yu Quan twisted, turned, climbed, or dove, the arrow refused to leave him alone until it struck him dead.
"Damn it… I'll run out of soul power at this rate. Forget it!"
A golden light flashed in Yu Quan's eyes as he suddenly dove straight toward Qiu Tete on the stage—clearly intending to defeat the caster before the arrow hit, thereby freeing himself.
But Qiu Tete had obviously been prepared for this. Her third soul ring pulsed, and a bright red orb of light appeared in her right palm.
Drawing back her bowstring, Qiu Tete fired directly upward toward the charging Yu Quan.
The light sphere shattered in midair, transforming into countless streaks of rain cascading downward, enclosing Qiu Tete within.
"Third Soul Skill—Demon Breaking Arrow Rain."
The moment Yu Quan entered the range of the falling arrows, he felt sharp, needle-like pain shoot across his entire body. In just a few seconds, he plummeted to the ground, and the arrow that had been relentlessly chasing him halted behind his back.
"Junior, you've lost~."
"Yeah… I lost. Senior sister, you're way too strong."
"Haha, once you obtain your later soul rings, things may be different. For now, big sister will gladly accept this victory."
As Lin Beiya announced Qiu Tete's successful challenge, the arena erupted in noise once again. She was the first senior student to defeat one of the newcomers.
At the same time, many in the crowd felt a trace of disappointment—so there really was a gap between these kids and the rest. And of course, whispers about "connections" resurfaced.
Compared to Lei Ying and Shi Nuo, who had crushed their opponents with overwhelming force, Yu Quan seemed far weaker—not just by a little, but by miles.
After Qiu Tete's win was declared, Yu Quan returned to Lin Beiya's side with a calm expression.
"Why didn't you use Gold Cloth? Were you worried about people gossiping?"
"Ah… I wanted to earn my qualification with my own strength. Even Shi Nuo didn't use his—so I didn't want to either."
"It's fine, boss. I'll win it back within three years. And when the Soul Master Tournament comes… don't expect me to be gentle."
Lin Beiya revealed a helpless smile. Since Yu Quan had already said this much, he couldn't argue further. After all, he couldn't force him to use the Gold Cloth.
However, in his heart, he now saw this descendant of the Platinum Bishop in a completely new light—the boy possessed pride of his own, not just the cold greed one might expect from someone of his background.
The challenge battles were drawing to a close, and the final match was the one everyone had been waiting for.
Wei Xu vs. Lin Beiya.
Could the Dragon Roaring Spear once again shatter Lin Beiya's defenses? Everyone held their breath in anticipation.
"Wei Xu—Martial Soul: Dragon Roaring Spear. Rank 44 Attack-type Soul Ancestor."
"Lin Beiya—Martial Soul: Athena Statue. Rank 35 Universal-type Soul Elder. Please instruct me, senior."
"Universal-type?"
Wei Xu's eyes widened slightly. It was the first time he had even heard of such a category.
But thinking carefully, it wasn't hard to grasp—it simply meant someone who excelled in offense, defense, and support simultaneously.
"As expected of you, junior. Let me witness the strength of the infamous Lin Invincible."
"Gladly."
Arms crossed before his chest, Lin Beiya slowly closed his eyes. To Wei Xu's surprise, small golden star-like vortexes began forming around him.
"Come, senior."
A flicker of irritation flashed through Wei Xu's heart. Not knowing Lin Beiya's true abilities, he could only interpret this posture as arrogance. Even if Lin Beiya truly was stronger, he shouldn't be this dismissive!
"Then you'd better brace yourself! First Soul Skill—Hidden Dragon Gold. Second Soul Skill—Deadly Dragon Might!"
As expected of a spear-wielding soul master, Wei Xu was clearly walking the path of extremity—two buff-type soul skills instantly multiplied the power of the Dragon Roaring Spear.
"Third Soul Skill—Raging Cascade Wyvern!"
A thunderous dragon roar mixed with the sound of surging water rushed forth. Amplified by both soul skills, the Dragon Roaring Spear became overwhelmingly violent.
Fueled by anger, Wei Xu held nothing back. The pale-blue spear tip shone with chilling light as it thrust straight toward Lin Beiya's chest.
"Junior, watch yourself. Using point-shattering force, your little crystal wall won't stop my spear."
—
End of Chapter