Chapter 22 – The Shattered Gold
The atmosphere in the Academy courtyard is suffocating. Yan (Rank 47), Xie Yue (Rank 48), and Hu Liena (Rank 46) form a perfect triangular formation. Even though Lakan is Rank 42, the sight of his two Red Rings makes the Golden Trio feel like they are the ones at a disadvantage.
"Don't blink," Lakan whispers to Shui Bing'er, who stands by the sidelines.
Yan lunges first. "Lord of Fire: Scorching Tilt!" He doesn't hold back, knowing Lakan's fire immunity. He aims to use the sheer physical concussive force of his lava-like soul power.
Lakan doesn't move. He enters Center-Point Stillness. As Yan's fist comes within an inch of his chest, Lakan performs a Triangular Pivot (Hakbang Tatsulok) so precise it looks like he simply phased through Yan.
"Too slow, Big Brother," Lakan's voice comes from behind Yan's ear.
"Die!" Xie Yue's Moon Blades spin in a lethal arc, cutting off Lakan's escape route, while Hu Liena's eyes glow pink—her Charm skill targeting Lakan's mind.
Lakan feels the mental tug of the Charm, but he use the Song-Binding to shield his mind from her Charm, instantly shattering the illusion. Then Lakan proceed to Humm a single' dissonant tone.
~humm~
!
Xie Yuan and Yan felt their spiritual sense "petrify", as if their minds are turning into stone. This attack isn't a physical paralysis, but a mental one, leaving them open for killing blow.
Lakan then drops into Langkah (Serpent's Flow), sliding under Xie Yue's blades.
He doesn't use his Kampilans. He uses Suntukan: The Echoing Strike. He taps Yan's kidney area and Xie Yue's elbow with a light, vibrational pulse.
CRACK.
The vibration ignores their defensive soul power, sending a "sting" directly into their nerves. Both Spirit Ancestors stumble, their limbs momentarily paralyzed.
"You haven't even seen the Prismatic Flash yet," Lakan says, standing upright as his Ten-Headed Wings unfurl, casting ten distinct shadows across the trio. "Do you still want to continue, or should we skip to the part where you ask me for help with your Fifth Rings?"
The entire student body is silent. The "Golden Generation" has been completely dismantled without Lakan even breaking a sweat or using a single Soul Skill.
After the duel, Bibi Dong summons Lakan and Shui Bing'er to her private terrace. She holds a letter sealed with the wax of the Tianshui (Blueray) Academy.
"The Shui family is in an uproar," Bibi Dong says, her gaze resting on Bing'er. "They believe their genius daughter was kidnapped by Evil Soul Masters. Her younger sister, Shui Yue-er, has reportedly tried to run away from home three times to search for her."
Bing'er's eyes well up with tears. "Your Majesty... I need to let them know I'm safe. My sister... she doesn't know how to handle her emotions without me."
Lakan steps forward, placing a hand on Bing'er's shoulder. "Your Majesty, a letter isn't enough. People with power like to twist words on paper. Let us go there. I want to see the 'North' for myself. Besides, if we want to implement the Soul Spirit system, we need allies outside of Wuhun City. The Shui family and Tianshui Academy are the perfect starting point."
Bibi Dong ponders this. "The North is governed by local nobles who are... less than loyal to Spirit Hall. They are corrupt, hidden behind the shield of the Heaven Dou Empire. If you go, you go as my Imperial Envoy. Ling Yue will accompany you as your guardian."
Three days later, a luxurious carriage marked with the Spirit Hall insignia leaves the city.
Inside, Lakan is looking over a map of the North-Eastern Provinces. "Bing'er, tell me about your city. Are the nobles there really as bad as the reports say?"
Shui Bing'er sighs, looking out the window. "My family tries to stay neutral, but the Duke of the region... he demands 'tributes' of young female soul masters for his personal guard. He calls it a 'honorary service,' but everyone knows it's a cage. He likely pressured the Evil Soul Masters to kidnap me because my father refused to hand me over."
Lakan's eyes turn a cold, prismatic gold. He grips the hilt of Araw.
"A Duke, huh?" Lakan chuckles, though there is no humor in it. "I've always wanted to see how a Duke's 'honor' holds up against the Vibrational Pulse of a Phoenix. Don't worry, Bing'er. We aren't just going home. We're going to do a little 'house cleaning'."