Chapter Eight: The Entrance Examination

"Enough! The two of you are giving me a headache!" Principal Gao Huan slammed his hand on the desk, putting an end to the argument. In truth, he leaned towards Dean Gao Jue's opinion, but he had to consider the vice principal's stance as well.

"Strength reigns supreme among soul masters. How about this: let's select one top student from Elite Class Two to compete against that child. If he wins, he can enter Elite Class Two directly."

"I agree," Gao Jue responded immediately after the principal spoke.

Yao Liang pondered to himself. Although the child was remarkably gifted, he was only seven years old; the oldest students in Elite Class Two were already ten, with soul power around level eighteen. Even if the boy's martial soul was superior, a five-level gap wasn't so easily bridged. He voiced his support as well: "I agree!"

...

With the academy's leadership having reached a decision, Teacher Chen, who was in charge of admissions, returned to the meeting room. He briefly explained the situation to Xiao Yu and Miao Jian, then added, "Xiao, if you have any concerns, you may decline and join the regular class. With your talent, it's certain you'll make it to the elite class within a year."

"Teacher, as a soul master, how could I run from a challenge?" Xiao Yu replied with a faint smile. After all, his system task was to become the academy's top student—sooner or later, he would have to face the elite class students. The sooner he completed the task, the greater the reward. Why would he avoid it?

"Good, I'll make the arrangements. Xiao, prepare yourself," Teacher Chen nodded with satisfaction. If the child couldn't even accept a challenge like this, it would be a waste of his top-tier martial soul.

...

Soon after, in the dueling arena.

The Elite Class Two students, who had been waiting for some time, saw Xiao Yu approach and immediately activated their martial souls. One of them announced, "Chang Hao, level eighteen assault-type battle soul master, martial soul: Wild Bull."

Without hesitation, Xiao Yu activated his own martial soul, cupped his fist in greeting, and replied, "Xiao Yu, level thirteen assault-type battle soul master, martial soul: Apostle of the Netherworld. Senior, please."

"Take this!" As soon as the words left his mouth, Chang Hao charged with lightning speed. With his martial soul possession, his already robust physique became even more imposing, his muscles bulging explosively as he thundered forward like a maddened bull.

Xiao Yu smiled slightly. From the moment Chang Hao revealed his martial soul, he had already anticipated his opponent's attack style and prepared his counter.

With hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Yu waited until the instant Chang Hao was about to strike. Then, with a light sidestep, he dodged and struck Chang Hao's back with his left palm, skillfully redirecting the force. Unable to stop his momentum, Chang Hao stumbled and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Not bad, kid!"

The fall was rough, but with the Wild Bull martial soul, Chang Hao was both tough and resilient. In a few breaths, he was on his feet, brushing off dust and grinning. "Since you got the better of me, I won't be holding back!"

As he spoke, his hundred-year soul ring began to shine with a crystalline light—he had activated his soul skill.

"First soul skill: Rampaging Charge!"

With a roar, Chang Hao exploded forward, his speed astonishing. He left only a faint afterimage in the air.

"Kid, my first soul skill boosts my speed by ten percent. Don’t think you can dodge me again."

"If I can't dodge, then let me show you my strength."

Sensing the increased speed, Xiao Yu's eyes flashed. He, too, activated his first soul skill.

"First soul skill: Infernal Bodyguard!"

As his soul ring lit up, blazing flames erupted around Xiao Yu. He sheathed his black longsword, which bore a trace of divine power and formidable attack strength—after all, this was just a sparring match between students; he had no intention of causing serious harm.

Bang!

Chang Hao, like a wild bull, charged at full force, his soul skill amplifying his speed and impact to the limit.

Knowing evasion was impossible, Xiao Yu met him head-on. For a split second, the two collided, fists clashing. Despite his higher level, Chang Hao staggered back four or five steps before regaining his footing.

"How is this possible?" Vice Principal Yao Liang, who had personally selected Chang Hao for his exceptional strength, blurted out from the stands. "Chang Hao's martial soul excels in power, and his soul power is five levels higher. How could he be forced back in a direct clash...?"

"Could this be the gap between top-tier martial souls and the rest?" Dean Gao Jue murmured.

"It's not just a difference in martial souls," Principal Gao Huan interjected.

With higher soul power and nearly a decade more teaching experience than his two deputies, Gao Huan saw things more clearly. "This child's soul power is also purer than Chang Hao's. It must be due to his cultivation method."

Indeed, the meditation technique Xiao Yu practiced was a masterpiece provided by his system. It demanded intense focus on the circulation, compression, and refinement of soul power, making his bursts of strength incomparable to other soul masters of the same level.

"A more advanced meditation method?" Yao Liang's eyes gleamed with greed as he looked at Xiao Yu in the dueling arena. If only his grandson could obtain such a technique, perhaps he, too, could climb even higher in the future.

Back in the arena, as Chang Hao was still recovering from his stumble, Xiao Yu moved. Cloaked in infernal flames, he shot forward like a fireball.

Chang Hao had barely steadied himself when Xiao Yu was upon him, delivering a punch to his chest. This time, Chang Hao didn't just stagger—he was sent flying off the arena altogether.

"I concede!" Chang Hao, upright and straightforward, patted the dust from his body, his chest still aching from the blow, but he bore Xiao Yu no ill will.

"Hahaha! Truly a prodigy of the younger generation!" Principal Gao Huan stroked his thick beard and laughed heartily, "Congratulations, Xiao Yu, for becoming a member of Elite Class Two..."

"Hold on!"

Just as Gao Huan was about to announce the result, Yao Liang suddenly interrupted.

Gao Huan paused, a hint of displeasure in his eyes as he looked at Yao Liang.

Yao Liang, well aware of Gao Huan's annoyance, offered no explanation. Instead, he leapt down into the arena, eyes shining as he faced Xiao Yu. "Xiao, I noticed that your soul power cultivation method is quite unique, far more advanced than ordinary meditation techniques. Would you be willing to share it with the academy?"

"No," Xiao Yu replied, looking at Yao Liang as if he were a fool. He couldn't fathom what went through this man's mind—he had just admitted that the method was unique, so how could it possibly be something to casually share?