Word Count: 2,585 Words
******
"A... a one-hundred-thousand-year spirit ring!"
Countless Sun Moon students' voices constricted into thin threads in their throats. Their eyes bulged like copper bells, fixed unblinkingly on that dazzling blood-red spirit ring. The overwhelming might of the 100,000-year Sacred Sun Heaven Spirit Tiger swept across the entire testing ground, making the Seraphim's illusory figure appear divinely inviolable.
"Too overpowered! Way too overpowered!"
"He could instantly defeat Spirit Guidance Masters of the same rank using just his sword, and now with his Martial Spirit unleashed..."
"There's absolutely no way to fight against that..."
Some clutched their foreheads with sighs, while others shook their heads with bitter smiles. Everyone present was a heaven's chosen prodigy from the continent's premier Spirit Guidance academy, typically holding their noses high in the air.
Although they had never defeated Shrek Academy, they understood that Shrek was a setting sun while their Sun Moon Imperial Academy was a rising star, destined to erase their past shame in the near future. Yet today, their meticulously cultivated Class 6 Spirit Guidance Masters—three geniuses among geniuses—had seen two utterly crushed while the third had been too terrified to even take the stage.
The Sun Moon students in the audience trembled with rage, yearning to rush down and give Ling Bai a proper challenge. Yet gazing at that figure holding the Angel Sword, whose aura dominated the stage, they could only remain meekly in their seats. Ling Bai's words about 'genius Spirit Guidance Masters,' whether praise or mockery, felt like stinging slaps across their faces.
Ling Bai stood proudly at the center of Testing Ground Zero. After waiting in vain for his next opponent, he raised his head and swept his gaze across the surroundings. Golden light more brilliant than sunlight radiated from his eyes as he asked:
"So, is there no one else today?"
His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached every Spirit Guidance Master's ears with perfect clarity. One by one, they lowered their heads, faces ashen and dull, fingernails digging deep into their palms as both flesh and spirit ached with piercing pain.
"Hall Master, the youngsters have truly taken a blow..." Lin Jiayi sighed.
Jing Hongchen smiled faintly. "Sometimes, geniuses are psychologically more fragile than ordinary people, especially young ones who've had smooth sailing all their lives.
There's always a higher mountain. When geniuses discover that the abilities they've always prided themselves on can be shattered with a mere flick of a peer's finger, they plunge into deep self-doubt.
After experiencing such disparity, whether they turn shame into courage and strive to catch up with him as their goal, or succumb to internal conflict and fade into mediocrity—that depends on whether they can overcome this hurdle. Of course, we teachers must guide them as well.
Suppress first to praise later. With appropriate setbacks and encouragement, the Sun Moon Imperial Academy will experience an unprecedented cultivation frenzy.
That's enough for now. Let the student who's been patiently waiting take the stage."
"Yes."
Lin Jiayi nodded and had taken only two steps when Jing Hongchen stopped him.
"Wait, Jiayi. A student has already taken the stage."
A figure dropped directly from the audience seats. It was a pretty female student with skin of warm coffee hue, unlike the fair complexions of Ning Tian, Wu Feng and the others. Heroic and dashing with a slender figure nearly matching Ling Bai's height, her gaze upon him seemed tinged with excitement.
"Na Na, Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master."
Na Na pursed her red lips and said solemnly, "There are too many people challenging you. My scheduled turn is tomorrow, but since they're all afraid of you, I suppose there's no issue with me going first."
"As you wish."
Ling Bai twirled his sword in a flourish. The Ultimate Holy power contained within the sword energy spread outward. Though her Specter Martial Spirit clearly feared this power, Na Na appeared to relish it, even enduring the burning pain to reach out and attempt to grasp that illusory holy energy.
"Na Na, go for it!"
Regardless of anything else, Na Na had salvaged the Sun Moon Imperial Academy's face. Hundreds upon hundreds of students spontaneously stood up, chanting her name.
Na Na was a celebrity at the Sun Moon Imperial Academy. She'd been pre-selected by Illustrious Virtue Hall Master Jing Hongchen as one of the seven main members of the Sun Moon team for the next Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament, destined to fight alongside the Hongchen siblings.
Her spirit power had reached Rank 54. Her goal for the next two years was to break through Rank 60 and become a 6-ringed Spirit Emperor before the tournament began.
Her practical combat ability ranked among the very best in the entire Sun Moon Imperial Academy. She had defeated higher-ranked opponents countless times. Jing Hongchen hoped she would be tempered into steel through these trials, which was why he had allowed her a spot in the friendly competition to challenge Ling Bai.
"Begin the match!"
This time, Ling Bai wasn't the only one launching a direct assault. The moment Lin Jiaran announced the start, Na Na charged forward to meet him.
The heroic girl's form abruptly turned illusory. Her speed surged dramatically as her Specter Martial Spirit manifested. Her slender figure left trails of afterimages in the sunlight, her velocity far exceeding that of Wang Yu, the Class 6 Spirit Guidance Master who also specialized in close combat.
Azure and red light flashed. Na Na wielded a short blade in each hand. The twin blades, one azure and one red, were engraved with ornate patterns, their light fluctuating erratically. The azure blade howled as it cut through air while flames surged from the red.
The blade light expanded to ten feet. As she struck, she vanished completely within the radiance, body and blades merging as one to slash at Ling Bai.
The sudden blade light resembled a fiery sun rising with the tearing force of fierce wind concealed within. Na Na was indeed a rare genius; this strike represented the pinnacle of a Class 5 Spirit Guidance Master in power, speed, and Spirit Guidance Device technique.
The vast mixed radiance of crimson and azure blade lights was breathtaking, yet when the Angel Sword descended, this brilliance was utterly eclipsed by materialized golden sword energy.
The Angel Sword was the divine weapon of the Angel God. Though its power had diminished due to the shattering of the Angel God Position, the holy sword energy Ling Bai wielded with his Rank 69 spirit power was by no means inferior to a 10,000-year spirit skill.
Heaven-shaking sword energy erupted. The Angel Sword bloomed in mid-air with holy aura piercing the clouds as the blade descended gracefully. This strike lacked the dense killing intent of the Seven Kill Sword yet faintly contained another kind of vast, majestic will. The Angel Sword rendered Ling Bai's entire right arm brilliant gold.
BOOM—
A straightforward collision devoid of fancy maneuvers. One side displayed explosive unity of body and blade amplified by Spirit Guidance Devices, while the other revealed a nascent sword intent born from abandoning the old and forging a new path through deep fusion with the Angel Sword.
Holy, Wind, Fire—the collision of these three attributes sent ripples surging outward. An illusory figure shot backward, releasing a light barrier in mid-flight. The barrier barely withstood the aftershock of brilliant golden sword light before shattering as if completing its mission.
The figure sent flying was naturally Na Na. The next generation's main team member was certainly formidable, but that depended on her opponent.
Three years prior, Ling Bai already possessed team-annihilating combat power during the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament. With Na Na inferior in both spirit power and weaponry, the gap in their abilities was simply too vast.
Her only trigger-type Class 6 Spirit Barrier was damaged, and her Class 5 crimson short blade was utterly ruined after a single clash with the Angel Sword.
From the audience, Ji Juechen observed Ling Bai, then glanced at the Angel Sword and that gleaming, translucent golden right arm, nodding thoughtfully.
The sense of incongruity between the Angel Sword and Seven Kill Sword intent had vanished. Another sword intent was slowly taking shape, one that required extensive combat tempering and profound comprehension!
Na Na possessed rich combat experience. That single exchange was enough for her to know full well she was no match for Ling Bai. Yet she had compelling reasons to continue. She yearned to witness the Seraphim and discover whether it truly possessed the ability to purify evil as legends recorded!
The more she fell behind in all aspects, the calmer she grew. Her figure flashed as she charged at Ling Bai once more, her first and second spirit rings lighting up in succession to further boost her speed.
First Spirit Skill: Specter Speed.
It amplified velocity while rendering her body more illusory, somewhat reducing physical damage sustained.
Second Spirit Skill: Specter Clone.
Combined with powerful offensive close-combat Spirit Guidance Devices, Na Na employed an agility-focused ultimate killing battle style.
With the dual enhancement of Specter Speed and Specter Clone, Na Na transformed into three figures, each equally illusory.
Less than five meters from Ling Bai, the three figures rapidly separated before converging toward the center like lightning. Three azure wind blades simultaneously slashed at him.
Many Spirit Guidance Masters below Class 6 could no longer clearly see the unfolding battle. Straining their eyes, they could only vaguely discern Ling Bai standing firm while three illusory specters frantically darted around him, accompanied by continuous metallic clangs.
Ling Bai stood immovable as a mountain. Each descent of the Angel Sword struck with uncanny precision, always appearing at Na Na's most fatal openings. The tables turned inexplicably. What began as three Na Nas besieging him had somehow transformed into a desperate dance as she struggled to evade the Angel Sword, finding herself increasingly hard-pressed.
She couldn't win if she fought, nor could she escape. Na Na was certain that attempting to withdraw would result in the Angel Sword at her throat in less than half a second.
At her limit, Na Na's purple third spirit ring illuminated. The Angel Sword passed directly through her body without encountering solid substance.
Third Spirit Skill: Specter Possession.
Na Na transformed into a specter, rendering all physical attacks ineffective for one second.
This agility-type life-saving skill gave her the opening she needed. Breaking free from the Angel Sword's inescapable net of sword energy, Na Na danced with her scarred Swift Blade, unleashing six wind blades.
Each wind blade flew in a different direction while she herself, enhanced by the Swift Blade, slid toward Ling Bai like a shadow. Her short blade no longer slashed but thrust straight at his chest.
"Be careful!"
Na Na warned sharply as black energy surged forth.
Fourth Spirit Skill: Avenging Spirit!
Avenging Spirit was Na Na's control skill. Anyone entangled would lose all defensive capabilities!
At the same time, a flicker of excitement touched Na Na's eyes. She had been holding back all this time. This very moment was what she wanted to see!
Ling Bai ignored the Avenging Spirit entirely. The Angel Sword moved so fast it lost distinct form, becoming a thin golden halo in the sunlight. Though no one could perceive the sword's entirety, Na Na heard a terrifying wind roar!
The sword tip tore through six wind blades and gently touched Na Na's brow. The instant the black energy contacted Ling Bai, a miserable scream seemed to echo as the Avenging Spirit shattered into golden particles and dissipated.
Specter was a darkness and evil attribute Martial Spirit. With a divine weapon like the Angel Sword—its destined nemesis—aimed at a human's vital point, every muscle in Na Na's body tensed instantly.
Na Na showed no intention of dodging, her gaze fixed on the Angel Sword with almost infatuated intensity.
"Next contestant."
Ling Bai turned and walked away. Na Na stared at his departing figure, her gaze a complex mixture: four parts resolution, three parts fervor, two parts hope, and one part shyness; a veritable pie chart of emotions.
Though the Avenging Spirit hadn't forced out the Seraphim—indeed, couldn't even withstand the holy power inherent to a Seraphim Spirit Master—this precisely demonstrated the Seraphim's suppressive effect on evil Martial Spirits.
'Mom, Dad, I've seen the Seraphim from the history books—the natural enemy of Evil Spirit Masters. You can finally be saved...'
The emotions buried deep within her heart erupted. Tears welled in Na Na's eyes as she hurriedly covered her face and departed.
To the audience, it appeared as though Ling Bai had driven Na Na to tears. The Sun Moon students seethed with indignation, while Wu Feng leaned close to Ning Tian's ear to complain:
"Ning Tian, look at him! He usually bullies me, and though I'm magnanimous enough to forgive him, now he's bullying other girls too. He's too much!"
"Oh, listen to you..." Ning Tian consoled, torn between laughter and exasperation.
The prior mental shock combined with Na Na's courageous example proved particularly effective. The subsequent challengers from the Sun Moon Imperial Academy seemed almost drugged, their eyes bloodshot as they panted heavily while vying to be next.
Ling Bai stood in Testing Ground Zero as Class 5, 6, and 7 Spirit Guidance Masters lined up to challenge him. Even the third challenger who'd initially fled rallied his courage and took the stage. Each contestant simmered with suppressed anger, yet Ling Bai refused none, willingly facing them all with one man and one sword.
Jing Hongchen's smile stretched from ear to ear. The Sun Moon students were full of fighting spirit. So what if they were pressed to the ground and thoroughly humbled? They all lost standing on their feet.
The friendly competition raged from dawn till dusk. After a full day of battles, gazing at the figure still standing tall in the testing ground, even as adversaries, the Spirit Guidance Masters of the Sun Moon Imperial Academy had to concede that Ling Bai's terrifying combat power far exceeded what they could match. The continuous wheel battle had astonishingly failed to force him to manifest his Seraphim or use even a single spirit skill!
"Old Ji, why aren't you going up?"
Jing Ziyan poked Ji Juechen.
"I don't have a sword."
Ji Juechen replied coolly.
Indeed, his Extraterrestrial Meteoric Sword was shattered, and the Class 6 Spirit Sword he'd bought yesterday had broken too. A sword cultivator without a suitable sword fought pointless battles.
Jing Ziyan's eyes darted as she rubbed her aching ribs:
"Fine, if you're not fighting, I won't either!"
"Will the final challenger for today's friendly competition please enter," Lin Jiaran called toward the contestant entrance.
The emerging figure was familiar. Over two meters tall, built like a small mountain with broad shoulders and wide back. His right arm and left leg gleamed with cold, hard metal in the dusky sunlight.
"Surprised?" the figure asked.
"A little."
"HAHAHA!"
The man threw his head back in uproarious laughter. His metallic left leg lifted and stomped down, gouging a massive crater in the solid ground. His voice brimmed with fanaticism:
"Three years ago at the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament, Ma Xiaotao burned away my arm and leg.
No matter! A Spirit Guidance Master's mission is exploration! It's precisely because of Ma Xiaotao that I achieved this glorious evolution, replacing weak flesh with Spirit Guidance Devices!
I, Ma Rulong, have been reborn!"