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The Next Day
Inside the Beast Enclosure, Chen Junting's squad stood at the eastern edge of the designated soul beast forest, guided by an instructor. Each wore a yellow badge—a specialized soul engineering device that wouldn't fall off unless infused with soul power to remove it or trigger a distress signal. Either action meant immediate elimination and extraction by forest supervisors.
"The essentials have been covered by your teachers," the instructor said flatly, scanning the seven students. "For the next two hours, you'll survive by evasion in this forest. Good luck… Begin!"
Simultaneously, identical scenes unfolded at the forest's west, south, and north edges.
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Forest Center
Seven Inner Court students—five men, two women—in crimson uniforms lounged against trees or perched on branches. Their mere presence repelled century-level soul beasts. Their relaxed postures screamed contempt.
Amid idle chatter, slight-framed Yao Haoxuan turned to the imposing Dai Yueheng. "Senior Dai, your brother's in second-year, right?"
"Correct," Dai Yueheng replied, his demonic eyes glinting like blades. A polished smile crossed his lips. "My brother's… unremarkable, but with a soul bone and Ascension Pill, he's become a Soul Ancestor—top three in his year."
"Top three!?" Yao Haoxuan gaped. A Soul Ancestor only ranks third? What's this year's cohort like!?
His outburst drew icy glares. Ling Luochen's frosty aura made him shiver.
"What's with all that noise?"
"Sorry! My bad!" Yao Haoxuan apologized hastily, then shared Dai Yueheng's revelation.
The group was stunned.
"Three Soul Ancestors in second-year?" Gongyang Mo—delicate as a porcelain doll—counted on his fingers, his effeminate mannerisms making others cringe.
"Didn't you know?" Dai Yueheng added, "This year's prodigies include the Seven Kill Sword and Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"Seven Kill Sword!?"
"Nine Treasures Pagoda!?"
Chen Zifeng's eyes blazed with excitement; Gongyang Mo's widened in awe.
"No mistake," Dai Yueheng confirmed, detailing the rumors.
The Inner Court students exchanged uneasy glances. Have we been isolated from the world too long?
Chen Zifeng's hand drifted to his sword hilt. "I'd love to cross blades with that Seven Kill Sword junior. Test the 'World's First sword martial soul' myself."
"Why rush?" Yao Haoxuan waved dismissively. "A Soul Ancestor with a top-tier weapon soul and 10,000-year soul ring will surely make the Team Competition reserve squad."
Silence fell like a guillotine.
Yao Haoxuan paled. "Did I… say something wrong?"
"The main team trials are starting," Xi Xi interjected coldly, her gaze landing on the quiet Wang Lian. "I heard Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire issue is resolved."
"Meaning that woman joins the main team," Ling Luochen muttered, displeased. With only seven main team slots, Ma Xiaotao's entry meant one of them would be cut.
All eyes turned to Wang Lian—the sole Soul Engineering student.
Wang Lian's bitter smile confirmed it: He'd be the one sacrificed.
Dai Yueheng's jaw tightened. Ma Xiaotao's martial soul and cultivation both surpassed his. Her arrival threatened his captaincy.
The tension thickened—until Gongyang Mo broke it with a teasing grin. "Hey, Captain—if I meet your brother, can I… discipline him a bit?"
Dai Yueheng chuckled, pushing his worries aside. "If you've got the skill, go ahead."
Just then—
a voice echoed:
Outer Court students are moving.
"Time to act," Dai Yueheng declared, rising. "Split into four groups: I'll take south. Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo—east. Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan—north. Wang Lian and Xi Xi—west. End this quickly."
"Understood!" ×6
In an instant, the seven scattered like arrows.
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Deep in the Forest
Chen Junting's squad moved like shadows through the undergrowth, leaving no trace.
"Hold."
Chen Junting halted abruptly. His spiritual senses detected two soul power signatures—stronger than his own—approaching.
"Enemies incoming. Hide. Xiao Tian."
At his command, Ning Tian tossed cylindrical soul engineering devices into the foliage. The group vanished into the trees.
Moments later, Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo appeared.
Chen Junting signaled his team. He'd revealed his true plan upon entering the forest—expecting resistance from Dai Huabin.
To his surprise, Dai Huabin had been the first to agree.
Chen Zifeng's sharp eyes swept the area. He'd sensed soul power here… Was it a soul beast?
Then—Gongyang Mo spotted metallic glints on the ground. "Chen Zifeng—watch out!"
The soul engineering devices erupted. Beams of light shot upward, converging into a net—
But Chen Zifeng's body surged with blood-red aura. His eyes turned crimson as he gripped the Soulchasing Sword—a three-foot-six-inch blade with three blood grooves, radiating slaughterous intent.
SWISH—!
A crimson crescent cleaved the light net!
Then—
a haunting flute melody and ticking clockwork echoed. Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo's movements slowed instantly.
Above them, two light points formed prison cages.
"Gongyang Mo!" Chen Zifeng roared. The Soulchasing Sword's tip blazed—two soul rings flared—and the cage shattered.
Meanwhile, Gongyang Mo activated his martial soul: Rainbow Dragon, seven-colored hair, and white dragon scales—a majestic, avian figure.
As he prepared to amplify himself—
golden light rained from above, and a white comet streaked toward him!
Gongyang Mo's eyes widened. He knew that soul skill—it'd humiliated him countless times in training.
Wang Dong and Dai Huabin had struck.
"Gongyang Mo!" Chen Zifeng's fingers flicked. Soulchasing shot forth like a blood-tipped arrow—
CLANG—!
A sword intercepted it, deflecting the blade.
A second sword qi lashed at Chen Zifeng!
Danger!
He dodged sideways, recalling Soulchasing with frantic sword-fingers.
DING DING DING—!
The blades clashed, shockwaves rippling through the forest.
When the swords finally parted, Soulchasing returned to Chen Zifeng's hand.
Bloodlust gleamed in his eyes as he studied the white-haired figure before him—then locked onto the crystalline Seven Kill Sword in Chen Junting's grip.
Calm settled over him. He raised his blade solemnly.
"This sword is named Soulchasing."
Bloodlight flared along its edge.
Chen Junting leveled his sword, equally eager.
"This sword is named Seven Kill."
He'd mastered the Seven Kill's majesty, the Soul-Devouring Carving Knife's ferocity, and the Human-Faced Demon Spider's cruelty.
Now, Soulchasing's carnage offered a new path to enlightenment.
In the next second—
The two swords clashed again!
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