"Nine Treasures manifest in Glazed Tile: First—Speed, Second—Attack, Fourth—Soul!"
Ning Tian cradled the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, its nine-colored radiance flaring as her first, second, and fourth soul rings ignited. Three streams of light surged into Chen Junting.
Simultaneously, Chen Junting activated his own first two amplification soul skills. His power exploded.
SWISH—!
A sword qi cleaved the earth, streaking toward Chen Zifeng.
Chen Zifeng didn't dodge. He unleashed his first two soul skills, and the Soulchasing Sword became a blood-red streak—its tip meeting the sword qi head-on.
BOOM—!
A storm of sword qi erupted from the collision, shredding leaves and branches into dust.
"A pity we can't properly spar," Chen Junting murmured, sensing the Soulchasing Sword's killing intent. His sword hand blurred—dozens of Seven Kill Sword qi enveloped Chen Zifeng.
At the same time, Xiao Xiao and Cao Jinxuan struck.
Invisible soundwaves bypassed Chen Junting, ensnaring Chen Zifeng—slowing his speed, dilating his time.
Above and behind him, three Soul-Sealing Cauldrons materialized. With a thunderous crash, the air within a ten-meter radius warped violently—then slammed toward him!
From Chen Zifeng's flanks, Wang Dong and Dai Huabin—having already subdued Gongyang Mo—attacked in unison. Wang Dong's golden wings hardened into guillotine blades; Dai Huabin's White Tiger Vajra Transformation sprouted razor claws aimed at Chen Zifeng's right arm.
And Ning Tian's 50% attack amplification from the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda crashed onto all three—magnifying their assault to devastating levels.
Chen Zifeng reacted instantly—two crimson sword qi deflected Chen Junting's initial strikes, then he lunged at the weakest point: the three cauldrons.
But this was exactly what Chen Junting's team had planned.
Xiao Xiao's cauldrons had held back. The moment Chen Zifeng struck, she retracted her martial soul—dodging his slash cleanly.
As his momentum faltered—
the three cauldrons merged into one. Under her second soul skill, black ripples surged across its surface—smashing into Chen Zifeng's chest and sword arm.
Trapped.
Four attacks tore through him—blood sprayed, wounds bloomed, and he crumpled.
As he struggled to rise—
SWISH—!
A sword flicked upward—the Soulchasing Sword flew from his grip.
Chen Zifeng looked up to see the Seven Kill Sword wielder holding his martial soul. Chen Junting's left hand pinned the Soulchasing Sword with sword intent, while the Seven Kill Sword's tip pressed against his chest. With a subtle lift, the Inner Court badge spiraled into Ning Tian's palm.
"Senior… you've lost," Chen Junting said calmly.
"Yeah… I lost," Chen Zifeng sighed, still stunned. Beaten by second-years… and Gongyang Mo too?
He glanced aside—
Gongyang Mo was trussed up like a dumpling, badge gone, a Soul Grandmaster's blade at his throat.
If I'd had his amplification, even seven-on-one wouldn't have guaranteed my loss…
Noticing Chen Zifeng's glare, Gongyang Mo adopted an innocent pout. "Zifeng, don't look at me like that! I was ambushed by soul engineering devices! I'm just a support soul master!"
"Ugh—!" Chen Zifeng shuddered. "Stop being disgusting!"
Just then, Chen Junting cleared his throat—drawing both seniors' attention. A sly grin curled his lips.
"Seniors… you wouldn't want to be the only two humiliated when this exam ends, would you?"
The implication hung heavy.
After a stunned glance, both seniors immediately spilled their teammates' positions.
If we're doomed… everyone's doomed.
---
Meanwhile—Deep in the Forest
On a tree branch, Zhao Gang—a tower of muscle—watched the scene unfold. The branch didn't even bend under his weight.
"Those Inner Court students were careless," he mused, shaking his head. "But they fell for soul engineering traps from the start… Maybe soul engineering deserves more respect."
For the first time, he saw soul engineering's true potential.
He dismissed the thought.
"Let's see how far you can go. Hope those Inner Court students drop their arrogance… or they'll be picked off one by one—drowning in a ditch."
---
Elsewhere in the Forest
Five figures sprinted through fallen leaves, no hesitation in their steps.
"Huo Yuhao—how much longer must we circle?!" Wu Feng snapped, sensing the two relentless auras chasing them. Her temper flared—she hated this cat-and-mouse game.
Fifteen minutes ago, their squad had been ambushed by two Inner Court seniors. Even with Huo Yuhao's Spirit Detection, they'd been spotted. Only by leaving Xie Huanyue and another Soul Grandmaster behind as decoys had they escaped—but it felt more like mockery.
After all, one pursuer was an Agility Attack Soul Master.
"We—"
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao's face lit up.
"Found it!"
"Found what? Me?"
A female voice cut through the air ahead. The five froze—just as a bolt of lightning shot before them.
Xi Xi stood there—vertical pupils, dark skin crackling with electricity, eyes predatory as a leopard's.
"You're surrounded."
From behind, rustling leaves heralded Wang Lian, blocking their retreat with a Grade-5 Soul Engineering greatsword.
"No," Huo Yuhao smiled. "You're surrounded."
Xi Xi and Wang Lian tensed—then Wang Lian's eyes widened. "Ah—!"
Xi Xi shrieked as a net of lightning ensnared her. The current locked her muscles—her proud speed rendered useless.
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