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#26
The second round of assessments was filled with a faint smell of blood. Several candidates who had just finished their assessments were slumped in a corner, their faces bruised and battered.
The examiner in charge of the assessment was a lean, middle-aged man who was leaning against a stone pillar with his eyes closed, resting.
"Next," the examiner said lazily, without even lifting his eyelids.
As soon as Chu Xinghe stepped into the venue, the examiner suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy pupils: "Oh? A new face."
He slowly straightened up, his joints cracking. "The rules are simple: hold on to me for three minutes, and I'll do whatever it takes."
A fellow examinee with a bruised and swollen face whispered a warning: "Be careful, this is a Five-Ring Soul King..."
Chu Xinghe's eye twitched. A Soul King as an entrance examiner? This Battle Mad Academy truly lives up to its reputation.
Just as he was preparing to fight.
"Thump!"
A thunderous footstep shook the ground.
The entire venue fell silent instantly, and even the Soul King examiner straightened his back abruptly.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a giant man, as tall as an iron tower, striding towards them, leaving shallow dents on the stone slab with each step.
The knowledgeable candidates gasped in shock: "Dean Zhan... Dean Zhan Tiankuang!"
The name seemed to possess a magical quality, causing the temperature inside the venue to drop several degrees.
Several timid candidates collapsed to the ground, while others trembled uncontrollably.
Chu Xinghe straightened his back and met the imposing figure with burning eyes.
Zhan Tiankuang's aura surged like a raging torrent, but he could clearly feel the Agumon Martial Soul within his body trembling with excitement.
"I'll handle the second round of assessment." Zhan Tiankuang's voice was like sandpaper scraping. He looked around, his gaze finally settling on Chu Xinghe. "Who is Chu Xinghe?"
"Me." Chu Xinghe stepped forward, his voice unusually calm.
A hint of surprise flashed in Zhan Tiankuang's eyes, then he grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth: "Interesting. Come on, attack me."
He stood casually in place. "If you can hold out for three minutes, I'll take you as my disciple. When your soul power reaches level 20, I'll personally guide you to hunt for your second soul ring."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The dean himself providing guidance? This was an incredible opportunity!
Chu Xinghe's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he activated his soul power without hesitation: "Agumon, possess me!"
Orange scales instantly covered his entire body, sharp claws popped out, and yellow spirit rings shone brightly beneath his feet.
He leaned forward slightly, like a cheetah poised to pounce: "Shall we begin?"
Zhan Tiankuang casually waved his hand: "If you can make me bleed, there will be a greater reward."
Before he finished speaking, Chu Xinghe had already shot out like an arrow, his claws aimed straight for the opponent's throat!
Chu Xinghe moved like lightning, his claws wreathed in crimson flames, aiming straight for Zhan Tiankuang's throat!
However--
"Smack!"
Zhan Tiankuang didn't even release his martial spirit; he simply raised one hand and precisely grabbed Chu Xinghe's wrist.
"Good speed, but too weak power." Zhan Tiankuang grinned, his five fingers suddenly tightening!
"Snap!"
The excruciating pain from the dislocated bones made Chu Xinghe groan, but he gritted his teeth and endured it, his left claw suddenly sweeping across, aiming straight for Zhan Tiankuang's side!
"Bang!"
The claw struck Zhan Tiankuang squarely on the side of his waist, but the opponent did not budge!
Zhan Tiankuang's panel wasn't even marked, but Chu Xinghe's claw blades were numb from the recoil.
"Is that all you've got?" Zhan Tiankuang sneered, and with a casual wave of his hand, Chu Xinghe was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing heavily into the stone wall at the edge of the arena.
"Cough!" Chu Xinghe spat out a mouthful of blood, quickly rolled over to his feet, and his fighting spirit intensified.
The difference is too big!
Zhan Tiankuang didn't even use his martial spirit; he overwhelmed him with his physical strength alone.
But Chu Xinghe did not back down; instead, he became even more excited. This was a true powerhouse!
"Again!" Chu Xinghe shouted, his spirit rings shining brightly as he unleashed his first spirit skill, "Crimson Dragon Claw," at full power!
His speed suddenly increased, and his figure flashed around Zhan Tiankuang like a ghost, his claws constantly striking the opponent's joints, throat, waist and abdomen.
"Bang bang bang bang!"
After a series of muffled thuds, Zhan Tiankuang was still unharmed, and even leisurely yawned: "Tickle up?"
Chu Xinghe's forehead was covered in cold sweat, but he did not stop. Instead, he attacked even more frantically.
Three minutes have passed, and half of them are already gone!
Zhan Tiankuang seemed to have gotten tired of playing and suddenly grinned, "My turn."
He took a sudden step forward, and the ground exploded with a deafening roar!
With just one step, his figure appeared in front of Chu Xinghe as if by teleportation, and he threw a punch!
"boom!"
Chu Xinghe hastily raised his arms to block, but was still blasted dozens of meters away by the punch, his arm bones almost shattered!
"Pfft!" He spat out a mouthful of blood, knelt on the ground, and his whole body was trembling.
"Are you admitting defeat?" Zhan Tiankuang looked down at him.
Chu Xinghe slowly raised his head, a maniacal smile spreading across his blood-stained lips: "It's still early!"
Now!
His soul power suddenly surged, and the Agumon martial soul emitted a deafening dragon roar!
[Host detected to be nearing its limit]
[Martial Soul Compatibility Breakthrough Threshold]
[Temporary ability "Dragon's Wrath" activated!]
"roar--!"
Chu Xinghe's pupils suddenly turned into vertical pupils, his scales gleamed with a metallic sheen, and his claws doubled in size! His aura surged instantly, even subtly suppressing the surrounding air!
Zhan Tiankuang finally showed a hint of surprise: "Oh?"
Chu Xinghe didn't waste any words, and his figure vanished instantly!
"Whoosh!"
A streak of orange-gold afterimage flashed by, and suddenly a spray of blood splattered from Zhan Tiankuang's chest!
"What?!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
Zhan Tiankuang looked down at the three bloody gashes on his chest, and a fighting spirit finally ignited in his eyes: "Good lad!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Zhan Tiankuang said "good" three times in a row, his voice like thunder. "It's been so many years since I've been injured by a single Soul Master!"
Chu Xinghe knelt on the ground, panting heavily.
The "Dragon's Wrath" state had subsided, and a strong sense of weakness swept over his body, but his eyes remained bright.
"Chu Xinghe..." Zhan Tiankuang grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, "From today onwards, you are my personal disciple, Zhan Tiankuang's disciple!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar!
The surrounding examinees stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief. The dean of the Battle Madness Academy, Zhan Tiankuang, a level 68 Soul Emperor, had actually accepted a freshman who had just passed the assessment as his personal disciple?!
Chu Xinghe was also taken aback, but quickly recovered, forced himself to stand up, and solemnly bowed: "Disciple greets Master!"
"Hahaha!" Zhan Tiankuang laughed loudly, slapping Chu Xinghe's shoulder heavily with his large, fan-like hand, almost knocking him over. "That's straightforward! I like your temper!"
As he spoke, he took off an antique silver ring from his waist and casually tossed it to Chu Xinghe: "Here, a little something to mark our meeting!"
Chu Xinghe took the ring; it was icy cold to the touch. The ring face was engraved with intricate patterns, and faint fluctuations of soul power flowed around it.
"This is..."
"A storage soul tool, ten cubic meters," Zhan Tiankuang said casually. "Enough for storing miscellaneous things."
Chu Xinghe's heart skipped a beat.
Storage soul tools are incredibly valuable on the market. Even the most basic model is worth at least several thousand gold soul coins, and they are extremely rare and difficult to find.
Zhan Tiankuang casually gave him a ten-cubic-meter one; this was quite a generous gift!
"Thank you, teacher!" Chu Xinghe solemnly put the ring on his finger. With a slight sensing of his soul power, he "saw" a space about the size of a small room, empty and waiting to be filled.
Zhan Tiankuang's loud laughter still echoed across the training ground when he turned and strode away.
As he reached the edge of the field, he suddenly stopped and shouted without turning around:
"Zhao Tiezhu! Get over here and take my newly accepted disciple to his dormitory!"
Before the words were even finished, a burly man, as tall as an iron tower, squeezed out from the crowd of onlookers.
This person was about fifteen or sixteen years old and nearly two meters tall.
"Coming, coming!" Zhao Tiezhu jogged up to Zhan Tiankuang, a smile plastered on his face. "Dean, I've been watching from the sidelines the whole time..."
Zhan Tiankuang slapped him on the back of the head, making a crisp "smack": "Enough nonsense! Take him to room number seven of the Xuan section and explain all the rules to him!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Zhao Tiezhu rubbed his head, and when he turned to look at Chu Xinghe, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Wow, you're quite something, actually managing to stay in a Xuan-class room?"
As he spoke, he warmly put his arm around Chu Xinghe's shoulder: "Come on, let me show you your new place. By the way, my name is Zhao Tiezhu, I'm a fourth-year student at the War Maniac Academy, and my martial soul is the Ironclad Rhinoceros."
Chu Xinghe was a little stunned by the sudden enthusiasm, but he still politely introduced himself.
As the two walked across the training ground, the surrounding trainees cast envious or jealous glances at them.
"Ignore them." Zhao Tiezhu waved his hand dismissively. "These guys are just jealous that you get to live in a Xuan-level room. You know, our academy dormitories are divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Yellow. Xuan-level rooms are reserved for elite students."
Chu Xinghe then realized that his performance in the assessment had earned him special treatment.
He touched the storage soul tool in his arms, and his approval of Zhan Tiankuang grew even more.
"We're here!" Zhao Tiezhu stopped in front of a gray stone building and pointed to a window on the third floor. "That's your room. Come on, let me show you the way."
In the stairwell, Zhao Tiezhu went on and on about the college's rules: "Lights out at 10 p.m., morning exercises at 6 a.m., you have to be quick to grab food in the cafeteria, and hot water in the showers is limited..."
Suddenly, he lowered his voice, "Most importantly, whatever you do, don't provoke those monsters in the top-tier rooms..."
Chu Xinghe silently kept all of this in his heart.
Surprisingly, the dormitory was much more spacious than I had imagined.
In a room of about twenty square meters, a hard wooden bed was placed against the wall, covered with brand-new gray bedding.
Near the window was a desk, on which sat an oil lamp and several books on basic Soul Master theory.
"This treatment..." Chu Xinghe couldn't help but touch his nose, "It seems that the assessment results are indeed useful."
He walked to the window and opened it.
From here, you can overlook most of the training ground, where trainees are still practicing. The distant forest appears particularly deep and secluded in the twilight.
The night breeze brushed against my cheek, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.
"Oh, right." Zhao Tiezhu suddenly remembered something and pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket. "This is the academy's rule. You must read it tonight. Tomorrow morning at six o'clock sharp, be at the central square. If you're late..."
He made a throat-slitting gesture. "The punishment at the War Maniac Academy is not as simple as running a few laps."
Chu Xinghe took the parchment, which was covered with dense writing of the academy rules.
The first one is marked in red:
Private fights are prohibited, except for deathmatches in the ring.
"Interesting." Chu Xinghe's lips curled up slightly.
This blatant rule of the strong ruling the roost suits his taste perfectly.
After seeing his senior off, Chu Xinghe quickly packed his luggage.
As night deepened, the light from the oil lamp cast swaying shadows on the wall.
Chu Xinghe sat cross-legged on the bed and began his daily soul power cultivation.
Today's battle with Zhan Tiankuang benefited him greatly, especially the surging power he felt in the "Dragon's Fury" state, which deepened his understanding of martial spirits.
"Agumon…" he whispered, and the phantom of a small orange dinosaur appeared in his palm. "We can become even stronger."
The phantom of Agumon rubbed against his fingers, its eyes flashing with the same fighting spirit.
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#27
Chapter 27 The Blood-Boiling Battle Frenzy Academy
At 5:50 a.m., Chu Xinghe was already standing in the central square.
The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but a number of students had already gathered in the square. Everyone stood up straight, even their breathing was deliberately light, and no one dared to slack off on Zhan Tiankuang's territory.
At exactly six o'clock, the dull thud of combat boots hitting the ground came from afar.
Zhan Tiankuang's towering figure appeared on the high platform. He didn't even need an amplifying soul tool; his voice boomed in everyone's ears like muffled thunder.
"Listen up, all of you! There's only one rule at War Maniac Academy—"
The entire room fell silent.
"We don't cause trouble, but we're not afraid of trouble either!" Zhan Tiankuang's eyes swept over every student below the stage. "I don't care about matches between students of the same level, but if anyone dares to bully the weak..."
He grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth, "Come find me, I'll personally back you up!"
The speech was surprisingly short, lasting less than a minute.
After Zhan Tiankuang finished speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Dismissed! Eat if you're going to eat, train if you're going to train!"
The trainees felt as if they had been granted a pardon and dispersed in twos and threes.
Just as Chu Xinghe was about to leave, a familiar loud voice came from behind him:
"Brother Xinghe! Over here!"
Zhao Tiezhu pushed through the crowd like a moving mountain and enthusiastically put his arm around Chu Xinghe's shoulder: "Come on, let me take you to try our college's special breakfast!"
"Good morning, Brother Zhao," Chu Xinghe greeted with a smile.
It's truly a lucky thing to meet a kind-hearted senior in an unfamiliar environment.
As for his dean teacher... Chu Xinghe glanced at Zhan Tiankuang, who had already walked away, and thought that this big shot probably didn't have time to deal with such trivial matters.
The cafeteria was more lively than I had imagined.
Dozens of long tables were set up in the spacious hall, and the air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat and porridge.
The most eye-catching item is the "Soul Beast Meat Special Window" on the right. A wooden sign hangs on the window, which reads: "Ten-Year Wind Blade Wolf Meat, 2 Silver Soul Coins/Serving".
"The food at our academy is the best in Hope City!" Zhao Tiezhu proudly introduced, picking up two large plates as he went. "Don't let the cheap price fool you, this is all genuine soul beast meat, which is very beneficial for cultivation!"
Chu Xinghe ordered a serving of Windblade Wolf Meat and two large bowls of wheat porridge. Just as he was thinking that he had a big appetite, he turned his head and saw that Zhao Tiezhu's plate was piled with a small mountain of food: a palm-sized wolf steak, five boiled eggs, two bowls of meat porridge, and a whole loaf of black bread.
"Brother Zhao... what's wrong?"
"Hehe, the Ironclad Rhinoceros Martial Soul consumes a lot of energy." Zhao Tiezhu scratched his head sheepishly. "I have to spend two gold soul coins on food every month."
After finishing his meal, Zhao Tiezhu patted his bulging belly contentedly and let out a satisfied burp. "Come on, let me show you the way!"
He put his arm around Chu Xinghe's shoulder and led the newly enrolled junior on a tour of the college.
"Let's go to the teaching building first and familiarize ourselves with the way," Zhao Tiezhu explained as they walked. "Although there are no classes today, starting tomorrow..."
He suddenly lowered his voice and leaned closer mysteriously, "Classes start promptly at eight o'clock every morning. The head of student affairs hates students who are late. Last time, some unlucky guy was punished by running twenty laps around the track and ended up being carried to the treatment room."
Chu Xinghe raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, his gaze sweeping over the students scattered across the square.
Most of them wore the same light blue school uniform with badges of different colors pinned to their chests.
"We're here!" Zhao Tiezhu suddenly stopped and pointed to a magnificent gray building in the distance.
The five-story teaching building is laid out in the shape of the Chinese character "回" (hui), and portraits of outstanding students from past generations are hung in the corridors on each floor.
"Don't underestimate us just because we're an intermediate academy." Zhao Tiezhu proudly puffed out his chest. "These facilities were all built to the standards of advanced academies. This teaching building alone cost the academy three years' worth of budget."
Just as the two were about to leave, a deafening cheer suddenly erupted in the distance.
Zhao Tiezhu's eyes lit up, and he excitedly grabbed Chu Xinghe's sleeve: "Come on! I'll show you the essence of the Battle Maniac Academy!"
As the distance closed, the fluctuations of soul energy in the air became increasingly intense.
After turning the last bend, more than ten circular arenas, each about ten meters in diameter, came into view.
Each arena was surrounded by cheering students, and the dazzling lights of the soul skills intertwined above the arena.
"This is the real Battle Maniac Academy!" Zhao Tiezhu rubbed his hands excitedly, pointing to an ongoing battle, "Look at that girl with long black hair! Last month she won twelve consecutive matches and was promoted directly from the Earth-level dormitory to the Heaven-level."
On the stage, a petite girl dodged her opponent's attacks like a ghost. Her hands had transformed into sharp cat claws, each strike accompanied by a whooshing sound.
Chu Xinghe noticed that a teacher in a dark blue uniform was standing at the edge of each ring, intently recording the competition data.
"There are professional referees?"
"Of course." Zhao Tiezhu lowered his voice. "Every match will be recorded in your personal file. If you win enough matches, you can not only upgrade your dormitory, but also get extra cultivation resources."
He looked at the girl with envy, "I heard that the training rooms in the Heavenly-level dormitories offer extra meal allowances every month..."
Leaving the bustling Soul Arena, the two arrived in front of a white building.
The three large, gilded characters "Treatment Room" at the entrance gleamed in the sunlight, and the air was filled with the bitter scent of herbs.
"Our college has a unique feature," Zhao Tiezhu said mysteriously in a low voice, "that the number of free treatments is allocated according to the dormitory level. I live in the prefecture-level dormitory, so I get three treatments a month."
Seeing Chu Xinghe's puzzled expression, he added, "New students are pre-selected as Yellow-level, and can enjoy one free treatment per month, but..."
He winked slyly, "When the cafeteria ladies serve food to students in dormitories at the prefecture level or above, they always give them two extra pieces of meat."
Chu Xinghe couldn't help but smile; this senior's obsession with food was truly admirable.
"That's the mimicry training ground over there." Zhao Tiezhu pointed to several hemispherical light shields in the distance, their surfaces crackling with electricity. "The effect is so-so, unless you have a specific attribute. I occasionally go there to practice my defense in the gravity field; do you want to give it a try?"
Chu Xinghe shook his head: "I'd rather go to the library."
"Bookworm!" Zhao Tiezhu laughed and patted him on the back, but still turned around and led the way. "But it's good, the more you know about spirit beasts, the less you'll suffer when hunting spirit rings. Last time I almost died because I mistook a spirit beast for another one."
The library is a three-story Gothic building with ivy climbing its rustic stone walls.
As you push open the door, a rich aroma of ink wafts out. Sunlight streams through the stained-glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor.
"The Hundred-Year Soul Beast Illustrated Guide, The Principle of Soul Ring Matching..." Chu Xinghe's slender fingers lightly traced the spine of the book, then suddenly stopped in front of a thick tome, "The Complete Book of Rare Martial Souls on the Continent? They even have this."
"Don't be fooled by how quiet it is now." Zhao Tiezhu leaned against the oak bookshelf. "It's packed here before the final exams. Last year, I stayed up for three nights in a row here to pass the Soul Beast Knowledge Exam."
He made an exaggerated fainting motion, saying, "I almost lost my life."
As they walked out of the library, Chu Xinghe suddenly asked, "Does the academy allow students to go to the Great Soul Arena?"
Zhao Tiezhu's smile froze instantly: "You...you want to go?"
Chu Xinghe nodded calmly: "I heard that it's a real life-or-death struggle there."
"That was too dangerous!" Zhao Tiezhu became unusually serious, tearing open his shirt to reveal a hideous scar on his chest. "I went there once last year when I was level 17, and this is the first time."
He gestured, "I was in bed for half a month."
Seeing Chu Xinghe remain silent, he sighed, "Alright, once you reach level fifteen, I'll go with you to check out the outer areas. Until then..."
He suddenly grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, "Let's beat all these guys in the academy down first!"
"Okay." Chu Xinghe nodded solemnly. "It's a deal."
Zhao Tiezhu patted his shoulder with satisfaction and magically pulled a meat bun from his pocket: "Eat up, and I'll take you to a nice place after you finish."
Ten minutes later, the two stood on an open space behind the academy.
The view from here is excellent, offering a panoramic view of the entire college.
The sunlight gilded the reddish-brown roof with a golden edge, and the soul skills shimmering on the fighting arena shone as brightly as stars.
"I often come here to cultivate." Zhao Tiezhu sat down cross-legged, his voice unusually gentle. "It's quiet, no one can disturb me, and I can see the whole academy."
He gazed into the distance, his eyes growing deep. "The Battle Maniac Academy may not be the most luxurious, but it is definitely the most suitable place for us battle maniacs."
Chu Xinghe gazed down at the well-arranged buildings, the students walking in twos and threes, and the energy shield circulating in the simulated training ground.
A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying the aroma of food from the distant cafeteria.
"Thank you, Brother Zhao," Chu Xinghe said sincerely.
"No need to thank me!" Zhao Tiezhu jumped up and stretched. "Come on, it's time for dinner. There's plenty of braised pork today!"
On the way down the mountain, Zhao Tiezhu suddenly stopped: "Xinghe, why did you choose the Battle Maniac Academy?"
Chu Xinghe paused slightly, his gaze drifting to the distant scenery: "Because this place only believes in one thing—"
He turned to look at Zhao Tiezhu, his eyes flashing with determination, "Strength is the foundation."
Zhao Tiezhu was taken aback at first, then burst into a hearty laugh: "Well said! This is what people from our War Maniac Academy should be like!"
The two men's laughter startled a flock of birds in the woods, which flapped their wings and flew into the azure sky.
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#28
Chapter 28 Combat Tutorial
The midday sun shone directly on the sandy ground of the training field, sending up waves of heat.
Chu Xinghe stood alone in the center of the field, his school uniform soaked with sweat.
On his second day of school, the morning's martial spirit theory class had just ended, but he was already eager to improve his practical combat skills.
"One hundred and seven, one hundred and eight..."
Chu Xinghe gritted his teeth and completed the last set of boxing moves, his arm muscles trembling slightly from overuse.
Suddenly, footsteps came from behind.
"Your method of exerting force is completely wrong."
The deep, resonant voice made Chu Xinghe turn around abruptly.
Zhan Tiankuang's figure, as imposing as a mountain, had somehow already appeared at the edge of the training ground.
He was dressed in simple black training clothes, and the bronze panel gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sunlight.
"Dean...Dean!" Chu Xinghe hurriedly bowed.
Zhan Tiankuang glared at him. "What did you call me?"
Chu Xinghe suddenly remembered that Zhan Tiankuang had already accepted him as a disciple when he enrolled, so he quickly changed his address and said, "Hello, teacher!"
Zhan Tiankuang strode over, leaving almost no footprints on the sand, a testament to his precise control over his strength.
He reached out and touched Chu Xinghe's shoulder muscles, his brows immediately furrowing: "Too stiff. Beast Martial Souls aren't for using power in a stiff manner."
Before Chu Xinghe could respond, Zhan Tiankuang suddenly stepped forward and his right fist flashed straight at Chu Xinghe's chest.
"Bang!"
Chu Xinghe hastily raised his arms and barely managed to block the attack, but he was still shaken and staggered back three steps. His forearms were burning hot, as if they had been branded with a hot iron.
"Do you see the problem?" Zhan Tiankuang stood up, retracting his fist. "You used all your strength, yet you couldn't even catch my most ordinary punch."
Chu Xinghe looked down at his trembling arm and suddenly realized something: "My power... wasn't being transmitted properly?"
A hint of approval flashed in Zhan Tiankuang's eyes: "Not too stupid. Now, release your martial spirit."
Chu Xinghe took a deep breath, and his soul power began to surge: "Agumon, possess me!"
A crimson light burst forth from his body, and his arms were instantly covered with orange dragon scales, with sharp claws extending from his fingertips.
A bright yellow spirit ring appeared beneath his feet, radiating a scorching aura.
"First Soul Skill, Crimson Dragon Claw!"
Blazing flames coiled around his arms, outlining a massive phantom of a dragon's claw in the air.
The temperature in the training field suddenly rose, and the surrounding air became distorted due to the high temperature.
Zhan Tiankuang assumed a fighting stance. "Now, attack!"
Chu Xinghe charged forward without hesitation, his burning dragon claws tearing through the air. Just as the claws were about to touch the panel, a hand chop precisely struck the inside of his wrist.
"Ah!" The intense pain caused the flames to instantly dissipate.
Chu Xinghe was shocked to discover that Zhan Tiankuang hadn't even used his soul power.
"Your power is like loose sand." Zhan Tiankuang grabbed his wrist. "Watch closely, this is how true power should be transmitted..."
Zhan Tiankuang's rough fingers traced the muscle lines of Chu Xinghe's arm: "Starting from the heel..." His fingers touched his ankle, "passing through the waist and hips..." His palm pressed on his lower back, "transferring to the shoulders..." His fingertips traced the shoulder blades, "finally converging here." Finally stopping at the tip of his claw.
Chu Xinghe suddenly realized that he had spread his strength across his entire arm, like trying to swat a mosquito with his whole palm instead of using a single finger to precisely prick it.
"Again." Zhan Tiankuang took three steps back and assumed a defensive stance.
This time, Chu Xinghe closed his eyes and felt the flow of power within his body.
Power comes from the heels, the waist and hips twist, the shoulders lead the movement, and finally all the power converges at the toes.
"boom!"
The crimson dragon claws sliced through the air, producing a loud bang.
Although Zhan Tiankuang easily dodged the attack, the force of the wind caused his black hair to flutter slightly.
"That's getting interesting," Zhan Tiankuang nodded, "but it's still far from enough."
Over the next two hours, Zhan Tiankuang used various methods to help Chu Xinghe experience the transmission of power, make him feel the force exerted by his feet, poke his lower back with a wooden stick to remind him to rotate his hips, and even have him practice concentrating his power by chopping ironwood stakes with his bare hands.
"Remember, the advantage of a Beast Martial Soul lies in physical coordination." Zhan Tiankuang looked at Chu Xinghe, who was sweating profusely. "Every muscle in your body should be a channel for power, not an obstacle."
When Chu Xinghe successfully left clear claw marks on the ironwood stake for the tenth time, Zhan Tiankuang finally called a halt: "Rest for five minutes, then proceed to the next stage."
Chu Xinghe tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of water, feeling the cool liquid slide down his burning throat.
His arms were aching, but his eyes were brighter than ever.
"Are you ready?" Zhan Tiankuang's voice came. "Now I'll teach you how to master the rhythm of soul skills."
Chu Xinghe immediately straightened up: "Please enlighten me, teacher!"
Zhan Tiankuang did not attack immediately, but slowly paced around Chu Xinghe: "Tell me, how do you usually decide when to release your soul skills?"
"When...when I feel I can hit my opponent?" Chu Xinghe answered uncertainly.
Zhan Tiankuang suddenly laughed, a laugh that sent a chill down Chu Xinghe's spine: "So you were sleeping through your theory class this morning? Soul skills consume precious soul power, they can't be used casually just by 'feeling' about them."
He suddenly accelerated, his figure flashing like a ghost to Chu Xinghe's left side: "Watch my shoulder."
Chu Xinghe subconsciously turned his head, only to see Zhan Tiankuang's right fist coming from the completely opposite direction.
"Bang!"
The punch landed squarely on Chu Xinghe's abdomen, almost knocking him to his knees.
"You looked at it, but you didn't understand it." Zhan Tiankuang looked down at him. "Try again."
The training that followed was brutal.
Zhan Tiankuang attacked Chu Xinghe in various ways while constantly reminding him to observe the details.
The tilt of the shoulders foreshadows the punching path, the direction of the toes indicates the movement trajectory, and even the rhythm of breathing can reveal the intention of the attack.
"Now, unleash your soul skill!" Zhan Tiankuang suddenly commanded after being knocked down for the seventh time.
Despite the pain, Chu Xinghe unleashed the Crimson Dragon Claw the instant Zhan Tiankuang shifted his weight.
This time, the Crimson Dragon Claw finally grazed Zhan Tiankuang's clothes, leaving a scorch mark on them.
"Not bad." Zhan Tiankuang looked at the torn hem of his clothes. "Remember, you must release your soul skill at the moment when your opponent has no chance to change their move."
He pointed to his eyes. "It's not judged by these."
Then he moved his fingers to his temples, saying, "But you should use this."
Chu Xinghe suddenly realized that the true rhythm of combat does not rely on reaction, but on prediction.
The sun was already setting in the west, casting long shadows across the training ground.
Chu Xinghe was soaked to the bone and breathing heavily, but he was unusually excited.
"The last item." Zhan Tiankuang suddenly unbuttoned the collar of his training clothes. "I'll show you the true form of a Beast Martial Soul."
With a low roar, Zhan Tiankuang's body began to swell.
Crimson fur emerged from beneath the panel, its hands transformed into enormous bear paws, and a phantom of a giant bear engulfed in flames appeared behind it.
Six spirit rings rose from beneath his feet, radiating a suffocating pressure.
"Blazing Demon Bear..." Chu Xinghe murmured. This was the first time he had ever seen a Soul Emperor-level expert possess a martial soul.
Zhan Tiankuang's voice became low and hoarse: "Beast Martial Soul is not a simple physical enhancement, but a perfect combination of wildness and wisdom."
He suddenly pounced, several times faster than before.
Chu Xinghe instinctively tried to dodge, but found that his body could not move, which was the suppression caused by the difference in soul power level.
The giant hand stopped an inch from his throat, the force of the wind ruffling Chu Xinghe's hair.
"Humans learn skills, while spirit beasts rely on instinct." Zhan Tiankuang withdrew his spirit possession and returned to human form. "And beast spirit masters..."
He looked directly into Chu Xinghe's eyes. "You must possess both."
Chu Xinghe suddenly understood Zhan Tiankuang's meaning. His previous training had focused too much on technique and neglected the wildness of the Agumon Martial Soul itself.
"One last time." Zhan Tiankuang took ten steps back. "Attack with everything you've learned."
Chu Xinghe closed his eyes, no longer consciously controlling his every movement.
He felt the surging soul power within him, letting Agumon's instincts guide him.
Power comes from the heels, the waist and hips twist, and the shoulders lead the attack. But this time, the flames are no longer just decorations added to the attack, but have become part of the power.
"roar!"
A roar that didn't sound human burst from Chu Xinghe's throat.
The crimson dragon claw tore through the air, the flames and physical power perfectly merging, drawing a dazzling arc of fire in the sky.
Zhan Tiankuang finally got serious, crossing his arms to block.
With a loud "boom," he was thrown back half a step, and a shallow crater was blasted open in the sand beneath his feet.
A brief silence fell over the training ground.
"Very good." Zhan Tiankuang lowered his slightly reddened arm. "That's all for today."
Chu Xinghe slumped to the ground, his soul power almost exhausted, but his face was filled with unprecedented excitement.
Zhan Tiankuang turned to leave, but stopped at the edge of the training field: "Continue at the same time tomorrow."
Watching Zhan Tiankuang's departing figure, Chu Xinghe clenched his still burning fists.
Under the shade of trees by the training ground, several passing trainees stared in disbelief at the scene.
Dean Zhan Tiankuang not only personally guided a freshman, but was also forced to take a half step back by the shock?
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#29
Chapter 29 First Battle on the Battle Arena
Ten days later, at the registration office of the Soul Battle Arena.
After ten days of grueling training, Chu Xinghe could clearly feel the surging power within his body.
He clenched his fist, his knuckles making a crisp cracking sound; it was time to test the results of his training.
"Name, Soul Power Level." The teacher at the registration desk mechanically repeated the same words hundreds of times a day, without even looking up.
"Chu Xinghe, Level 13, Martial Soul: Agumon." The clear voice stood out in the noisy registration area, attracting the attention of several students filling out forms nearby.
A girl with a high ponytail curled her lip and said, "Another freshman who doesn't know what's good for him."
The registration teacher finally looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "You dare to come to the Soul Arena less than a month after enrolling?"
He pushed a dark red crystal towards him. "Soul-testing stone, put your hand on it."
As soon as Chu Xinghe's palm touched the surface of the crystal, a crimson light danced in the core of the stone like an awakening flame, eventually settling steadily on the thirteenth mark.
"That's honest enough." Teacher Zhou raised an eyebrow and casually pointed to the bronze notice board next to him. "You can see the rules for yourself."
[Rules of the Battle Arena at the War Frenzy Academy:]
I. Base Match Points:
A win in the same category grants +10 points, a loss deducts no points.
For each level higher, add 5 points (e.g., a level 12 player beats a level 14 player = 10 + 5 × 2 = 20 points).
Each level lower reduces the score by 5 points (e.g., a level 14 player beats a level 12 player = 10 - 5 × 2 = 0 points).
Challenges within three levels of soul power difference will result in a -10-point deduction.
II. Special Rewards:
Winning a match three levels above you grants you an extra 10 points.
After a ten-game winning streak, each additional win earns +5 points (maximum 50 points per game).
III. Uses of Points:
A score of 100 is required to move into a Xuan-level dormitory.
200 points can get you a room in a prefecture-level dormitory.
500 points qualify you for a top-tier dormitory.
Upon graduation, you can apply for assistance in hunting spirit rings based on your points (100 points = Spirit Master, 200 points = Spirit Grandmaster, 500 points = Spirit King, 1000 points = Spirit Emperor (the Dean will personally assist)).
Chu Xinghe's gaze lingered on "Soul Ring Assistance in Hunting".
Recalling the scene when Zhan Tiankuang promised to help him hunt for soul rings when he took on a disciple, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
It turns out that every student can ask the dean for help, provided they can accumulate enough of the unattainable 1,000 Soul Arena points.
"Have you seen enough?" The registration teacher tapped on the table. "What level would you like to challenge?"
Just as Chu Xinghe was about to answer, a commotion suddenly broke out at the registration area.
The crowd parted like waves cleaved by a sword, automatically making way for them.
Three trainees wearing silver badges strode in arrogantly, the sound of their boots hitting the wooden floor as dull as war drums.
"Teacher Zhou, assign me someone with a soul power level below fifteen," the blue-clad youth at the head of the group said arrogantly.
The silver badge on his chest gleamed with a cold light, the two small characters "Mysterious Level" particularly glaring.
At the War Maniac Academy, dormitory level symbolizes the student's strength and glory.
The dormitories are divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow, with corresponding badges of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond, respectively.
Teacher Zhou frowned: "Luo Lie, you just beat Wang Lei, who has a soul power of level fourteen, so badly that he couldn't get out of bed for three days yesterday."
"Wouldn't that save you from having to register every day?" The boy in blue grinned, then suddenly noticed Chu Xinghe next to him. "Oh, a new face."
He reached out to put his hand on Chu Xinghe's shoulder, "Junior, do you need a few pointers from your senior?"
Chu Xinghe's shoulders slumped slightly as he skillfully avoided Luo Lie's hand: "No need for that."
"He's got a temper." Luo Lie narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the markings on the Soul Testing Stone, and suddenly laughed out loud, "Level thirteen? Teacher Zhou, he's the one."
Teacher Zhou turned to Chu Xinghe: "According to the school rules, those below level three cannot refuse a challenge. You either accept the challenge or have ten points deducted as punishment."
The atmosphere at the registration desk suddenly froze.
Chu Xinghe saw Zhao Tiezhu shaking his head frantically in the crowd, and the whispers around him reached his ears:
"Luo Lie specifically challenges students with lower soul power levels than him to rack up points..."
"This freshman is in for a rough time..."
The images of the ten-day intensive training flashed through my mind, and all the instructions on power transmission and the key points on how flames and muscles work together to exert force came to mind at this moment.
The moment those three words were uttered, the entire registration area fell silent.
Teacher Zhou sighed and began recording the registration information in the register: [2:30 PM, Arena No. 3, Luo Lie (Level 15 Crimson Flame Tiger Martial Soul) VS Chu Xinghe (Level 13 Agumon Martial Soul), Bets: None].
As Chu Xinghe turned to walk towards the preparation area, he heard Luo Lie chuckle behind him: "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're lying down when you enter the treatment room."
Zhao Tiezhu followed and warned, "This guy only bullies freshmen... Be careful of his soul skill 'Tiger's Roar,' which can briefly stun opponents."
...
The midday sun scorched the bluestone ground of the Soul Arena, and the rising heat distorted the air.
Chu Xinghe stood at the edge of the third arena, his ears filled with the cheers and jeers from the audience.
He gently moved his wrists, feeling the scorching power of the Agumon Martial Soul flowing through his blood.
"Now entering the arena is—" the referee's deep voice echoed in the air, "Luo Lie from the Xuan-level dormitory, a level 15 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Master, with the Martial Soul Crimson Flame Tiger!"
On the other side of the ring, Luo Lie nimbly flipped onto the high platform, the silver badge on his chest gleaming in the sunlight.
He deliberately made an exaggerated bowing gesture, which drew cheers from the audience.
"And his opponent is a freshman who has only been enrolled for ten days—" The referee's tone suddenly became subtle, "Chu Xinghe, a level 13 power attack type battle spirit master, with the spirit Agumon!"
The burst of laughter instantly drowned out the rest of the sentence.
Chu Xinghe saw several Xuan-level students in the stands pointing and whispering at him. One girl with a high ponytail even shouted, "Luo Lie, finish him off in three moves!"
"Both sides, get ready!" The referee raised his right hand. "The match begins!"
As soon as they finished speaking, the two of them simultaneously completed the Martial Soul Possession.
Luo Lie's body swelled slightly, and crimson tiger stripes appeared on the exposed panels. Sharp claw blades extended from his fingertips, and his whole body radiated a scorching aura.
As a level 15 offensive-type Soul Master, the Crimson Tiger Martial Soul grants him extremely strong explosive power.
Chu Xinghe's transformation was more subtle. Fine dragon scales quietly covered his arms, his fingernails transformed into sharp claws, and most strikingly, his pupils turned into vertical beast eyes, gleaming with a faint golden light in the sunlight.
Luo Lie launched the first attack, his figure shooting out like an arrow, his right claw carrying a scorching wave of air aimed straight at Chu Xinghe's face.
Chu Xinghe calmly dodged to the side, but was knocked back two steps while blocking.
He deliberately held back his strength, wanting to figure out his opponent's tactics first.
"Is that all you've got?" Luo Lie sneered, his attacks becoming even more ferocious.
Each swing of his tiger claws unleashed a blazing wave of fire, distorting the air around the arena.
Boos came from the audience:
"Freshmen are just no good!"
"Luo Lie, finish him off in three moves!"
Chu Xinghe ignored him, focusing intently on observing his opponent's every move.
Zhan Tiankuang's teachings echoed in his mind: "Observe your opponent's shoulders and hips; the real attack intentions are hidden there."
When Luo Lie pounced again, Chu Xinghe suddenly changed his move.
He exerted force with his heels, twisting his waist like a spring, and unleashed a slash at an odd angle with his Crimson Dragon Claw.
This time, he compressed all the flames into the tip of his claws, no longer recklessly squandering his soul power as before.
"Sizzle—"
Luo Lie's robe was torn in three charred rips at the ribs, and tiny beads of blood seeped from the panel.
He staggered backward, his face filled with disbelief: "You...!"
"It's all thanks to my teacher's excellent teaching," Chu Xinghe said calmly, a glint of fire flashing in his vertical pupils.
Enraged, Luo Lie finally unleashed his first soul skill, "Tiger's Roar," as the sound waves swept in accompanied by raging flames.
Chu Xinghe was prepared. He crossed his arms and formed a fiery barrier in front of him with his soul power.
Although he was knocked back several steps, he was not seriously injured.
Seizing the moment when Luo Lie finished his attack, Chu Xinghe suddenly accelerated.
His right fist, wreathed in highly compressed flames, struck Luo Lie's chin at a perfect angle.
"Bang!"
Luo Lie collapsed to the ground with a thud, his eyes rolling back in his head.
The referee immediately stepped forward to inspect the match, then loudly announced, "The match is over! Chu Xinghe wins!"
An uproar erupted in the audience.
No one expected that this freshman, who had only been enrolled for ten days, would be able to defeat the students in the Xuan-level dormitory so cleanly and decisively.
The referee gave Chu Xinghe a deep look and wrote in the notebook: "Chu Xinghe from the Xuan-level dormitory wins, Battle Arena points +20."
The noise on the fighting arena gradually subsided, but the discussions in the audience grew even more heated.
Chu Xinghe patted non-existent dust off his school uniform and was about to leave the arena when he suddenly heard a gasp from the audience.
"I remember now! I saw him at the training ground the day before yesterday afternoon!" A tall, thin student suddenly stood up, pointed at Chu Xinghe, and shouted, "It was Dean Zhan Tiankuang personally training him!"
This statement, like a stone thrown into calm water, instantly stirred up a thousand ripples.
"What? The dean is personally training them?"
"No wonder he was able to defeat Luo Lie despite being of a higher level..."
"Who is this kid? How come he can get the dean to personally give him pointers?"
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#30
Chapter 30 Night Talk
Chu Xinghe felt countless gazes, some surprised and some envious, falling on him.
"Hey kid!" A freckled boy squeezed to the edge of the ring, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "How did the dean train you? I heard that the worst students he trained could get into the prefecture-level dormitory!"
Chu Xinghe's mind flashed back to the training scenes of the past ten days: the burning pain of Zhan Tiankuang's wooden stick hitting his back, the force exertion movements repeated hundreds of times under the scorching sun, and those almost brutal sparring sessions.
He subconsciously touched the bruise on his right arm that had already faded and said softly, "It's just some basic training."
"That's a lie!" another student interjected. "Last year, a senior student was given a month of special training by the dean, and afterwards he was directly promoted to the Heavenly-level dormitory!"
Zhao Tiezhu squeezed through at the opportune moment and put his arm around Chu Xinghe's shoulder: "Alright, alright, everyone disperse!"
He lowered his voice and said to Chu Xinghe, "Hurry up and leave, or you'll become a monkey in the zoo."
The two quickly left the Soul Arena, but the murmurs behind them continued.
"I heard the dean is extremely strict in selecting people..."
"This kid must have something special about him..."
After turning a corner, Zhao Tiezhu suddenly stopped and leaned closer mysteriously: "To be honest, what exactly does the dean see in you?"
Chu Xinghe shook his head; he truly didn't know the answer.
"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, then forget it." Zhao Tiezhu pouted, then became excited again. "But you're famous now! Come on, let's go to the cafeteria to celebrate! I'll treat you to braised pork!"
Chu Xinghe nodded and followed Zhao Tiezhu toward the cafeteria.
...
night.
The night was as dark as ink, and the pine forest behind the War Mad Academy rustled in the evening breeze.
Chu Xinghe stood in front of the dean's office, his finger hovering in mid-air, hesitant to knock on the door.
"Standing at the door like a gatekeeper?" Zhan Tiankuang's deep voice came from inside the door.
Chu Xinghe took a deep breath and pushed open the door to enter.
The dean's office was much simpler than he had imagined, with a large iron wooden table, a few hard-backed chairs, and several yellowed maps hanging on the wall.
Zhan Tiankuang was sitting at his desk reviewing files, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on his angular face.
"What is it?" Zhan Tiankuang asked without looking up, the quill pen in his hand scratching on the paper.
Chu Xinghe stood ramrod straight: "I have a question that I would like to ask the dean."
Zhan Tiankuang finally put down his pen, looked up at him, and said, "Speak."
"Why did you choose me?" Chu Xinghe looked directly into those hawk-like eyes. "There are many students in the academy who are more outstanding than me. Why did you choose me as your disciple?"
Suddenly, the candlelight flickered and a spark ignited, plunging the room into a brief silence.
Zhan Tiankuang stood up, his tall figure almost blocking the entire wall of candlelight.
He walked to the window and gazed in the direction of Nottingham in the distance.
"Is that old fellow Yang Yaozong's back pain still acting up lately?"
Chu Xinghe was taken aback: "You know Dean Yang?"
Zhan Tiankuang's lips curled up slightly: "Forty years ago, at the Fasnow Intermediate Soul Master Academy, Room 207 of the East Campus dormitory building."
He turned and leaned against the windowsill, the candlelight illuminating his face from the side. "I was roommates with that old man for six years."
Chu Xinghe's eyes widened.
Dean Yang has never mentioned this past event.
"Back then, we were both poor kids, and we even had to share the cheapest meat dishes in the cafeteria." Zhan Tiankuang's voice was unusually warm. "He always gave me the meat, saying that I was young and needed to grow taller."
The sound of pine trees rustling outside the window drifted in, and Chu Xinghe seemed to see two boys in worn-out clothes sharing food in the dormitory.
"After graduation, I went to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and he went to the Fasno Advanced Soul Master Academy." Zhan Tiankuang walked back to the table and took out a yellowed letter from the drawer. "I received this letter two months ago."
Chu Xinghe recognized Dean Yang's distinctive, scribbled handwriting on the envelope, and his heart suddenly started beating faster.
"That old man said in the letter that Notting Academy has produced an extraordinary young man." Zhan Tiankuang tapped the envelope with his knuckles. "His martial soul is very special. It has mutated twice in a row, and it is the same fire attribute as yours."
The letter paper was brittle, and only a few words were written on it:
'Crazy Heaven:'
It is as if we are meeting in person upon seeing this letter. I have a disciple named Chu Xinghe, whose martial soul is a mutated Agumon, sharing the same fire attribute as you. He has already evolved twice and possesses a resilient character, making him a promising candidate. If he were to join your academy, I hope you would take good care of him.
P.S.: I still have a chronic back pain, so don't worry about it.
Yaozong's pen
Chu Xinghe's fingers gently traced the words.
He recalled the day he graduated, when Dean Yang patted him on the shoulder and said, "Do your best at the War Maniac Academy."
It turned out that the old man had already paved the way for him back then.
"So..." Chu Xinghe's throat went dry, "You accepted me as your apprentice because of Dean Yang's recommendation?"
"Bullshit!" Zhan Tiankuang suddenly roared, causing the candlelight to flicker violently. "If it were just a recommendation from an old friend, I would at most ensure you don't get beaten to death by others in the academy!"
He strode up to Chu Xinghe, looking down at him with a glare: "Do you know why I was chosen as an examiner for the second round of assessments?"
Chu Xinghe recalled the scene from that day when he was beaten so badly he couldn't fight back: "Because... you wanted to test my strength yourself?"
"Because I want to see what you do when faced with an absolute difference in strength." Zhan Tiankuang looked down at him. "The most important thing for a Soul Master is not who you can beat, but whether you dare to make a move even if you know you will lose."
Chu Xinghe recalled the scene from that day when he knew he was no match for the enemy, yet he still charged forward time and time again.
"Do you know why I don't use soul power?" Zhan Tiankuang continued to ask.
Chu Xinghe shook his head.
"Because if I use my soul power," Zhan Tiankuang's voice suddenly turned low, "you won't even have a chance to make a move."
These words struck Chu Xinghe like a heavy hammer blow.
"But you didn't back down." Zhan Tiankuang's voice suddenly rose. "Knowing the huge gap between our strengths, you still dared to go all out without hesitation, and even made me bleed."
Chu Xinghe couldn't help but laugh when he recalled Zhan Tiankuang's disheveled appearance that day: "You were the one who said you could go all out..."
"That's right! That's the spirit!" Zhan Tiankuang patted him heavily on the shoulder. "Yang Yaozong's letter only made me take a second look at you, but what really made me decide to take you on as a disciple was…"
He suddenly lowered his voice and leaned close to Chu Xinghe's ear: "It's that crazy, reckless energy you have when you fight, just like I did when I was young."
Chu Xinghe's ears burned, unsure whether it was from those words or the hot breath on his ear.
A gust of wind blew past the window, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.
"Yang Yaozong's recommendation only brought you into my sights earlier." Zhan Tiankuang sat back in his chair, the candlelight flickering in his eyes. "But becoming my disciple depends on yourself."
Chu Xinghe took a deep breath and mustered his courage to say, "Teacher, actually... I also have a dream."
He raised his head, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I also want to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, just like you did back then."
Zhan Tiankuang's eyebrows were slightly raised, and the candlelight cast deep and shallow shadows on his resolute face.
The room was so quiet that you could hear the faint sound of the candle wick burning.
Suddenly, Zhan Tiankuang let out a low laugh: "Good lad, you have ambition."
He stood up, his tall figure almost filling the entire room. "When I entered the Royal Academy, my soul power was level 25."
His sharp gaze met Chu Xinghe's directly. "Do you think you can do it?"
"I can," Chu Xinghe answered without hesitation. "I will break through to level 25 before graduation."
Zhan Tiankuang walked up to Chu Xinghe and slapped his shoulder heavily with his rough hand: "Remember what you said today."
His voice was as powerful as a drumbeat, "Starting tomorrow, the training volume will double. I will hold you to the same standards as the Heaven Dou Royal Academy back in the day."
Chu Xinghe's shoulder ached from the pat, but he stood ramrod straight: "This student couldn't be happier."
"Go and rest." Zhan Tiankuang turned his back to him. "I want to see you at six o'clock tomorrow morning on the back mountain."
As Chu Xinghe stepped out of the dean's office, the night breeze brushed against his burning cheeks.
He looked in the direction of Nottingham City, recalling Dean Yang's kind face.
The friendship between his two teachers, spanning forty years, has now become a responsibility on his shoulders.
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