Their gazes met. Zhou Wu's eyes carried a clear sense of scrutiny, while Yin Zhang's were calm and indifferent, tinged with faint curiosity.
As their hands clasped, both instinctively tested each other's strength, causing Yin Zhang to frown slightly.
When it came to close-quarters combat, he was undeniably inferior to Zhou Wu. After all, his main fighting style relied on his Spirit abilities. Although he trained his body diligently, compared to Zhou Wu, he was still lacking.
Looks like I need to seriously raise the intensity of my physical training, Yin Zhang thought.
At the same time, Zhou Wu was secretly shocked.
This is ridiculous. I'm already using seventy percent of my strength, yet this kid looks completely relaxed. He's only ten years old! When I was ten, I doubt I even had one-fifth of his current strength!
After exchanging a brief look, the two withdrew their hands in silence.
Zhou Wu now found himself faintly looking forward to the upcoming fight.
"Ahem. Since introductions are done, let's not waste any more time," Qiangu Yuan said, turning to Wu Deqing. "It's better to get the result sooner rather than later."
"Of course, Dean Qiangu," Wu Deqing replied with a smile. "Perfect timing, too—it gives everyone a chance to watch a match."
On the Elite Class One training ground stood the nine remaining students of the class, along with Qiangu Yuan and Wu Deqing. Hu Liena and Xie Yue were also present—they had already informed their teacher that they would come down when the time arrived.
"I'll be the referee!"
Qiangu Yunying cheerfully stepped between the two fighters. After confirming they were ready, she brought her raised hand down sharply.
"Yin Zhang versus Zhou Wu—begin!"
Ten simple words, crisp and decisive.
"Iron-Armored Raging Bear, possess!"
"Charizard, possess!"
Beneath Zhou Wu, two yellow and two purple soul rings appeared. Dense, bristling bear fur spread across his body, while bone-like, iron-armored structures formed over his chest and back.
Yin Zhang's transformation, however, was far more dramatic.
Sharp crimson dragon horns rose from his head. Massive dragon palms tipped with long, razor-sharp claws formed at his hands. Enormous leathery wings unfurled from his back, while dense dragon scales covered his entire body. A thick dragon tail swayed behind him, a small cluster of burning life-fire flickering at its tip.
He looked like a living dragon-man, freshly descended into the world.
It practically confirmed a rumor that had circulated through the academy—that Yin Zhang was actually a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form (ridiculous, of course).
Zhou Wu was so shocked he blurted out, "Three-thousand-year soul rings?! How is that possible?!"
Wu Deqing stared at Qiangu Yuan in disbelief. Qiangu Yuan simply wore an expression that clearly said: Don't look at me—I have no idea either.
"Three-thousand-year rings…"
Qiangu Yunying clenched her small fists, eyes shining. "I really didn't expect Xiao Zhang to be this strong. Looks like I'll have to train even harder! Otherwise, he might surpass me in just two years!"
"Double Team!"
Seeing Zhou Wu freeze for a brief moment, Yin Zhang didn't give him time to recover.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
In an instant, more than a dozen Yin Zhangs appeared across the battlefield, all taking flight.
"This—!"
Zhou Wu lost his composure and hurriedly tried to identify the real one.
"Flamethrower!"
Yin Zhang opened his mouth and unleashed a pillar of searing flames as thick as a barrel, surging toward Zhou Wu.
At the same time, the clones followed suit, streams of fire converging from every direction.
"First Soul Skill—Rock Armor Shield!"
Zhou Wu crossed his arms. Two massive rock shields instantly formed in his grasp, sealing his entire body inside. Wave after wave of Flamethrower slammed into the shields—but to no effect.
Found it! That's the real one!
Lowering his head, Zhou Wu glanced at the ground and noticed something crucial: under the sunlight, there was only one shadow.
"Hah! Got you!"
The moment the flames stopped, Zhou Wu hurled both rock shields toward Yin Zhang's true position.
"Second Soul Skill—Rock Blast!"
Yin Zhang flapped his wings and took to the air.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One massive stone after another materialized in midair. Each was nearly one and a half meters tall, smashing into the ground with deafening force—yet Zhou Wu picked them up effortlessly and hurled them skyward.
Humm—!
The sound of air being torn apart echoed repeatedly.
Yin Zhang didn't dodge. Instead, he swung his thick dragon tail again and again.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Before any of the boulders could come within one and a half meters of him, they shattered into fragments, raining rubble across the field.
Looks like I have to get serious, Zhou Wu thought, his expression tightening.
This time, after throwing a massive rock, he leapt onto it at extreme speed.
Using the momentum, Zhou Wu drew back his sandbag-sized fist and smashed it toward Yin Zhang.
Yin Zhang was genuinely surprised—he hadn't expected this move.
"First Soul Skill—Azure Flame Shield!"
A circular shield bloomed around him, its surface flowing with deep azure flames.
At the same time, he raised his dragon palms, claws gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
"Dragon Claw!"
Dragon-type energy surged. A massive emerald-green energy claw formed and slammed downward.
"Hah!"
Zhou Wu had no time to activate another soul skill and met the attack head-on.
Bang!
Zhou Wu was sent flying, crashing hard onto the ground.
"Cough…"
A sweetness rose in his chest. He forcibly swallowed the blood in his throat.
This kid is absolutely not simple. He definitely has secrets!
Timing it perfectly, Zhou Wu rolled the instant he landed, dispersing most of the impact.
This time, Yin Zhang didn't press the attack. Instead, he spat a blazing orb of light—nearly the size of a human head—straight into the sky.
The orb rose ten meters above him before detonating.
In an instant, the cool air within fifteen meters was replaced by blazing sunlight.
Sunny Day!
Power of the Sun—activate!
Yin Zhang felt it immediately. Fire-red particles shimmered across his body, altering the hue of his dragon scales. While the visual change was subtle, his resistance to flames surged noticeably.
Not only that—the fire-attribute energy within him became violent and refined, far superior to before.
At the same time, his soul power began draining at a visibly accelerated rate.
But deep within his Spirit, the Holy Grail activated.
Soul power was restored continuously and rapidly, flowing faster than it was consumed.
As long as recovery exceeded consumption, Yin Zhang would never run out of soul power—free to unleash his soul skills without restraint.
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