It has been fours years since Liu Yan had entered Nodding Academy to become a soul master.
During one of his lessons, his teacher had announced something shocking.
"Class, this week is a special week. Our dean has decided to host a competition in the academy. This is used to assess how much you have progressed outside of theoretical practices" the teacher said calmly.
Hearing this, the students began whispering to each other.
"When my brother was here, they didn't have this competition" said one student to his friend.
"Alright, quiet down now. Let me explain the rules, 1. You are allowed to use weapons outside your martial soul but, you cannot let it deal fatal blows. 2. Stepping out of the arena or being knocked unconscious immediately counts as a loss..." she continued listing.
"Liyan, will you be participating in this?" Ying Xuan asked Liu Yan.
"Of course I would, I have never backed from a challenge" Liu Yan replied with a hint of arrogance.
Of course, it wasn't without reason. All the students in the academy couldn't defeat if they tried, it was only unclear amongst the group.
"To those who want to participate, you will have to fill in this form" the teacher continued before passing a registration form to the students.
"I hope you all participate, show me that the students I taught are able to handle themselves after graduation." the teacher said with a hint of pride.
Liu Yan, Ying Xuan, Tang San, Xiao Wu and Fu Tian quickly filled in the forms and handed them back to the teacher.
On the day of the competition, everyone had drawn slots to see who they would fight.
Unluckily enough, it started with Xiao Wu VS Ying Xuan.
"Ying Xuan, just give up, if not then don't blame if I hit too hard" said Xiao Wu
"I won't back down so easily!" Ying Xuan was determined to win this match.
"Martial soul possession!" they both yelled.
Bunny ears slowly grew out of Xiao Wu's head while a tail also protruded from the tail bone area. Her eyes became more red.
Small crystal wings formed on the back of Ying Xuan's back. Her eyes turned clearer and sparkly.
As this happened, one soul ring rose from both their feet. Both of them were Level 19 Soul masters.
"First soul Skill: crystal feathers!" Ying Xuan's soul ring lit up before her wings grew larger and larger.
Whoosh
Numerous crystal feathers shot out from the wings, aiming for Xiao Wu and potential escape routes.
Xiao Wu had seen this move before, dodging with her unnatural flexibility.
"I can't let a single one hit me!" she thought to herself as she kept dodging. She remembered the last time she got hit during sparring with Ying Xuan, her entire body went limp for 3 hours.
"First soul skill: Jiujitsu!" Xiao Wu's soul ring lit up before she dashed with great speed straight for Ying Xuan.
Ying Xuan tried to move her wings to target wherever Xiao Wu went but her wings being so big and heavy meant she couldn't move too fast. Xiao Wu landed behind Ying Xuan, preparing to kick her but before she could react, one of the heavy crystal wings came sweeping at her.
Bang
Xiao Wu was hit with a great force, momentarily disorientated, she was sent off the arena.
Riiiiiinnnggg
The bell sounded, signifying the end of the match. Ying Xuan approached Xiao Wu and helped her up.
"You really hit hard, Ying Xuan. My face might get bruised you know?" Xiao Wu said while pouting.
"I didn't mean to hit that hard, it was a reaction thing" Ying Xuan explained but Xiao Wu wasn't convinced. "Then you'll buy me a dozen carrots to make it up to me"
In another arena, it was Tang San and Liu Yan's turn.
"Liu Yan, I'm not going to hold back even if you are my friend." Tang San before getting in a stance.
"Wasn't expecting you to do so either" Liu Yan said while smiling.
"Martial soul possession!" they both said.
Mutated Blue Silver Grass then proceeded to grow out of Tang San's right hand. A yellow soul ring lit up.
2 crystal gauntlets slowly formed around Liu Yan's hands. To everyone around them, shock suddenly grew from everyone as not one but two yellow soul rings rose from his feet, his second soul ring even had a tinge of purple.
Liu Yan was a Level 21 Grand Soul Master!
"Xiao San, be careful now!" Liu Yan squatted a little bit before dashing straight for him.
Tang San tries to punch Liu Yan with mystic hands but what he didn't expect was that Liu Yan having the need to carry his gauntlets which weigh 108 jin per gauntlet, he could put 120 jin of force with 108 jin of weight in one punch.
Bang, Crack
Tang San's hand almost broke, being sent flying. Only by using Shadow Track Movement, could he catch himself from falling out of the arena.
"First soul skill: Entangle!" Tang San immediately said before charging with the blue silver grass that was growing from the ground,, ready to entangle Liu Yan.
"The hardness of your blue silver grass is decent, but not the durability!" Liu Yan smiled and grabbed the incoming blue silver grass, whipping it around, snapping it from its roots and slamming it against Tang San.
Oof
Tang San was hit in the face, causing him to fall backwards. "Sorry Tang San, but I'm winning this round!" Liu Yan said before his first soul ring lit up.
"First soul skill: Definitive Creation!" Liu Yan made a boxing in motion with his hands and from the ground. Four dazzling yet durable and hard crystal walls emerged from around Tang San, encasing him, the top was then sealed by another layer of the crystal walls.
After several minutes of trying to break through, Tang San yielded. "I yield! I surrender" he yelled within the crystal box.
Slowly, the box retracts back into the ground.
"Liu Yan, you win this time. But next time it won't be as easy!" Tang San said, challenging Liu Yan when he gets stronger.
"I'll be waiting then!" Liu Yan said, good sportsmanship was admirable.
Suddenly in the distance, Liu Yan heard an announcement. "Fu Tian VS Ying Xuan, the winner is Fu Tian! Winning by a landslide!" the crowd around that arena cheered loudly.
"Fu Tian... I guess it's time for me to try it against you, isn't it" Liu Yan smirked with a slightly serious tone.