Soon, the middle-aged man returned with five soul masters.
All around forty years old—soul power dense, auras steady—clearly seasoned veterans.
"This is Lei Ting—Level 50 Assault Battle Soul Ancestor. Martial Soul: Thunder Leopard. Exceptional speed and explosive power."
"This is Ji Jun—Level 50 Control Battle Soul Ancestor. Martial Soul: Grassvine Staff. Excels in area control and binding."
He introduced each opponent in detail.
These soul masters—stuck at Level 50—had agreed to participate only after the Spirit Pagoda promised high-quality soul spirits as compensation.
Xie Xie and the others studied their opponents carefully.
Wu Zhangkong stood in the corner—a flicker of approval in his ice-blue eyes.
This arrangement was far more efficient than blindly hunting opponents outside.
"Honored Fang Yang—is this satisfactory?" the attendant asked cautiously.
"Excellent. Thank you," Fang Yang nodded.
The man exhaled in relief, smiling broadly.
Led to the Pagoda's combat arena—spacious, luminous, paved with energy-dampening material.
Transparent soul-guided barriers rose around the perimeter—containing all battle energy.
---
First match: Xie Xie vs. Lei Ting.
Thunder Leopard Martial Soul Integration—Lei Ting became a blue lightning bolt, surging toward Xie Xie.
But Xie Xie's movement was more elusive—space itself fractured as he appeared beside Lei Ting.
The Space-Time Daggers flashed—tap—and the fight ended before it began.
"Xie Xie—victorious!"
Lei Ting stood frozen, then laughed ruefully: "Terrifying speed… I yield."
Next: Xu Xiaoyan vs. Ji Jun.
Ji Jun's Grassvine Staff barely stirred—soul skill unformed—when Xu Xiaoyan's Star Scepter blazed with celestial radiance.
Star Wheel Chains materialized—absolute, inescapable—freezing Ji Jun mid-cast.
Match over.
"This…" Xie Xie wiped sweat from his brow.
Xu Xiaoyan's control was absolute law—terrifying!
Gu Yue faced a Defense soul master.
No finesse—pure elemental detonation—annihilating her opponent in one burst.
Xie Xie's group shuddered again.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi similarly crushed their Assault-type opponents with effortless dominance.
The attendant watched, jaw slack.
These youths—so young, yet each was more monstrous than the last!
---
All challenges completed successfully.
The attendant escorted them to the Pagoda gates, bowing deeply: "Honored Fang Yang—please grace us with your presence again anytime!"
Outside—night had fallen.
Tian Dou City glittered under starlight, lanterns painting the streets gold.
Wu Zhangkong surveyed his students—a rare, faint smile touching his lips:
"Today's performance was… satisfactory."
They returned to the hotel beneath the moonlight, faces relaxed with accomplishment.
---
The next morning—sunlight spilled through the curtains.
"Depart—next stop!" Fang Yang's voice roused the group.
They headed for Tian Dou Soul-Guided Train Station—only to freeze at the entrance.
Barricades blocked the gates. A sign blazed: TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
An elderly passerby explained:
"Evil soul masters struck recently and Tian Dou City's on high alert. Train service suspended indefinitely."
"Now what?" Xie Xie frowned.
Fang Yang pondered briefly: "Who can drive?"
"I can!" Xie Xie shot up his hand.
"Good. We'll buy a soul-guided car and drive to the next city ourselves."
No train? No problem. Time waits for no one.
---
At a soul-guided automobile showroom—vehicles gleamed under crystalline lights, metallic sheen flowing across aerodynamic curves.
"Whoa—so many cars!" Tang Wulin marveled, eyes darting between models.
"Which one?" Xie Xie asked, scanning the showroom.
"Take your pick—I'll pay," Fang Yang said calmly.
"Deal!" Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi chorused.
Their eyes settled on a pure-white six-seater—sleek, understated luxury, cabin spacious enough for all.
"This one," Fang Yang decided.
A salesman hurried over, bowing: "Excellent choice! Our latest luxury model—next-gen soul-guided propulsion system…"
"Price," Fang Yang cut in.
"One million Federation Credits!"
Fang Yang nodded. "Take it."
"Cash or card?"
"Cash."
He withdrew the million credits "borrowed" from Le Zhengyu.
Le Zhengyu: "…Can you let me rest in peace?!"
"Right away, sir!" the salesman bowed deeply.
Fang Yang purchased the car without blinking.
Wu Zhangkong observed silently—no interference. As long as exam rules weren't broken, he wouldn't intervene.
"Xie Xie—you, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi will rotate driving duties," Fang Yang instructed.
"Huh?" The group turned to him, puzzled.
"I have a mecha," Fang Yang explained.
"MECHA?!" Xie Xie's eyes ignited.
No boy could resist mechas.
"When did you buy it?" Zhang Yangzi asked, curious.
Wu Zhangkong's gaze sharpened too.
"Gifted by an elder—not purchased," Fang Yang replied.
"I want one too…" Xie Xie murmured wistfully.
Then he spun to Tang Wulin: "Wait—you've been quiet…"
"Um… I have one too," Tang Wulin admitted sheepishly.
"Also gifted by the same elder," he added.
"I'M JEALOUS!" Xie Xie wailed.
"Teacher Wu—these mechas were gifted at the Blacksmith Association. It's not against the exam rules, right?" Fang Yang confirmed.
"Permitted," Wu Zhangkong nodded curtly.
"Fang Yang, Wulin—show us!" Xie Xie bounced impatiently.
Fang Yang and Tang Wulin activated their storage devices.
Two mechas materialized—one obsidian black, one regal purple—lines sharp, with a crushing aura.
"Gu Yue, Xiaoyan—board up," Fang Yang ascended the cockpit, hand extended.
Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan slipped inside—settling into the rear seats, shoulders pressed close in the snug cabin.
The cockpit was intimate—Fang Yang standing at the fusion interface, the girls nestled behind him.
He caught their faint, soothing fragrance—calming, intoxicating.
"Depart—next stop!"
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