In the battle just now, Ji Juechen had avoided direct collision with the Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear many times. Throughout this process, although he had relied on his razor-sharp sword intent to wound his opponent, the cost was that he had been unavoidably affected by that terrifying power as well.
The conclusion of Bai Chen and Jing Ziyan's fight also signaled that this battle was officially entering its final phase.
Ji Juechen alone was absolutely no match for Bai Chen and his spirit beast combined.
Ten seconds later, under the combined assault of one person and one bear, Ji Juechen was sent flying off the stage, landing below the platform.
He climbed up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth — clearly in a battered state — but his eyes were gleaming with excitement. He nodded deeply to Bai Chen.
"Thank you. I had a great time."
"Haha…"
Bai Chen could only respond with a helpless laugh.
He didn't dislike fighting either, but Ji Juechen's madman mindset of getting more excited the more beaten up he got — that he genuinely couldn't relate to.
Jing Ziyan strolled over at a leisurely pace, said in a displeased tone:
"I got played this time. Didn't expect that your second soul skill would turn out to be a summoning type — next time I'll be better prepared for you."
Bai Chen flashed her a sunny smile.
"I think you'd be better off finding a way to not get one-shot after I summon it."
"Please don't say such outrageous things with that expression on your face!"
Jing Ziyan complained helplessly.
But she also knew Bai Chen was right.
Right now, her battles with Bai Chen essentially relied on the unpredictability of the complete-system approach. If she couldn't catch him, she still had a chance of winning while skirmishing at range — but once Bai Chen pulled her into close-quarters combat, it would only be a matter of seconds before Jing Ziyan fell.
"Bear, go rest in the spirit sea."
"Roar."
Having received the command Bai Chen sent via spiritual will, the bear nodded, transformed into a streak of flowing light, and returned into Bai Chen's body.
Watching this scene, Jing Ziyan let out an exasperated sigh.
"Being able to so effortlessly beat the two of us like this — honestly, even the rank six soul masters at our academy might not be your match anymore. Is it possible that by the time you're our age, you'll be able to easily defeat titled Douluo?"
"Maybe… hey, Ji-bro, where are you going."
Seeing Ji Juechen suddenly and silently sheathe his sword and stand up, Bai Chen quickly asked.
Ji Juechen said plainly:
"Going to train."
With that, he simply left.
"Well, I need to go train too."
Jing Ziyan nodded thoughtfully, smiled at Bai Chen:
"Let's call it here for today — thanks for being willing to spar with us. Senior sister will treat you to dinner sometime."
"Sure, see you."
Watching Jing Ziyan and Ji Juechen leave the arena, Bai Chen let out a long breath.
"Alright, so next it's time to…"
He was about to throw himself into the studies of the new school term.
[Scene break]
Douluo 3.
On another side — in the era of Douluo 3 — Bai Chen had just climbed out of the equipment on the Spirit Ascension Platform.
Zang Xin walked him out of the Spirit Ascension Platform, and once they got in the car, asked:
"How was the haul this time?"
"Full load — one dark-attribute soul skill, one lightning-attribute soul skill."
Bai Chen laughed cheerfully.
For him, obtaining soul skills through the devouring method was rather luck-dependent — if luck was good, he could get multiple soul skills; if luck was bad, he might not get even one.
Getting two soul skills this time counted as pretty decent fortune.
At the same time, his soul power had also experienced another boost, bringing him one step closer to breaking through to the next level.
"Not bad."
Zang Xin started the car and smiled:
"By the way, you haven't forgotten what I told you before, have you?"
"You've told me so many things — which one do you mean?"
"The assessment."
"Oh, right, I haven't forgotten."
Bai Chen recalled at once.
About a month ago, Zang Xin had told him that a month later he would need to participate in an assessment — and that as long as he passed, some very good rewards would be waiting for him.
At the time Bai Chen had pressed him with several questions, and they had all been deflected by Zang Xin using "classified" as the reason.
"So now that the assessment is about to begin, it's time to tell me the relevant details, right? Especially what the assessment involves and what the reward is for passing."
"Of course."
Zang Xin said with a smile:
"First, let me explain the reason we've arranged this assessment for you."
"Bai Chen, you're a member of the Soul Fighting Hall now. As you should know, Soul Fighting Hall members are generally expected to complete tasks assigned by the Soul Fighting Hall."
"Mm."
Bai Chen knew this.
Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand — Soul Fighting Hall members enjoy privileges that ordinary Tang Sect members don't, so naturally it follows that they should bear heavier duties than ordinary people.
In concrete terms, for Soul Fighting Hall members, that means performing the core duties of the Soul Fighting Hall — namely, maintaining social order and public safety. Whether it's rogue soul masters or terrorist elements, Soul Fighting Hall soul masters must respond to the scene the moment they receive a relevant assignment.
"But, you're still far too young, so I haven't had you execute a single mission this past year."
Bai Chen was only seven years old this year. No matter how mature his mind, no matter how far beyond normal his strength, in Zang Xin's eyes he was ultimately still just a child who had only awakened his martial soul a year ago.
This kind of dangerous work was temporarily not something he should be exposed to.
"Therefore, this assessment is a substitute for carrying out missions — a chance for you to demonstrate your own value."
Zang Xin didn't want to put Bai Chen in danger, but it was also a fact that Bai Chen enjoyed the privileges of the Soul Fighting Hall. So in order to verify the results of those privileges, an annual assessment was needed to see exactly how much he had grown.
"Understood?"
"I understand."
"Good."
Zang Xin nodded with satisfaction, then continued:
"Then let's talk about what you're most concerned about — the content of the assessment and the reward for passing."
"Let's start with the reward."
"Do you know what this is?"
As Zang Xin said this, he flicked his wrist, and a small object flew toward Bai Chen.
Bai Chen caught it on reflex, looked carefully, and found it was actually a token.
This token was circular, crafted with exquisite workmanship, divided into two halves — one red, one blue — and both halves bore the imprint of the character for "Tang."
The Tang Sect Ice-Fire Seal…
Bai Chen naturally knew the true nature of this object.
It was essentially a permit — a permit to enter the Ice-Fire Two-Instrument Eyes.
With it, Bai Chen could at minimum claim one immortal herb that belonged to him.
But since this was his first time seeing it in person, he slowly shook his head.
"I don't know."
Zang Xin explained:
"Its name is the Tang Sect Ice-Fire Seal. With it, you gain the qualification to enter one of our Tang Sect's core secret realms. There, you will obtain tremendous opportunities that no other force can offer you."
End of Chapters 108 (conclusion) and 109.