Chapter 186: Everyone's Transformation!
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Ning Fengzhi flicked his folding fan and gave a wry smile. "The bloodline inheritance ranking only takes the top ten. While my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Bloodline is a top-tier support, in terms of source Rank and Innate offensive power, it probably can't compete with those Divinity Bloodlines or ancient Soul Beast Bloodlines."
Chen Xin and Gu Rong stayed silent!
Though they were strong, the might of Sword and Bone came more from Acquired Cultivation and the nature of their Martial Souls; Bloodline inheritance had never been their strongest point… Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Yu Yuanzhen gazed at the heavenly curtain and laughed boldly. "My Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Bloodline stems from a top-tier draconic Soul Beast—already the fiercest attack-type Bloodline among Human Soul Masters!"
"But compared with a true full-blooded Dragon descendant, I'm afraid it still falls short."
"I wonder if we'll even make the list?"
…For a moment every major human power felt conflicted.
They hoped their own Legacy could win a place in this contest of Bloodlines with Soul Beasts and bring honor to Human Soul Masters.
Yet they clearly recognized the huge gap and dared not set their hopes too high.
Every eye turned instinctively toward Spirit Hall and Sea God Island, both possessing definite Divinity Legacies.
The pride of Human Soul Masters now rested on these few.
After brief exhilaration, the Soul Beast Clan began its own internal scrutiny and comparison.
Their Lord's Bloodline was supreme—dispute was almost unthinkable.
But for the remaining spots—Di Tian, Deep Sea Demon Whale King, Snow Empress, Evil Emperor, even Xiong Jun and Myriad Demon King—whose Bloodline was older, purer, more promising?
Undercurrents were already surging within the Soul Beasts… A day slipped quietly past!
Big Dipper Academy.
Beneath the ancient tree of life the dense mist of life energy gradually steadied, no longer gushing as at first.
A day-and-night Cultivation frenzy slowly drew to a close.
Ning Rongrong, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan and Ao Yin opened their eyes in succession, aura surging around them.
Their Soul Power fluctuations were clearly far stronger than before seclusion, eyes sparkling; their gains were huge.
Lu Xiao walked over, swept his gaze across the five and nodded slightly. "Looks like everyone's gained plenty. Tell me: what stage have you reached?"
Ning Rongrong bounced up first, waving her little fists in excitement. "Dean! I broke through to Rank 60—a Soul Emperor!"
"And it's a Soul Emperor stabilized after baptism by life Origin; my Soul Power feels far denser than an ordinary Soul Emperor's!"
A phantom of Dugu Yan's Martial Soul flickered past, carrying a gentle yet mighty air. She curtsied elegantly.
"Dean, I too broke through—to Soul Emperor."
"My Martial Soul seems especially attuned to life energy; the absorption was excellent."
Even Ye Lingling's cool face couldn't hide a trace of excitement. "Dean, I reached Soul King; I won't know the exact Rank until I absorb a Soul Ring."
"Under nourishment from life Origin, my Nine Heart Begonia's healing Holy Light is purer and covers a wider area."
Zhu Zhuqing was succinct: "I also broke through to Soul King—an agility-attack system Soul King."
But the keen gleam in her eyes showed it wasn't just Soul Power; speed and attack must have soared as well.
Finally Ao Yin, the jumpy teenager, scratched his head and grinned. "Dean, I'm… Rank 69—just a step away from Soul Saint! I feel endless strength inside!"
He possessed an elemental dragon Martial Soul; his absorption of the ancient tree of life's high-level Origin energy far exceeded ordinary people.
Listening to their reports, surprise flickered in Lu Xiao's eyes.
He knew the ancient tree of life's transformation had released extraordinary Origin power, and the heavenly curtain's reward had boosted Cultivation speed, so Breakthroughs were expected.
But for Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan to step straight into Soul Emperor, and Ao Yin to verge on Soul Saint, the leap had slightly surpassed his estimate.
Yet on second thought these children were the continent's top Geniuses, with powerful Martial Souls and solid Foundations.
Surging forth under such a Heaven-Defying Opportunity was reasonable.
"Good—you seized this chance."
Lu Xiao praised, "Your Foundations are solid, your Soul Power refined—no trace of flabbiness."
His gaze turned stern. "Since most of you have broken through Bottlenecks you'll need new Soul Rings, and though Ao Yin hasn't advanced, he still needs real combat tempering."
"While we still have six days before the bloodline inheritance ranking is revealed, I'm giving you an assignment."
The five perked up and looked at him.
"The five of you, led by Li Bai, will head to Star Dou Great Forest, hunt suitable Soul Beasts and obtain Soul Rings."
"This journey is both a gain in strength and a field test of everything you've learned and trained."
Lu Xiao's voice rang clear and forceful.
"Star Dou Great Forest?"
Surprise crossed Ning Rongrong's face first, then excitement and eagerness blazed in all their eyes.
Star Dou Great Forest was a paradise for Soul Beasts and a training ground, heaven and danger alike, for Soul Masters.
Earlier, because the heavenly curtain had appeared and the situation had turned turbulent, they'd stayed in the academy to Cultivate and had long thirsted for true combat.
"Li Bai."
Lu Xiao turned to the man carrying a gourd of wine, outwardly indolent yet with bright, clear eyes—the Green Lotus Sword Immortal.
Li Bai took a swig and smiled freely. "Rest easy, Dean. With me around their lives are safe."
"Good."
Lu Xiao nodded.
"With you along, unless Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena herself acts, no one in Star Dou Great Forest can threaten them."
"However…"
He looked at Ning Rongrong and the others, his tone hardening. "On this training, you yourselves are the focus; unless a life-or-death crisis occurs, Li Bai won't lift a finger."
"All difficulties, battles and choices—you must face and resolve them yourselves."
"Only then can what the academy taught become true combat power of your own, forged in blood and fire. Understood?"
"Understood!"
The five answered in unison, voices ringing.
They knew the dean's intent: flowers of the greenhouse cannot weather storms; true experts rise through battle.
Ning Rongrong clenched her little fists, eyes blazing. "We'll cooperate and rely on ourselves to secure the most suitable Soul Rings!"
Ye Lingling nodded gently; her Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul faintly appeared, giving off reassuring healing ripples. "I'll support everyone as best I can."
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, but the aura around her turned sharper and colder, like an unsheathed sword.
Dugu Yan licked her lips, her Martial Soul phantom flickering. "Perfect chance to test my new power."
Ao Yin rubbed his hands in excitement.
"At last I can really fight. Star Dou Great Forest, here I come!"
Seeing them, Li Bai laughed, slung his gourd back at his waist. "Then let's set off!"
"Remember: I'm only there to watch and keep you alive—everything else is up to you!"
With a sweep of his sleeve a gentle, invisible power lifted Ning Rongrong and the others.
A flash of green lotus Sword Qi under their feet, and the group vanished instantly!
Only a faint lingering scent of wine and remnant Sword Qi remained.
Lu Xiao watched them go, eyes profound.
Star Dou Great Forest would surely be turbulent now thanks to the foreshadowing of the Bloodline ranking.
Sending these youths there was risky, yet the best choice.
With Li Bai secretly guarding them, safety was assured!
Whatever situations might arise—
be they powerful Soul Beasts, scheming Human Soul Masters, or even possible "special attention" from the Soul Beast Clan—
all would be excellent tempering for their Heart-Nature, wits and strength.
"Young eagles must spread their wings; the storms ahead must be faced on your own."
Lu Xiao murmured, then turned toward the ancient tree of life, serene once more yet now even more sacred and vast.
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