At the Notting Junior Soul Master Academy in the early morning, before the mist had completely dissipated, the training ground was already filled with young soul masters who had come early to hone their skills.
For Soul Masters, the period from six to ten years old is crucial for laying a solid foundation. Even if it's just half an hour more of breathing exercises each day, over time, it can create a significant difference in skill level.
Lin Chen stood alone in a corner of the training ground, his eyes slightly closed, his breathing long and even. The Northern Darkness Divine Art slowly circulated within his body, forcibly pulling in strands of wandering soul power from the world, which surged into his limbs and bones like a whale sucking in water, transforming into Northern Darkness True Qi that was more condensed and domineering than soul power of the same level.
Unlike the other students who haphazardly cultivated their strength, or relied on rudimentary breathing techniques to slowly absorb energy, he directly plundered the energy of heaven and earth using supreme techniques. In just one night, his soul power steadily rose from the third level of the Innate Realm to the peak of the fourth level, only one step away from the fifth level.
If Su Yuntao or Yu Xiaogang were to see this rate of improvement, they would be utterly astonished.
"Lin Chen!"
A cold, clear shout came from behind.
Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them.
The person who arrived was none other than Tang San.
At this moment, Tang San was dressed in simple clothes, his eyes were firm, and he was still holding the light blue Blue Silver Grass in his arms. However, the calmness he had shown in his eyes when he looked at Lin Chen was gone, replaced by an undisguised competitiveness and rivalry.
Yesterday, Tang San awakened his martial soul, becoming a prodigy with innate full soul power, attracting everyone's attention. Lin Chen, on the other hand, was a laughingstock with three useless martial souls. However, after entering the academy, Lin Chen first publicly refused to be accepted as a disciple by the master, then used his strange movement techniques to toy with Xiao Wu, a two-ring great soul master. Even Xiao Wu, who should have become acquainted with him through a fight, actively clung to Lin Chen's side.
Especially last night in the dormitory, when Xiao Wu publicly announced that she would sleep in the same bed with Lin Chen, Tang San felt an inexplicable irritation and jealousy that he could hardly suppress.
He grew up in Holy Soul Village with Tang Hao since childhood and had never cared about anyone like this before, but Xiao Wu's lively, charming and cute appearance seemed to be engraved in his heart.
Seeing that Xiao Wu was treating Lin Chen differently, Tang San's competitive spirit was completely ignited.
He wanted to prove that he was the real genius, and that Lin Chen was just using some unorthodox techniques to attract attention!
Lin Chen looked at the fighting spirit in Tang San's eyes and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
He had already anticipated that, given Tang San's current state of mind and Xiao Wu's influence, he would inevitably come to him on his own initiative.
"What's the matter?" Lin Chen asked calmly.
Tang San took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said in a clear voice, "I would like to have a friendly spar with you."
Upon hearing this, the students who were practicing nearby all turned to look.
"It's Tang San! A genius with innate full soul power!"
"He wants to challenge Lin Chen, who has three useless martial souls? Is there even a need for a competition? Tang San will definitely win easily!"
"Lin Chen is only good at movement techniques, but Tang San has innate full soul power. If it really comes down to a fight, he can't stop him at all!"
Hearing the whispers, Tang San straightened his back even more, his confidence shining even brighter.
In his view, Lin Chen had nothing to offer except for his unpredictable movement techniques. He himself possessed innate full soul power and was further enhanced by the Xuan Tian Treasure Record, making him absolutely invincible among those of the same level.
Lin Chen nodded slightly: "Okay. Let's stop here."
"good!"
Tang San moved his feet and suddenly rushed out.
He circulated his Xuan Tian Gong internal energy, raised his right hand, and the pale blue Blue Silver Grass martial soul instantly appeared. Although he had not yet obtained a soul ring and could not use soul skills, the Blue Silver Grass exuded an incomparably tenacious aura under the blessing of his innate full soul power.
"Mysterious Jade Hand!"
Tang San let out a low shout, his palm hardening like iron, and slapped Lin Chen's chest.
This seemingly ordinary palm strike actually contains the combined power of the Xuan Tian Gong internal force and the Xuan Yu Hand. If it were to land a solid blow, even a strong adult man would be sent flying backward.
The surrounding students all thought that Lin Chen would use that strange movement technique to dodge again.
This time, however, Lin Chen did not dodge.
He raised his right hand slightly and struck out with his palm.
There was no martial spirit emerging, no soul power being released; it was just a simple, unremarkable palm strike.
Bang--
A dull, loud bang.
Tang San's expression changed drastically. He felt an immense, domineering power erupt from his opponent's palm, crushing down like a collapsing mountain. The internal energy of his Xuan Tian Gong was like a firefly compared to the sun and moon in the face of this power, instantly shattered into pieces.
"Wow!"
Tang San spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, his face instantly turning as pale as paper.
The entire room fell silent.
You could hear a pin drop.
All the trainees stared wide-eyed at the scene, their faces filled with disbelief.
Tang San, a genius with innate full soul power, was actually... slapped away by Lin Chen with a single palm strike?
Moreover, Lin Chen hadn't even used his martial spirit, or even released his soul power!
How is that possible!
Lin Chen slowly withdrew his hand, his expression completely calm.
Having perfected the first level of the Northern Darkness Divine Art, and further tempered by the Vajra Indestructible Body, his physical strength and internal energy were already hundreds of times greater than Tang San's. Tang San's prized Mysterious Heaven Art was, in his eyes, merely the most rudimentary internal energy cultivation method.
"You..." Tang San struggled to his feet, clutching his chest, his eyes filled with shock and resentment as he looked at Lin Chen. "What kind of cultivation technique did you practice? Why is your power so terrifying!"
Lin Chen said calmly, "My path is different from yours."
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded.
Yu Xiaogang rushed over, and when he saw Tang San with blood on his lips, his expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped forward to support Tang San, his eyes filled with heartache and anger.
"Mistress, how are you? Who hurt you?"
Tang San gritted his teeth and pointed at Lin Chen: "Teacher, I lost to Lin Chen by accident during a sparring match."
Yu Xiaogang suddenly turned his head to look at Lin Chen, his eyes instantly turning icy cold.
He already harbored resentment because Lin Chen publicly refused to become his disciple yesterday, and now seeing his most valued disciple injured by Lin Chen, he could no longer suppress his anger.
In his view, Tang San was a genius with innate full soul power and unlimited potential, while Lin Chen was just a piece of trash with three useless martial souls. How dare he attack his disciple? It was simply audacious!
"Lin Chen!" Yu Xiaogang's voice was icy. "You're nothing but a self-taught brat with a useless martial spirit, yet you dare to maliciously injure people within the academy. Do you really think the academy has no rules?!"
Lin Chen looked up at Yu Xiaogang, his expression indifferent: "In a friendly spar, the loser must accept the consequences. If you're blind, Master, and can't see that Tang San provoked you, you can shut up."
"How dare you talk back!" Yu Xiaogang trembled with rage, pointing at Lin Chen. "Fine! Very well! Since you are so arrogant, today I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the academy! From today onwards, you will have no right to use any of the academy's cultivation resources. You will practice the basic breathing exercises three times more every day. If you fail to do so, you will be expelled from the academy!"
This is blatant harassment!
The surrounding students could all see that Master was deliberately retaliating because Lin Chen refused to become his disciple and injured Tang San!
Tang San stood behind Yu Xiaogang, looking at Lin Chen's cold expression, feeling a little complicated.
He was competitive with Lin Chen and jealous of Xiao Wu, but Yu Xiaogang's blatant harassment still made him feel a little guilty.
But when he thought of Yu Xiaogang as his master, and the saying "a teacher for a day is a father for life," he couldn't go against his master's wishes, so he could only whisper, "Lin Chen, you should apologize to your teacher, otherwise it will be very difficult for you in the academy."
Lin Chen didn't even glance at Tang San.
Admit your mistake?
Throughout his life, Lin Chen has never respected Heaven or knelt before Earth, let alone bowed to a narrow-minded and shallow theoretical master.
"random."
Lin Chen uttered two words, turned around, and left the training ground, his back view proud and aloof, showing no sign of compromise.
Yu Xiaogang stared at Lin Chen's retreating figure, his face turning ashen with rage. He gritted his teeth and said, "What an ungrateful piece of trash! I'll see how long you can keep up this act!"
He turned to look at Tang San, his tone softening instantly, and gently comforted him, "Little San, don't take it to heart. You only lost because you were careless. You have innate full soul power. Once you obtain your first soul ring and unleash your soul skills, ten Lin Chens wouldn't be a match for you!"
A glint flashed in Tang San's eyes.
Soul skills!
Once he obtains his first spirit ring, he will be able to unleash the first spirit skill of Blue Silver Grass, and at that time, he will definitely be able to defeat Lin Chen!
A strong obsession quietly took root in Tang San's heart.
(End of chapter)