"Wow!" The spectators in the stands and those watching the live broadcast all gasped in astonishment, their expressions full of disbelief.
On the battlefield, Yun Ze had no intention of wasting more time with them. He had already unleashed his Martial Soul.
A fiery phoenix spread its wings, trailing wide flames. The air seemed to warp under its heat, and even through the protective barrier, the audience could feel the blazing temperature.
For Tang Wulin and his four companions on the stage, the heat was even more intense; the ambient temperature had risen sharply, becoming sweltering.
When Yun Ze's Spirit Rings appeared, Tang Wulin's group all widened their eyes in shock.
It wasn't just them—anyone seeing Yun Ze's Spirit Rings for the first time was dumbfounded, many rubbing their eyes to make sure they weren't mistaken. A six- or seven-year-old with two rings?
Two purple Spirit Rings swirled around Yun Ze, pulsating and radiating scorching energy.
"You'd better release your Martial Souls quickly. In thirty seconds, I'll start. Don't say later that I attacked while you didn't even release your Martial Souls," Yun Ze said calmly.
At this moment, the other five showed no intention of releasing their Martial Souls. His words were at most a final act of consideration for these "kids." After this, whether they released their Martial Souls or not, he would act.
"This must be some kind of prodigy," Xie Xie muttered in disbelief. A six- or seven-year-old two-ring Martial Soul Master?
Ye Xinglan, Xu Lizhi, and Xu Xiaoyan were similarly stunned. This cultivation level was absurd—probably unmatched even within Shrek Academy.
Tang Wulin reacted quickly, his voice low but urgent: "Everyone, release your Martial Souls! Prepare for battle. This person is dangerous!"
His bloodline had started to stir restlessly; a sense of oppression weighed on his chest—the kind of instinct that appears only in the presence of severe danger.
Though it seemed impossible and ridiculous—a six- or seven-year-old two-ring Martial Soul Master posing a threat—they had to trust their instincts. Something about this child was strange; perhaps he had weapons or hidden cards capable of threatening them.
Ye Xinglan and the others were slightly surprised, unsure why Tang Wulin spoke so seriously, but trusting him, they followed his orders and released their Martial Souls.
Tang Wulin was first. Blue Silver Grass appeared in his right palm, swaying gently. Three purple Spirit Rings rose along with it.
His Blue Silver Grass differed from a normal one—it was larger, with veins on the leaves shimmering gold, showing a clear mutation.
Ye Xinglan summoned the Star God Sword. The blade glimmered with starlight. She too had three purple Spirit Rings, but her Spirit Power had reached Level 40, just one Spirit Creature away from advancing to Soul Sect, making her the strongest among the five.
Xu Lizhi's Martial Soul was a steamed bun, while Xie Xie's was a dagger with a dragon pattern—the Dragon-Light Dagger.
The petite Xu Xiaoyan wielded a scepter, glittering with star energy; her Martial Soul was the Star Scepter.
Originally, her Martial Soul had been the Star-Wheel Ice Scepter. Through a fortunate event, it underwent a positive mutation, losing its ice attribute and gaining enhanced starlight power. Its overall strength increased significantly, and its name changed to Star Scepter.
All five were three-ring Martial Soul Masters, none yet reaching Soul Sect.
"The match begins!" The elder hovering in the air shouted, signaling the start of this 1v5 sparring match.
At the start, Tang Wulin charged forward. His first Spirit Ring glowed, and Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him.
The Blue Silver Grass beneath him grew rapidly, turning into thick, arm-sized vines that twisted and intertwined like predatory snakes.
The central vine shimmered with golden light, faint dragon scales visible on its surface, and the tip shaped like a snake's head.
Upon closer inspection, one could see a golden snake-shaped Spirit inside—the manifestation of Tang Wulin's Spirit Creature.
Yun Ze stood in place, watching Tang Wulin rush toward him. His first Spirit Ring lit up: Fire Hell.
The ground around him burst into roaring flames, spreading forward. The extreme heat warped the air violently.
The Blue Silver Grass touched the fire for only an instant before turning to ash—faster than snow melting.
The vine containing the Spirit didn't immediately burn, aided by its Spirit Power, giving it some resistance.
However, its forward speed slowed, its surface ignited, writhing in pain as the Spirit inside suffered from the fire.
Tang Wulin was shocked. His Blue Silver Grass shouldn't have been so easily incinerated.
His Spirit Power was stronger, and the Blue Silver Grass was mutated, granting some heat resistance. Even if countered by fire, it shouldn't have been so severely suppressed.
This situation completely defied his expectations. His Martial Soul felt as fragile as paper in front of this child.
He immediately retracted the golden-glowing Blue Silver Grass. The three purple Spirit Rings disappeared, replaced by a single golden Spirit Ring.
With the golden ring's rise, his physical strength and vitality surged. His moderately built body now contained terrifying power.
Yun Ze no longer stood still. He leapt forward, ready to face Tang Wulin directly.
"Good, come at me," Tang Wulin thought. His greatest strength was raw power, and this opponent's Martial Soul countered him. Could his strength still surpass him?
The two collided with a punch. Tang Wulin's eyes widened again as his body was thrown backward.
He staggered several steps, the skin on his right hand slightly scorched. Yun Ze's punch carried not only immense force but also searing heat.
"How is this possible?" Tang Wulin thought in shock, staring at Yun Ze as if at a monster.
He had never lost a strength contest against peers, even older Martial Soul Masters. Yet now, he had been beaten by a child several years younger—unthinkable.
It wasn't just him. Xie Xie, Ye Xinglan, and the others nearby were also astonished.
They knew Tang Wulin possessed tremendous brute strength, rivaling even the Titan Ape Soul Sect member, Yuan Enyehui.
They had expected Tang Wulin to overpower his opponent easily. Clearly, they had underestimated Yun Ze.
Tang Wulin's power was substantial, yet even now, Yun Ze couldn't be dealt with lightly, forcing him back with counter-force.
Yun Ze's steps were precise, skillfully absorbing the impact. Once stable, he charged again.
Flaming red armor appeared over his arms, shoulders, legs, and chest.
Even without releasing the Battle Armor, he could likely defeat the five opponents, but it would be a grueling fight, leaving him exhausted.
With the Battle Armor activated, the fight became significantly easier.
(End of Chapter)