The next morning, Fang Ling was up at the crack of dawn, full of energy.
He was in a new place and about to meet new people.
Among them were Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling, each considered a genius in this world.
The thought of needing his future teammates' approval stirred up a bit of excitement in him.
Even his martial soul felt more active than usual.
After finishing a double portion of breakfast, Qin Ming arrived as scheduled.
Seeing Fang Ling well-dressed and full of energy, Qin Ming showed a trace of satisfaction in his eyes.
A self-disciplined kid. No need to nag like with those spoiled noble students.
"Ready?"
Fang Ling grinned excitedly, twirling a giant scythe over two meters long with powerful momentum.
"Of course! My scythe is itching for action!"
"..."
Qin Ming suddenly felt a wave of bloody scent in the air. His smile faded instantly.
He remembered Bai Baoshan's warning and that silver deathmatch badge he had seen yesterday.
Over thirty life-and-death battles, that meant at least thirty lives taken.
Should he say this is expected from someone born a beggar?
Growing up amidst the darkness of human nature, yet still unfazed after killing so many, able to smile and act naturally.
That showed just how strong his mind was.
And rightly so, there was no way someone with an innate level one spirit could cultivate so quickly without stepping through bones and blood.
After a moment of silence, Qin Ming spoke with a slightly serious tone.
"Don't kill anyone. And avoid hitting vital spots."
"They're your classmates. And all come from powerful backgrounds."
Fang Ling thought he was making a big deal out of nothing and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, teacher. I know how to hold back."
"Good."
Feeling slightly reassured, Qin Ming led him through a small path, passing a forest, and arrived at the exclusive training ground of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's battle team.
Since the team was still being formed, it was currently used by the reserve squad.
While Qin Ming was away, the others were doing warm-ups and stretches.
Fang Ling swept his gaze across the scene, there were quite a few people.
A handsome young man with short blond hair, average build and height.
Another black-clad youth with golden hair and delicate, almost feminine features.
Two strong and burly men with square jaws, giving off a solid and dependable vibe.
And a girl hiding in a corner, also dressed in black, face covered with a black veil. Her long hair cascaded like a blue waterfall.
Her equally blue eyes were emotionless, and she sat alone, completely out of place with the rest, full of loneliness and isolation.
...
Then his attention turned to a boy and a girl.
The boy was about fifteen, tall, with a plain face and black hair, dressed in a blue training outfit.
The girl had short dark purple hair, mesmerizing green eyes, and a curvy figure like a seductive snake.
The two were talking, though it was mostly the boy doing the talking and laughing.
The girl barely replied, her cold expression giving him no face at all.
The blue-clad boy had a zombie-like face, just like Yu Xiaogang. No doubt this was Yu Tianheng.
And that snake-like girl with green eyes could only be Dugu Yan.
It looked like Yu Tianheng was flirting, but Dugu Yan wasn't giving him any real attention.
Fang Ling took mental note.
Then he saw Qin Ming clap his hands. "Everyone pause for a moment and look over here. We've got a new member joining you today."
As everyone stopped their activities, he continued:
"Fang Ling, go ahead and introduce yourself."
Fang Ling nodded, stepped forward, and said in a clear voice:
"Hello everyone, my name is Fang Ling. I come from the War King Intermediate Soul Master Academy. I'm ten years old, a level 23 agility-type Grand Soul Master. My martial soul is a pole scythe."
"I also possess the Silver Deathmatch Badge from the Great Soul Arena."
The beginning of the introduction was fairly ordinary. Ten years old and level 23, nothing too extraordinary.
A pole scythe? That wasn't a commonly known weapon martial soul.
And that obvious prosthetic leg didn't quite match with the idea of an agility-type soul master.
They had seen plenty of people enter the reserve team and fail the assessment. This wasn't anything new.
No one reacted much.
But his next line shocked everyone. Their pupils shrank and their bodies froze.
What did he mean by "Silver Deathmatch Badge"?
Those who were still warming up instantly stopped and stood up.
"What exactly is a Silver Deathmatch Badge?"
Yu Tianheng whispered to Dugu Yan, then stepped forward, face serious.
He was the strongest among them, inheritor of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul, from the Blue Lightning Clan, and already confirmed as team captain.
Being recognized meant having a fight with him in front of everyone to prove strength.
You could call it a test.
"Exactly what it sounds like, a silver badge earned through deathmatches at the Great Soul Arena," Fang Ling replied, showing the badge and burning with fighting spirit.
He swung his right hand back. A silver-white scythe flashed into view, dragging across the stone floor behind him.
Holding the scythe near its midpoint, he was clearly ready to fight.
"I was born with innate level one, but still dared to dream of becoming the strongest in the world."
"My cultivation speed comes from facing the pressure of death and forcing out my potential."
These words carried the taste of blood.
Even Dugu Yan, who had been keeping a cold face due to being harassed, now looked more interested in the upcoming battle.
Not just her, everyone was intrigued.
Even Ye Lingling, who had previously looked detached and aloof, now paid closer attention.
"Silver Deathmatch Badge..."
Yu Tianheng repeated it again.
At fifteen, he was already a Soul Elder. He had definitely been to the Great Soul Arena.
Though he'd never participated in a deathmatch, he knew that deathmatch and regular matches had different badge systems.
The words were individually normal, but together, they were chilling.
Yu Tianheng's mind worked quickly as he asked, testing the waters:
"How many people have you killed?"
This question could give a rough gauge of the other's strength.
"Probably thirty or forty. I didn't keep count."
Fang Ling didn't waste time. He put away the badge and issued a direct challenge.
"Teacher Qin Ming said I need your approval to join the reserve team."
"Since no one else spoke up, and you seem the calm and stable one, I assume you're the strongest here, their leader."
"Soul masters prove themselves through combat, nothing more."
"So"
"Let's fight!"
As Yu Tianheng looked on with calm eyes, Fang Ling burst into laughter, overflowing with battle intent.
He had chosen Yu Tianheng on purpose!
Dugu Yan was linked to Dugu Bo, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, rare herbs, and even the Slaughter City.
If she and Yu Tianheng were already in a relationship, he wouldn't interfere.
But since they hadn't started yet, of course he was going to try and steal the spotlight!
No matter what, he'd win the upper hand first.
Soul masters admire strength, even if a Grand Soul Master loses to a Soul Elder, that's expected.
But as long as he made Yu Tianheng look bad and embarrassed him, Fang Ling would achieve his goal.
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