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Three days later.
Shrek Academy, Outer Court, Class One, Grade One.
"In order to better showcase your true abilities, after applying to the academy with Teacher Wu, this class selection competition will be conducted as actual combat on the sparring platform. Let's go." Shen Yi calmly announced to the students in the classroom.
Gu Yue followed behind Bai Xu, her interest unusually piqued as she curiously trailed the group.
"You won't have such an easy time defeating us this time," Gu Yue joked before the match.
Bai Xu chuckled lightly. "Oh? I'm looking forward to it. Don't fall behind, Gu Yue."
Sparring Platform.
When the students of Class One, Grade One arrived at the sparring platform, they saw a figure already standing atop it.
She wore a long water-green dress, appearing both elegant and full of vitality, her features exquisitely beautiful. Her dark green hair cascaded down her back.
Tall and slender, she looked to be in her early thirties, her aura refined and her face adorned with a gentle smile.
Upon seeing her, Shen Yi and Wu Zhangkong quickly stepped forward and bowed in unison.
"Your Eminence."
"No need for such formalities. Rise," the woman said with a smile. The Holy Spirit Douluo was kind and approachable, always intervening when a match was decisively settled or when someone was about to suffer severe injuries.
"Enough small talk. Let's begin!"
Wu Zhangkong nodded and turned to announce, "This competition will be divided into 18 groups. Shortly, matches will be determined by drawing lots, following a single-elimination format. Today, we will determine the strongest group, which will represent our class in an exchange match against Class One, Grade Two in four days. The sub-profession exchanges will be handled by the respective sub-profession class committee members. Now, let the drawing begin."
First Round: Bai Xu's Team vs. Ouyang Shihuan's Team
The crowd was puzzled when they saw Bai Xu step onto the platform alone. Whispers spread, though most had already guessed the reason: "He's too strong. Even Wu Siduo lost to him. Naturally, he doesn't think much of the others."
Yali was slightly surprised and turned to Wu Zhangkong beside her. "This child is...?"
"Your Eminence, his situation is somewhat special, so he's formed a team alone to challenge the others," Wu Zhangkong explained briefly, not wanting to delve into the details.
"Oh, I see. Then this match should be quite interesting."
——————
"Begin!"
At Wu Zhangkong's command, Bai Xu didn't move immediately. Instead, golden light erupted from his body, enveloping him entirely, as if he had become a golden statue.
"That's his second martial soul—the Golden Element! Everyone, be careful!" Ouyang Shihuan and two other power-type Soul Elders weaved forward, closing in on Bai Xu together.
At the far rear of the team stood a control-type soul master, seemingly with a plant-based martial soul. His thousand-year soul ring flashed, and vines coiled around Bai Xu's body.
Meanwhile, two agility-type soul masters had already flanked Bai Xu from behind, their wolf claws and soul tools striking without hesitation, aimed directly at the back of his head.
Clang!
The attacks didn't land. Instead, their arms were numbed from the recoil. Suppressing the pain, they retreated swiftly after failing their assault.
The three power-type soul masters at the front had already closed in, their dazzling soul skills stirring gusts of wind. All three were Soul Elders with thousand-year soul rings, and their attacks packed considerable force.
Whoosh!
Bai Xu was no longer in his original position. Afterimages flickered as he effortlessly dodged the trio's assault. Seizing the opening in the center of the platform, he charged straight toward the control-type soul master at the rear.
"Ke Zhongyu, Ke Zhongzheng, stop him!" Ouyang Shihuan roared.
The two agility-type soul masters watched the afterimages—far faster than their own speed—and could only grit their teeth, pouring all their soul power into pursuit.
The control-type soul master unleashed soul skill after soul skill, trying to hinder Bai Xu's advance, but he couldn't even lock onto Bai Xu's real body. Regrettably, he was swiftly eliminated.
"A speed comparable to a top-tier agility-type soul master... Is this also part of his martial soul's ability?" The spectators analyzed Bai Xu's performance. The golden light covering his body seemed to have drastically enhanced his physical prowess.
The two agility-type soul masters suddenly sensed something as Bai Xu's gaze fell upon them. In their haste to rescue their teammate, they had strayed too far from the other three.
"Fall back!" one of them shouted, but it was already too late.
Bai Xu appeared before them in an instant. With two precise kicks, he sent them flying off the platform.
"Damn it!" Ouyang Shihuan was furious. Activating his martial soul, his right hand transformed into a claw wreathed in flames as he slashed at Bai Xu.
Boom!
Bai Xu met him with a punch. Fist clashed against claw in a contest of raw strength, and Ouyang Shihuan was sent flying backward. The outcome was clear.
"We forfeit!" The remaining two surrendered without further resistance.
The battle had ended in less than a minute.
The entire arena fell silent as all eyes fixed on the figure standing at the center. He looked utterly composed, his chest barely rising from exertion, as if he hadn't even begun to tire.
Tang Wulin was stunned. As expected, Bai Xu's speed was the most troublesome—far surpassing even Xie Xie's. Even with his explosive leg strength, Tang Wulin doubted he could keep up.
Streaks of green light enveloped the defeated Ouyang team, dissipating moments later.
The Holy Spirit Douluo exclaimed softly, "They're barely injured at all. You held back?"
"Mn. I matched the strength of their attacks when countering."
"Impressive!"
Hiss—
The crowd collectively gasped. This wasn't even Bai Xu's full strength? Matching the strength of their attacks? That's... that's just absurd!
Bai Xu stepped down from the platform and spotted Gu Yue. His stern expression finally softened as he chuckled. "So? How was that? This Immortal Lord is still impressive, right?"
"Of course!" Gu Yue replied softly.
"Oh? Bai Xu, are you finally revealing your edge? Calling yourself an 'Immortal Lord' feels a bit odd, though?" Xie Xie interjected.
Bai Xu waved a hand dismissively. "You wouldn't understand."
"If we end up matched later, go easy on me, alright? I don't want to end up bedridden," Xie Xie joked, leaning closer. After that night, he and Bai Xu had become friends.
The first round of eight matches took over an hour to conclude.
The second round was completed in half the time.
Nine teams advanced to the third round, with Bai Xu drawing a bye straight into the semifinals.
However, before the semifinals even began, two teams had already forfeited. The strength of Tang Wulin's team and Wu Siduo's team was undeniable, and with Bai Xu looming over them, this year's batch was truly overflowing with geniuses!
"Bai Xu's team advances by default!"
At Wu Zhangkong's announcement, Tang Wulin and the others brightened instantly. After witnessing Bai Xu's performance—defeating six opponents single-handedly—none of them doubted that he was the undisputed top genius of their generation. Only the winner between their two teams would earn the right to challenge the final "demon king."
This also meant that the grudge between the "Five Geniuses" and class president Tang Wulin would be settled here. The outcome was clear.
Tang Wulin, with his three-ring cultivation, had accomplished the unprecedented feat of forging a one-word battle armor. His bloodline surged in reverse! The dragon's roar rose from a low hum to a deafening crescendo as golden light erupted from his body, growing ever more radiant. The power of his bloodline raged and burned, encasing him in a blinding golden flame.
Tang Wulin unleashed the Dragon Shocks the Heavens, a technique passed down by Zhuo Shi—the Golden Dragon Shocks the Heavens.
Gu Yue didn't even need to go all out to secure victory. Every critical moment in the match ultimately favored Tang Wulin's team.
As the Five Geniuses met their end, Tang Wulin and his teammates' triumphant expressions hadn't yet faded.
But before they could even mourn the fallen geniuses, the next challenger arrived—the otherworldly demon who, like Tang San, had crossed into this world, the self-proclaimed strongest genius of his generation: the nameless Immortal Lord, Bai Xu!