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Sea God Island.
Inside the Golden Treehouse.
Su Wen sat cross-legged on his bed, clutching a card inlaid with black crystal. His eyes gleamed—it was a Black Crystal Card, accepted at every major auction house and merchant guild across the continent.
The financial system of the Douluo World had evolved over the ages. Ten thousand years ago, it ran on "credit." For example, the first five-million gold spirit coin deposit Ning Fengzhi made in his deal with Tang San was represented by a golden card—essentially a check symbolizing Ning Fengzhi's reputation.
Now, with the popularization of soul tools, the continent's entire financial system had entered the soul tool era, akin to the bank cards of his previous life. Though just a cold string of digits, balances could change instantly with every transaction.
After admiring the novelty for a while, Su Wen slipped the Black Crystal Card into his storage-type soul ring.
His team had returned to the academy last night. After a night of rest, he expected that it wouldn't be long before Yan Shaozhe sent Dai Yaoheng and the others to summon him to the Inner Court's dueling arena to continue his special training.
"Xiao Wen…"
Sure enough, half an hour later, Dai Yaoheng appeared at the door of Su Wen's wooden cabin and gestured with his head. Su Wen silently changed into his fitted red-and-white Inner Court uniform, and the two headed toward the Inner Court together.
As they approached, the outline of the dueling arena came into view. They walked under a layer of leaden-gray clouds that cast the grounds in shadow. A cool breeze blew, dispersing some of the early summer heat.
"You're here?" Yan Shaozhe greeted Su Wen with a warm smile.
With the Dreadgold Claw Bear now in his arsenal, Su Wen was no longer the somewhat handicapped junior from a week ago who had to rely on Ling Luochen to unleash his full power. His combat strength had undoubtedly skyrocketed. Yan Shaozhe hoped he would give these proud prodigies a little "monster" shock.
Su Wen scanned the arena. Ma Xiaotao was already standing inside, chatting casually with Ling Luochen—it seemed their fragile friendship hadn't completely fractured yet. Gongyang Mo was twisting his waist, teasing Chen Zifeng in an effeminate manner. The latter seemed used to it and chose to feign death by closing his eyes to meditate. Most of the other students were sitting cross-legged, cultivating.
Su Wen nodded slightly. The atmosphere in the Inner Court was impressive. Even without a teacher's supervision, this group of geniuses was fiercely competitive.
"Alright, let's get ready to begin."
Yan Shaozhe, dressed in a white robe with gold-rimmed glasses, had a few strands of white at his temples. Coupled with the gentle smile always on his face, he gave off the air of a handsome, middle-aged man who kept up with the latest trends. He clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"First match, Xiao Wen is on my team," Ma Xiaotao declared, pulling Su Wen to her side.
Ling Luochen gave a cool nod without comment. Dai Yaoheng did the same. He wasn't about to fight Ma Xiaotao over Su Wen. Last week's training had shown Su Wen's terrifying potential, but his actual strength was… so-so. Even with one more spirit ring, how much could have changed? Just one more skill couldn't possibly let him touch the heavens, right? A senior had to maintain his dignity in front of his junior.
The final teams were decided (seven members per side):
Ma Xiaotao's Team: Ma Xiaotao, Su Wen, Yao Haoxuan, Xixi…
Dai Yaoheng's Team: Dai Yaoheng, Ling Luochen, Gongyang Mo, Chen Zifeng…
"Begin!"
"Scree!"
Ma Xiaotao let out a cry as crimson flames erupted from her body, forming a pair of fiery wings on her back. She soared into the air, seizing control of the sky, and intercepted the charging Dai Yaoheng.
Though slightly weaker, Dai Yaoheng didn't back down. He unleashed his family's ancestral technique: the White Tiger Vajra Transformation. With a roar that tore his clothes, his body instantly swelled, and his aura became heavy and condensed.
The two strongest fighters from each team clashed.
The others were not to be outdone.
The enemy's Chen Zifeng unsheathed his blade, which glinted with a cold light as two purple spirit rings lit up at his feet. He intercepted Yao Haoxuan, who had transformed from a skinny youth into a three-meter-tall giant. Another agility-type female disciple from the Inner Court engaged Su Wen's teammate, Xixi.
Gongyang Mo giggled from the side, covering his mouth as his Rainbow Dragon martial soul manifested behind him. Beams of seven-colored light, like those from a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, showered down upon his teammates.
"Power of Crimson and Orange!"
"Speed of Yellow!"
As yellow and purple spirit rings lit up in succession, Dai Yaoheng's team's advantage instantly grew. Dai Yaoheng managed to withstand Ma Xiaotao's phoenix flames, successfully stalling the only Soul Emperor on the field. Chen Zifeng, at rank 53, was already dominating the newly promoted Soul King Yao Haoxuan. Now, empowered with extra strength and speed, his sword strikes became even sharper, each blow aimed at the vitals, pressing Yao Haoxuan so hard that he was drenched in sweat.
"Xiao Wen!" Ma Xiaotao shouted from above.
Su Wen gave a silent nod.
In the next instant, an Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion appeared behind him. It stood about two meters tall, its body a vibrant turquoise mixed with a hint of sea blue. Its form was so lean it looked skeletal, and its segmented, bony tail arched over Su Wen's head, the sharp stinger aimed at the enemy.
"Permafrost Domain!" Su Wen intoned softly.
An extreme cold instantly spread out, erupting from the Ice Emperor like a frost storm, blanketing the entire arena from above.
In a flash, it completely suppressed Ling Luochen's ice!
Everyone was stunned. This extreme cold was several times stronger than what Su Wen had unleashed last week! How could acquiring just one spirit ring make such a massive difference?!
"Wait, why don't I feel anything?" Ma Xiaotao said in shock. In the previous training sessions, her fire attribute was naturally opposed to Ultimate Ice, so she had always been the most affected. She had already braced herself to be weakened, but…
"I don't feel it either!" Yao Haoxuan's eyes lit up. "Xiao Wen, your skill can evolve?!!"
In contrast, Chen Zifeng and the others on the opposing team were utterly flabbergasted. They could clearly feel the cold gnawing at their bodies. This ultimate chill was madly draining their soul power and stamina, reducing their overall strength by at least twenty to thirty percent!
"Luochen, what are you doing? Fight back!" Dai Yaoheng shouted, struggling to hold his own against Ma Xiaotao.
"I… I can't withstand his Ultimate Ice…" Ling Luochen said with difficulty, a look of profound shock on her beautiful face.
"What?!!"
Everyone on the field froze.
Both were support-control types using the same element. The competition between Ling Luochen and Su Wen was a contest of their control over ice, almost like a struggle for "authority." In the last match, although Su Wen possessed Ultimate Ice, the vast difference in their soul power meant Ling Luochen had held the advantage.
But this match…
She was a full twenty ranks higher than him!
Dai Yaoheng's mouth twitched fiercely. He didn't think Ling Luochen was weak; after being teammates for years, he knew exactly how strong the ice-type soul master was. To be able to steadily suppress Ling Luochen despite being a full twenty ranks lower…
How utterly terrifying…
(End of Chapter)