"Xiao Tian, Wuhun Sword Fifteen, level thirty-six combat soul master, please give me some advice!" Xiao Tian looked at Dai Mubai with a slight smirk.
"What! You're level thirty-six?" Dai Mubai was shocked. He hadn't expected this seemingly young boy to be so close to his level.
"Brother, this guy is so annoying! Help me beat him up!" Zhu Zhuqing whispered to Xiao Wu, who had a mischievous grin.
"But Xiao Tian is so powerful—why didn't you tell me last night?" Zhu Zhuqing whispered again.
Xiao Wu had only mentioned that the three of them were Soul Masters and that Xiao Tian was the strongest. She thought level 32 was already impressive, but today's display far exceeded that.
Meanwhile, the twins hiding near the lobby edge with the front desk clerk watched the looming battle nervously—they were ordinary people, not prepared for a soul master fight.
"Dai Mubai, do you really think because I look younger, I'm weaker and can be bullied? Sorry to disappoint you—you picked the wrong person to provoke. Even Tang San, the weakest of my group, might be too strong for you."
Tang San looked awkward, unsure if Xiao Tian was complimenting or mocking him.
Dai Mubai eyed the ordinary iron sword in Xiao Tian's hand, confused at his high level. Did Xiao Tian have a secret backer? Even if so, what did it matter—he had one too!
Xiao Tian was determined to give Dai Mubai a harsh lesson—his behavior was intolerable.
Holding Sword Fifteen, its blade trembled and shimmered with sword energy.
Without activating any soul skills, Xiao Tian swung a pure sword energy strike toward Dai Mubai.
"Haha, that's it?" Dai Mubai thought he could block it with his martial spirit's physical enhancements. Yet as the sword energy neared, the oppressive power made him feel like facing a true rival.
"The first soul skill: White Tiger Protective Shield!" Dai Mubai clenched his fists, crossing them to shield vital areas. A white aura burst forth, boosting his defense by 50%.
Ahh!
Dai Mubai was hit directly by the sword energy; veins bulged as he was knocked several steps back. His shirt sleeve was sliced, revealing bloodied skin.
He was stunned—how could this be?
Xiao Wu and the others weren't surprised.
Though Xiao Tian's sword realm hadn't advanced much recently, he had reached the peak of sword intent. The strength boost from his sword intent alone was terrifying.
Everyone knew Xiao Tian was unsatisfied with slow progress at his young age—even Jian Dao Chen Xin hadn't achieved this success so early.
But Xiao Tian felt his swordsmanship was still too slow for his growing comprehension. He needed a fierce battle to ignite his sense of pressure.
His sword intent had realm but lacked meaningful breakthroughs. He needed to smash through in combat.
Dai Mubai hadn't expected this casual sword strike to nearly break through his defenses—it was clear he had to attack first.
He cupped his hands around his mouth, and his second soul ring glowed.
"White Tiger Splits Light Wave!"
A white light wave surged from his mouth toward Xiao Tian.
"Xiao Tian, are you awesome or what? Take this if you dare!" Dai Mubai taunted.
Xiao Tian, initially hoping to avoid a commotion in the hotel lobby, realized they'd been provoked and had no choice but to accept.
"Sword cultivators must be elegant! Swordsmanship!"
He calmly formed a circle of sword energies in front of him, tips touching, with Sword Fifteen held horizontally in the center like an umbrella.
The sword energy barrier!
Xiao Wu smiled cunningly watching. This was Xiao Tian's own soul skill—the sword energy shield, which not only defends but...
"You're using your sword energy shield? Think it can match my second soul skill? You're too arrogant! You haven't even used a soul skill yet!" Dai Mubai sneered, anger clear in his voice. He felt underestimated.
Xiao Tian smiled coldly. With his sword intent blessing his sword energy, he didn't need soul skills to handle Dai Mubai.
"That's just a hundred-year-old soul skill of Cricket," Tang San muttered.
Tang San and the others winced—it hurt just hearing that.
As the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave struck the sword energy barrier, it was wrapped up like an umbrella flipping inside out.
Xiao Tian lightly pushed forward with Sword Fifteen; the umbrella reshaped instantly, and the attack was reflected!
This soul skill, born from Xiao Tian's inspiration years ago, was modeled after an umbrella.
"Not good!" Dai Mubai's face paled. He gritted his teeth and triggered his third purple soul ring.
"The third soul skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
As the millennium soul ring activated, his aura shifted dramatically, causing fear to ripple around him.
With this skill, Dai Mubai's muscles bulged, and he effortlessly blocked the returned White Tiger Fierce Light Wave.
But his expression darkened.
"You bastard! You look down on me?" Dai Mubai roared, furious.
Yu Xiaogang intervened sternly, "Dai Mubai! Xiao Tian, that's enough! We'll be classmates tomorrow—don't ruin the relationship!"
Dai Mubai realized the newcomer would join Shrek Academy.
Xiao Tian chuckled, "Master, if everyone at Shrek Academy is like this, maybe I shouldn't join. They don't listen to reason and think the stronger fist decides everything."
"Exactly. My fist isn't hard, but my sword is!" Xiao Tian no longer hid his strength, his three purple soul rings flashing brightly.
Dai Mubai fell silent.
Shock crossed his face.
He acted on impulse.
But… it was too late.
"Second soul skill, sword energy surges!"
--
If you enjoy my work and want to read extra chapters, visit my Patreon—the link is in the novel's description.