Soul Orb

...

"Class Three, gather over here!"

On the playground, Zhou Haiyan was organizing the students into formation.

Nearby, other classes that had just completed their Life-bound Spirit Weapon assessments were also gathering. The field was packed with over three hundred students.

Standing on the high platform was Chen Fan, a Tier-Three Spirit Master from the Celestial Palace. His posture was as straight as a spear, exuding the discipline of a soldier.

Once he saw that all the students were present, Chen Fan's voice boomed across the field,

"Students, each of you has just undergone the test and discovered your Life-bound Spirit Weapon. You are now honored Spirit Masters.

But let me ask you a question:

What is it that truly allows humanity to fight against the ghosts?"

His voice, brimming with masculine energy, echoed across the playground.

The students murmured among themselves.

A moment later, Zhang Hai, who had awakened seven skill slots, shouted confidently, "Sir! It's the Life-bound Spirit Weapon!"

The other students nodded in agreement, seemingly convinced by his answer.

However, Chen Fan did not hesitate to correct him. "Wrong! It's courage!"

Zhang Hai's face turned red with embarrassment.

Beside Jiang Xiao, a chubby boy sneered, "Serves you right for trying to show off!"

Chen Fan swept his gaze over the young and inexperienced faces below, his voice deep and steady,

"The true terror of ghosts lies in the fact that they are dead beings—manifestations of the fears that have been ingrained in our minds for thousands of years!

I have seen many Spirit Masters, incredibly talented individuals, some possessing more than ten skill slots, their potential boundless!

But—

When faced with a mere wandering soul, they lost their nerve! They were too terrified to even lift their weapons!

Can we trust such 'geniuses' when they stand before real ghosts, responsible for countless lives behind them?"

Hearing this, the students, who had never truly encountered a ghost before, couldn't help but look grim.

"This test isn't just about your Life-bound Spirit Weapon," Chen Fan continued. "It also includes a real combat trial.

If you truly wish to possess the power to fight ghosts, if you genuinely want to protect your families—then the first step is to have the courage to face them!"

"However, let me be clear. Facing ghosts, in any form, always comes with the risk of death. I cannot guarantee your safety."

As soon as he said this, the students' faces turned pale.

"What? There's a combat trial today?"

"I just awakened my Spirit Weapon, and I don't even have any skills yet! How am I supposed to fight ghosts?"

"Night Stalker Ghosts... Starved Ghosts... Drowned Ghosts... I... I..."

All the ghost stories they had heard since childhood suddenly became nightmares looming over their young minds.

Some students were already stammering in fear.

"Uh... Jiang Xiao... maybe we should just..." The chubby boy averted his gaze, clearly considering backing out.

His Life-bound Spirit Weapon was a shield, with five skill slots—nothing extraordinary, but not weak either.

Jiang Xiao shot him a glare. "What are you afraid of? The high-ranking master from the Celestial Palace is here. Do you really think they'd let us die? At worst, they'll just scare us a little."

As expected, many students hesitated. Chen Fan's voice remained cold as he said,

"If any of you are afraid, you can leave now. There is no shame in it. Backing out early will only prevent greater casualties in future ghost-infested zones."

Within minutes, two-thirds of the students dejectedly stepped out of line.

More than half of Jiang Xiao's class left as well. Although Zhou Haiyan wasn't happy about it, she still consoled them, "It's okay. This was unexpected. The Celestial Palace didn't inform us in advance..."

Looking at the remaining hundred students, Chen Fan's gaze landed on Jiang Xiao.

The boy had only awakened three skill slots—the worst talent among them—yet he had chosen to stay. This piqued Chen Fan's curiosity.

Without dwelling on it, he continued, "Good. I hope to see all of you again in large-scale ghost-infested zones in the future."

"Now, follow me."

With that, he strode off the platform.

Zhou Haiyan and the other teachers took the students who had backed out back to their classrooms.

The remaining students would proceed with the combat trial under the leadership of Chen Fan, a Tier-Three Spirit Master.

"Wow, even a loser like you dares to go to your death?"

Zhang Hai sneered at Jiang Xiao from the crowd.

"You better not push it too far!" The chubby boy angrily pointed at Zhang Hai.

"Honestly, someone like you, who makes all ghosts retreat, should be quite safe in a ghost zone," Jiang Xiao said casually.

"Ghosts retreat?"

Zhang Hai was momentarily stunned before smirking. "Finally figured it out? Trying to suck up to me? At least you know what's good for you."

The chubby boy muttered in confusion, "Jiang Xiao, why are you saying good things about him?"

Jiang Xiao grinned mischievously. "Well, just look at him. With that face, ghosts would be terrified just seeing him in the dark."

He then pulled the chubby boy along toward the school gate.

Zhang Hai's face turned red, then purple. After a long pause, he squeezed out a single sentence through gritted teeth, "Alright, kid... We'll see about that!"

At the school gate, three buses were already waiting.

Chen Fan quickly organized the students and said,

"You've all studied ghost theory for a year. You should have some understanding of ghost entities.

The place we're heading to is a newly emerging ghost-infested zone. Only wandering souls exist there. As long as you remain steadfast, even without using your Spirit Weapons, you can leave unharmed by relying on courage alone."

Hearing this, Jiang Xiao and the others sighed in relief.

Thankfully, it was just wandering souls.

It made sense—there was no way they would actually send a group of high school students to face truly dangerous ghosts.

Ghosts were categorized into several danger levels: White, Blue, and Red.

A Night Stalker Ghost, for instance, was a White-class entity. It could only harm people when they were mentally weak or distracted.

But Red-class ghosts were a different matter. If unsealed, they could slaughter entire cities.

And some of the highest-ranked ghosts could blot out the sun and obliterate entire civilizations.

As for wandering souls, they weren't truly ghosts. They were more like lingering traces of Yin energy—akin to eerie winds.

At worst, they would emit sorrowful wails, unsettling but harmless.

The most severe consequence would be feeling lost or disoriented for a few days, but exposure to sunlight would restore them.

Suddenly, Chen Fan pulled out a smooth, luminous orb.

"Before we leave the ghost zone, whoever eliminates the most wandering souls will receive this Blue-class Soul Orb as a reward."

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

At that moment, every pair of eyes locked onto the Soul Orb in his hand.

"A Blue-class Soul Orb?!"

"So there's a reward for this trial..."

"Haha, those cowards who backed out must be regretting it now!"

Excitement surged through the students. Each of them silently vowed to claim the top spot.

Even though they were just high schoolers, they frequently used their phones and understood the immense value of Soul Orbs in the modern world.

Even the lowest-tier White-class Soul Orbs sold for thousands.

A Blue-class Soul Orb was worth tens of thousands.

And rare skill-infused Soul Orbs? Those could easily be priced at a hundred thousand!

Even Zhang Hai, a wealthy heir, swallowed hard.

"This Blue-class Soul Orb is mine!"

At that moment, a crisp, confident voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look.

Initially, some wanted to scoff at whoever had spoken so boldly.

But when they saw her face, the words got stuck in their throats.

"It's her! Bai Qimeng from Class One!"

"She awakened a Heaven-grade Spirit Weapon with nine skill slots! She's the most gifted student in our grade!"

As she stood there, dressed in a delicate pink robe, Bai Qimeng looked as proud as a peacock.

Chen Fan's indifferent eyes showed a hint of approval. "Do your best. The future is in your hands."

Jiang Xiao watched the arrogant girl and suddenly smirked.

"You want first place? You should at least ask me first."