Chapter 137: Casotice’s Strength

Zheng Tian Academy, in truth, was not weak—they were definitely strong enough to be a top-eight team. But their luck was terrible: first up against Shrek Academy, defeated against the odds, and now unlucky again to face St. Freya Academy.

"My name is Lu Jingming. Let's be friends. You're outstanding—have you considered developing your career in Haiyuan City?" Lu Jingming smiled, extending his hand to Ye Wuqing.

He genuinely admired Ye Wuqing, who was likely to break through to Soul Emperor before the age of twenty, meaning he could at least become a Titled Douluo.

If Zheng Tian Academy had more resources, Ye Wuqing would have shone even brighter. Haiyuan City didn't lack top powerhouses; what it lacked were pillars like Ye Wuqing.

If Ye Wuqing was willing to come, Lu Jingming wouldn't mind creating a new commander post in addition to the five Gold Guard commanders—or even forming a new soul master legion.

Indeed, Lu Jingming had been considering just that.

The Gold Guard maintained public order and defense in Haiyuan City, but he wanted a sharp, invincible blade—a soul master legion distinct from the Gold Guard.

He'd even decided on a name: the Fatui. If Ye Wuqing joined, Lu Jingming would focus on nurturing him, offering him an executive officer role.

Ye Wuqing and the others were stunned. They'd expected Lu Jingming to act aloof and arrogant but instead were met with a friendly invitation.

Recalling what they'd seen in Haiyuan City, Ye Wuqing shook Lu Jingming's hand and said steadily, "Thank you. I'll consider it."

"I'll await your reply," Lu Jingming said, then looked at Yu Mengdi, Tang Xiaolei, and the others. "The same goes for all of you. Haiyuan City's doors are always open."

Unlike Dou Ling Royal Academy, Zheng Tian Academy wasn't exclusive to royalty; students could choose their own paths after graduation.

But Dou Ling Royal Academy students were required to serve the Dou Ling Empire.

Thus, even though Gu Zhu Jian and the others were talented, Lu Jingming didn't extend an invitation.

Lu Jingming's friendly manner melted nearly all of Yu Mengdi's hostility.

Dan Heng, acting as referee, pretended not to see Lu Jingming recruiting talent on stage, and the spectators, not knowing what was said, just saw them shake hands, sensing no tension.

But the match still had to be fought.

Both teams quickly spread out, putting a hundred meters between them.

Dan Heng calmly surveyed both sides and proclaimed, "The match begins!"

At that, both teams released their soul rings simultaneously.

Rings of light appeared. Ye Guyi and Yu Mengdi charged toward each other like arrows.

Beautiful, divine angelic images appeared behind both of them.

Ye Guyi's angel was breathtakingly pure and holy, while Yu Mengdi's, though impressive, seemed a bit lacking by comparison.

Even though Yu Mengdi's soul power was higher, she was momentarily suppressed by Ye Guyi's aura.

A holy, stirring battle hymn seemed to echo from the void, reverberating around the arena.

Platinum holy sword and golden twin swords clashed, exploding in dazzling sparks.

White and gold wings tangled in the air as if two divine birds were fighting.

This epic angel duel instantly delivered an unparalleled visual feast for the audience.

The crowd erupted in excitement.

"Are all Angel Martial Souls this cool? Do they even come with their own BGM?" March 7th's eyes were full of envy. She secretly wondered how awesome it would be if she had her own battle theme music.

As she spoke, a delicate pink longbow appeared in her hand.

With a subtle wave of soul power, a cold ice arrow quickly formed.

She drew her bow, and the arrow whistled through the air, intercepting a purple light arrow in midflight.

Tang Xiaolei, who had just fired with his Purple Radiant Bow, was surprised.

He hadn't expected St. Freya Academy's pink-haired girl to also be an expert archer.

But he quickly noticed the difference: March 7th's bow was a soul tool, while his was a martial soul.

Suddenly, the situation changed.

A black shadow flashed by—Yang Yifan, wielding his Shadow Blade, activated his second soul skill: Shadow Slash.

His speed soared; he became a streak of light, his blade forming a sharp arc, slashing at Castorice.

At the same time, Xue Lang, with his martial soul attached, charged at Castorice from another direction, moving like a wild beast.

His blood-red hair flew in the wind, exuding a savage, bloody aura.

Both the shadow blade and the bloody claws aimed for Castorice at once.

Clearly, Zheng Tian Academy had decided that Lu Jingming, Gu Yue, and Firefly were too strong, and that March 7th and Ye Guyi already had opponents. Robin was also too risky to target.

So they chose Castorice as their breakthrough point.

Facing these attacks, Castorice remained adorably blank, just blinking.

Then, with a graceful flick of her right hand, black energy gathered, and a gorgeous purple scythe appeared.

"Slash!"

Two purple arcs flashed, instantly shattering the shadow blade and blood claws.

To Castorice, the massive scythe was like a toy, easily swung.

She swept it out, and a huge blade light tore through the air with a piercing screech.

Yang Yifan and Xue Lang's faces changed drastically—they realized they'd kicked an iron wall.

Lu Jingming shook his head, amused.

In his view, they'd have been better off challenging Gu Yue than Castorice.

If Castorice weren't so kind, the two would have been enveloped by death the moment they got close.

Even so, they were no match for her.

Under a storm of purple blade lights, both were in crisis.

Though Castorice always acted cute and dazed, she became astonishingly agile in battle.

Spectators saw her dance with the purple scythe, as graceful as a butterfly.

But beneath the beauty was deadly danger; her strength left Yang Yifan and Xue Lang utterly helpless.

They used soul skills repeatedly to escape but to no avail.

Seeing her teammates in jeopardy, Yan'er grew anxious.

Surrounded by flames, she activated her first and second soul skills: Fireball and Fireball Array.

Five blazing fireballs flew at Castorice, trying to help her teammates.

But Castorice wasn't alone. Gu Yue, brow raised, elegantly hooked her finger.

A blue orb beside her glowed, and a dragon's roar sounded. A water dragon sprang into existence.

The water dragon crashed into the fireballs.

"Boom!"

The collision caused a massive explosion.

A thick mist quickly spread, covering most of the arena.

At that moment, a blue lightning bolt exploded in the mist. On Lu Jingming's left hand, a red stigmata appeared.

Powerful lightning surged into his body, pushing his speed to the limit.

In a blink, he became a black lightning bolt, crossing the arena, his black spear aimed straight at Ye Wuqing.

The spear whistled through the air.

Ye Wuqing's face changed. He quickly activated his first soul skill: Golden Barrier.

A golden shield appeared before him. At the same time, Shangguan Can swung his Soul-attracting Bell, using his third soul skill: Soul Spike.

The bell's sound carried a hidden mental attack, stabbing at Lu Jingming's brow.

Lu Jingming's eyes flashed with lightning—a mental shock, wrapped in black-red electricity, shot out.

The bell's sound shattered instantly.

The mental shock struck Shangguan Can.

"Pfft!"

Shangguan Can turned pale and spat blood, eyes full of terror, feeling as if he'd been glared at by a god—a soul-crushing fear.

Lu Jingming shook his head. Shangguan Can dared use a mental attack on him? Ridiculous.

In his Stigmata space, a goddess of thunder slept! If not for Lu Jingming's restraint, Shangguan Can's soul would have been erased from existence.