Chapter 23: Assessment Situation

As a member of the Martial Soul Hall, Jiu Ying's pride often overrode her reason. As long as she could defeat that damned bald monk, she had no issue with cooperation.

After the two reached an agreement, Gu Yechen transferred his ability to walk through the air entirely to Jiu Ying.

Within the range sensed by his Hellfire Lotus, he held absolute control—this was his domain. Any person or object within it could be used or transferred at will. While he couldn't yet construct illusionary worlds, for someone at the twentieth soul level, this was more than sufficient.

As Gu Yechen's mental will shifted, the soul power dispersed in the surrounding area began to boil. The scene before them gradually grew blurry, as if layered with illusions.

Was this an illusion? Or was it hell? Gu Yechen couldn't tell. Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion—all blended together indistinctly. But what he did know was this: within this area, he was in complete control.

Because of his lower soul level, Gu Yechen naturally couldn't utilize many abilities.

At that moment, due to the ability exchange, Gu Yechen hobbled around with a limp, running awkwardly like a lame man. It was a rather comical sight—but his speed was nothing to scoff at. After all, it was Jiu Ying's power he now wielded.

As for Jiu Ying, she now felt a surge of strength coursing through her. It was as if her injured leg had never been hurt at all. A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"That damned bald freak. Let's see how long you can stay arrogant. Arrogance comes at a price—now obediently follow behind me."

Her earlier pride had led her to underestimate the arrows and thus, she got injured.

"Big brother, thanks!"

It was worth noting that Jiu Ying was a 29th-level, two-ring Soul Master—her explosive power was far beyond Gu Yechen, who was only a 20th-level, one-ring Soul Master.

Naturally, even Sin Wuqing, also at the 20th level, couldn't possibly match the 29th-level Jiu Ying. Gu Yechen had simulated her abilities to his level, but Jiu Ying's superior soul power made her simulation far more powerful—she now moved without restraint.

With a gust at her feet, blades of grass were swept up as she charged like a howling hurricane.

Face the storm!

Her speed was practically hacked—as if using cheats. A dark blur streaked past, so fast the figure couldn't be seen clearly. Moments later, she appeared right beside Sin Wuqing, sneering:

"Bald freak, your arrogance ends here. Get ready!"

"Hmph!" Jiu Ying snorted coldly. She made a mocking face, then suddenly accelerated, leaving Sin Wuqing utterly in the dust—humiliated beyond words.

Sin Wuqing stood frozen in disbelief.

"How is this possible? She wasn't affected by that guy?"

"Or... maybe he helped her eliminate thirty percent of the speed reduction? If that's the case…"

"Then doesn't that mean… that guy's Martial Soul is at least top-tier Emperor class? It's already approaching my own Martial Soul's level. If I don't use my trump card, there's no way I'll win first place."

Sin Wuqing's Martial Soul was also of the Emperor class—not some so-called Rainbow Cloud, but a beast-type Martial Soul.

"But just for a mere first place, to reveal my full strength would be foolish and not worth the risk. If those old geezers catch on to the nature of my Martial Soul, they might just tie me up and dissect me."

"Forget it. Second place it is. It doesn't matter."

Sin Wuqing tried to comfort himself. Losing to a 29th-level opponent as a 20th-level wasn't exactly disgraceful.

At the same time, he glanced back at Gu Yechen, who was hopping along like a kangaroo.

"Kid, I'll remember you. Let's call it a draw this time—but next time, you won't have a chance to win."

Although Gu Yechen was in third place, the others were closing in fast—especially Kong Long, who was considered a top contender, and Wang Ba, who always looked like he was asking for a beating.

But what happened next left everyone at Heaven Dou Royal Academy absolutely stunned.

A Soul Master from the agility attack branch shot forward like a bolt of lightning, crackling with electricity as he soared through the sky. From afar, he looked like a small purple lightning snake streaking through the clouds. But up close—it wasn't a snake, and it wasn't a bird.

"It's a… birdman!"

Some examinees recognized him immediately—he was another top contender for the championship: Cai Xiang.

"Look! That's my son!"

From a mountain-top viewing platform, a man in light armor pointed excitedly toward the sky.

This bird-like figure moved with incredible speed, instantly overtaking both Wang Ba and Kong Long to take fourth place. And he was still accelerating—at this rate, taking the championship would be as easy as reaching into a pocket.

The other parents stared in awe at the human lightning bolt and exclaimed:

"As expected of a tiger's son—a real prodigy! General Cai has raised an exceptional child. The championship this year will surely go to Young Master Cai!"

Of course, some weren't fully convinced.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Nephew Kong Long hasn't even gone all out yet. I believe he'll still take the crown and secure a spot on Team Two of the Royal Academy without breaking a sweat."

"Are you blind? Didn't you just see that Cai Xiang already overtook Kong Long? Don't lie through your teeth just to flatter someone."

A flirtatious woman threw a wink at General Cai and purred:

"General Cai, when will you honor our family with a visit? My daughter is quite the beauty, and she's also taking the assessment. If your son and my daughter end up together, what a joyful union that would be!"

Hearing this, some scoffed—it was clearly just a veiled attempt at matchmaking, utterly shameless.

Still, most people sided with General Cai. After all, he was a favored official close to Emperor Xue Ye—no one wanted to offend him. Only a few still supported Kong Long's father.

Seeing everyone flatter General Cai, General Kong—his long-time rival—was not pleased.

"General Cai, your son's ability isn't a soul skill, is it? If I'm not mistaken, it's a soul bone ability, isn't it?"

General Cai chuckled:

"Indeed. Jealous that my Cai Xiang found a soul bone perfectly suited to him? Your precious son wasn't so lucky—he absorbed a support-type soul bone and ended up with a healing ability. What a waste!"

"Haha, truly laughable. Does the Kong family not have money for auctions?"

General Kong growled, "Hmph. All you've got is a few inherited soul bones from your ancestors. And what, you only gave your son one? Haven't you absorbed at least three yourself?"

"We Kong men may not be as wealthy, but we're fair. We had two soul bones—I took one, and my son took the other."

General Cai sneered:

"Fair, my ass. You took the power-type bone and left the support one for your kid. Don't tell me he's not your real son."

General Kong spat, "Pah! Screw you! There's no war going on right now, but if it's a fight you want, I'll gladly oblige!"

A few bystanders quickly stepped in to prevent a clash between the two high-ranking generals—one responsible for reconnaissance and intelligence, the other a battle-hardened frontline commander.

Both wielded significant power within the Empire, and most present were far beneath them in status. Only the mediator dared interrupt, offering a reasonable observation:

"Gentlemen, please calm down. Look over there—the little girl is about to reach the finish line. Your sons might not even make the top three."

General Cai: "What?! Her leg is fine now? How is she moving like nothing ever happened?"

General Kong: "What's going on? What's that thing under the little bald guy's feet? Is that… a Martial Soul?"

The two generals had focused entirely on their sons, completely overlooking the shifting dynamics of the assessment.

Battlefields are ever-changing—but none expected the assessment itself to be this unpredictable.

The mediator, clearly the wisest among them, had been watching Gu Yechen all along. He whispered to himself:

"Lingling didn't choose the wrong person.

Years from now, he'll be someone remarkable. Let's just hope he doesn't follow the same tragic path I did…"

(End of Chapter)

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