Chapter 19: The Mighty Gorilla and the Green Phosphorus Snake (Part 1)
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"Thanks, Brother Ling, for going easy on me. We'll be classmates from now on, so just call me by my name."
Chu Qingtian grabbed Ling Bai's hand for support as he got up, a slightly bitter smile on his lips.
He didn't want to make any excuses, like saying the Six-Winged Angel had overwhelmed the Electric Mad Leopard, or that he hadn't had enough to eat for dinner today...
With his superior Soul Power and status as a high-achieving student of Shrek Academy's Outer Court, he hadn't even managed to force Ling Bai to use his third or fourth soul skill. Throughout the battle, he hadn't launched a single threatening attack, spending most of his time trying to figure out how to escape from the Holy Angel Sword's blade.
On the other hand, Ling Bai had stood his ground without moving an inch, even giving up the Six-Winged Angel's strongest aerial advantage to Chu Qingtian. A few soul skills later, he had easily beaten Chu Qingtian into a retreat.
If their match had been a life-or-death battle rather than a friendly sparring, Chu Qingtian suspected he would be half-dead by now.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
As their battle concluded, applause echoed through the Soul Duel Arena. Zhang Lexuan and Du Weilun led the others over.
"Shrek Academy's Inner Academy has gained another monster. Welcome, Junior Brother."
Zhang Lexuan was the first to congratulate Ling Bai, her eyes twinkling with a warm smile. Du Weilun had just explained Ling Bai's background to her.
An eleven-year-old Inner Academy student, the youngest and thus the least experienced in Shrek Academy's Inner Academy.
Age-wise, he was at the bottom.
So calling him Junior Brother was fitting.
"Thank you, Senior Sister."
Junior Brother it was, even though it sounded a bit off. Ling Bai figured he'd get used to it in a couple of days.
"Qingtian did well too. The Electric Mad Leopard's speed, lightning transformation, shadow, and spirit—all the abilities he should have used were used. You need to work harder in the Inner Academy."
Zhang Lexuan didn't forget to encourage Chu Qingtian. Losing to Ling Bai wasn't something to be ashamed of; in years to come, Chu Qingtian might even be proud of it.
Hearing this, Chu Qingtian instantly forgot about his shoulder injury, standing tall and declaring resolutely, "I will train hard and promise not to disappoint you, Senior Sister!"
Ling Bai blinked. He seemed to have underestimated Zhang Lexuan's status among the Inner Academy students. Just a word of encouragement from her, and Chu Qingtian's attitude had changed so drastically!
Zhang Lexuan, who hadn't expected Chu Qingtian to take it so seriously, paused for a second before gently saying, "Go treat your wound first. We'll head to Sea God Island later."
"Yes, Senior Sister!"
Chu Qingtian took out bandages and medicine from his storage soul conductor, and the other new Inner Academy students helped him bandage his wound.
On the other side, Ling Bai approached Du Weilun, his golden eyes curving into a smile as he teased, "How about it, Director Du? Didn't disappoint you, did I?"
"You little rascal!"
Du Weilun patted Ling Bai's shoulder a few times with his large hand, but his face broke into a satisfied smile.
"It was worth pulling some strings to have Le Xuan give you an extra test. You're prettier than a girl and fight even more beautifully! A soul beast is a natural talent, but what I'm most pleased with is your development of soul skills!"
Du Weilun's teacher instincts kicked in, and he couldn't help but lecture.
"If I'm not mistaken, your first soul skill is a holy energy-based light array."
Du Weilun looked at Ling Bai, his tone full of certainty.
"Yes, Director Du."
Ling Bai nodded. "My first Soul Ring comes from an eight-hundred-year-old Starlight Unicorn. The Radiant Spirit Array is derived from the Starlight Unicorn's innate soul skill, the Starlight Spirit Array."
Mentioning the Starlight Unicorn, Ling Bai's eyes flickered a bit. It was the first soul beast he had personally killed, and from the moment its blood splattered onto his palm, the gears of fate began to turn.
Du Weilun continued, "Did you notice, Bei Bei and Tang Ya, that with the same first soul skill, Ling Bai can release the Radiant Spirit Array, a special defensive spirit array, and the final Holy Storm.
In the hands of most soul masters, a soul skill remains the same from the moment they obtain it. The Radiant Spirit Array is just a light array, and many soul masters acquire similar skills. But in Ling Bai's hands, the Radiant Spirit Array undergoes various transformations.
A soul beast is a gift from your parents and the heavens, and we cannot change it, but we can change our soul skills.
There are no weak soul skills in this world, only lazy and uncreative soul masters.
Understanding and developing your soul skills is a challenge you must overcome to become a powerful soul master."
"We understand, Director Du!"
Bei Bei and Tang Ya were genuinely convinced, especially the latter. She had always believed that Blue Silver Grass was far inferior to other soul beasts, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't match her classmates. Now, it seemed another path was opening up to her.
"Ling Bai."
"Yeah?"
"Keep developing your soul skills, especially since your cultivation is still shallow and you have few soul skills. When you have more soul skills in the future, you won't be able to manage them all."
"Don't worry. I may not have many strengths, but I have plenty of ideas."
Ling Bai made a small joke. Du Weilun was truly going out of his way, a competent teacher indeed.
"Senior Sister, I'm done."
Chu Qingtian finished bandaging his wound and moved his shoulder. Thanks to the Soul Power protection from the Electric Mad Leopard's fourth soul skill and Ling Bai's restraint, the sword had only caused a superficial injury. With the physical constitution of a four-ringed Soul Master, he would recover fully in two days.
"Mm-hm."
Zhang Lexuan looked up at the sky, the moon bright and the stars twinkling. She recalled that this was the latest they had ever stayed for an Inner Academy assessment.
"Junior Brother, it's time to head to the island!" she called out.
"Sure, Senior Sister. Director Du, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, I'll see you later."
Ling Bai responded. As an Inner Academy student, calling Bei Bei and Tang Ya seniors wasn't quite right, and calling himself a senior would be awkward. He decided to hint that they should call each other by their names in the future.
"It's late, you'd better go."
Du Weilun waved his hand, but after a moment's thought, he added, "For the sake of your sect leader, come to me if you encounter any difficulties in the future."
"Ha!"
Tang Ya burst out laughing, causing Du Weilun's gaze to sharpen like a blade. He had been holding back, but Tang Ya's laughter broke his resolve.
"Bye, Senior Ling. Remember to take care of your juniors!"
Tang Ya ignored Du Weilun, laughing heartily without a care in the world.
Bei Bei shook his head helplessly. When they first met, she had called Ling Bai a junior, and now that he had become an Inner Academy student, she instantly switched to calling him a senior. It seemed his girlfriend hadn't picked up on his hint at all.
Hey, the more he looked at her, the more he liked her clear and silly little face!
After saying goodbye to Du Weilun, Bei Bei, and Tang Ya, Ling Bai and the other new Inner Academy students followed Zhang Lexuan away from the assessment area, heading towards Sea God Lake.
At the same time, the shadows lurking around slowly faded away, like a receding tide, withdrawing from Shrek Academy...
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(End of Chapter)