Xuan Ziwen

The next day, early morning.

The soul master competition differs from yesterday's soul tool competition, which began with all grades competing simultaneously. Instead, the soul master competition is held over two days, according to the number of participants per grade.

The first day is reserved for the first and second-year students, who have the most participants.

The remaining third, fourth, and fifth-year competitions take place on the second day.

The venue is the Soul Tool Testing Grounds.

This is the largest building above ground at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, capable of holding ten thousand people. Located behind the experimental and teaching areas, it features a massive plaza inside, surrounded by tiered seating that extends upward. The grounds are designed for student evaluations, competitions, and large-scale soul tool tests.

Between the spectator seats and the central testing area is a linked defense system composed of multiple defensive soul tools.

This defense system showcases the advanced technology of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, requiring only one soul master of sufficient strength to operate the entire defense network. Of course, the minimum requirement is an eighth-level soul engineer.

On the first day, the second-year students' competition takes place in the morning.

Even though it is early in the morning, the entire Soul Tool Testing Grounds is already packed to capacity.

Although the number of participants is not as large as yesterday's soul tool competition, there are significantly more students present to watch. Compared to the dull process of crafting soul tools, soul master battles are far more engaging to watch. Therefore, students from both higher and lower grades have come to spectate.

Of course, the ticket price is one gold soul coin.

However, most of the academy's students are soul engineers, so such a ticket price is trivial to them.

The academy places great importance on this tournament, with Mingde Hall's head, Jing Hongchen, the student director Lin Jiayi, and several of the academy's eighth-level soul engineers attending the event.

Their seats are in the middle section of the spectator stands, offering the best view in the Soul Tool Testing Grounds.

Su Luoheng's teacher, Ran Yuming, is also present and occupies a prominent position among the eighth-level soul engineers.

"Senior brother, aren't you usually uninterested in such competitions? What brings you here this year?"

Sitting next to Ran Yuming is a young man who appears to be in his thirties. He has ordinary features and a gentle demeanor, but his bright eyes exude energy. On his chest is an eighth-level soul engineer badge, the standard of Mingde Hall.

To achieve the rank of eighth-level soul engineer at such a young age is indeed impressive.

"My disciple is competing; as a teacher, of course, I must come."

Ran Yuming smiled warmly, "But what about you, Ziwen? Do you really have no time to be here today?"

"I can't spend all my time in the lab like her."

Xuan Ziwen's mind flashed to a figure as he shook his head with a bitter smile. Then, his interest piqued as he curiously asked, "Senior brother, which one of these contestants is your disciple?"

Ran Yuming smiled mysteriously, "You'll find out during the finals~"

"It seems you have great confidence in your disciple…" Xuan Ziwen's curiosity grew as he turned his gaze toward the arena, wondering which lucky contestant was Ran Yuming's disciple.

However, he quickly looked away.

There were simply too many participants; he decided to wait until a few were filtered out before trying to identify them.

...

...

To facilitate the students' matches, the competition area had been divided into small arenas, ensuring that each arena operated independently without interfering with one another while also maintaining an optimal viewing experience for the audience.

There were about 400 participants in the second-year competition this time.

To ensure the competition proceeded in an orderly and efficient manner, the soul master competition was divided into eight groups.

Each group would first determine its champion, and then the eight group champions would draw lots and compete in three matches to determine the final winner.

Considering the large number of second-year students, a point-based competition would be too time-consuming.

A knockout tournament is relatively fair.

By the time the participants arrived at the Soul Tool Testing Grounds, the group assignments were already posted on the bulletin board at the entrance, making it easy for them to see as they entered.

Su Luoheng was placed in the third group.

Soon after entering the testing grounds, a teacher led them to the competition area.

The third group's arena was set up on the south side of the competition grounds. After explaining the rules, the supervising teacher distributed defensive soul tools to each participant.

The referee quickly stepped onto the platform, and after reading the rules, the match officially began.

"Su Luoheng."

"Qu Yu."

Su Luoheng sized up his first opponent: a young man in black, slender and with dark skin.

He was clearly a native of the Sun Moon Empire.

"Begin!"

As soon as the supervising teacher finished speaking, Qu Yu quickly retreated to the edge of the platform, raising both arms simultaneously. With a metallic clang, two black metal cannons were already in his hands, firing a barrage of soul tool beams at Su Luoheng.

Creating distance and launching ranged attacks—the standard tactic of a soul engineer.

However, Su Luoheng was prepared. He bent his legs slightly, his body flickering as he easily dodged the attacks. In one swift move, he stepped forward, sword in hand, aiming directly at his opponent's throat.

Qu Yu clearly hadn't anticipated Su Luoheng's speed!

By the time he tried to retreat, it was too late. He watched helplessly as the sword, filled with terrifying force, slashed toward his neck.

"Buzz—"

Just then, a soft white light appeared.

If not for the timely activation of his third-level defensive soul tool, Su Luoheng's strike would have undoubtedly killed him.

"Arena Five, Group Three—Su Luoheng wins!"

After the supervising teacher announced the result, he recorded it in the file he held.

Until the last match of the third group, Su Luoheng had time to rest, so in this type of competition, the faster he finished his matches, the better.

This was something his teacher, Ran, had emphasized to him yesterday, and he kept it in mind.

Su Luoheng sat at the edge of the arena, meditating to restore his soul power. At the same time, he observed the other participants' matches within his group, as any of them could be his next opponent. Knowing his enemies would help him better prepare.

The battles in the arenas continued.

Before long, the matches at the fourth and fifth arenas concluded.

Then the sixth, the seventh...

Soon, all the matches across the arenas ended.

After a redraw of the lots, it was Su Luoheng's turn to compete again.

Not knowing the strength of his opponent, Su Luoheng continued with his swift combat approach, defeating his opponent in less than five minutes from stepping onto the arena.

Then came the third match, the fourth...

His opponents had similar strength levels, and Su Luoheng won continuously.

While his soul power was consumed, he replenished it as he went, and by this point, he had used less than ten percent.

After about an hour, the final match of the third group's arena competition finally arrived.

Su Luoheng initially thought this last opponent would be more challenging.