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After selecting their weapons, the scene inside the room instantly transformed. It felt as light and airy as entering the Spirit Ascension Platform, and soon, the massive entrance to a cavern appeared before the two of them.
"Without using your martial souls, it seems you've lost your usual tricks," Bai Xu said as he stepped forward, taking the lead. He even had the leisure to chat with Gu Yuena while his spiritual sense, like a scanner, probed deep into the cave. His mental power had long surpassed the standards of the Douluo Continent and could now independently detach from his physical body.
Gu Yuena snorted in response. "Close combat isn't my weakness."
Though the Silver Dragon wasn't as overwhelmingly powerful as the Golden Dragon, it still possessed considerable physical strength—more than enough to handle this place.
"Then let's go. This might be the first time we've fought side by side," Bai Xu said with a laugh. As they spoke, his senses had already mapped out the entire cave.
BOOM!
A soul-guided shell shot out, its fiery light illuminating the cavern. Above them, swarms of six-clawed bats roosted. The explosion tore through their ranks, sending bodies and shattered rocks raining down. Gu Yuena, naturally, followed up with another shot, dealing a heavy blow to the bat colony.
SCREECH!
Hordes of four-clawed bats awoke, surging toward them from all directions. Bai Xu and Gu Yuena stood back-to-back, each handling their own wave of attackers. Bai Xu's hands moved like blades, his eyes rapidly scanning the surroundings as his legs propelled him at blinding speed. Every punch he threw shattered a bat, leaving none alive. Gu Yuena was even more formidable—she unleashed her Silver Dragon Claws. Though they lacked the tearing and destructive properties of her usual abilities, they were more than enough to deal with these lowly abyssal creatures.
Once the soul-guided cannon was reloaded, Bai Xu hoisted it onto his shoulder and fired again. The explosion of flames turned them into butchers, advancing relentlessly through the carnage. Before long, only a few four-clawed bats remained in the cave.
Then, a low growl echoed through the cavern. From a medium-sized crevice, an enormous bat suddenly burst forth.
This bat was more than twice the size of the others, with six claws on its underbelly and wings spanning nearly three meters. With a piercing shriek, it unleashed a sonic attack, sending visible ripples through the air.
"Hmm?" Gu Yuena frowned, displeased by the sonic assault.
This six-clawed bat's cultivation was far too weak. When it came to spiritual power, Gu Yuena was unrivaled—Bai Xu was the only one whose mental prowess surpassed hers. This creature's meager abilities were nothing to her.
"Speaking of which… why aren't you using a mental shockwave?" Gu Yuena asked.
Bai Xu explained, "I could, but I've been researching a technique involving the primordial spirit. Something went wrong, so I've been avoiding using it."
"A technique?" Gu Yuena unleashed her own mental shockwave, glancing at Bai Xu. He didn't seem injured, which only deepened her confusion.
"It's about refining the primordial spirit into a sword embryo," Bai Xu elaborated as the six-clawed bats, unable to withstand Gu Yuena's attack, plummeted from the sky. "When facing an enemy, it can be unleashed from the eyes or the brow to sever their spirit. But I haven't succeeded yet."
The two of them began moving deeper into the cavern.
"So what's the state of your spiritual power now?" she asked.
"I keep recovering it, then tempering it again. It's a cycle—refining the technique. One day, I'll definitely create it."
"You always have so many unconventional ideas," Gu Yuena remarked with a sigh.
"Don't sigh. When I succeed, I'll teach it to you first—just become my disciple," Bai Xu joked as he finished off the remaining bats.
Gu Yuena ignored the remark, instead asking curiously, "What would happen if I used a mental shockwave on you right now?"
"I might go insane for a while? Lose my mind, wander in a daze?" Bai Xu wasn't entirely sure himself.
The two continued deeper into the cave, where six-clawed bats were now scarce. Occasionally, serpents lurking in the shadows would ambush them, but the true final trial of this test awaited them ahead—a pack of abyssal creatures. Though not the strongest among the abyssal ranks, they were formidable nonetheless.
The creature had a draconic head, but its body was like a small mountain, covered in dark green scales. Three massive legs supported its frame, while its upper body was incredibly muscular, with disproportionately long arms. Each claw spanned over five meters in diameter, and a massive tail dragged behind it. Four eyes glowed with a sinister crimson light, and its entire aura reeked of malice.
This monstrosity stood over forty meters tall.
And there were five of them. Clearly, the examiner had deemed their earlier battles too easy and raised the difficulty.
"Leave this to me. I've been wanting to test the limits of my physical body," Bai Xu said, stretching casually. To him, this trial was nothing more than a game—his strength was simply on another level.
"Alright." Gu Yuena stepped back. This was the first time she'd see him fight purely with his body. The only other occasion had been back at Shrek Academy.
The Ba An—the abyssal creature—loomed over Bai Xu like a mountain, its gaze filled with contempt. One against five, yet Bai Xu felt no pressure at all. With a slight bend of his knees, he launched himself like a cannonball, smashing into the Ba An's jaw with enough force to shatter several teeth. The massive beast toppled backward, shaking the cavern and kicking up a cloud of dust.
WHOOSH!
Another punch landed on a second Ba An's abdomen, the sheer force sending it crashing into the cave wall, blood spewing from its mouth.
Then, a claw came slashing toward him. Bai Xu didn't dodge—he simply raised his arm to block.
CLANG!
The impact sent him skidding back over a dozen steps, his right arm smoking slightly from the collision. It was like two slabs of steel clashing—neither had sustained damage, only minor scratches.
But Bai Xu seemed to revel in the brawl, a hint of madness flashing in his grin as he charged back into the fray, tearing through the Ba An pack with brutal efficiency.
Gu Yuena watched, noting that he hadn't tapped into any internal energy at all—just pure physical strength. She couldn't help but marvel at the power of his alternative cultivation system. If ordinary people could train like this, soul masters would soon be obsolete.
Bai Xu's attacks grew even more ruthless. He gouged out a Ba An's eye, ripping out nerves and blood in a gruesome spray. Close combat had awakened something primal in him—in this kind of battle, only madness prevailed. Courage meant nothing here.
Huff…
Before long, the last Ba An's head was torn clean off. Bai Xu stood victorious, completely unscathed.
"Was that level of savagery really necessary? You've ruined your clothes," Gu Yuena remarked dryly as the surroundings rapidly shifted back to their original state.
Xiao Yu hurried over, beaming. "Congratulations! You've both passed the trial and are qualified to stay. Lieutenant Lü has arrived."
As soon as she finished speaking, a middle-aged man appeared before them. "I've reviewed your letters of introduction. I, too, am from the Spirit Pagoda. My name is Lü Xing, a 79th-ranked power-type Soul Sage."
"Xiao Yu, you're dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
Lü Xing continued, "According to the letters, the Phoenix Douluo seems intent on having you two undergo training. Which department would you like to join?"
Gu Yuena answered, "We wish to go to the front lines against the abyssal invasion."
Lü Xing sighed. "There are many with your kind of noble spirit. I hope you can maintain that resolve. Next, you'll undergo a month of training with the Blood God Legion to study abyssal creatures and their behaviors. Pay close attention—this knowledge may save your lives on the battlefield."
"Follow me. I'll arrange your accommodations. Are you two a couple?"
"Yes."/"Yes."
"A shame. Normally, men and women aren't allowed to share quarters here. Only during leave or holidays can you stay together or leave the Blood God Legion."
Lü Xing led them through the camp, explaining its layout. He had been stationed here for nearly a decade. Though his soul power wasn't exceptionally high, he was a master of soul tools—the primary weapons used against the abyss. His expertise had earned him many merits.
"One more thing. If you distinguish yourselves in battle, you may be granted an audience with the Blood Gods. Among them, Blood Three and Blood Five are from Shrek Academy; Blood One and Blood Six are from the Tang Sect; Blood Two is from the War God Shrine; Blood Four and Blood Seven are from the Spirit Pagoda; and Blood Eight and Blood Nine are War God Shrine members. Officially, factions don't matter here, but people inevitably form cliques. Just remember Blood Four and Blood Seven."
*****
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