"Big brother, this kid is from the Martial Soul Hall. Why did he come here to study? Doesn't the Martial Soul Hall have its own education system?"
Watching Gu Han leave, Ma Hou asked with confusion.
"Stupid!"
Zhu Gang smacked the back of the Ma Hou head with his thick hand and said angrily, "The Martial Soul Hall Academy is on the same level as places like Tiandou and Xingluo Imperial Academies. Not everyone can just walk in."
"Besides, isn't it better to let students train elsewhere too?"
"True. Saves a lot of resources."
Ma Hou nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps from being hit too often, his eyes carried a dull shine of honesty.
"Exactly."
Zhu Gang clasped his hands behind his back, speaking like a wise elder.
—
After shaking off those two, Gu Han went to arrange his dorm. Thanks to the name "Martial Soul Hall," he had managed to get a single room. Of course, this wasn't just because of the name — it was his talent that justified the special treatment. If he were just an average twelve-year-old soul master, even the Martial Soul Hall title wouldn't earn him extra privileges.
Like before, he was placed into a half-class. For the lessons he had missed, he planned to ask the teachers directly and supplement his knowledge in the academy's library — which had far more advanced materials than the junior college.
Once everything was settled, Gu Han made his way to the Longcheng Great Soul Fighting Arena.
At the registration counter, he submitted his ID and basic information. For his code name, he chose Mr. Jian. He also purchased a cheerful smiling mask — not really to hide his identity, since any powerful force could identify someone by martial soul and combat characteristics — but simply as a light disguise against unknown spectators.
At level 22, Gu Han was still considered a genius. If any enemies of the Martial Soul Hall caught wind of him, things could get messy. To play it safe, he signed up only for solo matches.
His first opponent was a level 25 strong attack-type soul master whose martial soul was a Cold Iron Hammer.
Gu Han didn't hesitate — he placed a wager on himself. He had absolute confidence.
—
The match host was a lively girl with a Butterfly Martial Soul, fluttering gracefully above the field with a microphone in hand.
"The next match: Mr. Jian vs. Du Jun!"
"Now announcing both competitors' details—"
Mr. Jian: Martial Soul: Xuanshuang Sword, Soul Power: Level 22, Strong Attack-type Great Soul Master.
Du Jun: Martial Soul: Cold Hammer, Soul Power: Level 25, Strong Attack-type Soul Master.
"Both competitors, enter the arena!"
Gu Han, masked, stepped onto the stage. Standing opposite him was a bulky man over two meters tall.
"Heh, brat, not only are you hiding your face, but you picked such a goofy-looking mask. How about giving me your money and I'll buy you a proper one? Hahaha!"
Du Jun laughed loudly, and the crowd burst into chuckles.
Gu Han's eyes beneath the mask turned cold. He never picked fights, but he never let insults slide either.
"Referee, can we start?"
Unfazed, he looked calmly toward the referee floating in midair.
The host turned toward Du Jun. "Are you ready?"
"Of course. I'll beat this brat so bad even his parents won't recognize him!"
Du Jun summoned his hammer and charged.
He clearly didn't take Gu Han seriously. To him, this was just another easy win.
"Match, begin!"
Two yellow soul rings rose beneath both competitors.
First Soul Skill — Xuanshuang Sword Qi!
Gu Han's first soul ring lit up, and an icy, razor-sharp sword aura surged along his blade. He slashed, sending a freezing shockwave across the stage, leaving a trail of frost in its wake.
Du Jun's expression changed. He activated his second soul ring.
Second Soul Skill — Xuanbing's Wrath!
With a roar, his hammer expanded to human-size and came crashing down at the incoming sword qi.
BOOM!!
The arena shook.
Using the nameless cultivation method, Gu Han's strength had long surpassed others at his level. This casual slash forced Du Jun, who was two levels stronger, to go all out just to counter it.
After burning through nearly 80% of his soul power, Du Jun barely dispersed the attack.
"Huff... huff…"
His chest heaved. He was gasping heavily.
But Gu Han didn't give him time to recover.
The next moment, his sword was already at Du Jun's throat.
"W-what…!"
Du Jun's eyes widened. The freezing edge of the Xuanshuang Sword pressed against his neck, sending chills down his spine.
"I-I admit defeat…"
He froze, not daring to move a muscle.
Gu Han calmly retracted his sword.
"Trouble comes from the mouth. Watch yours."
With that, Du Jun collapsed onto the stage, unconscious from fear and exhaustion.
Silence.
The entire arena fell dead quiet.
Even the referee floated mid-air in shock, mouth open. She might have fallen if flying wasn't second nature to her.
"Referee, can you announce the result?"
Gu Han looked up.
"Ah—yes, right!"
The host snapped out of it and shouted into the mic:
"I announce the winner of this soul battle — Mr. Jian!"
Gu Han sheathed his sword and walked off calmly.
BOOM!!!
The arena erupted.
"Du Jun lost?!"
"No way!"
"Du Jun was the top of the Great Soul Masters! Ten consecutive wins! How could he lose to a newcomer whose soul power is even lower!?"
The crowd was in disbelief. Sure, no one wins forever — even Du Jun — but what stunned them was how decisively he lost.
"It only took two moves!"
"That's right. One slash, and then he was suddenly in front of Du Jun with his sword to his throat."
"Is Mr. Jian really only level 22?"
Someone raised doubts.
But others quickly corrected him.
"Impossible to fake. The Great Soul Fighting Arena uses soul power test orbs for level verification."
Which meant only one thing—
He really was level 22.
Hisss~~
Many drew in cold breaths.
"To defeat a level 25 with real combat experience at only level 22, and so easily…"
"This guy is terrifying!"