Chapter 47: Clash of Minds and the Spirit of Challenge
Ji Lin spoke with disdain. "They're merely six spirit rings of the hundred-thousand-year level."
Meng Hongchen turned to him in shock, her expression freezing just as it had earlier that day — when she'd witnessed with her own eyes a student from Shrek Academy possessing six rings of that very tier.
With wide eyes, she asked in astonishment, "Young Master, how did you know that?"
Ji Lin smiled faintly. "I didn't know for sure — I guessed. Besides, I can tell they used a Spirit Fusion Technique."
At those words, curiosity lit up Meng Hongchen's eyes. She clung gently to his arm, her voice soft and pleading. "Brother, dear brother, please tell me — how did you find out?"
With a mysterious tone and the calm confidence of a secluded expert, Ji Lin replied, "I have my own ways of knowing. Not only that — I also know things you don't."
Meng Hongchen pouted adorably, shaking his arm lightly. "And what could I possibly not know? Tell me, tell me, my dear young master~"
After a brief silence, she bit her lip and spoke hesitantly, "I'm sorry… May I call you brother instead of 'young master'?"
Ji Lin remained unaffected by her sweet plea, keeping his serene smile. Even as she continued to coax him, his composure never wavered.
With a sigh of frustration, Meng Hongchen tried again, her tone shyer than before. "Would you allow me to call you brother, instead of young master?"
Ji Lin chuckled softly, rubbing his waist with ease. "Meng, if that's what you wish, I don't mind."
A short silence passed between them before Ji Lin changed the subject. "As requested, I'll gather everyone for a meeting."
He stood and left the room. Behind him, Meng Hongchen stuck out her tongue in mild annoyance. "Hmph, I forgot because you kept teasing me."
—
Sun Moon Team Conference Hall
Elder Yan sat at the head seat, his voice solemn as he spoke.
"You all witnessed the performance of Shrek Academy's students today, didn't you? I'd like to hear your opinions."
Silence filled the room among the members of the Sun Moon Royal Academy. The scene they had witnessed still lingered in their minds — six spirit rings of the hundred-thousand-year level appearing all at once.
It was a sight beyond belief.
Lin Xi, from the main team, cleared his throat nervously and said,
"Elder Ma, could it be that the mysterious youth from Shrek Academy is truly a Spirit Emperor with six rings? But… how could he have all six of them at the hundred-thousand-year level? Could this be the result of some new research from Shrek Academy?"
At his words, everyone turned toward Elder Ma, awaiting his explanation.
After all, Shrek Academy had always been an enigma — powerful and full of mysteries beyond comprehension.
Ji Lin spoke firmly, his voice cutting through the air.
"That's impossible!
As Elder Ma was about to reprimand Lin Xi, Ji Lin spoke.
All eyes turned to Ji Lin, filled with suspicion. There was no basis at all — how could he make such a claim?
It seemed Ji Lin sensed their doubts; he smiled and said, "Although I didn't go, Meng Hongchen told me."
Then he winked at Meng Hongchen.
Meng Hongchen was about to respond when Ji Lin stopped her with a look, and she wisely said nothing.
"The appearance of six hundred-thousand-year spirit rings on such a young boy may have been shocking at the time, but if everyone calms down and thinks it through, they'll realize it must be a smokescreen by the students of Shrek Academy," Ji Lin analyzed calmly.
"Yes, Ji Lin is right," praised Elder Ma.
"I watched that boy carefully. Despite his height, the immaturity in his eyes and brows is undeniable. He's at most thirteen years old."
Thirteen? Even if he had begun training in the womb, he couldn't reach the level of a Spirit Emperor. And as Ji Lin said, Shrek Academy must have used a special method to conceal him.
Elder Ma and Ji Lin's analysis convinced the members of the Sun Moon team, and they realized they had been deceived by Shrek Academy.
Ji Lin continued: "In fact, there's no need for everyone to berate themselves. Shrek Academy is strong, but it's not inscrutable at all."
"They're just like us — with eyes, nose, and mouth. Why should we assume they must be superior? Don't you all feel a bit insecure? Do you all really think you're inherently inferior to Shrek?"
Ji Lin's words sent everyone into deep thought, reflecting on themselves. Perhaps there truly was a problem in their mindset.
Being second for so long makes you assume that being first must be this overwhelmingly powerful; you've allowed yourself to fall behind.
At that moment, Elder Ma and Elder Yan remained silent, merely watching the Sun Moon team. Some problems need to be solved from within.
They hadn't expected Ji Lin to say such things. His words, though simple, hit the mark, and their looks toward him filled with admiration and praise.
Ji Lin was a natural leader.
After a short silence, Ma Rulong was the first to stand and say, "Young Master… Ji Lin is right. In what way is our Sun Moon Academy inferior to Shrek Academy? Just because they're first?"
"That's right! Our Sun Moon Academy is by no means inferior to Shrek Academy."
"Shrek Academy can only be first because they haven't met us yet. This competition will show them the power of our Sun Moon team, and teach them what it means to be first in Spirit Implements!"
All the members of the Sun Moon Team stood up, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit — their will to battle had reached an unprecedented peak.
Elder Ma and Elder Yan both felt it deep within — the Sun Moon Team this year would be stronger than ever before. Their strength wasn't just reflected in their physical prowess, but in their spirit as well.
—That evening, the third day of the Soul Dueling Tournament—
Ji Lin, who had been meditating, slowly opened his eyes. He stretched, glancing toward Ma Xiaotao, who was still fast asleep. A soft smile formed on his lips before he rose from his bed and quietly left the room.
He had been staying at the Star Emperor Hotel for several days without getting the chance to explore. Today seemed like the perfect time to relax — and take a closer look around.
As Ji Lin walked down the corridor, he suddenly paused and looked up, as if sensing something. There, walking toward him, were two boys dressed in Shrek Academy uniforms.
The boy on the left had a sturdy build. Though his appearance was ordinary, his eyes shone with a peculiar brilliance — radiating an unusual aura.
The boy on the right was slender and handsome, with short, pinkish-blue hair that gleamed under the light. His bright eyes stayed fixed on his companion beside him.
Ji Lin immediately recognized the one on the right — Wang Dong'er — disguised as a boy.
And the boy on the left, without a doubt, was the luckiest of them all: Huo Yuhao, known as "Huo the Cheater."
Ji Lin's gaze sharpened, a playful glint flashing in his eyes.
"It would be a waste not to claim these villain points handed to me so freely," he thought to himself with amusement.
When Ji Lin saw Huo Yuhao and his companion, the two of them noticed him as well.
Huo Yuhao saw a handsome young man — about fourteen or fifteen years old — standing before him. The youth wore the pure white uniform of the Sun Moon Team, his demeanor calm and unshakable.
The instant their eyes met, Huo Yuhao's body stiffened. He could feel the boy's piercing gaze, sharp and predatory — like that of a hunter staring down its prey. The feeling filled him with discomfort.
Ji Lin strode forward with arrogance, sensing a wave of spiritual power approaching him. He immediately realized that Huo Yuhao was using his Spiritual Detection.
Ji Lin smirked inwardly. "Go on, then. Scan me if you dare."
The corridor was about five meters wide — spacious enough for ten people to walk side by side without crowding. Yet Ji Lin deliberately walked straight toward Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong'er, making no effort to step aside.
Huo Yuhao and his partner immediately understood Ji Lin's intent — he didn't intend to give way.
When Ji Lin was less than a meter away, his voice rang out coldly:
"Good dogs don't block the road. Move aside."
Seeing Ji Lin's hostility, Wang Dong refused to back down and retorted, "You're the dog! Your whole family's a pack of them!"
Ji Lin's eyes flared with fury. "You're seeking death!"
He shouted and threw a fierce punch straight at Wang Dong.
But before the strike could land, Huo Yuhao reacted instantly. He stepped forward, pulling Wang Dong behind him.
A chilling wave of frost burst from Huo Yuhao's body, and a layer of icy mist spread through the air around them. A violet spirit ring lit up beneath his feet—
Spirit of the Ice Empress Scorpion — First Spirit Skill: Ice Empress Claw!