The next day, deep within the Soul Beast Forest.
Under a teacher's supervision, Chen Junting's team arrived at the eastern sector of the forest, each wearing a yellow soul tool badge on their chest.
These badges were special signal devices—securely fastened and only removable by injecting soul power. They could also emit a distress signal. Either action meant elimination, and the student would be immediately extracted by academy staff.
"I trust your instructors have explained everything," the teacher said flatly, scanning the seven students. "From now on, you have two hours. Survive."
He gave a short nod. "Good luck."
At the same moment, in the forest's northern, southern, and western sectors, the other student groups began as well.
----
At the heart of the Soul Beast Forest…
Seven figures in red Inner Court uniforms lounged in the trees. Five men, two women. Their calm demeanors belied the power they radiated—enough to make even century-old soul beasts steer clear.
Yao Haoxuan, the leanest of the group, turned to the solemn Dai Yuheng beside him and suddenly remembered something.
"Boss Dai, didn't you say your brother's in the second year?"
Dai Yuheng's blade-like gaze opened slowly. He offered a faint, meaningful smile.
"Yeah. He's not exactly outstanding, but with the help of soul bones and cultivation pills, he reached the Soul Sect level. That's enough to place him top three in his year."
"Top three?! And he's already a Soul Sect?"
Yao Haoxuan was stunned. "Just how strong are the second years?"
But before he could keep ranting, a chill swept through the group. Ling Luochen's frosty glare shut him up instantly.
"...Sorry!" Yao Haoxuan flinched, waving his hands in apology.
Trying to recover, he repeated what Dai Yuheng had said—and everyone's interest was piqued.
"Wait… you're saying three Soul Sect-level students among second years?" Gong Yangmo's fingers moved in mock calculation, his soft tone sending shivers down spines. "That's not normal."
"There's more," Dai Yuheng added casually. "The Seven Killings Sword and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda both showed up among them."
That name changed everything.
"Seven Killings Sword?!"
"Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
Chen Zifeng and Gong Yangmo visibly tensed. Chen Zifeng's eyes lit up with excitement, while Gong Yangmo was clearly shocked.
"Are you sure?" they asked in unison.
"No mistake." Dai Yuheng shared what he'd heard.
A rare silence fell.
"Have we really been this cut off from the rest of the world?" Gong Yangmo muttered.
"I want to see this so-called Seven Killings prodigy for myself," Chen Zifeng said, his sharp gaze gleaming with anticipation.
"Relax," Yao Haoxuan chuckled. "With a top-tier weapon spirit and a ten-thousand-year ring, he's basically guaranteed a spot on the national tournament reserve team."
The others fell quiet.
Yao Haoxuan quickly realized his slip. "Wait... I said something wrong, didn't I?"
"Team selection's coming up," Xixi said, her eyes turning toward Wang Lian. "I heard Ma Xiaotao's problem with her Evil Fire has been resolved."
That changed everything.
"If she returns," Ling Luochen said coldly, "one of us is out of the core team."
Every gaze turned to Wang Lian—the lone soul engineer among them.
Wang Lian's faint smile couldn't hide his bitterness. With the academy's disregard for the soul tool department, his spot was the most vulnerable.
Dai Yuheng's mood wasn't much better. If Ma Xiaotao came back, not only would he lose the captain's position—he might also lose leadership entirely. Her cultivation was already ahead of his.
A heavy silence settled again.
"By the way, Captain," Gong Yangmo broke in with a grin, "if I run into your little brother, can I rough him up a bit?"
Dai Yuheng snorted. "If you can."
Just then, a message arrived—the Outer Court students were on the move.
Dai Yuheng stood up.
"Let's split into four groups. I'll cover the south. Zifeng and Gong Yangmo—east. Ling Luochen and Yao Haoxuan—north. Wang Lian and Xixi—west. Move fast. End it faster."
"Understood!" ×6
The seven dispersed like a storm.
---
In the forest.
A team of figures wove silently through the trees.
"Hold."
Chen Junting raised a hand. His sharp spiritual sense had picked up two strong soul power signatures heading their way.
"Someone's coming. Hide. Xiaotian—now."
Ning Tian nodded and quickly tossed several cylindrical soul tools from her storage device. The group vanished into the surrounding woods.
Moments later, two figures appeared: Chen Zifeng and Gong Yangmo.
Junting glanced at his teammates. From the beginning, he'd been transparent about his plans—even Dai Huabin, to his surprise, hadn't resisted and was now completely in sync with him.
Zifeng's sharp eyes scanned the area. He'd sensed soul power fluctuations just moments ago.
Was it a soul beast?
Before he could ponder further, Gong Yangmo caught a faint metallic glint. His expression changed.
"Chen Zifeng—watch out!"
Boom—!
The soul tools on the ground detonated, launching beams of light upward. In response, a crimson aura of death surged around Zifeng. His eyes turned blood-red.
A thin sword, three and a half feet long, narrow as a finger, and carved with three grooves—Soul Chaser—appeared in his hand.
(TL: the official name is Soul Chasing Sword)
Slash!
A blood-red crescent cut through the beams of light.
Just then—
"Woo—"
A flute sounded, followed by a rhythmic ticking.
Zifeng and Gong Yangmo's bodies froze momentarily.
Twin lights formed in the sky and slammed downward, materializing into two glowing cages.
Zifeng's eyes narrowed. "Gong Yangmo!"
With a flick of his fingers, Soul Chaser released a flash of bloody sword light. His first and second soul rings activated simultaneously.
Crack—!
The cage shattered under the assault.
Meanwhile, Gong Yangmo completed his martial soul possession.
Radiant rainbow wings unfurled. His hair shimmered with color. If not for the white-scaled armor across his skin, he might be mistaken for a rainbow spirit bird.
(TL:Gong Yangmo Martial Soul is Rainbow Dragon, a support system)
Just as he prepared to amplify his soul power—
Flash!
A streak of golden light shot down from above, condensing into glowing orbs—then BOOM! A white meteor-like ball of energy slammed into him.
Eyes wide, Gong Yangmo recognized the soul skill—he'd been hit by it countless times.
Wang Dong and Dai Huabin had struck.
"Gong Yangmo!"
Zifeng reacted instantly, his fingers forming a sword gesture. Soul Chaser transformed into a streak of crimson and shot forward—
Clang—!
A crystal-clear blade intercepted him.
Chen Junting appeared, sword in hand, deflecting Soul Chaser and unleashing a wave of sword aura.
Zifeng dodged, calling Soul Chaser back to block the follow-up slash.
Clash—!
Two blades met. The force of their strikes tore through the clearing.
Eventually, both stepped back, weapons at the ready.
Zifeng's gaze landed on the white-haired boy before him, then down to the glimmering, crystalline sword in his hand—Seven Killings Sword.
"The name of the sword," Zifeng said coldly, "is Soul Chaser."
He ran two fingers down the blade. Blood gleamed along the edge.
Chen Junting lifted his sword in turn. "Mine is Seven Killings."
The two didn't need more words.
Both carried not just blades—but killing intent refined through blood, steel, and soul.
And the next moment—
The clash of swords shook the forest once more.
---
(End of Chapter)
---
Gimme your stone man