Chapter 95: Probe

If, as a Strong Attack-type Soul Master, Tie Li has an absolute strong‑attack point, the other two slots can be used to add one agile‑attack and one defense.

Conversely, if the strong‑attack point is insufficient, one slot must be taken to fill a Strong Attack-type Soul Master, and the remaining slot can only be chosen to add an agile‑attack or a defense; but if that agile‑attack trainee is strong enough, the team will still be well‑rounded.

One Control-type Soul Master and one Support-type Soul Master are enough; an extra would be somewhat redundant.

Tie Li, as usual, went to the cafeteria after class, and after eating planned to go to the academy's library.

But just as he left the cafeteria today, he saw Teacher Li, who seemed to be waiting for him.

"Teacher Li."

"Looking at you, heading to the library again?"

"Hmm, I need to learn a bit more knowledge," Tie Li said honestly.

"Very good, but you can't go to the library today; Zhao Laoshi is still waiting for us."

"Alright."

Tie Li didn't think too much; Zhao Laoshi still gave him a good impression, a teacher who devotes himself to teaching students.

Following Teacher Li, Tie Li noticed something: the place they arrived at seemed to be the academy's Soul Battle arena.

"Eh? Why are you also here?"

Hearing the familiar voice, shock mixed into it.

Tie Li glanced in that direction and saw a male and a female trainee, both dressed in Tian Dou‑level student uniforms.

It was Ning Ning.

Tie Li recognized the female trainee; he hadn't expected her to have come to the Tian Dou Royal Academy.

He was very displeased about her sudden departure without notice back then.

As for the male trainee, Tie Li had an impression but wasn't familiar; they usually attended the same classroom, at most a nodding acquaintance.

"Like you, he's also an academy trainee," Tie Li's voice carried a hint of unfamiliarity.

Teacher Li, seeing their appearance, seemed to recognize them and deliberately slowed his steps, wanting to hear their story.

"Teacher Li, what are you dawdling for?" Zhao Laoshi's voice came from inside the arena, making Teacher Li give a wry smile.

Qin Ming and Zhi Lin were in a private booth within the arena, perched high above; the transparent glass let them see every move inside.

On the table lay the profiles of three trainees.

"Teacher Qin, which of the two do you think has a higher chance of winning?"

"Wan Li, Level 39 Strong Attack-type Soul Master, martial soul is Purple Thunder Hammer; Gu Qi, Level 37 agile‑attack-type Battle Soul Master, martial soul is Flame Eagle; regarding martial soul, Gu Qi has the advantage."

"So Teacher Qin thinks Gu Qi's chance is greater?" Zhi Lin laughed.

"I didn't say that."

But in Qin Ming's mind, he also thought Gu Qi's win rate was slightly higher; the advantage in martial soul was evident, and the gap in Soul Power Level between the two wasn't large.

Gu Qi came from a Soul Master family and was attached to the Seven Treasure Glass Sect; the Seven Treasure Glass Sect often selects outstanding seeds from its subordinate forces for cultivation, and Gu Qi was one of them.

With the Seven Treasure Glass Sect's cultivation, Gu Qi is exceptionally excellent in all aspects; in contrast, Tie Li's background is civilian, having stumbled along, perhaps receiving some good opportunities that gave him his current Soul Power Level, but without a major faction's cultivation, he may not be able to exert sufficient strength.

Considering multiple factors, Gu Qi is undoubtedly the more advantageous side.

Zhao Laoshi asked Ning Ning and Teacher Li to step aside and rest; he would serve as the judge for this Soul Battle.

Gu Qi glanced at Tie Li; he could sense a dangerous aura on Tie Li.

Tie Li's feeling was similar to Gu Qi's, and his gaze toward Gu Qi added a few degrees of caution.

"Ready?"

"Begin."

Upon Zhao Laoshi's announcement, the two instantly summoned their martial souls and Soul Rings; Gu Qi entered Martial Soul Possession State, a strand of flame ignited at his brow, his arms turned into fiery red wings, and chain‑like flames coiled around his body.

Two Yellow, one Purple – the optimal Soul Ring configuration.

Soaring into the air, Gu Qi locked his target on Tie Li; Tie Li's right arm flashed with Lightning Light, purple lightning surged out, also a two Yellow, one Purple optimal configuration.

Gu Qi's First Soul Ring lit up, his surrounding flames became ferociously intense, covering his whole body like a fiery predator, soaring down.

Tie Li likewise released his First Soul Technique; after his martial soul completed evolution, his soul skill changed.

First Soul Technique, Thunder Hammer!

The hammer's body enlarged several times, the handle extended to the length of his right arm, and the terrifying weight approached a thousand jin.

When Tie Li swung the Thunder Hammer at Gu Qi, the chilling sound of the massive weight tearing through the air sent shivers.

Gu Qi hurriedly stopped his sliding body, but Tie Li would not stop there.

"Thump"

He drove his legs powerfully, leapt his whole body toward the airborne Gu Qi, and the Thunder Hammer in his hand slammed down fiercely at Gu Qi.

Gu Qi's pupils contracted; he could feel how exaggerated the Thunder Hammer's power was, and with the purple lightning coiling the hammer, he didn't think he could withstand the blow.

The Third Soul Ring lit up, the flames on his wings flared suddenly, and his speed, attack, and burst were greatly amplified at that moment.

He spread his wings, evading Tie Li's hammer.

"Boom—"

Tie Li's hammer struck a large crater, and the ground trembled slightly.

Dodging the fatal blow, Gu Qi followed closely; his wings like flaming twin blades slashed toward Tie Li's back, moving so fast that almost the instant Tie Li landed, he was already behind him.

"Sizzle"

The clash of flame and Lightning Light emitted a harsh sound.

"What?"

Lightning Armor manifested on Tie Li's back, offering considerable defense; Gu Qi's attack could break through the Lightning Armor, but it required time.

Gripping the hammer's handle and swinging a hammer back, Gu Qi had to abandon this attack.

Tie Li dispelled the Thunder Hammer form, and the speed of his swinging Purple Thunder Hammer suddenly increased.

Second soul skill, Thunder Break!

Wielding the power of the Purple Lightning Hammer, stacking the Shock Retreat Effect of the second soul skill, threads of Lightning Light cling to the hammer.

Bang

Seeing that he couldn't dodge, Gu Qi hurriedly controlled flames to form a shield in front of him, but the moment it made contact it shattered, scattering sparks everywhere.

Hard‑blocking Tie Li's hammer, Gu Qi's body suddenly flung back, and Zhao Laoshi had already been ready to strike.

Two yellows, three purples, one black! An excellent Soul Ring configuration; Zhao Laoshi's physique became hulking, yet his speed was not affected at all, and layers of black fur covered his body.

Catching Gu Qi's body, the internal force and Thunder and Lightning Attribute were dispelled from him.

Just now the crossed wings blocked his front; now the martial soul possession was lifted, and his arms emitted an unnatural tremor.

Zhi Lin and Qin Ming, who were observing from the shadows, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"What a mighty physique, it doesn't at all resemble a Strong Attack-type Soul Elder; even a Power-type Soul Elder might not reach this level," a flash of light flickered in Qin Ming's eyes.

Tie Li's performance at this moment perfectly met Qin Ming's criteria—a truly outstanding Strong Attack-type Soul Master.

(End of Chapter)