Chapter 68: with translation of chapter title

Martial Soul City, Martial Soul Academy, Year 1 Class 1.

In the classroom of the Martial Soul Academy, sunlight poured through the clear windows, forming bright patches on the floor, desks and chairs neatly arranged, exuding a faint scent of wood.

Now it's break time, and most of the trainees have run to the academy square to watch spirit battles.

This year's Martial Soul Academy has produced four young genius spirit masters; at just six years old they each possess their first spirit ring, and every day they form teams to challenge upperclassmen, making for quite a spectacle.

On the classroom blackboard remained the teacher's freshly written notes on the habits of the Diamond Bear spirit beast, the chalk marks still clearly visible.

Xiao Yuan stared dazedly at the picture of the mighty Diamond Bear in the book, feeling unwilling; this was his biological father's martial soul! Too bad he didn't inherit the Diamond Bear, just like Yu Xiaogang, his martial soul mutated into a strange wombat! An iron-butt wombat at that! Just hearing that name he knew it couldn't be a good martial soul! Thinking about it, he knew without a doubt this was a martial soul that fought with its buttocks, seemingly defensive in nature.

But he couldn't accept this fighting style—who decent person fights spirit battles with their buttocks? The iron-butt wombat martial soul's strength isn't guaranteed, and it lacks grace; he'd rather lose a spirit battle than lose his life!

If Hu Liena found out he fought with his buttocks, her youthful illusion would surely shatter, and she would eventually transfer her affection! How could he believe that Hu Liena, that appearance-obsessed girl, always liked him? Moreover, she already shows signs of shifting her affection.

Thus, most of the students in Class 1 look down on Xiao Yuan, considering him a pretty boy who lives off a woman.

Furthermore, Hu Liena has great talent and is pretty, causing the male trainees in Class 1 to jointly envy and ostracize him, while the female trainees look down on him, thinking he's a worthless sponge living off a woman.

Xiao Yuan's current ability to study in Class 1 is solely thanks to Hu Liena's influence; otherwise, with his innate fifth-rank soul power he could only be in Class 2, as Class 1 admits only those with soul power of seventh rank or higher.

Xiao Yuan now cannot go to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well; going alone into the Sunset Forest would be suicide. He still hasn't obtained his first spirit ring, and after two months he's only risen half a rank! He's now a fifth-rank half Soul Scholar! This is only because he has Class 1's cultivation resources, and he's gained that half rank solely by cultivating soul power—this is the cultivation speed of an ordinary spirit master, far too slow.

Moreover, Xiao Yuan doesn't know the exact location of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, leaving him in a dilemma. He glanced at the sword-shaped mark on the back of his left hand; this is not his spirit imprint, his martial soul's spirit imprint is on his right buttock.

"What use is this thing? Where would one find such a exquisite birthmark?"

Sometimes this mark indeed causes others to mistakenly think his martial soul is a sword.

"A sword-shaped mark? Why not go find a sword to try it out?"

Occasionally a breeze slipped through the window, now and then lifting a few strands of Xiao Yuan's white wispy hair, producing a faint rustling sound.

Xiao Yuan let out a sigh, then through the window directed his gaze toward the four figures standing at the front of the square; Jun martial soul stood in the forefront, with Hu Liena and two others behind him, Jun martial soul full of vigor leading them in a standoff with the fourth-year trainees—where is the shy, invisible orphan from the orphanage now?

How unwilling! Xiao Yuan's face showed bitterness; this world is too cruel. In just two months, Jun martial soul has replaced his place; now Jun martial soul is the core of that little group, and Xiao Yuan has become a peripheral figure.

With his innate fifth-rank soul power iron-butt wombat martial soul, there's no chance left for this small group to accept him; even Hu Liena, that appearance-obsessed girl, has grown cold toward him, spending all her time trailing behind Jun martial soul's buttocks.

Without a powerful martial soul, how could he survive in this world? In a daze, Xiao Yuan seemed to see his bleak future.

Without a good martial soul, how could he oppose Jun martial soul! 【It's simple—just come learn swords.】 Xiao Yuan's pupils contracted; he whipped his head around at the window.

"Who! Who's speaking!"

His strong reaction startled the students in the classroom; seeing it was Xiao Yuan, they immediately began to mock and sneer.

"Is Xiao Yuan crazy? How can he talk to himself?"

"Haha, I bet Nana dumped him! I said Nana's so pretty, she'd eventually toss Xiao Yuan aside! Jun martial soul beats him in every way!"

"What's good about that slutty fox Hu Liena? Only a waste like Xiao Yuan would enjoy licking her."

"What do you mean! If you've got the guts, speak clearly! Who are you calling worthless? You're only seventh-rank soul power—what right do you have to mention Nana! Don't think I don't know you also got in through the back door!"

"Whoever it is, that's who said it!"

"You!"

Xiao Yuan ignored that rabble, suppressing his inner excitement as he hurried out of the classroom. Indeed! This sword-shaped mark is no simple thing! He went straight back to his dormitory; Class 2 has two per room, while Class 1 students each have their own room. In the Martial Soul Academy, practical training is emphasized, and theoretical courses are entirely up to the students' willingness—no one forces them.

Thus, the theoretical classes at the Martial Soul Academy are mostly filled with couples sitting together, all there to experience the shy romance of desk mates, coming to fall in love.

Sometimes Hu Liena also comes over to keep Xiao Yuan company, watching a lesson to admire his looks, then heading out to play with Jun martial soul and the others.

Xiao Yuan cautiously lifted his left hand: "Was it you just speaking to me?"

The sword-shaped mark on the back of Xiao Yuan's left hand suddenly blazed bright, dazzling light engulfing him in an instant.

Immediately afterward, he felt a mysterious force pulling him into a strange space.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a gray, misty world, fog everywhere obscuring the distance.

The ground was filled with all kinds of swords—some blades slender as snakes, others wide and heavy like door panels; they stood upright or slanted, emitting a chilling aura.

Xiao Yuan lowered his head in astonishment to look at his left hand; the sword-shaped mark flickered with blinding light, as if resonating with the swords in this space.

"Golden Finger! This is my cheat!" Xiao Yuan couldn't help bursting into laughter, "Jun martial soul! Wait for me! You dared to steal my Hu Liena—I'll make you regret it!"

He forcibly suppressed his urgency and took a careful step; the ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble slightly, as if protesting his intrusion.

In the surrounding mist, sword qi occasionally flickered past, emitting sharp tearing sounds. Xiao Yuan could feel countless piercing gazes projected from those swords, scrutinizing him as an unwelcome guest. In this mysterious space, he felt utterly insignificant; he clenched his fists, warily observing his surroundings—just how is this space to be used?

He felt his way forward through the mist until he encountered nine rays of rosy light!

Xiao Yuan focused his gaze—indeed, they were nine sword tombs! Each tomb differed, each bearing a blade whose form he couldn't discern, and each had a different name inscribed before it.

Walking around, he saw the inscriptions read: Mo Nüyi, Subduing Evil Iron, Great Profound Condensation, Phoenix Cocoon, Burning God Refining, Releasing Dragon Soul, Dissolving Dust Concealment, Imprisoning Demon Wood, Ghost God Rosy Clouds.

"Are these the names of these sword tombs?" Suddenly the sword-shaped mark flared again, and Xiao Yuan instantly felt a flood of information fill his mind!

It turned out the sword-shaped mark on his hand was the Fu Yu Sword; this blade merged into his left hand, and under the changing rules of the Douluo Continent it actually became his martial soul.

However, the Fu Yu Sword martial soul differs from others—it can be taken away. If the arm hosting the sword-shaped mark is cut off, the Fu Yu Sword will leave him and seek a new master.

The sword-shaped mark on his hand is like an account password; lose it and he has nothing, while whoever obtains it can directly inherit his account.

In other words, if his little brother is cut off, his left hand absolutely cannot be cut off! He finally understands why his martial soul mutated—his martial soul was originally the pinnacle of bear-type martial souls! The Darkgold Fearclaw Bear! But the Fu Yu Sword, to open the sword tomb space, directly sucked and degenerated his Darkgold Fearclaw Bear martial soul! His innate full soul power also dropped to fifth rank; he was originally an innate full soul power genius!

Xiao Yuan gritted his teeth—he had almost been killed by this lousy sword tomb! No wonder his cultivation was so slow; it turns out the main part was siphoned off by the Fu Yu Sword! And those nine sword tombs! Each has a corresponding sword-path incarnation; defeating them yields their names, allowing one to obtain the corresponding divine sword and spirit ring, etc.

Each sword tomb's sword-form incarnation has its own unique personality and ability; obtaining their name is enough—defeating them isn't necessary.

Xiao Yuan's eyes blazed; his confidence returned! With the Fu Yu Sword he no longer fears Jun martial soul! His iron-butt wombat martial soul was originally a degenerated Darkgold Fearclaw Bear; if he finds the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and regains his bloodline power, his Darkgold Fearclaw Bear will surely return! I now possess twin martial souls! Jun martial soul, what do you have to fight me with?

Xiao Yuan didn't choose the first one; instead he directed his gaze toward the fourth sword tomb on the left, which flashed with golden light, blindingly bright, its surface engraved with the three characters "Phoenix Cocoon".

Inside, a voice called out to him! It was exactly the voice he had just heard in the outside world!

The Martial Soul Academy is a specialized training institution for cultivating talent under the Spirit Hall.

The members of the Martial Soul Academy's battle team are all outstanding spirit masters selected from across the continent; their teaching staff is immensely strong, and most of the students possess optimal spirit ring configurations. In the academy, background doesn't matter—only talent and ability.

The stronger you are, the more resources you receive—take Jun martial soul, who leads others to challenge upperclassmen; the winning side can gain even more cultivation resources, while the losing side's resources aren't deducted, which is why a martial spirit prevails at the Martial Soul Academy.

Here, age isn't considered, only strength; of course, upperclassmen cannot actively challenge lowerclassmen—if discovered, they will receive penalties and have resources deducted.

"Jun martial soul! Don't bully people too much!" A fourth-year trainee lay on the ground, apparently the leader, making him look particularly miserable, his body covered in bruises of blue and purple.

Although he was a fourth-year student, three years older than Jun Wuchen, he was merely a one-ring soul master and certainly no match for Jun Wuchen.

Damn it, what terrible luck! Why are there so many monsters in this year's first class? He used to be a member of the first class when he was a first-year, but now he's been beaten by a junior—where can he put his face? How's he supposed to lead his lackeys anymore? Jun Wuchen's face turned ice-cold: "Bai Cheng! I don't like to cause trouble, but that doesn't mean I'm afraid of it! I'm the class monitor of the first-year first class! Hu Liena is a student in my class; if she's willing, I won't interfere."

"But if someone blindly tries to use force, don't blame me for not showing mercy!"

Bai Cheng's martial soul is the Swallow-Tailed Swift, which at first shocked Jun Wuchen— isn't the Min clan sworn enemies of the Spirit Hall? How dare they come study at the Spirit Hall Academy? Aren't they afraid the Spirit Hall will wipe them out in one sweep? Only after Jun Wuchen beat Bai Cheng today did he learn that Bai Cheng had been abandoned by the Min clan even before his martial soul awakened; his father is a member of the Spirit Hall, who found him when his maternal clan discarded him as trash.

Life isn't easy even in a big family, but fortunately I'm an orphan and can do as I please!

Jun Wuchen flicked his wrist and gave Bai Cheng a contemptuous glance.

"At nine years old, only level seventeen—what a waste!"

"You!"

Bai Cheng gritted his teeth in hatred: "I'm only nine! Big brother, have you ever seen many nine-year-olds at level seventeen? If he were really trash, he couldn't be the boss of the fourth-year first class!"

"Hmph! Jun Wuchen, we'll see!"

"Big brother, we'd better not provoke him—his martial soul is too strong! He's got innate full soul power; my family would kill me if they knew!"

The lackey beside him panicked: "Big brother Bai Cheng, don't be hard-headed—who'd dare offend someone with innate full soul power?" Bai Cheng also thought of his father; his grim expression softened a bit, and when it came to relatives, even he backed down.

"Today's my fault; I'll just stop bothering Hu Liena. I never intended to use force—I just wanted to meet her. Sorry!" Bai Cheng bowed.

Jun Wuchen nodded: "Then let's drop it—remember what you said today."

"Thanks."

Bai Cheng gave Jun Wuchen a deep look, then limped away with his lackeys.

Hu Liena made a mischievous face at Bai Cheng's back, hoping to stir up trouble.

"I'll make you regret it, hum! How dare you block the path of this young lady!"

A flash of cunning crossed Hu Liena's eyes; she went up, took Jun Wuchen's hand, and cooed in a sweet, cloying tone: "Jun Wuchen, thank you so much today—if you hadn't stepped in, I'd definitely have been bullied by them."

Jun Wuchen is really popular in the first-year first class! Whether it's his cold expression or his decisive, efficient demeanor, his protective nature and his powerful, handsome martial soul are exactly what little girls like.

(End of chapter)