Chapter 71: Second Phase Begins, Group Soul Duel

The three months of grueling training officially ended, and everyone made great progress.

The Slake members, during this period, successfully learned Suction Palm and Blowing Fire Palm, and their mastery was already very skillful.

However, just like Zhu Zhuqing, without exception, they all used Blowing Fire Palm with the left hand and Suction Palm with the right.

Being able to press soul power into both the left and right arms simultaneously is already quite difficult.

To add another Violent Step, even Ning Rongrong, who can already perform three‑way split control, cannot.

It would damage the meridians.

Fortunately, Oscar's Storm Intestine is available.

All of them have greatly improved their control over the Storm Intestine.

Although they don't look as skillful as Xiao Xian, they can fly and dodge; combined with Tang San's Soul Lotus Seed, they can even fly for ten minutes.

The demand for Violent Step is therefore not as strong.

Only Zhu Zhuqing still hasn't given up; every day besides the Master's training, at night she either cultivates soul power or adapts to Sunlight Spore.

Her progress with Blowing Fire Palm and Suction Palm is also quite fast.

Xiao Xian's progress is also considerable.

Although he looks like a total slacker.

But his soul power solidly reached level thirty‑five.

A terrifying level.

He broke through to Soul Elder in less than half a year, though aided by an external soul bone.

His speed even startled Master and Fulangde; the two were even considering whether to have Xiao Xian curb his pace.

But Xiao Xian's control over his own soul power is so terrifying that there is not a hint of any soul power wavering.

Fulangde felt a little more at ease.

However, he still required Xiao Xian not to focus solely on cultivation; occasionally he must spar with Zhao Wuji a few times.

The progress of Xiao Xian's soul power was not shown outwardly by Fulangde or Master.

Such a terrifying cultivation speed, of course, is extremely rigorous and tightly concealed.

Fulangde even doubted that Xiao Xian would graduate soon; for a moment it was hard to believe.

But there was also deep satisfaction and pride.

This is a student who has truly stepped out of his hands.

……

Master gave the Slake group a seven‑day holiday to adjust their condition.

Oscar flopped onto the bed and slept soundly.

Xiao Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief, deciding to rest properly and do nothing.

Dai Mubai also chose to rest well.

Ma Hongjun, after finishing, excitedly thought of going to Suotuo City, but Fulangde stopped him, sealing his soul power with a grim expression.

There was not much to say; continue running, with weight.

Zhu Zhuqing did not relax, continuing her cultivation as always, occasionally seeking Xiao Xian for tips on Suction Palm and Blowing Fire Palm.

After one Ranking ended, Master suddenly asked the seven of them to form a team and fight Xiao Xian.

Xiao Xian used Suction Palm layered with Blowing Fire Palm, force translocation and counterattack, easily making the seven fight each other, nearly crushing them.

They lost even faster than in a one‑on‑one duel.

Later, Tang San explained with a wry smile that this was Xiao Xian's "Battle‑Turning Star Shift"—once Suction Palm reaches an extremely high level, it can be employed to use borrowed force, a technique of force translocation.

Theoretically, the more opponents, the stronger.

The same applies to Blowing Fire Palm; once mastered to a profound level, the condensed force makes the palm wind extremely terrifying.

At that moment, all the Slake members were shocked, even the teachers.

Zhu Zhuqing made up her mind to master Suction Palm to that extent.

Fulangde was secretly startled, feeling his previous assessment of Xiao Xian's Self‑Created Soul Technique had been too low.

Master appeared expressionless, yet his heart was rather unsettled.

He knew Xiao Xian was strong, but hadn't expected him to be so surprisingly impressive.

Among peers, Soul Masters, who can stand a single battle?

Probably only the future Tang San, and that one from the Spirit Hall…

Zhao Wuji, however, sneered, and when sparring with Xiao Xian occasionally, he applied a bit more force.

Having fought Old Zhao for so long, he still concealed his strength, clearly not taking him seriously.

……

On the fourth night of the holiday, Tang San excitedly pulled out many mechanical‑type Hidden Weapons, patting Xiao Xian's tent.

These were newly assembled by him; Master's previous special training was too exhausting, so he never had many chances to give his senior brother.

Xiao Xian, quite interested, fiddled with it a bit; if this were deployed on a large scale, its power would still be impressive.

However, it lacked the Flying Sky Claw.

Perhaps because Tang San had learned Violent Step, he thought this gadget was useless and didn't make it.

Xiao Xian has now fully moved into the tent; Oscar, whenever he's free, takes a medicinal bath, filling the dormitory with a strong scent.

The other Little Cabins are shabby and broken, and they're too lazy to waste time cleaning them.

Three more days passed, and the holiday officially ended.

It was time to return to class.

After breakfast, Dai Mubai, Tang San and the others, seven people in all, arrived at the playground on time.

The weather gradually grew warm; although it was still early morning, the sunlight already carried a scorching feel.

Master crossed his arms, waiting for the seven to stand properly.

"The first stage is over; your bodies have barely laid some foundation. From now on, I will give you the second-stage instruction."

"Suo Tuo Great Soul Battle Arena."

"There it will become the teaching venue for you for the coming period."

"Unlike what Dean Fulangde demanded, I don't require you to obtain any silver Battle Soul Badge."

"But I require you to keep your win rate above eighty‑five percent."

"When you have completed over one hundred Soul Battles and your win rate meets my requirement, then the second stage will end."

Hearing Master's words, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Soul Battle, no matter how hard, is never harder than physical training; each time you end up exhausted to the point of fainting—truly too torturous.

Master calmly added, "Besides one‑on‑one Soul Battles, you must also take part in team battles."

"Team battles in the Soul Battle arena usually involve seven to ten people, but the vast majority are seven."

"But you, counting Xiao Xian, have eight."

"From today onward, the Black Robe who is last in Ranking may not join team battles."

"Your ages are all similar; if you want a combat slot, work hard yourselves. Those who don't earn combat eligibility must do extra training."

Oscar complained a bit, "Master, we are the Support Type after all…"

Master said calmly, "From now on, the other trainees fighting against your Support Type Soul Masters may not use the First Soul Ring. Tang San is exempt; he is not counted as Support Type."

Oscar was satisfied now; after all, he is a Soul Elder, so he could never be placed last.

Master acted swiftly, having the trainees quickly pack up, then immediately led them out toward Suotuo City.

Fulangde and Zhao Wuji also accompanied them, while the other three teachers stayed behind at the academy, continuing a life almost like retirement.

Fulangde was quite pleased with Master's decision.

He, Zhao Wuji, and Master can reside in a shop in Suotuo City.

The group of little monsters took care of their own food and lodging, finally not having to drain his old savings.

Before it was only Xiao Xian alone, he could still manage to supply; with more people, Soul Coins really became a bit tight.

…