Flender said with a smile, "Both of you have already demonstrated your strength. Continuing to fight would only waste Soul Power unnecessarily. It's best to stop here."
Qin Ming also nodded and said, "The dean is right. Your performances were both outstanding. This exchange match has no winner or loser."
Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng exchanged glances, each seeing a trace of acknowledgment in the other's eyes.
They simultaneously withdrew their Martial Souls and cupped their hands toward each other.
"Thank you for going easy on me."
"Likewise."
When Dai Mubai and Yu Tianheng left the arena, both bore marks of their confrontation.
As soon as the two stepped aside, two more figures stepped into the center of the square.
On one side was Xue Na, wearing a neat light purple combat outfit today, her long hair tied into a high ponytail that revealed her smooth forehead.
On the other side, Shimo stood with a solid build, like a bluish stone rooted to the ground, exuding a sense of heaviness just by standing there.
"Shimo, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise Turtle, Level 38 Defense-Type Battle Soul Venerable!"
Shimo's voice was deep like muffled thunder. As his words fell, Soul Power surged around him.
Yellow, yellow, and purple Soul Rings rose, and a massive Black Tortoise Turtle phantom appeared behind him.
The bluish-black tortoise shell was covered with ancient patterns, radiating an indestructible aura.
"Xue Na, Martial Soul: Thunderbolt, Level 35 Power Attack-Type Battle Soul Venerable!"
Xue Na's voice was clear and cold as ice. She slightly raised her hand, with faint electric sparks already dancing at her fingertips.
Yellow, yellow, and purple Soul Rings also lit up, and the thunderbolt aura around her was noticeably more condensed compared to a few days ago.
That's right—Xue Na, originally at level 34, had broken through to level 35!
"Defense type, huh?"
The corner of Xue Na's mouth lifted slightly. The next second, she pushed off forcefully with her feet, her figure darting out like a purple lightning bolt. Her first Soul Ring lit up:
"First Soul Skill: Leopard Shadow Lightning Mark!"
A purple leopard phantom appeared behind Xue Na. As the phantom let out a roar, a leopard head mark appeared between Xue Na's eyebrows.
Seeing Shimo standing still, Xue Na gathered a purple Lightning Ball in her palm and threw it toward Shimo.
Watching Xue Na launch her attack, the first Soul Ring beneath Shimo lit up:
"First Soul Skill: Dark Tortoise Body Protection!"
Before his words faded, a layer of gray-black keratin rapidly spread from beneath his skin, covering his entire body like the shell of a dark tortoise, with ancient patterns appearing on the surface.
"Boom!"
The purple Lightning Ball slammed hard into the Dark Tortoise Body Protection, instantly exploding. Thunderbolts crackled and surged over Shimo's body, emitting sharp, sizzling sounds.
However, the keratin layer on Shimo's body merely rippled slightly, blocking all the thunderbolt force completely.
Shimo stood firmly in place without moving an inch, his expression unchanged as he said in a muffled voice:
"Not strong enough."
"Interesting."
Xue Na's eyes narrowed. No longer testing, she concentrated all her thunderbolt power into her right fist and struck toward Shimo's left shoulder!
Shimo still didn't dodge or evade, instead thickening the keratin layer on his left shoulder.
"Clang!"
A crisp sound rang out, as if metal had struck metal.
Shimo's left shoulder swayed, and he took two steps back before stabilizing his stance.
"Truly tough."
Seeing that one punch had forced Shimo back two steps, Xue Na shook her numb fist, the fighting spirit in her eyes intensifying.
She took a deep breath, and the thunderbolt aura around her suddenly turned violent.
Crackling thunderbolts rapidly coalesced between her palms into a wrist-thick purple lightning.
"Hah!"
With a low shout, she thrust her palm forward, sending the condensed purple lightning straight toward Shimo's chest!
Shimo's expression shifted slightly, no longer daring to underestimate her in the slightest.
He swiftly crossed his arms before his chest, the keratin layer of his Dark Tortoise Body Protection thickening once more.
"Boom!"
The purple lightning struck his arms, violent currents instantly exploding and spreading throughout his body along his limbs.
Shimo felt an intense numbness shooting through his arms, the paralyzing sensation spreading at an alarming rate, making even his legs feel heavy.
He grunted, unable to maintain his footing as the impact of the purple lightning pushed him sliding backward.
His feet plowed two clear shallow grooves into the hard plaza ground before he finally came to a stop about three meters away.
While Xue Na and Shimo were engaged in their heated battle, a slender figure quietly shifted her position, moving around to Su Yu's side.
This was Ye Lingling, her face veiled in black gauze that revealed only those clear sapphire-like eyes.
Watching Su Yu's profile as he focused ahead, she hesitated for a moment before finally gathering her courage. Reaching out with her slender hand, she gently took hold of Su Yu's palm.
Su Yu started in surprise, feeling the unusual sensation in his hand as he instinctively turned his head.
"Classmate Ye?"
Seeing it was Ye Lingling, Su Yu slightly furrowed his brows, his tone carrying some confusion.
He couldn't understand why this girl from Heavenly Dou Royal Academy would suddenly make such a move.
When her eyes met his gaze, Ye Lingling trembled like a startled deer, her fingers quivering slightly, but she didn't let go.
The next moment, the young girl actually gave his palm a gentle squeeze, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz coming through the veil:
"Teacher Su Yu... I have something I want to tell you."
Su Yu initially thought to refuse, but looking into the girl's eyes, he simply couldn't bring himself to do it!
Ye Lingling seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, taking his hand and leading him with light steps toward the secluded corridor at the edge of the plaza.
Her strides were small, her white skirt swaying gently with her movements.
Su Yu let himself be led, able to feel the slightly cool temperature and subtle trembling transmitted through her palm.
Only when they reached the corridor did Ye Lingling stop and turn around.
Sunlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow upon her.
She released Su Yu's hand, though her fingertips still retained the warmth of his palm. Lowering her head, her voice remained soft but clearer than before:
"Teacher Su Yu... actually, I saw you a long time ago."
Su Yu was slightly taken aback, looking at the young girl before him but finding no relevant fragments in his memory. He couldn't help asking:
"Is that so? I don't have any impression of it."
As soon as Su Yu finished speaking, the girl before him suddenly took a step forward, bringing with her a faint delicate fragrance as she gently embraced him.
The sudden contact made Su Yu startle, instinctively raising his hands to push her away.
But just as his arms lifted, he felt Ye Lingling's arms around his waist tighten slightly, carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
"Your Highness! Just let me hold you for a while!"
Her voice came through the veil, thick with nasal tones, subtle sobs hidden within her words that softened one's heart.
Su Yu's movements froze abruptly.
He could feel the stubborn strength emanating from the slender arms of the girl in his embrace.
Su Yu gently loosened the girl's arm from around his waist and asked calmly, "Do you know me?"
Ye Lingling didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stepped forward and embraced him again, resting her cheek lightly against his chest as if confirming something.
"My mother and I were once invited to attend your Holy Son Coronation Ceremony!"
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