Chapter 14: Cosmo Concept
Shi Nuo had already helped carry Lin Beiya's belongings from the orphanage.
After unpacking, Lin Beiya neatly arranged his few possessions around the dorm room.
From now on, after lunch, he could even take short naps here between classes.
Once everything was set, Shi Nuo enthusiastically led Lin Beiya around the academy to familiarize him with its facilities.
Several specialized simulation cultivation fields greatly enhanced training efficiency, as well as the highly popular Battle Soul Arena.
Since most students at the Junior Spirit Academy had only recently obtained their first soul rings, many were itching to test out their new soul skills. As the only place in the academy where combat was officially allowed, the Battle Soul Arena was naturally the liveliest spot on campus.
By coincidence, when Shi Nuo and Lin Beiya arrived—initially just intending to take a look—a duel was already underway inside.
On the stage stood two young Soul Masters. One was a short, broad-shouldered boy with a bear-type martial soul. His stout figure radiated raw strength—the very image of the word burly.
Facing him was a tall, lanky youth whose martial soul appeared to be of the high-legged spider type. Judging by the single soul ring glowing under each of their feet, both were one-ring Soul Masters.
The contrast between their physiques was almost comical. Beside him, Shi Nuo's eyes lit up with interest.
He eagerly shuffled closer to the edge of the crowd surrounding the stage, and Lin Beiya had no choice but to follow.
"Beiya, look! They both have soul rings just like you. They must be senior students!"
"When I get my first ring, I'm definitely trying this out myself!"
Lin Beiya raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. He hadn't expected the usually honest and steady Shi Nuo to have such a fiery side.
"Then you'd better keep training hard," he said with a smirk.
"Try to get your first soul ring before summer break."
"Heh, don't worry! I'm close—another month or so, and I'll hit rank nine for sure!"
As they chatted, the duel on stage was already heating up. The short, muscular boy let out a deep roar as his first soul ring lit up. His thick bear claws shimmered with a crimson aura as he lunged at his opponent.
"First Soul Skill — Frenzied Claw!"
Bear-type martial souls were known for both offense and defense, and the tall, thin boy clearly knew this. Even before his opponent struck, he had already activated his own soul skill.
However, none of the onlookers—including Lin Beiya—could immediately tell what his skill actually did.
Just as everyone thought the spider-type boy was about to take a direct hit, his long legs suddenly coiled like springs and launched him high into the air! He narrowly dodged the slashing bear claws, landing gracefully a few meters away.
The crowd gasped in surprise.
The bear boy didn't hesitate—he spun around and charged again, his glowing claws sweeping forward once more, aiming for the spider user's landing spot.
A murmur spread among the onlookers. Many could already picture the poor spider soul master being swatted off the platform.
Lin Beiya thought the same—until the next moment shattered his expectations.
As the lanky youth touched down, eight spectral spider legs sprouted from his back, reacting almost faster than thought.
They shot sideways, propelling him out of harm's way just as the bear claws ripped through the air where he had been standing.
Two attacks missed in a row. The burly boy froze mid-step, staring in disbelief.
"You… you can sense my attacks without even looking?!"
The tall boy smirked.
"Hmph. This is my first soul skill—Spider Sense. No matter which direction an attack comes from, I can feel it beforehand. Combined with my martial soul's agility and bounce, dodging you is child's play."
A trace of arrogance flashed in his eyes.
"Give up. Someone as slow and clumsy as you will never touch me. Oh, and in case you're curious—my first skill consumes almost no soul power."
"What?!"
The bear boy's eyes widened in shock, but surrendering wasn't in his nature. With a roar, he once again unleashed Frenzied Claw and charged forward. Even if it seemed hopeless, he wasn't about to quit without trying.
What followed proved the spider soul master's boast to be true. No matter how the bear claws struck—from front, back, or side—the spider user evaded each blow as if he could see the future.
By the end, he was so confident that he even closed his eyes, deliberately provoking the frustrated bear boy.
"That's too much! How is this even a fair fight? Can't he face his opponent like a man instead of running around?"
Shi Nuo was visibly angry beneath the stage. His martial soul shared the same weakness as the short, burly boy's—tremendous strength, but not enough speed. In other words, even after obtaining his first soul ring, he'd likely end up being toyed with by an opponent like that lanky spider user.
Lin Beiya didn't comfort his friend.
Instead, his gaze remained locked on the tall, thin youth standing proudly on the stage.
That boy had used his soul skill to sense and anticipate danger, yes—but more importantly, his technique relied heavily on the five senses.
And when it came to mastering the five senses… weren't Saints from the Saint Seiya universe the undisputed experts?
In the realm of human "Cosmo," the first five senses represented sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch.
Losing all five meant descending into complete nothingness—unable to see, hear, speak, feel, or taste—a living corpse, trapped in emptiness.
But if one could train all five senses to their utmost limit… Then one could awaken the Sixth Sense, the first step toward igniting one's own Cosmo.
'I wonder… would the concept of a Cosmo even work in the world of Douluo?'
The thought lingered in Lin Beiya's mind for a long moment. Then his eyes grew firm, filled with a quiet determination.
Even if it didn't work, he decided—he would still try. At worst, strengthening his five senses could only make him stronger.
There was no downside, only potential gain.
---
Eventually, the short, burly boy on stage ran out of soul power and had no choice but to concede defeat. His expression made it clear—he was far from convinced.
Still, a loss was a loss. Bowing his head, he muttered a quiet, "You win," before jumping off the platform and disappearing into the training grounds.
The tall spider soul master let out a mocking laugh, then turned his gaze toward Shi Nuo.
"Hey, you! What year are you? You're the one who called me shameless just now, right? Wanna come up and say that to my face?"
"Uh…"
Shi Nuo froze on the spot. He didn't even have a soul ring yet—how was he supposed to duel?
Laughter erupted around the arena.
"Hahaha! You've got some nerve, kid. One look at that fresh uniform and anyone can tell you're a first-year newbie. Are you trying to pick on a child now?"
The tall boy's companions teased him, but he didn't seem the least bit embarrassed.
Instead, he sneered coldly at Shi Nuo.
"So what? You dare insult me, you'd better be ready to take a beating."
He tilted his head, smirking.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me your martial soul is that of a turtle hiding in its shell?"
That did it. Shi Nuo's round face flushed red with anger. Even knowing he'd probably get beaten up, he clenched his fists and prepared to step onto the stage.
But before he could move, a hand pressed firmly on his shoulder.
Lin Beiya stepped forward, a calm smile on his lips.
"You heard wrong," he said lightly. "I was the one who called you shameless. If you're looking for a fight—come at me."
"Oh? Another first-year?" The tall boy arched a brow, his grin widening.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that. Alright, come up here—let your seniors teach you some respect."
Ignoring the mockery, Lin Beiya gave Shi Nuo a reassuring glance before leaping onto the stage.
"Lin Beiya," he said evenly. "Level 12. One-ring Battle Soul Master."
"Huh?"
The tall boy's expression shifted slightly, surprise flashing in his eyes. A first year with a soul ring? That meant this kid was either innately full of soul power or something very close to it.
"Well, well… so you're a little genius, huh?"
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End of Chapter