Soon, they arrived outside a spacious, brightly lit classroom with a sign reading "Sky Minor Grade Class One." The classroom was already filled with many children, mostly around seven or eight years old, dressed in the uniforms of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They chatted in small groups, full of vitality and curiosity.
Teacher Sun entered the classroom first, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Students, quiet down. Today, our class welcomes two new students." He turned toward the door. "Student Marco, Student Ye Lingling, come in and introduce yourselves to everyone."
Marco and Ye Lingling walked into the classroom, immediately drawing the gazes of all their classmates. Ye Lingling shyly moved closer to her brother, while Marco remained calm, his eyes scanning the new classmates in the room.
"Hello everyone, my name is Marco. My Martial Soul is the Azure Flame Phoenix, and I am a thirteen-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master," Marco said, reporting the adjusted Soul Power level as his father had instructed.
"Hello everyone, my name is Ye Lingling. My Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia, and I am a twelve-level Support System Soul Master," Ye Lingling's voice was clear and pleasant.
"Thirteen level?" "Twelve level?" "They're only six years old, right? That's amazing!" Whispers immediately broke out among the students, many showing expressions of surprise and envy. Those who could enter Sky Minor Grade Class One all had decent talent, but reaching levels thirteen and twelve at six years old definitely placed them among the top of their peers.
Teacher Sun looked satisfied with the students' reactions and pointed to two empty seats in the middle of the classroom. "Marco, you sit over there, with Student Osler as your deskmate. Ye Lingling, you sit here, with Student Dugu Yan as your deskmate." He had intentionally paired them with two talented children, hoping they could mutually inspire each other.
Marco walked to his seat, where his deskmate was a boy with black short hair and lively eyes. Seeing Marco approach, he smiled friendly. "Hey, you're really impressive! I'm Osler, my Martial Soul is the Ghost Panther, and I'm at level nine Soul Power, almost breaking through to level ten! I look forward to learning from you!"
Marco nodded amicably in response. "Hello, Osler. Let's learn from each other." He could sense that this deskmate had a cheerful personality and decent talent.
On the other side, Ye Lingling also reached her seat. Her deskmate was a girl with deep purple short hair and jade-green eyes, carrying a somewhat aloof demeanor. However, her eyes held a trace of curiosity when she looked at Ye Lingling. "Hello, Ye Lingling. I'm Dugu Yan. My Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent, and I'm a twelve-level Control System Battle Soul Master."
Ye Lingling responded softly, "Hello, Dugu Yan." She could sense that although her deskmate appeared somewhat cold, she didn't seem difficult to get along with.
These simple exchanges marked the beginning of their new chapter at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The morning classes mainly covered academy regulations, basic Martial Soul theory, and Soul Power guidance cultivation. Thanks to their solid foundations and maturity far beyond their peers, Marco and Ye Lingling quickly adapted to the classroom rhythm.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the morning classes. Students stood up one after another, preparing to head to the cafeteria for lunch or return to their dormitories to rest.
At that moment, Marco's deskmate Osler suddenly brightened up, patting Marco's shoulder: "Hey, Marco, Lingling, don't rush off just yet! Let me introduce you to someone!" His cheerful and enthusiastic personality made him seem like the perfect "guide."
Without waiting for Marco and Ye Lingling to respond, Osler eagerly called out to a blue-haired boy at the back of the classroom who was packing up alone and looked rather cool: "Tianheng! Come over here! Let me introduce you to two new friends!"
The blue-haired boy looked up at the sound. He had handsome features and sharp eyes, carrying an air of maturity and subtle arrogance that belied his age. He hesitated for a moment, seemingly unaccustomed to such lively situations, but upon seeing Osler's enthusiastic face, he still stood up and walked over.
Osler put his arm around the blue-haired boy's shoulders and introduced him to Marco and Ye Lingling: "Marco, Lingling, this is Yu Tianheng, one of the strongest in our class! He's eight years old this year, with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon as his Martial Soul, and he's a fifteen-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master! He's from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Three Great Upper Sects!" His tone carried a hint of shared pride.
Upon hearing Osler's introduction, especially the mention of his clan, Yu Tianheng slightly raised his chin, a barely noticeable flash of pride crossing his face, but he still pretended to be composed as he nodded in greeting. That "tsundere" demeanor made Marco find it somewhat amusing.
"Yu Tianheng, this is Marco. His Martial Soul is the Azure Flame Phoenix, and he's also a thirteen-level Power Attack System. This is Ye Lingling. Her Martial Soul is the Nine Heart Begonia, and she's a twelve-level Support System," Osler introduced to Yu Tianheng in turn.
Yu Tianheng's gaze mainly fell on Marco, his sharp eyes filled with scrutiny and a burning fighting spirit: "Your Martial Soul is the Azure Flame Phoenix?" He had vaguely overheard Marco's self-introduction earlier, and now that it was confirmed, his interest grew stronger.
Marco nodded: "Mm."
"A very powerful Beast Martial Soul aura," Yu Tianheng assessed, his tone certain. "Your Soul Power is at level fifteen?"
"Mm," Marco nodded again.
"Excellent!" Yu Tianheng suddenly stepped forward, almost face-to-face with Marco, the unique aura originating from his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul faintly emanating. "Both with top-tier Martial Souls, same Soul Power level, both Power Attack System! Marco, fight me! Let me see just how strong your Phoenix Martial Soul really is!"
This straightforward challenge instantly quieted the surrounding classmates who hadn't left yet, all eyes focusing on them. Osler quickly tried to mediate: "Ah, Tianheng, Marco and the others just arrived. At least let them get familiar with the environment first..."
But Yu Tianheng seemed not to hear, his gaze fixed intently on Marco, the excitement and desire upon encountering a worthy opponent almost overflowing: "Well? Do you dare to accept?" His personality was brave and decisive, with an extremely strong competitive spirit. When meeting an opponent of comparable talent, his first thought was to verify each other's strength through combat.
Looking at the battle-eager Yu Tianheng before him, Marco found it somewhat amusing internally, but he also understood this natural competitive psychology among top-tier Martial Soul possessors. He himself also yearned for actual combat to test his newly acquired power and Spirit Abilities. After a brief contemplation, a slight curve formed at the corner of his mouth: "Alright, I'd be happy to oblige."
Ye Lingling tugged worriedly at her brother's sleeve, and Marco turned to give her a reassuring look.
Seeing Marco agree, Yu Tianheng's face immediately lit up with excitement: "Great! Let's go to the Soul Duel Area!" After speaking, he turned and led the way out.
A group of curious children immediately swarmed around Marco, Yu Tianheng, Ye Lingling, Osler, Dugu Yan, and the others, marching in a grand procession toward the academy's small Soul Battle Stage for lower grades. This Soul Battle Stage wasn't large in scale, but it had complete protective measures, sufficient for Soul Masters of their level to spar.
The two ascended the Soul Battle Stage, standing opposite each other. The other students gathered around the stage to watch.
Yu Tianheng took a deep breath and was the first to release his Martial Soul. Amid a low dragon's roar, his body slightly expanded, with faint blue electric arcs dancing and flickering across his skin surface, emitting crackling sounds. A unique aura spread out—the embryonic might of the world's number one Beast Martial Soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!
A yellow hundred-year Spirit Ring rose at his feet as he clearly announced: "Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, fifteenth-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master!"
Watching Yu Tianheng's standard announcement routine, Marco felt somewhat awkward internally, but when in Rome, he could only follow suit. With a thought, azure flames surged from within his body, slightly raising the surrounding temperature, while a clear and melodious bird cry faintly echoed. An identical yellow hundred-year Spirit Ring rose at his feet, its edges flickering with pale flame markings. "Marco, Martial Soul: Azure Flame Phoenix, thirteenth-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master!"
"First Spirit Ability, Thunder Dragon Claw!" Yu Tianheng initiated the attack first, shouting low as the Spirit Ring at his feet lit up. Intense blue lightning instantly condensed in his right palm, forming a claw-shaped electric arc. His figure flashed, carrying a sharp aura and electric light as he lunged at Marco with astonishing speed, a thunder claw striking directly at Marco's face!
Marco's eyes narrowed, but he didn't choose to block it head-on. His rich combat experience allowed him to make an instant judgment. His footsteps shifted flexibly, his body drifting backward as if weightless, narrowly avoiding the electricity-shrouded thunder claw. The scorching breath of lightning brushed past the tip of his nose.
With one strike missing, Yu Tianheng didn't pause, swinging his claw horizontally again, tearing through the air with lightning. Marco sidestepped once more while carefully observing Yu Tianheng's attack rhythm and habits.
Yu Tianheng's offensive came in waves, Thunder Dragon Claws continuously slashing out, streaks of electric light flashing across the Soul Battle Stage, drawing gasps of surprise from the audience below. Yet Marco was like a willow leaf in a fierce wind, always managing to evade attacks by a hair's breadth at critical moments. His footwork appeared simple but was extremely effective, often predicting Yu Tianheng's attack trajectories.
After continuous unsuccessful attacks, Yu Tianheng grew somewhat impatient. He stopped, looking at Marco who always maintained distance from him, and couldn't help but provoke: "Do you only know how to dodge?" Dare you face one of my moves head-on!"
Hearing this, Marco halted his steps and smiled slightly: "As you wish." He knew it was time to counterattack.
Before his words faded, the azure flames around Marco suddenly surged violently, the temperature skyrocketing! He didn't immediately use a Spirit Ability but instead coated his arms and legs with the azure flames, actively charging toward Yu Tianheng!
Seeing Marco finally cease evading, Yu Tianheng was overjoyed, gathering Thunder Dragon Claw once more to meet the attack!
"Boom!"
The fist shrouded in azure flames collided fiercely for the first time with the energy dragon claw wreathed in lightning! Azure flames intertwined with blue electricity, releasing violent energy fluctuations! Both men stepped back simultaneously—it was a stalemate!
Yu Tianheng was inwardly shocked. He hadn't expected his opponent's strength and flame intensity to be so high, capable of withstanding his Thunder Dragon Claw without being at a disadvantage!
Just as Yu Tianheng's old force faded and new force had yet to emerge, a sharp glint flashed in Marco's eyes as he shouted, "First Spirit Ability: Azure Flame Ignition!"
The Spirit Ring at his feet blazed with light, and the azure flames around him instantly turned wild. The pale Flame Markings at the edges suddenly brightened! His speed and strength skyrocketed in an instant! This was a formidable enhancement Spirit Ability derived from the Soul-Burning Feathered Eagle's innate "Soul Burning" talent!
In a flash, Marco's figure seemed to transform into a stream of cyan fire, closing in on Yu Tianheng at a speed far surpassing before! Yu Tianheng only saw a blur before his eyes—before he could react, Marco was already upon him!
Marco compressed the raging azure flames to their limit, concentrating them entirely into his right leg. The entire limb seemed to morph into a battle-axe burning with cyan-white flames, carrying an unstoppable momentum as he delivered a fierce, sweeping kick straight at Yu Tianheng's chest!
"Boom!"
A dull thud echoed!
Yu Tianheng felt an irresistible, tremendous force tear through the lightning defense on his chest. He was sent flying backward like a kite with its string cut, tumbling directly out of the Soul Battle Stage's boundary and crashing heavily to the ground. The electric sparks around him instantly dissipated, and his Soul Fusion state dissolved.
Silence fell instantly below the Soul Battle Stage. Everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to believe the figure standing tall on the stage, the azure flames around him slowly receding.
Only after a moment did exclamations and praises surge like a tidal wave!
"He won?! Marco won!"
"So powerful! That move was incredibly fast!"
"Even Yu Tianheng lost! And his Martial Soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"
Osler's jaw hung open, and he muttered after a long pause, "My god, that was insane…"
A flicker of astonishment also passed through Dugu Yan's emerald-green eyes, clearly surprised by Marco's strength.
Ye Lingling's small face flushed with excitement, her eyes filled with adoration as she gazed at her brother. "Brother, you were amazing!"
Marco dispersed his Martial Soul, walked to the edge of the stage, and extended a hand to Yu Tianheng, who had just been helped up by Osler. "You went easy on me. Your attacks were formidable; I just got lucky."
Yu Tianheng's face was pale, his chest still aching faintly. He glanced at Marco's outstretched hand, then at his sincere expression, and snorted as he stood up on his own, dusting off his clothes. Stubbornly, he retorted, "Hmph! Just luck! I was careless! Next time! Next time I'll definitely win!" Though his words refused to admit defeat, he knew deep down that Marco's explosive speed and power in that instant far exceeded his expectations—it was anything but mere luck.
Marco smiled, unbothered by his stubbornness. "You're welcome anytime."
After this battle, Marco's name quickly spread throughout Sky Minor Grade Class One, even beginning to attract some attention from higher grades. Everyone learned that a talented newcomer who could defeat a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Master had joined their class. Through this battle, Marco also began to integrate into this new group and gained a clearer understanding of his current strength. His new academy life officially commenced in this somewhat tense yet vibrant atmosphere.