All rights reserved to the respective authors.
"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.
'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.
[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.
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Amid the electrified atmosphere of Nuoding Academy, two figures rose from their seats and stepped into the competition area.
"It's finally starting!"
"Those two… their auras feel different. Is this what they call geniuses?"
"Fight! Fight!"
City Lord Xiao observed the arena before turning to his son.
"Chenyu, who do you think will win?"
Xiao Chenyu had once been the academy's most arrogant student—until his defeat at Tenshin's hands. That loss had tempered his once domineering nature, making him more composed and reserved. It was this transformation that had convinced City Lord Xiao to attend today's match.
He was also curious. Was Tang San—the boy born with innate full soul power—truly as gifted as the rumors claimed? And as for that so-called 'master'... was he worthy of his title?
"Father, that's a difficult question to answer," Xiao Chenyu admitted, his tone thoughtful.
A year had passed since his graduation, and under his father's support, his soul power had grown from rank eleven to sixteen. Though no longer a student, he had developed a keen eye for assessing talent.
"Tenshin is physically strong, but Tang San is no weakling either," he said, shifting his gaze toward Tang San. "Tang San is a genius, despite his martial soul being considered trash. But he possesses strange abilities, and his private master—though controversial—has undeniably trained him well."
His eyes then fell on Tenshin, who stood tall, his grip firm on his spear. His expression remained calm, unreadable.
"As for Tenshin, his martial soul remains a mystery. We only know that it's a book that enhances his intellect. Ever since he obtained his soul ring, he hasn't revealed his martial soul or even hinted at his soul skill. Some believe it has a defect... though that rumor was supposedly started by the master himself."
Xiao Chenyu frowned slightly before continuing.
"However, his spearmanship is exceptional. Even without soul skills, he ranks among the top ten students in the academy."
Then, a faint smile played on his lips.
"I must admit, both he and Tang San are geniuses—just in different ways."
A self-deprecating chuckle escaped him.
"Compared to them, I'm nothing special."
City Lord Xiao's gaze softened. Hearing his son speak with such insight and humility filled him with pride. There was no greater reward for a father than witnessing his child's growth.
Turning his attention back to the competition area, his expression sharpened, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
"Shall we begin?"
In the competition area, the referee stood between the two figures, his gaze shifting between Tenshin and Tang San.
"You may."
"You may."
Both responded in unison, their voices steady.
"Reveal your martial souls and declare your soul power levels," the referee instructed, his voice carrying across the arena.
With that, he stepped aside, making way for the competitors.
It was customary for soul masters to announce their martial souls and power levels before a match as a sign of respect. Yet, neither Tang San nor Tenshin had disclosed their soul power in previous battles—a quiet display of confidence that had not gone unnoticed.
Tang San's eyes sharpened, his expression turning serious as he stepped forward.
"Tang San, second-year student. Martial soul: Blue Silver Grass. Nineteenth level, one-ring weapon-type soul master."
Gasp—
A collective intake of breath swept through the audience.
Shock rippled across the faces of both students and teachers alike.
Level 19?!
At only seven years old?!
"M-My god! Isn't his martial soul just Blue Silver Grass? One of the weakest spirits? How did he reach level nineteen in just two years?!"
"Are you an idiot? Did you forget he was born with innate full soul power? And he's guided by the master..."
"But still... nine levels in two years? That's monstrous!"
"That's what makes him a genius. Soul masters with innate full soul power always cultivate faster than the rest of us. It's an immutable fact."
As the whispers spread like wildfire, a calm voice cut through the noise.
"Tenshin, second-year student. Martial soul: Celestial Book. Seventeenth level, one-ring weapon-type soul master."
The crowd erupted.
"What?!"
"Impossible!"
"Tang San's growth is terrifying, but Tenshin? He only had level seven innate soul power! How did he close the gap so much in just two years?!"
"My god! Two geniuses in the same academy!"
"If Tenshin had the master's guidance, who knows how strong he'd be... Why didn't the master try to recruit him?"
"Without any special guidance, he still advanced seven levels in two years… That's frightening!"
Amid the rising excitement, Yu Xiaogang, seated beside the dean, narrowed his eyes.'This kid...'
Tenshin had cultivated at an astonishing speed—almost surpassing Tang San. 'No...'
Yu Xiaogang immediately dismissed the thought. He couldn't accept it.
It was inconceivable that someone like Tenshin could progress so quickly without guidance—especially without his mentorship. His fingers tightened slightly as a bitter realization crept in. 'I know…He must have stumbled upon some rare opportunity when he obtained his soul ring last year. How unfair this world is... A random boy finds fortune, while I—a descendant of one of the three great clans—am shackled by a defective martial soul, forever stuck at level 29.'
Beside him, the dean was still reeling from Tang San's soul power. When Tenshin's level was announced, he stiffened again, then leaned toward Yu Xiaogang. "Xiao Gang… do you think Tenshin has a chance against Tang San?"
Yu Xiaogang chuckled softly, shaking off his earlier thoughts.
"Of course not," he replied without hesitation. "Tang San will win. His soul power is higher—you'll witness Xiaosan's true strength soon enough."
His voice carried unwavering confidence, but there was a subtle edge to it—as if he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
He continued, his gaze cold and dismissive. "Tenshin's entire fighting style depends on external strength—his spear. Relying on foreign objects is always a weakness. True strength comes from one's martial soul and soul power. A soul master who depends on tools is always weaker... and more fragile."
The dean nodded slowly, though a flicker of doubt crossed his face.
He had witnessed Tang San's performance against Xiao Wu earlier and had been thoroughly impressed. But now… something about Tenshin's unwavering composure unsettled him.
His gaze drifted toward Tang San, and a heavy thought settled in his mind. 'Tang San... you must not lose today. If you do, Xiaogang's reputation will be utterly destroyed.'
Competition Area
Tenshin's soul power level announcement had shaken Tang San. The narrowing gap between them was unexpected—almost unsettling. Yet, his surprise lasted only a fleeting moment before his composed expression returned.
'Even if he has progressed quickly… what does it matter?' Tang San reassured himself.
He possessed the Mysterious Heaven Skill, the profound techniques of the Tang Sect, and the innate advantage of full soul power from birth. Tenshin, on the other hand, had only the basic meditation method from his awakening and a spear—a mere external weapon.
'In the end, the gap between us will only widen. Sooner or later, he'll be left far behind.'
Lingering on the thought was pointless. Tang San exhaled slowly, steadying his heart. His calm gaze locked onto Tenshin as he took half a step forward, clasped his hands, and uttered three simple yet powerful words:
"Please advise!"
The moment his voice fell—
Whoosh!
Tang San's figure flickered out of sight.
Before the crowd could react, a surge of vibrant blue vines erupted from beneath him—the unmistakable manifestation of Blue Silver Grass. A low hum echoed across the arena as his hundred-year-old yellow soul ring gleamed, drawing gasps from the audience.
"First soul skill—Bind!"
Tang San's voice cut through the air like a blade. His intent was clear—swift and decisive victory.
Dozens of thick, serpentine vines slithered across the ground, coiling like predators poised to strike. Their speed was relentless, their precision lethal.
Tang San's sharp gaze locked onto Tenshin. This battle was not just about victory—it was retribution.
Xiao Wu had cried for days after Tenshin hunted down that rabbit a year ago. Today, Tang San would restore her honor.
There was no hesitation. The moment Tenshin moved, the Blue Silver Grass struck.
'Trying to restrict my movement?' Tenshin's sharp eyes flickered. He had studied Tang San's fighting style long before this match—he knew how control-type soul masters operated.
This entanglement was a mere feint—a calculated distraction. The real attack would come the moment he faltered.
His instincts screamed at him.
Move.
Without wasting a breath, Tenshin pushed off the ground, channeling soul power into his legs. His figure became a fleeting shadow, slipping through the competition area with razor-sharp precision.
The stone platform—fifty meters wide—left little room for error. Every inch counted. Every second mattered.
His retreat kept him just beyond the vines' reach—but only barely.
Yet, as he evaded the first wave of attacks, a faint chill ran down his spine.
'Here he comes—!'
Tang San appeared right in front of him, exactly as he had predicted.
Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.
"Tenshin, I won't lose today," Tang San declared, voice calm but unwavering.
A mocking smile tugged at Tenshin's lips. "Then try."
No more words.
Tang San's hand flicked forward, glowing with a jade-white radiance—Mysterious Jade Hand!
Tenshin's gaze sharpened. He had never underestimated Tang San's close combat prowess—both were blacksmiths, tempered by years of physical labor. At such low soul power levels, the gap in physical strength was almost nonexistent.
'He's testing me… but I know better.'
With practiced ease, Tenshin channeled soul power into his spear, thrusting forward to intercept Tang San's strike.
The audience held their breath.
Clang!
The clash seemed ordinary—at first. But then…
Tang San's pupils contracted. 'Faster… stronger… when did he become this precise?!'
Despite his shock, Tang San adapted instantly. Blue Silver Grass surged beneath his feet, coiling once more to block any follow-up attacks. At the same time, his Purple Demon Eye flickered faintly, enhancing his perception.
He anticipated Tenshin's spear would aim for his ribs and directed his vines accordingly.
Then—
Puff!
The spear stabbed into the Blue Silver Grass—just as Tang San predicted. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face.
But it was a trap.
The instant Tang San relaxed—
Tenshin's spear jerked upwards with flawless fluidity—a feint within a feint.
'Not good!' Tang San's pupils shrunk to pinpoints. He withdrew his hand instantly, but it was already too late.
Clang!
Tenshin's wooden spear struck Tang San's wrist with pinpoint accuracy.
Though the Mysterious Jade Hand protected his palm, the wrist remained vulnerable—a flaw that Tenshin had capitalized on.
The impact forced Tang San back several steps, momentarily off balance. A small victory—but against an opponent like Tang San, such openings were invaluable.
'He's not just strong… he's reading me.' Yet, Tang San recovered quickly. His figure flickered into Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and Blue Silver Grass vines coiled beneath him, aiding his retreat.
In mere moments, the gap between them widened once more.
The first round had ended in a draw—but to any discerning eye, it was Tenshin who held the advantage.
"Hiss… Tang San actually lost the first round?!"
"The agility of these two boys is leagues above that of ordinary soul masters at their level."
"That boy, Tenshin… his weapon mastery surpasses even mine—and I have a spear martial soul!"
"His combat awareness is razor-sharp. If Tang San hadn't reacted in time, with his left arm fully exposed, he wouldn't have just lost the initiative—he might have lost the match outright."
A few keen-eyed spectators immediately recognized Tenshin's intent, their voices cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.
"The boy is formidable… but it's a shame his martial soul isn't a spear. Such natural talent with weapons, wasted."
"Don't forget—Tang San reacted swiftly. He won't give Tenshin another opening like that."
"His first soul skill transforms Blue Silver Grass into vines for long-range control. His path is clearly that of a control-type soul master."
"Perhaps… his real goal is to create distance between them."
Among the sea of whispers, Yu Xiaogang remained silent, his gaze locked onto the arena.
He was surprised—not just by Tang San's initial setback, but by Tenshin's calculated, almost surgical approach to combat. 'This boy… he's forcing Xiaosan into a corner.'
Yet, despite the pressure, Yu Xiaogang's mind worked to rationalize the situation. 'This only happened because Xiaosan was careless.'
A deep frown settled on his face. 'I taught him that a control-type soul master should never close the distance without absolute confidence. His eagerness to overwhelm Tenshin blinded him—and that's exactly when Tenshin exploited the flaw.'
Still… something gnawed at him.
Tenshin hadn't used his martial soul. Not even once. 'Is my theory correct? Did absorbing a fire-attributed soul ring cause defects in his martial soul?'
A flicker of disdain crossed Yu Xiaogang's eyes. 'A book martial soul absorbing a fire-type soul ring… What was he hoping for? Combat power? Ridiculous.'
Yet, beneath the confidence and condescension, something unfamiliar coiled in his chest.
Panic.
'Could Xiaosan… really lose?'
He shook his head violently, dismissing the thought. 'No… impossible!'
If Tang San lost, the whispers of doubt surrounding him would only grow louder—casting shadows not just on his student, but on himself.
He couldn't—wouldn't—accept that Tenshin could surpass the genius he had cultivated.
After all, Tang San was born with innate full soul power, the wielder of twin martial souls… the disciple of the greatest scholar of martial soul theory in the entire continent— A man who believed himself to be the smartest mind alive.