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"Teacher Shen, what techniques does that projection possess? Are they additional soul skills?" After reminding the other two, Xu Lizhi couldn't help but ask Shen Yi.
Combat power.
This was something food-based soul masters—or support-oriented soul masters—craved deeply.
On the current continent, soul-guided devices had developed to a highly mature stage. Support-oriented soul masters could naturally equip themselves with soul-guided weapons to enhance their combat abilities. However, spending too much time practicing how to use these devices would be a waste of energy.
After all, there were already enough cultivation projects in the soul master community. With that amount of effort, it would be better to focus on learning secondary professions or cultivating soul power to forge battle armor sooner.
No one stopped you from adding auxiliary combat core formations into your battle armor. Moreover, battle armor was more enduring than standalone soul-guided devices and provided greater amplification, making it the most cost-effective option.
As a result, modern primary and intermediate soul master academies rarely required support-oriented students to learn how to wield soul-guided devices as part of their regular curriculum.
Of course, while it wasn't part of the normal courses, some safety lectures still covered basic knowledge about them.
However, beyond soul-guided devices, support-oriented soul masters could also master combat skills—for instance, Xu Lizhi's projection.
This was why Xu Lizhi couldn't resist asking Shen Yi.
Soul-guided devices were destined to become obsolete, so investing time in learning how to use them wasn't worth the effort. But skills weren't like that.
If he could create his own soul skill…
It might accompany him for life.
"Interested in learning?" Shen Yi asked, smiling at Xu Lizhi's eager expression.
Xu Lizhi nodded vigorously.
Shen Yi glanced at Ye Xinglan and Xu Yuan.
Ye Xinglan also looked intrigued, but Xu Yuan remained calm.
Shen Yi sighed.
Although Xu Yuan's father's connection placed him at odds with Qian Gu Dongfeng's faction, he was ultimately from the Spirit Pagoda. While Shrek Academy could overlook this, the Tang Sect couldn't.
"This child probably knows this himself, which is why he's so composed," she thought.
"That's an ultimate technique of the Tang Sect. If you want to learn it, I'll take you to the Tang Sect after passing the assessment and see if they'll accept you."
Shen Yi herself was a member of the Tang Sect. Bringing two geniuses like Xu Lizhi and Ye Xinglan into the sect would earn her rewards, so she was naturally willing to assist.
Upon hearing "Tang Sect," Xu Lizhi became even more enthusiastic.
Xu Yuan felt speechless.
Was the Tang Sect really that brainwashing?
"Let's start the team assessment first," Shen Yi said, activating the equipment for the three of them.
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Soul Battle Arena
"Brother Yuan, why is your projection so powerful?"
Xu Lizhi forced a bitter smile.
"It's probably because my foundation is strong," Xu Yuan casually explained.
Facing the combined lineup of projections, the trio struggled significantly.
There was no way around it.
Xu Lizhi hadn't learned any ultimate techniques from the Tang Sect, while his projection possessed skills like Controlling Crane and could barely withstand one or two moves. This alone showed a gap equivalent to half a person.
The projection of Xu Yuan wasn't overwhelmingly powerful—at least, Xu Yuan could handle it. What truly terrified him was its spear intent capable of sealing abilities. Could it only seal spiritual power, or could it also seal blood and qi? If the latter, then Xu Yuan might truly be unable to win.
"I'll hold the front, Xinglan will look for opportunities to strike from the side, and if possible, we'll eliminate Xu Lizhi's projection," Xu Yuan planned to take on two opponents by himself.
Ye Xinglan frowned slightly but followed Xu Yuan's arrangement.
Xu Yuan's foundation was simply too strong. Even though his soul power had reached level twenty-two and his spiritual power was immense, taking on her projection wouldn't overwhelm him.
The opposing projections didn't give them a chance to regroup.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan took out his Tianyuan Brush, splashing ink. Wherever the ink landed, stone pillars erupted, intercepting the projections of Xu Yuan and Ye Xinglan.
Ye Xinglan seized the opportunity to dart toward the edge of the arena.
"Keep learning."
Xu Yuan's intentions were clear. There was significant learning value in this battle.
His Dream Realm could instantly control both opponents and allow Ye Xinglan to deliver a fatal blow, but where was the fun in that?
"Is this how water and fire should be combined?"
Holding the Five-Element Spear Spirit, Xu Yuan unleashed water and fire forces from the spear tip.
BANG!
The projection of Ye Xinglan blocked with her Star God Sword, the blade vibrating violently as her body involuntarily retreated. Even with ghostly footwork to dissipate the force, she was still pushed backward by the overwhelming power.
From the side, Ye Xinglan saw her chance and thrust her sword forward.
Xu Yuan didn't bother watching the outcome.
He knew Ye Xinglan wouldn't be able to directly eliminate her opponent.
There was no helping it—the gap in combat experience was too vast.
Even Xu Yuan was using this battle to absorb such experiences.
Holding the Five-Element Spear Spirit, his blood and qi surged, and his speed skyrocketed. The long spear in his hand became unbearably heavy.
Earth element made the spear incredibly weighty, while metal element rendered his spear beam sharp and unstoppable.
Even Xu Yuan's own projection struggled to deal with this Five-Element Spear Technique. Despite having numerous techniques, it dared not face him head-on.
This was sheer numerical domination of fundamentals.
No matter how flashy your techniques, I'll break them with a single spear thrust.
Of course, as Xu Yuan repeatedly pressured the projection, he also absorbed its countermeasures, enriching his own arsenal.
"Little Fatty, toss me a big meat bun," Xu Yuan called out.
"Brother Yuan, catch!"
Xu Lizhi quickly crafted a recovery meat bun and threw it toward Xu Yuan.
Xu Yuan retracted his spear, standing ready. If the projection dared to intercept the meat bun, his spear would thrust forward immediately.
The battle continued.
"Given my body and soul power levels from six months ago, that full version of the spear momentum and spear intent could likely only be used once."
This was why the projection was being suppressed—it was looking for an opportunity to land a decisive blow.
Xu Yuan was content to keep maneuvering around the projection.
"Hmm? Finally going to make a move? It's rare to find such an opportunity."
At this moment, to Xu Yuan's left front stood his own projection, holding the Tianyuan Brush now transformed into a Tianyuan Spear. Spear momentum surged, and spear intent condensed.
To his right front stood the projection of Ye Xinglan, her sword intent soaring skyward, fearless in the face of death.
Both sides thrust simultaneously.
Xu Yuan, caught between old force spent and new force yet to arrive, couldn't possibly clash head-on. He shifted his spear technique to defense.
Ye Xinglan moved like a phantom, her sword piercing directly toward her projection.
A plump figure darted like a ghost, charging toward Ye Xinglan.
Controlling Crane.
Xu Lizhi's projection employed Controlling Crane, sending a palm strike through the air toward Ye Xinglan.
"Sister Xinglan!" Xu Lizhi exclaimed in shock, surprised by how bold his projection was.
Unfortunately, he hadn't yet mastered the Tang Sect's ultimate techniques, so aside from providing big meat buns for recovery, there was little else he could do.
Ye Xinglan's gaze was solemn. She neither dodged nor avoided, her target unwavering. A powerful surge of sword energy erupted from the Star God Sword, carrying a hint of resolve.
"Hmm?" Xu Yuan's heart stirred as he sensed a faint trace of sword intent. It might not even qualify as a prototype, but it seemed she had touched the threshold.
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