Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Ye Xinglan's Shock—You're Actually This Strong
"Gu Yue, this is Ye Xinglan. We met when Wu Lin and I went out for lunch earlier."
"And this is Gu Yue..."
Seeing the subtle shift in Gu Yue's expression, Tang Luochuan could only offer a helpless smile before explaining calmly.
"Oh..."
Gu Yue's face remained indifferent as she sized up Ye Xinglan. Beneath her composed exterior, however, a wave of silence churned within her.
They met during lunch...
Because of Mu Xi's words earlier, she hadn't joined Tang Luochuan for lunch today. Yet, in just that short time, he had somehow managed to meet another girl.
Luo Chuan...
When would he ever stop making her worry?
"I'm Gu Yue," she said coldly after taking a deep breath.
How could he meet a girl just by going out for a meal?
"Nice to meet you too."
"So your name is Tang Luochuan... I really didn't expect to see you here."
Ye Xinglan's gaze lingered on Gu Yue for a moment before shifting back to Tang Luochuan, unable to hold back her surprise.
She truly hadn't anticipated running into him here.
Teacher Shen had mentioned before that within the Heavenly Sea Alliance, there was someone around her age with extraordinary talent. But she never thought...
Tang Luochuan was one of them.
No wonder she had sensed an overwhelming pressure from him earlier—he really was something.
"About yesterday..."
"I'm really sorry."
The memory of how she had suspected him of tricking Xu Lizhi made Ye Xinglan's face flush with embarrassment.
It was Xu Lizhi who had almost caused trouble, yet she had nearly blamed the wrong person. She really needed to do better.
"Hm?"
"Was there something about yesterday?"
Tang Luochuan chuckled lightly and shook his head.
"Nothing..."
"That's good then."
Seeing that he didn't seem bothered, Ye Xinglan finally relaxed, a faint smile forming on her lips. It was a relief that he didn't hold it against her.
"Yesterday..."
Watching the two converse so easily, Gu Yue couldn't help but fixate on that word.
What exactly had happened yesterday?
"Xinglan, you two... know each other?"
Shen Yi, observing the scene, couldn't hide her surprise.
She knew this child's temperament better than anyone—always keeping to herself, with hardly any friends.
Yet, after just a few days in Heavenly Sea City, she had already made a connection, and with one of her senior's students at that? And they met over a meal?
What an unlikely coincidence.
"Huh? Luo Chuan, you..."
Even Wu Zhangkong was taken aback. He hadn't expected Luo Chuan to have ties with Shrek Academy's prodigies.
"Well, since you're acquainted, let me introduce you properly. This is Teacher Shen Yi from Shrek Academy, a Soul Sage, and like me, a former inner court student."
Wu Zhangkong's expression quickly returned to its usual calm as he spoke.
"Hello, Teacher Shen."
The members of Zero Class greeted her respectfully.
"Hello, little ones."
Shen Yi smiled warmly, her gaze sweeping over the group. She could clearly sense their impressive talents—almost all of them were at least Grand Soul Masters.
And two of them...
All eyes were fixed on Tang Luochuan. For a moment, even she couldn't help but be stunned as she sensed the level of cultivation within him—it was no longer that of a Soul Venerable.
Was this something a child under ten could achieve?
"The older Soul Masters standing beside Teacher Shen, who are a few years your senior, are all talented students of Shrek Academy."
"Teacher Shen, what levels are the students at?"
Wu Zhangkong's calm gaze swept over the group of Shrek Academy students as he spoke slowly.
"Hmm?"
"Since Teacher Wu has asked, let's all introduce ourselves."
Shen Yi smiled slightly and looked toward the group.
"Mo Ji, Level 43 Battle Soul Grandmaster of the Agility Attack System, Martial Soul—Seven Treasures Astrolabe."
"Qiong Ran, Level 42 Battle Soul Grandmaster of the Control System, Martial Soul—Howling Sky Tiger."
"Ye Tian, Level 44 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul—Golden Wolf."
"Jiang Wenzhong, Level 43 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor, Martial Soul—Sky-Shaking Hammer."
"..."
The first seven students introduced themselves one by one. Though all only fifteen years old, apart from one named Sun Xiaochuan, every one of them was a four-ringed Soul Ancestor.
With strength like this, they could easily teach at Eastsea Academy.
"As you can see, these are the team members who previously defeated the youth division champions. Even against opponents nearly ten years their senior, they handled them with ease."
"In the future, you must strive to be like them—train hard and grow stronger."
Wu Zhangkong looked at the group, his expression indifferent.
"Yes, Teacher Wu."
The group responded perfunctorily, though inwardly, they weren't particularly moved. Given their talents, it wouldn't take more than a few years to reach the same level.
Perhaps even surpass them.
"They really are impressive. I wonder..."
"When will I become a Soul Ancestor?"
Tang Wulin murmured thoughtfully. Their strength was admirable, but it wasn't an unattainable goal for them. He just wasn't sure when he himself would reach that level.
"Ye Xinglan, Level 27 Power Attack System two-ringed Grand Soul Master, Martial Soul—Star God Sword."
"Xu Lizhi, Level 24 Food System two-ringed Grand Soul Master, Martial Soul—Steamed Bun."
When the two youngest members introduced themselves, the reactions were even more subdued. Even with their superior talents, it didn't elicit much surprise.
After all, they were all Grand Soul Masters—hardly a significant gap. Not to mention, two among them had already surpassed them as Soul Venerables.
"These two are so young—they must be exceptions admitted by Shrek Academy..."
"But they still can't compare to Boss Luo Chuan and Sister Gu Yue."
Xie Xie snorted lightly, thinking to himself.
As expected, Boss and Sister Gu Yue...
are the strongest.
"Tang Luochuan."
"Would you be willing to spar with me?"
At that moment, Ye Xinglan's gaze turned toward Tang Luochuan as she suddenly spoke, her face filled with anticipation.
She was eager to find out just how strong someone who could give her a sense of pressure truly was.
"Hmm?"
"Sure."
Tang Luochuan wasn't particularly surprised and nodded in agreement. If she dared to make the request, he naturally dared to accept.
"Shall we start here?"
"I don't see a problem with that."
Ye Xinglan glanced at their surroundings. The team competition lounge was spacious enough—there would be no issues fighting here.
"Ye Xinglan, Martial Soul—Star God Sword."
She released her Martial Soul, and in an instant, a longsword shimmering with dazzling light appeared in her hand. She looked both majestic and stunningly beautiful.
By her side, two yellow Soul Rings emerged. She hadn't yet visited the Spirit Ascension Platform—her Soul Spirit was only a hundred-year one.
"Please guide me well."
"Come on."
Tang Luochuan responded lightly, showing no intention of releasing his Martial Soul. It wasn't that he was being arrogant—it was just…
Actually, there was no need.
Even when facing opponents a whole realm above him, he had to hold back. Let alone Ye Xinglan, who was a full realm weaker than him.
"You…"
"Aren't you going to release your Martial Soul?"
Seeing that her opponent remained motionless, Ye Xinglan couldn't help but freeze in surprise.
"Mm."
Tang Luochuan nodded without saying anything else. Truthfully, he really hadn't planned on it.
"You…"
Ye Xinglan hesitated, opening her mouth but unsure what to say. She thought she was already quite proud, but this was on another level!
"You're really disrespectful."
Her face showed clear dissatisfaction. Even if he might be stronger than her, this was going too far.
This attitude was just… infuriating!
"Little brother, don't underestimate Ye Xinglan. She's the most talented among us—a student directly admitted to the inner court…"
Seeing the situation, a Shrek Academy student couldn't help but speak up. Not releasing his Martial Soul in front of Ye Xinglan…
This guy was going to regret it.
"You're right…"
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan nodded thoughtfully. It did seem a bit disrespectful to a genius like Ye Xinglan.
"Martial Soul Avatar."
With a soft murmur, golden light swirled around him as layers of golden armor materialized on his body, adorned with gleaming golden Dragon Scales—both domineering and majestic.
By his side, three purple Soul Rings shimmered brightly, their colors vivid and striking.
"Tang Luochuan, 34th-rank Power Attack System Battle Soul Venerable."
"Please guide me."
"…"
"You're a Soul Venerable?!"
Staring at the scene before her, Ye Xinglan was momentarily speechless, her shock lingering.
Tang Luochuan… was actually a Soul Venerable! And with three thousand-year Soul Rings—had he undergone Spirit Ascension?!
Even now, she only had one hundred-year Soul Ring and hadn't yet had the chance to visit the Spirit Ascension Platform!
"Hah…"
"What an absolute monster."
Shen Yi sucked in a sharp breath. Even knowing how talented he was, she couldn't help but be stunned.
34th rank—this level of talent…
Was even stronger than Na'er's!
"First Soul Spirit at a thousand years…"
"And he's a Soul Venerable?"
It wasn't just them—even the Shrek Academy students were dumbfounded, their pride completely wiped away.
Not all of them had undergone Spirit Ascension, with many still having yellow-yellow-purple combinations.
Yet this young boy had already ascended his Soul Rings?!
Among them, Xu Lizhi's eyes were the widest. Tang Wulin's older brother was actually this strong?!
"Hah… I never expected you to be this powerful."
Ye Xinglan snapped out of her daze, staring deeply at Tang Luochuan as she muttered under her breath.
"But even if you're a Soul Venerable…"
"I also want to see how much you..."
"..."
"How can you be like this."
A minute later, Ye Xinglan somewhat dejectedly withdrew her Martial Soul, looking at Tang Luochuan before her with a resentful gaze.
"Hmm?"
"How am I like?"
Tang Luochuan smiled lightly as he asked.
"What else could it be..."
"My Soul Skill didn't even scratch you. You caught my sword barehanded..."
"Who bullies people like this."
Ye Xinglan couldn't help but lament. She knew exactly how powerful her Martial Soul was—the Star God Sword was among the top-tier Weapon Battle Souls.
Her skills weren't lacking either. Even a Soul Venerable might not gain an advantage against her. Yet with one strike...
He didn't even dodge.
The worst part was that she genuinely couldn't harm him.
How could anyone be this tough-skinned!
"You can't break through my defense."
Tang Luochuan shook his head with a smile, his expression calm.
"You..."
"How can you be this strong."
Ye Xinglan gave him a deep look. For a Power Attack System Soul Master to have such formidable defense, just how high must his combat prowess...
Reach?
At this thought, she couldn't help but shudder. If he hadn't been going easy on her and had unleashed a Soul Skill instead, she felt she would have been beaten senseless.
"It's alright."
"You saw my Soul Spirit, right?"
Tang Luochuan's expression remained indifferent, as if it were no big deal.
"Yes, Spirit Ascension... You're amazing..."
Ye Xinglan wore a faint smile. For someone his age to achieve Spirit Ascension and break through to Soul Venerable was truly remarkable.
"Eight thousand years. (Actually eighteen thousand)"
"..."
Ye Xinglan's smile gradually faded.
Eight...
An eight-thousand-year first Soul Spirit???
"How are you this terrifying!"
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