Under the aura of the Azure Dragon Martial Soul, every soul beast within the Soul Hunting Forest trembled and submitted, lying prostrate on the ground in worship.
Even the two Mandala Snakes ahead—initially radiating intense killing intent—were overwhelmed. Before the Azure Dragon Martial Soul, their bodies quivered uncontrollably as they collapsed onto the earth, forced to bow.
For snake-type soul beasts, a dragon-type martial soul naturally exerted immense suppression. The Azure Dragon's pressure was like divine might descending from the heavens.
And not just the two Mandala Snakes—Yu Xiaogang and every other person present was stunned, completely shaken by the boundless pressure released by Yu Chen's Azure Dragon Wuhun!
"This… what kind of martial soul is this?!"
"I've been at the academy for so long and never once seen Brother Chen release his martial soul. Who would've thought it's this terrifying?!"
"No wonder he never used it before—if Brother Chen activates his martial soul, just the pressure alone is enough to make the rest of us collapse!"
"Wait… Look at that! The black spirit ring at his feet—black signifies a ten-thousand-year spirit ring! His first spirit ring is ten-thousand years?!"
Tang San, Chen Rui, and the others were groveling on the ground, gazing at Yu Chen like subjects before a god-king. Their faces were frozen with disbelief and awe.
Even the two academy teachers, who had been knocked away earlier, were slack-jawed with shock.
Yu Chen was already well-known throughout Notting College, but no one had ever witnessed him release a martial soul. Rumors said his martial soul was too weak and not worth showing.
Now, the hundred-foot-tall Azure Dragon behind him shattered those assumptions completely—it was monstrously powerful!
The sheer aura exuded by this martial soul was something none present could withstand.
And as for that ten-thousand-year first spirit ring—none of them had even heard of such a thing!
The older the spirit ring, the more powerful the pressure during fusion. To most students, even a century-old spirit ring was considered a treasure. Ten-thousand-year rings were objects of myth, unattainable even in dreams.
Even if one appeared in front of them, they wouldn't dare try to absorb it!
Not to mention—how often could one even encounter a ten-thousand-year soul beast?!
"…It's him."
Xiao Wu stared up at the massive Azure Dragon, her wide eyes fixed on Yu Chen.
She, a soul beast from the Star Dou Great Forest who had taken human form, remembered clearly—when she first arrived in the human world, it was the awakening of Yu Chen's martial soul that caused the spirit tide which drew her attention.
She never expected that this very human boy… was the one who had disrupted the entire world's balance!
"This… Little Chen has already reached Spirit Power Level 20?!"
Yu Xiaogang, aware of Yu Chen's mutated martial soul and terrifying first spirit ring, looked on in utter disbelief.
Just days ago, Yu Chen had only just absorbed his first ring—and now he had already broken through to level twenty?
Yu Xiaogang, the renowned Grandmaster of Soul Theory, had met many geniuses—but not once had he seen cultivation at such an absurd pace!
"Exit."
As Yu Chen opened his eyes, his martial soul erupted once more.
Taking a step forward, the black spirit ring beneath him rose slowly, surrounding him in its brilliance.
Nine Dragon Roars!
With the black ring's ascension, the Azure Dragon let out a thunderous roar!
Ang—!
With the Azure Dragon's cry, Yu Chen felt his power rising sharply—and in front of him, the two Mandala Snakes were instantly forced down by the crushing power, their bodies warping under the pressure.
The Nine Dragon Roars skill not only empowered Yu Chen, but simultaneously weakened his enemies!
"Why… do I feel like my stats just doubled?"
"Me too! Even my body feels sturdier—stronger!"
"Could this be the effect of Brother Chen's ten-thousand-year spirit ability?! To boost our full stats just by being near him—that's insane!"
The crowd buzzed with excitement and reverence, cheering wildly as they felt the empowering aura washing over them.
Especially Chen Rui and the other low-level students—they couldn't name the skill, but they knew it was powerful.
Even Yu Xiaogang, who wasn't affected as strongly, was floored.
Whoosh!
Amid the rising cheers, Yu Chen took a step, the Azure Dragon roaring behind him. The black ring glowed ominously, pulsing with power.
Ang!
With a single palm strike, four golden dragon shadows burst forth from Yu Chen's hand.
Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms!
These dragon shadows, imbued with the might of the Azure Dragon Martial Soul, shimmered with blue scales as they launched toward the Mandala Snakes.
Boom!
Though the Mandala Snakes were renowned as "Poison Arrow Demons," famous for both their venom and nearly impenetrable scales, under Yu Chen's Subduing Dragon Palms, their armor-like skin was instantly shattered!
Thick, dark green blood sprayed across the ground.
The once-ferocious snakes were now writhing, half-dead.
The Azure Dragon Martial Soul's bloodline suppression, combined with the crushing might of Subduing Dragon Eighteen Palms, was beyond what ordinary snake-type soul beasts could endure.
The fact that the Mandala Snakes were even still breathing showed just how strong they were compared to typical soul beasts!
"Hiss… Brother Chen is terrifying…"
"He just obliterated two elite Mandala Snakes—like it was nothing!"
"I don't care! I'll follow Brother Chen to the ends of the earth—even carry his shoes!"
Chen Rui and the others were dumbstruck with admiration.
Even Xiao Wu's gaze softened into something tender and admiring.
Just moments ago, even the two academy teachers had struggled to restrain those Mandala Snakes—and Yu Chen had crushed them effortlessly.
Such overwhelming strength was naturally awe-inspiring.
"Xiao Chen, wait!"
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward.
"This is destiny! Your spirit power has just reached level twenty and needs a second spirit ring. The age limit is 764 years, and this Mandala Snake is 760 years old—perfect for you!"
"The Mandala Snake, though not as strong as your first spirit ring, is still an elite beast with top-tier venom attributes. It's an excellent choice!"
"As for the other 400-year-old one, Tang San can absorb that."
Despite Yu Xiaogang's familiarity with Yu Chen's monstrous talent, seeing his strength firsthand still left him reeling. But he quickly recomposed himself to guide Yu Chen properly.
"Little San, go absorb the 400-year-old beast."
"…As for me, I'll pass."
Yu Chen shook his head calmly.
Boom!
Just as he spoke—a golden dragon hundreds of feet long descended from the heavens!