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Seeing both sides ready, Ye Wen shouted, "Begin!"
Hu Rou was the first to attack. As expected from a rabbit-type martial soul renowned for its leaping ability, combined with the explosive speed of Shave, she reached Chen Youyu in the blink of an eye.
"How can she be so fast?!"
Though Chen Youyu had seen Huo Quan use *Instant Step* yesterday, she hadn't expected that this little girl, merely a Great Soul Master, could achieve such speed. In her panic, she instinctively swung her broken sword to counterattack.
"Clang!"
While most of Hu Rou's attacks were leg-based, this time she chose to use her fists. With the strength of Rigid Fist amplified by her soul power, her fist glowed faintly pink, yet its hardness rivaled that of iron and stone.
Feeling the immense force transmitted through her sword, Chen Youyu's expression changed. Instead of resisting head-on, she immediately rotated her body to deflect the blow using limb momentum, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Realizing that if she didn't strike back soon, she'd be reduced to a passive state—after all, her opponent was a beast-type soul master specializing in close combat—Chen Youyu acted decisively.
"First Soul Skill: Sword Qi!"
In the split second she sidestepped, Chen Youyu unleashed a sharp, green sword qi.
Hu Rou, unfazed, smiled brightly. With a burst of strength from her legs, she vanished from her spot.
When Hu Rou reappeared, she was already behind Chen Youyu, delivering a swift kick.
Though Chen Youyu had somewhat adapted to the high-paced battle, she still found it incredibly difficult. After all, the gap in cultivation levels was undeniable, and her martial soul wasn't a beast-type soul that enhanced physical reflexes.
"Second Soul Skill: Whispering Wind!"
This skill increased her overall speed by 20%.
With its help, Chen Youyu narrowly dodged Hu Rou's attack and chose to counter aggressively. Her soul power was far lower than Hu Rou's, so a prolonged battle would only work against her. She had no choice but to aim for a quick resolution, defeating her opponent before her own stamina ran out.
Fierce sword qi flew out continuously. Though it paled in comparison to Ah Ba's terrifying blade net from yesterday, it was still remarkably aggressive, far surpassing the level of an ordinary Great Soul Master.
It seemed that birds of a feather flock together. While Chen Youyu's talent couldn't match Ah Ba's, she was still a promising seed. Ye Wen silently appraised her from the sidelines.
But how could someone self-taught like Chen Youyu possibly compare to someone systematically trained like Hu Rou?
Though a few of Chen Youyu's sword qi managed to graze Hu Rou, the latter neutralized them with the toughness of Rigid Fist.
"Damn it! Is this the gap between an ordinary person and a genius? I've already used both of my soul skills, yet she hasn't even used one and has already drained my soul power. Sorry, Big Brother Ba… It seems I won't be able to train alongside you."
Breathing heavily, Chen Youyu reluctantly thought about conceding.
However, Ye Wen, who had been observing quietly for some time, suddenly spoke. "You've passed, Chen Youyu. From now on, you are my nominal disciple."
"Huh?!" This unexpected acknowledgment left Chen Youyu stunned.
At the same time, Hu Rou stopped sparring with Chen Youyu and ran to Ye Wen's side, smiling sweetly.
"Master, how was my acting?"
Looking at the smug little girl, Ye Wen rubbed her rabbit ears and said teasingly, "So proud, huh? Shouldn't this be expected? Or do you want extra training like your second senior brother?"
"Eek, eek, eek~ I'm ignoring you, mean master. I'm going to find Mistress!"
Ticklish from having her sensitive ears touched, Hu Rou playfully squirmed away, fleeing to avoid the sight of Huo Quan undergoing hellish training nearby.
Chen Youyu also came to her senses. Right, her opponent had eight levels more soul power and was a direct disciple under Ye Wen's tutelage for years. How could someone self-taught like her last so long in a fight? Clearly, her opponent had held back, just as Huo Quan had done with Ah Ba yesterday.
Meanwhile, Ye Wen turned his gaze toward the other duel.
"Young man, stop slacking off. Your sister has already passed my test. If you fail, it'll be quite embarrassing."
Just as Hu Rou and Chen Youyu had fought fiercely, Dugu Xin and Ah Ba were locked in an intense battle, neither gaining the upper hand.
Hearing Ye Wen's words, Ah Ba's smile widened. For the first time, he activated his first two soul skills.
"First Soul Skill: Thunder Blade!
Second Soul Skill: Thunder Surge!"
Just as Huo Quan had fought Ah Ba with fists yesterday, Dugu Xin now chose to engage him with Rigid Fist techniques.
"This guy actually dared to deceive me?! I originally planned to hold back and not seriously injure you, but now you'll have to stay in bed for a while," Dugu Xin thought angrily.
His once straightforward punches became erratic, resembling countless writhing snakes.
At this moment, Chen Youyu walked over to Ye Wen. Though tired, she respectfully bowed and called out, "Master."
Ye Wen accepted her greeting calmly. "You have a good older brother. If you hadn't passed, he intended to fail as well."
As the person most familiar with Ah Ba, Chen Youyu understood perfectly that her brother had been holding back and observing her battle. Smiling serenely, she said, "Yes, that's just how my brother is. He always wants to protect me but can't bring himself to act gentle. Though he looks fierce, his heart is softer than anyone else's."
Hmm.
It was clear he cared for her, but as for gentleness... Never mind. Love is blind, and Ye Wen decided not to dwell on it.
Free from the constraints of poison, Dugu Xin's physical talents were fully displayed. After all, in this world, the Jade Phosphorous Snake was a dragon species. Besides flexibility, its physical prowess was exceptional. In terms of boxing techniques, his talent arguably surpassed even Huo Quan's.
What Dugu Xin was currently using was his self-created soul skill: Venomous Python Assault Fist.
Fusing Ye Wen's previous-life snake boxing techniques with the Dugu family's unique understanding of snakes, the soul power wrapped around his hands transformed into venomous pythons, ferociously lunging at Ah Ba.
But Ah Ba, fighting like a berserker, dared to challenge soul masters far stronger than himself. These mere phantom snakes were nothing to him.
Madly slashing away, from a distance, it looked as though a swarm of snakes was attacking crimson lightning.
"It's over!"
Just as Dugu Xin wildly swung his arms, trying to find an opening, a voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
A damaged blade was pressed against his neck.
"When did... I lose?!" Dugu Xin asked incredulously.
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