"Sports meet?"
"That sounds fun! I want to go, I want to go!"
Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled with excitement as she turned to Yu Chen, who was calmly standing beside Yu Xiaogang.
"What do you think, Brother Chen?"
Before Yu Chen could answer, the system's familiar mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
"Ding! Divine Selection Triggered! Please choose an action—
1. Refuse to join the sports meet – Reward: Soul Master Basic Theory Manual ×1.
2. Participate in the meet – Reward: Spirit Power +1 Level.
3. Agree but skip the event – Reward: 30 Copper Spirit Coins."
"You have 30 seconds to make a selection."
Yu Chen glanced at the choices. The third option was instantly ruled out—30 copper coins were meaningless to him. The first option offered the basic theory manual, which every student at Nuoding Academy already had access to. Clearly, the second choice was the most beneficial. A full level increase in spirit power would allow him to widen the gap between himself and his peers.
"Option 2."
With the decision made, the notification chimed softly in his mind, and his spirit power surged imperceptibly.
"I'll trouble you then, Master."
Yu Chen gave a slight nod to Yu Xiaogang.
"No problem. I'll go register your names now."
Yu Xiaogang turned and strode out of the classroom, while Yu Chen and the others exited as well. During the lecture on Martial Soul theory, the academy's sports event had already been arranged and was now well underway.
The event primarily aimed to foster camaraderie between junior academies, allowing students to compare martial soul abilities in a controlled setting. The competitions included basic activities like sprinting and throwing, but the use of martial souls wasn't restricted. This made the results less about raw athleticism and more about creative application of spirit abilities.
"All grades are competing together… Doesn't that put us first-years at a huge disadvantage?"
Chen Rui, the plump and talkative classmate, looked around the crowded courtyard and grumbled.
The fact that all age groups were lumped into the same bracket meant that even six-year-olds were racing against eleven- or twelve-year-olds.
"Relax," Xiao Wu beamed. "The older kids might be bigger, but we have Brother Chen!"
Students began gathering in the field as the lineup was finalized.
"Students! The Nuoding Academy Annual Sports Meet officially begins now!"
Principal Notting's voice rang loud across the grounds.
"Brother Chen, Master registered us for the sprint race. All the other events were already full."
Chen Rui hurried up with a participant list in hand.
"Let's go."
Yu Chen took a quick glance and walked toward the track, the others following behind him.
As they approached the race area, whispers floated around.
"Senior Liu's martial soul boosts speed. He's a shoo-in!"
"Not necessarily! That younger student's martial soul is lion-type—it could pack explosive bursts."
On the track, several students stood ready, their martial souls activated. One student was partially transformed, golden fur rippling across his limbs in lion form. Another had wind aura spiraling around his feet, likely enhancing agility.
But all of them hovered at spirit levels between three and five. The track was short—barely 300 meters—and it was hard to tell who truly had the upper hand.
Whoosh!
As the referee gave the signal, the racers burst forward.
Despite the flashiness of martial soul effects, the winner wasn't one of the obvious seniors but a nimble first-year student whose footwork caught everyone by surprise.
"Next group!"
"Yu Chen, Tang San, Tao Bai…"
The signups weren't many, so it was already Yu Chen's turn.
"Brother Chen!"
"Go, Brother Chen!"
Excited cheers erupted from the sidelines, especially from female students who swooned as Yu Chen stepped onto the track.
He remained composed, his posture like a blade—upright, calm, unshaken.
On the track stood three sixth-graders and one fifth-grader along with Yu Chen and Tang San. Among them, a robed figure with cold eyes drew attention.
"That's Tao Bai! He reached Spirit Master Rank 12 already—surpassed Yang Ming long ago!"
"Yeah! He's got the three-tailed swift swallow martial soul. It's insanely fast. He's won every sprint the past two years!"
"Brother Chen can't beat him at speed, right?"
The students buzzed with anticipation.
Tao Bai looked at Yu Chen with smug disdain.
"So, you're the one who beat Yang Ming? Hmph. That was a fluke. In terms of speed, I rule Nuoding Academy."
"You'd better quit before it gets embarrassing."
Yu Chen didn't even look at him. He whispered, "Three-tailed Swallow?" with indifference and kept his gaze forward.
"You…"
Tao Bai flushed red, fists clenched in frustration.
"Runners ready!"
"Begin!"
As the signal was given, the participants summoned their martial souls and launched forward.
Tao Bai's spirit rings glowed faintly as his wings unfolded. He instantly surged ahead, his twelve-level spirit power granting him incredible acceleration.
Even Xiao Wu was impressed by the speed.
But Yu Chen… remained completely still.
"He didn't move?"
"Did Brother Chen give up?"
"Maybe his martial soul isn't speed-based. It's a poor matchup."
Even the teachers murmured in confusion. Yu Xiaogang watched tensely from the sidelines.
"We're doomed! Tao Bai's almost there!" Chen Rui cried.
"Haha! I told you, Yuchen! When it comes to speed—"
Before Tao Bai could finish, a flash of violet energy tore across the track.
Boom!
Yu Chen vanished from the starting line in a streak of thunder and lightning.
And in the next instant—
He stood at the finish line, hands behind his back, his black hair fluttering slightly.
Silence fell over the crowd.
Tao Bai blinked. He was still meters away.
"What… what just happened?!"
"Did he teleport?!"
"No… That was pure speed!"
The referee's jaw dropped. "Yu Chen… first place!"
Xiao Wu cheered wildly, while even Tang San looked awed.
Tao Bai stood frozen mid-run, stunned.
Yu Chen's body shimmered faintly with the afterimage of a lightning-body technique—his unique martial soul ability that temporarily mimicked nature's raw speed.
The crowd burst into thunderous applause, not just from students, but from teachers too.
It wasn't just a win—it was a declaration.