A faint golden light glowed between his brows as a condensed beam of energy shot fiercely toward Bi Bidong.
Bi Bidong's eyes narrowed slightly, yet not a trace of panic showed on her face. Her slender fingers lifted gently.
Purple-black Soul Power swirling around her fingertips instantly spread out, forming a thick purple barrier.
Patterns flowed across the barrier, faintly revealing countless fine web-like veins that exuded a chilling aura.
"Zzz—"
The golden beam slammed violently into the purple barrier, emitting a sharp sizzling sound.
Golden light and the purple barrier clashed intensely, stirring ripples of energy that spread outward in all directions.
The two forces remained locked in a stalemate for several breaths before the golden light finally dissipated into the air.
Witnessing this, Su Yu's brow furrowed with a hint of disappointment as he muttered under his breath:
"This Soul Bone Ability… can't even break through a shield my teacher casually set up?"
Seeing his expression, a flicker of amusement passed through Bi Bidong's eyes, though her tone remained serious:
"Don't be disheartened. Your Soul Bone Ability is quite good. For a thousand-year External Spirit Bone to possess such power is already rare."
After all, she was a ninety-sixth rank Titled Douluo. Even a Soul Power barrier she created casually wouldn't be easily broken by an ordinary Soul Saint.
Still, this Soul Bone Ability did carry some force—it was unusual for a thousand-year External Spirit Bone to exhibit such strong offensive power.
She paused, then gently tapped Su Yu's forehead with her fingertip, her tone carrying a mix of helplessness and warmth:
"Your teacher is a ninety-sixth rank Titled Douluo. If a Soul Bone Ability at the Soul Saint level could easily break my defense, that would truly be strange."
"Keep refining it. In the future, this Soul Bone Ability may very well become one of your key weapons."
Su Yu stared at the fading golden light, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of his clothes, unable to hide the disappointment on his face.
Only after hearing Bi Bidong's words did he slowly lift his head, the gloom in his eyes receding somewhat:
"Really? But… it couldn't even touch my teacher's shield…"
A faint smile curled at the corner of Bi Bidong's lips. With a light flick of her finger, the purple barrier dissipated like smoke:
"You've only just broken through to Soul Master. For a thousand-year External Spirit Bone to unleash such power is already remarkable."
"Once your Soul Power advances and you've honed this Soul Bone Ability to greater proficiency, there's no telling how much further it could develop."
Bi Bidong's gaze shifted toward Hu Liena, who stood quietly to the side, and she nodded slightly, signaling her to step forward.
"Xiao Yu, Nana."
Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"Teacher!" the two replied in unison.
"The Freshman Competition will begin in a few days." Bi Bidong's eyes swept over their faces.
"I hope you will live up to Xiao Yi's expectations—do not disappoint me."
"Yes, Teacher! We will definitely bring back first place!"
Su Yu and Hu Liena spoke as one, their voices filled with conviction.
"Mm. Go back now. Rest well these next few days and conserve your energy." Bi Bidong waved a hand.
"Yes!"
After bowing respectfully, the two turned and walked out of the Papal Hall.
No sooner had they stepped past the heavy hall doors than Hu Liena, unable to contain her excitement, grabbed Su Yu's hand:
"Brother Su Yu, now that you have a Soul Bone, we're sure to take first place in the Freshman Competition!"
Her eyes sparkled like stars, reflecting Su Yu's figure.
Feeling the warmth from her palm, Su Yu's lips curved into a confident smile:
"Indeed, first place will undoubtedly be ours."
Three days later—
The martial grounds behind Martial Soul Academy were bustling with activity, colorful banners fluttering and voices rising in excitement.
On the elevated platform, Dean Xu Ding stood tall in his dark brocade robe, his gaze sweeping over the eager freshmen below as he declared in a clear voice:
"Today marks our academy's annual Freshman Competition!"
"With the presence of Your Eminences and His Holiness the Pope attending the ceremony, this is not only your honor but also the moment to showcase your potential!"
Behind him, the high-ranking officials of Spirit Hall sat solemnly in the viewing seats.
The purple-gold patterns on their robes shimmered under the sunlight, an invisible pressure emanating from them yet deliberately restrained, leaving only an atmosphere of dignity and gravity.
"Remember!" Xu Ding's voice suddenly rose, filled with fervor.
"On today's battlefield, as long as no lives are endangered, you may unleash all you have learned!"
"Show your courage and hidden cards—let everyone see who stands out among the freshmen!"
Thunderous cheers erupted from below, the eyes of the competing freshmen blazing with intense fighting spirit.
"The top prize in this Freshman Competition will be a Spatial Soul Guidance Belt!"
With a wave of his hand, Xu Ding summoned a silver belt embedded with a sapphire, hovering mid-air.
"This belt contains a storage space of three square zhang and stabilizes the flow of Soul Power—children, fight for it!"
The freshmen's eyes locked onto the Soul Guidance Belt, their breathing growing rapid.
Xu Ding's voice, amplified by Soul Power, reached every freshman clearly:
"As with previous years, this competition consists of two assessments. The first is a duo collaboration!"
He turned and pointed toward the majestic green mountain behind him, its slopes covered in dense vegetation, with jagged rocks and deep ravines faintly visible:
"You will form pairs, and your goal is to seize Command Tokens. As for their locations—"
He paused, his eyes scanning the crowd below, "they are hidden within this great mountain."
"The Command Tokens might be concealed in the depths of dark caves, tied to the bodies of certain Soul Beasts."
"Or they could even be disguised as ordinary stones—it's up to you to discover them!"
At these words, the freshmen erupted into chatter, their whispers filled with surprise and excitement.
Some glanced warily at the mountain—the Soul Beasts within were not to be taken lightly.
"Of course!" Xu Ding added, his tone tinged with amusement.
The rules do not forbid robbery. If you find another team has obtained a Command Token, you may use your strength to take it."
The discussions below grew louder, the simple treasure hunt instantly transforming into a contest of both cooperation and rivalry, the air thick with tension.
"The timing begins this afternoon and ends at the same time tomorrow."
Xu Ding glanced at the sundial, "Within twenty-four hours, the team with the most Command Tokens will be the winner of the first assessment!"Duo collaboration required not only finding the tokens but also guarding against theft, testing not just strength but also the pair's tacit understanding and adaptability."
Su Yu and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, understanding flashing in each other's eyes.
By then, Xu Ding had ordered the distribution of team tokens, each engraved with a number for scorekeeping.
The sunlight gradually slanted westward, a mountain breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees blowing from afar.
"Children, the first assessment begins now!"
In an instant, dazzling lights of various Martial Souls lit up one after another—some imposing and mighty, some nimble and agile, some eerie and mysterious.
Everyone quickly found their teammates and rushed toward the back hills of the Martial Soul Academy!