Chapter 5 — Soul Tests and the clash
The final day arrived.
From early dawn, the area around the City Tower was already packed with people. Geniuses of clans, wandering cultivators, and carefree practitioners gathered in waves, their auras colliding invisibly in the air. Some stood proud and aloof, others calm and restrained, while a few hid sharp ambition behind relaxed smiles.
Moments later, a ripple spread through the crowd.
Two figures descended from the skies.
One sat cross-legged atop a giant wine gourd, drifting lazily as if the heavens themselves were a road beneath him. His robe fluttered freely, his expression carefree, yet his eyes were sharp like hidden blades.
The other stood upon a flying sword, posture straight, aura cold and refined. Each step of his descent sliced the air with faint sword intent.
Messengers of Gold Coast Academy.
The crowd erupted into murmurs.
Luo Xiao Tian stood among them, dressed simply, his white hair tied loosely behind his back, a wine gourd hanging at his waist.
This is my only chance, he thought calmly.
No matter the cost, I won't let it slip away.
He moved forward through the crowd, ignoring the curious and mocking gazes, until he stood near the front.
Minutes later—
GONG—!
A deep, ancient sound echoed as a massive golden bell atop the City Tower rang out. The sound rolled across the city like thunder, suppressing all noise. Conversations died instantly.
From the tower descended an elderly man in dark robes, his aura steady and vast. His feet touched the ground lightly, yet the pressure he exuded caused many to unconsciously straighten their backs.
"I am the examiner for this selection," he said, his voice calm yet carrying authority. "Beside me are the messengers from Gold Coast Academy."
He swept his gaze across the crowd.
"Only five people will be selected today."
A ripple of tension spread.
"This trial consists of two stages. Pass both, and you will be qualified to enter the academy."
A pause.
"Now—first round."
He raised his hand, pointing toward a towering stone pillar inscribed with ancient runes.
"The Martial Soul Test. Place your hand upon the testing pillar and manifest your martial soul."
"The first candidate—step forward."
A young man strode out arrogantly, chin lifted, eyes sharp.
The crowd erupted.
"Isn't that Chen Hao?"
"The young master of the Chen Clan!"
"I heard he's already at the late-stage Renegade Lord Realm!"
"They say he mastered the Void Spear Technique to the third level—he's definitely in!"
Chen Hao smirked faintly, enjoying the attention. He placed his palm on the pillar.
Dark red qi surged.
Behind him, a massive spear phantom condensed, radiating sharp, oppressive intent.
The pillar blazed brightly.
"Chen Hao," the examiner announced. "High-class Heavenly Martial Soul. Passed."
Chen Hao withdrew his hand calmly, casting a dismissive glance at the others before stepping aside.
Soon, around twenty candidates ascended the platform, including Luo Xiao Tian.
The moment he appeared, the crowd stirred again.
"Wait—doesn't the competition require Renegade Lord Realm?"
"What's he doing here?"
"To play around?" someone laughed.
Xiao Tian remained indifferent.
The test continued.
"Lin Mo—Mid-grade Martial Soul. Passed."
A towering ape-like soul appeared behind Lin Mo, muscles bulging with violent strength.
Lin Mo Qi Method: Blue Sediment Qi.
"Yao Mei—Heavenly Martial Soul. Passed."
Cold mist spread as an icy spirit bloomed behind her, freezing the air around the pillar.
Yao Mei Qi Method: Pure White Frozen Ice Qi.
One by one, candidates revealed their souls.
Some shone brilliantly.
Others barely stirred the pillar.
Seven failed and were escorted down immediately, faces pale.
"Next batch," the examiner said coldly.
Luo Xiao Tian stepped forward.
He placed his hand on the pillar.
Dark qi flowed quietly from his palm, restrained, controlled—carefully hiding the true nature of his Yin-Yang Twin Souls.
Behind him, a faint human-shaped shadow appeared, vague and indistinct, as if cloaked in mist.
The pillar glowed—then stabilized.
The examiner frowned slightly, probing with his divine sense, yet found nothing unusual.
"Luo Xiao Tian," he announced. "High-class Martial Soul. Shadow-type. Passed."
Murmurs erupted.
"A shadow soul?"
"High-class?"
"Strange…"
Xiao Tian withdrew his hand calmly.
Next—
"Meng Lao—Heavenly Martial Soul. Phoenix Soul. Passed."
Flames erupted as a blazing phoenix cried out, heat surging across the platform.
"Liu Ru Yang—Heavenly Martial Soul. Nether Serpent Soul. Passed."
Dark mist coiled as a massive serpent phantom hissed.
The test ended.
The examiner swept his gaze across the platform.
"Six participants have passed."
A sharp pause.
"But only five may enter Gold Coast Academy."
The crowd leaned forward.
The examiner continued, voice even.
"Here is the rule for the second stage."
"If you believe someone among the qualified is unworthy—challenge them."
"One-on-one duel."
"The loser is eliminated."
Silence fell.
No one spoke.
The six candidates glanced at one another, calculating.
Then—
Chen Hao stepped forward.
A cold smile curved his lips as his gaze locked onto Luo Xiao Tian.
"I volunteer," he said calmly.
The crowd exploded.
"Of course!"
"He's targeting the shadow soul!"
"That guy doesn't even look like a Renegade Lord!"
Chen Hao's spear intent rose faintly.
"Someone here," he said, voice sharp, "does not belong."
His eyes burned with disdain.
"Luo Xiao Tian."
The air grew heavy.
Xiao Tian lifted his head slowly, eyes calm, wine gourd resting at his waist.
Within his dantian, black and white qi stirred—he knows it won't be that easy to join the academy.
Without hesitation, Luo Xiao Tian stepped onto the platform.
He raised his wine gourd, took a slow sip, and exhaled calmly—completely indifferent to the countless gazes fixed on him.
Chen Hao followed, his steps heavy, his eyes filled with naked mockery and killing intent.
The two stood facing each other.
One calm as drifting clouds.
The other sharp as a blood-soaked spear.
"Kid," Chen Hao sneered, his lips curling with disdain, "why don't you give up now? If you kneel, I might leave your corpse intact so your family can come collect it."
The crowd held its breath.
Xiao Tian tilted his head slightly, studying Chen Hao as though looking at something trivial.
"What a waste," he said lazily. "You're not even worthy to speak to me. If not for the academy entrance, you wouldn't even be qualified to touch my shoes."
The platform exploded with gasps.
Insults—direct and merciless.
Chen Hao froze for a heartbeat.
Then his face twisted violently.
"How dare you—!"
Rage surged. His entire body vibrated as crimson qi burst out uncontrollably. With rapid hand seals, three bloody, twisted seals formed in the air around the platform, positioned like a killing formation.
The sky dimmed.
"Void Spear—Ten Thousand Slaughters!"
Chen Hao roared.
The seals shattered simultaneously.
From the void itself, countless crimson spears erupted, each one dripping with violent intent, tearing through space as they shot toward Luo Xiao Tian. The platform was instantly dyed blood-red, the air screaming as if pierced by a thousand blades.
"He's trying to end it in one move!" someone shouted.
"What terrifying killing intent!"
One of the academy messengers narrowed his eyes.
"Mmm… not bad. A decent seed."
The examiner's gaze sharpened.
How will you respond, kid?
Xiao Tian's eyes flickered.
Danger screamed in his instincts.
He raised his hand—swift, natural.
For a single breath—
The world froze.
The crimson spears halted mid-air. The raging qi stopped flowing. Even the expressions of the spectators stiffened.
Time… had paused.
In that frozen instant, Luo Xiao Tian vanished.
When the world resumed—
PA!
A sharp slap echoed across the platform.
Chen Hao flew sideways like a broken doll, crashing heavily into the stone ground. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body skidded several meters before stopping.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
"What… what just happened?"
"Did time freeze just now?!"
Even the two academy messengers stiffened, shock flashing through their eyes. The examiner's pupils shrank sharply.
Time… law?
Chen Hao struggled to rise, one side of his face swollen and bloody, his mind reeling.
"How—HOW DARE YOU!"
He roared in humiliation.
The sky responded.
Crimson clouds surged violently as thunder roared. Lightning twisted through the heavens, merging with blood-red qi to form a massive, swirling vortex. From within it, a gigantic crimson spear slowly descended, its presence alone forcing weaker cultivators to their knees.
"That's a soul attack!" someone cried out.
"Can he survive that?!"
Chen Hao floated into the air, crimson qi spiraling around him like a burning storm. His eyes were bloodshot, his pride completely shattered.
"Kid," he snarled, "today I'll show you the true difference between us!"
He pointed downward.
The giant spear fell.
The pressure crushed the platform, cracking stone and bending space itself.
Xiao Tian looked up calmly.
"You are indeed worthy of praise," he said softly. "But to think this can defeat me… is nothing but a hallucination."
He closed his eyes.
Then—
He stomped his foot.
BOOM!
Darkness surged upward like an abyss opening its maw. Black qi flooded the platform, swallowing light. Xiao Tian raised his wine gourd, took one final sip, and spat the wine forward.
The droplets expanded in mid-air.
They merged.
They twisted.
They transformed.
A colossal black soul manifested—humanoid, towering, with a ribbon-like black vortex spiraling behind it. Its eyes were empty voids, its presence devouring sound and light alike.
"Go," Xiao Tian commanded.
The dark soul raised two fingers.
The ground howled.
A terrifying force erupted upward, colliding directly with the descending crimson spear.
BOOOOOOM—!!!
The explosion shattered the air.
Shockwaves rippled across the city tower, ripping banners apart and forcing spectators to retreat in terror. The sky split with thunder, space itself trembling under the clash.
The crowd stared in disbelief.
Chen Hao… was being forced back.
The Chen Clan elders watching from afar clenched their fists, faces dark and hostile.
Before anyone could react—
Xiao Tian moved.
He appeared in front of Chen Hao in a flash and slammed him down again, smashing him into the platform like a falling meteor.
Cracks spread like spiderwebs.
Chen Hao coughed blood violently.
"Impossible…" he growled, eyes shaking. "I am the pride of the Chen Clan… how can I lose to an ant like you?!"
He swallowed a pill.
His aura exploded.
Violent spiritual shockwaves surged outward, distorting the air and forcing even strong cultivators to stagger.
"Today," Chen Hao roared madly, "I'll make you pay!"
He charged.
Xiao Tian lifted his hand.
The heavens darkened instantly—darker than night.
A gigantic, bloody-black moon rose slowly into the sky, its light cold and absolute. The temperature plummeted. Frost spread across the platform.
Chen Hao froze mid-air.
His body—his soul—locked in place.
Time and space pressed down together.
Xiao Tian stepped forward, black and white qi swirling silently around him.
This ends now.
But—
"YOU DARE!"
A thunderous voice exploded across the sky.
The entire battlefield froze.
An invisible force slammed into Xiao Tian, sending him crashing violently into the ground. Stone shattered beneath him as blood spilled from his lips.
A figure descended.
Tall. Dominant. Terrifying.
Chen Aotian—Head of the Chen Clan.
His aura alone made the air suffocate.
"You dare raise your hand against my son?" Chen Aotian thundered. "Is your family tired of living?!"
He raised his hand.
A massive crimson claw condensed, reaching toward Xiao Tian, carrying unquestionable killing intent.
But before it could fall—
"Oh?"
Another voice echoed.
Deep. Cold. Unyielding.
"So the dignified head of the Chen Clan dares interfere in a grand academy selection?"
The crimson claw shattered instantly.
The examiner stood forward, eyes blazing.
Chen Aotian's expression darkened.
"Watch your back, kid," he said coldly.
He grabbed Chen Hao by the collar and vanished.
Silence returned.
The platform lay in ruins.
Xiao Tian rose slowly, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were calm—dangerously calm.