Chapter 540 - Black Swan (1/2)
Since the strongest students of the outer court entered the inner court or graduated, the peak of the outer court were one-word battle armor masters. Currently, there were only two such students and both were in the third grade: Mo Jue and Li Qiankun. They were the strongest in the entire outer court and this had earned them many fans such that the entire audience zealously cheered when they saw Mo Jue ascend the stage.
Mo Jue and Li Qiankun would soon be taking the exam for the inner court. Pa.s.sing would be simple for them, and they would be able to hold their heads up high as students of the inner court afterward.
The third grade team sending out Mo Jue meant that the winning the third duel was a certainty. The final score for the duels would be two to one in favor of the first and second grade team. It was only a question of how much of an inconvenience could the first and second grade team's combatant put up against her.
On the other side, Ye Xinglan cooly walked up the steps to the stage. She maintained silence the entire time. With her mind was wholly focused on her opponent since before the match, she hadn't even spoken with her teammates. As she neared the top of the stairs, a bit of oppressive might leaked out from her, sending fluctuations in the air. She was a tempest ready to rage at any moment.
“She's restraining herself,” Yali said in astonishment, leaning forward in her chair.
Mo Jue walked onto the stage first, just in time to watch Ye Xinglan arrive on the other side as well. A girl, huh? They've only sent out girls so far.
Compared to Yuanen Yehui and Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan didn't have much of a reputation in the outer court. While this was partly due to her late entry to the first grade, it was mainly because she kept a low profile. Apart from during cla.s.s, rarely would other students see her around.
Everyone knew she was talented since she was part of Tang Wulin's team, but they didn't realize the depths of her strength with how radiant Tang Wulin was. Most people glossed over her and focused on him instead. In fact, most people didn't understand just how powerful the other members of Tang Wulin's team were. The exceptions to this were Yuanen Yehui and the rankers. They knew first hand just how powerful his entire team was.
The crowd quieted its rowdy cheers now that both combatants were on the stage, leaving only hushed murmurs exchanged as they waited in antic.i.p.ation.
Off-stage, Xu Lizhi stood up and watched as he clenched his fists. Just as the third grade had investigated the first and second grades, so too had they investigated the third grade. He knew that Mo Jue was one of the third grade's one-word battle armor masters! But there was some hope. Of the three combatants the first and second grades sent up so far, Ye Xinglan was undoubtedly the strongest.
Elder Cai floated in the air above them. She looked at Mo Jue, then Ye Xinglan. “Begin,” she declared with a wave of her hand then flew back to her seat among the elders.
Unlike the previous matches, the two did not immediately charge at each other. They remained poised, calmly evaluating one another.
The s.p.a.ce around Mo Jue dimmed and darkness gathered around her as she began her advance. Soul rings rose up around her, five purple rings in total! This meant she possessed a pair of thousand-year spirit souls. However, her rings weren't as simple as that. The ones that rose up later were far deeper in color, their edges even tinged black. They were approaching the ten-thousand-year level.
Soul masters could ascend their spirit souls in the spirit ascension platform, but it became increasingly difficult with each additional ring they possessed. Yet Mo Jue's fourth and fifth rings were clearly on the threshold of reaching the ten-thousand-year level. The audience could only imagine how much time and effort she had invested into raising her spirit soul to this level considering she was a five-ringed Soul King!
Barely nineteen years old and she was already a Soul King and a one-word battle armor master. Talents like these were rare, but not at Shrek Academy. She stood as one of the twin peaks of the outer court.
Jet black feathers appeared along her long hair, flowing down to cover the front of her body. Regal might overflowed from her, showcasing the power of her martial soul: Black Swan!