The final match of the Class Promotion Tournament was about to begin.
From the stands, students and instructors alike leaned forward. The tension in the air felt almost sacred, charged with expectation and disbelief. A few weeks ago, Class 5 had been a joke. Now they stood poised at the edge of the impossible.
But the First Class? They were no joke. They were the academy's standard.
And today, they would show why.
Four students stepped onto the field in perfect synchrony.
The first to draw attention was tall and wide-shouldered. His presence alone was enough to make even upper-year students sit straighter.
Wang Jinxi, Grandmaster, Rank 23.
His Martial Soul was the Bone Dragon King—a rare, power-type Spirit with terrifying close-combat abilities. Bony protrusions ran along his arms and spine even before transformation, and once his spirit rings activated, he became a walking engine of destruction. With two yellow rings at his feet, his aura pulsed like it wanted to shake the earth.
He had one goal: Break the enemy's formation.
Beside him strode a lean, predatory boy with sharp eyes and restless energy radiating from every step.
Zhang Yangzi, Grandmaster, Rank 22.
His Martial Soul: Shadow Phantasmal Eagle, an agility-attack type spirit that gave him superior aerial mobility and phantom-speed bursts. When active, faint traces of dark feathers appeared in the air behind him, as if he dragged wings through the wind even while grounded.
He fought like a shadow on the battlefield—everywhere and nowhere.
On his other flank was a slim, dark-haired boy with piercing eyes that held a faint trace of cruelty.
Wei Xiaofeng, Grandmaster, Rank 22.
Her Martial Soul: Green Shadow Snake—a venomous spirit known for stealth, burst movement, and layered strikes. Her spiritual pressure was calm, but coiled with aggression. The snake spirit had sharpened her reflexes, senses, and venom. Her attacks didn't need to kill outright—they weakened, delayed, and drained.
Her strength lay in turning short skirmishes into drawn-out attrition where she always came out on top.
The fourth member was less impressive at first glance.
A boy of average build, short brown hair, narrow shoulders, and pale eyes. He wore the same crisp uniform, but there was no glory to his entrance, no hunger in his gaze.
Lei Jun, Grandmaster, Rank 21.
An agility-system Soul Master whose Martial Soul, Swift Mantid, enhanced reflexes and burst acceleration in straight-line engagements. He specialized in feints and baiting tactics, relying on others to create openings he could exploit. He had never won a 1v1 duel in his class.
But today, he was still part of the First Class lineup.
That meant something.
From across the field, Class 5 waited.
Tang Wulin, calm as ever, Blue Silver Grass twitching at his feet.
Xie Xie, two rings now gleaming beneath him, daggers crossed and bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Gu Yue, quiet, composed, one step behind the frontline.
And standing at the rear, hammer slung across his back, a faint smile on his face—
Qiang Ming.
Two rings. Deep, purple eyes. A posture that didn't challenge—it invited.
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The first five seconds were a blur of movement.
Wang Jinxi charged forward immediately, his body already swelling as his Bone Dragon King activated. Bony armor layered over his arms and chest in sharp plates, spikes jutting from his shoulders.
Tang Wulin met him head-on.
Their first clash echoed like metal colliding with stone. Vines whipped from Wulin's hands, coiling around Wang Jinxi's limbs, but were torn off with a burst of force.
To the left, Zhang Yangzi leapt, catching an updraft of soul power and disappearing midair in a flutter of black feathers. He reappeared behind Gu Yue—but her response was instant.
Wind, fire, and earth surged together. The gust flung Zhang Yangzi off target, while a thin arc of flame traced toward his flank.
He deflected with his wings, but his advance was stalled.
Wei Xiaofeng and Xie Xie were already circling each other—fast, low, weaving blurs. Xie Xie's twin daggers flickered in and out of sight, but Wei Xiaofeng moved like a ghost, her green shadow lingering after her steps.
They were locked in a dance of speed.
And through it all, Qiang Ming stood still.
His hammer hadn't moved. His soul rings barely pulsed.
He was watching.
Measuring.
Waiting.
Wang Jinxi pressed harder on Wulin, aiming crushing blows meant to disable limbs, not just bruise. But Wulin responded in kind—his Golden Dragon King bloodline surging faintly, giving him the edge in raw clash strength.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yangzi dove again—this time for Xie Xie's blind spot—but Gu Yue saw it coming.
An ice spike intercepted him mid-dive. He twisted but lost momentum.
And through that chaos, Lei Jun—the fourth member—slipped through the gaps.
Fast. Silent. Underestimated.
He dashed toward Gu Yue's rear, twin blades extending from both hands.
He was almost on her.
But a sound cut through the noise.
BOOM.
The ground cracked beneath Qiang Ming's feet as he moved.
One instant, he was behind the line.
The next—he was in front of Lei Jun.
The Swift Mantid user barely had time to react.
Qiang Ming didn't hesitate.
His first soul ring gleamed—SoulQuake Blow.
The hammer swung upward in a diagonal arc, glowing with concentrated energy, and slammed into Lei Jun's collarbone.
There was a sickening CRACK.
Lei Jun flew backward, tumbling through the air like a ragdoll, and landed outside the ring with a heavy thud.
The medics moved immediately.
But the crowd had already reacted.
Gasps. Shouts.
Shock.
With Lei Jun gone, the formation of the First Class broke.
Wang Jinxi shouted, trying to rally—but Wulin launched a series of vine grabs that bound his legs, giving Gu Yue just enough time to drop a miniature landmine of flame at his feet.
It detonated with a roar.
Zhang Yangzi took to the skies again, trying to pressure from above—but Qiang Ming moved now, fully.
With each swing, he forced Zhang lower, his hammer creating pressure even the Shadow Phantasmal Eagle's mobility couldn't escape.
Wei Xiaofeng tried to retreat—only to find Xie Xie waiting, his second ring now active.
He moved faster than before. Sharper. Cleaner.
His Shadow Dragon Dagger flickered into his blind spot—and cut her escape off completely.
Within three minutes, the tide was clear.
Wang Jinxi tried to rally one final time, bones forming over his arms in one last push—but he was surrounded.
Vines from Wulin. Fire from Gu Yue. Shadow and blade from Xie Xie.
And finally—
Qiang Ming's hammer came down.
BOOM.
Wang Jinxi was out
The crowd exploded.
The referee raised his hand.
"Victory—Class Five!"