The Darkgold Dreadclaw and the golden claw collided, and at the same time, Zhou Sichen raised his left arm.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his fair and slender arm silently transformed into a beautifully intricate pincer.
"Ice Jade Scorpion Pincer!"
Activating the Ice Jade Scorpion Pincer, Zhou Sichen unleashed the full power of Ultimate Ice, striking directly toward Yan Shaozhe's handsome face.
Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow, his understanding of Zhou Sichen deepening. After fusing with his contracted soul beasts, Zhou Sichen could not only acquire their abilities but also use them as if they were his own.
Facing the incoming Ice Jade Scorpion Pincer, along with the chilling aura of Ultimate Ice that even he felt deeply, Yan Shaozhe's thoughts flickered.
This kid's attacks have already reached the level of a Soul Emperor, yet he is only at rank thirty-eight. Where is all this soul power coming from?
However, there was no time to dwell on it in battle. Against the oncoming Ice Jade Scorpion Pincer, Yan Shaozhe exerted strength in his right hand, deflecting Zhou Sichen's Darkgold Dreadclaw with a single strike.
Then, with a swift turn, his left leg swung up like a steel whip, coated in a faint golden soul power aura.
The Ice Jade Scorpion Pincer clashed against Yan Shaozhe's leg. Though the force didn't harm him, the Ultimate Ice's effect activated instantly, encasing his entire leg in ice.
In the blink of an eye, Yan Shaozhe's left leg, which had been glowing with golden soul power, turned into a solid block of ice-blue frost.
Feeling the terrifying power of Ultimate Ice firsthand, Yan Shaozhe's estimation of Zhou Sichen's combat strength rose once again.
With the Ice Jade Scorpion nearing the ten-thousand-year level, its Ultimate Ice power was nothing to underestimate. But the truly shocking part was that Zhou Sichen, despite only having a mere rank thirty-eight soul power, could actually control such a force.
Fortunately, Yan Shaozhe was a rank ninety-five Super Douluo. With a slight circulation of his soul power, a tremor rippled through his body, shattering the ice around his leg. He swiftly pulled back, planted his foot firmly on the ground, and his right hand once again reached out, golden claw gleaming.
This time, the golden claw's power intensified, and a phoenix's cry resounded through the sky. A golden Radiant Phoenix materialized, surging toward Zhou Sichen.
Such an attack would be enough to overwhelm even a Soul Emperor-level expert.
Yet Zhou Sichen did not evade.
His transformed middle finger glowed as a soul tool activated, and a circular shield, barely a meter in diameter, appeared in front of him.
"Grade-4 Soul Tool: Tenacity Shield!"
The Tenacity Shield could withstand a full-force attack from a five-ring Soul King—or five full-power strikes from a four-ring Soul Ancestor!
However, it only managed to hold off the Radiant Phoenix for a brief moment before shattering.
Fortunately, the attack's intensity had been greatly reduced.
Seizing the opening, Zhou Sichen's Phoenix Wings flared behind him. Flames erupted as he accelerated, barely skimming past the weakened Radiant Phoenix, while his Darkgold Dreadclaw and Ice Jade Scorpion Pincer once again struck toward Yan Shaozhe's head.
Zhou Sichen's combat skills were extraordinarily refined. Every moment was executed with impeccable precision—the Radiant Phoenix brushed past his abdomen without harming him, and his counterattack was already in motion.
Even someone as battle-hardened as Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but smile in approval at this flawless transition between offense and defense.
If he had only been an ordinary Soul Emperor, Zhou Sichen might have actually defeated him.
Unfortunately for Zhou Sichen, Yan Shaozhe was not a Soul Emperor.
He was a Title Douluo.
With a slight flow of soul power, Yan Shaozhe displayed the speed of a Super Douluo, easily dodging Zhou Sichen's simultaneous attacks. Then, with another powerful whip kick, he sent Zhou Sichen flying.
Zhou Sichen was sent tumbling through the air from the sheer force. Once a Title Douluo got serious, what chance did he have to resist?
Luckily, Yan Shaozhe had not used his full strength. That whip kick had only carried the force of a Soul Emperor-level attack.
His Darkgold Armor absorbed the brunt of the impact, leaving only a mild internal tremor—nothing serious.
After being knocked back about ten meters, Zhou Sichen flapped his Phoenix Wings, stabilizing himself midair. He cast a look of mock disdain at Yan Shaozhe.
Before he could even speak, Yan Shaozhe chuckled. "I wanted to test your defense. It seems that even if you take a direct hit from a Soul Emperor-level attack, you can withstand it just fine. You truly are a genius!"
Hearing this, Zhou Sichen let out a dry laugh. "Then I should really thank Dean Yan for the compliment."
The next moment, he flapped his Phoenix Wings again, turning into a streak of light as he charged toward Yan Shaozhe.
But just then, Mu En's calm voice echoed, "That's enough, child. We have seen your strength. If you want to repay this kick, wait until you've fully matured—I believe that by then, Shaozhe won't be your match."
Hearing Mu En's words, Zhou Sichen slowed down, eventually hovering in midair.
With the keen eyes of Mu En and the elders, how could they not see through Yan Shaozhe's little act?
He had deliberately suppressed his strength to a Soul Emperor's level—yet even then, a mere three-ring Soul Elder had managed to put him under pressure.
As the Dean of the Martial Soul Department, he couldn't afford to lose face in front of his teacher, his wife, and his fellow elders.
Yan Shaozhe was competent in many ways, but his personality? Well... difficult to evaluate.
Zhou Sichen gently landed, bowing to Mu En with a warm smile. "You flatter me, Elder Mu. Dean Yan was merely testing me—I hold no grudges."
His smile was so sincere that even Mu En could not detect any resentment, as if he genuinely didn't mind at all.
But as someone with experience, Mu En knew better.
Of course, Zhou Sichen had seen through Yan Shaozhe's little scheme. Feeling a bit resentful was perfectly natural.
Yet this child's emotional control was impeccable—even Mu En couldn't see through it.
For Mu En, this was actually a good thing.
Hiding one's emotions was precisely what Yan Shaozhe lacked. It was one of the main reasons why, despite his talent, he struggled to truly inherit Mu En's legacy.
Xian Lin'er? She was even less suited. Her title alone spoke volumes—she was a pure warrior. First into battle, last in management.
And Ye Guyi, his final disciple, whose talent likely surpassed both Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er?
Her temperament made her unsuitable for leadership as well.
But Zhou Sichen... so far, he was the most promising candidate, despite today being their first meeting.
Of course, Mu En wasn't in a rush to make any final decisions. Time would reveal all.
Zhou Sichen's talent and strength were enough for them to fully invest in his growth. Whether he was truly fit to inherit Mu En's position—time would tell.
Hearing Zhou Sichen's words and catching a glance from his teacher, Yan Shaozhe felt a little embarrassed.
Laughing, he patted Zhou Sichen's shoulder. "Sichen, I'm so glad you understand my good intentions."
Then, taking out a porcelain bottle from his soul tool, he handed it over. "These three Soul Nourishing Pills are my way of making it up to you. You've already taken one before, so you know their effects."
Zhou Sichen grinned and accepted the bottle without hesitation. "Thank you for the gift, Dean Yan."
After all, he had come to Shrek Academy precisely for these kinds of resources—there was no reason to refuse.
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