"Shrek Academy... this place is even more rundown than I imagined!" Tian Lin finally arrived at the academy gates, following the directions given by a passerby.
Compared to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, this place was like the difference between heaven and a doghouse. He couldn't imagine how someone like Ning Rongrong, a pampered young lady, managed to endure life here.
"Hey, who are you? How dare you talk like that here?" Dai Mubai, who had been about to head out for a stroll, overheard Tian Lin's remark and immediately became furious.
Tian Lin glanced at him. "Golden hair, strange eyes with double pupils... you must be Dai Mubai?"
"Oh, so you know me? Are you here to join Shrek Academy? Let me tell you, the enrollment period ended yesterday. Someone who can't even show up on time has no right to enter Shrek Academy, let alone criticize it." As he spoke, Dai Mubai's entire body began to glow with golden light. "Apologize for what you just said, or don't blame me for being rude."
Tian Lin chuckled nonchalantly. "Fine, I'll admit it was rude of me. However, I didn't say anything wrong. This place is indeed lacking. Forget about luxurious training facilities—does this academy even have the most basic simulated training grounds?"
"You bastard!" Dai Mubai's temper flared, and he threw a punch at Tian Lin. Fueled by anger, he used seventy percent of his strength, holding back the remaining thirty percent because Tian Lin seemed quite young.
Tian Lin casually extended his palm and easily caught Dai Mubai's punch. "You're too impulsive. All I said was that the training environment here is poor. I didn't insult Shrek itself. Do you judge the quality of your academy solely by how luxurious it is?"
"What?" Dai Mubai couldn't believe it. His punch, carrying seventy percent of his strength, had been caught so effortlessly, and his opponent hadn't even released his martial spirit.
Stepping back a few paces, Dai Mubai assumed a serious fighting stance and introduced himself. "Dai Mubai, Level 37 Assault System Battle Soul Elder, martial soul: Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Who exactly are you?"
A formal introduction signified that Dai Mubai now regarded Tian Lin as an equal.
"If you want to know who I am, show me what you've got first." Tian Lin gestured for him to come forward.
"If you won't say, I'll beat it out of you. First Soul Skill: White Tiger Barrier!" Dai Mubai activated his first soul skill, which increased his attack, defense, and strength by 50%.
This enhancement exceeded the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's pre-four-ring boost. However, it only applied to Dai Mubai himself, consumed a lot of soul power, and didn't last very long.
Throwing a punch empowered by the White Tiger Barrier, Dai Mubai attacked with 150% power this time.
This time, Tian Lin didn't remain as casual as before. He stepped forward and threw a punch of his own, meeting Dai Mubai head-on. The resulting shockwave from their clash disturbed the surrounding air.
Both men retreated two steps, and Dai Mubai was stunned. "This guy's strength is ridiculous! What kind of martial soul does he have to possess such a terrifying body? Could it be the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?"
Tian Lin was also deep in thought. "Not bad. His strength is impressive. Even at the Soul Elder level, his power rivals that of Tian Heng back then. The Evil-Eyed White Tiger is indeed comparable to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
"Let me try this, then! Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Light Wave!" Dai Mubai's second soul ring lit up, and a massive surge of white light gathered around him. With a roar, he spat out a milky-white energy sphere from his mouth.
This was a powerful ranged energy attack.
"Not bad. Now, take this from me: Demon-Slaying Sword Technique!" Tian Lin formed a sword with his fingers, unleashing a burst of intense sword energy.
The Demon-Slaying Sword Technique was a high-level sword skill from the Mount Shu Sword Sect. It allowed the user to control a powerful sword aura, which could either transform into countless blades for area attacks or condense into a single sword for focused strikes.
At this moment, Tian Lin opted for the latter. A sword-shaped energy projection materialized, spinning rapidly as it flew toward the White Tiger Light Wave. The powerful energy pierced through the light wave instantly and continued straight toward Dai Mubai.
"Impossible!" Dai Mubai had never lost so decisively in a contest of raw power. He was momentarily stunned.
As the energy sword neared his shoulder, Dai Mubai snapped back to his senses. His muscles swelled, and black stripes appeared on his skin. He used his body to block the energy sword.
"Third Soul Skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!" At the last moment, Dai Mubai unleashed his thousand-year soul skill. For thirty minutes, this transformation doubled his resistance to negative states, attack power, defense, and strength. Dai Mubai roared, "Now you've made me truly angry!"
"This form isn't bad. You've earned my introduction." The White Tiger Vajra Transformation elevated Dai Mubai's strength beyond that of an ordinary Soul Elder, earning Tian Lin's acknowledgment. "My name is Jun Tian Lin. Martial Soul: Demon-Suppressing Sword. Level 45 Assault System Battle Soul Sect. Please, enlighten me!"
As he spoke, a blue flash appeared in Tian Lin's hand, and a magic sword materialized. His aura became even sharper, though he refrained from releasing his soul rings, indicating that he was still holding back.
"Demon-Suppressing Sword... Jun Tian Lin?" Dai Mubai suddenly recalled something. "You're the 'Sword Brother' Ning Rongrong mentioned? But aren't you both about the same age? How are you already at Level 45?"
"I just cultivate a little faster than others. No need to make a big deal out of it," Tian Lin replied casually.
Dai Mubai felt that Tian Lin was showing off.
"A little faster?"?At Dai Mubai's age, his soul power had only been at Level 25—nearly twenty levels lower. He suddenly felt a bit insecure. Compared to Tian Lin, could Shrek's seven students even still be called 'monsters'?
"Hey, now's not the time to get distracted. Our battle isn't over yet. Be careful! With my martial soul in hand, my attack power has doubled since earlier. I won't lose to your White Tiger Vajra Transformation!" Tian Lin leaped into the air, raising his sword high as he descended upon Dai Mubai. "Mountain-Crushing Strike!"
This was one of the Mount Shu elders' ultimate techniques. By concentrating all one's energy into a weapon, the user could unleash a devastating blow capable of shaking the earth and shattering mountains.
Dai Mubai activated his first and third enhancement skills simultaneously to defend himself, but the magic sword felt as heavy as a mountain, rendering him unable to move.
"What immense power! Is this guy a Soul Master with a tool-type martial soul?"
"First Soul Skill: Binding!" Just as Dai Mubai was nearing his limit, a strand of Blue Silver Grass suddenly wrapped around his waist, pulling him out of Tian Lin's attack range.
The newcomers were Tang San and Xiao Wu, who had rushed over after hearing the commotion.
"Who are you, and why are you attacking Mubai?" Tang San demanded.
Tian Lin smiled faintly. "Don't you remember me? Six years ago, we met briefly. Your first soul skill? You owe its success to my help, don't you?"
PS: Read atleast 133 advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode