Within the black sun, light erupted.
Rays of light pierced the darkness, bringing endless light and heat.
The light penetrated the sky, bored through the earth, leaving behind black abysses, burning with fierce flames.
The light beams were blindingly brilliant. Even Feather Flying Snow and the students, who were a thousand meters away, covered their eyes, tears streaming down their faces.
"Boom!"
The sky collapsed, the earth trembled. A deafening roar shook the heavens. Destructive winds and all-consuming flames descended upon the world in an instant!
The fierce winds ripped apart the earth, the inferno burned everything. Air, water, even stone turned to ash under the scorching flames, carried away by the wind as dust and smoke returning to heaven and earth.
On the high platform, as the surging winds swept in, Mo Xiong, Gui Bao, Long She, and Ci Tun instantly surged their soul power, intending to protect the platform beneath their feet.
But before they could act, a pure white, flawless lotus bloomed in the sky above the platform.
"Sixth Soul Skill, Pure World!"
Clean, gentle light enveloped everyone. A faint fragrance soothed their restless emotions. White light rays swirled around the platform, forming a white lotus pedestal.
Within the lotus pedestal were everyone, including Bibi Dong. Beneath the lotus pedestal, Shuang Yue Lian held her hands to her chest, looking up at the sky like a goddess praying for peace and tranquility.
The wind that could rip apart the earth, upon touching the lotus pedestal, gently softened and finally dissipated. The flames that could burn everything in the world, above the lotus pedestal, slowly calmed their ferocity and restlessness, becoming peaceful and warm, transforming into sparks that extinguished in the air.
Inside the lotus pedestal was a peaceful, tranquil paradise. Outside the lotus pedestal was a hellish scene of world destruction.
Two worlds, separated by the blooming of a single lotus, were distinct. This world stood independent, pure and clean, unstained.
"This woman's martial soul! How..."
"Such terrifying ability, instantly eliminating all incoming flames and winds, without a trace."
"The entire world seems to have been purified!"
"What kind of martial soul is this! Does the Spirit Hall's academy hide such a person!"
Mo Xiong, Gui Bao, Ci Tun, and Long She simultaneously focused their gazes on Shuang Yue, their eyes filled with profound astonishment.
Shuang Yue Lian's martial soul was exceedingly wondrous.
In the sky, Wang Zhong smiled lightly, allowing the fierce winds and flames to wash over his body. To others, these were terrifying and despair-inducing powers, but to him, they were like a gentle spring breeze, warm and mild.
Around his body, a transparent, glass-like shield tightly protected him. It was a rectangular object, shaped like a coffin. On the front of the coffin, a ferocious and domineering beast head was carved, its golden eyes radiating light, vast and noble.
Ying Yan Yang's sixth soul skill possessed world-destroying might, but Wang Zhong's fifth soul skill, obtained from Ba Xia, possessed absolute defensive power to protect everything.
Ba Xia carried the stele, upon which the merits of ancestors were inscribed. Their achievements were immortal for ten thousand years, their virtue sung throughout the world, their deeds revered by all, their hearts eternally bright.
Time could not erase it, power could not destroy it. This was an eternal monument, possessing infinite and everlasting power!
The defense born from this power could not be corrupted, could not be broken!
It could be called absolute defense!
The fierce winds and flames gradually subsided. Ying Yan Yang, at the center of the explosive black sun, was drenched in sweat, his face pale. This ultimate attack had depleted nearly all his soul power. Even his fiery wings behind him were faint, on the verge of dissipating at any moment.
The plaza beneath his feet, centered on him, within a thousand-meter radius, everything except the high platform protected by Shuang Yue Lian was intact. It stood alone, while everything else – the arena, the plaza, the ground – had been utterly destroyed by this attack!
A black pit suddenly appeared on the ground, filled with a thick, lingering heat, scorched by high temperatures into a molten land.
Looking up at Wang Zhong, who was not far away, unharmed, his aura unchanged, smiling at him, Ying Yan Yang gave a bitter smile.
"My full-power strike, Black Sun Burning World, couldn't even cause a scratch!"
"What kind of monster is this little fellow who emerged from my hands!"
On the high platform, seeing Wang Zhong's figure appear, a faint smile graced Bibi Dong's peerless face.
This guy always surprised her endlessly in every challenge match.
Controlling his remaining soul power, Ying Yan Yang slowly descended towards the high platform, finally landing on a step below the two elders, Mo Xiong and Gui Bao.
Wang Zhong followed closely, his six-winged purple-gold wings giving a gentle flutter, and he appeared beside Ying Yan Yang.
"Your Excellency, I have lost this challenge match!"
Ying Yan Yang placed a hand on his chest, admitting it frankly. He had lost this challenge.
This battle, which had spanned five years, endured various twists and turns, and involved waiting, now concluded with a result that would shock many.
Even Ying Yan Yang himself had not anticipated Wang Zhong's terrifying growth, to the point where his full-power attack couldn't even leave a mark.
His power and speed, augmented by flames, were completely inferior. With the continuous stacking of his Burning Fuel Soul Skill, his strongest attack was easily blocked, unable to even etch a trace on the opponent's body.
"Teacher Ying, I concede."
Standing beside Ying Yan Yang, Wang Zhong placed a hand on his chest and bowed respectfully.
Regardless of the outcome, the teacher before him was the one who had guided him into the world of soul masters, who had explained what a soul master was, who had unfolded a magnificent world before him, and who had offered him much guidance.
No matter his future identity or strength, in Wang Zhong's heart, this was his lifelong guide, his mentor!
Casually patting Wang Zhong's shoulder, Ying Yan Yang laughed heartily, "This is not a concession."
"The facts are evident, losing is losing!"
"As the victor, you should maintain your pride and confidence, with an attitude of looking down on everything, and declare to the world..."
"Victory belongs to you! Glory belongs to you! Pride belongs to you! Nobility belongs to you!"
His voice paused here, and the smile on Ying Yan Yang's face disappeared, replaced by seriousness and solemnity. He pressed down heavily on Wang Zhong's shoulder, speaking each word with sincerity.
"And you belong to the Spirit Hall!"
"In the past, you were proud to belong to the Spirit Hall, but now and in the future, the Spirit Hall will be honored because of you!"
Feeling the force on his shoulder, Wang Zhong placed his hand over it. His emerald green eyes were bright and dazzling, and his face was filled with the arrogance and self-confidence born of youthful impetuousness.
His voice was clear and full of confidence, his words filled with a fervor and purity even more scorching and sacred than the sun hanging high in the sky.
Each word and phrase caused the onlookers' hearts to surge with excitement, inspiring longing. His unwavering belief and voice echoed through the heavens...
"Victory will surely be mine!"
"All glory returns to the Spirit Hall!"