Chapter 18: The First Entrance Examination

“During that time, you don’t need to do anything—just stand quietly behind me.”

Tang Xi’s words made Ye Lingling, who was already shy and reluctant to interact with others, blush even deeper at her ears. She blinked her eyes nervously and whispered, “Thank you…”

Before Ye Lingling could finish, a mocking voice rang out from nearby: “Such arrogance! Even if you’re level thirty, there’s no need to be so boastful.”

“Hmph, it would be one thing if she had some kind of support bonus, but now it’s just two against one. Don’t get too confident!”

“Sure, Jiuxin Haitang has incredibly powerful healing abilities, but this kind of test isn’t life or death. Jiuxin Haitang might as well just be a decoration standing behind her, right?”

Tang Xi’s remarks stirred considerable hostility and unrest among the crowd, catching the attention of two others nearby. Dugu Yan glanced over and then turned to Yu Tianheng, saying, “It’s that level thirty girl and Jiuxin Haitang. Looks like they’ve become the focus of everyone’s ire.”

Yu Tianheng snorted dismissively.

However, the girl with the gentle, ethereal voice softly addressed the last speaker: “How do you know this test doesn’t involve life or death?”

That single, light question silenced everyone present instantly.

After all, these were just children around eleven or twelve years old; for them, this was merely an entrance exam. Who would risk life and death over such a thing?

Yet Tang Xi’s expression remained calm and gentle as ever. A faint smile played on her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her gaze drifted leisurely across the faces of the children before her. Then, softly, she spoke:

“I am not like the young masters and ladies. This spot is something I must have, no matter what the cost—I am willing to pay any price.”

The gathered children exchanged glances. Under Tang Xi’s unnervingly gentle intimidation, fear flickered in their eyes.

Qin Ming had remained silent throughout the scene, making no effort to stop the farce. His expression was indifferent as he reminded them, “One minute until the match begins.”

Everyone quickly withdrew their attention and began discussing the soul skills and abilities of their teammates.

Tang Xi turned to look at Ye Lingling, who was growing increasingly embarrassed by the earlier incident, and gently smiled in reassurance: “Just stand quietly behind me.”

Ye Lingling bowed her head slightly. Her face remained shy as before, but her hand instinctively grasped the edge of Tang Xi’s clothing.

Qin Ming watched the young girl effortlessly manage her teammates and the hostile stares around her, a hint of admiration appearing in his eyes.

---

The match officially began one minute later. Qin Ming handed each participant a small glass orb and announced:

“Attach this orb to your neck. If the orb shatters or falls off the field, you’re out. No deadly force is allowed. Intentional harm or killing is prohibited, as is the use of external pills. Violations will result in disqualification and expulsion from the academy. Understood?”

Everyone responded in unison. Tang Xi and Ye Lingling fastened their orbs and waited quietly. Only after the third group had competed did Qin Ming call out the name everyone had been anticipating:

“Tang Xi and Ye Lingling, face off against Lang Yue and Wang Ling.”

Tang Xi stood, taking Ye Lingling’s small hand. The two girls stepped onto the arena and announced their soul power levels.

Their opponents, two children, also stepped forward—one on the left, one on the right—and introduced themselves:

“Level twenty-four control type, Lang Yue, with the Martial Soul Moon Deer.”

“Level twenty-three agile attack type, Wang Ling, with the Martial Soul Cockscomb Snake.”

The two opponents gazed at the level thirty Tang Xi with eyes flashing a mixture of unease and eagerness.

Ye Lingling loosened her grip on Tang Xi’s clothes and stepped back two paces.

“The match begins…”

Qin Ming raised his hand. No sooner had his words fallen than Tang Xi struck first.

A flash of golden light shimmered beside her, and before the two opponents could react, the firm soil beneath their feet suddenly transformed into a swamp of liquid silver.

They barely had time to dodge before half their bodies plunged deep into the silver swamp.

Her first soul skill: Silver Marsh, First Form—turning the ground into silver.

Tang Xi suppressed the silver light flickering in her eyes. One hand rested behind her back, the other extended forward. Her face was calm and detached.

The two trapped opponents seethed in frustration, their teeth grinding fiercely, but when they struggled to break free, the Silver Marsh had already shifted to its second form. The liquid instantly solidified, imprisoning them firmly in place.

All this happened in an instant—she had immediately ensnared two Great Soul Masters!

The audience fell silent. In the stillness, Tang Xi smiled softly and said in a gentle tone, “I’m not accustomed to overpowering others with soul power. How about this: if you can break free from my first soul skill, I’ll concede this match to you.”

“Arrogant!” Wang Ling and Lang Yue shouted, eager to charge forward, but their lower bodies were trapped in the solidified metal, unable to move.

“Arrogance? You can try and see for yourselves.”

Tang Xi smiled faintly and raised three slender fingers, shaking them lightly. “If you can’t break free within three minutes, then we won’t hold back.”

Qin Ming observed the girl’s gentle yet arrogant demeanor, a helpless smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

---

Others might have only seen this skill as an excellent means of immobilizing enemies, but Yu Tianheng stared at the two trapped in the silver pool, his pupils contracting in disbelief.

“Is this... a group control skill?”

Dugu Yan frowned immediately and shook her head vehemently. “Impossible. Such a soul skill belongs only to Soul King level.”

Yu Tianheng’s brow furrowed deeply as he watched the two struggling helplessly, their lower halves trapped in the silver pool, recklessly launching attacks with no effect.

He already foresaw the outcome:

“Being restrained by this soul skill, only a strong attack type can break free. If the agile attack had moved away at the start, the girl wouldn’t have been able to do anything to him. But…”

“After all, an instant-cast soul skill is terrifying.”

As his words fell, Tang Xi waited for the three minutes to pass. Her eyes glinted coldly as she pointed forward:

“Time’s up. Lingling, go crush their orbs.”

“Pfft—”

Qin Ming covered his face and sighed deeply.

Ye Lingling blushed at the ambiguous command. She looked at Tang Xi mournfully and took small, quick steps forward. Facing the two half-buried opponents, she said apologetically:

“Sorry.”

“Snap—”

She decisively crushed the orb on Wang Ling’s neck.

Turning to Lang Yue, tears glistening in her eyes, she whispered again:

“Sorry.”

“Snap—”

Another orb was easily crushed.

“The match is over. Tang Xi and Ye Lingling win and advance to the next round.”

Qin Ming quickly declared the match’s conclusion. Tang Xi released her first soul skill and, taking Ye Lingling’s hand, stepped down from the arena.

“Wait.”