Chapter 8: So Awkward...
"Alright, now release your Pangu Axe Martial Spirit. I need to conduct a detailed test of its quality and power," Cui Yongqin said after briefly explaining the matter of spirit ring augmentation to Li Chang'an. With that, she got to the main task of the day.
Although there were rumors that Li Chang'an's Martial Spirit was extraordinary, just how extraordinary it truly was still needed to be evaluated according to standard metrics.
Cui Yongqin's mission today was to assess the power of both of Li Chang'an's Martial Spirits and record the results for the Spirit Hall's top-secret archives.
Li Chang'an stood up from the grass, extended his right hand, and a pitch-black axe gradually materialized in his palm. Despite axes usually being rugged and brutish in design, Li Chang'an's Pangu Axe was nothing like that.
The Pangu Axe had smooth, flowing lines that made it feel as though it had formed naturally from the world itself. It radiated an ancient and dignified aura, exuding a majestic beauty—imposing, yet not ostentatious; sharp, but not flamboyant.
That was the impression Cui Yongqin got from the axe.
The moment Li Chang'an released his Martial Spirit, an invisible pressure seemed to weigh down on the elite class students nearby, as if a stone was pressing against their chests, making it hard to breathe.
Yet a few students had fighting spirit in their eyes—like Yan and Xie Yue.
They were top talents in the elite class and older than Li Chang'an by three or four years. At that age, they still had the fierce confidence of youth. The stronger Li Chang'an was, the more it fueled their competitive drive.
Looking at the Pangu Axe, Cui Yongqin nodded silently to herself. 'The Pope's judgment was indeed sharp—such a Martial Spirit was worthy of becoming the Pope's disciple.'
"Now, attack me with your Pangu Axe. Go all out, don't hold back."
Cui Yongqin also rose from the ground, one hand clasped behind her back, her voice calm and composed.
She was now at the level of a Spirit Emperor. No matter how strong Li Chang'an's Martial Spirit was, it hadn't been augmented with any spirit rings yet. Cui Yongqin didn't even need to summon her own Martial Spirit to defend herself.
"Please teach me, Teacher!" Li Chang'an said with a serious expression, clasping the axe tightly in both hands.
The Pangu Axe was quite large, and it looked awkward in the hands of the small-framed Li Chang'an. Still, his focused attitude made Cui Yongqin view him in a new light.
After all, it was rare to find someone so composed and serious at such a young age.
"Hah!"
Li Chang'an stomped hard on the ground, propelling himself forward with a burst of strength. His small frame rushed toward Cui Yongqin, raising the massive axe overhead for a downward slash.
Truth be told, Li Chang'an didn't know any real axe techniques. He didn't even know how to properly channel his strength. So he just… hacked away.
Cui Yongqin didn't retreat. She was here to test the strength of his Martial Spirit, after all, and she was confident he couldn't actually injure her.
A faint ripple of white soul power shimmered around her, and a circular soul-force barrier gradually formed in front of her.
This was a casually constructed shield—just strong enough to block attacks from a twenty-something rank spirit Master. In Cui Yongqin's mind, it was more than enough to handle Li Chang'an's strike.
By now, the other teachers and students in the elite class had put aside whatever they were doing and turned their attention toward Li Chang'an.
Hu Liena's gaze was filled with curiosity, while Yan and the other boys looked like they were itching to jump into a fight themselves. As for Qian Renxue, she simply scoffed in her heart.
Buzz!
The Pangu Axe struck the white soul shield, causing concentric ripples to spread across it. A low, humming vibration filled the air.
Cui Yongqin remained calm, one hand behind her back and the other lightly controlling the barrier, looking completely unbothered.
Meanwhile, Li Chang'an stood off to the side, gripping the Pangu Axe with both hands, gasping for breath. During the strike, he had instinctively poured all his soul power into the axe—and the Pangu Axe immediately drained him dry!
That's right. Every last bit of soul power in his body was consumed in an instant. Li Chang'an had been utterly wrung out, leaving him feeling weak and hollow.
Even so, when he looked again, Cui Yongqin's barrier remained completely intact—not a single crack in sight. His heart filled with admiration. 'A teacher is a teacher, after all. I'm still too young.'
But then—
[Cui Yongqin. Points +13.]
Li Chang'an: "???"
He was still dazed, completely unaware that the hand Cui Yongqin had behind her back was trembling slightly. Just a moment ago, she had hurriedly poured a fresh wave of soul power into the shield to keep it from collapsing.
Had she not done that, her barrier would've been shattered—and her dignity right along with it.
What she was certain of, however, was that the full-power strike Li Chang'an had just delivered could absolutely break through the defense of a Spirit Master at the twentieth rank or higher.
'I really underestimated him...'
"Ahem. Very good, Chang'an. Now, rest for one incense stick's time. After that, summon your Donghuang Bell and let's test its defensive capabilities." Cui Yongqin coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment, also pulling Li Chang'an out of his daze.
Li Chang'an obediently withdrew the Pangu Axe and sat cross-legged to begin meditating and recovering his soul power.
'Note to self: be careful when using the Pangu Axe. That thing's a bottomless pit—impossible to feed...'
---
The time it takes to burn one stick of incense passed quickly. When Li Chang'an opened his eyes, Xie Yue was already standing in front of him.
"This time, Xie Yue will help test the defense of your Donghuang Bell. He just advanced to Spirit Grand master a few days ago, so he should be sufficient for the task," Cui Yongqin explained from the side.
Xie Yue nodded at Li Chang'an and said, "No need to be nervous. I'll hold back a little."
Cui Yongqin remembered the terrifying power of Li Chang'an's Pangu Axe and wanted to advise Xie Yue to go all-out. But considering the young man's pride, she held her tongue.
Li Chang'an didn't harbor any ill feelings toward Xie Yue, after all this was Hu Liena's older brother. They just took different surnames, one from their father and the other from their mother.
"Thank you, Senior. I'm ready."
Li Chang'an nodded politely. He extended his left hand, and the ancient, flawless Donghuang Bell appeared in his palm. As soon as it left his hand, it began to expand and turn faintly translucent.
In mere moments, the semi-transparent Donghuang Bell had fully enveloped Li Chang'an, covering him from head to toe. Because it was nearly see-through, it looked more like a bell-shaped energy barrier wrapped around him than an actual bell.
Xie Yue, seeing this, also summoned his twin crescent blades. Two yellow spirit rings spun rhythmically around him.
"Here I come!"
Xie Yue leapt into the air, his twin moon blades flashing with afterimages as they slashed toward Li Chang'an's Donghuang Bell.
...Nothing happened.
'What the—? Full power it is then!'
Realizing there wasn't even a scratch, Xie Yue immediately went all-in, unleashing his full strength to save face!
BZZZZZZZZT—
The Donghuang Bell let out a low hum. And then… that was it.
Nothing else happened.
Xie Yue,'This is so embarrassing...'
_____
T/N:
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