A cold wind swept across the training courtyard.
The spectators instinctively moved farther away.
Even those who had initially treated this as an entertaining sparring match now understood that something unusual was unfolding before them.
A Spirit Scholar without a spirit ring had forced a Spirit Grandmaster to become serious.
That alone was enough to shock everyone present.
Han Feng slowly stretched his neck.
Crack.
Crack.
His muscles loosened as spirit power surged around him.
The massive wolf phantom behind him became increasingly solid.
Golden spirit power flickered around his body like flowing flames.
This time, he would not underestimate his opponent.
Across from him, Lin Yuan quietly observed.
The pressure field surrounding the Asura Prison continued expanding.
Not outward.
Inward.
Compressing.
Condensing.
Refining.
The air around him seemed heavier than before.
Xu Mingshan immediately noticed.
His eyes narrowed.
The child was improving again.
During the battle.
Most spirit masters needed years to understand the deeper applications of their abilities.
Lin Yuan seemed to comprehend them instinctively.
Han Feng moved first.
Boom.
The stone beneath his feet shattered.
His body transformed into a gray blur that shot forward like an arrow.
Faster than before.
Much faster.
Several spectators lost sight of him entirely.
Lin Yuan’s eyes tracked the movement calmly.
Then— Han Feng vanished.
Gone.
No footsteps.
No warning.
Only instinct.
The countless battles inside the Mental Battle Space exploded into action.
Lin Yuan turned instantly.
Bang.
A claw and a fist collided.
The impact echoed across the courtyard.
But before Lin Yuan could react further— Another attack came.
And another.
And another.
Han Feng’s speed had reached an entirely different level.
A storm of attacks erupted around Lin Yuan.
Left.
Right.
Above.
Behind.
Every direction.
Every angle.
The spectators could only see afterimages flashing around the battlefield.
Lin Yuan retreated continuously.
Not from fear.
From necessity.
Without a spirit ring, his spirit power reserves remained inferior.
Without speed enhancement abilities, matching Han Feng directly was impossible.
Yet despite the overwhelming disadvantage— His eyes remained calm.
Calculating.
Learning.
Adapting.
Each attack provided information.
Each movement revealed patterns.
Each exchange became another lesson.
Han Feng gradually realized something strange.
The longer the battle continued— The harder it became to hit Lin Yuan cleanly.
At first, the child had reacted at the last moment.
Now— He seemed to anticipate attacks before they happened.
A dangerous sensation crept into Han Feng’s mind.
As though his opponent was reading him.
Boom.
Another collision.
Lin Yuan slid backward across the stone ground.
Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Several spectators tensed.
The gap in cultivation was finally showing.
Yet Lin Yuan simply wiped away the blood.
Then smiled.
Han Feng frowned.
“You’re enjoying this.” Lin Yuan’s answer was immediate.
“Of course.” The words stunned everyone.
Enjoying it?
Most Spirit Scholars would already be terrified.
Yet this child looked more alive than ever.
Because the pressure was real.
The danger was real.
And growth— Growth was also real.
Inside his body, spirit power circulated faster than ever before.
Every cell seemed to awaken.
Every instinct sharpened.
The pressure field surrounding him continued evolving.
Suddenly— Lin Yuan stopped retreating.
Han Feng’s eyes narrowed.
The wolf spirit master lunged forward again.
His claw descended directly toward Lin Yuan’s shoulder.
This time— Lin Yuan stepped forward.
Not backward.
Forward.
The unexpected movement disrupted Han Feng’s rhythm for a fraction of a second.
A tiny opening.
Lin Yuan seized it instantly.
Boom.
The pressure field exploded.
Not outward.
Downward.
The entire training ground trembled.
Cracks spread across the stone floor.
Han Feng’s body suddenly felt ten times heavier.
His movements slowed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Lin Yuan’s fist struck his chest.
Bang.
Han Feng was pushed backward.
The spectators froze.
A Spirit Grandmaster.
Forced backward again.
The courtyard became completely silent.
Xu Mingshan’s gaze sharpened.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The pressure had changed.
Before, Lin Yuan spread it evenly.
Now— He was focusing it.
Condensing it.
Transforming pressure into a weapon.
The vice hall master suddenly understood.
This wasn’t merely a suppression martial soul.
The Asura Prison possessed enormous potential.
Far more than anyone had initially realized.
Han Feng steadied himself.
For several seconds, neither moved.
The young Spirit Grandmaster stared toward Lin Yuan.
Then— He laughed.
Loudly.
Genuinely.
“Monster.” Several spectators nodded unconsciously.
For once, nobody disagreed.
Lin Yuan looked toward him calmly.
Han Feng shook his head.
“I finally understand why Vice Hall Master Xu values you.” His spirit power gradually settled.
The wolf phantom behind him faded.
The battle was over.
Not because a winner had been decided.
But because the answer had already become obvious.
Han Feng remained stronger.
Much stronger.
If this had been a life-and-death battle, Lin Yuan would have lost.
Yet everyone present understood something far more important.
The difference between them was thirteen spirit power levels.
A spirit ring.
Years of experience.
And despite all of that— Lin Yuan had still forced Han Feng to fight seriously.
For a twelve-year-old without a spirit ring— That result was unbelievable.
Xu Mingshan finally stepped forward.
The spectators immediately became quiet.
His gaze swept across the courtyard.
Then settled upon Lin Yuan.
For the first time since their meeting— A faint smile appeared on the vice hall master’s face.
“Everyone.” His calm voice echoed through the training ground.
“The expedition begins in three days.” Nobody spoke.
Xu Mingshan continued.
“And after witnessing this battle…” His eyes remained fixed on Lin Yuan.
“…I expect none of you will question his participation again.” Not a single objection appeared.
Not one.
Because they had all witnessed it themselves.
Talent.
Determination.
A terrifying martial soul.
And perhaps most dangerous of all— An endless hunger to grow stronger.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Lin Yuan quietly looked toward the distant sky beyond the Spirit Hall walls.
Three days.
Then he would enter the Star Dou Forest.
Three days until his first spirit ring.
Three days until he officially became a Spirit Master.
And somewhere deep inside his soul— The Asura Prison stirred.
As though it too was waiting for what lay ahead.