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The existence of spirit souls placed greater burdens on twin martial soul cultivators. If one's spiritual power couldn't keep up, attempting to cultivate a second martial soul was nothing short of a joke.
However, once successfully cultivated, the presence of a spirit soul allowed one to truly experience the advantages of twin martial souls.
Whether past twin martial soul soul masters had ever discovered this technique, Xu Yuan wasn't sure. But he had figured it out. By constantly maintaining his Brain martial soul while using Jue—the spirit soul of his Primordial Five Elements Spear—in combat, he had naturally stumbled upon certain tricks.
The only remaining regret was that skills couldn't stack when switching between martial souls.
Take Yuanen Yehui, for example. She had just activated her third soul skill in her Fallen Angel form, granting an all-around enhancement at the cost of tremendous soul power. Using Xu Yuan's technique, she had used her first spirit soul, the Golden Baboon (linked to her Titan Giant Ape martial soul), as a bridge to switch forms. However, in her Titan form, she didn't retain the Fallen Angel's enhancement.
Yet, after briefly assuming the Titan form and switching back, the enhancement from her earlier soul skill was still active.
For traditional twin martial soul users, activating such buffs and then switching forms for momentary combat convenience would cause the enhancement to dissipate prematurely. A buff that should have lasted ten minutes might only last one, wasting vast amounts of soul power.
At this moment, only the outer court teachers and a few Sea God Pavilion elders noticed the nuance in Yuanen Yehui's technique.
To everyone else, she simply seemed overwhelmingly powerful. Even Wu Rui, who specialized in control and statistical analysis, failed to pick up on it in the heat of battle.
---
"If that's how it is, then I'll have to use this!"
White ribbons of light unfurled from Wu Rui's chest, coalescing into a jade-like breastplate that swiftly encased his torso. His soul power surged at a terrifying rate.
With swift motions, he retrieved two more pieces from his storage ring—pauldrons that extended into upper arm guards. Another flick of his wrist summoned vambraces that covered his forearms and hands.
The shoulders and upper arms formed one piece, while the lower arms and gauntlets made up another.
In total, Wu Rui now wore five battle armor components!
Standard battle armor consisted of eleven pieces. Five meant his completion rate was nearing 50%!
With his soul power at rank 46, if he worked hard, he could break through to Soul King within two years and complete his armor—securing a spot in the inner court!
The inner court's baseline requirement was becoming a One-Word Battle Armor Master before age 25—meaning one had to graduate from the outer court (by fifth grade) to qualify for the entrance exam.
However, 25 was merely the minimum threshold. Most successful applicants met the standard by 22—before advancing from third to fourth grade.
The extended age limit primarily accommodated late bloomers or those with unconventional training paths.
The five armor pieces sent Wu Rui's soul power skyrocketing, surpassing the limits of a Soul Ancestor and reaching the low-tier Soul King range (ranks 51-52).
Battle armor didn't just amplify soul power explosively or qualitatively—it compensated for quantity.
It served as an extension of the soul master's body, integrating into their martial soul's circulation. Each component expanded meridians, enhancing soul power flow and overall strength.
This was the power of battle armor!
---
Facing Wu Rui's five-piece set, Yuanen Yehui remained unfazed. Two points of light shimmered on her right shoulder and the back of her hand.
Recalling rumors from the first vs. second-year match, third-year homeroom teacher Song Lin's heart sank.
Sure enough, the light solidified into two battle armor pieces, encasing Yuanen Yehui's entire right arm.
Two components.
Spirit Alloy One-Word Battle Armor!
While its overall enhancement might pale against Wu Rui's five pieces, the concentrated boost to her right arm ensured devastating firepower.
Wu Rui couldn't help but envy her.
Spirit Alloy armor...
Not only was it convenient to equip (no storage ring needed), but it also simplified the transition to Two-Word Battle Armor later!
---
"Vines!"
Wu Rui's Celestial Tome flipped, unleashing a fresh wave of tendrils.
Yuanen Yehui inhaled deeply. Her armor flared, demonic flames erupting as her sword gathered energy for a colossal slash.
Her swordsmanship paled compared to Ye Xinglan's, lacking true sword intent. But a martial soul's strength lay in its innate power—soul skills could compensate for skill gaps!
The vines withered instantly under the inferno.
With the battlefield shrouded in Abyssal Shroud, Wu Rui's teleportation couldn't evade Yuanen Yehui's perception. Locked in cooldown, he stood helpless as another slash descended—
"Enough."
Cai Yue'er dissipated the attack with a wave. Her brow furrowed as she studied Yuanen Yehui.
"Your second martial soul is progressing too fast. You won't be able to suppress it. Do not attempt to add a fourth soul ring for at least two years."
Reverting from her Fallen Angel state, Yuanen Yehui bowed. "Understood, Elder Cai."
Throughout the fight, she hadn't just been battling Wu Rui—she'd been resisting the Fallen Angel's corruptive pull.
---
"First match goes to the first/second-year alliance. Fifteen-minute break. Prepare your second combatants."
As Yuanen Yehui returned to her team, she received nods of approval.
"Flawless execution," Wu Siduo said.
Having sparred relentlessly, she knew Yuanen Yehui had performed optimally.
'Had it been me, I'd have lost my cool and stomped that senior's smug face with White Tiger form!'
"Siduo, you're up next. Lizhi, prepare recovery buns for Yuanen."
"Got it."
"On it."
---
Fifteen minutes later.
Wu Siduo stepped onto the stage.
Opposite her stood the third-years' heavy hitter.
Mo Jue—vice-captain of third-year Class One. Her prestige even surpassed the class president, Li Qiankun. At rank 49, she stood one step from Soul King.
Rumors claimed she'd already assembled six armor pieces a year ago.
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