Chapter 46 – What Use Is a Soul Art?

The Rock Ghost’s evolution path was the Divinity Path.

It was an evolution method that simultaneously strengthened both close combat and Earth Element manipulation abilities.

Whether in long-range suppression or close-quarters combat, it was only stronger, never weaker, than Pet Beasts of the same Stage.

Unfortunately, Zhang Man was unaware of this.

Not long after closing the distance, the light barrier enveloping the Thorn-Shell Turtle shattered with a thunderous crash under the Rock Ghost’s relentless blows.

Heavy fists then rained down upon the Thorn-Shell Turtle like a storm.

Thump!

Thump! Thump!

The continuous dull sounds, like the beating of a drum, were enough to make one’s scalp go numb.

In just a brief moment, the Thorn-Shell Turtle was covered in wounds.

Its originally thick and hard shell was now riddled with dense, spiderweb-like cracks.

It looked miserable and pathetic.

The Rock Ghost, on the other hand, was also injured, but that bit of damage was nothing to an Earth Attribute Pet Beast with such tenacious vitality.

On the other side.

The Yellow Sand Lizardman’s situation wasn’t much better.

Ice Waterfall, Frost Nova, Sigh of the Snow Maiden.

One large-scale Skill after another came down in succession. Although the Yellow Sand Lizardman dodged desperately, it couldn’t avoid getting hurt.

In an instant, a layer of frost covered its body.

The bone-piercing cold slowed the Yellow Sand Lizardman’s movements considerably.

It finally managed to charge close to Xiao Xue, only to have its attack blocked by an Ice Shield that materialized out of nowhere.

Just as it tried to circle around and attack, the Extreme Ice Chain arrived out of thin air, binding it firmly in place, leaving it to watch helplessly as Xiao Xue created distance once again.

The combo of moves left the Yellow Sand Lizardman completely deflated.

The examinees watching from the sidelines were utterly astonished.

Wasn’t this Pet Beast’s number of Skills a bit too many?

And it had defense, attack, and control—a complete set.

This was practically a nightmare for close-combat Pet Beasts!

After several rounds of exchanges, the Yellow Sand Lizardman was already covered in wounds, barely able to catch its breath.

Looking at the situation before her, Zhang Man let out a silent sigh, knowing full well she had no chance of winning.

She wasn’t the type to refuse admitting defeat, so she immediately called out loudly:

“That’s enough—I concede!”

Both Pet Beasts stopped at the same time.

Lin Ze nodded to Zhang Man. “Thank you for yielding, Senior.”

Although she had lost to a Freshman, Zhang Man didn’t show much disappointment. Instead, she gave a hearty laugh.

“You’re strong, Junior. I accept this loss wholeheartedly.”

With that, she waved her hand and turned to leave the arena.

The duel was over.

Only then did the surrounding examinees snap out of the battle they had just witnessed, revealing expressions of amazement one after another.

“Who would’ve thought—two Second Year students in a row, both defeated by Lin Ze!”

“There’s only one left now!”

“At this rate, maybe Lin Ze really can pass the challenge!”

“It’s actually possible!”

The crowd grew excited.

Being able to witness someone break the record of the stone tablet challenge that no one had ever passed was undoubtedly an exhilarating thing.

Guo Xinyi, Tan Yong, and Li Pengyun, however, wore expressions of extreme complexity.

Witnessing the rise of a peerless genius with their own eyes—for those who were also labeled with the halo of genius—was a feeling hard to describe at this moment.

Taking in everyone’s expressions, Jing Tao curled his lips and said:

“Don’t get too excited just yet. Brother Ze’s strength is far greater than mine or Zhang Man’s. Junior Lin is strong, sure, but there’s no way he can beat Brother Ze.”

Zhang Man nodded from the side.

“Indeed.”

Their words were like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone’s heads, extinguishing most of the excitement and fervor in an instant.

Many people snapped back to reality and turned their gazes toward Wu Tianze, who was walking onto the field.

After entering, Wu Tianze didn’t say much—he merely gave Lin Ze a slight nod of acknowledgment before immediately summoning his pet beasts.

A flash of light.

Two pet beasts appeared on the open ground.

One was a dragon-type pet beast over two meters tall, with a body length reaching four meters, resembling a dinosaur in appearance, with a single horn on its head.

Its tough body, wrapped in hard scales, made it obvious at a glance that it contained a fearsome power within.

The other was a massive gorilla with a burly, imposing build, covered entirely in pure white fur.

Unlike ordinary gorillas, it had a full four thick, powerful arms.

As the crowd took in the forms of the two pet beasts, gasps of surprise erupted all around.

“A Single-Horned Dragon! A Tier 4 dragon-type pet beast!”

“And a Four-Armed Ape—that’s also a Tier 4 pet beast!”

“Both are Tier 4, and one of them is dragon-type—this won’t be easy to deal with!”

“This is getting tricky!”

Hearing the murmurs around him, Jing Tao wore a smug smile.

“It’s not just tricky.”

“Brother Ze’s Four-Armed Ape has already been nurtured to the Mature Stage, with a power level as high as Tier 4, Stage 8.”

“The Single-Horned Dragon is a bit weaker, only Tier 4, Stage 7, but everyone knows the combat prowess of dragon-type pet beasts—fighting above their stage is commonplace.”

“With these two pet beasts, do you still think Lin Ze can win?”

Silence fell around them.

The examinees exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

Only now did they truly understand what Jing Tao had said earlier—that Wu Tianze was far more formidable than both him and Zhang Man.

One Tier 4, Stage 8 pet beast, plus a Tier 4, Stage 7 dragon-type pet beast.

Such a fearsome lineup sent a chill down one’s spine just thinking about it.

“So the real big boss was here all along!”

Guo Xinyi muttered, her eyes wide.

Tan Yong let out a sigh. “Looks like this round will be very hard for Lin Ze to get through.”

Among the crowd, Lv Gang let out a cold snort, a twisted glint of satisfaction flickering hidden in his eyes.

He had failed his challenge, so naturally, he didn’t want to see Lin Ze succeed either.

“This is bad—I didn’t expect that Senior Wu to be this strong!”

Zhang Xiaoyun’s expression was anxious.

Guan Ning and Liu Siyan were equally full of worry.

But the three of them could only watch, helpless to do anything.

Facing the gazes around him—some sympathetic, some worried, some gloating—Lin Ze remained perfectly calm.

This composed, carefree demeanor caught Wu Tianze’s eye, earning a silent nod of admiration from him.

Calm and steady, able to face crises and difficulties with composure even under pressure.

This top freshman before him not only possessed outstanding talent and strength, but also a powerful mentality to match.

Truly rare!

“This year really has produced an extraordinary freshman!”

Wu Tianze thought to himself.

That said, he had no intention of going easy.

Dispelling the stray thoughts, Wu Tianze looked at Lin Ze and said in a deep voice:

“Here we go!”

The moment the words fell, the Single-Horned Dragon and the Four-Armed Ape both let out fierce roars and charged aggressively at their opponent.

The Rock Ghost grinned savagely and charged forward without the slightest hesitation to meet them.

Xiao Xue stayed behind, extending her slender, fair hands, ready to unleash her skill.

But what stunned everyone was that Lin Ze also raised his right hand, his palm aimed from a distance at the Four-Armed Ape.

The next second.

A distinct fluctuation of Soul Power emanated from him.

Was he about to use a Soul Art?

Everyone watching, including Wu Tianze, froze for a moment.

Although the challenge did not prohibit Beast Tamers from using Soul Arts, it was obvious that in a battle of this level, Soul Arts were almost entirely useless.

A Soul Art cast by an Apprentice Beast Tamer probably couldn’t even tickle a Tier 4 Pet Beast.

It would have no impact on the battle whatsoever.

What was Lin Ze thinking?

Everyone was baffled for a moment.

And just then, Lin Ze’s Soul Art was already prepared.

A Soul Arrow materialized out of thin air in front of his palm.

“A Soul Arrow!?”

The crowd’s eyes widened in shock.

Was he serious?

Even if he was going to use a Soul Art, why did it have to be the Soul Arrow, one of the Basic Soul Arts?

What use was that?

Many people couldn’t even help but show sneers on their faces.

But the next second.

Their expressions suddenly froze.

They saw Lin Ze gently push his hand forward, and the Soul Arrow shot out instantly like an arrow released from a bowstring, striking precisely the arm that the Four-Armed Ape had raised to block.

Boom!

Flesh and blood splattered!

Under the horrified gazes of the crowd, the Four-Armed Ape was sent flying backward, as if it had been hit head-on by a cannonball.