Chapter 17: The Golden Divine Soul

“Director Xia!”

Song Yunwei’s brows furrowed deeply; this martial lunatic was utterly shameless!

No matter how gifted Shi Yu was, he was only seventeen, still a high school junior.

Did this man have no regard at all for the dignity of a grandmaster?

Was this the proper attitude to take when discussing matters?

Just as she was about to intervene, Xia Yuan spoke calmly, “Principal Song, do you have so little confidence in your student?”

What?

Song Yunwei was taken aback and looked closely at Shi Yu, who was enveloped in shadow by Xia Yuan.

Shi Yu appeared like a small boat struggling to stay afloat amid Xia Yuan’s immense and boundless murderous aura, as if caught in a stormy sea.

This killing intent was tangible and thick, like blood, wrapping tightly around Shi Yu.

He seemed like an insect trapped in viscous amber, about to be consumed!

But!

Shi Yu did not give up; he stood firm like a pine tree.

Not a single bend at the knees.

He gritted his teeth, enduring with all his might.

Though infinite power roared, trying to force him to yield,

his back remained straight.

Amid the raging waves, Shi Yu’s head slowly lifted.

His gaze rose inch by inch along Xia Yuan’s towering figure until their eyes met.

“Not bad,” Xia Yuan’s eyes were calm as still water. “But how long can you hold on?”

Bang!

The teacup resting on the table shattered under the increasing pressure of Xia Yuan’s killing intent.

This kind of spiritual force was already affecting the material world.

This was the strength possessed by a grandmaster.

Though Song Yunwei understood Xia Yuan’s intention, she was ready to act at any moment.

After all, under such mental pressure, accidents could happen at any time.

Shi Yu was her student, someone she had high hopes for.

She would never allow any harm to come to him within her own school.

Seconds ticked by—perhaps swiftly, perhaps slowly.

Under the overwhelming pressure, Shi Yu’s sense of time grew hazy.

The gap between him and Xia Yuan’s power was simply too vast.

Shi Yu’s eyelids drooped gradually, his body swayed slightly.

Just as he was about to collapse, a heroic figure surged up in his mind.

Blazing golden light, divine radiance dazzling and magnificent, soaring into the boundless heavens!

Unnoticed by anyone,

a faint phantom appeared behind him.

This shadow stood firm between heaven and earth, unshakable even by the slightest degree!

“Great Sage...” Shi Yu silently murmured, and his wavering body suddenly became as steady as a boulder.

“I... will not give up so easily!”

Outside, Xia Yuan showed no change in expression, but secretly he was deeply astonished.

Never before had someone so young withstood his killing intent for so long!

This was no longer just about talent; it was the strength of an indomitable will.

The question Xia Yuan had asked Shi Yu earlier didn’t really need a verbal answer.

Just observing the subject’s instinctive reaction under the killing aura was enough.

At this moment, the young man’s performance far exceeded his expectations.

Just as Xia Yuan was about to withdraw, he suddenly looked at Shi Yu in disbelief.

Shi Yu spoke each word deliberately, “Martial artist...”

In this oppressive atmosphere, the boy could still speak?

Xia Yuan stared at him incredulously, surprise flashing through his eyes.

Song Yunwei also let out a slight exclamation.

It was like an elephant stepping on an ant, yet the ant raised the elephant’s foot—unbelievable!

Shi Yu’s words echoed in the room, resonating in the ears of both Xia Yuan and Song Yunwei.

“A martial artist is one who battles the heavens!”

“Also, one who fights the earth!”

“To surpass oneself, never admit defeat—that is the true pursuit of the martial path!”

With those words spoken, Shi Yu’s lowered eyelids snapped open.

A strange golden light shimmered in his eyes, like stars ignited from the depths of a cosmic abyss, gradually rising within his pupils.

Two beams of golden light shot forth!

Like the first rays of dawn, they illuminated the entire room, casting light upon Xia Yuan’s and Song Yunwei’s faces.

“Golden Divine Soul, soul perfected!”

Xia Yuan’s usual calm vanished.

Facing this golden radiance, he staggered back two steps, colliding with a chair which crashed to the floor.

At that moment, Song Yunwei instinctively covered her mouth.

In truth, both of them had long known the nature of Shi Yu’s divine soul.

But knowing was one thing; witnessing such a phenomenon up close was quite another.

Despite having seen countless extraordinary beings and fought innumerable alien creatures as elite warriors of the Supernatural Domain, opportunities to witness such soul manifestations were exceedingly rare.

Xia Yuan had never expected that under his pressure, Shi Yu would be forced to manifest his divine soul.

After the initial shock, Xia Yuan grew immensely excited.

“A martial artist!”

“This is what a true martial artist is!”

He strode forward and extended his massive hand, giving Shi Yu a hearty embrace.

Shi Yu rolled his eyes, nearly suffocating.

“Hey, Director Xia, take it easy!”

Song Yunwei swiftly appeared beside them, almost teleporting.

With a wave of her hand, she slapped away Xia Yuan’s thick, bucket-like arm and rescued Shi Yu.

Then she fussed over the boy, worried he might have been hurt.

“Don’t worry, this kid’s bones are tough.”

Xia Yuan waved it off carelessly, unconcerned.

“Hmph, it’s clear he’s not your student,” Song Yunwei shot him a fierce glare.

She brought Shi Yu a glass of water and urged him to rest properly.

“Director Xia, I’m quite dissatisfied with your earlier behavior,” she said firmly, standing beside Shi Yu with one hand on her hip, the other resting on his shoulder.

“I’m reconsidering the cooperation agreement between the Tianheng Star City branch and Yali,” she casually dropped a sentence that changed Xia Yuan’s expression.

“Ahaha, Principal Song, that’s quite the statement...” Xia Yuan’s face broke into a hearty smile, a stark contrast to his earlier intense demeanor.

“I actually think the cooperation between Tianheng and Yali should be strengthened even further!”

“Cooperation benefits both; division harms both,” Xia Yuan said, but inwardly he was muttering that Principal Song was preparing to demand the sky.

The recent test had made him very satisfied with Shi Yu.

Such talent Tianheng must secure at all costs, so they could gradually close the gap with Pangu and Kunlun.

Among the five great martial organizations of the Great Xia, Tianheng, Taihang, and Qiyao were one tier.

Pangu and Kunlun formed a higher tier, with even greater strength.

However, Song Yunwei clearly sensed Xia Yuan’s determination to acquire Shi Yu, waiting for Tianheng to offer a higher price.

Unfortunately, Shi Yu was still a high school student at the school.

According to regulations, minors could not sign agreements directly and had to go through the school as an intermediary.

“Principal Song, how about this...”

After lengthy negotiations, Xia Yuan and Song Yunwei reached a preliminary framework agreement.

The cooperation between Tianheng and Yali would deepen on the original basis.

A special fund of half a million would be allocated exclusively for Shi Yu to purchase various cultivation resources and could not be diverted for other uses.

At the same time, Tianheng would open its cultivation techniques and armory to Shi Yu.

In return, Shi Yu, as the only high school member, would participate in Tianheng’s special training camp; if he performed well, he would receive camp rewards.

“Student Shi Yu, the special training camp warmly welcomes your arrival!”