Soul Land: Xiao Yan Reincarnates as Huo Yuhao

Upon exiting the freshmen's teaching building, Xiao Yan found himself on Shrek Square. Though not particularly vast, about a thousand meters in length and width, the square was bathed in the morning sun, which cast a faint red carpet of light across its surface.

In the square's center, a sparse crowd gathered, and under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Yan moved to the middle of the square, facing the stern-faced Zhou Yi. "Is avoiding trouble cowardice?" he asked, voice steady. "What if the person in front of you was a twelve-year-old Title Douluo? Would you still be so quick to expel me?"

"You throw around words like 'trash.' Do you even understand mutual respect? Today, if you lose, I'll have no demands, expel me if you wish. But you must apologize for what you said earlier."

"Apologize?" Zhou Yi sneered, her tone mocking. "Fine, but first, you'll have to survive one incense stick's worth of time against me." As she finished, flames erupted around her, six soul rings flashing in sequence. Scales rapidly covered her skin, and the roar of a dragon echoed across the square.

Zhou Yi's martial spirit was the Fire Dragon, a Soul Emperor with a powerful offensive ability.

Seeing the two in the square, other freshmen—who had been forced to run laps under the blazing sun—cast curious glances their way. They hadn't dared to resist Zhou Yi themselves, but now, watching Xiao Yan stand against her, they couldn't help but observe with interest, some secretly hoping to see her authority challenged.

"Are you ready, boy? Weren't you the one who said Shrek Academy isn't impressive? Let's see how long you can last." Zhou Yi's cold smile widened as she taunted Xiao Yan.

"Let's get started," Xiao Yan replied, his voice calm, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Without a word, Zhou Yi produced an incense stick, lighting it with a flick of her finger and planting it firmly into the ground without a tremble.

Compared to Bei Bei's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Zhou Yi's Fire Dragon martial spirit had a slightly softer nature. Yet, it radiated an intense, fiery aura. In a flash, she closed the gap between herself and Xiao Yan.

"First Soul Skill: Spiritual Detection!"

Xiao Yan quickly channeled his soul power into his Ling Eyes, his dark blue pupils glowing faintly with a golden hue. At the same time, a white soul ring appeared at his feet.

"Ten-year soul ring?" Zhou Yi's body trembled with shock. She could hardly believe this boy, daring to defy her, was a mere soul master with a ten-year soul ring.

With his Spiritual Detection active, everything around Xiao Yan seemed to slow down. His vision heightened, allowing him to gather vast amounts of information in an instant, foreseeing Zhou Yi's next move. Just as she lifted her hand to strike, Xiao Yan sidestepped effortlessly, evading her attack.

"Not bad," she remarked, slightly frowning at her missed blow. "But let's see how you handle my attacks when I'm fully powered." Zhou Yi sneered, the air around her heating up. A faint dragon roar reverberated as her skin, now covered in red-tinted scales, stretched taut under her clothes. Her speed surged, and she completed her martial spirit transformation in an instant.

"Who said I'd dodge? I won't just endure your attacks for one incense stick—I'll make sure my attacks last that long!" Xiao Yan's eyes flared blue as Zhou Yi prepared to strike again, throwing her momentarily off-balance.

"First Soul Skill: Spiritual Disruption!"

One of the four skills bestowed by the Heavenly Dream Iceworm, Spiritual Disruption allowed Xiao Yan to interfere with his opponent's focus, causing them to lose control over their attacks. Exploiting the momentary lapse, Xiao Yan clenched his fist, channeling his energy, and landed a solid punch against Zhou Yi's midsection.

A muffled thud echoed as Zhou Yi's body froze momentarily. She was forced back, her feet digging a long trench into the ground before she finally came to a stop.

"A mental interference skill? And physical strength as well? Just what is your martial spirit?" Zhou Yi's expression turned serious as she took a deep breath, before sneering again. "I am a Soul Emperor. With your current strength, you can't hope to break through my defenses."

With a powerful stomp, Zhou Yi surged forward, her speed intensifying. The fierce wind of her charge whistled through the air.

Xiao Yan maintained a calm expression, using his Spiritual Detection again to predict her movements. He sidestepped as her flaming dragon claw narrowly missed his ear, the intense heat singing the air.

Sliding across the ground, Xiao Yan deftly maneuvered behind her and delivered another powerful, Dou Qi-infused punch. But as his fist was about to connect, Zhou Yi stomped the ground, releasing a shockwave that sent Xiao Yan flying backward, momentarily disoriented.

"Such terrifying power. She truly deserves the title of Soul Emperor, though in the Dou Qi Continent, her level would only match a Da Dou Shi," Xiao Yan thought as he steadied himself, flexing his numbed hand.

"You're fast, but your soul power is far too weak." Zhou Yi's aura intensified, and with another powerful burst, she dashed forward, hand raised for a decisive strike.

Finding no room to dodge, Xiao Yan furrowed his brow and channeled his Dou Qi, preparing for direct contact.

A loud boom resonated as their clash sent shockwaves across the square, gouging the earth beneath their feet.

"With barely twenty levels of soul power, you thought you could challenge me head-on? You're overestimating yourself," Zhou Yi sneered, channeling her soul power through her palm. As a teacher, she didn't unleash her full strength, only aiming to teach Xiao Yan a lesson and curb his arrogance.

A faint grunt escaped Xiao Yan as her forceful blow rattled his bones. But just then, his eyes flashed with a violet-gold light that struck

Zhou Yi squarely in the face, momentarily blinding her.