His control was limited to simple applications like detection, extension, condensation, and protection.
Whenever he attempted to use soul power for offensive techniques such as spiritual shock or pressure, he would inexplicably be restricted, unable to use them, as if the soul power didn't belong to him.
With no other choice, Xin Ci had to improve his combat power through other means.
Upon entering the crystal space, Xin Ci took out spirit stones for cultivation.
However, the two qi cyclones within his body required an immense amount of spiritual energy. Xin Ci didn't have many spirit stones left to begin with.
Eventually, all the spirit stones were consumed, and Xin Ci's realm advanced to the peak of early Yellow Realm, just one step away from the middle stage.
The spiritual energy within the two qi cyclones was comparable to the peak of late Yellow Realm.
With some time left before dawn, Xin Ci continued to cultivate the [Ten-Finger Bone Sword] and [Judgment Five Forms].
Thanks to his powerful soul comprehension, he managed to cultivate both of these spirit-grade, mid-tier martial skills to great mastery in just one night.
As the morning sun rose, Xin Ci revealed a confident smile.
Today was the final round of tests.
Those who passed the first three rounds were led to a training ground with multiple small arenas.
A notice board stood beside it, displaying the match-ups for 125 participants.
The young men and women gathered in a throng, watching. Luo Fei's obese physique couldn't push his way in.
"Boss, there are too many people. Should we come back later?"
"No need."
Xin Ci used his soul power to scan forward, identifying Luo Fei's opponent.
Turning back to him, he said, "Your first round opponent is named Hu Lai. As for their realm, it's not written here."
"Hu Lai, I know him. That guy is only at early Yellow Realm. Hahaha, I'm lucky."
Luo Fei grinned broadly, looking very pleased.
He himself wasn't skilled in combat, so facing a weaker opponent was always a good thing.
However, Xin Ci checked his own opponent's name and saw only a red circle.
"What the heck, is this Xin Ci guy incredibly lucky? Getting a bye in the first match."
"Yeah, this guy is too fortunate. If he survives the first round, even if he loses later, there's a high chance he'll be among the top 90."
"Why doesn't this kind of luck fall on me? So frustrating."
Those looking at the match-up list, upon seeing Xin Ci's bye, spoke with envy and jealousy.
"Wow, Boss, I didn't expect you to be the European Emperor!"
Luo Fei looked at him with envy and admiration.
"Hooray, I didn't expect the plot changes to bring such a surprise," Mu Qingling exclaimed happily.
Although in the original plot the male lead didn't get a bye, such luck was not to be refused.
This final round of testing was once again presided over by Elder Gong Ci.
The two senior disciples from the Azure Dragon Institute followed him.
Gong Ci planted his scepter before him and solemnly announced, "Today marks the final round of the Four Symbols Academy's annual recruitment selection: arena combat."
"Your respective opponents have been arranged by the academy. Only those who rank in the top 90 will qualify to become official students of the Four Symbols Academy."
"I have a question. Since 90 people can become official students, and there are only 125 of us now, why not just have one or two matches? Why bother with rankings, isn't that redundant?"
Soon, someone among the youths raised a question. The two disciples from the Azure Dragon Institute stepped forward with smiles to explain.
"In our batch, someone also asked the same question, but you don't know that this final round of testing holds great rewards for the top-ranked new students."
"What rewards?"
"You might not know, but in the Four Symbols Academy, academy points are like currency. Anything in the academy requires points for exchange."
"Academy points are not easily obtained for students of the Four Symbols Academy. For you new students, the higher your ranking in this round of testing, the more academy points you will receive."
"By the way, one academy point is equivalent to one low-grade spirit stone."
"The top ten will receive over ten thousand academy points and a Yellow Dragon Pill. The first place winner can even enter the academy's cultivation technique pavilion to obtain any spirit-grade, high-tier martial skill."
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted.
The ten thousand low-grade spirit stones alone, along with a Yellow Dragon Pill that could unconditionally advance one realm in the Yellow Realm, was enough to entice people.
And a spirit-grade, high-tier martial skill drove them to madness. Most of the youths present didn't even possess a single spirit-grade martial skill.
Even the five great prodigies only mastered mid- or low-tier spirit-grade martial skills. A high-tier spirit-grade martial skill was enough to ignite their passion for competing for first place.
With the rules and rewards announced, the arena combat officially began.
The first match, Xin Ci had a bye and did not compete.
Despite this, Xin Ci was not idle. He observed the combat situations of the few prodigies below and the cultivation techniques and martial skills they excelled at.
He even tried to simulate combat scenarios with them in his mind.
However, the opponents in the first round were all mediocre to these prodigies. Most of them defeated their opponents in just a few moves.
The young prince Liu Yifeng casually defeated his opponent with a single spear thrust, and Li Xuanhong similarly defeated her opponent with a sword.
Liu Mu Ming, Ao Li, and the former prince Mo Qian also defeated their opponents with one move.
Only Na Lan Wu Chang, with an arrogant demeanor, attacked without mercy, shattering the opponent's ribs with a palm strike, causing them to vomit blood and fall unconscious.
The onlookers felt a sense of fear towards him, praying they wouldn't face this devil in their next match.
The combat time for these individuals was too short for Xin Ci to gather any useful information.
As for Fatty Luo Fei, although he was not skilled in combat, he was fortunate that his opponent was ordinary. He ultimately secured victory through a difference in realm.