The Battle in the Spotlight

The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's attack and destructive power were at least as great as those of fire-attribute Soul Masters.

Moreover, lightning-attribute attacks also countered Blue Silver Grass. A tree burned by fire would slowly char, but struck by lightning, it would wither and blacken in an instant.

This battle would not be easy.

But this was an opportunity Tang San had been waiting for.

The Soul Fighting match was only the bait Tang San had cast, and Dugu Yan was the big fish he intended to catch.

The following evening.

The Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena was packed to the brim.

The last rays of the setting sun slanted through the glass windows in the dome, bathing the interior of the enormous circular building in a warm orange-red glow.

But soon, dozens of crystal lamps lit up at once, illuminating the entire arena as brightly as day.

Every seat in the stands was occupied, and even the aisles were crowded with people. Some wore luxurious clothes, some wore their family emblems, some held binoculars, and others raised betting slips.

A restless excitement filled the air.

This battle promised to be quite a spectacle.

On one side was Cyberpunk, who had already won thirty matches in a row and was about to challenge for the Gold Soul Fighting Badge. His fighting style was simple and brutal: once his Blue Silver Grass appeared, his opponent was sure to lose. No one had found an answer to it yet.

On the other side was Yu Tianheng, a genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, whose Martial Soul was the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. His attack power could be called unbeatable among those of the same level, and the berserk power of his lightning attribute was enough to destroy any defense.

Blue Silver Grass against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the weakest Martial Soul against the strongest.

Nothing drew spectators like the sight of a good-for-nothing turning the tables.

With the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena promoting it so heavily, this battle had become more than a contest between two Soul Masters. It was also a clash between two Martial Souls and two fighting styles.

In the front row of the stands, Dugu Yan had already taken her seat. Her short purple hair had an icy sheen under the lights, and her features were delicate.

Beside Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling sat quietly. She wore a light green dress, and her long blue hair fell over her shoulders. Her features were equally delicate, and her skin was fair.

As soon as the two arrived in the stands, they drew the eyes of every male spectator around them.

Ye Lingling had not wanted to come, but Dugu Yan had dragged her along.

"Lingling, do you think that Cyberpunk can win?" Dugu Yan asked, tilting her head.

Ye Lingling shook her head without speaking. Her blue eyes swept over the Soul Fighting platform, then turned toward the contestants' passage.

When Dugu Yan saw that Ye Lingling was not speaking, she went on by herself. "I hope Cyberpunk wins. Otherwise, Yu Tianheng will pester me to death again."

High above the stands were several special VIP rooms, occupied by people of distinguished status.

In one VIP room, the atmosphere was solemn.

Crown Prince Xue Qinghe sat upright on a sofa facing the Soul Fighting platform. He had refined features and elegant manners, and an innate air of nobility accompanied his every gesture.

Beside Xue Qinghe sat Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, the sect's guardian Douluo. A little girl of seven or eight was also with them.

The little girl wore a cyan dress and was looking around curiously, her big eyes blinking.

Ning Fengzhi was in his fifties, with refined features and deep, wise eyes. He held a teacup and leisurely sipped his tea.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong was tall and imposing, with a stern face and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He stood silently behind Ning Fengzhi, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings.

"Qinghe, what brought you out to watch a Soul Fighting match today?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile as he set down his teacup.

Xue Qinghe smiled faintly, his voice as warm and smooth as jade. "The Great Soul Arena attaches great importance to this match and has promoted it extensively. They say it's the most anticipated match Heaven Dou City has seen in recent years. They sent me an invitation especially, and since I had nothing else to do tonight, I invited you to come watch with me, Teacher."

"Indeed, a match between two outstanding young talents is bound to draw attention." Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Are you interested in this Cyberpunk, Qinghe?"

Xue Qinghe nodded and turned his gaze toward the Soul Fighting platform. "An eleven-year-old child who has won thirty matches in a row using Blue Silver Grass—I really would like to see him for myself."

"Well said, Qinghe. Talent like that is certainly worth making every effort to recruit," Ning Fengzhi said with a nod. "I hear the Pope of Spirit Hall recently took on a genius with Twin Martial Souls as a disciple. He is only eight, yet he has already broken through to level twenty. Rumor has it that the Pope intends to make him the Spirit Hall Holy Son, the next Pope. What a pity that such a genius has fallen into Spirit Hall's hands again."

At those words, a flash of ruthlessness and disdain crossed Xue Qinghe's eyes, but they immediately returned to normal. "Teacher, I don't think Spirit Hall's so-called genius is all that remarkable. I believe the young Soul Masters of our Heaven Dou Empire are just as outstanding and will surely be capable of competing with him."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly and said nothing more.

Although the imperial family reigned supreme in the Heaven Dou Empire, it did not rule with an iron fist like the Star Luo Empire. The imperial family's Swan Martial Soul possessed little attack power, so emperors throughout the generations had been forced to strengthen their ties with the major sects within their borders and rely on the sects' power to secure imperial authority.

Both the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were located near Heaven Dou City. The imperial family relied heavily on them and maintained close relations with them.

At the same time, the imperial family had always sought out promising young Soul Masters to nurture and bolster its own strength.

This Cyberpunk was undoubtedly someone worth recruiting.

Ning Fengzhi thought it only natural that Xue Qinghe had come to see him.

However, Xue Qinghe had come to the Great Soul Arena today ostensibly to see Cyberpunk, but in truth, she had her own purpose.

Ever since hearing of Cyberpunk's exploits, Xue Qinghe had harbored a faint feeling.

Eleven years old, a level twenty-five Soul Grandmaster, with a Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.

That description reminded Xue Qinghe of the child she had met in Sunset Forest more than four months ago. His age, Martial Soul, and Soul Power Level—every detail matched.

Qian Renxue's gaze settled on the contestants' passage, a thoughtful look flashing deep in her golden eyes. Could it really be him?

On the Soul Fighting platform, the host was already in position.

He held an Amplifying Soul Tool, and his voice was loud and compelling.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena!"

"In tonight's Soul Fighting match, Yu Tianheng, a genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, will challenge Cyberpunk, the rising star of our Great Soul Arena."

The host raised his voice several notches, whipping up the crowd.

"The greatest Beast Martial Soul under heaven will face the Blue Silver Grass, a Martial Soul universally acknowledged as trash. What will the result be? I'm sure you've all been waiting a long time to find out!"

"Let's give tonight's two stars the warmest welcome!"

Applause thundered, and cheers shook the heavens.

"First to take the stage is Yu Tianheng, a genius of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

Four enormous crystal screens soon lit up, displaying Yu Tianheng's information: name, age, Martial Soul, and level.

Lights abruptly came on to the left of the contestants' passage, and a beam of white light fell across its entrance. Yu Tianheng walked out through the beam.

Yu Tianheng wore a close-fitting blue outfit. He was tall, his steps steady and his expression calm, but fighting spirit burned in his eyes.

Enthusiastic cheers rose from the stands, and many people applauded and cheered for Yu Tianheng.

Yu Tianheng walked to the center of the Soul Fighting platform and stopped. His gaze swept across the stands before finally settling on the section where Dugu Yan sat, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward.

"Next to take the stage is our holder of thirty consecutive victories, Cyberpunk!"

The crystal screens quickly switched to a display of Cyberpunk's information.

Lights came on to the right of the contestants' passage, and another beam fell across its entrance. Tang San walked out through the beam.

Tang San wore an ordinary, close-fitting black outfit. He was a head shorter than Yu Tianheng, but his shoulders were broad, his back straight, and he walked with a steadiness beyond his years.

Facing a Soul Fighting match that had drawn so much attention, Tang San remained calm and composed, his gaze serene, displaying complete confidence.

The stands erupted in enthusiastic cheers once again.

"Cyberpunk! Cyberpunk! Cyberpunk!"

The name echoed through the Soul Fighting Arena, deafening to the ears.

Some people stood up to applaud, while others waved flags in their hands. His record of thirty consecutive victories had earned Tang San a large following of fans.