Rainbow Arena I

Half an hour later, Hu Haoran had completely absorbed all the spiritual power from the rewards. He was not entirely satisfied with this reward, but the increase in his soul ring's age limit was an unexpected gain. After all, only gods could raise a soul ring's age limit.

When he awoke, Hu Haoran found himself in another setting. Before him was no longer the Rainbow Light Lake that had filled him with awe, but a vast circular arena.

"Welcome to the Rainbow Arena. Here, you will undergo a life-and-death duel. If you win, I will grant you a great fortune. If you fail, death." The voice came from within the arena. "Your opponent is a Bronze-level Puppet, a Soul Elder above level thirty. Only by defeating the puppet will you pass the trial."

Hu Haoran immediately raised his guard and objectively assessed his own combat ability. I'm currently a level-twenty Soul Warrior and haven't yet obtained my second soul ring. But judging by the purity of my Soul Power, I definitely surpass level twenty. My martial spirit only has one soul skill, Vicious Thunder Stab, but I know two forms of Thunder Sound Swordplay. Counting soul skills, I have three just like a Soul Elder, so that isn't a problem. As for my physical attributes, my body has already reached the level of a level-sixty Soul Emperor. Victory is assured. This puppet has the combat power of level thirty. I have a seventy percent chance of defeating it. Hehehe... Come on!

A tall, imposing Bronze-level Puppet dressed in black assassin's garb emerged from the other side of the arena. He slowly walked before Hu Haoran, then summoned his martial spirit. "Come out! Wind Shadow Evil Spirit Leopard!"

Blackish-green leopard hide instantly covered parts of the Bronze-level Puppet's body. At a glance, he resembled a massive humanoid leopard.

Hu Haoran summoned his martial spirit as well. "Come out! Soaring Sword!" He stood facing the Bronze-level Puppet.

"The battle begins!" The voice rang out again.

"Wind Shadow Break!" Upon hearing the signal to begin, the Bronze-level Puppet immediately unleashed his second soul skill, intending to catch Hu Haoran off guard. Two blackish-green wind blades whistled through the air, slashing toward Hu Haoran's neck.

The two were only about two meters apart. Hu Haoran remained utterly calm, his terrifying spiritual power constantly locked onto the Bronze-level Puppet. Not a single movement of the puppet could escape his perception. Before the Bronze-level Puppet even activated his martial spirit, Hu Haoran had already been prepared.

"Thunder Sound Swordplay, Swift Lightning Wind Thunder!" Hu Haoran did not use his soul skill. He knew that clashing head-on with the Bronze-level Puppet's soul skill would put him at a disadvantage. So he intended to use skill to overcome speed.

A flash of sword light shot out and collided head-on with one of the wind blades. Meanwhile, Hu Haoran darted aside, evading the other wind blade.

Both sides had tested each other, and the Bronze-level Puppet did not act rashly again. Hu Haoran was still secretly observing him, thinking, It seems my assessment was correct. I'm not without the ability to fight. This Bronze-level Puppet isn't an overwhelming threat. As long as I'm careful, I can definitely kill him and pass this trial.

Just as Hu Haoran was still studying the Bronze-level Puppet, the puppet launched another attack.

"Evil Spirit Leopard Hand!"

The Bronze-level Puppet's hands transformed into an exceptionally terrifying pair of leopard claws. The claws were covered in scales, and the blackish-green scales gave off a sinister feeling. The Bronze-level Puppet charged straight at Hu Haoran, swinging both claws.

"Hehehe... You want to fight me at close range? Then I'll test my Thunder Sound Swordplay!" The moment Hu Haoran saw the Bronze-level Puppet rushing over, he guessed his intentions. "Take this! Divine Sound Soul Chasing!"

The Soaring Sword let out a terrifying peal of thunder. Invisible sound waves assaulted the Bronze-level Puppet's ears, leaving his mind briefly dazed. Seizing the moment while the puppet was caught unprepared, Hu Haoran raised his sword and slashed at the puppet's head. But the Bronze-level Puppet was a Soul Elder, and Divine Sound Soul Chasing's sonic attack found it difficult to harm him. In an instant, the puppet recovered, swung a claw upward, and blocked the Soaring Sword's slash.

"Those claws are so hard! It seems this move enhances his claws!" Hu Haoran was greatly startled after their clash.

The Bronze-level Puppet failed to land the strike, then immediately followed with another, clearly intending to give Hu Haoran no chance to catch his breath.

Hu Haoran swiftly changed sword forms. "Good timing! Swift Lightning Wind Thunder!"

The Soaring Sword once more unleashed streaks of sword light. Its blade turned violet-gold, with electric light coiling around it, making it look especially frightening.

Facing the sudden sword lights, the Bronze-level Puppet did not panic. Instead, he methodically shattered them one after another. Hu Haoran did not let such a fine opportunity slip by. While the sword lights disrupted the Bronze-level Puppet's vision, he quickly circled behind him.

"First Soul Skill, Vicious Thunder Stab!" Hu Haoran used his First Soul Skill beneath the cover of Swift Lightning Wind Thunder. His figure became as fast as lightning as he stabbed straight at the Bronze-level Puppet's back.

A dangerous aura instantly enveloped the Bronze-level Puppet.

"Wind Shadow Swift!"

The Bronze-level Puppet instantly activated his soul skill and evaded Hu Haoran's killing move. Then he turned and drove a kick directly into Hu Haoran's chest. Hu Haoran was helpless. His old force had just faded, while new force had yet to arise, so he could only block with his sword.

Bang...

Hu Haoran was sent flying by the Bronze-level Puppet's kick, but thanks to his formidable physique, he suffered no real injury.

While Hu Haoran and the Bronze-level Puppet were locked in fierce combat, Leng Xuewu in the Rainbow Ice Lake was also nearing the completion of her transformation.

"This Rainbow Ice Lake actually allowed me to comprehend the true essence of the Cold Moon Luo Tian Sword Art!" A satisfied smile appeared on Leng Xuewu's face. "As long as I challenge it one more time, I'll definitely complete the trial. The Ice Lotus Snow Dance Sword can also come infinitely close to an Ultimate Spirit. In the future, it may even become an Ultimate Spirit."

As Leng Xuewu thought, she adjusted her breathing and prepared for one final charge.

After the time it took to eat a meal, Leng Xuewu stood up and walked toward the Rainbow Ice Lake once more, one step at a time.

Soon, the Rainbow Ice Lake engulfed her entire body, freezing her once again. Within the ice, Leng Xuewu rapidly circulated her unique cultivation method, the Cold Moon Luo Tian Sword Art. The energy of the ice lake quickly merged into her body. Her Soul Power was rapidly increasing, her bones were constantly being strengthened, and her blood filled with ice energy, as though a single drop could freeze someone into an ice block. Even her internal organs became crystal-clear.

As Leng Xuewu remained within it longer, the chill released by the Rainbow Ice Lake continuously intensified. Estimating the time, Leng Xuewu desperately held on. Borrowing the ice lake's energy, she even launched an assault against her bottleneck.

An hour later, the ice encasing Leng Xuewu suddenly exploded!

Boom...

"Hahaha... I finally broke through! As long as I obtain a soul ring, I'll be a Title Douluo! Hahaha..." Leng Xuewu laughed heartily, celebrating her arrival at level ninety.

"Congratulations on passing the second stage, Rainbow Purgatory. Your reward is an enhancement to your martial spirit's properties. Once the reward has been granted, prepare to enter the third stage, the Rainbow Arena." A voice reached Leng Xuewu's ears from all directions. This reward truly thrilled her.