Soto Great Soul Arena

Over the next few days, life at Shrek Academy seemed to settle into a routine. During the day, Yu Xiaogang taught Martial Soul theory and soul beast knowledge. Though Ling Yun had little interest in such things, he still sat in on the lessons, as they helped him better understand this world. Most of his time was spent in the Mimicry Training Ground, consolidating his cultivation, familiarizing himself with his newfound strength, and trying to further fuse the powers of his two great Martial Souls.

Tang San seemed to be holding back a burning drive, training with exceptional diligence. Under Yu Xiaogang's guidance, he underwent all kinds of extreme physical training and Hidden Weapon practice, trying to close the gap between himself and Ling Yun. Xiao Wu stayed by his side, while Dai Mubai and the others worked hard in their own ways.

That day, after the lessons ended, Flender gathered all the students together.

"Theoretical knowledge is certainly important, but a Soul Master's worth must ultimately be proven in actual combat." Flender adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the group. "So, starting tonight, you will undergo real combat training—at the Soto Great Soul Arena."

The Soto Great Soul Arena? Aside from Dai Mubai, the other students all looked curious.

Flender explained, "The Great Soul Arena is a place where Soul Masters display their strength and earn prize money and fame. Soul Masters from all over gather there, making it the best place to test the results of your training. Academy rules state that each of you must participate in at least two soul fights every day! The more victories you earn, the higher your prize money. The academy takes ten percent."

At the mention of prize money, the eyes of several students from ordinary families lit up. Tang San also fell into thought. Actual combat was indeed a good way to improve one's strength and accumulate funds.

"Soul fights are divided into Sparring Matches, Gambling Matches, and Death Matches. You will only take part in the safest kind, Sparring Matches. The match formats are One-on-One, Two-on-Two, and Team Battles, which test teamwork the most—Seven-on-Seven. You may freely form teams for Two-on-Two matches, while the academy will arrange the Team Battles." Flender continued, "Mubai, take them there and explain the rules clearly."

"Yes, Dean." Dai Mubai nodded.

At dusk, Dai Mubai led Ling Yun, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the other eight students back into Suotuo City. Unlike their previous casual stroll, this time they headed straight for a magnificent cluster of buildings in the southern part of the city.

The Soto Great Soul Arena was oval in shape and stood a hundred meters tall. Inside, it was divided into a main Soul Fighting Arena and numerous smaller arenas, capable of holding tens of thousands of spectators at once. Even at night, it was brightly lit and packed with people. Cheers, shouts, and sighs intertwined, filling the air with noise and fervor.

Dai Mubai was clearly a regular here. He skillfully led everyone through registration and collected badges representing Iron Soul Douluo, the lowest rank.

"Soul Fighting badges are ranked, from lowest to highest, as iron, copper, silver, gold, purple gold, sapphire, ruby, and diamond. Once your points reach a certain level, you can advance." Dai Mubai explained, "Here, don't casually reveal your real names or backgrounds. Use codenames instead. For example, my codename is Evil-Eyed White Tiger."

Before long, everyone had chosen their codenames.

Tang San: Thousand Hands Asura

Xiao Wu: Soft Bone Enchanting Rabbit

The girl with the Sparrow Martial Soul: Light Spirit Sparrow

The boy with the Rhinoceros Martial Soul: Heavy Armor Rhinoceros

The boy with the Shadow Martial Soul: Shadow

A Qing hesitated slightly and looked toward Ling Yun.

Ling Yun said casually, "I'll be called Dragon Emperor." Simple and direct, fitting for the Chaos Dragon God.

After thinking for a moment, A Qing said softly, "Then... I'll be Spirit Eyes."

With their codenames decided, everyone began registering for soul fights. One-on-One matches were the foundation, and everyone signed up. Dai Mubai suggested that those with good coordination could form teams for Two-on-Two matches, which would allow them to win faster.

Xiao Wu naturally pulled Tang San into a team, naming them the Three-Five Combination.

Dai Mubai teamed up with the student who possessed the Rhinoceros Martial Soul.

Light Spirit Sparrow and Shadow also formed a team.

Only Ling Yun and A Qing remained.

A Qing looked at Ling Yun with both anticipation and timid uncertainty.

Ling Yun did not particularly care and nodded. "Sure. We'll be a team. Our codename... will be Dragon Eyes."

A trace of delighted joy appeared on A Qing's pale face.

Soon, the match assignments came out. In the first round of One-on-One matches, Ling Yun's opponent was a Defense Type Battle Soul Master called Iron Wall, whose Martial Soul was the Ironclad Shield. He was a level twenty-seven Soul Grandmaster. Tang San's opponent was a level twenty-eight Agility Type Soul Master. Xiao Wu's opponent was a level twenty-six Assault Type Soul Master.

In the waiting area, Tang San sat with his eyes closed, regulating his condition. Xiao Wu looked around excitedly. The other students were all nervous to varying degrees.

Ling Yun, however, sat there calmly, spreading his Spiritual Sense slightly to sense the aura of the entire Soul Fighting Arena. He discovered quite a few Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors, as well as several concealed fluctuations belonging to Soul Kings. This Soto Great Soul Arena truly hid crouching tigers and hidden dragons.

"Contestant Dragon Emperor, contestant Iron Wall, please proceed to Arena Three to prepare!" a staff member called out.

Ling Yun rose to his feet and walked toward the passageway. A Qing softly said, "Good luck."

Tang San also opened his eyes, his gaze landing on Ling Yun's back. He wanted to see just how capable Ling Yun was in an official soul fight without using Soul Rings.

Arena Three was fairly large, enough to hold more than a thousand spectators. It was currently packed to the brim, and the atmosphere was fervent. When Ling Yun and his opponent, Iron Wall, stepped onto the stage, cheers and whistles erupted.

Iron Wall was a burly young man. Looking at the youthful Ling Yun, he grinned. "Kid, are you even fully grown yet, and you dare come to the Soul Fighting Arena? Admit defeat while you still can, unless you want to get hurt."

Ling Yun could not be bothered to waste words. He directly asked the referee, "Can we begin?"

The referee looked at both sides, confirmed that they were ready, and sharply swung down his flag. "Match begin!"

Iron Wall roared. Two yellow Soul Rings lit up around him, and a heavy Ironclad Shield appeared in his hand, guarding his front. At the same time, his First Soul Ring lit up, and the shield's surface took on a metallic sheen, greatly increasing its defensive power. He intended to rely on his defense to drain Ling Yun's Soul Power.

Yet Ling Yun did not move at all.

He did not even release his Martial Soul.

The instant Iron Wall completed his defensive stance, Ling Yun merely raised his right hand and lightly pressed it toward Iron Wall from afar.

The movement was as gentle as brushing away dust.

But in the next instant—

Boom!

An invisible, utterly terrifying force appeared out of nowhere. Like an unseen giant hammer, it slammed viciously into Iron Wall's shield!

Crack! Boom!

The Ironclad Shield, reinforced by his first soul skill, did not last even half a second before instantly exploding into countless metal fragments! Iron Wall did not even understand what had happened before he was struck as though by a charging giant elephant. He screamed, spat blood, and flew backward like a kite with its string cut. He smashed straight through the Soul Guidance Shield around the edge of the stage and crashed heavily into a distant wall, passing out on the spot.

The entire Soul Fighting Arena fell silent in an instant.

Every spectator remained frozen in the middle of cheering, the expressions on their faces stiffening.

The referee's mouth fell open, and he forgot to announce the result.

One move? No, it did not even count as a move! Just a single gesture! From a distance! He had instantly defeated a level twenty-seven Defense Type Soul Grandmaster?!

How... how was that possible?!

After the dead silence came an earth-shaking uproar!

"What just happened?!"

"I didn't see it! Why did Iron Wall fly away?"

"He... he didn't even seem to use his Martial Soul!"

"A monster! Where did this monster come from?!"

In the waiting area, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others watched the scene through the Soul Guidance screen and were all petrified.

Tang San's fists clenched until they turned white, his face looking extremely grim. He could have defeated Iron Wall as well, but there was no way he could have done so so effortlessly, especially against a Defense Type Soul Master!

Dai Mubai sucked in a breath and muttered, "This guy... he seems... even stronger than when he fought Teacher Zhao that day!"

A Qing's pure white eyes shimmered with a strange light as she murmured, "Just as I thought... his strength has already surpassed all reason."

Ling Yun withdrew his hand as though he had merely done something insignificant, then asked the still-dazed referee, "Can you announce the result now?"

The referee jolted awake and hurriedly shouted, "The... the winner is Dragon Emperor!"

Under the stunned, reverent, and frenzied gazes of the crowd, Ling Yun calmly walked off the stage. His first battle announced the arrival of the Dragon Emperor. And this was merely the beginning of his sweep through the Soul Fighting Arena.