Focalors? Seaweed?

Time flew by like a shuttle.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Under the continued nourishment of the Ten-Thousand-Year Whale Jelly, Ah Yin's cultivation progressed rapidly. She had already broken through to level nineteen, and her body had stretched out a little, making her seem even more lively and adorable.

Jiang Zhen had also consumed some himself. His vitality grew increasingly vigorous, while his Soul Power foundation had been tempered into something incomparably solid.

That day, seeing that Ah Yin had finished most of the books they had bought and gained a sufficient grasp of the Spirit Master World's basic knowledge, Jiang Zhen decided to take her through genuine combat experience.

What one learned from books was always shallow; true understanding came only through practice.

Their destination was naturally Vast Sea City's most distinctive structure—the Vast Sea Grand Spirit Duel Arena.

Even from afar, the Grand Spirit Duel Arena's enormous oval structure exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure. The crowds roared, and the clamor shook the heavens.

Once inside, the fervent atmosphere became even more palpable. The cheers and shouts of tens of thousands of spectators seemed capable of blowing the roof off.

Jiang Zhen brought the curiosity-filled Ah Yin to the registration desk.

"Register an Iron Spirit Badge for an individual spirit duel. Codename: 'Focalors.' Martial Soul: Sea Woman. Level thirty-four Assault System Battle Spirit Master."

Jiang Zhen spoke to the staff member without changing expression, quietly circulating his Soul Power at the same time.

Behind him condensed the figure of a woman formed from clear water, her silhouette graceful as she held a Long Sword.

This was the "Sea Woman" Martial Soul he had disguised using his Water Element Martial Soul, enough to deceive the scrutiny of ordinary spirit masters.

"Register Iron Spirit Badges for a two-person spirit duel. Combination name: 'Seaweed Combination.'"

He paused and pointed at Ah Yin beside him. "Member one, codename 'Focalors,' same information as above. Member two, codename 'Daughter of Blue Silver,' Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, level nineteen Support System Tool Spirit Master."

The staff member glanced up at them. When he saw Ah Yin's petite, childish appearance and her "Blue Silver Grass" Martial Soul, a trace of barely perceptible contempt and surprise flashed through his eyes.

Still, professional discipline prompted him to swiftly complete the Procedures and hand over two cold Iron Spirit Badges.

"Thank you."

Jiang Zhen took the badges and handed the one engraved with "Daughter of Blue Silver" to Ah Yin.

"Keep it safe. This is proof of your first battle."

Ah Yin gripped the badge tightly. Her little face held both nervousness and eager excitement.

After their Soul Power was tested, Jiang Zhen's individual spirit duel was arranged in the Third Sub-Arena.

"Ah Yin, watch carefully from the stands. Get a feel for the atmosphere here too."

Jiang Zhen rubbed her hair, then turned and headed toward the Contestant Passage.

Following the directions, Ah Yin found the entrance to the stands of the Third Sub-Arena. The instant she pushed open the door, the deafening wave of sound and the strange sight before her made her eyes widen, her little mouth falling slightly open.

The solid fighting platform she had imagined was nowhere to be seen. At the center of the arena was actually a vast, boundless pool of azure water!

The pool's surface was calm and still, like an enormous sapphire embedded in the arena. It was likely a hundred meters across, and its depths could not be seen.

The spectators in the surrounding stands cheered fanatically at the pool.

Ah Yin's heart was filled with amazement. "They're... fighting in the water?"

Just then, she saw her Brother A Zhen and another spirit master emerge from the Contestant Passages on opposite sides, stepping onto the narrow metal platform circling the pool.

Jiang Zhen's opponent was a level thirty-five Assault System Battle Spirit Master whose Martial Soul was a "Serrated Blade." He looked fierce and menacing.

He was clearly extremely familiar with this environment. Stretching his limbs, he gave Jiang Zhen a savage grin.

"First Spirit Skill, Serrated Tear!"

The Blade Spirit Master roared. Rather than charging straight in, he fiercely swung his blade, sending a sharp blade radiance flying out and slashing toward Jiang Zhen just above the water's surface.

At the same time, he leaped into the pool himself, diving closer like a fish with incomparably fluid movements.

Ah Yin's heart leapt into her throat.

At the instant the blade radiance was about to strike him, the calm pool water beneath Jiang Zhen's feet suddenly churned!

A Water Wall surged up with a boom, precisely blocking the blade radiance.

At the same time, the currents around the Blade Spirit Master lurking underwater abruptly became heavy and viscous, as if they had instantly turned to gelatin, trapping him firmly beneath the surface.

Before he could struggle free, the pool water beneath him suddenly bulged upward, forming a massive water hammer.

Bang!

A muffled sound carried through the water. The Blade Spirit Master was struck squarely in the abdomen by the water hammer. His vision went dark, and he choked down a huge mouthful of water.

His entire body was swept helplessly out of the water by the current, tracing an arc through the air before crashing heavily onto the platform by the pool. Curled up and coughing without end, he had lost all ability to fight.

No one had seen what happened. They only saw the arrogant Blade Spirit Master fly out on his own.

The entire arena fell silent for a moment before erupting into an even greater uproar.

Many spectators had not even seen what happened beneath the water.

"Focalors wins!!"

The referee stood stunned for a moment before loudly announcing it.

Jiang Zhen gave a slight nod and calmly walked off the arena amidst countless uncertain, astonished gazes.

He deliberately held back, only knocking them back without injuring them. After all, this was merely a sparring match.

In the stands, Ah Yin's eyes shone as she clapped her little hands enthusiastically.

Though she could not understand the finer applications of Soul Power, she knew that Brother A Zhen had won with ease and style.

After resting for about half an hour, it was time for their "Seaweed Combination" to take the stage.

As Ah Yin followed Jiang Zhen toward another Contestant Passage and stepped onto the bank platform of an arena with another enormous spirit-fighting pool, her little face was already filled with tension and excitement.

Their opponents were a pair of brothers in their thirties, whose Martial Souls were the Iron Arm Ape and the Swift Leopard respectively.

At the sight of the enormous spirit-fighting pool, both their faces turned slightly green.

The brothers had been traveling across the continent.

When they came to Vast Sea City, they had wanted to experience the spirit-fighting arena here. They had not expected it to be like this...

But when their gazes swept over Ah Yin, sensing her weak aura and hearing that her Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass, a glimmer of hope ignited in their eyes once more.

"Two-man spirit battle! Seaweed Combination versus Ape Leopard Combination! Begin!"

The instant the referee finished speaking, the two brothers let out simultaneous low roars and revealed their Spirit Rings—one white and two yellow.

Yet they did not dare leap into the water. Instead, they charged rapidly from opposite sides along the narrow metal bank circling the pool, their target directly set on the seemingly most vulnerable Ah Yin!

Ah Yin's little face went pale, and she instinctively tried to retreat.

"Don't be afraid, Ah Yin!" Jiang Zhen's steady voice sounded beside her ear.

"Expand your domain, then help me like we practiced!"

At the same time, Jiang Zhen stepped forward. He still did not reveal his Spirit Rings, merely gesturing toward the pool with both hands.

In an instant, waves surged through the spirit-fighting pool. Two Water Tornadoes howled into the sky, then, as if alive, crossed over the bank platform and transformed into two roaring water dragons that charged fiercely at the ape and leopard brothers!

The two brothers' faces changed drastically as they hurriedly defended themselves. The leopard Spirit Master was faster and barely dodged, while the ape Spirit Master relied on brute strength to withstand the blow. Yet the immense force within the water dragon sent him staggering backward, nearly falling into the pool.

At that moment, Ah Yin took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

The deep-yellow First Spirit Ring beneath her feet lit up.

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Symbiosis!"

Several Blue Silver Emperor leaves, glimmering with faint golden veins, rapidly spread out. Rather than attacking the enemy, they gently coiled around Jiang Zhen's arms and waist.

At once, Jiang Zhen felt a pure, life-filled energy flow from the leaves into his body.

Though the amount was not great, it was exceptionally pure, replenishing the Soul Power he expended to control the massive currents.

"Take out that Blue Silver Grass first!"

The leopard Spirit Master shrieked as he lunged at Ah Yin again, while the ape Spirit Master steadied himself and flanked her from the other side.

Yet a smile curved at the corner of Jiang Zhen's mouth.

"It's over."

He spoke softly, spreading his fingers slightly.

The two water dragons burst apart with a roar. Rather than falling, they instantly transformed into countless incomparably nimble tentacles made entirely of water, filling nearly every inch of space above the bank platform.

Like a massive cage, they gave their opponents no chance to evade, precisely binding the ape Spirit Master's legs and the leopard Spirit Master's waist!

"What is this?!"

"Let me go!"

The brothers were horrified and struggled desperately, their Soul Power erupting. But they discovered that they simply could not break free from these seemingly soft yet incomparably tough Water Tentacles, which contained terrifying strength.

Jiang Zhen flicked his wrist lightly.

Bang! Bang!

Without any ability to resist, the two were seized by the tentacles and cleanly flung into the spirit-fighting pool beside them, splashing water everywhere.

They floundered in embarrassment, only to discover that an undercurrent was supporting them, preventing them from getting anywhere near the bank platform.

"Sea... Seaweed Combination wins!"

The referee's voice was filled with incredulous astonishment.

The audience below also erupted into an uproar, discussing the mysterious and powerful control over water, as well as the seemingly useless yet somewhat strange Blue Silver Grass support.

Jiang Zhen lowered his hand, and the Water Tentacles quietly dissipated into the pool.

He patted Ah Yin on the shoulder as she still stood there somewhat dazed, smiling as he said:

"You did very well, Ah Yin. Your support came at just the right time."

Upon receiving praise, Ah Yin's face instantly blossomed into a radiant smile. All her tension and unease vanished without a trace as she nodded vigorously. "Mm!"

(Thank you all for the monthly votes. One came from QQ; for some reason, on Qidian I can only see the number and not who sent them. Sorry.)

(This is the first time I've received monthly votes )

(I'll post two more chapters this afternoon.)