The Young Master's Challenge, Edge of the Arena

Qian Renxue's gaze was like invisible Ice Cones piercing through the air, pinning Ling Feng firmly in place. The bustle outside Spirit City's western gate seemed to fade away in an instant, leaving only the heavy pressure emanating from those molten-gold yet icy eyes.

Ling Feng stopped and raised his head slightly to meet her condescending scrutiny. The sunlight was somewhat glaring, but his gaze remained calm and unwavering. Peak Level 19 Soul Power flowed steadily within him. His body, tempered by the Ice and Fire Golden Body and nourished by immortal herbs, contained a powerful sense of strength. Before Spirit Hall's Young Master, he no longer possessed the "frailty" he had shown when they first met.

"Ling Feng, Son of Judgment, greets the Young Master." Ling Feng's voice was steady, carrying just the right degree of respect, yet without the slightest trace of flattery or fear.

Qian Renxue did not respond to his greeting. Her gaze, like the most precise scanner, swept inch by inch over Ling Feng. Soul Power Level... Peak Level 19?! How long had it been? He had leapt several levels after returning from the Star Dou Great Forest?! Ordinary Soul Ring advancement could never achieve this! And that bearing... steady as a mountain, yet with a restrained sharpness like a blade drawn from its sheath. He was completely different from the pale, timid youth he had been before! What stirred an unusual sensation within the source of her Angel Martial Soul even more was the faint, strange aura around Ling Feng—like he had undergone some extreme tempering, fusing qualities of light, destruction, and even... the contradictory traits of ice and fire?

What exactly had he gained on this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest? Why had Elder Ghost Leopard returned alone? And what had happened between him and that Old Poison, Dugu Bo...?

Countless questions churned in Qian Renxue's heart, turning into deeper vigilance and a sense of displeasure at having her authority challenged! This brat whom the Pope had given "special attention" to was growing far too quickly! Quickly enough to make her feel threatened!

"It seems your training in the Star Dou Great Forest benefited you greatly." Qian Renxue finally spoke. Her voice remained cold, though an imperceptible edge had entered it. "Peak Level 19 Soul Power... You have not disappointed His Eminence the Pope's 'expectations,' nor Elder Ghost Leopard's escort."

"Thanks to His Eminence's favor and the elder's protection, this disciple was fortunate enough to make a breakthrough." Ling Feng's reply was flawless.

"Fortunate?" A faint, mocking curve touched Qian Renxue's lips. "Spirit Hall has no need for fortune. Strength is the only pass." Her tone shifted, becoming an unquestionable command. "Three days from now, at noon, in the central martial arena. Let this Young Master see how much substance this strength you gained through 'fortune' truly has."

A challenge! A blatant test and warning!

Ling Feng sneered inwardly. So it's here. This proud Young Master could not tolerate anyone beyond her control. This battle was both a test of his true capabilities and an attempt to suppress the momentum of the Pope's "adopted son" before everyone.

"It is this disciple's honor to receive the Young Master's invitation." Ling Feng bowed slightly, his tone placid and devoid of any discernible emotion. "I will certainly give it my all and live up to the Young Master's expectations." He deliberately emphasized the word "expectations."

Qian Renxue narrowed her golden eyes and gave Ling Feng a long, penetrating look, as if she wished to see straight through him. She said no more. Her golden figure vanished from the city wall like a phantom, leaving behind only a lingering chill and a cold voice transmission. "Remember your words. Do not disappoint this Young Master. And do not... bring shame upon Spirit Hall."

The pressure dispersed. Ling Feng straightened and looked toward where Qian Renxue had vanished, a flicker of icy flame flashing through his eyes. Three days? Perfect! He also wanted to see just how great the gap remained between his current self and this Young Master, who possessed Innate Full Soul Power and a god-tier martial soul! Judgment Angel against the Six-Winged Angel Spirit—which would prove stronger?!

Rather than returning immediately to his residence in the core district, he first went to Spirit Hall's Merit Hall and supply depot. Hunting his first Soul Ring—though it had exceeded the limit—and "completing" Dugu Bo's "commission"—the vague mission Elder Ghost Leopard had reported—had earned him quite a few merit points. Without hesitation, he exchanged them for a large quantity of high-quality Soul Beast jerky, recovery potions, and even several pieces of rare metal for tempering weapons—Tungsten Steel. Money? His status as the Pope's adopted son, combined with his merit points, was more than enough to spend freely.

Over the next three days, Ling Feng shut himself inside the well-appointed detached building assigned to him. He consolidated his rapidly risen Soul Power, polishing his Peak Level 19 cultivation until it was smooth and flawless. At the same time, he repeatedly practiced using the Spear of Judgment, striving to bring the power of this ultimate single-target attack Soul Skill to its fullest potential. He also used the Tungsten Steel he had exchanged, combining it with the light and lightning power of the Judgment Angel Martial Soul, to try tempering a suitable close-combat weapon blank—a rudimentary spearhead for a short-handled war spear—in preparation for the future.

With no distractions in his mind, he adjusted himself to peak condition.

Three days later, noon.

Spirit Hall's central martial arena.

It was an immensely broad plaza paved with incomparably hard obsidian. Towering circular stands surrounded it, already filled with Spirit Hall personnel of every rank who had come upon hearing the news—stewards, bishops, outstanding members of the younger generation, and even several elders with deep, unfathomable auras observing from the upper private boxes. Ling Feng, Son of Judgment, versus Young Master Qian Renxue! The news had spread through Spirit City like a hurricane!

The moment Ling Feng, dressed in neat black training clothes, stepped into the martial arena, he instantly drew the attention of the entire crowd.

"That's Ling Feng? The Son of Judgment adopted by His Eminence the Pope?"

"His Soul Power fluctuations... are so strong! He's definitely not merely Level 11 after obtaining a Soul Ring! I heard he had a fortuitous encounter in Star Dou?"

"Peak Level 19! My heavens! How long has it even been?!"

"He's rather handsome, but I wonder how many moves he can withstand against the Young Master..."

"The Young Master is a Soul Elder! She has the Six-Winged Angel Spirit! What can he possibly use to fight her?"

The discussions surged like a tide. There was curiosity and amazement, but even more doubt and pessimism.

Ling Feng ignored the stares and walked straight to the center of the arena, where he stopped. His gaze calmly turned toward the opposite side.

Qian Renxue had long been waiting there.

She had changed into a fitted, pale-golden Battle Armor suited for combat, outlining her still-developing graceful figure while adding several touches of heroic bearing. Her golden hair was tied into a high ponytail, revealing her smooth, full forehead and slender neck. Sunlight fell upon her as though draping her in a layer of sacred radiance. In her hand was a magnificent long sword of brilliant gold, as though condensed entirely from pure light energy. Holy flames flowed along its blade—the initial form of the Angel Holy Sword!

Standing there, she resembled a valkyrie descended into the mortal world: noble, powerful, and inviolably majestic! The formidable Soul Power fluctuations of a Soul Elder erupted without restraint, forming a powerful field that left many low-level Soul Masters in the stands struggling to breathe.

Her golden eyes locked onto Ling Feng as her icy voice rang throughout the arena. "Ling Feng, bring out all your skill. Let this Young Master see whether His Eminence the Pope's 'expectations' are worth it."

The instant her words fell, a vast sacred pressure, as tangible as a mountain, crashed down upon Ling Feng!

The battle was on the verge of erupting!