Fierce Battle (Part 1)

The first impression he gave Zhao Xuan was coldness.

He stood there quietly, like a fox-wolf walking on the desolate plains, full of a sense of loneliness.

He looked thin and frail, but he was tall. His back seemed somewhat hunched, and his gaze upon Zhao Xuan was devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Kid, you shouldn't be here," he suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse.

"I can feel your tender skin beneath those clothes, your young body, and the hot blood flowing through you. You... are still very young."

"It would be a shame if you were injured here, or died here."

Zhao Xuan remained unmoved. The competition stage beneath his feet was a deep, clear grey. Each bluestone slab bore traces of damage, and many looked recently replaced. Yet, they were marked with numerous dark red stains – the residue of solidified blood.

This signified the slaughter that had occurred here. Perhaps the spirits of the deceased still lingered, watching them from the air.

To feel pity here, wasn't that laughable?!

"Is saying all this useful?" Zhao Xuan suddenly sneered, his tone full of disdain.

The man's speech faltered, and then he gently shook his head. "What a pity."

Zhao Xuan found it amusing. Did he really think he had him cornered?

"Can we start, announcer?!" Zhao Xuan asked the host standing by the spectator stands.

The host seemed taken aback. Was this Soul Elder in such a hurry to die? While Indiscriminate Competition allowed for surrender, it could only be initiated one minute after the match began. Within this minute, he didn't believe this Soul Elder could survive against a Soul Ancestor who had won five consecutive matches.

However, since Zhao Xuan had spoken, the host naturally wouldn't delay any further; in fact, he was eager for it to begin.

He subtly nodded towards several figures in a corner of the stands, then declared in an impassioned tone, "Audience, the competition is about to begin! Where are your cheers?!"

The cheers, which had begun to subside, erupted once more, even louder than before. The frenzied, bloodthirsty shouts were utterly wild!

"Tear him apart! Lone Wolf!"

"Newcomer, take him down, take him down, haha!"

From the surrounding stands, the frenzied crowd roared, their eyes glinting under the dim lights.

Four figures walked to the four corners of the competition stage, and then a light screen rose.

"Competition! Begin!"

As the announcer's voice fell, the scene reached its peak of madness!

A faint smile appeared on the Blood Colored Lone Wolf's calm face. Compared to his earlier solitude, his aura suddenly became bloodthirsty and ferocious.

If he was a fox-wolf walking the wilderness before, he was now a lone wolf on the hunt!

"Blood Wolf! Possession!"

The Blood Colored Lone Wolf immediately initiated possession. This was the combat method of a Beast Soul Master; after possession, his physical capabilities would be greatly enhanced.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple!

Four Soul Rings rose from his feet. Then, the first Soul Ring flashed, and the Blood Colored Lone Wolf instantly vanished from his spot.

"This is his Lone Wolf's First Soul Skill, Ambush! When used, it greatly increases his speed. A Soul Ancestor once suffered a disadvantage under this move from Lone Wolf. This little Soul Elder is doomed!"

Someone knowledgeable in the stands excitedly explained to their companion, their fanatical demeanor suggesting they were a fan of Lone Wolf.

On the stage, the moment the Blood Colored Lone Wolf disappeared, Zhao Xuan became vigilant. Amidst the frenzied shouts, he couldn't discern direction by sound alone.

He instantly summoned his Martial Soul, the Mobile Phone! Zhao Xuan activated his Third Soul Skill, Telecommunication Fraud, and instantly flashed to a distant location.

After possessing the Blood Wolf, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf's hands sprouted sharp claws. Upon activating his First Soul Skill, Ambush, and reaching Zhao Xuan's side, he mercilessly thrust his claws towards Zhao Xuan's face.

"Too easy!"

Looking at Zhao Xuan, who hadn't even reacted, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf thought to himself.

His claws pierced through, and the Zhao Xuan before him instantly shattered. The Blood Colored Lone Wolf's heart pounded. Not good!

The next instant, he felt a sharp wind brush past his side. A leg violently kicked him in the face.

Thump.

The Blood Colored Lone Wolf tumbled across the ground repeatedly, unable to suppress a mouthful of blood.

Ignoring the intense pain in his chest, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf's eyes showed emotion for the first time. He stared at Zhao Xuan with shock.

"What's going on?!" he wondered, bewildered.

"Didn't that kid get stabbed? How did Lone Wolf get kicked away?"

"What in the world is happening?!"

Murmurs of confusion arose from the audience. Many were perplexed.

At this moment, the experienced and sharp-eyed announcer seemed to have realized what happened. He spoke with a tone of amazement.

"The moment Lone Wolf disappeared, Ink Black Profound Mechanism couldn't pinpoint his location and instantly used his Third Soul Skill."

"Ink Black Profound Mechanism's Third Soul Skill appears to be an illusionary skill. What Lone Wolf stabbed was merely an illusion of Ink Black Profound Mechanism. His true body appeared over ten meters away!"

"As the Blood Colored Lone Wolf stabbed the illusion of Ink Black Profound Mechanism, Ink Black Profound Mechanism simultaneously determined Lone Wolf's position and launched that fierce attack."

"The two contestants have given us a thrilling and exciting duel right from the start! The reaction speed and terrifying physical speed of the Ink Black Profound Mechanism contestant are truly astonishing!"

The audience present let out gasps of amazement upon hearing this.

"This Ink Black Profound Mechanism is actually quite good!"

"What's the point? It'll just get blown up by the Blood Colored Lone Wolf later," a fan of the Blood Colored Lone Wolf shouted defiantly.

On the stage, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf heard the host's commentary and seemed to realize something.

"You're very good, but it's still a pity," the Blood Colored Lone Wolf whispered, then instantly charged towards Zhao Xuan.

After kicking away the Lone Wolf, Zhao Xuan didn't continue his attack. He hadn't even used his full strength, as this was one of his objectives for coming here – he wanted to experience more Martial Souls! More Soul Skills!

The Blood Colored Lone Wolf charged at Zhao Xuan. Although its speed was fast, it was much slower than before. Yet, Zhao Xuan remained completely still.

"Haha, is that rookie scared stiff?"

"Lone Wolf, kill him."

The fans of the Blood Colored Lone Wolf jeered. The disappointment from their earlier loss vanished instantly. He was just a lucky kid! The gap between a Soul Ancestor and a Soul Elder wasn't easily bridged.

The moment the Blood Colored Lone Wolf closed in on Zhao Xuan, Zhao Xuan moved. His figure flickered unpredictably like a gentle breeze, evading the attack with a slight shift.

The Blood Colored Lone Wolf's brow furrowed slightly but it quickly launched its next attack. Its wolf claws slashed through the air with sharp "swish" sounds.

However, Zhao Xuan moved like a swimming dragon, and the wolf claws couldn't touch him at all.

"Lone Wolf! Are you holding back?!"

"What are you doing? Didn't you eat breakfast?"

The spectators supporting the Blood Colored Lone Wolf cursed loudly. Previously, when facing experts of the same rank, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf could crush them, leaving the opponent no room to resist! How could it be so frustrated against a mere Soul Elder now?!

If they were frustrated, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf was even more so. The kid in front of it was as slippery as an eel, and his reaction speed was astonishing! Was this really a Soul Master with a Weapon Soul?

Zhao Xuan looked at the Blood Colored Lone Wolf before him and couldn't help but frown, "Can't your strength be as impressive as your words?"

For the first time, the Blood Colored Lone Wolf felt a surge of anger.