Catching a Soul Skill Barehanded

Dugu Bo lightly waved a hand at Ye Xi's words.

"What could possibly be the matter?"

"I simply thought you were about the same age as my granddaughter, so I wanted to introduce you to each other."

As Dugu Bo spoke, he pointed at Dugu Yan, who was seated nearby.

"Senior, I've long wanted to meet your granddaughter."

"She's a renowned genius of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and her skill with poison has clearly inherited much of your teaching."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ye Xi turned her gaze toward Dugu Yan and offered a polite smile.

"I've also heard Grandpa mention you often lately."

"At only nine years old, you've already reached the bottleneck of Soul Power Level thirty. Such talent is rarely seen in the world. My grandpa praises you all the time."

Dugu Yan lounged lazily in her chair, toying with her Emerald Green-painted nails as her gaze occasionally drifted toward Ye Xi, who sat in the seat of honor.

Over the past few days, she had often heard the name Ye Xi from Dugu Bo, and he had never spared his praise.

That made Dugu Yan curious about Ye Xi, but it also left her unconvinced.

After all, this was the first time she had seen her grandpa hold someone in such high regard. Even she, his own granddaughter, had never received such praise from Dugu Bo.

"That is merely Senior's excessive praise."

Ye Xi modestly replied, her delicate face still carrying that polite smile.

"Xiao Xi, there's no need to be overly modest."

"At the age of nine, someone whose Soul Power Level has reached level thirty, a Soul Elder, would be as rare as a phoenix feather across the entire continent."

Dugu Bo looked at Ye Xi, a trace of emotion in his eyes.

Although Ye Xi was only at the level-thirty bottleneck now, she was merely one Soul Ring away from becoming a three-ringed Soul Elder. Thus, Dugu Bo was not wrong to call her a Soul Elder.

After glancing at her grandpa, Dugu Bo, Dugu Yan shifted her gaze to Ye Xi. "I'm currently a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster. Our Soul Power Levels are about the same, so how about we spar outside?"

Dugu Yan pointed toward the open space outside the door, a hint of fighting spirit appearing in her eyes.

In terms of cultivation talent, she admitted that she was inferior to Ye Xi.

She was several years older than Ye Xi, yet Ye Xi's Soul Power had already surpassed hers.

But when it came to sparring, Dugu Yan did not believe she would lose to Ye Xi. After all, among Soul Masters of the same level throughout Heaven Dou Royal Academy, her strength was among the best.

Hearing this, Ye Xi did not immediately answer Dugu Yan. Instead, she looked toward Dugu Bo, seeking his opinion.

Tian Yao, seated beside Ye Xi, immediately lit up upon hearing that Dugu Yan wanted to challenge Ye Xi. She even wanted to fight in Ye Xi's place.

However, since Ye Xi had not spoken, neither did she.

"Xiao Xi, if it's inconvenient for you, it's fine to refuse."

Dugu Bo smiled faintly, his expression warm and amiable.

"It's not inconvenient. It's only a spar between peers."

After only a brief moment of thought, Ye Xi agreed.

"Second Young Lady, how about I do it?"

Tian Yao leaned close to Ye Xi's ear and asked in a low voice, an eager expression appearing on her face.

"No need. I'll do it myself."

As Ye Xi spoke, she rose from her seat and walked straight outside.

Dugu Yan also stood up at that moment and followed Ye Xi out.

Dugu Bo and Tian Yao, meanwhile, got up to watch the match.

Ye Xi and Dugu Yan stopped in an open area, facing each other.

"Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent, level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster."

As Dugu Yan's voice fell, she released her Martial Soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent. After Martial Soul Possession, two yellow Soul Rings appeared beneath her feet.

"Ye Xi, Martial Soul: Slaughtering Angel, level thirty."

After briefly introducing herself, Ye Xi did not release her Martial Soul. She simply watched Dugu Yan quietly.

"Why aren't you releasing your Martial Soul?"

A trace of confusion appeared in Dugu Yan's eyes when she saw that Ye Xi had not summoned it.

"If it's only a spar, I don't think it's necessary."

Ye Xi spoke casually, though a thoughtful look appeared in her Sapphire Blue eyes.

Although this was her first time fighting Dugu Yan, based on her estimate, Dugu Yan was merely among the strongest at the same level. For a simple spar, she probably would not need to release her Martial Soul.

After all, back in Spirit City, when Ye Xi sparred with Tian Yao, she could already fight Tian Yao, who had released her Martial Soul, evenly without releasing her own.

Now that the quality of Ye Xi's Martial Soul had improved, her strength had increased far beyond what it had been in Spirit City. Taking everything into account, Ye Xi had no intention of releasing her Martial Soul.

"Are you looking down on me?"

Dugu Yan narrowed her eyes slightly, faint anger surfacing within them.

"Not at all."

"A spar should end at the right point."

Ye Xi lightly shook her head. Soul Power rippled through her hand as her eyes remained fixed on Dugu Yan's movements.

At those words, Dugu Yan moved. Her fair fingers clenched into a fist as she attacked Ye Xi.

The howling wind lifted Ye Xi's hair. Unhurried, Ye Xi extended a hand and blocked Dugu Yan's attack.

Feeling the force transmitted to her hand, Ye Xi immediately made her judgment.

Her strength is far inferior to Tian Yao's.

Ye Xi thought this, but her movements were not slow. Her other hand clenched into a fist and struck Dugu Yan in the lower abdomen.

Ye Xi controlled her strength well, only forcing Dugu Yan back several steps without truly injuring her.

"I still underestimated Xiao Xi's strength."

Dugu Bo stood with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself.

With that single exchange, the difference between them was clear. With Dugu Bo's keen eyesight, he could naturally see the outcome of this match.

After steadying herself, Dugu Yan's eyes became somewhat grave.

"Be careful. Remember to release your Martial Soul."

After offering that reminder, Dugu Yan's Second Soul Ring lit up.

"Mm, I know."

Ye Xi answered and prepared herself.

Dugu Bo, standing nearby, also readied himself. If either of them showed any sign of being injured, he would intervene to stop it.

Dugu Yan raised her leg and swept it toward Ye Xi like a snake's tail.

The rushing wind stirred Ye Xi's clothes. Ye Xi raised an arm to block the incoming attack.

The two collided, and a powerful airflow spread continuously outward from their bodies.

"Whoa!"

Tian Yao cried out in surprise, her eyes wide with shock.

"Catching a Soul Skill barehanded..."

The corner of Dugu Bo's mouth twitched. He had expected Dugu Yan to lose, but he had not expected the gap between them to be this great.