Chang Xiao'e, the Little Loli

Dragon Duke Meng Shu continued explaining to his granddaughter, "So in a sense, the enhancement brought by a soul bone is no less than that of a soul ring. Yiran, you should know that the skills granted by soul rings are limited by their age. Even Title Douluo above rank ninety are no exception. Soul bones, on the other hand, do not have this limitation. They can even evolve as their host grows stronger."

Meng Yiran could not help asking, "Grandpa, humans have so many bones. Does that mean we can absorb many soul bones too?"

Dragon Duke Meng Shu replied with a smile, "That is not the case. Although the human body has many bones, there are generally only six parts that can absorb soul bones: the skull, torso bone, left arm bone, right arm bone, left leg bone, and right leg bone. It is much like how Soul Masters can absorb nine soul rings. The one you obtained is an External Soul Bone of the torso type."

These words immersed Meng Yiran even further in the joy of this rare opportunity, and she could not help looking at Ye Buqun with burning eyes.

It seemed Dragon Duke had a solid grasp of knowledge concerning Soul Masters and soul beasts. He explained it clearly and methodically. "I have heard a little about the Eight Spider Lances soul bone. It possesses considerable offensive power. Not only can it pierce through things, but it is also coated with deadly poison and can be released at the host's will. Furthermore, if you use it in place of your legs for movement, you can practically traverse any terrain. It is like gaining eight incomparably nimble legs. This is all thanks to our Sect Master."

Ye Buqun looked at the sky, which was gradually darkening. "This time, both Doudou and Meng Yiran obtained soul rings suited to them. It is getting late, so I think we should part ways here."

At those words, Meng Yiran's expression immediately turned unpleasant. "Y-you're leaving? But you are now the Sect Master of our clan. Y-you should come to our clan and take charge."

Meng Yiran's feelings were already obvious. She did not want Ye Buqun to leave.

This girl really has a lot of schemes. Doudou had already seen through everything, and she felt a little displeased.

Ye Buqun smiled. "It's fine. If you truly wish to acknowledge me, then treat me as an honorary Sect Master. I have always valued my freedom and dislike being restrained. We will definitely meet again someday."

As he spoke, a Clown Mask appeared in his palm. He handed it to Dragon Duke Meng Shu. "Take this as a token. Until we meet again."

After Ye Buqun finished speaking, a Seven Kill Sword more than ten feet long appeared beneath his feet. He pulled Doudou aboard and flew away on his sword.

Watching them vanish farther and farther into the sky, Meng Yiran fell into thought. What is that woman's relationship with him—

In order to complete the system's mission, Ye Buqun brought Doudou back to the Great Soul Arena once again. Over the next few days, Ye Buqun continued competing and won eleven consecutive matches, earning 155 points and successfully advancing to become a Bronze Soul Fighter. Thus, the Ye-Doudou Duo gained some fame in the Soto Great Soul Arena.

Today was Ye Buqun's twelfth match, a one-on-one battle.

This time, his opponent was a slightly seductive-looking little loli. She was about the same age and height as Ye Buqun. Her plump little face was fair with a rosy glow, like an apple freshly picked from a tree. Her long hair cascaded smoothly past her waist like a waterfall.

Seeing such an adorable little loli, one could almost not bear to make a move against her.

The host announced, "This is the second one-on-one match on Soul Battle Stage Twenty-Six today. The contestants are two Soul Grand Masters: Ye Buqun, the 'Clown Clone,' who has won eleven matches in a row, and Chang Xiao'e, a Beast Martial Soul battle Soul Master with six consecutive victories. Both are remarkably strong, so who will emerge victorious in this match? Let us wait and see! Please welcome the two Soul Grand Masters!"

The audience for this match was nearly one-third full, with over a thousand spectators. This showed that Ye Buqun had already gained some fame in the Soto Great Soul Arena. Because he liked using the First Soul Skill: Illusion Clone and Second Soul Skill: Shadow Clone of his Mirror Beast martial soul, and wore a Clown Mask every time he appeared, he had earned this nickname.

The two stood facing each other. Ye Buqun could not help giving the girl another look before teasing, "Miss, I don't think this is a place you should be. I think you should surrender quickly. You're so tiny and delicate. It would be bad if you got hurt."

Hearing this, Chang Xiao'e looked thoroughly unconvinced. She twisted her slender, supple waist. "Tch, I'm small, so does that make you big? You look so frail that this young lady will knock you around until you're begging for teeth with one punch!"

Ye Buqun merely smiled. "You may be small, little girl, but you certainly have quite a temper. Since that's the case, I'll give you ten moves. If you can't knock me down within ten moves, then I'll start fighting back."

The tides of battle could change in an instant. Let alone giving up ten moves, even one move could completely reverse the situation or decide the victor with a single strike.

However, those words truly looked down on her.

"Fine, you said it! You are not allowed to fight back within those ten moves!"

Since this fellow in the Clown Mask was so eager to court death, Chang Xiao'e decided to play along. Winning this match would give her seven consecutive victories, and she would soon be able to advance to the next rank and earn a Silver Soul Fighter badge.

"No problem. Forget ten moves—even twenty would be fine."

Ye Buqun wore a smile, but in Chang Xiao'e's eyes, it was nothing more than inexplicable confidence and empty bravado.

Seeing this from the audience seats, Doudou felt another wave of annoyance. Why does this guy always have so much to say whenever he sees a pretty girl?

"Begin!"

At the host's announcement, Chang Xiao'e shot toward her opponent.

She was even faster than Ye Buqun had imagined. They were more than twenty meters apart, but her long, well-proportioned legs pushed off the ground as she closed in with several quick strides, then kicked toward his chest and abdomen.

Ye Buqun's smile did not fade. With a light block from his left hand, he stopped the kick.

"Damn it! Didn't you say you'd give me ten moves? How can you use your hand to block?"

Chang Xiao'e sounded indignant, but inwardly, she was slightly surprised. Her opponent had appeared to block with his hand, yet he had not exerted any force at all.

It would have been understandable if a Strength System, Defense System, or even Attack System Soul Master had blocked her strike. But the boy in the Clown Mask before her looked so frail, without a hint of muscle on his body. Judging from his appearance, he was at most an Agility Attack System or perhaps a scouting-type Soul Master, roughly on Chang Xiao'e's level. A Soul Master of the same type as her could never have casually received her kick like that—