Xiao Hongchen: I Finally Won! The Others: What's There to Be Proud of in a Soul Ancestor Beating a Soul Master?

A single remark from Erming, the Titan Giant Ape, left Yan Shaozhe staring in astonishment. His first thought was that Erming was dissatisfied with what they had offered, but judging by Erming's expression, he did not seem to be speaking sarcastically.

"Ahem. In any case, our Clear Sky Sect does not lack these two soul bones of yours. An apology will do for this matter; there's no need to give us anything. On one hand, our Clear Sky Sect does not need them. On the other hand, I was also at fault after that incident. Let's leave it at that. You don't need to give us anything."

With that, Erming left the Sea God Pavilion. Yan Shaozhe and Xuan Zi silently followed him without saying anything. Erming then comforted Wang Dong'er. Having completed the task Tang San had assigned him, he left the academy. Seeing Erming leave the academy without Mu En saying anything, Xuan Zi and the others were finally relieved.

Thanks to Erming's maneuvering, Huo Yuhao was successfully injured in this crisis and gained nothing at all. This could be considered standard Clear Sky Sect practice.

While Huo Yuhao's Fortune was being firmly suppressed by the Clear Sky Sect and could not come into play, Xiao Qiang was brought before a group of Five-ring Soul Kings, as well as Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, at Mingde Hall of the Sun Moon Empire.

"His name is Xiao Qiang. He is the Hall Master's disciple. The Hall Master has instructed that he participate in the upcoming All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament as a Substitute, alongside Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen."

Teacher Jingyun briefly introduced Xiao Qiang, after which Xiao Qiang greeted everyone.

Xiao Qiang's greeting was neither particularly good nor particularly bad. Normally, it would not have left anyone with either an especially favorable or unfavorable impression. However, Xiao Qiang was Jing Hongchen's disciple, making him part of Jing Hongchen's direct line just like Xiao Hongchen.

With the arrogant Xiao Hongchen as a comparison, Xiao Qiang's initiative in greeting everyone seemed exceptionally rare and pleasing.

"Hello, little brother Xiao Qiang. My name is Ma Rulong, and I'm the captain of this team. My current cultivation is rank fifty-eight."

"Hello, Brother Ma."

Xiao Qiang shook hands with everyone in turn. Once he had met all the main team members, he came before Xiao Hongchen. This time, Xiao Qiang did not speak first. Instead, Xiao Hongchen opened his mouth first.

"Elder Ma, my grandfather suddenly inserted someone into the team. It won't be easy to become thoroughly familiar with him in such a short time. How about we have a match and get familiar with each other's abilities?"

The Elder Ma whom Xiao Hongchen addressed was Ma Rulong's father, as well as the team leader of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in the original work.

Upon hearing Xiao Hongchen's words, his first reaction was to grumble inwardly that they did not seem to be short on time. There was still nearly a year before the tournament began, so they could slowly build coordination and adapt.

However, since Xiao Hongchen, the Hall Master's grandson, had said so, and Xiao Qiang did not voice any objection, Elder Ma nodded.

"Fine. Then you and Xiao Qiang can spar a little. Watch your limits."

"Don't worry. I'll definitely watch my limits," Xiao Hongchen said through gritted teeth. The injuries Xiao Qiang had inflicted on him had already completely healed.

Xiao Qiang looked at the battle-hungry Xiao Hongchen and sighed helplessly before asking Tian Meng in his spiritual sea.

"Brother Sky Dream, how do you think I can make Xiao Hongchen win convincingly without actually getting hurt?"

"Huh? Why are you asking that?"

"Two reasons. First, I took more than ten million from him, then beat him up three times. I feel like that's somewhat unreasonable."

"Second, I feel like Xiao Hongchen is a little obsessed. If I beat him a third time, I'm afraid he'll challenge me to fights every day until he finally defeats me."

For some reason, Xiao Hongchen seemed to overlap somewhat in Xiao Qiang's eyes with Ji Juechen, the sword fanatic from the original work.

"You want him to win? Fine, leave it to me."

After Tian Meng agreed, Xiao Hongchen and Xiao Qiang entered the arena. At Elder Ma's command to begin, Xiao Hongchen immediately put on a Spirit Defense Soul Tool.

Normally, this Soul Tool would have to start at Rank 7. It was not something a Soul Engineer below Level 5 like Xiao Hongchen could make.

But this was the Sun Moon Empire, after all, and Xiao Hongchen's grandfather, Jing Hongchen, was the Hall Master of Mingde Hall. Across the entire continent, Jing Hongchen was at least among the top three when it came to Soul Tools.

Modifying a Rank 7 Soul Tool down to the level of a Level 5 Soul Tool was not easy, but difficult did not mean impossible. Jing Hongchen was clearly someone capable of overcoming such a challenge.

Although this Level 5 Soul Tool was a heavily weakened version compared to a Rank 7 Soul Tool, it was fully capable of defending against a Mental Type soul master at only rank thirty-something. According to Jing Hongchen's estimate, it could even withstand the Spirit Shock of a Five-ring Soul King-level Mental Type soul master.

Anything stronger than that would not work. After all, this was only a weakened Level 5 Soul Tool.

After putting on the Spirit Defense Soul Tool, Xiao Hongchen quickly employed a strategy similar to before. Using his first three soul skills, he created thirty-six Soul Cannons. However, compared to last time, both their firing speed and power had clearly dropped by more than a little.

But lower power did not mean Xiao Qiang could ignore them. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan still needed to carefully observe and cautiously evade them.

This time, Xiao Hongchen's Soul Power expenditure was far lower than in the previous two battles. Although Xiao Qiang's Soul Power consumption remained low, his physical stamina expenditure was not insignificant.

After fighting for a while, Xiao Qiang saw through Xiao Hongchen's intentions. Xiao Hongchen was using his Soul Power consumption to compete against Xiao Qiang's stamina, seeing whether Xiao Qiang's stamina would give out first or his own Soul Power would.

After getting beaten twice, he's become much steadier. As expected, people can't teach people, but experience teaches them after two lessons.

Xiao Qiang silently mocked him inwardly. It was still possible to defeat Xiao Hongchen, after all. The grade of the Spirit Defense Soul Tool on Xiao Hongchen's head was right there.

Tian Meng gave Xiao Qiang one boost, and the Sharingan gave him another. With enhancements at that level, Xiao Qiang's spiritual power was no weaker than that of a Six-ring Soul Emperor-level Mental Type soul master. Dealing with a Level 5 Soul Tool would be fairly easy.

But to prevent Xiao Hongchen from constantly wanting to challenge him to a fight, it would be better to lose this battle once.

Therefore, after Xiao Hongchen and Xiao Qiang had exchanged blows for more than ten minutes, Xiao Qiang first showed signs of flagging stamina, and his clothes were damaged by Xiao Hongchen's cannon fire.

Xiao Qiang glanced at the clothes damaged by the cannon fire, then activated his Level 4 Soul Guide Thruster and attempted to close the distance with Xiao Hongchen.

Watching Xiao Qiang fly toward him, Xiao Hongchen's lips curved upward. The power of his cannon fire weakened again in exchange for a faster attack speed. As the distance between them shrank, Xiao Qiang finally took a Soul Cannon blast to the chest after getting close enough, and the cannon fire sent him flying.

Elder Ma hurried to Xiao Qiang's side and injected Soul Power into his body. He was surprised to find that Xiao Qiang's injuries seemed to be entirely on his clothes, but after recalling how Xiao Hongchen had deliberately lowered the power, he understood the outcome.

"The winner is Xiao Hongchen."

Hearing Elder Ma declare his victory, Xiao Hongchen froze for a moment. Then, he nearly wept with joy.

After taking two thorough beatings, he had finally won. It had not been easy at all. Sure enough, he knew it—he, Xiao Hongchen, was the Sun Moon Empire's number one genius.

Just as Xiao Hongchen stood tall with his chest puffed out and his face full of pride, Ma Rulong and the others, who had watched Xiao Hongchen defeat Xiao Qiang, were filled with question marks.

"What's there to be proud of in a four-ring Soul Ancestor beating a three-ring Soul Master?"

"Exactly."

Xiao Hongchen: "..."