Soul Duel, Stunning the Crowd

"Big Brother, that kid is from Spirit Hall. Why does he have to study here? Doesn't Spirit Hall have its own education system?"

Only after Gu Han had walked away did Da Ma Hou ask in confusion.

"Idiot!"

Zhu Ganglie slapped Da Ma Hou on the back of the head with his pudgy hand and said irritably, "Spirit Hall Academy is on the same level as noble academies like Heaven Dou and Star Luo. It's not somewhere just anyone can get into."

"Besides, isn't sending students to other schools still a form of training?"

"True. It can save quite a bit of money too."

Da Ma Hou nodded thoughtfully. Whether it was because Zhu Ganglie hit him so often or not, his eyes were filled with pure, unadulterated stupidity.

"Mm, not bad."

Zhu Ganglie clasped his hands behind his back, wearing an expression that said he was teachable.

After shaking off those two, Gu Han tidied up his dormitory. It had to be said that Spirit Hall's name was truly useful. Relying on it, he had obtained a single room again.

Of course, this was also because his talent and value were there for all to see. If he had been a twelve-year-old one-ring Spirit Master, then even as a member of Spirit Hall, he would not have received any special treatment.

Just like last time, Gu Han had enrolled halfway through the term. For the classes he had missed, he found time to ask the teachers about them and visited the academy library himself to look through materials.

The books at the Advanced Soul Master Academy were far more comprehensive than those at the Primary Academy.

Once everything had been fully prepared, Gu Han set off for Dragon City's Great Soul Arena.

At the Great Soul Arena's registration window, Gu Han submitted his identity and basic information, choosing Sword Gentleman as his Code Name.

He bought a rather comical Smiley Face Mask, though he did not expect it to conceal his identity.

Any major force that wanted to investigate him could identify him from his Martial Soul and characteristics.

What he was guarding against were unfamiliar spectators, as well as unknown people in the arena.

A twelve-year-old at level 22 was still a fairly outstanding Genius. If someone with a grudge against Spirit Hall learned his identity, it would inevitably bring trouble.

Since Gu Han had always acted alone, he only registered for solo matches.

His first opponent was a level 25 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster whose Martial Soul was an Ice Attribute warhammer.

Naturally, Gu Han placed all his deposit on himself. He had absolute confidence in his own strength.

The match was hosted by a young woman with a Butterfly Martial Soul. She was flying above the arena, holding a Microphone as she announced the opening of the match.

"The next match: Sword Gentleman versus Du Jun."

"Here are both contestants' Martial Souls and Soul Power Levels."

Sword Gentleman: Mystic Ice Sword Martial Soul, level 22 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster.

Du Jun: Cold Iron Hammer Martial Soul, level 25 Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster.

"Please enter the arena!"

Wearing his mask, Gu Han walked onto the stage. Opposite him stood a burly man over two meters tall.

"Hehe, kid, not only are you hiding your face, but you picked such a tasteless mask too."

Du Jun stared at the comical Smiley Face Mask on Gu Han's face and loudly mocked him.

His words immediately drew a burst of laughter from the spectators.

The eyes beneath Gu Han's mask turned cold. He never took the initiative to provoke others, but he would never tolerate those who provoked him.

"Referee, may we begin?"

Gu Han seemed unaffected by the ridicule around him as he calmly looked at the young referee hovering in midair.

The young woman turned her gaze toward Du Jun and asked routinely, "Contestant Du Jun, are you ready?"

"Hehe, of course. Just watch me beat this kid until even his parents won't recognize him."

A huge Iron Hammer appeared in Du Jun's hand. He planted it on the ground, clearly not taking Gu Han seriously at all.

In his eyes, his opponent was merely a level 22 brat. He had fought over a hundred matches in the Great Soul Arena. Taking down a newly arrived kid would be effortless.

"The match begins!"

As the referee announced the start, two yellow Hundred-Year Soul Rings rose beneath both Gu Han and Du Jun's feet.

First Soul Skill, Mystic Ice Sword Qi!

The moment he spoke, Gu Han's First Soul Ring lit up. A layer of razor-sharp, frigid sword qi enveloped the blade.

With a single slash, sword qi containing terrifying Ice Attribute power shot toward Du Jun at astonishing speed, leaving even the arena platform covered in a layer of ice crystals along its path.

Du Jun's expression immediately tightened. He did not dare be careless as his Second Soul Ring lit up at once.

Second Soul Skill, Mystic Ice Wrath!!

With Du Jun's roar, the huge Iron Hammer in his hand instantly expanded, its hammerhead becoming as tall as a person as it smashed fiercely toward Gu Han's sword qi.

"Ahhh!!!"

Thanks to the Nameless Technique, Gu Han's strength had reached a terrifying level over the years. Even a casually unleashed sword qi forced a Soul Grandmaster two levels above him to use all his strength just to block it.

Bang!!

Du Jun had to expend nearly eighty percent of his Soul Power before he barely managed to shatter Gu Han's casual sword qi.

"Huff... huff..."

Du Jun's muscular chest heaved violently as he panted like an ox.

But Gu Han would not give his opponent even the slightest chance to catch his breath. Almost in the next instant, Gu Han's sword was already before Du Jun.

"Wha...!!"

Du Jun's eyes widened. The tip of the Mystic Ice Sword was already pointed at his throat. The terrifying coldness and sharpness radiating from it made his entire body go numb with fear.

"I... I surrender..."

Du Jun did not dare move, trembling as he conceded.

Only then did Gu Han withdraw the Mystic Ice Sword.

"Trouble comes from the mouth. Keep that filthy mouth of yours shut next time."

Only then did Du Jun come back to his senses. His entire body instantly went limp, and he collapsed on the stage unconscious.

Silence!

The entire audience fell silent.

Even the young referee was stunned, her small mouth slightly open. If flying had not become instinctive to her, she might have already fallen from the air.

"Referee, can you announce the result now?"

Gu Han looked up at the young referee floating in midair.

"Ah, oh, yes, yes."

Hearing Gu Han's question, the young referee finally came back to her senses. She nodded, raised the Microphone, and loudly announced.

"I declare that the winner of this Soul Duel is Sword Gentleman!!"

Only after hearing the result did Gu Han put away his Martial Soul, turn around, and leave the arena.

Boom!!!

The entire venue instantly erupted.

"Du Jun actually lost!"

"How is that possible!"

"Du Jun is one of the best among Soul Grandmasters! He once achieved a terrifying streak of ten consecutive victories. How could he lose to a newcomer whose Soul Power is lower than his!?"

Everyone was stunned. Du Jun was not invincible and had lost before, so that was not surprising.

But they had never expected that Du Jun would not only lose, but lose so thoroughly. From start to finish, it had not even taken half a minute.

"Two moves! That Sword Gentleman defeated Du Jun in just two moves!"

Some had seen it clearly. Gu Han had only unleashed one sword qi attack before appearing before Du Jun like Gui Mei and placing his sword at the man's throat.

"Is Sword Gentleman really only level 22?"

Someone voiced their doubts, suspecting that Gu Han had falsely reported his level.

But that claim was immediately rejected.

"Impossible. The Great Soul Arena has extremely strict registration standards. When registering one's level, it must be tested with a Soul Power Test Ball."

At that point, everyone had no choice but to believe that Gu Han was truly only a level 22 Soul Grandmaster.

"Hiss~~"

Someone sucked in a sharp breath.

"This man defeated Du Jun so easily with level 22 Soul Power, despite Du Jun having three more levels of Soul Power and far more combat experience!"

"This kid is truly terrifying."