Yan Chixia's Message, Spirit Hall Sword-wielding Elder

After finishing the Douluo Continent novel, Ye Zhou no longer held much hope for Heaven Dou Royal Academy's teaching.

For cultivation, he had his own techniques.

For actual combat, he could go to the Great Soul Arena.

In his view, staying here only had two benefits left: one, he could make friends and expand his connections; two, it could provide him with a Mimicry Training Ground.

Other than that, it was useless.

So, after heading to the class Meng Shenji had arranged for him and sitting in on a lesson, Ye Zhou discovered that the teacher at the podium was actually spouting bullshit like "we must remain forever loyal to the Heaven Dou Empire." He decisively chose to skip class.

He was not worried about being expelled for skipping class. He was an Innate Full Soul Power Battle Soul Master, after all. As long as he did not commit some serious offense, he refused to believe Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be willing to let him go.

Inside the Mimicry Training Ground.

After arriving, Ye Zhou first practiced his first soul skill for a while, then began cultivating the Heaven Frost Fist, Cloud Dispelling Palm, and Wind God Leg.

To successfully use the Three Points Return to One Qi, he first had to cultivate these three martial arts techniques to a certain level.

The sun rose and set, and two months quickly passed.

Still within the lake-environment Mimicry Training Ground, Ye Zhou stood atop a massive boulder in the middle of the lake. He spread open his right hand and curled his five fingers as a terrifying, visible sphere of energy condensed in his palm.

This energy sphere contained compressed frost, wind, and cloud profound energies. Though it did not look particularly large, it radiated overwhelming power.

"Three Points Return to One Qi!" Ye Zhou shouted inwardly, then forcefully swung his hand toward a large tree on the shore.

"Whoosh!" The energy sphere immediately shot through the air like an arrow released from a bow, striking the tree in the blink of an eye.

"Bang!!!"

As if it had been struck by a cannonball, the tree erupted with a deafening blast the instant the energy sphere hit it. Countless branches and splinters flew everywhere, while vast swathes of green leaves froze into icy sculptures before shattering apart with a crash. When the dust settled, only half a bare stump remained rooted in place.

Seeing this, a trace of delight appeared on Ye Zhou's face.

He had succeeded!

He had finally mastered the Three Points Return to One Qi!

Looking up at the sky and seeing that it was already noon, Ye Zhou tidied up and, as usual, left the training ground for the Academy Cafeteria.

That day, while eating meat in the cafeteria, he heard a piece of news that greatly concerned him.

"Have you all heard? Spirit Hall has recruited a new Sword-wielding Elder. Apparently, this elder awakened his martial soul here in Heaven Dou City?"

"I heard about it. Spirit Hall announced it to the entire continent, saying that this Sword-wielding Elder was the latest person in history to awaken a martial soul. He did not awaken it until he was fifty-six, but once he did, his Innate Soul Power was actually over level ninety! The soul rings he added afterward all started at the Ten Thousand Year level. He is now a Titled Douluo with nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings!"

"I heard his title is [Sword Saint]. I wonder who is stronger between him and Sword Douluo?"

"A Titled Douluo with nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings—heavens! I have no idea exactly what level his soul power is, but regardless of his level, he must be one of the strongest among Titled Douluo!" someone exclaimed.

"Is that true? I just came back from Sunset Forest after hunting for a soul ring. I had no idea something like this happened."

"Could an announcement released by Spirit Hall be fake?"

"Then what is that lord's name?"

"Yan Chixia!"

After finishing lunch, Ye Zhou rose and left.

Standing at the cafeteria entrance with sunlight shining over his entire body, he heard the endless discussions and excited voices behind him. His heart, too, kept pounding.

Excitement.

Joy.

Relief.

All sorts of emotions surged into his heart at once.

Yan Chixia had successfully infiltrated Spirit Hall, the strongest faction. Although he apparently had not yet entered the Douluo Worship Hall, he had still obtained the position of a Spirit Hall elder.

With Shi Jian protecting him within the Heaven Dou Empire and Yan Chixia planted within Spirit Hall, he would no longer need to be so overly cautious and restrained in whatever he wanted to do from now on!

Of course, Spirit Hall was not a monolith. Yan Chixia and Bibi Dong belonged to two opposing factions. But no matter what, my sense of security has greatly increased!

With that thought, Ye Zhou stepped forward and strode toward the academy gates.

Throughout Heaven Dou City, discussions could be heard everywhere.

The sudden emergence of a Titled Douluo possessing nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings could be called the biggest news in the soul master world in recent years.

He passed through street after street before finally stopping in front of a majestic building.

Heaven Dou City Great Soul Arena.

In truth, he had wanted to come here for a long time. But before mastering the Three Points Return to One Qi, and with no news from Yan Chixia, he had not dared to show himself and engage in soul battles under the watchful eyes of countless people.

Now that he had mastered the Three Points Return to One Qi, and Yan Chixia had gained a firm foothold in Spirit Hall—helping him avoid, to some extent, the risk of being targeted by villains—it was time for him to step into the spotlight and experience the abilities of the other soul masters in this world!

Looking at the towering steps before him, Ye Zhou fiercely exhaled the breath he had been holding in for over two months.

Then, with firm strides, he climbed the steps and entered the Great Soul Arena.

"Hello, tickets for watching Soul Battles can be purchased over here." Seeing a child of six or seven enter the Great Soul Arena, the staff did not neglect him. One of them stepped forward and thoughtfully addressed Ye Zhou.

"I'm not here to watch Soul Battles. I'm here to participate. How do I register?" Ye Zhou asked the staff member before him.

"???" The staff member was utterly baffled.

You came to participate in a Soul Battle?

Seeing what the man was thinking, Ye Zhou took out the Soul Master token he had registered at Spirit Hall and said, "I'm a Soul Master."

The staff member looked at the token and confirmed that Ye Zhou was indeed a one-ring Soul Master.

"My apologies. Please follow me." The staff member was somewhat surprised and immediately apologized.

He then led Ye Zhou to the counter to register.

"Please choose a name for your Soul Battles."

"Xiong Ba."

The staff member handling the registration gave Ye Zhou a surprised glance.

Wasn't this kid afraid of getting beaten up by his opponent for using a name like that?

"Alright, registration successful."

Ye Zhou took out a Blue Card and continued, "I want to place a bet—on myself to win."

In the arena's individual matches, a one-ring Soul Master could only face another one-ring Soul Master. His Soul Power had already reached Level 17, and he was confident in his victory.

Meanwhile, inside a private room in the VIP section.

"Yan Yan, actual combat is the fastest way to improve your strength. Grandfather brought you here today so you can test yourself against other Soul Masters. When you take the stage later, you mustn't let your guard down." An old man with green hair stroked the head of the girl beside him and spoke kindly.

"Don't worry, Grandfather. My Jade Scale Snake martial soul won't lose to anyone." Dugu Yan said confidently.