Encountering Chen Zifeng, a Small Bet

Before long, under Teacher's arrangements, Qian Chaoyun entered the oval Beast Arena, ready to undergo his Inner Court Disciple Assessment.

Quite a few Outer Court disciples were battling soul beasts in the arena. Some had suffered serious injuries, while others remained unharmed.

At that moment, Qian Chaoyun spotted an acquaintance—Chen Zifeng, wielding the Soul Chasing Sword.

This person had left a deep impression on him. Chen Zifeng was just as decisive and ruthless in battle, and they had once carried out a mission together.

He had never expected to run into him in the Beast Arena today.

Chen Zifeng was locked in fierce combat with a six-thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider, the two sides exchanging blows back and forth.

But Chen Zifeng clearly had greater combat experience. After evading several attacks, he took down the beast in just over a dozen exchanges.

However, Chen Zifeng had been here for quite some time before that, and his entire body was drenched in sweat.

After the battle ended, Qian Chaoyun stepped forward to greet him. "Brother Chen, long time no see."

The Inner Court ranked its disciples by strength. When he had first arrived at the Academy, Qian Chaoyun had needed to address him as Senior Brother Chen, but that was no longer necessary. Both of them had reached Five Rings, so they could naturally cast aside such Rules.

Hearing this, Chen Zifeng turned around. Upon seeing that it was Qian Chaoyun, he walked over and said, "So it's Brother Chaoyun. Long time no see. I didn't expect to run into you here."

Qian Chaoyun said, "I just watched Brother Chen fight the Man Faced Demon Spider. Your combat experience has grown stronger and stronger."

"Not at all."

Chen Zifeng clasped his hands modestly, exceedingly polite.

If they were truly comparing combat experience, he was no match for the Evil Soul Master Slaughter Machine before him—the guy who saw red whenever he encountered an evil soul master.

After a round of mutual flattery, Chen Zifeng asked, "Brother Chaoyun, are you here to train?"

"Inner Court Disciple Assessment." Qian Chaoyun explained the Inner Court's assessment requirements.

"Fight a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast and remain undefeated for three minutes."

Chen Zifeng was dumbfounded, his eyes widening.

Had the Academy gone mad? They were asking a Soul King to fight a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast.

However, he had spent the past few days in the Beast Arena and knew nothing of the news outside concerning the mysterious senior Angel brother who had swept through everything with one man, one sword, and two junior disciples on his back.

Instead, Chen Zifeng thought the Academy had gone insane.

This assessment was not meant to test Inner Court disciples at all. It was sending people to their deaths.

Qian Chaoyun said helplessly, "My Old Esteemed Teacher doesn't have much say."

Chen Zifeng gave a bitter smile, thinking of the other man's Teacher, Xuan Zi. He truly did not meddle in anything and basically raised his disciple without supervision.

Whenever Qian Chaoyun made a name for himself, Xuan Zi would make his presence known before the Resident Elders, shouting that this was Old Man's disciple.

Yet aside from being able to preserve Qian Chaoyun's life at critical moments, he could not be relied upon for anything else.

Feeling somewhat sympathetic, he said, "I'm not in any position to speak either."

"It's fine!"

Qian Chaoyun patted his shoulder and said seriously, "It's not that difficult, really. Just a tiny Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast. If I go berserk, I'll slaughter even a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast."

Chen Zifeng silently gave him a thumbs-up.

At that moment, a figure darted out from within the Beast Arena and shouted, "Who asked for a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast? Come out here!"

Qian Chaoyun stepped forward. "I did."

The old man gave Qian Chaoyun a once-over and said with some regret, "You're the brat who wants to challenge a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast? Fifty-eighth-rank Soul Power—you're still lacking a bit. Come back after advancing to Six Rings. Mainly because I'm afraid you won't be able to beat it."

Qian Chaoyun recognized the man as Gong Changlong, the Beast Arena's manager. Nicknamed the Beast King, he was a Nine-Ring Titled Douluo-level powerhouse.

He immediately clasped his hands. "Elder Gong, this is the Academy's Inner Court Disciple Assessment."

"Bullshit assessment!"

Gong Changlong cursed and continued, "Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beasts are incredibly powerful. Even the Six-Ring disciples of our Inner Court need to deal with them carefully. Can a Five-Ringed Soul King like you hold out? Forget three minutes—I don't think you can even last three seconds."

As he spoke, he too felt that the Academy had gone senile.

Sending such a young disciple to fight a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast—whichever idiot had come up with this Inner Court assessment, once he became a Resident Elder, he would definitely go up there and curse them out.

Seeing this, Chen Zifeng spoke up for Qian Chaoyun. "Elder Gong, don't worry. He doesn't do things unless he's confident.

When we carried out missions before, Qian Chaoyun even killed a Soul Emperor. His strength is among the top tier in the Inner Court."

At this point, Gong Changlong was already somewhat swayed.

Could this brat really go toe-to-toe with a Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beast?

Qian Chaoyun said, "How about this, Elder Gong? Shall we make a bet?"

Gong Changlong could not help asking, "How do you want to bet?"

"If I win, Elder Gong gives me one Gold Soul Coin. If I lose, I'll help you clean the beast pens for a month," Qian Chaoyun said.

"Hahahaha..."

Gong Changlong was delighted to hear that and hurriedly said, "You said it. This old man will be waiting for you. But seeing as you're giving me free labor, if you run into danger later, this old man will step in and save you."

With that, he vanished in a flash, signaling for Qian Chaoyun to enter the Beast Arena and wait. He would release the soul beast shortly.

Qian Chaoyun turned and entered the arena, ready to fight at any moment.

He could not help sighing. The old Douluo Continent tradition of settling things with bets really worked—people here loved to gamble.

Still, that was a good thing. In such a vast Academy, he needed someone to back him.

Gong Changlong seemed quite agreeable to him, and he had no conflict of interests with the Academy.

Soon, a tiger's roar suppressed the clamor in the Beast Arena, and many Students turned their attention toward Qian Chaoyun's section.

The Beast Arena gates opened, and a ten-thousand-year Flame Demon Tiger crawled out of its cage.

The Teacher in charge of the assessment shouted, "The assessment begins. Your battle data will be recorded in your file. The three-minute timer starts now."

Qian Chaoyun drew the Angel Holy Sword and flew into the air.

At the same time, the ten-thousand-year Flame Demon Tiger spotted Qian Chaoyun. It let out the roar of the king of beasts, then charged up and fired a beam of flame.

Qian Chaoyun was faster. He instantly evaded the attack, and the flame beam struck the Soul Guidance barrier with an explosive boom.

Yet the flame beams did not stop. One after another, they shot into the air, sealing off Qian Chaoyun's Escape Route.

The Flame Demon Tiger instantly pounced, swinging its enormous claws at the same time.

"Second Soul Skill, Angel Illumination."

Boom—!

The charging Flame Demon Tiger was hit head-on by a terrifying blast of flames, landing with a burning sensation spreading across its entire body.

Qian Chaoyun silently activated Mental Detection, then unleashed his Third Soul Skill, Sacred Battle Intent. All his attributes increased by 50%, and he entered a state where he grew stronger the longer he fought.

Then he dived down, activating his First Soul Skill, Sky Soaring Consecutive Slashes, and swung his sword horizontally.

Flames surged over the Flame Demon Tiger's body as it spat fire once more.

Boom! Boom! Boom—!

In the briefest instant, man and beast clashed again and again.

Taking advantage of his mobility, Qian Chaoyun kept slashing at the foolish tiger, strike after strike, his Combat Power soaring in a straight line.

The demon tiger countered with claws carrying immense force.

Just as Qian Chaoyun attacked again, the Flame Demon Tiger swept out both claws, and several streaks of fire appeared.

The two sides collided once more, erupting with terrifying Soul Power.

Two seconds later, both were knocked back several meters.

Qian Chaoyun's expression turned grave as he tightened his grip on the holy sword.

Soul Beasts truly were powerful, far stronger than human Soul Masters. Without the Battle Intent Buff from his Third Soul Skill, just a few exchanges would have drained a great deal of Soul Power.

This kind of battle stirred Qian Chaoyun's competitive spirit.