Recruitment? Recruitment Failed

Drawing lots, rankings, soul battles, betting—every single word stirred the deepest desires in a gambler's heart.

The breaks left for Soul Masters to rest and recover their soul power, along with the constantly shifting odds, all fueled the crowd's enthusiasm.

This rare competition, combining the thrill of soul battles with rankings and rewards, had begun.

The first to take the stage was Wang Qi. As the youngest participant in the Soul Master group and the one with the lowest Soul Power Level, his opponent was an eighteenth-level civilian Soul Master from Blazing Fire City.

"Kid, do you even know what kind of place this is, daring to come up here? Aren't you afraid of getting hurt? If you're scared, get down now and save me the trouble of explaining things to your parents."

The civilian Soul Master abruptly fell silent. It was not only him—the spectators surrounding the arena also went quiet.

It had been too fast, too sudden. No one had expected Wang Qi to strike without warning, much less that his sudden attack would instantly defeat his opponent.

He had not used soul power, nor had he released his martial soul. The two had fought like ordinary people, one strike to a vital point ending the battle in an instant.

"Referee, is this fair? He didn't even release his martial soul! This is what you're showing us? Pay me back my damn money!"

A gambler suddenly rushed onto the stage, seized the referee by the collar, and glared with bloodshot eyes. He had thought he would make a small profit, only to lose his entire fortune. How could he possibly accept that?

"Um..." The referee helplessly turned to Lin Yan, his eyes asking for guidance.

"It seems no one ever said that we had to release our martial souls before fighting, did they? Even if such a rule existed, you never announced it beforehand. I won this match, and I won't accept a rematch."

Before Lin Yan could speak, Wang Qi explained directly to the referee. At the same time, he grabbed the foul-mouthed civilian Soul Master and tossed him off the stage, then squatted at the side and began eating snacks.

Lin Yan glanced at Wang Qi, then nodded to the referee.

"Sir, I understand how you feel, but I advise you to calm down." The referee stamped his foot. A white and a yellow soul ring appeared beneath him, while his eyes seemed to be swallowed by darkness as he stared fixedly at the civilian causing trouble.

"Quiet now? Since you're quiet, I'll announce the result of this match. As for the explanation, I'll give it after the result is announced."

"Congratulations to contestant Third Generation Vermilion Bird for winning the first match. Congratulations to contestant Third Generation Vermilion Bird for advancing into the quarterfinals."

"Now, I will announce the rules again. On this stage, the rules are simple: aside from your martial soul and your own body, no weapons of any kind are permitted. As for rules? There are no rules in our arena. As long as you do not kill your opponent, it is not a violation. Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome this carnival in the time ahead!"

What was the most thrilling kind of match at the Great Soul Arena? Ordinary soul battles? No. Betting on a duel over a personal grudge? That was somewhat interesting, but unless there was a life-and-death hatred between them, most people would not strike to kill in such a match.

The most thrilling, most captivating, and most profitable soul battle at the Great Soul Arena was a deathmatch. No restrictions on methods or means—one versus one, two versus two, five versus five, seven versus seven. No matter the format or the reason, once both sides stepped onto the stage, only one side was destined to walk back down.

The collision of savagery and blood, the contest between life and death—those were the most spectacular matches in the deathmatch arena.

If a soul battle did not spill blood, what was the point of watching it?

Thus, not only did Lin Yan refrain from restricting either side, he even encouraged them to strike hard. As long as they did not kill anyone, there would generally be no problem.

The stifling atmosphere instantly exploded. Seeing people in the crowd whose eyes had already turned red, Wang Qi could not help but sigh.

"The pleasure and excitement brought by this kind of gambling, this struggle between life and death... what a filthy game."

He touched the pendant hanging at his chest, then continued eating snacks as he watched the matches.

Nearly an hour passed before Wang Qi's second match finally arrived—the quarterfinals.

His opponent this time was a student from the intermediate class of Blazing Fire Academy. As his opponent, the student had naturally noticed how Wang Qi defeated the civilian Soul Master, and the moment he stepped onto the stage, he completed Martial Soul Possession.

However, the student seemed to have underestimated Wang Qi's strength and control over his martial soul. The instant the referee gave the order to begin, Wang Qi charged at full speed. Covering less than ten meters, he completed Martial Soul Possession mid-run. Before his opponent could react at all, Wang Qi struck him in the stomach, then, as his opponent bent over, kicked him off the stage with a rear kick.

"It's over, Referee. Announce the result."

"In this quarterfinal soul battle, contestant Third Generation Vermilion Bird is victorious! Let us once again congratulate contestant Third Generation Vermilion Bird for defeating an opponent above his level!"

The morning passed quickly. Just as Wang Qi was preparing to continue exploring Blazing Fire City and take a break, he was stopped at the entrance to a restaurant by the Blazing Fire Academy admissions teacher and the Huo Wushuang siblings.

"Little brother, didn't we agree earlier? You were supposed to wait for me in the Mimic Environment Training Room at noon. Why did you..."

"I never agreed."

"You really are a disobedient little brat. Wushuang, Huo Wu, I've brought this brat here. Whether you can persuade him now depends on the two of you."

With that, the tall beauty left, leaving Wang Qi and the Huo Wushuang siblings staring at one another.

"What do you want from me? Don't tell me you're inviting me to join Blazing Fire Academy. I don't recall Blazing Fire Academy lacking students."

Seeing that they did not speak, Wang Qi got straight to the point.

Huo Wushuang scratched his head awkwardly. Huo Wu stepped forward and said to Wang Qi, "You're quite strong. I think you'd be suitable to be my—"

"What you think seems rather irrelevant, doesn't it? Or is Blazing Fire Academy a den of bandits? Do you forcibly take away every Soul Master who refuses to join your academy?" Wang Qi said blandly, enraging Huo Wu so much that she clenched her fist and swung it at his head.

Wang Qi tilted his head slightly aside, caught Huo Wu by the shoulder, and pulled hard. His knee drove forward, but just as it was about to hit Huo Wu, Wang Qi sensed danger and hurriedly retreated.

Looking at Huo Wu, who had completed Martial Soul Possession, Wang Qi frowned.

"You want to fight?"

"Huo Wu, calm down. Don't be impulsive." Seeing that Huo Wu had been blinded by rage, Huo Wushuang hurriedly restrained her before she could erupt. He cupped his fists toward Wang Qi in apology.

"My friend, I'm sorry. My sister is rather rash by nature, and I apologize on her behalf. I am Huo Wushuang of the Huo Family in Blazing Fire City. If you run into trouble in Blazing Fire City, you may use my name."

"As for inviting you to join Blazing Fire Academy... I don't even know how to bring it up now. But I can promise you this: if, during your travels, you do not find an academy more suited to you than Blazing Fire Academy, you may come to us. I guarantee that you will receive advanced resources ahead of time."

"I am Huo Wushuang, and this is my younger sister, Huo Wu. May I ask how to address you, my friend?"

Wang Qi accepted Huo Wushuang's token and glanced at him, then at Huo Wu, who resembled a little lioness ready to explode at any moment. He tossed the token back.

"This thing is useless to me. It would be better to give me a token for an intermediate training room in the Mimic Environment Training Room."