Victory, Taking the Golden Flame Fruit

"Third Generation Vermilion Bird's first soul skill actually had two forms? Just who was he?"

Below the arena, it was not only the Huo siblings who were shocked. Even their aunt, Huo Miao, was greatly surprised by the effects of Wang Qi's first soul skill.

Two completely different soul skill traits—this could practically be used as two separate soul skills. Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's first soul skill, the Thunder Dragon Claw, which was said to have two effects, was fundamentally still a single soul skill.

The two forms of Wang Qi's first soul skill were two genuinely distinct forms: a defensive form and a control form. Thus, the higher a soul master's level, the more clearly they understood the potential of this skill. If it were a ten-thousand-year soul skill, the effects it brought would be second only to a hundred-thousand-year soul skill.

The semifinals continued in full swing. While meditating, Wang Qi also watched the Soul Grandmaster group's spirit battles. Unexpectedly, Huo Wushuang, who had been highly favored in the Soul Grandmaster group, was directly eliminated.

"Auntie, Huo Wu, how was it? Did Brother Wang Qi get hurt?" Huo Wushuang asked, wiping away his sweat with a towel as he panted heavily.

"Hurt? Wushuang, your friend has quite the potential. If fortune favors him and he becomes a Titled Douluo someday, there may well be another Clear Sky Douluo in this world."

Huo Miao's words shocked both Huo siblings. Huo Wushuang's reaction stemmed from his respect for the strong, while Huo Wu's came from her yearning for strength. They had heard more than once of how the Clear Sky Douluo had fought Spirit Hall's three Titled Douluo, ultimately leaving one severely wounded and two lightly wounded. That outcome had shocked the Huo siblings for a long time.

Huo Miao's explanation was talent—an unparalleled talent for battle. Indeed, Exploding Ring was an exceptionally powerful secret technique, but no matter how formidable Exploding Ring was, or how strong the Clear Sky Nine Arts were, it still depended on how much of their power the user could bring out.

Facing two Titled Douluo with top-tier martial souls and higher soul power, as well as a level ninety-five Super Douluo with a super martial soul, while only at level ninety-two—and defeating them—was absolutely not something a secret technique alone could accomplish. More importantly, it required a gift for battle. It sounded rather vague, but in truth, it was a kind of aptitude.

It was a talent that Assault System and Agile Attack System soul masters with great cultivation talent could only dream of: the ability to turn one portion of combat power into two, or even more.

"You two needn't be so shocked. Battle talent is important, but a soul master's cultivation talent is equally important. With his current Soul Power Level, his Innate Soul Power could not have been very high. His future achievements will be limited. Even if he can become invincible among those at the same level, he will ultimately only be able to show some effect when he reaches Soul King or Soul Emperor."

"As long as you work hard in your cultivation, though, and reach Soul Saint, Soul Douluo, or even Titled Douluo in the future, the gap in Soul Power Level alone will not be something that can be easily crossed."

Huo Miao had originally intended to use Wang Qi as an example to spur the Huo siblings into cultivating harder. Who could have expected that after the three met—despite their unpleasant beginning—they would end up becoming friends?

"Auntie, Wang Qi is my friend. I don't want you belittling my friend in front of me." Huo Wushuang looked at Wang Qi, who was meditating beneath the arena, then gazed seriously at Huo Miao.

"Auntie, you underestimate me too much. With my abilities, even if we are at the same level in the future, I won't lose to anyone." Huo Wu's large eyes were filled with intense fighting spirit as she looked toward Wang Qi.

"You two little brats, just what kind of bewitching soup did that brat feed you—forget it. Let's keep watching. Let's see who the final winner is, and whether we can buy the final victor's prize."

Huo Miao was somewhat helpless as well. Looking at the brother and sister, she did not know what else to say.

In the blink of an eye, an hour passed. Wang Qi, who had not expended much stamina to begin with, stepped onto the arena once more. Seeing the obvious pallor on Guard Number Three's face, he knew this match was in the bag.

The Golden Flame Fruit was in the bag as well. Not to mention that his opponent's soul power and stamina had yet to fully recover—even if he had fully recovered, he would still not be Wang Qi's match. The only difference was whether it would take effort, and how much effort.

"Next is the final match of our spirit battle competition! After two rounds of selection and three bouts, the two standing before us are the strongest two chosen from more than seventy soul masters!"

"Let us welcome the greatest dark horse of this spirit battle competition: contestant Third Generation Vermilion Bird, who repeatedly fought opponents above his level with only level fourteen soul power!"

"Let us welcome the contestant with the highest soul power in this competition, Guard Number Three, who has cut through every opponent in his path!"

"The upcoming battle will surely be a fierce clash! So who will ultimately claim victory and earn the right to challenge our young master? Let us wait and see! The match begins!"

The referee delivered a lengthy speech to stir up the atmosphere, while Wang Qi and the guard soldier completed their Martial Soul Possession before he announced the start of the match.

This soldier's martial soul was the Flame Leopard, a high-grade martial soul with great speed and explosive power. He was no less troublesome than Guard Number Five, whom Wang Qi had defeated in the semifinals.

Unfortunately, Guard Number Three was injured, and his wounds had not fully recovered. He could not make any major movements at all. In the end, Wang Qi trapped him with Blazing Binding and kicked him off the arena.

With that, Wang Qi claimed the "championship" of the Soul Master group and basically secured a Golden Flame Fruit as well.

Lin Yan's two "sons" were not particularly strong. His soul master son had only level thirteen soul power, and his martial soul was not top-tier either—merely an ordinary high-grade martial soul.

It could be said that Lin Yan's soul master son posed no threat whatsoever to Wang Qi. Or rather, Lin Yan had never intended to keep the Golden Flame Fruit for himself in the first place.

His mission in coming to Blazing Fire City was to open up a new market. Blazing Fire City had an exceptionally high proportion of soul masters, and due to its local characteristics, its people were quite wealthy. Once they established connections here, the Great Soul Arena would gain access to many soul master resources.

Making money while consolidating the Great Soul Arena's influence—such an outcome was far beyond what two Golden Flame Fruits could compare to.

Sure enough, just as everyone expected, the "champions" of the Soul Master group and Soul Grandmaster group easily claimed victory and received the Golden Flame Fruits.

Wang Qi examined the Golden Flame Fruit in his hand. As he marveled at having encountered such a good thing during his travels, he could not help but sigh at the Great Soul Arena's wealth.

Among the descendants of the Great Soul Arena's Five Great Families, only first-generation disciples might have a chance to enjoy such a treasure. The rest likely would not even get to touch one.

"Brat, are you planning to consume that Golden Flame Fruit yourself, or sell it for money? If you want to sell it, I'm willing to pay thirty thousand—no, fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins for the Golden Flame Fruit in your hand."

Huo Miao's voice reached Wang Qi's ears. He looked at Huo Wu, standing behind Huo Miao with a Golden Flame Fruit in her hand, and shook his head.

"I'm keeping this Golden Flame Fruit to eat myself."

After saying that, Wang Qi found the person in charge of the Great Soul Arena. Once he had arranged a room, he consumed the Golden Flame Fruit.