After eating the Essence Grass last night and absorbing it throughout the night, his Spiritual Power had increased considerably.
By his estimate, it was now around seven hundred points.
He was one step closer to the middle stage of the Spirit Sea Realm.
In a cheerful mood...
Wang Zhi got up, washed, and went downstairs to eat.
His parents had been thrilled to see him return last night.
His mother, Ling Lin, had even prepared a sumptuous meal to celebrate his return.
His father, Wang Heng, didn't say much, but he couldn't hide the pride and relief in his eyes.
After breakfast, Wang Zhi said goodbye to his parents and headed out for the Spirit Transmitter Tower Headquarters.
He had another match today.
The Spirit Transmitter Tower Headquarters was bustling with activity, packed with people.
It was the second day of the Youth Ranking Competition, and even more people had come to watch than the day before.
The enormous competition hall was filled to capacity, and lively discussions could be heard everywhere.
Everyone was intensely interested in the Youth Ranking.
"Have you heard? That genius from the Zheng Family is here too."
"The Zheng Family? You mean that ancient clan with a two-thousand-year legacy? I seem to remember their inherited Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor?"
"That's the one. A genius named Zheng Yiran has emerged in their current generation. I hear she's extremely talented."
"That's not even the biggest genius. Let me tell you, Wu Siduo from the Zhu Family in Star Luo City is the real prodigy! I heard she's already a Three Rings Soul Elder!"
"Good heavens! Isn't she only Eleven Years Old?!"
"Three rings at eleven—that really is incredible!"
"You bet. She's definitely making the top ten in this Youth Ranking."
Wang Zhi stood among the crowd, listening to their discussion with a wistful feeling.
These boys and girls would join Shrek two and a half years from now.
They could be considered the most talented generation yet.
Unfortunately, before they had a chance to show their talents and take the bigger stage, they would face the crisis of Shrek's destruction and the Abyssal invasion...
No one could predict what fate had in store.
Just then, the broadcast sounded.
"Contestant number 127, Wang Zhi, please report to Competition Platform Three."
Wang Zhi gathered his thoughts and headed toward Platform Three.
The area around Competition Platform Three was already packed with spectators.
Wang Zhi stepped onto the platform and looked at his opponent.
She was a girl who looked eleven or twelve, with a radiant face and an exceedingly haughty expression.
A jade-green snake coiled around her right arm, and a dark aura radiated from her.
Zheng Yiran.
Wang Zhi was a little surprised. He hadn't expected to face this Zheng Family genius in the first round.
Zheng Yiran was sizing him up too. After a moment, she spoke in a lofty tone.
"My name is Zheng Yiran. You'd better withdraw on your own, so I don't have to make you suffer."
Wang Zhi gave an amused chuckle.
"No need."
Zheng Yiran didn't get angry. Instead, she nodded.
"Good. You've got spirit."
"Then let's settle this with our fists!"
The referee walked to the edge of the platform and glanced at them both.
"Contestants, get ready."
"Three, two, one..."
"Begin!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, two yellow Hundred Year Soul Rings slowly rose beneath Zheng Yiran's feet.
Then, a flash of light enveloped her, coating her entire body in jade green.
The little green snake coiled around her arm glowed brightly and spat a mouthful of thick green mist in every direction.
In an instant, Zheng Yiran was shrouded in poisonous green fog.
The spectators gasped.
The Jade Phosphorous Serpent Emperor's poison was notoriously potent.
A mere touch could cause anything from numbness to death.
The girl had opened with poison, clearly hoping to end the match quickly.
Wang Zhi, however, only smiled faintly.
The Shadow beneath his feet rippled.
Three Black Shadows shot out at once.
The three Ghost Shadow Ninjas wore tight black outfits and wielded kunai. They charged toward Zheng Yiran in a triangular formation.
The poisonous fog, which made other Soul Masters tremble at the mere mention of it, had no effect on the three Ghost Shadow Ninjas.
That was because they weren't technically living beings.
As a result, they were immune to many negative effects.
Zheng Yiran's expression changed when she saw that the summoned creatures could ignore her poisonous fog.
But she didn't panic.
The Ghost Shadow Ninjas had already reached her and struck at her with their palms.
Zheng Yiran's First Soul Ring lit up.
As jade-green light flickered, her body suddenly turned boneless and twisted like a snake.
She tried to wrap the Ghost Shadow Ninjas up while her right hand turned jade green, ready to strike.
However...
The Ghost Shadow Ninjas instantly turned into Shadow and slipped out of her grasp.
Zheng Yiran lost her balance and staggered forward.
Before she could react, another Shadow had silently appeared behind her.
The Ghost Shadow Ninja emerged from the Shadow behind her and struck with its palm.
"Bang!"
Zheng Yiran felt a sharp pain in her back. Her body flew forward uncontrollably, straight off the platform and onto the ground.
The entire arena fell silent for a moment.
Then a wave of shocked exclamations erupted.
"That was it...? He won?"
"One move? No, two?"
"Her poison didn't work on those summoned creatures at all!"
"That kid is way too strong!"
The referee froze for a moment, then raised a hand.
"The match is over. The winner is..."
"Contestant number 127, Wang Zhi!"
Wang Zhi recalled the three Ghost Shadow Ninjas and turned to leave the platform.
He had only taken a few steps when a voice called from behind him.
"Wait."
He turned around.
Zheng Yiran got up from the ground, brushed the dust off her clothes, and walked over to him.
Her expression was complicated, but she didn't seem angry about losing the match.
"You're strong."
"Thanks."
Wang Zhi was momentarily bewildered.
Why was Zheng Yiran thanking him when he was the one who'd won?
Seeing his expression, Zheng Yiran's cheeks turned slightly red as she explained.
"Even though you won..."
"I wasn't injured, so I can still compete in the later rounds at full strength."
Wang Zhi understood.
So that was it.
In competitions, many contestants tried to make things easier for themselves later by seriously injuring their opponents.
That way, even if they lost, their opponent would be hampered in later matches by their injuries.
He had only knocked Zheng Yiran off the platform and hadn't gone all out.
"No need to thank me."
He shook his head. "I held back."
Zheng Yiran looked at him seriously.
"No matter what, everyone tries their best to seriously injure their opponents to make things easier for themselves."
"So..."
"I owe you, either way."
With that, she didn't wait for Wang Zhi to reply. She turned and strode away.
Wang Zhi was left standing there, smiling helplessly.
She was an interesting girl.
Then a thoughtful look appeared in Wang Zhi's eyes.
If he remembered correctly...
The original discoverer of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had been Zheng Yiran's ancestor...
That Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo.
Back then, Dugu Bo had discovered this Treasure Land and made it his private residence.
Later...
He had taken Tang San to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, allowing Tang San to obtain dozens of Immortal Herbs there.
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