Conditions of the Soul Fighting Arena

When Qin Ming agreed, the huge weight that had been hanging over the Well-dressed Man's heart finally lifted.

But then he began considering another question: who should be Qin Ming's opponent?

Qin Ming was now the Soul Fighting Arena's biggest rising star. Combined with the gimmick of a Spirit Master challenging a Soul Grandmaster across ranks, if handled properly, it could bring enormous attention to the arena.

Not only could they earn back their losses then, they could also make an immense additional profit. If his superiors recognized his work as the person in charge, it would not be impossible for him to rise another step.

And the first soul fight would undoubtedly draw the most attention. After all, if Qin Ming made too many cross-rank challenges, the audience would eventually grow tired of them.

Thus, the choice of opponent for Qin Ming's first challenge against a Soul Grandmaster was especially important.

Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. His eyes darted around, and an excellent plan took shape in his head.

"I wonder whether contestant Qin Ming has decided which contestant he wishes to challenge?" The Well-dressed Man rubbed his hands together and smiled brightly at Qin Ming.

Ultimately, Qin Ming still had to apply for his opponent himself. Even he could not arbitrarily arrange an opponent for Qin Ming.

"Oh? Naturally not. But judging from the Supervisor's expression, you already have a suitable candidate? Why not tell me about it first?" Qin Ming said calmly.

"Then I'll be direct. I believe this contestant, the Shrek Dragon, would be highly suitable!" The Well-dressed Man pulled a sheet from a stack of contestant profiles and handed it to Qin Ming.

Title: Shrek Dragon

Age: Twelve

Martial Soul: Rock Ridge Earth Dragon

Soul Rings: Yellow, Yellow

Soul Power: Level 23

Badge Rank: Silver

Qin Ming and Shrek Dragon were already the two most popular newcomers in the Soul Fighting Arena. Their debuts had been separated by only about two months, and they were known as the Soto Twin Stars.

The two of them already brought massive attention on their own. If they clashed, the Well-dressed Man did not dare imagine just how explosive it would become.

"Supervisor, don't try to fool me." Qin Ming spread his hands, putting on a helpless expression. How could he not see through the Well-dressed Man's little scheme?

Still, he could not agree so readily. At the very least, the man had to offer something.

"Supervisor, this Shrek Dragon contestant is a huge star. Although he is only Level 23, I'm afraid even ordinary Level 29 Soul Grandmasters would not be his match."

"And he has a Silver Badge, while I'm only Bronze."

"You want a Level 17 Bronze contestant like me to fight a Silver contestant with the strength of a peak Soul Grandmaster? Isn't that making things too difficult for me?" Qin Ming narrowed his eyes and feigned distress.

The Well-dressed Man understood Qin Ming's implication. Qin Ming had not directly rejected his proposal, merely said that it was difficult. He was clearly hinting for him to name his price.

Yet the Well-dressed Man did not feel the slightest dissatisfaction. He was the one asking for a favor. If anything, he owed Qin Ming one.

He knew a little about geniuses like Qin Ming. Their foremost goal was improving their strength, and Gold Soul Coins could not move them.

Furthermore, Qin Ming was valued by Spirit Hall. He likely would not even spare a glance for ordinary cultivation resources. To persuade him, the man had to offer something truly valuable.

The Well-dressed Man gritted his teeth and roared inwardly, For advancement! I'm going all in!

"Contestant Lone Wolf, if you agree to this proposal, I can make the decision myself and allow you to select any one treasure from the treasury of our Soto Great Soul Arena and take it with you!"

Behind the Soul Fighting Arena stood an enormous organization spread across the entire continent. Any organization needed fresh blood.

The Soul Fighting Arena recruited newcomers in a simple and direct fashion: it drew in contestants who performed exceptionally well in its arenas. For those young prodigies, the arena would often offer precious treasures that could aid their cultivation as recruitment incentives.

These treasures were all kept in the arena's treasury. Every opening of the treasury was recorded, and as the person in charge of the Soto Great Soul Arena, the Well-dressed Man naturally had the authority to take some things from it for Qin Ming.

However, the treasures would have to be converted into Gold Soul Coins, which the Well-dressed Man would pay out of pocket to replenish the arena.

His offer could be called a truly massive investment.

"Oh? A treasury? Are there Spirit Bones inside?" The moment Qin Ming heard the word treasury, he perked up.

If he could truly obtain a Spirit Bone, even a hundred-year Spirit Bone, then fighting this match would be worth it.

"Of course there are." The Well-dressed Man laughed heartily, though his heart was bleeding. This little ancestor had immediately gone for the most valuable item.

"Fine, I agree. I'll submit an application to the Soul Fighting Arena to challenge the Shrek Dragon."

What a straightforward guy. What else was there to say when Spirit Bones were on the table?

Besides, Qin Ming himself was somewhat interested in Shrek Dragon.

Though the two had not interacted much in the Soul Fighting Arena over the past half year, Qin Ming had roughly learned what kind of person Shrek Dragon was.

He was a very pure person, purely devoted to pursuing greater strength. He also did not bear Qin Ming any ill will; he simply regarded Qin Ming as an opponent.

The two then signed an agreement in the Conference Room regarding the application for a cross-rank challenge, scheduling the soul fight for one week later.

The reason the match was scheduled so far off was, first, because the Soul Fighting Arena still needed to coordinate with Shrek Dragon, and second, because it needed time to build hype for the fight.

Time passed quickly. One week later.

Inside the Resting Room specially prepared by the Soul Fighting Arena for Qin Ming, Nuo Si looked at him with a grave expression.

"Qin Ming, are you sure you want to fight that Shrek Dragon?"

"He isn't an ordinary Level 23 Soul Grandmaster. Half a year ago, when he was Level 22, he could already fiercely battle Iron Bear Abu, who had remained at Level 29 for many years."

"His strength has probably risen to another level by now." Nuo Si did not continue, but his meaning was already clear.

Shrek Dragon was no ordinary Level 23 Soul Grandmaster. His strength should already be approaching that of a Soul Elder, so Qin Ming's chances of victory were slim.

Qin Ming's face was expressionless, revealing none of what he was thinking. "Brother Nuo Si, he isn't ordinary. Does that mean I am?"

Nuo Si was suddenly startled. He looked at the young man sitting on the sofa.

A six-year-old Level 17 Spirit Master, with Innate Level 8 Soul Power. In less than a year, he had risen from Level 8 to Level 17. He was a major star of the Soto Great Soul Arena.

A genius among geniuses!

If Qin Ming counted as ordinary, then Nuo Si might as well be buried.

So what if the opponent's strength rivaled a Soul Elder? The opponent was certainly talented, but Qin Ming was a monster too! He was also a legend of the Soul Fighting Arena!

Nuo Si fell silent and said nothing more.

"By the way, Brother Nuo Si, what are my odds?" Qin Ming asked.

"You're at 1:9. Shrek Dragon is at 1:1.5."

"Sha Sha has been in the Betting Hall. Most of the people watching the match have bet on Shrek Dragon, but all of us have wagered everything on you."

That was perfectly normal. Shrek Dragon was no ordinary person; both he and Qin Ming were geniuses.

If it had been an ordinary Soul Grandmaster, people would probably have bet on Qin Ming to win.

But since the opponent was also a genius, people were still more willing to believe in Shrek Dragon, who had one additional Soul Ring.

"Don't worry, Brother Nuo Si. I definitely won't let you lose money."

"Safety comes first in a match. Losing money is no big deal, but it would be bad if you were seriously injured." Nuo Si shook his head.

Qin Ming could not help laughing. "Brother Nuo Si, do you really have that little faith in me?"

"No. I just hope you won't care too much about that money during the match." Nuo Si's tone was steady, his gaze calm.

He did not want Qin Ming to step into the arena under pressure.

Qin Ming shook his head with a smile. He had grown considerably over the past half year. To him, this soul fight was more like a test of the limits of his own strength.