After washing up, Jiang Siming returned to Notting City. On the way back to Notting Academy, he kept wondering how he should explain things. If people found out his First Soul Ring was a Thousand-Year Soul Ring, it would cause an unnecessary commotion. Jiang Siming was sticking to the plan of keeping a low profile and building up his strength. Before reaching level 40, he didn't want to reveal that he could absorb Soul Rings beyond his level. At his current level, a 2,500-year-old Soul Beast was roughly equivalent to a level 37 Soul Master. Jiang Siming was level 17 and could go toe-to-toe with a 2,000-year-old Ghost Leopard. So he wasn't lacking in strength or speed, and the Four Immortal-Slaughtering Swords were enormously powerful. Level 40 would be a major turning point, since he might unlock the entirety of his First Martial Soul. The power of all four Zhuxian Swords together was hard to imagine.
Then he would set himself a goal: before reaching level 40, he wouldn't use any Soul Skills in front of outsiders. It wasn't that Jiang Siming didn't trust Grandmaster or Tang San and the others. It was just that this went far beyond what a Soul Master could normally absorb. It was like someone spending a hundred yuan as though it were ten thousand. That person would inevitably become a target for everyone.
Soto City Grand Soul Arena, First Battle
Inside Suotuo City.
A man clad in a black robe and wearing a mask, about 1.5 meters tall, walked toward the Soto Grand Arena.
"Please help me with the registration," Jiang Siming said, putting on a hoarse voice.
The receptionist froze for a moment. No matter how much Jiang Siming tried to disguise it, he couldn't hide the youthful quality in his voice.
Of course, she was only a receptionist, but after working at the Soto Grand Arena for years, she knew what to say and what not to say.
"Sir, your registration is complete. Please fill in your name or title. Would you like us to arrange a Spirit Fighting match?"
Jiang Siming thought, What would be a cool name? I've got it.
"All right. Arrange a match for me as soon as possible." His hoarse voice rang out again.
The receptionist took the form, the corner of her mouth twitching. That name really is something. She gave a helpless smile.
"Certainly, Lord Soul Master. You're scheduled for the thirteenth match in Area B tonight, starting at 9:20. Please arrive on time. Here's the information on your opponent. Good luck," the receptionist said respectfully.
Jiang Siming gave a quiet acknowledgment and left at once. He glanced at his opponent's profile, then suddenly smiled. It was Dai Mubai, the future leader of the Shrek Seven Devils.
Night fell.
The Soto Grand Arena was alive with noise and excitement.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! It's time for the Spirit Fighting match you've all been waiting for!" the host cried energetically.
"Our first competitor is a newcomer with a very arrogant name: None of You Can Fight! Can his strength live up to his name? Let's wait and see. His opponent is the level 21 Soul Grandmaster, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, with an impressive record of seven wins and two losses. Who will come out on top tonight?"
"Both competitors, take your positions!"
"Has it started? Dai Mubai, I hope you're a worthy opponent."
"The Spirit Fighting match begins!"
Neither of them wasted any time. Dai Mubai immediately released his Martial Soul. His eyes gleamed with an eerie red-and-blue light as he charged toward Jiang Siming.
"White Tiger Barrier!" Dai Mubai roared, striking at Jiang Siming with his palm.
"Come on! Let me see what the Evil-Eyed White Tiger can do!" Jiang Siming clenched his fist and punched Dai Mubai's palm. Dai Mubai sprang backward and landed steadily on his feet.
"Wow! It looks like our competitor, None of You Can Fight, is quite strong. They clashed head-on, and neither side gained the upper hand. What an exciting match!" the host exclaimed.
This guy is really strong. He hasn't even released his Martial Soul, yet his body is this powerful, Dai Mubai thought to himself.
I can already go toe-to-toe with a Soul Grandmaster without using my Martial Soul? The Body Strengthening Pill is even more powerful than I imagined. I still can't fully control this strength; it feels a little unstable. Did I improve too quickly? Jiang Siming thought to himself.
Dai Mubai charged again, throwing another punch straight at Jiang Siming's face. A rush of wind swept toward him. Jiang Siming slid backward on both feet and dodged the blow. Then he pushed off with one foot and suddenly lunged at Dai Mubai, punching him in the stomach.
"White Tiger Light Wave!" Dai Mubai shouted again.
Jiang Siming dodged the beam of white light. It struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The two faced each other again.
"Not bad, brother. How about a drink sometime?" Jiang Siming said.
"Sure, but only if you show me what you're really capable of. I know you're holding back. Come on!" Dai Mubai shouted.
Dai Mubai was a genius too. Geniuses often recognized and admired one another. Jiang Siming stopped putting on a hoarse voice and spoke to Dai Mubai normally, so Dai Mubai realized his opponent might be even younger than he was. That only made him more eager to win.
"Then bring it on!" Jiang Siming shouted back.
They traded punch for punch, and both ended up with bruised faces. The spectators in the stands cheered them on.
In the end, Dai Mubai fell.
Jiang Siming walked over and held out a hand.
"Let's be friends, buddy!" Jiang Siming said.
Dai Mubai slowly opened his swollen eyes and managed a crooked smile. He clumsily reached out his hand.
Jiang Siming pulled him to his feet. "Announcer, go ahead and call it! I still have drinks to get to."
"Wow, what a fantastic match! None of You Can Fight never used a Soul Skill or released his Martial Soul, yet he fought the Evil-Eyed White Tiger evenly and ultimately won! Let's congratulate None of You Can Fight!" The host roused the crowd.
Amid the cheers, Jiang Siming helped Dai Mubai out of the Great Soul Arena.
In a bar, two handsome young men with bruised faces drank to their hearts' content.
"Buddy, you're ridiculously strong! You beat me up that badly without even using your Martial Soul," Dai Mubai said, admiration tinged with drunkenness.
It was Jiang Siming's first time drinking since arriving in this world. He was already dead drunk and looked ready to collapse at any moment. He slurred, "How awesome am I? Want to be as awesome as me?"
"Whoa, buddy, you can't be older than me, can you?" Dai Mubai said.
"Never mind that. Just tell me, do you want to?" Jiang Siming was already sprawled across the table, almost unconscious.
"Yeah. Then tell me." Dai Mubai, his face flushed red, helped Jiang Siming sit up.
"Just wait." Jiang Siming took a pill from inside his robe. It was the Body Strengthening Pill.