Imperial Insect Team

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As a pearl on the border of the two great empires, Martial Soul City was no less prosperous than their respective imperial capitals. With the Pope Hall and Douluo Hall presiding over it, it had become a holy land in the hearts of Spirit Masters across the continent.

Spirit Masters, who were usually rare to see, were as common as crucian carp crossing a river in Martial Soul City, no longer standing out in the slightest.

As the morning sun shone into the majestic city that had been bright all night, Qian Yun boarded a carriage heading toward the Spirit Fighting Arena.

After three days of adjustment, Qian Yun's condition had reached its peak. He rested his small face on his hand, watching the streetscape receding outside the window, his golden eyes bright.

At his feet lay a long, rectangular parcel, which emitted a faint clinking sound as the carriage swayed slightly.

This was the trump card Qian Yun had prepared for this match: the "Thunder-Attracting Spear," forged from high-purity Thunder-Attracting Stone. Now, as long as he stuck them into the ground, they would inevitably attract lightning strikes during a thunderstorm.

The scenery outside the window shifted from the grand halls to the bustling streets, and the noisy sounds in his ears grew louder.

At this moment, the coachman's respectful voice came through the carriage door, "My lord, we have arrived at the Martial Soul City Spirit Fighting Arena."

"Understood." Qian Yun withdrew his gaze, picked up the heavy parcel at his feet, and stepped out of the carriage.

Looking at the massive circular building in front of him, which resembled an amphitheater, Qian Yun couldn't help but feel a surge of restlessness in his heart.

Meanwhile, inside a private box at the Spirit Fighting Arena, the members of the Imperial Fighting Team had been waiting for a long time.

In front of the massive floor-to-ceiling crystal glass, Qin Ming stood silently, watching the spirit fight currently underway below. His bright eyes were unfocused, and his index finger tapped lightly against his crossed arms; clearly, his mind was not on the match below.

Behind him, all the members of the Imperial Fighting Team were present. The usually lively atmosphere was somewhat silent at this moment, and the thunderous cheers from outside the box seemed to have nothing to do with them.

They were all waiting for that moment to arrive.

Below, a host suddenly walked quickly to the center of the stone platform where a match had just ended. His clean leather shoes stepped carelessly over the still-wet bloodstains on the platform, and the spotlight at the top moved rapidly to converge on him alone.

Looking at the crowded stands around him, he raised a brilliant smile and held his hands high as if enjoying the moment. A moment later, he puffed out his chest, and his thick, magnetic voice clearly reached every corner, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Martial Soul City Spirit Fighting Arena. I am your host and commentator for this match, Monchi."

After speaking, he bowed deeply to the audience.

The change on the field naturally did not escape Qin Ming's eyes. He whispered to himself, "It's finally here."

Monchi's sudden appearance did not make the crowd impatient; instead, it triggered even more intense cheers. Clearly, this guy was quite popular in a place as mixed as the Spirit Fighting Arena.

Facing the cheers of the audience, the smile on Monchi's face grew even brighter, "I wonder how much you bosses have won already? Don't get too addicted to gambling, because... the next match is guaranteed to blow your mind!"

"Bosses who want to place bets, hurry up. Let me give you a small hint: this is an extra match, a one-on-seven."

"Whoa--"

Hearing this, the audience became even more excited, calling for attendants to place their bets one after another, pulling out chips with a familiarity that surpassed even breathing.

"Monchi, hurry up and stop stalling, I'm waiting to get rich!"

"Monchi, I love you, I want to have your children..."

"Wow, even Monchi is out! It looks like the next match will definitely be spectacular!"

"..."

No matter where it was, the underdog overcoming the strong was always the focus of attention.

"You all can't wait, can you? Alright then, the spectacular match begins now!" As he spoke, he lowered his head and glanced at the card he had just received. "Next, we have the Imperial Fighting Team versus... uh... what?"

Monchi was startled when he saw the wet ink on the card, thinking he had misread it, and hurriedly leaned in to take another look.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times he looked, the result was the same. He raised his face and looked toward the youth wearing a half-fox mask below the stage with a conflicted expression.

Qian Yun, his face covered by the half-fox mask, gestured toward the stunned Monchi on the stage with his exposed chin.

"Read it."

Having received confirmation, Monchi stopped stalling. He puffed out his chest and shouted loudly, "Next, we have the Imperial Fighting Team versus the Imperial Insect Team! Will both teams please take their positions!"

If it were any other time, the name Qian Yun gave wouldn't have been anything special. But now, placed alongside the Imperial Fighting Team, it seemed...

"Snap!"

In the VIP room, Dugu Yan smashed the crystal on the coffee table into pieces, her face cold as frost. "This guy is too arrogant! Teacher, let me go and tear his mouth apart first."

"Yan, calm down!" Yu Tianheng held back Dugu Yan, who was already on the verge of losing control.

Facing the furious Dugu Yan, Qin Ming shook his head seriously. "No, follow our plan."

After speaking, his gaze turned to Shi Mo, who had already stood up and was ready. Looking at this steady, mountain-like tall youth, Qin Ming instructed sternly, "Shi Mo, you go out first. Remember, your primary task is not to defeat him; you only need to force him to reveal his methods as much as possible. Victory is secondary, do you understand?"

Shi Mo, with his square face and straight nose, nodded seriously. Compared to the emotions on the faces of the other members, he was as calm as water. "I understand, Teacher. I will stall him as much as possible. Of course, if necessary, I won't mind giving him a beating!"

"Good." Facing the always-steady Shi Mo, Qin Ming didn't need to say much more. "Go."

Shi Mo nodded. As he turned, a large hand, equally broad, pressed against his shoulder. "Brother, be careful."

Shi Mo looked at his younger brother, patted the back of the latter's hand, and then walked out of the VIP room alone.

He then strode forward, meeting thousands of gazes as he stepped onto the stone platform. At this moment, Qian Yun also happened to step onto the stage.

Shi Mo looked at the mask on Qian Yun's face and his slightly thin frame, snorting in disdain.

Qian Yun ignored his attitude, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Whether in his past life or this one, it was his first time being scrutinized from head to toe by so many people. Some praised him for being cute, some cursed him to go home and drink milk, and there were even guys giving him the middle finger.

Facing such varied gazes, frankly speaking, this feeling was not very good.

Regardless of what he was thinking, Monchi saw that both sides had taken their positions and held his hands out levelly. "State your names."

Shi Mo puffed out his chest with his hands behind his back. Without his mask, he looked quite upright and honorable. "Shi Mo, Martial Soul Black Tortoise Turtle, level 22 Defense System Battle Spirit Master!"

His height already surpassed that of many adults, and the muscles on his arms bulged exaggeratedly, his sturdy physique stretching the Imperial Fighting team uniform to its limit.

Qian Yun glanced at him and spoke as well: "Amiga, Martial Soul Crown, level 23 Tool Spirit Master."

Shi Mo was taken aback upon hearing this. He hadn't expected this guy, who was clearly younger than him, to have a higher spirit power cultivation than his own, and he immediately cast aside his feelings of contempt.

"Good! Both sides have introduced themselves. Please step back; the match is about to begin." Monchi leaped, retreating to the edge of the arena first.

Qian Yun stepped back slowly, smiling as he looked at Shi Mo's back. In the Spirit Fighting Arena, to prepare for various unexpected situations, time was always given for both sides to manifest their Martial Souls.

On the other side, Shi Mo began to manifest his Martial Soul. With a loud roar, his already tall frame grew even taller. Simultaneously, a mass of deep, ink-colored water vapor condensed, and a sturdy shield appeared out of thin air in his hands, with two yellow century spirit rings shining beneath his feet.

This was his Martial Soul, the Black Tortoise Turtle. The Black Tortoise belongs to the water element in the five elements and possesses a yin nature. This type of Martial Soul, while possessing extremely high defensive power, also has offensive capabilities that ordinary turtle-type Martial Souls lack; it is a top-tier defensive beast Martial Soul that excels in both offense and defense.

Qian Yun smiled faintly, and at the same time, a crown that looked as if it were condensed from the stars in the sky appeared on his forehead. Two identical golden century spirit rings flickered beneath his feet.

The elements around the stone platform seemed to be pulled and began to churn with its appearance. Shi Mo, who was particularly sensitive to the water elements in the arena, was startled; he truly wasn't sure what the effect of Qian Yun's Crown was.

In the VIP room, Qin Ming's gaze remained fixed on Qian Yun. The moment the latter's Martial Soul appeared, a rare look of confusion crossed his eyes. Even with his vast experience, he had never seen Qian Yun's Martial Soul before. Moreover, with his keen eyes as a level 55 Spirit King, he naturally sensed that not only were the water elements in the arena agitated, but a variety of other elements were also beginning to stir restlessly.

What kind of Martial Soul is this? Qin Ming asked himself.

Down on the stage, with a loud shout from Monchi, the match officially began.

Unexpectedly, neither Qian Yun nor Shi Mo moved first. They both stood quietly, watching each other as if they weren't the ones competing.

Shi Mo held his Black Tortoise Shield, the thick water vapor swirling around him polishing the gray stone platform beneath his feet until it was smooth, reflecting the restless audience above.

"Not going to make a move? You won't have a chance later, you know?" Qian Yun spoke, offering a "kind" reminder. At the same time, he raised his small hand, lightning dancing at his fingertips.

"Hmph." Faced with such a crude provocation, Shi Mo didn't want to pay it any mind, but he was currently intent on exhausting Qian Yun as much as possible. Furthermore, the spirit power required to maintain his Martial Soul was being consumed; if things continued like this, even if his opponent didn't attack, the situation would turn against him.

Thus, he raised his shield and carefully took solid steps toward his opponent, leaving a deep trail of water behind him.

"Heh." Facing the mountain bearing down on him, Qian Yun flicked his finger, and a flash of light shot toward his opponent at high speed.

Shi Mo tensed, his first spirit ring flashing beneath his feet. "First Spirit Skill, Immovable as a Mountain!"

In an instant, the already heavy water vapor became even denser; one could soak their palms just by grabbing at the air in the arena now.

"Sizzle—"

The flashing lightning struck the water-shimmering Black Tortoise Shield, failing to stir up even the slightest ripple. This bit of damage wasn't even as effective as a water gun!

Realizing he had been played, Shi Mo listened to the jeers of the audience, his face beneath the blue-ink water vapor no longer so calm.

Qian Yun raised his index finger and chuckled. "Just saying hello, hope you don't mind."

After speaking, he pointed his finger at Shi Mo and once again "kindly" advised: "Still not attacking? You won't have a chance later, you know?"

Qian Yun's childish voice sounded like a devil's whisper in Shi Mo's ears. He snorted coldly, "I want to see what tricks you're trying to pull. Second Spirit Skill, Giant Turtle Stealth!"

Accompanied by his loud shout, Shi Mo charged toward Qian Yun, carrying with him a massive amount of water vapor. The once light vapor now felt as if it had weight, pressing down heavily on anyone it touched.

Qian Yun finally put away his smile, his first spirit ring flashing beneath his feet. "First Spirit Skill, Spirit Roar!"

A nearly transparent light wave erupted from Qian Yun's chest at high speed. Before Shi Mo could even see it clearly, a loud "Clang—" rang out.

It was as if a giant boulder had suddenly smashed into a calm lake. With a boom, the water vapor condensed on Shi Mo exploded, and droplets of water scattered across the ground.

Immediately following, an unbelievable scene occurred: Shi Mo's tall frame swayed, and then he simply collapsed to the ground.

"Brother!"

Shi Mo's younger brother, Shi Tou, let out a sharp cry and rushed toward the stone platform, knocking the door open. Osler realized what was happening and hurriedly followed.

The audience was silent for a moment, and then a deafening roar of cheers erupted.