Participating in the Battle Soul

Xiao Chen's ability to change his arrow's form was naturally the work of the system.

The system had stated before that as Xiao Chen continuously added spirit rings to his martial soul, unlocking and developing spirit skills, the quality of the martial soul itself would steadily transform, and its external form could also evolve and reshape accordingly.

Arrows and spears were already similar in shape and structure; converting between the two forms was naturally effortless and without hindrance.

Participating in fighting soul battles interested Xiao Chen, but as Hu Liena and the others had said, a long-range spirit master like him was indeed ill-suited for this kind of arena.

However, turning the arrow into a spear changed things entirely.

Practical combat in the Fighting Soul Arena was also one of the training tasks assigned by the system.

Close-quarters combat could train reaction speed, temper the body, and enhance physical toughness and strength.

These were also indispensable qualities for an archer.

"Xiao Chen, you never fail to surprise us at every turn!" Xie Yue said, looking at Xiao Chen.

Yan gave a wry smile and added, "I thought mobile rapid-fire was your second form, but I didn't expect you to have a third form too!"

Hu Liena smiled gently and urged, "Hurry up, hurry up, let's get inside. I can't wait to see just how strong little junior's close-combat skills really are."

Afterward, the four of them changed their appearances, put on masks, and entered the Grand Fighting Soul Arena in Spirit City.

Hu Liena and the other two first took Xiao Chen to fill out the fighting soul registration forms and pay the registration fee, followed by a spirit power test, which earned Xiao Chen his initial Iron Fighting Soul Badge.

Participants in the fighting soul matches used code names. Xiao Chen directly named himself "Mystic Spear" after his latest martial soul form.

After registering, they had to wait for a while, so Xiao Chen and the other three entered the arena to watch other fighting soul matches.

Inside the Grand Fighting Soul Arena of Spirit City, the crowd was buzzing with excitement. Even matches between Level 20 Great Spirit Masters drew a considerable audience.

After two matches concluded, the host took the stage, his voice amplified by spirit power, echoing throughout the entire Fighting Soul Arena: "This one-on-one fighting soul match features 'Crackrock,' a Level 25 Great Spirit Master on a five-win streak, versus 'Mystic Spear,' a Level 23 Great Spirit Master who has just obtained his Iron Fighting Soul Badge."

"Now, let's welcome both combatants to the stage!"

With the host's deliberate hype, the atmosphere in the arena instantly heated up, and the surrounding spectators erupted in cheers.

However, the vast majority were shouting "Crackrock" at the top of their lungs. Clearly, this Level 25 Battle Spirit Master was more popular with the audience.

"32nd Branch Fighting Soul Arena, one-on-one match number seven, begin!"

As the host's voice fell, both sides immediately released their martial souls and spirit rings.

Crackrock's martial soul was a Great Axe, and his spirit rings were the standard two-yellow configuration for a Great Spirit Master.

In contrast, Xiao Chen's martial soul, a wooden spear, looked unremarkable in quality to begin with, and then he released two white spirit rings.

The moment Xiao Chen's spirit rings slowly rose around him, the entire Fighting Soul Arena fell into a dead silence.

Many spectators subconsciously rubbed their eyes, their faces full of disbelief. Only after checking repeatedly did they confirm that Xiao Chen's two spirit rings were indeed white.

The silence in the arena lasted only a few seconds. The next moment, the entire stands erupted in waves of roaring laughter.

Scornful and mocking discussions spread freely. Everyone present was amused by the sight before them.

White spirit rings were the worst kind. Some less talented spirit masters might have a white first ring, but a white second ring? The audience here had definitely never seen that before.

In everyone's eyes, this match was already a foregone conclusion.

"Good grief, double white rings! There's actually a freak like this in Spirit City!"

"A two-level gap in rank, plus two white rings—does this even need to be fought? He's just here to hand out points."

"This is pure self-humiliation!"

The jeers from the audience were everywhere. Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue could only sigh helplessly. They had long anticipated this scene.

"Don't get me wrong, but shouldn't the Grand Fighting Soul Arena's vetting process be stricter?"

A man in the row in front of them let out a sneer, his tone dripping with contempt, loud enough for Hu Liena and the others to hear.

"What kind of riffraff and trash are they letting in to participate in fighting soul matches now? A weakling spirit master with double white rings, worthy of stepping onto the Fighting Soul Arena to duel?"

Hu Liena and the others initially wanted to ignore him, but the guy up front kept rambling on and on, escalating from mockery to outright insults.

Hu Liena shot to her feet, but before she could speak, Yan opened his mouth first.

"Shut up. If you don't want to watch, get the hell out!" Yan barked.

The man in the front row turned around at the sound, looking at Yan with impatience, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance and sarcasm: "Who the hell are you? I'll watch if I want, and I'll leave if I don't. I don't need you telling me what to do."

Anyone who could make it in Spirit City had some kind of background, and with Yan and the others wearing masks, the man naturally had no reason to fear them.

"If you're going to watch, then watch quietly. Stop running your mouth!" Xie Yue interjected.

The man glanced at Xie Yue, then sneered, "Oh... I get it now."

He lifted his chin, his gaze sweeping contemptuously over Xiao Chen on the Fighting Soul Arena stage before landing back on Yan and the others. "That kid down there is your companion, isn't he? If you're keeping company with trash like that, I bet your spirit rings are just as worthless and pathetic!"

Before his words even faded, Hu Liena stood up and said, "There are no worthless spirit rings, only worthless spirit masters. Open your dog eyes wide and watch closely. This match, Mystic Spear will win without a doubt!"

"Heh..." The man let out a contemptuous laugh. "Since you're so sure, want to make a bet? One thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

"Fine!" Hu Liena immediately pulled out a thousand Gold Soul Coins. Someone was handing her money; she had no reason to refuse.

Hu Liena's casual act of producing a thousand Gold Soul Coins was particularly eye-catching. The crisp clinking of coins in the bag spread through the air, instantly drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Greed surged unmistakably in everyone's eyes as they crowded forward, jostling to ask questions, all wanting to join in and place bets.

Facing the eager inquiries, Hu Liena turned no one away.

Beside her, Xie Yue and Yan stood calm, each taking out the Gold Soul Coins they had saved over the years and handing them all to Hu Liena to act as the banker.

On the Fighting Soul Arena, Crackrock was stunned for a good while when he saw that Xiao Chen's two Spirit Rings were white.

But he wouldn't go soft-hearted. After five consecutive wins, every additional victory added ten points, saving him a lot of time on his way to the Bronze Fighting Soul Badge.

Crackrock hoisted his Great Axe and charged forward, not even bothering to use a spirit skill.

Facing the oncoming Crackrock, Xiao Chen neither dodged nor evaded; he swung his long spear and met him head-on.

The moment the Great Axe clashed with the long spear, a crisp ring echoed out.

A violent recoil force spread along the axe handle. Crackrock's body shuddered violently; he was forced back several steps, his arms numb and swollen, his face full of shock.

In contrast, Xiao Chen's feet were firmly planted on the arena floor, his posture straight as a pine, unmoved even a fraction—he had taken that heavy strike without flinching.

"How is that possible?"

The entire venue erupted in uproar. Everyone had believed that Crackrock could defeat Xiao Chen with a single axe blow, but never expected that in a direct confrontation, he would actually come out on the losing end.