Xiao Chen's breakthrough to level 24 had made Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan feel a faint sense of crisis. They still remembered Bibi Dong saying that if Xiao Chen caught up to them in Soul Power Level, they would have to undergo hellish training.
Yan and Xie Yue were both spurred into action. Just as they were about to enter a Soul Fighting match, Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly spoke. "Yan, Xie Yue, the two of you should also apply for new Soul Fighting Badges."
"Once the four of you have gotten fully accustomed to fighting together and learned one another's fighting styles, you can form a team and enter the group matches, taking on seven opponents in a four-on-seven team battle!"
Yan and Xie Yue's eyes lit up at his words. Spirit Hall had allowed them to enter solo and doubles matches, but had never let them take part in team battles.
Most of their teamwork and practical experience came from Spirit Hall's internal training.
Whether they were fighting one another, sparring with instructors, or taking part in small-scale life-or-death trials, the intensity was greater than that of team battles in the Soul Fighting Arena.
But a four-on-seven battle would certainly be intense.
After all, unlike the Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament, the Soul Fighting Arena had no age restrictions.
As long as all the competitors' Soul Power Levels fell within the same range, they could sign up to compete, with no other restrictions.
Normally, team battles were seven-on-seven. If one side had an extra fighter, the other side would surely object, but no one would protest if they were short three.
"Xiao Chen, when you enter team battles, you'll continue to use the codename 'Absolute String.' You can only use your Bow Martial Soul in battle!" Chrysanthemum Douluo said, looking at him.
"All right!" Xiao Chen nodded.
Chrysanthemum Douluo continued, "Keep using your 'Mystic Spear' identity, too. Don't skip the solo, doubles, or team matches!"
"Understood!" Xiao Chen replied. Close-combat training was one of the system's assigned tasks, after all. He wouldn't give it up.
"You're free to do as you please for the next three days. After that, you'll come with me to see His Holiness the Pope. His Holiness will personally arrange your upcoming training tasks and goals," Chrysanthemum Douluo continued.
With that, he left the Great Soul Arena.
After Yan and Xie Yue collected their new Soul Fighting Badges, they entered a doubles match together. Then all four left the Great Soul Arena and continued wandering around Spirit City.
They didn't return to Spirit Hall until evening.
Yan and Xie Yue usually lived in the Spirit Hall Academy dormitories.
At that moment, Yan watched Xiao Chen walk side by side with Hu Liena into the Pope's rear palace, his heart full of envy.
"Hey, Brother Xie Yue, do you think I still have a chance?" Yan sighed.
"You've still got time to think about that?" Xie Yue shot Yan a look. "I can't be bothered with you. It's still early. I'm going to get in some extra training!" With that, he headed for the Spirit Hall Academy training grounds.
Yan hurried after him. "Wait for me! I'm going to train extra, too!"
Meanwhile, led by Hu Liena, Xiao Chen had returned to his residence.
It was a standalone loft, separated from the Saintess Hall, where Hu Liena lived, by only a single wall.
"Little Junior Brother, if you're missing anything or need anything, just tell the maids. I live right next door, so you can come straight to me if anything comes up," Hu Liena said gently.
"Thank you for going to the trouble, Senior Sister." Xiao Chen cupped his hands calmly, his tone modest.
A warm smile played on Hu Liena's lips, and her gaze softened. "There's no need to be so formal with your senior sister. You're my little junior brother. It's only natural for me to look after you, so you don't have to be so polite."
As she spoke, Hu Liena walked closer, and a faint, elegant fragrance drifted toward him.
She was already stunning, with delicate features and smooth, jade-like skin. A gentle, captivating charm shone in her eyes.
Now that she stood so close, Xiao Chen's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help being dazzled by her beauty.
Xiao Chen quickly steadied himself and silently reminded himself, Stay calm, stay calm. This is Douluo Continent, not a romance novel. I can't be as hopeless as the system!
System: "..."
"Host, you're trying to use this system as a scapegoat again!"
Xiao Chen ignored the system. He took half a step back, then spoke gently to Hu Liena. "Senior Sister, it's getting late. You should get some rest, too."
Hu Liena smiled. First, she called the two maids outside into the room and gave them a few instructions. Then she waved to Xiao Chen and left.
After Hu Liena left, the two maids immediately came forward. Their expressions were respectful and gentle. One of them asked softly, "Young Master, it's late. Would you like to retire?"
Xiao Chen nodded.
The two maids promptly stepped forward to help him remove his outer robe, then began making the bed.
Xiao Chen had always done everything himself. He had never been treated like this before.
He had to admit that both maids were beautiful, but he was a gentleman. He politely asked them to leave and return to their own rooms to rest, telling them they didn't need to stay and attend to him.
Outside the loft, Hu Liena hadn't gone far. When she saw the two maids leave the room, a faint smile immediately appeared on her face.
She stood quietly for a while. Only after the light in Xiao Chen's room went out did she turn and leisurely return to the Saintess Hall.
Inside his room, Xiao Chen didn't go straight to bed.
First, he sat quietly and meditated for an hour, steadying his Soul Power.
Then he followed the process for developing his Soul Skill, slowly completing three cycles and gathering and regulating his aura until it was fully concealed. Only then did he retire.
Over the next two days, Xiao Chen, using his "Mystic Spear" identity, won two solo matches in a row, securing his third consecutive victory.
With his clean, sharp, and decisive fighting style, along with the strikingly unique sight of his two white Spirit Rings, the identity "Mystic Spear" had already made a name for itself in the Great Soul Arena and gained quite a following.
Of course, his "Absolute String" identity was just as popular.
His doubles team with Hu Liena was even more impressive. They had wrapped up both matches in mere seconds.
Even though their opponents knew Xiao Chen and Hu Liena's fighting styles, they still couldn't defend against them.
Hu Liena's mental control was simply too strong. Anyone below level 45 would struggle to resist it, even with advance preparation.
Even those who weren't controlled right away were thrown badly off balance and had no way to deal with Xiao Chen's arrows.
The Great Soul Arena had reached its conclusion: Soul Ancestor teams below level 45 were no match at all for the String Fox Duo.
Yan and Xie Yue had been just as busy. Their doubles team had also earned three consecutive victories.
Inside the main hall of the Worship Hall, a black-robed figure stood before a tall, burly old man in a gold robe with silver patterns.
"Lord Golden Crocodile, I've finished investigating. The new disciple His Holiness the Pope took on is named Xiao Chen. He comes from a small village near Suotuo City. He's been alone since childhood and has never had dealings with any faction," the black-robed man reported.
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded, signaling for the Black-robed Steward to continue.
"Xiao Chen's First Martial Soul is a Wooden Bow. He fought in a small town outside Star Dou Forest, and both of his Spirit Rings were white. His strength far exceeds his level. If he has enough distance, even a level 30 Soul Elder might not be a match for him," the black-robed man continued.
"Oh?" Golden Crocodile Douluo immediately took an interest.
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