Life and Death Duel

The spectator area of the Xilu Great Soul Arena's seventh sub-arena quickly filled to capacity.

A thirteen-match winning streak was already eye-catching, and the fact that Xiao Chen was sporting two white spirit rings made it even more so.

As soon as the news spread, spectators from other sub-arenas immediately flocked toward the seventh.

In the exclusive rest room, the Xilu Great Soul Arena's manager came specially to visit Xiao Chen, but was blocked at the door by Chrysanthemum Douluo.

Once they saw that 'Mystic Spear' had special privileges, they knew his identity must be unusual.

Moreover, they could see that 'Mystic Spear's' twelve-match winning streak had all been achieved at the Martial Soul City Great Soul Arena, and any clever person could guess that 'Mystic Spear' likely came from Martial Soul Hall.

That was why he wanted to pay a visit.

Though blocked at the door, the arena manager wasn't the least bit angry.

The arena manager couldn't sense any soul power fluctuation from Chrysanthemum Douluo, but as a seventy-third-level Soul Saint, he was certain that the person before him had a higher soul power level.

He handed Chrysanthemum Douluo a VIP card of the highest tier at the Xilu Great Soul Arena, then left.

The 'Mystic Spear' identity was originally meant to cover for Xiao Chen, and Bibi Dong wasn't worried at all if people guessed it was connected to Martial Soul Hall.

After all, 'Mystic Spear' only appeared during arena fights; under normal circumstances, even if Xiao Chen had to make a move, he would use his Bow Martial Soul as the lead.

Even if he needed to use his Arrow Martial Soul, it wouldn't manifest in a spear form.

So when Xiao Chen participated in arena fights as 'Mystic Spear,' he had no need to hide his two white spirit rings.

Two matches on the seventh arena ended in the blink of an eye. Before the fighters on stage had even walked off, the surrounding audience erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Mystic Spear! Mystic Spear!"

Deafening shouts swept across the entire venue. The spectators who had just arrived at the seventh arena all wanted to see what 'Mystic Spear' looked like.

Xiao Chen stepped onto the stage amid the cheers. This time, his opponent was a twenty-eighth-level Attack System Soul Grand Master, codename 'Mad Halberd,' with the 'Wind-Splitting War Halberd' Martial Soul.

This man also held a Bronze Fighting Soul Badge and had already achieved a four-match winning streak in the bronze tier.

He hadn't seen Xiao Chen's first match; he had only heard that a Soul Grand Master in the bracket had achieved thirteen consecutive wins, and with white spirit rings at that, which was why he signed up for the fight.

'Mad Halberd' simply didn't believe that a twenty-fourth-level Soul Grand Master could win thirteen straight matches with two white rings.

"Mystic Spear, I'm not so easy to fool. No matter what identity you have, I won't go easy on you. If you don't want to end up crippled, you'd better surrender right now!" Mad Halberd declared arrogantly.

Before entering the arena, Xiao Chen had already received 'Mad Halberd's' profile. This man fought with ruthless, decisive strikes. Though none of his previous opponents had died on the spot, almost all had been left with permanent disabilities. His brutal methods were well-known throughout the Xilu Great Soul Arena.

Xiao Chen glanced at him, then said flatly, "Mad Halberd, is it? This Young Master gives you a piece of advice too. If you don't want to die, get lost right now!"

Mad Halberd burst out laughing at that. This was the first time he had met someone even more arrogant than himself.

"Fine. The Great Soul Arena forbids killing, which is really boring. Since you're so confident, let's sign a life-or-death duel. Do you dare?" Mad Halberd sneered.

"Just what I wanted!" Xiao Chen said calmly.

Before his words faded, the cheers from the audience suddenly multiplied several times over. Roars and shouts mingled together, and everyone's emotions were fully ignited.

Every person in the stands rose to their feet, arms raised and voices roaring. The clamor swept through the entire arena, and the air itself seethed with restlessness, frenzy, and the boiling scent of bloodlust.

Seeing this scene, the Xilu Great Soul Arena's manager immediately told the host not to start yet. He knew Xiao Chen's background was extraordinary and naturally didn't want to see him meet with an accident at the Xilu arena.

So he returned once more to Xiao Chen's previous rest room.

"Why are you back again!" Chrysanthemum Douluo said impatiently.

The arena manager quickly said, "Senior, this life-or-death duel..."

Before he could finish, Chrysanthemum Douluo cut him off. "No matter. Since that brat is looking for death, just grant his wish!"

Seeing that Chrysanthemum Douluo wasn't stopping it, the arena manager finally relaxed.

"Senior, Mad Halberd's grandfather is a sixty-eighth-level Soul Emperor, and his family is right here in Xilu City!" the arena manager added.

"Mm, I know." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded faintly, not taking it to heart at all.

The arena manager bowed and left.

After receiving the manager's message, the host immediately announced to the crowd: "This match... begins!"

As the host's words fell, Xiao Chen instantly transformed into a blur and charged forward.

Seeing Xiao Chen rush at him, Mad Halberd immediately swung his halberd to meet him.

It had to be admitted—this man did have grounds for his arrogance.

After exchanging blows with him for a moment, Xiao Chen could clearly sense that his opponent's combat power was indeed above the average for his rank.

Unfortunately, he was up against Xiao Chen.

With Shadow Step Dash in play, Mad Halberd couldn't even touch him, forced onto the defensive.

In normal arena fights, Xiao Chen always held back a little, letting Yan and the others win more Gold Soul Coins.

But this man's methods were too vicious, and since they had already signed a life-or-death duel, Xiao Chen naturally wouldn't show mercy.

His spear, enhanced with 'Piercing Wound,' struck with heavy, brutal force with every blow, numbing Mad Halberd's arms.

Only then did Mad Halberd suddenly realize that Xiao Chen's strength wasn't just talk. He no longer dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

He spun his halberd shaft, and the yellow spirit ring flared with light as he roared, "First Spirit Ability: Instant Wind Thrust!"

The war halberd, wrapped in wind-splitting force, shot straight toward Xiao Chen like a streak of light. Its speed was decent, but to Xiao Chen, it was far too slow. If he wanted to dodge, this attack would definitely miss.

Of course, Xiao Chen had no need to dodge at all.

"Mystic Spear Piercing Kill."

Xiao Chen called out softly, and a White Spirit Ring lit up in response. The skill name was something he made up on the spot.

The Wooden Spear in Xiao Chen's hand thrust straight out, precisely striking the tip of the war halberd with a crisp, explosive crack.

For this strike, Xiao Chen had added Speed Boost and Piercing Wound.

The clash of spear and halberd lasted only two seconds before Mad Halberd couldn't hold on and was sent flying backward.

He stumbled back dozens of steps before barely steadying himself. In contrast, Xiao Chen had only retreated half a step.

"This is impossible!" Mad Halberd's face was full of disbelief. He couldn't accept that a spirit skill from a White Spirit Ring could so thoroughly suppress him.

Refusing to believe it, he charged forward again. As he neared Xiao Chen, his second spirit ring suddenly flared, and he unleashed his second spirit skill: Wind-Breaking Sweep.

He swept his war halberd horizontally, and several Wind Blades swirled around his body, trying to seal off all of Xiao Chen's escape routes.

Xiao Chen stood firm on the arena platform, unmoving.

He held his spear upright in front of him, spinning and flipping it. Layers of flowing spear light stacked upon each other, blocking and dissolving every incoming Wind Blade.

In the next instant, the spear shot forward and collided violently with Mad Halberd's war halberd. A surge of immense force erupted, once again blasting Mad Halberd backward.

"Second spirit skill: Spear Rain!"

Xiao Chen gave Mad Halberd no time to react, immediately unleashing Fierce Thorn Rain in the form of a spear.