The Second Match, Little Stone's Pride

Returning to the stage, Tang San wore a grave expression; as he pondered certain matters, he sighed.

Compared to his own techniques, which could only exert their maximum effect when unleashed from the shadows, Meng Yiran's methods were now fit for the grandest of stages.

He cast a gaze toward the opposing contestant tunnel that was filled with a complex mix of regret and turmoil.

"San, are you alright?"

Yu Xiaogang had no heart to come forward and inquire; he was still fixated on Zhu Zhuqing's ten-thousand-year soul ring, trapped within his own inner world.

Tang San shook his head. He was not one to lose confidence so quickly, but seeing his teacher in such a state left him feeling a tinge of disappointment, though he still stepped forward to offer a few words of comfort.

Afterward, he went to regulate his breathing. Having used two major techniques in succession, his internal energy was nearly bottomed out, and the pain from the fracturing of his External Soul Bone only added to his burden.

He was merely holding on by a single breath.

Compared to the Shrek side, the atmosphere over at Phantom Star appeared much more vibrant.

"Yiran is fine, there is no need to blame yourself."

Zhu Zhuqing was currently wallowing in self-reproach, thinking that if she had intervened directly just now, Meng Yiran would not have fainted.

Just moments ago, Meng Yiran had held on until Tang San conceded before collapsing. Having forced her power to complete her moves, combined with that desperate, final throwing knife, her soul power had been even more severely depleted.

"This girl, really."

Chen An had moved back to the preparation area when Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran stepped off the stage, and he began to treat Meng Yiran.

After feeding her a medicinal pill, he used a method similar to internal energy transmission to help circulate and harmonize her soul power within her body.

He withdrew his hand after only a short while, having ensured that her foundation remained undamaged and that the girl had regained consciousness.

"Master..."

Meng Yiran wanted to say something, but Chen An interrupted her, saying, "No need to say more. You did well. Focus on regulating your breath first."

There was still some time before the next match, and the contestants currently on the arena were their people facing another team.

It was unexpectedly easy. Watching the situation on the stage, Chen An muttered, "Did I overestimate the martial arts of this world?"

The two on stage were opponents Chen An had arranged at random, but they were of similar rank.

Yet, the situation was that once they used their soul skills to close the distance, the opponents had little power to fight back. Consequently, the scene was quite unsightly for a time.

Never mind Chen An finding it boring; even the spectators who had bought tickets to watch felt bored.

This kind of scene was like a one-sided blowout in a soccer match, or garbage time in a basketball game.

"Sigh, it seems I must have Di Ao arrange stronger opponents. This isn't serving the purpose of training at all," Chen An sighed.

"Master."

After two boring matches concluded, Meng Yiran had recovered well enough that she stopped her meditation.

It was all because the match between Luo Xiaoshi and Ning Rongrong was about to begin.

"Mm."

Chen An said nothing more; if Meng Yiran wanted to watch, she could. He took a look and saw there was nothing major to worry about.

She was only temporarily unable to fight; it was no big deal.

He would whip up some medicinal cuisine and prepare a medicinal bath later; she would be fully recovered by noon tomorrow at the latest.

"Teacher, I am heading up."

Luo Xiaoshi remained in a very humble state, reporting his departure respectfully, though his eyes were already brimming with fighting spirit.

"Master, I'm going too."

Ning Rongrong mimicked the report, looking very much forward to this match.

Not knowing whether to call her the Demon Pill or the Little Witch, Chen An saw her look like she was plotting to backstab someone and couldn't help but want to laugh—or rather, twitch.

Who taught this child? How could a soul master learn such underhanded tactics? It seemed it was him who taught her; never mind then.

"Shi, don't lose this match, and protect Junior Sister Rongrong," Zhu Zhuqing whispered before Luo Xiaoshi stepped onto the stage.

Since they had entered the sect on the same day, how could they not know each other's secrets? They had sparred more times than they could count.

During special training, Luo Xiaoshi was the only one who could keep up with her without using soul skills.

"Senior Sister, rest assured. Junior Sister will be perfectly fine. I will also help you teach that guy another lesson."

Luo Xiaoshi responded with a smile, looking as if he felt no pressure at all.

He led Ning Rongrong onto the arena, while Dai Mubai led Oscar onto the stage opposite them.

"Let us welcome the Seven-Battle Duo!!"

The host's voice rang out, and a wave of sound erupted instantly. With Shrek and Phantom Star facing off once again, and this being the grand finale, expectations were high.

Under normal circumstances, such a scene would not occur; teams with a Soul Elder were required by regulation to only face other teams with a Soul Elder.

Neither Luo Xiaoshi nor Ning Rongrong had reached level thirty. Under normal conditions, the two teams would never have met; this was merely a special circumstance.

"They've got something."

Luo Xiaoshi found it somewhat interesting, but Chen An felt the other party was a bit strange.

Right now, Dai Mubai was actually at level 39, in a state where he could break through to level 40 at any moment. Moreover, his foundation did not look like it had been artificially boosted; it could be considered a solid improvement.

Is it the reason of gathered destiny again? Chen An thought to himself.

Originally, two of the Seven Devils had come to Phantom Star; could it be that the plane's consciousness, in order to maintain balance, had compensated them with this destiny?

Chen An pondered, and that seemed the most likely possibility.

"Today, it's time to settle our accounts!"

Dai Mubai had not forgotten the recruitment day; he had been beaten until he had no face left, and now, being challenged by Luo Xiaoshi across levels, his temper flared up instantly.

Luo Xiaoshi chose to ignore the trash talk from across the way, twirled his Mystic Wood Staff with a flourish, then flicked it out and stared straight at Dai Mubai.

"What are you supposed to be? A sick tiger dares to challenge me?"

He did not use the excuse of teaching him a lesson for Zhu Zhuqing, lest the other party claim he used underhanded tactics if he lost.

The moment Luo Xiaoshi flicked his staff and took his stance, his aura surged, pushing straight toward the threshold of level 30.

During this period, his Great Sage Scripture had broken through another minor realm, developing an ability similar to the Heavenly Profound Three Transformations from Battle Through the Heavens.

"The match begins!"

As the host gave the order, Dai Mubai struck first, intending to seize the initiative.

"The Seven Treasures have fame; one is called: Power, two is called: Speed."

When the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared, the arena erupted in an uproar; few people had expected to see this Martial Soul in the arena.

And after Ning Rongrong finished casting her buffs on Luo Xiaoshi, she began to slack off on the field, just like Oscar.

She did this entirely because of what Luo Xiaoshi had told her when they stepped onto the stage: let him have a solo fight first.

If not for that, they would have already started a group brawl, and her hands were itching for it too.

"Arhat Golden Body, rise! Eat a staff from your grandfather!"

Luo Xiaoshi activated his golden body and charged in to tank. This was not like the past; his current Arhat Golden Body was nearing completion.

Coupled with improvements in all aspects, he could take a few hits, so he still chose to trade a hit from his opponent to gain the initiative.

He brought the staff down with a thud, but unfortunately, the gap was too large; it only made Dai Mubai feel some pain without breaking his defense.

"??"

Seeing that the strike had no effect, he flipped away to dodge the opponent's counterattack.

He was no brute; seizing the initiative did not mean he had to eat skills while positioning. With a shift in his mind, he exchanged a glance with Ning Rongrong, and after reaching a consensus, he engaged Dai Mubai in close-quarters combat.

"Damn it, why is it like this again?"

Unable to shake him off, Dai Mubai grew irritable because he dared not release his skills recklessly.

He missed ten out of ten times; if he used weak Soul Skills, they had no effect, and when he wanted to unleash a heavy blow, it was sometimes interrupted by Luo Xiaoshi.

Now, he could only follow Luo Xiaoshi's rhythm in this close-quarters struggle, occasionally firing off a skill.

Thus, in his irritation, he saw Ning Rongrong casting support skills in the back and shouted impatiently.

"Oscar, I'm holding this one off here, you go and attack the other one!"