Hidden Dragon in the Abyss, Fame Spreads Through Suotuo City, Shrek's Main Cast Arrives

A week later.

Suotuo City.

Gu Linyuan stood before the entrance to the Soul Fighting Arena, raising his head to look at the iron-gray gates towering ten meters high.

His Black Mysterious Robe fluttered gently in the evening breeze. The hood concealed most of his face, revealing only a sharply defined chin.

"So this was the place?"

Improving his cultivation was only the beginning.

He needed real combat.

And the Great Soul Arena was the best place for practical combat on the continent, without exception.

Across the entire continent, only three places could meet his needs: the Great Soul Arenas in Suotuo City, Heaven Dou City, and Spirit City.

The overall standard of Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena was far inferior to the other two, but this place had the freaks from the main cast.

Tang San, Dai Mubai...

He was genuinely curious about what level those talented members of the main cast had reached.

"Tang San, Dai Mubai... I hope you won't disappoint me."

Gu Linyuan walked to the registration counter, a trace of barely concealed excitement flashing through his eyes. Perhaps every male had combat engraved in his genes, waiting to be awakened in the right setting, and the Soul Fighting Arena was exactly such a place.

All he needed to do was verify his Soul Power Level.

"Would you like to choose a fighting title for yourself?"

The staff member handed over the freshly made iron-rank fighting badge, then asked.

"Hidden dragon in the abyss. Let it be Long Yuan."

Gu Linyuan accepted the badge and thought for a moment.

"Long Yuan?" the staff member confirmed.

"Mm."

Gu Linyuan turned and left.

The hem of his Black Mysterious Robe flashed past the doorway before vanishing at the end of the corridor.

Seven in the evening, Suotuo City Great Soul Arena.

The place was packed with people.

The thousands of seats surrounding the circular Soul Fighting Platform were completely full.

Cheers, shouts, and curses intertwined, forming a deafening wave of sound.

The air was filled with the smell of sweat, along with the feverish atmosphere that could only be felt in an arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Suotuo City Great Soul Arena!"

The host's voice spread throughout the venue, filled with professional excitement.

"Tonight's first one-on-one soul fight is about to begin!"

"Red side—Level 27 Soul Grandmaster, Martial Soul: Blood Leopard, title: Leopard King, record: three wins and one loss!"

Cheers erupted.

A muscular man, bare-chested and covered in scars, emerged from the left passage and strode onto the Soul Fighting Platform.

He clenched his fists and let out a roar toward the audience, exposing two rows of smoke-yellowed teeth.

"Black side—Level 27 Soul Grandmaster, Martial Soul: cane, title: Long Yuan, record: debut match!"

This time, the cheers were much quieter.

He was a newcomer. There was nothing to cheer for. Hopefully, he would not get beaten too badly.

Gu Linyuan emerged from the right passage, his Black Mysterious Robe especially eye-catching beneath the lights. His hood still concealed his face, making him seem like a walking shadow.

He stepped onto the Soul Fighting Platform and stopped ten paces away from Leopard King.

The host raised his right hand high, then swung it down sharply.

"Let the soul fight begin!"

Leopard King released his Martial Soul at once.

Blood Leopard, a beast Martial Soul. His body swelled in an instant as Martial Soul Possession took effect, crimson fur sprouting along his arms while his fingers transformed into sharp beast claws.

Two yellow hundred-year Soul Rings lit up around him, radiating a faint glow.

"Kid, you're new, right?" Leopard King licked his lips, revealing a vicious grin. "Running into me in your first match? You're out of luck."

Before his words had faded, he lunged forward like an arrow released from a bow.

His speed surged in an instant. The ten-meter distance was nearly crossed in a flash, and five sharp claws shot straight for Gu Linyuan's throat.

Fast, precise, ruthless.

That was the style of the Great Soul Arena.

There was no flashy probing. The opening move was a killing strike.

Gu Linyuan did not move.

He stood where he was, without even releasing his Martial Soul.

Soon, Leopard King's claws were less than half a meter from his throat.

A wave of gasps rose from the audience.

Then.

Gu Linyuan moved.

He raised his right hand, pressed his index and middle fingers together, and flicked lightly.

Clang!

A crisp sound rang out.

Leopard King was struck as though by a massive hammer, flying backward even faster than he had charged in and slamming heavily into the protective wall at the edge of the Soul Fighting Platform.

Boom!

Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the wall.

Leopard King lay sprawled on the ground, blood filling his mouth. He struggled twice but could not rise.

The entire arena fell silent.

A deathly silence.

In the Soul Fighting Arena filled with thousands of people, it was quiet enough to hear the lamps crackle.

The host's mouth fell open, and his microphone nearly slipped from his hand.

Several seconds passed before he came back to his senses, his voice trembling.

"Long... Long Yuan wins!"

"Time... three seconds!"

Boom!

The audience instantly exploded.

"Holy shit! What just happened?!"

"He seemed to... use only two fingers?"

"He didn't even release his Martial Soul! He won without releasing his Martial Soul?!"

"Could this guy be a Soul Elder? Are you serious?!"

Cheers, screams, and whistles surged in like a tide.

Gu Linyuan turned around, the hem of his Black Mysterious Robe billowing in the wind.

He walked toward the exit, his shadow stretched long beneath the lights.

From beginning to end, he did not say a single word.

After that battle, the name Long Yuan began spreading through Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena.

Three days.

Gu Linyuan fought five matches.

Five victories.

His average match time was under ten seconds.

His fighting style was extremely simple.

There were no flashy soul skills and no unnecessary movements. He defeated his opponents in a single strike.

The instant his opponent released their Martial Soul, he had already acted.

The instant his opponent launched an attack, he had already ended the match.

Sometimes, it was so fast that the audience had not even managed to see clearly.

Some said his Martial Soul was speed-based, some said it was strength-based, and others claimed it was a spiritual attack type.

Because his opponents would always be sent flying for no apparent reason.

But no one knew what Martial Soul he used.

Because he had never released his Martial Soul on the Soul Fighting Platform.

Suotuo City Great Soul Arena.

Flender stood with his hands behind his back and his chin slightly raised, trying his best to project the bearing of an expert.

The Shrek Seven Devils followed behind him.

"Wow."

"So this is the Great Soul Arena? It's even bigger than I imagined!"

Xiao Wu was the first to cry out in amazement.

Tang San followed closely behind, his calm gaze sweeping across the grand structure.

He noticed the reliefs on the walls depicting battles between Soul Beasts and Soul Masters. Each one was vividly lifelike, as if recounting countless brutal clashes.

Ning Rongrong stood among the group in a white dress, a reserved smile on her delicate face.

Her gaze swept over the noisy crowd, but her heart remained largely unmoved.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was wealthier than nations. She had seen places far more luxurious than this.

Only.

A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

I wonder where Brother Yuan is now, and what he's doing.

Ever since they had parted that day, Gu Linyuan had left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She did not know how he was doing now.

"Quiet!"

Flender turned around and cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"I didn't bring you here today just to broaden your horizons."

He pointed through the window at the massive Soul Fighting Platform, his tone turning solemn.

"The Great Soul Arena is the cruelest and fairest place for practical combat on the entire continent. Here, no one cares about your origins, your background, or which sect you inherited."

"Here, only one thing matters."

"That is strength."

He looked around, his gaze lingering briefly on each face.

"You've trained in the academy for so long. It's time for you to come out and see some blood."

The expressions of the Shrek Seven Devils turned serious.

"Teacher, should we register now?"

"No rush."

Flender waved his hand, turned around, and sat on the sofa in the center of the private room.

"Watch a few matches first and familiarize yourselves with the rules and rhythm here."

He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip, suddenly seeming to remember something.

"By the way, have you heard a certain name recently?"

The group exchanged glances.

"What name?" Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Long Yuan."