Challenge from an Unexpected Visitor

Hearing Bibi Dong's voice outside, Su Chen slowly finished his cultivation, exhaled a breath of foul air, then rose and walked to the door, opening it.

Outside, Bibi Dong looked noticeably different from yesterday.

Her fitted long dress accentuated her already tall figure, making her even more captivating.

Her already exquisite face was clearly adorned with light makeup as well.

The morning sunlight fell upon her, lending her an extra touch of radiance.

When she saw Su Chen emerge, Bibi Dong subconsciously pursed her lips, a hint of anticipation in her eyes as she waited to see how he would evaluate her makeup.

Yet Su Chen's gaze merely lingered on Bibi Dong for a moment before he spoke.

"Let's go!"

It was not that Su Chen had failed to notice Bibi Dong's makeup. He simply wanted to become stronger right now and had no desire to involve himself too deeply in other matters, especially those between men and women.

Hearing Su Chen's words, the smile on Bibi Dong's face stiffened at once, though it quickly returned.

At the same time, she kept comforting herself inwardly: It's fine! Su Chen probably just didn't notice! I can't blame him!

Thinking this, Bibi Dong stopped dwelling on it and spoke with a smile.

"Sure! You'd better stay close to me from now on. Spirit City is huge!"

Su Chen smiled at her words.

"Alright, then I'll be troubling you."

Before long, the two left the courtyard side by side and headed for the streets of Spirit City.

As they walked, Bibi Dong took the initiative to introduce Spirit City to Su Chen.

"This is the outer city of Spirit City. It is mainly home to ordinary stewards and people who rely on Spirit Hall for their livelihoods."

"Further ahead is where the stewards from Spirit Hall's many branch halls gather."

"And over there, many Soul Masters come and go to trade every day. It is considered the liveliest place in all of Spirit City."

When she spoke of these things, Bibi Dong's words were filled with undisguised pride.

As for Su Chen, he listened while silently observing his surroundings.

Spirit City's prosperity and order truly far surpassed those of ordinary cities.

Whether it was the patrolling Soul Masters on the streets or the Spirit Hall emblems left upon the surrounding buildings, everything exuded the confidence possessed only by a powerful force.

Seeing the admiration in Su Chen's eyes, Bibi Dong became even happier and introduced everything with greater care.

Not long after, the two arrived outside Martial Soul Academy.

The towering academy gates stood before them, and the four bold characters "Martial Soul Academy" on the plaque above were vigorous and forceful.

At the sight of it, the pride in Bibi Dong's eyes deepened.

"This is Martial Soul Academy."

"The finest Soul Master Academy on the entire continent."

"It could be said that most of Spirit Hall's stewards, bishops, and even elders came from here."

"If you are willing, I can also ask my teacher to arrange for you to enter."

As she said this, a trace of anticipation flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes. So long as Su Chen agreed, she would immediately ask her teacher to place him in her class.

But Bibi Dong was ultimately disappointed as Su Chen spoke calmly.

"That won't be necessary. After all, my cultivation method is different."

"Alright."

Bibi Dong felt somewhat regretful and replied dejectedly before leading Su Chen into Martial Soul Academy.

However, just as the two were about to step through the gates, several figures suddenly blocked their path.

The leader was tall and powerfully built, with rough features and a sharp aura about him.

The way he looked at Su Chen carried undisguised hostility.

This man was Wang Batian, one of the most outstanding talents of Martial Soul Academy's current generation.

He was also one of Bibi Dong's most fanatical followers.

Seeing them block the way, the smile on Bibi Dong's face immediately faded, and she frowned slightly.

"What are you doing?"

At her words, Wang Batian first glanced at Su Chen before speaking in a deep voice.

"Your Highness, Martial Soul Academy is a place of learning. By the rules, only academy students and teachers may enter."

"This person is not from the academy, so naturally he cannot enter."

His words sounded righteous, but anyone with eyes could see that he was simply targeting Su Chen.

Bibi Dong's expression turned cold.

"This is my teacher's order."

"Su Chen is someone my teacher values now. I am bringing him to familiarize himself with Spirit City. What is the problem?"

The moment he heard the words "my teacher's order," Wang Batian's expression became unsightly.

Even so, he made no move to step aside.

He simply could not accept that his goddess was personally taking an outsider around Spirit City, especially when she was being so enthusiastic about it.

Seeing that Wang Batian refused to move aside, Bibi Dong did not wish to waste any more words on them. She prepared to leave with Su Chen and look elsewhere.

But at that moment, Wang Batian suddenly stepped forward.

"Wait!"

Bibi Dong halted, impatience already appearing in her eyes.

"What else do you want?"

Wang Batian stared fixedly at Su Chen and sneered.

"Nothing much."

"I just want to spar with this genius favored by His Holiness the Pope."

"Since His Holiness the Pope thinks so highly of you, surely you do not lack the courage to fight me?"

At those words, Bibi Dong's expression instantly turned icy. She stepped forward, her voice cold.

"You want to fight?"

"Then fight me!"

Seeing Bibi Dong protect Su Chen so fiercely, the jealousy burning in Wang Batian's heart grew even stronger. He then looked at Su Chen and sneered.

"What?"

"Could it be that you only know how to hide behind a woman?"

The moment those words came out, Bibi Dong was about to make her move and teach Wang Batian a proper lesson.

But before she could release her Martial Soul, Su Chen suddenly spoke from beside her.

"Fine."

Those two calm words left everyone present stunned.

Coming back to her senses, Bibi Dong hurriedly turned to Su Chen.

"Su Chen, don't act rashly."

"Wang Batian is no ordinary person. He is already a level forty-two Soul Ancestor!"

"Your cultivation method is indeed powerful, but you are still only at the Soul Grandmaster level."

There was obvious concern in Bibi Dong's voice.

She believed that in another year or two, Su Chen would absolutely be able to crush Wang Batian, but for now, the gap between them was still far too great.

After all, there was an entire major realm separating a Soul Ancestor from a Soul Grandmaster.

Such a gap was certainly not something that could be easily bridged.

Yet Su Chen's expression remained calm.

In the past, he had never cared about this sort of provocation.

But this time, Su Chen wanted to take the opportunity to see just how far his current combat strength had reached, which was why he agreed.

Su Chen looked at Bibi Dong, his tone steady.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine."

Hearing this, Bibi Dong had originally wanted to persuade him further.

But for some reason, when she saw the determination in Su Chen's eyes, she inexplicably felt at ease.

Though they had known each other for only two short days, she had already witnessed the many miracles Su Chen had created, and trust had taken root in her heart.

It was as if anything Su Chen said could truly be accomplished.

In the end, Bibi Dong did not stop him.

However, the way she looked at Wang Batian and the others became increasingly disgusted.

Meanwhile, outside the Sky Screen.

Seeing this scene, Yu Xiaogang immediately let out a disdainful sneer.

"Hmph, he truly doesn't know his place."

"A mere Soul Grandmaster dares accept a Soul Ancestor's challenge. He is simply asking to be humiliated."

At that moment, he could practically see Su Chen being viciously humiliated soon.

Tang San, standing beside him, also nodded slowly.

In his view, Su Chen had indeed been somewhat rash this time.

Although Su Chen had repeatedly shattered everyone's understanding before, that had only been theoretical research.

Actual combat was a true contest of strength. A Soul Grandmaster facing a Soul Ancestor had no chance of victory no matter how one looked at it.

"Teacher is right."

"If they were sparring at the same level, Su Chen would certainly win easily. But this is a challenge across realms. The difference between them is simply too great. Su Chen is likely in trouble."

Upon hearing Yu Xiaogang and Tang San speak one after the other, Ning Rongrong could not help rolling her eyes.

"What do you know?"

"How many miracles has Su Chen already created?"

"Just because others can't do it doesn't mean he can't!"

"Anyway, in my opinion, the winner this time may not necessarily be Wang Batian!"

Hearing Ning Rongrong say this, Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly and could not be bothered to argue further.

In his view, the Sky Screen's footage would soon prove what the truth was.

Martial Soul Academy, Soul Fighting Arena.

After Wang Batian spread the news, a large number of academy students gathered around the Soul Fighting Arena in only a short while.

There was no helping it. Bibi Dong's reputation within Martial Soul Academy was simply too great.

Countless people regarded her as the goddess of their dreams.

And now, an outsider who had appeared out of nowhere was actually allowed to remain at Bibi Dong's side, naturally leaving many people extremely displeased.

"Brother Wang, beat him into the ground!"

"That's right! How does an outsider deserve to stand beside Her Highness the Saintess?"

"Let him know where he is!"

Shouts continuously rose from the sidelines, almost all of them cheering Wang Batian on.

Listening to those cheers, Bibi Dong's expression grew colder and colder.

She had already silently remembered several of the people shouting the loudest and intended to settle accounts with them later.

Before long, Su Chen and Wang Batian took their positions on opposite sides of the Soul Fighting Arena.

Wang Batian rolled his neck, his eyes filled with contempt and arrogance.

The next moment, he stomped the ground, and Soul Power explosively erupted from his body.

"Wang Batian, level forty-two assault-type battle Soul Ancestor!"

"Martial Soul, Black Armor Rhino!"

As his voice fell, the phantom of a heavy, ferocious black giant rhinoceros abruptly appeared behind him.

At the same time, four Soul Rings—two yellow and two purple—slowly rose from beneath his feet.

The aura of a Soul Ancestor bore down upon Su Chen without reservation at that moment.

At the sight, cheers immediately erupted from the sidelines.

Facing the pressure released by Wang Batian, Su Chen merely gave him an indifferent glance and slowly spoke.

"Su Chen."