The fifth-year challenge against the first-years' Soul Fight was fast approaching, and plenty of people were looking forward to it.
The main reason was that the betting odds were enticing.
"Siyuan, can we really win?"
Ji Siyuan looked unconcerned. "Of course we can."
They'd only had a day or two, but plenty of people had come to see them.
Tang Ya and Wang Yan had both tried to persuade them to give up.
Dai Huabin had come by too, just to mock them for biting off more than they could chew.
They needed to have confidence in themselves.
"Today, don't think about helping me from below the stage. Just stay up there and make good use of your Spiritual Detection Sharing."
This wasn't a one-on-one match, but a two-on-one.
The moment they stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted like a stormy sea.
Aside from people like Dai Huabin, most were cheering them on.
Being unable to win was one thing. Having the courage to accept the challenge was another.
But Xu Sanshi wasn't getting the same warm reception.
"Useless. Couldn't beat Bei Bei, so now you're picking on a couple of useless underclassmen."
Xu Sanshi was miserable. He'd been threatened too.
He didn't even dare talk about it. The person who'd threatened him was sitting right there in the audience.
Ma Xiaotao cared more about Ji Siyuan's flames. As for the insults Xu Sanshi was taking, all she could do was offer him a little compensation, like giving him some pointers on cultivation.
Onstage, the two sides faced each other.
Xu Sanshi looked apologetic. "Sorry, you two. You'll have to take a few hits. I'll treat you to a meal afterward."
Ji Siyuan said, "Senior, the match hasn't even started. How can you be sure we're the ones getting hit?"
"You don't actually think you can beat me, do you? Nannan gave me an earful, but I'm still not holding back after the first minute."
Xu Sanshi had planned to wait a minute before making his move, then start his counterattack.
The referee asked, "Have you settled your private wager?"
"There can be private wagers?" Ji Siyuan had never met Xu Sanshi before, so this was the perfect time to shake him down.
His eyes lit up as he looked at Xu Sanshi. Now this was a proper sponsor.
"Senior, if we win, asking for a Mystic Water Pill wouldn't be unreasonable, would it?"
"If you really manage to beat me, I'll give you a Mystic Water Pill!"
Ji Siyuan said, "Then thank you, Senior."
The referee said, "The private wager is now confirmed. This match is between first-years Ji Siyuan and Huo Yuhao and fifth-year Xu Sanshi."
The referee didn't even want to say who had challenged whom.
"Let the match begin!" the referee announced, then immediately retreated.
All three released their Martial Souls at the same time.
Yellow, yellow, purple—the standard Soul Ring configuration.
But neither of the two opponents had a normal one.
A white First Soul Ring? And how could someone have a purple First Soul Ring?
Many in the audience sucked in their breath in disbelief, but not one of them cried out.
The audience couldn't feel it, but as his opponent, Xu Sanshi could. Ji Siyuan's flames were scorching hot. Even from several meters away, he could feel their heat.
Xu Sanshi said, "I'll give you two a minute. If you can break through my defenses, I'll count it as your win!"
The words had barely left his mouth before even the more reasonable spectators couldn't take it anymore. "Fix! This is a blatant fix!"
Betting was never a good thing. Even a sure win could be someone else's setup, so please don't get involved.
Ji Siyuan rubbed his nose. "How should I put this? You've given me time, so if I don't make a move, I'll look like I'm putting on airs. Then watch out, Senior!"
Blazing Fire ignited, and a wave of flames shot at Xu Sanshi.
His shield stopped the flames with ease.
Xu Sanshi drew in a sharp breath. "Good grief, these flames really are stronger than Sister Xiaotao's. If we were both Soul Elders, I might not be able to beat you."
"Senior Sanshi, you can feel how different my flames are now, right? I'm going to use a Soul Skill. First Soul Skill, Fire Demon Vortex!"
An unbroken stream of blazing fire and a surging inferno formed a vortex.
Even with only one Soul Ring, this Soul Skill was powerful.
Xu Sanshi gripped his Mystic Turtle Shell Shield tightly. He couldn't dodge this attack; he had to block it with a Soul Skill. The shield alone wouldn't be enough!
"Second Soul Skill, Mystic Shield Formation!"
A black barrier rippled like water, blocking the Fire Demon Vortex.
Huo Yuhao didn't use Mental Shock. He couldn't knock Xu Sanshi unconscious outright.
"My second Soul Skill is something even Bei Bei couldn't break easily. Don't expect your Soul Skill to get through my barrier, Junior Ji Siyuan!"
Under Ji Siyuan's control, the Fire Demon Vortex shifted direction.
It was like a spinning top switching targets.
With Huo Yuhao's help, Ji Siyuan found a weak point in the defense.
Blazing Fire engulfed it, and the barrier shattered in an instant.
Xu Sanshi stepped back with his right foot and planted the Mystic Turtle Shell Shield in front of himself.
He was confident he could block the weakened Fire Demon Vortex.
The flames struck the shield, and their searing heat burned even him.
"Third Soul Skill, Mystic Power!"
He activated his strengthening skill, boosting both the effects of his Soul Skills and his defensive power.
When the audience saw his Third Soul Ring light up, some cursed while others gasped.
He'd promised to wait a minute. How had he already used his second and third Soul Skills?
Ma Xiaotao snorted. "As expected of Ultimate Fire. It's even stronger than mine."
She could tell how powerful it was, but some people couldn't. Dai Huabin cursed Xu Sanshi. "Useless! You can't even block a Soul Skill from a One-Ring Soul Master. If it were me, I'd beat these two to death."
He glared at Ji Siyuan and Huo Yuhao. "When the Freshman Assessment comes, I'll make sure you see just how powerful a Soul Elder can be."
Dai Huabin's malice couldn't affect the two onstage. They fixed their eyes on Xu Sanshi and attacked again, but it had little effect.
Xu Sanshi's defenses were famous throughout the Outer Court.
Those who had bet against the two first-years went wild.
They even started arguing over when the pair would lose.
"Nothing you can do, Juniors? If not, you can try to hold out and see how long you last. This senior is about to attack."
Ji Siyuan said, "Senior, there's still a little time left in the minute."
"You still care about that?"
"No, no. I wanted to ask you something else, Senior. Do you want to guess why I've only used one Soul Skill and haven't used another?"
From the start of the match until now, they'd launched three attacks in total: two tests and one Soul Skill.
"What do you mean? Don't tell me you have a Soul Bone too?" That was the only answer Xu Sanshi could think of.
"No. Did you forget there are two of us?"
Having two people together made all the difference, because it meant a Martial Soul Fusion Skill was possible.
They embraced, and Red Lotus Generates Fire, Spirit Eye Resonance.
"Are you kidding me? A Martial Soul Fusion Skill? Bei Bei, you useless bastard! How did you not have this kind of information?"
"Red Lotus Myriad Eyes, Scorching Flame Sky Light!"
Tens of thousands of scorching beams shot toward Xu Sanshi.
He immediately raised his shield and braced himself.
Every spectator who'd placed a bet stood up. "You have to block it!"
Tang Ya and Wang Dong'er stared fixedly at the stage. "We absolutely have to win!"
Xu Sanshi's raised shield blocked the attack with ease.
"Ugh, this Martial Soul Fusion Skill is all show. It feels kind of useless."
Before he could finish speaking, a voice rang out. "Xu Sanshi, next time you can take it yourself, you bastard! Then you'll see if a Martial Soul Fusion Skill is useless!"
The referee's clothes had been burned off on one side. The Seven-Ring Soul Sage had blocked the attack!
The referee was already furious about losing half his clothes, and then Xu Sanshi had gone and said that.
He sprang into the air and kicked Xu Sanshi right off the stage.
The winners were obvious!
Ji Siyuan and Huo Yuhao.
"Could one of the students come claim these two? They've fainted on the stage."