In Shrek's infirmary, Bei Bei, Tang Ya, Wang Dong'er, and even Xu Sanshi crowded around the two of them.
After treating them, the healing Soul Master had only one recommendation: get plenty of rest.
Their unconsciousness was purely the result of Soul Power depletion from using a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei started bickering. "You little rascal, Bei Bei! You knew about the Martial Soul Fusion Skill and didn't tell me?"
"I didn't know either."
Tang Ya said, "You two, stop fighting. Get outside and chase that idiot away."
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi went out together. Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu were waiting outside.
The two of them promptly escorted Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu out of the infirmary area.
They couldn't let them disturb Ji Siyuan and Huo Yuhao's recovery.
Dai Huabin said, "Tell Ji Siyuan that Dai Huabin challenges him to a Soul Fight. Once he's recovered, we can start whenever he likes."
Defeating someone famous enough would make all that fame gather around him.
That was exactly what Dai Huabin had in mind.
He believed Ji Siyuan had beaten Xu Sanshi purely by relying on their Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Without it, Ji Siyuan wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Xu Sanshi said, "Where'd this idiot come from? Does he have a brain at all?"
"Seems he's the second son of Duke White Tiger."
"Wouldn't have guessed. Senior Dai Yueheng doesn't seem like the brainless type." Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei were egging each other on, doing nothing but humiliating him.
"What did you say?" Dai Huabin couldn't stand anyone comparing him to Dai Yueheng. He had always believed Dai Yueheng was less talented than he was.
He was the one who should inherit the title of Duke White Tiger.
Dai Yueheng had simply been born a few years earlier.
Bei Bei let his usual gentleness fall away, revealing his imposing presence. "A three-ring Soul Elder challenging a One-Ring Soul Master—is Duke White Tiger aware you're showing off your strength like this? You can challenge me instead."
"Me too!" Xu Sanshi added.
A slightly weakened voice came from behind them. "Meet me in the Soul Fight Arena in three days. I won't bring my roommate, and you won't bring Zhu Lu."
"Siyuan?"
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi immediately hurried over. Wang Dong'er was supporting Ji Siyuan, who had just woken up.
"You don't have to accept his challenge."
"A sick cat can yowl a couple of times, but if it gets annoying, someone has to teach it a lesson."
Dai Huabin sneered. "Hmph. Last time, you just got lucky. When we fight, I'll show you what a real tiger can do."
"Once you've finished barking, get lost."
He really didn't want to see a piece of trash like Dai Huabin.
This was something Huo Yuhao needed to take care of himself, for revenge.
Besides, Dai Huabin was so stupid that it was impossible to predict what he'd do next.
"Is this the standard of the Star Luo Empire's imperial family? How are they so bad?" Tang San marveled at Dai Huabin's complete lack of political sense, and even more at his willingness to challenge someone he considered a "weakling."
"That's why they're no longer the imperial family."
"Looks like there was a reason for that."
With people like this around, it was no wonder the Dai Family had such a poor reputation.
Bei Bei said, "Rest first. There's no rush."
Bei Bei and Tang Ya didn't want to put any more pressure on Siyuan and Huo Yuhao, but Xu Sanshi believed in Ji Siyuan's strength.
The scorching flames and their unending persistence had left a deep impression on him.
Even without a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Ji Siyuan could probably beat him one-on-one if he used his abilities well.
When Tang Ya learned he'd accepted Dai Huabin's challenge, she grew worried. "What if you can't beat him?"
After all, she'd been the one who guided Ji Siyuan through awakening his Martial Soul.
He'd only awakened it recently, and now he was going to fight Dai Huabin. Of course she was worried.
Ji Siyuan said, "I asked Senior Xu Sanshi to help me practice my Soul Skills."
"Mm. Mm?" Xu Sanshi pointed at himself. Me? When did I agree to that? How come I didn't know?
Seeing the way everyone was looking at him, Xu Sanshi felt even more miserable.
He could only accept the training assignment.
After Huo Yuhao woke up, Ji Siyuan took him back to the dormitory.
"Siyuan, thank you."
?
"Dai Huabin is my enemy. You don't have to fight him. He's a Soul Elder, and without a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, it'll be hard for you to beat him."
"Oh, you mean that." Ji Siyuan had thought Huo Yuhao was thanking him for helping him become famous. Once he realized Huo Yuhao meant his fight with Dai Huabin, he readily accepted his thanks.
Then he vigorously pinched Huo Yuhao's cheeks. "You think I can't beat Dai Huabin either? Just wait and see how I win."
Ji Siyuan took out a Mystic Water Pill and tossed it to Huo Yuhao. "Your money's mine. This pill is yours."
The two of them had wagered 200 Gold Soul Coins together. Add their share of the betting pool with Xu Sanshi, and they'd easily made over ten thousand.
The main reason was that they'd won, leaving the entire Outer Court out of pocket.
But since some people had bet on them, they hadn't made as much as they'd expected.
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said, "That kid's really good to you. If you can't win him over, just go all in. Marry him, and you'll never be worse off for it. Ultimate Fire, and he's got a big secret too. I'd guess he's even fiercer than you."
"Brother Sky Dream!" Huo Yutong interrupted him before he could go on describing her future.
"Stop roasting me, stop roasting me! Xiaotao would roast me if she got the chance, and now you're doing it first."
Xu Sanshi regretted taking on this miserable task.
"Why is your fire even fiercer than Xiaotao's?"
"Who's Xiaotao?"
Xu Sanshi's expression changed. "Well, you'll find out once you enter the Inner Court. I can't really tell you right now. But why are your flames so fierce? I can't withstand them at all. I could feel it during our match—they were scorching."
"I have Ultimate Fire."
"Ah?" Xu Sanshi felt like crying. Why had he agreed to this?
He hadn't even gotten to eat the roast meat. Now he was about to become it.
Ji Siyuan had pulled Xu Sanshi into Soul Skill practice early on.
He'd only been familiar with the Martial Soul system for a short time, and there was still a lot he needed to get used to.
Having a defensive-type Soul Master like Xu Sanshi as a sparring partner was naturally ideal.
"I've gained a new understanding of my Soul Skills, and I want to try releasing them in some different ways."
"Don't tell me you're planning to create a Self-Created Soul Skill?"
Ji Siyuan showed Xu Sanshi the answer.
He hadn't created a Self-Created Soul Skill. He'd merely divided his Ultimate attribute a little.
Yin Fire that burned on and on, and Yang Fire that blazed violently.
The two different flames transformed into different Fire Demon Vortices.
Yin Fire clung like a maggot to bone, almost impossible to remove. Yang Fire bloomed like a tree of fire and silver flowers, seeking only a moment of glorious brilliance.
"I give up! I give up!"
Xu Sanshi really couldn't take it anymore. "I'm not fighting you. Who could withstand being roasted like this?"
Now he was certain Ji Siyuan had been holding back. Otherwise, he really could have beaten him.
And left Xu Sanshi utterly humiliated in the Outer Court.
In truth, Xu Sanshi was overthinking it. Ji Siyuan simply had no idea how strong a Soul Elder was, so he'd chosen a relatively cautious approach.
"Senior, you're giving up just like that?"
Xu Sanshi was thick-skinned and didn't take it to heart. "That's right. I'm giving up."
"Senior Jiang Nannan, good morning."
"What?" Xu Sanshi immediately turned around and saw Jiang Nannan passing by.
"Nannan, listen to me!"
Ji Siyuan reached out and felt the changes in the flames. "With only one Soul Skill, it'll be a little difficult to deal with a three-ring Soul Elder."
Tang San said, "Have some confidence. You're stronger than that Dai Huabin."
"Dai Huabin? Oh, that barking dog. I'm not thinking about fighting him. I want to fight Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi. Their Soul Power is much stronger."
With fewer methods, he had less room for error. They might seize an opportunity to break through his defenses.
He was confident he could handle Dai Huabin.