The five headed toward the Soul Fighting Arena, while the students who had just witnessed the incident quickly spread the news.
All three were well-known in Shrek Outer Court. In the two weeks since enrolling, Xiao Yi had already beaten the notorious old hag Zhou Yi, and later, to avenge a friend, he had beaten another Outer Court genius with the White Tiger Martial Soul into a sickly kitten.
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi were famous too. The two were known as the Outer Court Twin Stars, and they'd earned that title through real victories.
In front of the freshman dormitory building, Mu En lay as usual, listening to the broadcast about the duel between the Outer Court Twin Stars and the Strongest Freshman of the Outer Court. He couldn't help shaking his head with a wry smile. Naturally, he knew about Xiao Yi and Tang Ya.
That kid had the same personality he'd had in his youth. As for Bei Bei, a beating would do him good. Mu En hadn't supported his getting together with Tang Ya in the first place; from the start, he'd only intended to make amends to the Tang Sect.
And then there was the other girl he'd sent away. The Limit Douluo let out a long sigh.
"Forget it. Children will find their own fortune."
Huo Yutong and the other two, who were waiting for Xiao Yi to come over, perked up their ears as well.
"That Xiao Yi, he promised to be our sparring partner. How did he get himself into such a huge mess again? Come on, Yutong, Xiao Xiao. Let's go take a look too." Tang Wutong's voice rang out, tinged with displeasure. She then led the other two toward the Soul Fighting Arena.
The three had barely taken their seats when they heard people nearby talking, and immediately perked up their ears.
"Have you heard? Apparently, Junior Xiao Yi and Xu Sanshi are dueling because of Jiang Nannan."
"You mean Jiang Nannan, the number-one beauty in the Outer Court?"
"That's right. That junior won over the aloof senior just days after enrolling. And then there's the Tang Sect master, the one Senior Bei Bei is always with. Seems she's with this junior too."
"Damn, I wish that guy would teach a class. I want to learn!"
Listening to the chatter around them, the three girls wore different expressions.
Tang Wutong bit her lower lip, her frustration nearly spilling over. She wanted to restore her female form right there and confront Xiao Yi, but then her spirits sank. What right did she have to question him?
I was here first. She regretted it. She should never have appeared at Shrek as a boy in the first place. This possessiveness toward a friend had already begun to change into something else. As for Tang San's mission, she'd forgotten it entirely.
What a stupid plan—to approach the Child of Destiny disguised as a boy and then change her gender. Had Father really not known that Martial Soul Fusion required their souls to meld?
Huo Yutong's expression was a little strange, but the little girl didn't mind. Ever since that time, that figure had been branded deep in her soul, impossible to forget even after all this time.
"Don't worry, little Yutong. That kid is exceptionally talented and has what it takes to become a god. When the Divine Realm returns, you'll be the only one destined to stand by his side." Tian Meng's lazy voice rang out in her mind at just the right moment, its confidence utterly undisguised.
Backstage, Xiao Yi looked at the two girls before him and smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm a lot stronger than you think." At this point, Xiao Yi had no need to hold back. This time, he was going to make his name known once and for all, which would also help him enter the Inner Academy early. He pinched Tang Ya's cheek, then turned and went up onto the stage.
Across from him, Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei had already taken their positions, waiting for Xiao Yi to come up.
Xiao Yi stood alone facing the two, yet his aura was no weaker than theirs. He stood tall and straight, and simply standing there, he seemed like a mighty dragon, his presence astonishing.
Bei Bei felt the same bone-deep dread he'd experienced the first time he saw Xiao Yi slowly rising within him again. Xiao Yi no longer suppressed the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils' natural ability to overpower serpentine dragon-type Soul Beasts, and Bei Bei's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul was naturally within its reach.
Before taking the stage, he'd received a telepathic message from Yan Shaozhe, telling him to give Bei Bei a good thrashing and knock some of the arrogance out of him. Xiao Yi felt a little awkward, but did as he was told.
But, teacher, if I knock all the spirit out of your great-grandson, don't blame me, Xiao Yi thought.
The referee saw that both sides were in position and shouted, "Let the duel begin!"
Below the stage, Ning Tian, with her golden hair, stood beside Wu Feng, whose hair was red.
"Miss, who do you think will win?" Wu Feng asked Ning Tian curiously.
"Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi are both quite strong. I'm afraid Xiao Yi's going to—" But before she could finish, her words caught in her throat as if someone had grabbed her by the neck. She stared in disbelief, murmuring—
"How is that possible?" A wave of gasps erupted from the audience as well.
Back on the Soul Fighting Arena below.
"Kid, today we'll show you that the Outer Court Twin Stars aren't all talk!" Xu Sanshi sneered. His body quickly swelled and grew taller, a tortoiseshell rising from his back until he looked like an upright turtle. Two yellow and two purple Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.
Bei Bei shed his usual gentle demeanor. Dragon scales appeared across his body, and two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring rose beneath his feet, his aura razor-sharp.
"Is that so? I'm looking forward to it." Xiao Yi released his Soul Rings and Soul Power as well. As his pupils turned into the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, four deep-black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings slowly rose beneath his feet, exuding an overwhelming wave of Soul Power, like a black hole devouring all things. The enormous Soul Fighting Arena fell completely silent, as if someone had pressed a pause button.
"Y-You've got to be kidding! Four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings? Is he perhaps an heir to a god?" Ning Tian's voice was dry, her words filled with disbelief. Even Wu Feng beside her was stunned.
"Feng Mei, there's no need to hesitate anymore. We have to get him at any cost." A faint light flickered in Ning Tian's eyes. Even someone as proud as her couldn't help being deeply moved by a genius like this.
Huo Yutong and the other two exchanged glances. Tang Wutong had fallen into a deep crisis of self-doubt, nearly breaking down. She'd worked hard for so long, and even had a Martial Soul Fusion Skill to help her, yet she was only level twenty-five, almost twenty-six.
Huo Yutong and Xiao Xiao's eyes were full of admiration and disbelief. Even the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm cried out in shock, "How is this possible?" At the same time, he felt a little frustrated. This person really was the Child of Destiny of this era. How had he not met him back then?
Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi had dry throats too, but they glanced at each other, both burning with fierce fighting spirit.
A dragon's roar rang out. Space rippled behind Xiao Yi, and a colossal dragon, as if carved from ice crystal, emerged from the void. The temperature throughout the Soul Fighting Arena plummeted. Zhao Lan leaned her head close to Xiao Yi and affectionately rubbed it against his palm.
"Cang Ling, possess my Martial Soul." Xiao Yi smiled faintly. Ever since his Soul Rings had become Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, the intelligence of his Soul Beasts had gradually awakened. Now they could communicate with him through the consciousness of the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils.
Ice-white dragon scales appeared all over Xiao Yi's body. Dragon horns grew from his head, and his hair turned snowy white, falling straight down his back.
Frost Sacred Dragon, Martial Soul Possession.
"Please, do your best." Xiao Yi raised a hand toward the two in the distance.
Only then did the spectators outside the arena recover from one shock after another. Four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, and a powerful Ice Dragon Martial Soul—the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
Even Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan, who had come to the side of the arena, were utterly stunned.
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