On the high platform, Bibi Dong's fingers curled slightly against the armrest.
She wasn't angry that Hu Liena had lost.
The moment Bibi Dong saw the black Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring beneath Qin Yao's feet, the outcome of this match had already been decided. She had faith in her disciple, but she trusted the ironclad laws of the Soul Master World even more: the age of a Soul Ring determined the absolute difference in Soul Skills.
Besides, Qin Yao's Martial Soul was clearly stronger than Hu Liena's Demon Fox. The gap between their Martial Souls was enormous, too.
At that moment, she was more concerned about Hu Liena's injuries.
That purple fire carried a domineering, corrosive force. Even from this far away, Bibi Dong could feel the terrifying power it contained. Qin Yao's palm strike had looked casual, but if he hadn't held back, Nana would have suffered far worse than simply being knocked away.
Qin Yao had shown mercy!
The Worship Hall had hidden its strength remarkably well!
A forty-third-level Soul Ancestor at twelve years old, with a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as his fourth ring. Talent like that could no longer be described as merely gifted.
Bibi Dong's thoughts were interrupted by an angry shout from the arena.
"This was only a sparring match inside the hall. How could you hit her so hard?"
Yan's eyes blazed with fury as his burly frame stood in front of Hu Liena. He was clearly enraged.
Xie Yue said nothing, but the Moon Blade clenched in his hand had already begun to glow with blood-red light. Soul Power surged around him, and he was ready to fight at any moment.
Qin Yao paid no attention to their anger. He simply replied calmly, "Since we're all members of Spirit Hall, I've already held back."
"You—" Yan started to say more.
"Brother, Yan, stop."
A slightly hoarse voice came from behind them.
Hu Liena struggled to her feet, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and looked a little pale, but her breathing was steady.
She stopped the two from acting rashly, then looked at Qin Yao in the middle of the arena.
"I'm not as skilled as he is," Hu Liena admitted frankly. "He really did hold back at the end. Otherwise, my injuries would have been much worse."
In that instant, Hu Liena had clearly felt that the purple fire contained in the lion's paw against her chest was powerful enough to pierce through both her protective Soul Power and her body.
But just before the force touched her, it had been drawn back by seventy percent.
She was a control-type Soul Master, and her body wasn't particularly strong. It was fortunate that Qin Yao had held back.
Xie Yue and Yan's anger faltered when they heard her words.
They trusted Hu Liena's judgment.
Xie Yue withdrew his Martial Soul and supported his younger sister, preparing to take her off the arena for treatment.
Yan gave a snort. Though he was unwilling to accept it, he knew that making a fuss now would be unreasonable.
The three turned and started to leave the arena.
"Stop."
A calm voice sounded behind them.
The three halted and turned around together.
Qin Yao stood where he was, his hands clasped behind his back, his dark purple hair stirring in the windless air.
"What do you think this Soul Fighting Arena is? You can come and go whenever you please?"
His words caused an uproar throughout the crowd.
Xie Yue and Yan's expressions darkened at once.
"What do you mean?" Xie Yue asked, his voice low.
Qin Yao ignored him and looked up toward Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu on the high platform.
"First Worship, Your Holiness the Pope."
"They rushed onto the arena without permission. According to the rules, doesn't that mean they're challenging me, too?"
"Since that's the case, I'll accept their challenge today."
"It seems fair enough for me to fight all three at once."
He spoke without fawning or arrogance, yet his words carried an overbearing air that brooked no opposition.
The entire Soul Fighting Arena fell silent again.
Everyone was stunned by what Qin Yao had said.
Beating one wasn't enough—he wanted to fight three?
That wasn't confidence anymore. It was sheer arrogance!
On the high platform, Bibi Dong furrowed her brows. She had thought matters would end there. Qin Yao had already proven himself, and the position of Holy Son was all but guaranteed. She hadn't expected him to keep going.
What was he trying to do?
Trample the Golden Generation and claim the position of Holy Son?
At last, an unmistakable smile appeared on Qian Daoliu's face.
What a boy. He had guts!
No wonder he was Fourth Brother's grandson. That domineering streak suited his taste!
Qian Daoliu could see what Qin Yao was doing, too. He intended to defeat Spirit Hall's three strongest young fighters all at once, and show everyone just how powerful the person chosen by the Worship Hall was.
Qian Daoliu lifted his teacup and blew gently across it, then turned to Bibi Dong at an unhurried pace.
"Pope, a young man's drive is a good thing. What do you think?"
Bibi Dong scoffed inwardly.
What could she say? Refuse?
Wouldn't that make it seem as if she was afraid her disciples would lose? Wouldn't it make her, the Pope, look small-minded?
Qin Yao had gone this far. If she refused, it would be the face of the entire Pope Palace that suffered.
Bibi Dong rose slowly to her feet. Her magnificent papal robes stirred though there was no wind, and an aura of authority spread through the arena.
Her voice rang out across the crowd.
"Approved!"
Below the platform, Xie Yue and Yan's faces had gone black as soot.
"Arrogant!"
"You really think you're invincible? You want to fight all three of us at once?"
Qin Yao acted as if he hadn't heard their shouts. He simply raised one finger and gave the three of them a slight wag.
"Don't waste time."
"Use your Martial Soul Fusion Skill."
"Otherwise, you won't even get the chance to make me use a second move."
That was the last straw.
"Good! Good! Good!" Yan laughed in fury. "Nana, Xie Yue! If he's asking to die, let's grant his wish!"
"Let him see what Spirit Hall's Golden Generation can do!"
Yan roared, and his Soul Rings lit up in an instant. The Flame Lord Martial Soul fully possessed him, transforming him into a blazing giant.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue exchanged a glance, each seeing the resolve in the other's eyes.
There was no turning back now.
This fight wasn't just about the honor of the three of them. It was also about their teacher Bibi Dong's reputation!
"Brother!"
"Mm!"
The two understood each other without a word.
On the high platform, Bibi Dong's heart tightened again.
She had absolute faith in Nana and Xie Yue's Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Demon Charm.
Once the fusion skill was unleashed, their Soul Power Levels would combine, and their strength would surge to the level of a Soul King. Even more terrifying was the Red Mist Domain, which suppressed the senses, weakened Soul Power, and slowed movement.
They had once used this move to trap a sixty-second-level Soul Emperor for quite some time, eventually forcing him to admit defeat in disgrace.
Within the red mist, Demon Charm was practically invincible among opponents of the same level.
But...
Bibi Dong glanced sidelong at Qian Daoliu.
That old fox had sat back as calmly as if he were fishing from beginning to end. It was as though Qin Yao wasn't fighting the Golden Generation, but three Soul Elders picked up from the roadside.
His confidence left Bibi Dong feeling uncertain.
What other trump cards was Qin Yao hiding?
As she pondered this, the change on the arena was already complete.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena's figures merged in midair, and a long-haired, androgynous "person" appeared.
Dense red mist gushed out around his body like a rising tide, swallowing Yan and Qin Yao in an instant.
In the blink of an eye, the entire enormous stone arena was completely shrouded in the strange red mist. From outside, not the slightest glimpse of what lay within could be seen.
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