Gu Sheng looked at her tear-streaked face and gave her a confident smile.
He reached out and wiped the tears from the corner of the girl's eye.
"Then let's make a bet."
"You and I will have a match. If I win, you'll let me come with you."
Spirit City.
The magnificent Martial Arts Arena stood behind the Pope's Palace. Its spacious platform was paved with hard obsidian, sturdy enough to withstand the full-force clash of high-ranking Soul Masters.
At that moment, several figures stood silently amid the thick clouds hundreds of meters above the arena.
At their head was none other than the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu.
His golden robes snapped in the fierce winds among the clouds. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed straight down through the clouds.
Golden Crocodile Douluo and several other enshrined elders stood beside Qian Daoliu, their eyes likewise fixed on the two people at the center of the arena.
In the shadows farther off to one side, Bibi Dong's figure was concealed from view.
She held the scepter that symbolized her power, her graceful figure blending into the void. She silently observed the scene below without making a sound.
All the peak experts of Spirit Hall present had been drawn by this lopsided bet.
"Great Enshrined, do you really think that boy can win?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo crossed his arms and looked down as he asked.
Looking at the tall, straight-backed youth on the arena, Golden Crocodile couldn't help shaking his head again and again. He voiced his opinion without hesitation.
"The young mistress is already a seventy-second-level Soul Saint. Her strength is unfathomable."
"That kid Gu Sheng has, at most, had his Martial Soul awakened for a few days. The most he could possibly be is a twentieth-level Soul Grandmaster."
"Even if he has the rare double Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings, the gap of more than fifty Soul Power levels is like a chasm between heaven and earth. There's simply no way to cross it!"
Another enshrined elder heard this and nodded in agreement.
"Second brother is right. The gulf between their levels is plain to see."
The elder stroked his white beard beneath his chin, his tone carrying a note of certainty.
"With the Saintess's cultivation now, she could probably make that boy lose on the spot just by lifting a finger and releasing a little of a Soul Saint's pressure."
"This match has no suspense whatsoever."
The enshrined elders chimed in one after another, discussing the two sides' strength and agreeing that Gu Sheng had no chance of winning.
Listening to their discussion, Qian Daoliu slowly shook his head.
"You don't understand."
His voice was aged, yet full of vigor. It rang through the clouds, and the area around them fell silent at once.
Qian Daoliu raised a hand and pointed toward Gu Sheng, standing calmly on the platform below.
"You've only seen the difference in their Soul Power Levels on the surface, while overlooking the essence of the Martial Soul itself."
"His Martial Soul even surpasses the Angel God our clan worships. It is an existence far beyond your comprehension."
Qian Daoliu spoke each word deliberately, his expression grave.
"Think about it. With a Martial Soul this abnormal and of such an exalted rank, how could it possibly produce ordinary Soul Skills?"
His words struck the enshrined elders like a thunderbolt.
They were all old monsters who had cultivated for a lifetime. Naturally, they understood how terrifyingly much a Martial Soul's quality could boost a Soul Master's combat power.
Remembering the terrifying spectacle in the hall a few days earlier—the crystal ball shattered, and a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring forcibly condensed—the elders exchanged glances.
As they looked at Gu Sheng again, their eyes gradually changed.
Their earlier disdain and certainty slowly faded.
In their place came a deep sense of anticipation.
Maybe this boy really could surprise them today?
On the Martial Arts Arena.
The wind swept dust across the ground, lending the air a particularly grim edge.
Gu Sheng and Qian Renxue stood facing each other, barely ten zhang apart.
Qian Renxue had shed her elaborate, gorgeous gown that day and changed into a neat golden outfit.
It perfectly outlined her long, shapely legs and slender waist. A hint of conflict and concern showed on her stunning face.
She looked at the youth ten zhang away and drew a deep breath.
"You can still admit defeat."
Qian Renxue tried to dissuade him, her voice carrying across the platform on the wind.
"Heaven Dou City is too dangerous. I won't let you put yourself in harm's way. Are you ready?"
Though she asked aloud, Qian Renxue had already made up her mind.
She knew Gu Sheng's temperament far too well. He would never back down easily.
If that was the case, then they would have to settle it with strength.
The moment she made her move, she would have to subdue him with the force of a thunderbolt!
She mustn't hurt him in the slightest, but she had to use overwhelming strength to make him understand the difference between them.
Only then would he know when to quit and obediently stay in the absolute safety of Spirit City.
Gu Sheng quietly watched the girl before him.
Feeling the concern in her words, he smiled faintly, his expression unusually calm.
"Come on."
It was only two simple words, yet they carried an unshakable resolve.
Hearing his answer, Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened. She no longer hesitated.
"Angel, possess me!"
Her clear, melodious shout suddenly rang across the Martial Arts Arena.
Dazzling golden flames burst from Qian Renxue's body with the force of an erupting volcano.
The golden light brimmed with divinity and majesty. It heated the surrounding air in an instant, sending rippling waves of distortion through it.
Qian Renxue's golden hair rose and danced wildly in the flames.
Accompanied by a resounding, holy note,
the magnificent, divine phantom of a Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul unfurled slowly behind her.
Three pairs of immaculate white wings spread outward, blotting out the sky and scattering golden feathers imbued with Sanctity.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
All seven Soul Rings, in the ideal configuration, slowly rose beneath her feet, pulsing up and down.
The formidable pressure of a seventy-second-level Soul Saint swept in all directions like a tsunami.
The oppressive force was immense.
The wings behind Qian Renxue beat sharply, and she turned into a streak of golden light.
She struck first!
Her speed reached the absolute limit, leaving behind an almost lifelike afterimage.
In the span of a single breath, she had crossed the ten zhang between them and closed in on Gu Sheng.
Qian Renxue raised her slender hand, dazzling golden Soul Power gathering in her palm.
Her attack looked fierce and unstoppable, like a raging storm, yet its trajectory was precise, deliberately avoiding every vital spot on Gu Sheng's body.
Her purpose was clear.
She meant to use the absolute difference in their levels and their auras to forcefully suppress Gu Sheng and settle the match in one move.
Faced with the golden palm strikes bearing down on him from all sides, Gu Sheng's eyes showed no hint of panic.
He didn't choose to meet force with force.
At that critical moment, Gu Sheng's thoughts stirred, and he immediately activated the two inky-black Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings beneath his feet.
The First Soul Ring abruptly lit up, giving off a shadowy glow.
Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill, Void!
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