Zhu Zhuqing had just broken through to level 30, and Ma Hongjun had only just broken through as well.
Neither of them even had a Soul Ring yet.
Naturally, they couldn't take the stage for the Wager Match.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong were auxiliary-type Soul Masters, so they were out of the question too.
That left only Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Xiao Wu who could take the stage.
"That guy really is strong."
No matter how stubbornly he denied it, Dai Mubai had to admit the truth.
"Indeed. I wonder where that guy even came from."
Tang San agreed, his expression grave.
He remembered that at this point in his previous life, he should still have been cultivating in Old Poison Freak's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
If something this big had happened,
he couldn't possibly have no memory of it at all—not even have heard a whisper.
So where had that guy come from?
While everyone was discussing the matter, the lineup for the next match was already out.
Fei Xue, against Evil-Eyed White Tiger!
"Evil-Eyed White Tiger? Boss Dai—how did you get picked?"
Oscar stared at the screen, his face full of disbelief.
They had come for the Wager Match,
but so many people had signed up.
Who could have guessed they'd get this "lucky" and be picked right away?
"Holy crap! One hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, Boss! When you strike it rich, don't forget your friends!"
Ma Hongjun threw his arms around Dai Mubai's leg.
The way Flender looked at Dai Mubai, he might as well have been gazing at a gold mine.
"Mubai, you have to win this match, no matter what.
Otherwise—
you can look forward to training twice, ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times, even ten thousand times as hard!"
Dai Mubai shuddered at Flender's words.
But when he thought of those hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, his spirits rose, and his fighting spirit blazed.
After wandering from place to place for so many years,
his little stash had run dry. It had been ages since he'd had a good time...
"Don't worry, Dean! I'll show that pretty boy what a real monster looks like!"
"Mm, exactly. I've analyzed that Fei Xue, too—he's no threat!"
Just then, Yu Xiaogang stroked his chin, his face glowing with "wisdom."
"Oh? And what makes you say that? Xiaogang, out with it. Don't keep us in suspense!"
Flender urged him on.
"Fei Xue has three fatal weaknesses."
Yu Xiaogang spoke leisurely.
Everyone's eyes lit up. Seeing their eager looks, Yu Xiaogang's vanity was thoroughly gratified. He continued in the same unhurried tone:
"First, he's too proud, too arrogant.
The Soul Fighting Arena is full of elites from all over,
yet he dares to fight without using his Martial Soul or Soul Skills, looking down on everyone under heaven.
After getting lucky and winning a few matches,
his pride and arrogance will only grow. That's where our chance lies!"
"Of course, it's also possible that his Martial Soul is too poor, so he's trying to make up for it with Self-Created Soul Skills.
But Self-Created Soul Skills are hardly that easy to master."
"Second, he uses a sword, so his weakness is his lack of long-range attacks. He has to get up close to strike!"
"Third, how could his Self-Created Soul Skills compare to Soul Skills granted by Soul Rings? His defenses must have a serious weakness."
"Mubai, you're different from Shui Bing'er. She relies mainly on control skills, while you can both attack and defend. That's one of your major advantages."
"Exploit his weaknesses. Wear him down from a distance and don't let him get close.
Once you've drained his Soul Power and stamina, charge straight in. Withstand one wave of his attacks, and you can finish him in one go."
Yu Xiaogang clasped his hands behind his back, looking thoroughly smug.
Everyone listened, enthralled!
"Brilliant! As expected of Xiaogang, the continent's foremost master of theory!"
Flender patted Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder, grinning like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"That pretty boy thinks he can show off just because he has a few stinking coins. This time, I'll beat him until he's eating dirt!"
After hearing Yu Xiaogang's analysis, Dai Mubai was brimming with confidence.
"I'll beat him on the arena platform, just like last time, and leave him without even his underwear!"
"Exactly! Boss Dai is right!"
"We'll make him regret it!"
Everyone was in high spirits, as if victory were already theirs.
Only Tang San remained silent.
In the past, he might have been fooled by Yu Xiaogang's endless stream of nonsense.
But now,
he was a man who had seen the ocean. How could he still believe such rubbish?
How could Fei Xue have won seven matches in a row with only those few tricks?
Those Self-Created Soul Skills,
though a little crude in Tang San's eyes, were more than enough to crush Dai Mubai, that lecherous tiger.
But everyone was caught up in their excitement, and Tang San wasn't about to ruin the mood by pouring cold water on them.
Besides, he had only just watched the other man fight once. He hadn't found any fatal weaknesses either, so he had no desire to speak up.
Backstage at the Soul Fighting Arena.
Qian Renxue had just finished signing up for another round when she ran into Ning Fengzhi and the other two.
"Please wait a moment, young friend.
I am Ning Fengzhi, Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I'd like to invite you to chat for a while. Would you do me the honor?"
Ning Fengzhi spoke with gentle warmth and refined manners.
"Greetings, Sect Master Ning! Thank you for your kind regard, but my match is about to begin."
Qian Renxue politely declined.
She didn't need to guess what they wanted.
But how could she possibly join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
"Heh heh, don't worry, it won't interfere with anything. We won't keep you long."
Sword Douluo said with a chuckle, like a kindly old grandfather coaxing a child.
"May I ask where you learned your swordsmanship?
Did you have a renowned master to guide you?
I am Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and I have some small attainments in the way of the sword.
If you don't mind, perhaps we could spar and exchange pointers."
Seeing Sword Douluo acting so "submissive," like a lovesick puppy, Bone Douluo couldn't bear to look and turned his face away.
Was it really necessary?
Was it really necessary?
You're a great master of the sword, Sword Douluo, with a backbone as unyielding as steel!
Where was your sword heart?
Where was your pride?
Qian Renxue hadn't expected the old man to be so humble and straightforward, asking right off the bat to take her as his disciple.
But she already had a teacher!
There was one in her mind,
and, strictly speaking, Ning Fengzhi was also her teacher in public.
Though the two of them were more like allies,
that still made things complicated.
"Greetings, Sword Douluo. Thank you for your kind regard, but I already have a teacher. I'm afraid I can't change course and take another."
Qian Renxue said tactfully.
Sword Douluo was immediately disappointed, but he still wouldn't give up.
"May I ask who your honored teacher is? What kind of eminent figure could have taught a genius like you?"
"My teacher lives as a recluse, and few people know of him. He also prefers not to be mentioned. I'm truly sorry."
Ning Fengzhi quickly ran through the possibilities in his mind,
but he couldn't figure out who this sword master could be.
Could it be some old fossil from the Wind Sword Sect?
Sword Douluo wondered.
But he had ties to the Wind Sword Sect, too, and knew that was absolutely impossible.
"In that case, it's a great pity."
Ning Fengzhi closed his jade fan, his smile still as warm and gentle as ever.
"But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has no prejudice against outsiders.
Since your teacher is a hidden master, might you be interested in joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
"Well... I actually have a great deal of respect for your sect, and share a bit of a connection with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
But for now, I have no plans to join, so I'm truly sorry."
Qian Renxue said.
Before you continue