After they finished announcing their names, Ling Yun could tell the host was barely holding back his laughter. He froze for a long moment before continuing.
"Their opponents are the Snake King Brothers. I'm sure they'll bring us an exciting match. Now, let's welcome both teams to the arena!"
"Haha, it's finally our turn, little brother Ling Yun. Let's go!"
Feng Xiaotian eagerly headed for the arena, while Ling Yun covered his face, looking utterly speechless.
As the two stepped onto the arena, a gasp rose from the audience.
"My heavens, that child is so young!"
"Does he even look ten? Could he already be a Soul Ancestor?"
"A ten-year-old Soul Ancestor? How is that possible? Even I didn't become a Soul Ancestor until I was forty."
It was no wonder the spectators were so astonished. Ling Yun really was far too young.
Their opponents were a pair of burly twin brothers. Judging by their appearances, they were both around forty.
To be honest, becoming a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor at forty already made them talented—far more so than that useless Grandmaster who "couldn't break through to level thirty before turning fifty."
"The Snake King Brothers? I've heard of them."
Feng Xiaotian's voice came from beside him. He continued in an unhurried tone, "They're twins. The elder brother's nickname is Python, and the younger brother's is Viper. They're both long-renowned Soul Ancestors!"
As he said this, Feng Xiaotian suddenly laughed.
"Little brother Ling Yun, we're in luck. As far as I know, neither of their Martial Souls can fly, and they don't have any flying Soul Skills, either.
"We just need to take to the sky, and we'll be unbeatable. I'll handle the main attack, and you can transform into a Flame Crane and cover me from above."
"That could work, but I still want to try out my third Soul Skill."
While the two were talking, the twin brothers across from them suddenly burst out laughing, pointing at Ling Yun as they jeered.
"Haha, this is hilarious. They brought a little brat along to compete in a two-person Soul Fighting match?
"I'm dying! Is this kid even ten? When the fighting starts, will he be so scared he pisses his pants?"
"All right, little brother, stop laughing."
Python, the elder brother, patted his younger brother on the shoulder, then said to Ling Yun, "Get down from there, little brat. This isn't a place for you. Blades and fists don't have eyes in the arena. Be careful we don't beat you into a cripple!"
"Hehe, thanks for looking out for me, uncle, but I'm pretty strong."
As he spoke, Ling Yun summoned the Five Spirit Lock, and three Soul Rings—one yellow and two purple—appeared beneath his feet.
When the dazzling Soul Rings appeared, everyone present let out an incredulous gasp.
"My heavens! Am I seeing things? Did I just see that kid's second Soul Ring is purple?"
"A thousand-year second ring? How did that brat manage it?"
"And he looks barely ten! He's so young, yet he's already broken through level thirty? And his second Soul Ring is a thousand years old, too? This..."
"A genius! That child is a true genius!"
It wasn't just the surrounding spectators. Even the Snake King Brothers dropped their contemptuous expressions. Looking at Ling Yun, Python gave a slight nod.
"I take back what I said. You may only be a Soul Elder, but you're certainly qualified to face us. Little brother, activate your Martial Soul and show that brat what we're made of!"
"Got it. Viper, Martial Soul Possession!"
In an instant, the two brothers released their Martial Souls. Just as their nicknames suggested, the elder brother's Martial Soul was a python, while the younger brother's was a viper.
Once their Martial Souls possessed them, their bodies grew even more muscular. Four Soul Rings—white, yellow, yellow, and purple—appeared beneath their feet, and a terrifying pressure swept through the arena.
"Who would've thought both brothers had reached level forty-four?" Feng Xiaotian frowned slightly, then added, "But it doesn't matter. As long as we take to the sky, victory is ours."
"Hehe, brat, today we'll show you what us commoner Soul Masters can do."
In a flash, Python charged straight at Ling Yun. Compared to his younger brother Viper, he was more muscular and much faster, winding across the ground like a black Titan Python.
In no time, Python was right in front of Ling Yun. He followed with a heavy punch.
"Take this!"
Bang!
A dull thud rang out, but Python's fist didn't hit Ling Yun. A green figure had appeared in front of him at lightning speed, then struck out with a palm, blocking Python's thunderous punch.
The one who'd stepped in was none other than Feng Xiaotian. His Martial Soul was the Gale Two-Headed Wolf. Though he was an agility-type Soul Master, his strength was astonishing, too.
"Little brother Ling Yun, transform!"
"On it! Five Spirits Power, transform!"
In an instant, the second Soul Ring flashed. Fire-attribute Soul Power enveloped Ling Yun, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a Flame Crane and shot into the sky.
A red glow flickered in his mouth, and he spat out scorching fireballs that hurtled toward the Snake King Brothers.
"Fire Spirit Power, Flame Bomb!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As several fireballs came hurtling toward him, Python's pupils narrowed. He hurriedly retreated, letting out a low growl.
"Not good! The brat can fly! Little brother, knock him down!"
"No problem. Fourth Soul Skill: Deadly Snake Venom!"
Viper grinned darkly and immediately used his most powerful fourth Soul Skill. He opened his mouth wide and spat out a mouthful of dark green venom, which shot toward Ling Yun like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Seeing the venom rushing toward him, Ling Yun's pupils narrowed. He abruptly changed direction and dodged. The snake venom ultimately struck the ceiling of the Great Soul Arena, corroding a huge hole in it. Its potency was plain to see.
"That venom packs quite a punch. Too bad it can't compare to Dugu Yan's."
Ling Yun murmured to himself. Dugu Yan's Jade Phosphorus Purple Poison could spew out a cloud of poison that covered a vast area.
By comparison, Viper could only spit out venom. As long as you were fast enough, it was easy to dodge.
"Dodged, did you? You might escape the first day of the month, but you won't escape the fifteenth."
Viper grinned viciously, constantly spitting venom at Ling Yun. He was a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor with deep reserves of Soul Power. On top of that, his fourth Soul Ring was only a little over a thousand years old, so using his Soul Skill didn't consume much Soul Power. He could use it again and again.
But Ling Yun was different. He was only a Soul Elder. Using a thousand-year Soul Skill for too long would quickly drain his Soul Power, and Viper's goal was to wear him down in a battle of attrition.
"Hehe, once your Soul Power is completely drained, I'll be the one who wins."
Just as Viper had expected, Ling Yun's Soul Power was rapidly dwindling. But he wasn't discouraged. Instead, he said, "Dodging around is such a pain. Why don't I turn into a Stone Armor Bear and finish him off quickly?"
"Five Spirits Power, transform!"
As he spoke, Ling Yun used his Soul Skill again, then abruptly transformed into a Stone Armor Bear and plunged from the sky like a meteorite.
"What!"
Seeing Ling Yun plunge down from above, Viper's pupils narrowed. He hurriedly spat out even more venom at him.
Yet when the venom landed on Ling Yun, it failed to harm him in the slightest.
"Hehe, my Stone Armor Bear has incredible defenses. There's no way you can hurt me!"
"You've spat out so much venom. You must be tired now, right? Then it's my turn."
"Earth Spirit Power!"
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