"Third match: Huyan Li of the Elephant Armor Clan versus Huo Wushuang of Blazing Fire Academy!"
At the announcer's declaration, Huo Wushuang and Huyan Li walked onto the arena.
Though they were both young, their eyes were filled with fighting spirit as they faced each other.
Seeing that the two had taken their places in the arena, the referee announced,
"Begin!"
At the referee's command, the two completed their Martial Soul Possession in an instant.
"Single-Horned Fire Tyrant Dragon, Martial Soul Possession!"
"First Soul Skill, Burning Extinction Dragon Flame!"
As the Soul Skill was released, flames burst from the mouth of the Martial Soul's phantom, trying to engulf Huyan Li.
But Huyan Li reacted swiftly to the sight and released his own Soul Skill.
"Diamond Mammoth, Martial Soul Possession!"
"First Soul Skill, Copper Wall and Iron Bastion!"
As the Soul Skill took effect, a metallic sheen spread over Huyan Li's body.
Without the slightest hesitation, he charged straight out of the ring of fire surrounding him.
Seeing that the flames had only clung to Huyan Li's skin and hadn't hurt him at all, Huo Wushuang chose to run backward.
As he ran, he kept releasing his first Soul Skill, trying to block Huyan Li's vision.
Watching the childish fight below, Yu Tianshuo was starting to get bored.
He stroked Na'er's head in his arms, still thinking about his Sixth and Seventh Soul Rings.
Na'er had led him to the small space where the Wind Dragon King dwelled, allowing him to obtain his Fifth Soul Ring.
At first, the other party had reacted just like the Earth Dragon King: first with surprise, then with fury.
But this time, Yu Tianshuo was strong enough. He'd blocked the first attack, then smacked the fellow once and knocked some sense into him.
In the end, Na'er had negotiated with him, explaining their plan in broad strokes, before the Wind Dragon King reluctantly agreed.
As for now, he and the Fire Dragon King spent every day glaring at each other inside Yu Tianshuo's sea of consciousness. From time to time, they even pleaded for the Earth Dragon King and Ice Dragon King, but since they hadn't offered enough in return, Yu Tianshuo still hadn't let the two out.
As for his Sixth and Seventh Soul Rings, Yu Tianshuo had planned to get them from the Mountain Dragon King and any other Dragon King. But then he remembered the Heart of the Dragon God in the Mountain Dragon King's Dragon Tomb. If Gu Yue and Na'er found out about that thing, they might take it and turn against him.
So now he had his sights set on the Dark Dragon King and the Radiant Dragon King.
But when he remembered that Di Tian was descended from those two, he realized it would be a headache if Di Tian found out.
He was lost in thought, completely unaware that Na'er kept sneaking glances at him.
As for what Na'er was thinking:
Hehe, he's patting my head again. I'm so happy!
Na'er's little feet swung back and forth in the air.
Yu Tianshuo kept thinking and thinking.
And just like that, time passed.
Until the names of the fighters in the next match caught Yu Tianshuo's attention.
The referee called out the names of the next pair from the arena.
"Fifth match! Yu Tianheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan versus Shui Bing'er of Skywater Academy!"
Hearing the name of his "good little brother," Yu Tianshuo's lips curled into a wicked grin.
As he watched Yu Tianheng walk onto the arena, he began plotting how to mess with the guy.
As if sensing something, Na'er turned to Yu Tianshuo and asked,
"Does Tian Shuo gege dislike that guy down there?"
Taken aback by Na'er's question, he still smiled and stroked her head.
"Is it that obvious? I thought I was hiding it pretty well."
Na'er simply shook her head and said,
"Na'er can sort of tell. Just like when Sister Yanyan asked you yesterday if Qian Renxue had stayed in your room, and you lied. Na'er could sort of tell then, too."
At that, Yu Tianshuo didn't break out in a cold sweat, but he still couldn't quite smile.
Never mind why Na'er called herself Na'er when she meant "me"—he'd wanted to ask about that already.
How had they found out that Qian Renxue had spent the night at his place?
(Hidden in the shadows, Snake Lance and Pufferfish both sneezed at the same time.)
Seeing that Na'er was about to ask what they'd done together the night before, Yu Tianshuo had a sudden inspiration and changed the subject.
"Let's not talk about that for now, Na'er. How about you go teach that guy I dislike a lesson?"
Yu Tianshuo didn't want to go down there and beat up his idiot little brother himself. A four-ring Soul Master beating a one-ring Soul Master would make him look bad, and they were in the middle of a competition. It would be even more embarrassing if so many people saw it.
But it was different if Na'er went.
Ever since Na'er had moved into their home, she'd spent time playing and learning a few tricks from Dugu Bo. After obtaining her Soul Ring, she'd even stopped bothering to pretend.
She'd simply condensed one herself during training. Dugu Bo and Dugu Yuan, both of whom Yu Tianshuo had taught about how Soul Beasts obtained Soul Rings, were left utterly speechless.
She really wasn't even trying to pretend anymore.
Still, the two of them hadn't said anything. Later, Dugu Bo had come to ask Yu Tianshuo why he, a Titled Douluo, hadn't been able to tell that Na'er was a Soul Beast. Even Yu Tianshuo had no idea how to explain it.
After hearing Yu Tianshuo's suggestion, Na'er nodded. She hopped down from his lap and went over to Qian Renxue. After saying something to her, Qian Renxue nodded, then turned to glance at Yu Tianshuo with a strange smile.
Though he had no idea what that smile meant, it still sent a chill down Yu Tianshuo's spine.
Qian Renxue beckoned a servant over and said something to him. Then she shot Yu Tianshuo another strange look and walked away without a word.
After Yu Tianheng and Shui Bing'er finished their match below, several more matches passed.
During the second round, the referee suddenly announced,
"I've just received word that Na'er, disciple of His Excellency Dugu, will be joining this round of sparring."
"There's one more announcement..."
The referee was a little stunned as he looked at what he had to say next, but he gritted his teeth and read it aloud.
"One more thing: His Excellency Dugu's second disciple, Tian Shuo, will be holding an exhibition match against everyone here."
"Mr. Tian Shuo says he'll accept any challenger who wants to come forward..."
By now, even the referee's voice was trembling.
"INCLUDING TITLED DOULOUS!!!"
In an instant, the entire arena was stunned!
Even Emperor Xue Ye, who'd been watching it all with a smile, nearly plucked out his own mustache.
Dugu Bo wasn't surprised. Whatever his disciple did, he considered small potatoes by now.
As for Dugu Yuan...
"Waaah, Yanyan would rather go to the Crown Prince than come to me! Waaah, this is so unfair!"
Even Yu Tianshuo, the person at the center of it all, was a little dumbfounded. He stared blankly at Qian Renxue.
His eyes said it all.
What? Sis, what are you doing?
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