Xuan Qing Was at a Loss

Feng Xiaotian saw that he couldn't break through, and his stamina was running low. Gritting his teeth, he lit up his third Soul Ring.

"Third Soul Skill: Gale Wings!"

A pair of blue-green wings unfurled behind him. His aura turned wild. This Soul Skill not only let him fly, but also restored his body to peak condition.

"Watch out. Here comes my Self-Created Soul Skill: Gale Demon Wolf, Twenty-Eight Slashes!"

On the first slash, Xuan Qing blocked with his dragon claw and was forced back a step.

On the second slash, the force was greater, and Xuan Qing retreated again.

With each slash—the third, the fourth—the force and speed grew faster.

The bloody marks on Xuan Qing's body grew more numerous and deeper.

Feng Xiaotian was like a tireless machine, slashing furiously.

Twenty-eight slashes, one after another, relentless and unbroken. Blades flashed across the arena, murderous intent filling the air.

"That was the twenty-eighth slash, my friend. Can you still hold on?"

Feng Xiaotian roared as his wings transformed into a gigantic guillotine blade and came crashing down.

This slash gathered the power of the previous twenty-seven, reaching a terrifying level. The air itself was ripped apart with a shrill whistle.

Xuan Qing looked at the descending blade and smiled.

"I've seen your Self-Created Soul Skill. Now it's time to see mine."

Blue-green energy appeared around him, flowing like water.

The stream grew larger and denser, then roared skyward, transforming into a gigantic Water Dragon.

The Water Dragon coiled through the air, its draconic might overwhelming.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who had experienced it firsthand,

as well as Ning Fengzhi and Dugu Bo, all recognized the move that had defeated the Shrek Seven Devils back then.

"This is my Self-Created Soul Skill. I named it—"

"Panna Yao Yue!"

Looking at the massive guillotine blade, Xuan Qing spun his right hand and shouted,

"Cloud Dragon Manifestation—break!"

The gigantic Water Dragon roared skyward, then charged at Feng Xiaotian with terrifying momentum.

A look of resolve flashed in Feng Xiaotian's eyes. He roared,

"Come on! Let's see who's stronger!"

The gigantic blue-green blade and the roaring Water Dragon collided with a thunderous crash.

"Boom—!"

A deafening explosion rang out. Their Soul Power collided, unleashing a violent shock wave that swept across the entire arena.

The spectators below held their breath, staring intently at the arena. Even many Soul Ancestors couldn't unleash an attack this powerful. They wanted to know who had won.

As the dust settled, the scene on the arena came into view.

Feng Xiaotian lay sprawled on the ground, his face pale and blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth. His wings had vanished, and his clothes were in tatters. He looked utterly disheveled.

Xuan Qing stood where he was. Though injured, his breathing was steady. He had won, without a trace of doubt.

Feng Xiaotian struggled to sit up and gave Xuan Qing a thumbs-up. He smiled—a carefree, sincere smile.

"Impressive! I've never acknowledged anyone in my life, but you're one of them. Losing to you isn't shameful."

Xuan Qing walked over and naturally reached out to help him up.

"Not at all. Your Soul Skill is good, too. If its foundation were a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill, its power could double again. But with a Thousand-Year Soul Skill as its foundation, it'll reach its limit by the time you have seven rings."

Feng Xiaotian froze. He had never considered this before. He had always thought a Self-Created Soul Skill would grow stronger the more he practiced it. Only now, with Xuan Qing pointing it out, did he realize how serious the problem was.

"Thank you for the advice. I really had never thought about that before. The foundation has its limits. If I keep going down this path blindly, I might end up on the wrong track and ruin my future."

"No need to thank me. You're a worthy opponent. You're among the top three of the younger generation across the entire continent."

"The hands of a clock always point forward. We can't afford to stand still."

"I hope someone can keep up with me. I don't want to look back and find no one behind me. That would be terribly lonely."

Feng Xiaotian nodded firmly.

"I understand. I'll keep working hard, and one day I'll strive to stand beside you."

"I'll be waiting."

The referee announced from the arena,

"Xuan Qing wins this match! Who will challenge next?"

A deathly silence fell over the spectators.

Huo Wu's expression shifted again and again. She wanted to go up, but didn't dare. She loved fighting, but she wasn't stupid. If even Feng Xiaotian had lost, she'd only be throwing herself into the fire.

Shui Bing'er's gaze was solemn. She knew she was no match for him; Xuan Qing's strength had already surpassed the limits of a Soul Elder.

Just as everyone was still hesitating, a clear voice rang out.

"I'll do it!"

Everyone turned to look. It was Shui Yue'er. She hopped onto the arena, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Xuan Qing with an adoring look.

She didn't look like she'd come to fight. She looked more like she'd come to admire a handsome young man.

"Little brother, you're amazing! I'm Shui Yue'er, a level thirty-two Soul Elder."

"Let's have a match. If I lose, I'll treat you to a meal. If I win... how about you become my boyfriend?"

The crowd erupted.

This girl was something else—confessing her feelings in public?

Shui Bing'er pressed a hand to her forehead. She could have died of embarrassment. Her little sister had disgraced them beyond belief.

"Yue'er! Get down here! Stop fooling around!"

Shui Yue'er giggled.

"Big sister, I'm not fooling around. It'd be such a shame to miss out on a handsome little brother like him. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Xuan Qing's mouth twitched. He spoke, utterly at a loss.

"Big sis, I'm only ten. You'd be robbing the cradle. That's not appropriate, is it?"

Shui Yue'er bristled.

"What does being ten have to do with anything? They say a woman three years older is worth a Gold Brick. I'm not even fourteen yet, so you'd get more than one! Besides, I'm not bad-looking, right? And I've got a great figure. You wouldn't be losing out. As for my height, I'm still growing."

Xuan Qing rubbed his forehead helplessly. This girl was beyond saving.

"Can we start?"

The referee was struggling to hold back his laughter, but he nodded at once.

"Yes. Let the match begin."

Xuan Qing released his Soul Rings in an official match for the first time, and another round of gasps came from the audience. They had already heard of a Ten-Thousand-Year third ring, but seeing it with their own eyes was still shocking.

"First Soul Skill: Azure Scale Rain and Marsh."

Blue-green raindrops fell from the sky, covering the entire arena. As they landed on Xuan Qing, his injuries visibly began to heal.

But when they landed on Shui Yue'er, her Soul Power began to drain rapidly.

Shui Yue'er's expression changed, and she hurriedly summoned her Martial Soul.

"You have only a hundred seconds. If you can't beat me in that time, you lose."

Shui Yue'er gritted her teeth and activated her third Soul Skill. The phantom of a Lustrous Jade Dolphin crashed toward Xuan Qing, but it didn't leave so much as a mark on his Dragon Scales.

Shui Yue'er stomped her foot in frustration.

"You're cheating! How am I supposed to fight that Soul Skill? You're such a blockhead! You don't even want a sweet, soft girlfriend? So many people have tried to court me, and I turned them all down."

Xuan Qing really couldn't handle girls like her, so he simply turned to the referee.

"Can I forfeit? Let her win. I don't want to fight anymore."

The referee was having a hard time holding back his laughter too, but he still nodded.

"Yes. Shui Yue'er wins this match. Xuan Qing forfeits, and his streak as arena champion is over."

Xuan Qing leapt off the arena as if he'd been granted a reprieve and returned to the VIP seats. He slumped into a chair and let out a long breath.