Blocked at the Main Entrance

Afterward, Jing Hongchen, Xuan Ziwen, and Xiao Hongchen visited Elder Kong once more to showcase Xiao Hongchen's Spirit-Forged metal.

Elder Kong was even more excited than they were. Upon learning that he could obtain his own Spirit-Forged metal simply by providing blood during the process, his regard for Xiao Hongchen seemed to surpass everything else.

If he could use Spirit-Forged metal to craft core magic arrays, his chances of completing a Level 9 Soul Tool would increase significantly.

Things are valued for their rarity, not to mention that in the entire Douluo Continent, Xiao Hongchen was the only one capable of providing Spirit-Forged metal.

He who gains Xiao Hongchen gains the world!

When Elder Kong learned that Jing Hongchen had not given the "Red Dust Attachment" to Xiao Hongchen for his personal protection, he scolded Jing Hongchen relentlessly.

"Such a genius, and you aren't even willing to give him a life-saving Level 9 Soul Tool? Are you even his grandfather?"

Jing Hongchen had grievances he could not voice; he could not tell Elder Kong that Xiao Hongchen had Elder Yi residing in his Sea of Consciousness and had absolutely no need for it.

But in reality, at this stage, Xiao Hongchen truly did need it. Elder Yi was already in deep slumber, and the opening and entering of the Undead Semi-Plane required a certain amount of time, making him easily vulnerable to being caught by experts during the startup phase. If he had a Level 9 defensive soul tool, he could swagger his way into the Undead Semi-Plane with ease.

In the end, Elder Kong gifted Xiao Hongchen a silver Level 9 soul bracelet. Its function was to sense incoming attacks and activate a defense based on the holder's intent; for five seconds, attacks below the level of a Super Douluo could not harm the holder in the slightest.

Once the shield was used, it required recharging. It did not need to be charged manually; after the user practiced naturally for about three days, it would gradually recharge. Of course, one could also perform active charging, which required about a full day and night of meditation, continuously pouring all of one's Soul Power into it.

The defensive power of this soul tool, before reaching the level of a Title Douluo, was even higher than that of the Red Dust Attachment. With this item in hand, unless Xiao Hongchen encountered the absolute top-tier individuals, escaping would be no problem at all.

After promising Elder Kong that he would spend at least two days a week learning about Humanoid Soul Tools under him, Xiao Hongchen and the others left the Worship Hall.

A month of vacation passes quickly.

Xiao Hongchen had spent almost the entire holiday holed up in the laboratory. When he wasn't purifying metal, he was repeatedly exploring the core array structures of Humanoid Soul Tools under the guidance of Xuan Ziwen and Elder Kong. He felt as though he had been wrung dry; even his dreams were filled with metal.

One day at noon, he planned to head home early to relax, as this was the final day before the start of the term.

While still a fair distance from the academy gates, he spotted someone from afar.

The young girl stood at the entrance with a carefree posture. She had fluffy, soft, light purple short hair with natural curls at the tips. Tucked beneath the stray locks on her forehead was a sun-shaped hair ornament that glinted with golden light, shimmering brilliantly in the morning sun.

She wore a gorgeous, purple-and-black fitted outfit, with sharp shorts paired with short boots, exuding a sense of unrestrained liveliness amidst her noble air.

Her amethyst-like eyes brightened the moment they landed on him, the corners curling into crescents. A bold smile played on her lips as she waved at him.

It appeared that someone of high status had come specifically for him; it was impossible to ignore her!

Xiao Hongchen walked over at a leisurely pace and spoke:

"First time meeting, may I ask who you are?"

The girl's eyes curved, her tone carrying a hint of exaggerated grievance:

"It's not our first meeting; I remember you, you know."

She tilted her head:

"We met at a banquet, have you forgotten? I'm very hurt, Xiao Hongchen."

"I don't quite recall."

Xiao Hongchen said this without changing his expression.

Although he had vaguely guessed the other party's identity, he truly could not remember the specific details of the banquet.

When he was younger, he had occasionally accompanied Jing Hongchen to aristocratic banquets, but for a child, those occasions were merely going through the motions, and the insignificant memories had long since blurred.

If he were pressed for details, that would be truly troublesome.

The girl shrugged:

"That is a pity."

She stepped forward, hands on her hips, and struck a pose for a formal introduction:

"Then let's start over. My name is Xu Tianzhen, currently a fifth-year student at the Ming Capital Soul Engineer Academy. Please take care of me."

"So it is Her Highness the Princess. No wonder you are so beautiful and moving."

Xu Tianzhen froze for a moment, then reacted, glaring at him:

"You're saying I'm so unrefined that I don't look like a princess, aren't you!"

"I didn't," Xiao Hongchen said with an innocent expression. "I was merely complimenting you."

"Complimenting me?" Xu Tianzhen tasted the two words over and over, narrowing her eyes. "Xiao Hongchen, you speak in such roundabout ways; I don't like it."

"Then what kind does Your Highness like?" Xiao Hongchen asked.

"Direct ones." Xu Tianzhen did not hesitate. "Say what you mean, don't beat around the bush."

"Fine." Xiao Hongchen nodded. "Then I will be direct. Your Highness, blocking the academy gate at high noon, is there something you need?"

"Naturally, I've come to challenge you, Xiao Hongchen. Do you know how famous you've become in the Ming Capital soul engineer circles lately? The news of you defeating the team captain of the Soul Master Tournament is everywhere."

"Oh, it's alright, I suppose. I thought that level of performance was the norm."

Xu Tianzhen's mouth twitched.

This person... is he truly arrogant, or is he just putting on an act?

"I have always admired the strong, and I strive to become stronger myself." She took a deep breath and put on a serious expression. "Xiao Hongchen, duel me! If I lose, I will transfer to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy."

Xiao Hongchen raised an eyebrow.

I suppose I should just go easy and lose to her. If this kid comes along, she'll just be a miniature Ji Juechen, pestering me for a duel every single day. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.

"You were just thinking about throwing the match, weren't you?" Xu Tianzhen suddenly narrowed her eyes. "Absolutely not!"

As she spoke, she crossed her hands in front of her chest, forming a large "X."

What a pain.

"Then I shall respectfully decline to refuse."

Led by Xiao Hongchen, the two walked toward the Soul Fighting Arena.

They were followed by quite a few gossiping students. Xiao Hongchen already enjoyed high popularity at the academy, and after defeating Ma Rulong during that assessment, his fame had skyrocketed. Coupled with his heartthrob-level looks, his every move naturally drew the attention of many "Xiao-fans."

As for Xu Tianzhen, being the most favored little princess of the royal family, she was hardly a low-profile figure either.

Although she was only thirteen, she frequently accompanied the Emperor to public events, so many students from noble backgrounds at the academy recognized her.

Therefore, when the two appeared side by side, the surrounding crowd immediately erupted.

"Isn't that Her Highness the Princess?"

"Her Highness walking side by side with Xiao-Xiao? Is this for real? Could it be?"

"Wait, where are they going?"

"Towards the Soul Fighting Arena... holy crap, are they going on a date?"

"Date your head, it's obviously a fight!"

The discussions behind them grew louder and louder.

Some people had even started analyzing the relationship between the two on the spot.

However, neither Xiao Hongchen nor Xu Tianzhen paid any attention to those voices.

Normally, using the Soul Fighting Arena required a fee, but the two walked straight toward the center of the arena, and no one dared to stop them. On the contrary, the gossiping students who had followed them all the way were ruthlessly charged a hefty spectator fee by the staff at the entrance.

In the center of the vast Soul Fighting Arena, only the two of them remained, facing each other from a distance.