The Heaven Dou Great Soul Fighting Arena, No Need for Martial Souls

The next morning.

Heaven Dou Soul Fighting Arena, VIP box.

Han Yu and Chen Xin sat opposite each other. The box was well soundproofed, cutting off most of the clamor from the arena floor.

"Han Yu, the matter of your twin martial souls must not be exposed at this time," Chen Xin said with a stern tone. "Your strength is still shallow; once leaked, it will attract the prying eyes of all major factions."

He did not want Han Yu to reveal too much. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's current strength, it was not enough to protect a genius with twin martial souls.

Not to mention Han Yu's terrifying soul ring configuration; other factions would absolutely exhaust every means to assassinate him.

Han Yu wore a serious expression as he replied, "Rest assured, Teacher. I will not expose my twin martial souls; I have other methods."

Chen Xin looked deeply at Han Yu, nodded, and said no more.

The two looked down at the arena through the one-way glass. Two Soul Kings were locked in a fierce battle below, their soul ring lights flickering as the audience roared incessantly.

Han Yu shook his head slightly and said slowly, "Too slow."

As soon as his words fell, the outcome on the arena was decided.

A moment later, the referee's voice echoed: "Next match, one-on-one soul fight! 'Li Feiyu' versus 'Iron Wall'."

Han Yu smiled knowingly and stood up to leave the box.

Chen Xin frowned slightly, feeling curious about the name Han Yu had chosen. For some reason, he sensed a hint of killing intent within that name.

On the arena.

Han Yu and a burly man exchanged a glance and walked to one side to stand still.

The spectator stands were packed, and the noise surged like a tidal wave, deafening to the ears.

The referee held a megaphone soul tool and shouted in a resonant voice: "This is a newcomer soul master participating in a soul fight for the first time, Li Feiyu.

His opponent is! Iron Wall, who has already won five consecutive matches!"

The giant screen above the arena flickered, displaying the masked figures of Han Yu and the burly man, with their corresponding information listed below.

Name: Li Feiyu Martial Soul: Formation Disk, Level 34 Auxiliary-type Soul Grandmaster Odds: 5 to 1

Versus

Name: Iron Wall Martial Soul: Black Iron Turtle, Level 39 Defense-type Soul Grandmaster Odds: 1 to 1.1

The audience erupted into an instant uproar.

"An auxiliary-type soul grandmaster? An auxiliary-type soul master doing one-on-one? He's looking for death."

"This Iron Wall is known as invincible among his peers. The previous level 39 assault-type soul master couldn't break his defense after fighting for ages. What's there to compare?"

"Heh heh, I just bet my next month's meal money on Iron Wall. This match is as stable as it gets."

The burly man named Iron Wall sneered, his heavy armor creaking: "Kid, it's not too late to surrender now."

Han Yu remained calm and ignored him.

"Will both sides please prepare and begin releasing your martial souls," the referee jumped onto the high platform and shouted with great excitement.

As soon as he finished speaking, Iron Wall took a step forward. His body swelled and grew a size larger, and two yellow and one purple soul rings appeared beneath his feet, rotating slowly.

A massive, circular turtle shell grew from his back, and his limbs and head were covered in plating; he was armed to the teeth.

"Kid, bring it on. I'll let you have ten moves first."

Iron Wall threw his head back and laughed, hooking his finger at Han Yu with utter disdain.

His Black Iron Turtle martial soul was the pinnacle of defense. It was absolutely impossible for a soul master five levels below him to defeat him; he didn't even have the desire to make a move.

Han Yu smiled slightly, his body showing no changes at all.

"What is this newcomer doing? Why isn't he releasing his martial soul?"

"Maybe he's already scared silly, hahahaha."

"Hurry up and release your martial soul! Stop dawdling, my time is very precious."

"Save it. Does it make a difference if he releases it or not? He's going to be crushed by Iron Wall anyway."

Cries came from the spectator stands, urging the match to begin. Some even threw trash at Han Yu on the arena, which was blocked by the arena's protective barrier.

Seeing this, the referee assumed Han Yu didn't understand the procedure as a first-timer and kindly reminded him: "Contestant Li Feiyu, please release your martial soul. The match is about to begin."

Han Yu shook his head slightly and spoke softly: "No need."

"What?" The referee was stunned for a few moments and asked in confusion.

Han Yu said: "I don't need to use my martial soul."

He drew a three-foot-long refined iron sword from the soul tool at his waist, flourished it in the air, and held his other hand behind his back.

The arena fell silent, only to erupt into an uproar a moment later.

"Did I hear that right? He's not using his martial soul?"

"He's truly insane. Iron Wall, crush him!"

"Damn it! What's with the posturing? Get him!"

The playful smirk vanished from Iron Wall's face, replaced by a savage expression as he glared fixedly at Han Yu, who stood holding his sword with one hand.

He hated nothing more than being looked down upon, especially when being humiliated by a weak newcomer in front of such a large crowd.

"Fine!" Iron Wall trembled with rage, snorting heavily as he stomped his feet. "I've never seen a newcomer as arrogant as you. Since you're looking for death, I'll grant your wish!"

Boos rained down from the spectator stands, mixed with all manner of vicious curses.

"Iron Wall! Tear his mouth apart!"

"Don't kill him! Leave him breathing so you can teach him a real lesson!"

"Show-offs like him deserve to be thoroughly trampled!"

"I bet he won't even last ten seconds."

"Ten seconds? That's generous. I say he gets one-shotted!"

The referee frowned, a look of disgust in his eyes, and issued another warning: "Contestant Li Feiyu, I remind you once more: while releasing your martial soul is not a mandatory rule, you would do well to take responsibility for your own safety. Please take this match seriously. This is your final warning."

Han Yu smiled and nodded at the referee, then raised his long sword and pointed it forward.

Seeing this, the referee let out a cold snort, turned, and leaped onto the high platform.

"The match begins!!!"

With that shout, the soul duel commenced.

Iron Wall stomped his feet, charging straight toward Han Yu with the momentum of a landslide.

Seeing that Han Yu remained standing perfectly still, his face flushed bright red, and the veins in his neck bulged.

He had a small reputation in Heaven Dou City, and many had fallen beneath his iron shield.

To be looked down upon like this today!

He decided then and there to strike with lethal force, leaving Han Yu no chance to open his mouth and beg for mercy.

As Iron Wall drew closer to Han Yu, cheers erupted from the stands, the crowd seemingly unable to wait to see Han Yu's miserable end.

Han Yu turned his head to scan the arena, lifting his chin with a smug expression.

A flash of golden arc flickered through his eyes, and the figure before him seemed to hit a pause button, as if in a movie.

He shifted his body a few steps to the side, almost as if he had predicted the movement.

Iron Wall adjusted his angle mid-charge, yet he still brushed right past the hem of Han Yu's clothes, nearly stumbling off the edge of the ring due to his own excessive force.

This scene sent the entire arena into an uproar; the outcome they had expected had failed to materialize.

"Damn, what just happened? Hit him!"

"Did you guys see that clearly? How did he suddenly dodge?"

"This guy called Li Feiyu... he might actually have some skill."

"Five to one odds... I should have placed a bet."