Backdoor! Fastest Way to Reach Golden Douluo!

"Although your uncle has arranged your opponents for you, assigning you only Soul Masters on the weaker side, you still need to fight steadily once you get on the stage. Don't mess anything up for me."

Li Ming nodded impatiently. "I know, Uncle. How many times have you said it already? A level thirty-nine Soul Elder fighting a bunch of people who've just hit level thirty—if I can still lose, I might as well smash my head into a block of tofu and die."

"Rest assured. Within four months, I'll definitely rise to Platinum Soul Fighting."

Li Henian shot him a glare. "Don't talk too big. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Understand?"

"Yeah, yeah, I understand."

Li Ming nodded perfunctorily, absentmindedly hooking a finger around the sword tassel at his waist.

Uncle was just being too cautious. The opponents he arranged for me are all the weakest ones, and I've basically been winning nonstop.

My points at the Soul Arena are the highest among all contestants right now. What was there to worry about? Could someone really keep winning for months and surpass my score?

Seeing his nephew's utterly unconcerned demeanor, Li Henian sighed inwardly.

This kid has both talent and strength. He's just too young and hot-blooded.

But on second thought, the opponents he had arranged really were bottom-tier trash. With Li Ming's strength, the chances of an upset were practically zero.

"Fine." Li Henian picked up his teacup again. "Go back and get some rest. Don't embarrass your uncle tomorrow."

"Got it!"

Li Ming answered and turned toward the door, his steps light as he hummed an unfamiliar little tune.

Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside.

Knock, knock, knock...

"My lord! My lord! Urgent report!"

Li Henian frowned. "Come in."

One of his subordinates pushed open the door and hurriedly bowed as soon as he entered. "My lord, word just came from below. The life-and-death match this afternoon has a result."

Life-and-death matches differed from competitive matches. There were few participants, but every one of them was a ruthless character.

Major powers were often interested in recruiting and nurturing people like that, using them to carry out shady deeds.

Li Henian leaned back in his chair, his hand holding the teacup unmoving. "What result? Speak."

The subordinate swallowed. "Iron Bear... is dead."

Li Ming froze just as he reached the doorway. He turned around, one brow rising.

Li Henian's hand holding the lid of his teacup paused slightly. He had previously taken an interest in Iron Bear—he was powerful, vicious, and had little brains, making him perfectly suited to be a death warrior.

And now he had died today?

"Who was his opponent?"

"His opponent today was a two-ring Soul Grandmaster codenamed 'Daredevil.' With just one move, Iron Bear was instantly killed."

"One move?" Li Ming's expression changed. "Iron Bear might have only been two-ring, but with how vicious he was, even a three-ring Soul Elder couldn't possibly kill him in one move, right?"

The subordinate lowered his head. "This subordinate saw it with his own eyes. That Daredevil... didn't even reveal his soul rings. With one shriek, Iron Bear bled from all seven orifices and dropped dead on the spot."

Li Henian's brows drew together slightly.

He set down his teacup and lightly tapped the table twice with his fingers, falling silent for a moment.

"A two-ring Soul Grandmaster killed Iron Bear, who had four consecutive victories, in one move..."

He spoke slowly. There was little fluctuation in his tone, but a clear flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

But that surprise quickly vanished.

He picked up his teacup again and blew away the floating tea leaves, his tone returning to its previous casual composure.

"Upsets happen every day at the Great Soul Arena. When does a day go by without a few dark horses? This isn't anything unusual."

He lifted his eyes and glanced at the subordinate. "If that Daredevil signs up again tomorrow, keep an eye on him. If he runs into us later, we'll see how things stand and arrange accordingly."

The subordinate acknowledged the order and withdrew.

After the door closed, Li Ming walked back a few steps and grinned at Li Henian. "Uncle, that Daredevil is pretty fierce. A two-ring killing another two-ring in seconds—interesting."

Li Henian glanced at him. "What? You want to meet him?"

"Not really." Li Ming shrugged. "His opponent was just too weak. With that level, he had the nerve to call himself a four-win streak fighter?"

He snorted.

"Besides, he's only a two-ring Soul Grandmaster. No matter how strong he is, how strong can he really be?"

"When I get on the stage, I'll crush all my opponents in one go."

"That Daredevil, or whatever Sun Devil he is... if he runs into me, he's just giving me a free win."

He patted the sword sheath at his waist, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

Li Henian looked at his nephew's confident expression and said nothing more.

He merely picked up his tea again and took a light sip.

Then, after a pause, he added leisurely:

"A two-ring Soul Master won't be able to stir up much trouble."

"I've already arranged tomorrow's opponent for you."

"Go up there, end the fight in three moves, and get that External Soul Bone back as soon as possible. That matters more than anything."

Li Ming grinned. "Don't worry, Uncle."

He turned and walked toward the door.

Just before leaving, he casually tossed out one more remark:

"If I run into that Daredevil tomorrow, I'd like to see whether he's really as amazing as they say."

Since they had all registered for 1v1 matches, and the rules allowed only one match per person, they left after finishing their fights.

For the next while, they cultivated during the day and came to compete at night.

The other three won more often than they lost, but Ning Yuan was different.

Every match he entered was a death match, and his opponents were all strong. Yet every time, he defeated them with a single shout. No one had ever been capable of making him use a second one.

Moreover, Ning Yuan's points soared with his consecutive victories.

In just half a month, Ning Yuan became a Gold Soul Fighter.

And that was under the condition that he only participated in death matches, meaning he could not find an opponent every day.

Gradually, the name "Daredevil" spread throughout the Great Soul Arena.

Everyone speculated about who Daredevil really was and where his limits lay.

Spirit Hall.

Yue Guan was reporting the situation to Bibi Dong.

"Your Holiness, a highly gifted contestant has recently appeared in the Great Soul Arena of Spirit City. A two-ring Soul Master has already achieved twenty consecutive victories in death matches and risen to Gold Soul Fighter in just half a month, breaking the record for the fastest promotion."

"Should we recruit him?"

After hearing Yue Guan's report, Bibi Dong smiled, as though she had anticipated it long ago.

"No need. There is no need to approach such a genius. Let nature take its course."

"Is there anything else? If not, you may leave."

"Yes, I take my leave."

After Yue Guan withdrew, a smile appeared on Bibi Dong's face once more.

That brat drew attention wherever he went!

Meanwhile, Yue Guan, who had left the hall, was utterly puzzled.

Wasn't Her Holiness the Pope extremely attentive toward talented Soul Masters like this?

Whenever news of one appeared, she would go to every length to recruit them. Ning Yuan was a perfect example.

Why was there an exception today?

If I can't figure it out, then I won't think about it. How could people like us possibly speculate on Her Holiness's thoughts so casually?

Meanwhile, at the underground death-match arena of the Great Soul Arena.

Ning Yuan stood in the center of the ring.

His death-match opponent had already been carried away, leaving behind only a pool of dark red blood.

[This is way too unchallenging. These opponents are all too weak. At this rate, won't I get that Platinum Soul Fighter title without even lifting a finger?]

Ning Yuan was speechless.

[It's "within easy reach"! Being uncultured is terrifying!]

[Close enough, close enough.]

[I can clearly feel that in the past few days, I've only been able to find one death-match opponent every few days. Earning points is too slow. How about I apply to challenge Soul Elders in death matches?]