The Netherflame Demon Wolf's howl reverberated through the enclosed oval space of the beast arena.
The yellow sand on the ground was swept up by the sound waves and battered against the sturdy metal railings around the arena, producing a dense series of dull crackles.
Facing a ferocious aura strong enough to make an ordinary Soul Elder's legs go weak on the spot, Yun Yi did not so much as blink.
His hands remained tucked in his trouser pockets as his gaze traveled up and down the seemingly imposing giant wolf.
It was large enough, its voice was loud enough, and the dark flames burning across its back looked quite intimidating.
But beneath those outward appearances, Yun Yi saw through the beast's true strength at a glance with his powerful spiritual power.
Under that dark-purple fur, its Soul Power fluctuations were not particularly deep, and the flow of energy through its meridians was somewhat sluggish.
At most, this Netherflame Demon Wolf had crossed the ten-thousand-year threshold only three to five hundred years ago. Among ten-thousand-year soul beasts, it was firmly at the bottom of the barrel.
A hint of disappointment appeared in Yun Yi's eyes.
He sighed, completely losing any interest in fighting the beast.
The referee stood on the safe platform at the edge of the arena, his palms drenched in cold sweat.
He stared fixedly at the center of the arena, terrified that if he blinked, this prized student from Class One would be torn to pieces by the giant wolf.
"Prepare—begin!" The referee's cracking voice echoed through the amplifying Soul Tool.
The instant the command fell, the Netherflame Demon Wolf's hind-leg muscles bulged high. Its massive body lowered abruptly as it prepared to spring forward and slaughter the prey before it.
Yun Yi moved.
He slowly withdrew