Encounter at the Great Soul Arena, Long in the Making

Having been classmates for two or three years, Yu Tianheng knew that Dugu Yan was arrogant by nature. On top of that, she was Dugu Bo's granddaughter.

So, throughout Heaven Dou Academy, there were very few people besides himself who could catch her eye.

He had not expected Qi Dao to become one of them.

Yu Tianheng said calmly, "If Qi Dao truly possesses the abilities people claim he has, then I would like to find an opportunity to spar with him."

Dugu Yan giggled. "Is that so? Then I'm really looking forward to seeing the two of you fight."

"But Tianheng, if the rumors are true, that handsome boy might not actually be weaker than you."

"Even if Teacher Zhou was careless, Qi Dao was still able to make him suffer. That alone means his strength absolutely cannot be underestimated."

After hearing this, Yu Tianheng's tone remained calm yet resolute.

"Whether the rumors are true or false, as long as his rank does not surpass mine, I will never lose!"

Yu Tianheng was not only confident in his own strength, but also in the bloodline of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan flowing through him.

Seeing this, Dugu Yan stretched lazily.

"Looks like Heaven Dou Academy is about to become lively!"

Qi Dao found Zhou Huan and expressed his desire to cultivate on his own.

Given the strength Qi Dao had displayed, Zhou Huan naturally did not refuse.

However, to prevent Qi Dao from becoming lax, Zhou Huan still proposed testing him every so often.

Being able to spar with a Soul Ancestor was naturally exactly what Qi Dao wanted.

After receiving Zhou Huan's permission, Qi Dao rarely appeared in class. Even many of his classmates felt that he was elusive and unpredictable.

Only a few people occasionally saw Qi Dao in the Mimicry Zone.

Soul Masters were more sensitive to energy similar to their own attributes, especially after breaking through Rank 30, when that sensation became particularly pronounced.

At times like this, the importance of the Mimicry Zone became apparent.

An academy without a Mimicry Zone was destined never to become a top-tier academy.

Qi Dao cultivated in a relatively sparse forest.

He had chosen this place because a metal ore vein lay underground, making the metal-element energy especially dense.

Qi Dao's cultivation here was indeed more effective than cultivating in the dormitory.

Moreover, the grounds were spacious, allowing him to practice his swordsmanship freely. Almost no one passed through this place under normal circumstances.

After all, Heaven Dou Academy had only seven or eight hundred students, yet it occupied an entire thousand-meter mountain peak. Everyone could have more than enough space to cultivate.

Besides cultivating, Qi Dao also visited the academy library in his spare time.

Heaven Dou Academy's library was dozens of times larger than the library at Notting Academy. They were not even on the same level, and it contained all kinds of books.

Qi Dao would not devote all his time to studying theory, but he still made time to borrow books and broaden his understanding of this world.

Although he had read all sorts of novels and fanfiction in his previous life, what novels described was ultimately only the tip of the iceberg.

Of course, Qi Dao had not forgotten his main reason for coming to Heaven Dou Academy.

The Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena.

The moment Qi Dao entered, he spotted a seductive purple-haired figure in the distance. He immediately walked over and greeted her.

"Senior, I really didn't expect to see you here."

The purple-haired figure was alone. Hearing someone greet her, she immediately looked over and saw Qi Dao approaching from not far away.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face when she saw Qi Dao.

"It's you, handsome boy!"

It had already been half a month since she had last seen Qi Dao.

During this time, the buzz surrounding Qi Dao within the academy had died down considerably.

The main reason was that after challenging Zhou Huan, Qi Dao had suddenly kept a low profile as if he had vanished. He was elusive, and it was said that he often did not even attend class.

She had not expected to encounter Qi Dao here again.

"Are you here to participate in Soul Battles too?" Dugu Yan asked proactively.

Qi Dao smiled. "Yes. I heard the Great Soul Arena is a good place to temper oneself, so I came."

"It's my first time here, though, so there are many things I don't understand."

As he spoke, an embarrassed expression involuntarily appeared on Qi Dao's face.

Of course, that was not the truth.

What coincidence could there possibly be?

This unexpected encounter had, in the end, been something Qi Dao had planned for a long time.

Starting from Heavenly Ultimate Grade students, Heaven Dou Academy greatly increased its practical combat classes.

Furthermore, Heavenly Ultimate Grade students had to come to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena and participate in at least three Soul Battles every month.

This had become Qi Dao's opportunity to approach Dugu Yan alone.

All he had needed to do was conceal his identity and bribe the gatekeeper, along with several students from Heavenly Ultimate Class One.

After all, there were quite a few people in the academy who wanted to pursue Dugu Yan. She was also a prominent figure at the academy, so as long as the information was not particularly private, it was not difficult to obtain.

"Hehe, so that's how it is. It seems you really are a battle maniac."

"We're all forced by the academy to come participate in Soul Battles, but you came running here all by yourself."

"Still, you're lucky you ran into me today."

"Come with me. I'll take you to register first, then explain some things you need to watch out for during Soul Battles."

"Otherwise, if you register incorrectly and end up in the life-and-death battle area, it'll be very dangerous."

Seeing Qi Dao's embarrassed expression, Dugu Yan could not help but laugh.

She did not suspect anything. After all, Qi Dao had dared to challenge a teacher as soon as he enrolled, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to come to the Great Soul Arena alone.

After hearing her words, Qi Dao immediately showed a grateful expression.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior."

Dugu Yan smiled. "Alright, follow me!"

With that, Dugu Yan led the way ahead.

Following behind her, Qi Dao asked curiously, "Senior, did you come to participate in Soul Battles alone?"

Dugu Yan replied lazily, "What else?"

The two chatted idly as they walked, and before long, they arrived at the registration desk.

First came registration. They had to pay ten Gold Soul Coins as a registration fee, then fill in their relevant information.

Then came signing up.

Qi Dao did not use his own name. Instead, he gave himself a title.

Sword Sovereign!

After registering, Qi Dao turned his head and immediately saw Dugu Yan wearing a strange expression as though she was trying not to laugh.

Qi Dao raised an eyebrow. "Senior, what's wrong?"

Dugu Yan could no longer hold back and burst into giggles.

"Sword Sovereign?"

"The title you gave yourself is certainly unique, but don't you feel... embarrassed?"

Listening to Dugu Yan's teasing, Qi Dao rubbed his chin.

Hmm...

It did seem a little childish!

However, Qi Dao had no intention of changing his title. He merely smiled lightly. "Since I have come here, I naturally intend to leave behind a name with enough weight."

"I am destined to become famous throughout the Great Soul Arena. Rather than wait for others to give me all sorts of random titles, I might as well choose one for myself in advance."

Dugu Yan looked at Qi Dao with slight surprise after hearing that.

"Oh? Handsome boy, you really are confident!"

"Still, the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena is filled with hidden talents. Becoming famous throughout the Great Soul Arena is no easy task."

Qi Dao smiled faintly.

"Senior, just wait and see!"

Dugu Yan was slightly stunned.

Although Qi Dao's tone did not sound particularly forceful or resolute, his entire body radiated an air of complete confidence.

He had not deliberately emphasized it, yet it was all the more infectious.

Dugu Yan smiled. "Then I'll wait and see!"