Training Matches (Third Update)

Half an hour later, Yang Dong and the other six obediently appeared at the spot where Bai Jiajia had just dismissed them. No one would choose to defy Bai Jiajia's wishes, even though she was only a Soul Emperor.

"Not bad, everyone's here. Follow me."

Less than a minute after the seven arrived, Bai Jiajia appeared before them. She nodded to them, then took the lead.

Seeing that Bai Jiajia had no intention of explaining, the seven could only follow behind her. Heaven Dou City looked considerably quieter at night than it did during the day. Before long, Bai Jiajia led them to an enormous circular structure resembling a bird's nest.

This building covered far more ground than the Heaven Dou Auction House Yang Dong had seen before. It was also a place with official backing, bearing the pleasant name of the Heaven Dou Grand Soul Arena.

The moment they saw the arena, Yang Dong and the others understood what surprise Bai Jiajia had mentioned. Sure enough, Bai Jiajia stopped outside the Heaven Dou Grand Soul Arena.

"You should have some idea why I brought you here. There are five days left until the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Spirit Tournament, and quite a few academies have already arrived. These academies have all sent their students to this Grand Soul Arena for training."

"So, you may encounter students from other academies here. First, it will temper you. Second, it will let you learn about your potential enemies in advance."

Bai Jiajia paused and signaled for the people behind her to bring out what she had prepared. Soon, each of the seven received a mask.

"I've arranged a team battle for you against Gale Team, a fairly well-known Silver-Rank team at the Heaven Dou Grand Soul Arena. But before that team battle, Yang Dong, you'll fight a one-on-one duel. As for the other six, Tang Hao and Ah Yin will form one team, Tang Xiao and Ning Fengzhi another, and Tyson and Bai Yu the last. Winning or losing doesn't matter. I have only one requirement: none of you may use your last two Soul Skills."

After saying that, Bai Jiajia fell silent, giving them time to process the information she had just given them.

A match tested not only the strength of its participants, but also the intelligence-gathering ability of their academy. The Haotian Hammer martial soul could not be concealed at all; once it was revealed, others would know they came from the Clear Sky Sect. Therefore, the only thing they could hide was their Soul Skills.

Yet they could not do without training opponents, either. Other than the coordination between Yang Dong and the Tang Hao brothers, Ah Yin and the other three could not quite keep up with the brothers' rhythm.

Thus, over the next few days, she needed them to develop some coordination. Even superficial coordination was necessary, since a team without coordination could easily be picked apart one by one.

"Do you understand?"

After waiting for about a minute, Bai Jiajia asked.

"Understood."

Yang Dong and the other six answered in unison.

"Good. Put on your masks and come in with me."

Bai Jiajia nodded and headed toward the Heaven Dou Grand Soul Arena once more.

"Take me to see the person in charge."

With Bai Jiajia present, they naturally did not need to use the ordinary passageway. Instead, they proceeded through the VIP passageway and soon arrived backstage at the Grand Soul Arena, where many teams had gathered.

Some wore masks like Yang Dong's group, while others openly showed their faces. After arriving there, Bai Jiajia handed a calling card to an attendant. Before long, the group left and entered a small lounge.

"Everyone, please fill out these registration forms with the type of Soul Duel match you wish to participate in, then choose yourselves a nickname. We'll arrange your matches afterward."

A manager-like figure entered the lounge carrying several registration forms and explained the process to Yang Dong and the others.

"I choose one-on-one. My nickname will be Dugu Qiubai!"

After briefly filling in his information, Yang Dong directly chose a rather arrogant nickname.

Dugu Qiubai?

Hearing Yang Dong's nickname, Tang Hao, who had already decided on his own, crossed out the name he had written and changed it to Dongfang Bubai.

You seek defeat, while I remain undefeated. Let's see which of us is stronger.

"Have you all finished filling them out? Then I'll go make the arrangements."

The manager glanced at the nicknames they had chosen. The others were all fairly normal, but two were rather arrogant—Dugu Qiubai and Dongfang Bubai. What audacious names.

Still, that was none of his business. He had seen plenty of even more arrogant and flamboyant nicknames before. Well, all their owners had been beaten quite badly.

"Bronze-Rank Soul Duelist Dugu Qiubai and Bronze-Rank Soul Duelist Charcoal, please proceed to Arena No. 3 for your match."

The manager worked quickly. Not long after handing over his information, Yang Dong was called up for his first battle.

"Good luck. Don't lose to someone else before you lose to me!"

Tang Hao said with a grin.

"Impossible. I'm invincible among those of the same rank!"

Yang Dong replied coolly, leaving Tang Hao with only his dashing back.

"This guy really is arrogant!"

The moment Yang Dong left the lounge, a staff member led him toward Arena No. 3. It had to be said that the arena's service was impeccable.

On Arena No. 3,

Yang Dong and Charcoal stood at opposite ends of the arena as the surrounding spectators cheered fervently. Naturally, more of them were cheering for Charcoal. Although Charcoal was also a Bronze-Rank Soul Duelist, he was among the stronger ones at that rank and would soon advance to Silver-Rank Soul Duelist.

"Your name is pretty good."

Charcoal was a twenty-four-year-old young man. He spoke with an apparent smile, yet there was not a trace of one on his face—only indifferent calmness.

"Yours isn't bad either."

The corner of Yang Dong's mouth twitched beneath his mask, while one hand had already gripped the Immaculate Sword that had accompanied him for so long.

"Begin!"

At the referee's command, the young man known as Charcoal unleashed his martial soul. Four Soul Rings emerged beneath his feet, two yellow and two purple. He was a Soul Ancestor in his forties.

"Explosive Fireball!"

Charcoal's First Spirit Ring lit up. Soul Power condensed three fireballs the size of human heads between his palms, which he hurled toward Yang Dong.

Testing an opponent's strength was an extremely sound decision when one did not know their true capabilities.

So it really was a fire-element martial soul.

Yang Dong had suspected as much when he heard the man's nickname. Now, seeing this Soul Skill, he was certain of it.