Ten Consecutive Victories

As a grand Douluo Arena with over a hundred arenas, Arena No. 3 did not have many spectators around it at first. But as Yang Dong continued defeating his opponents, the crowd around this arena gradually grew.

People longed to witness the birth of a miracle. That sense of participation made these ordinary people feel as though they, too, had become glorious soul masters.

Five consecutive victories, six, seven, and now the ninth victory that had just ended. Looking at the masked man below, they shouted Yang Dong's nickname: Dugu Qiubai.

From their earlier disdain to their current adoration, the spectators' shift had been remarkably natural. Their unceasing cries proved the enthusiasm of these Heaven Dou Empire nobles.

"Really impressive."

Ning Fengzhi murmured as he watched Yang Dong in the distance. A winning streak was not frightening. What was frightening was that throughout this streak, Yang Dong had not even summoned his Martial Soul.

That meant Yang Dong had been unable to use any of his Soul Skills. Yet even under such circumstances, he had achieved eight consecutive victories. It had to be said that Yang Dong was more dangerous than Tang Hao had imagined.

"Tch. What's so great about that? I could do it too."

Tang Hao spoke with some disdain. Not long ago, in a two-versus-two battle, his team with Ah Yin had lost. Of course, the reason was that he had been unable to use the skills of his last two Soul Rings.

The more battles one fought, the more Soul Skills would be exposed. Once someone knew another person's skills, it became very easy to counter them. Tang Hao and Ah Yin's team had been countered during their fifth consecutive victory.

Even so, the sense of urgency in Tang Hao's heart grew stronger. When had Yang Dong left him so far behind?

Thinking back to their first meeting, they had both needed to give their all to determine a victor. Now, he could only watch as the gap between them widened. That ever-growing gap made him feel miserable from the bottom of his heart.

"The tenth opponent is coming out."

No one knew who said it first, but everyone in Arena No. 3 fell silent for a moment before erupting with even greater enthusiasm than before.

"Dugu Qiubai!"

"Ten Thousand Year Bamboo!"

"Dugu Qiubai!"

"Ten Thousand Year Bamboo!"

Amid the crowd's shouts, a woman in a tight purple outfit slowly stepped onto the arena. Like Yang Dong, she wore a mask over her face.

Ten Thousand Year Bamboo had appeared at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena seven days ago. Many people guessed that she was a student from some academy who had come here to temper herself.

"Begin!"

Ten Thousand Year Bamboo had no intention of speaking to Yang Dong. As soon as she stepped onto the arena, she assumed a fighting stance. The referee understood the situation and, after shouting the start, leaped off the arena and handed the stage over to Yang Dong and Ten Thousand Year Bamboo.

"Buzz!"

Yang Dong quickly discovered why she was called Ten Thousand Year Bamboo. A bamboo forest had already appeared across the arena, and Ten Thousand Year Bamboo had vanished from his sight.

"Interesting."

Yang Dong took a few steps forward without rushing to attack. After fighting for so long, he had expended quite a bit of Soul Power. Besides, as the final obstacle in his bid for ten consecutive victories, he did not believe she would be weaker than his previous opponents.

As Yang Dong pondered, a storm of bamboo leaves swept through the emerald-green forest.

Block!

Yang Dong assumed a defensive stance, but the entire arena was within the attack range of those bamboo leaves. In other words, this move was a full-screen attack for Yang Dong—there was nowhere to evade!

Blocking could only defend against attacks from the front, but sharp bamboo leaves were attacking him from every direction!

Draw Sword Slash!

After charging up his strike, wave-like Sword Qi swept across the front. This move had forced his challenger back during the eighth round, but now it was somewhat insufficient. It could only clear the flying bamboo leaves directly in front of him for a short time.

Five-Stage Slash!

After the Draw Sword Slash, Yang Dong no longer hesitated and unleashed Five-Stage Slash toward the section of bamboo forest where Ten Thousand Year Bamboo was hiding.

Squelch!

Blindingly fast sword light cut through the bamboo forest, but the bamboo leaf storm did not stop, and Ten Thousand Year Bamboo still did not reveal herself.

Where was she?

A trace of confusion flashed through Yang Dong's eyes. This was the first time he had encountered an opponent he could not see, yet that person was clearly still on the arena.

"Fine. I'll let you see my Martial Soul."

With a thought from Yang Dong, the Ghost Hand Martial Soul possessed him. Five Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black—encircled his left hand.

"Third Soul Skill: Ice Array!"

A snow-white illusory magic formation descended with Yang Dong at its center. Soon, a layer of frost condensed over the ground, and its range continued to expand. In the blink of an eye, a large area in the center of Arena No. 3 had become the domain of the Ice Array.

"Got you."

The instant the Ice Array unfolded, the bamboo forest around Yang Dong was caught in the frost.

Ground Spike!

A row of ground spikes burst from beneath Yang Dong's feet. At the same time, the bamboo forest erupted, transforming into weapons that shot toward Yang Dong.

Only one stalk of bamboo headed toward an area beyond the Ice Array's reach. Midway through, that stalk transformed into Ten Thousand Year Bamboo herself.

Disguise!

The woman before him possessed the extremely rare Disguise skill. That was why Yang Dong had been unable to find her earlier.

"Po Jun Sheng Long Strike!"

Yang Dong had been watching the bamboo forest all along. Although the Ground Spike and the erupting bamboo forest had tried to intercept him together, unfortunately for her, she had still underestimated Yang Dong.

Like a roaming dragon, Yang Dong left afterimages across the ground while he himself appeared beside Ten Thousand Year Bamboo.

"Sorry, it's over."

Yang Dong's sword came to rest against her neck.

"You won. Next time, I'll win it back."

After leaving those words behind, Ten Thousand Year Bamboo nimbly jumped off the arena and turned to leave without hesitation.

Only then did Yang Dong notice that the emerald bamboo in her hand also bore five Soul Rings.

A brief silence fell over the venue, followed by cheers louder than any before.

"Dugu Qiubai!"

"Dugu Qiubai!"

Amid the cheers, Yang Dong left the arena. Bai Jiajia and the others had long been waiting at its edge.

"Not bad, not bad. Come on, all of you go rest for a while. Get ready to face your real challenge today!"

Bai Jiajia said with a cheerful smile, her gaze toward Yang Dong carrying a hint of approval. This time, she had made a fortune, multiplying her Gold Soul Coins several times over.

"You really are something."

Tang Hao crowded up beside Yang Dong and exclaimed.

He wavered once again. Were Self-Created Soul Skills really inferior to Soul Ring skills? Watching Yang Dong's performance just now, confusion flickered through his heart, but it quickly became firm once more.

"Hey. If I have a child someday, you have to teach him that swordsmanship of yours!"

For some reason, Tang Hao said this to Yang Dong.