Great Spirit Arena

"This is my third soul skill, called Withered Demon Slash."

Zhu Zhuqing spoke slowly. "After the attack lands on an enemy, it enters their body and drains their vitality, spirit, and energy."

"This tree is not even a soul beast. It couldn't withstand the power of the soul skill, so it withered immediately."

"But if it lands on a soul master or soul beast, it probably won't be this powerful."

"However, its power can increase as my strength grows."

After listening, Shi An's eyes showed a trace of approval. "This soul skill is very good for you."

"You're an assassin-type soul master. If you encounter a soul master of the same level, you can catch them off guard and directly weaken them. With their mental power, soul power, and physical strength all reduced, you can instantly kill the enemy."

"Mhm." Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

She now believed Shi An's earlier words completely.

If she had absorbed the Shadow Leopard for her third soul ring, her soul skill would probably have been Netherworld Slash.

Although its destructive power was great, once her level rose, the soul power it consumed might not even be worth as much as one of her casual attacks.

But Withered Demon Slash was different. It could grow stronger along with her strength. In other words, even after she became a Titled Douluo, this soul skill could still be immensely useful.

Wasn't that far more powerful than some Netherworld Slash?

The Star Luo Empire had led her astray!

After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest,

Shi An led Zhu Zhuqing toward Heaven Dou City, the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Shi An had come to Heaven Dou City for no other reason than to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and get close to Dugu Yan.

Through her, he could then approach Dugu Bo and seek the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Who wouldn't be tempted by immortal herbs that could give someone the potential to break through to Titled Douluo?

He had not made any particular plans, because plans could never keep up with changes.

He would just take things one step at a time.

The first thing Shi An needed to consider was how to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

After all, he was not of noble birth.

Though with his strength, he could certainly obtain a noble title, that would draw far too much attention.

Zhu Zhuqing was the daughter of a noble, but as a noble daughter from the Star Luo Empire, that status probably would not be very useful in the Heaven Dou Empire.

As he had said, he would take things one step at a time.

Heaven Dou City.

As the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City's prosperity was easy to imagine.

The streets were broad and clean, with little bridges over flowing streams, pavilions, and elegant buildings. People bustled along the roads, and even the commoners were better dressed than nobles from some smaller places.

As Shi An and Zhu Zhuqing walked through the streets, their attention was drawn to Heaven Dou City's grandeur.

Although this was not Shi An's first time in Heaven Dou City, he was still amazed.

Heaven Dou City was simply too vast and too prosperous.

"Teacher... how are we going to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?"

Shi An had naturally told Zhu Zhuqing about his plan, though he had concealed the matter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

Hearing her question, Shi An thought for a moment before saying, "Let's rent a courtyard and settle down first."

They found a real estate agent, only to discover that homes in Heaven Dou City were sold but not rented.

Left with no choice, Shi An used the gold soul coins generously sponsored by Dai Mubai to purchase a courtyard with two outer and two inner sections.

After buying the property, Shi An did not have many gold soul coins left.

Zhu Zhuqing was quite generous. She gave Shi An all the money she had brought when she left the Zhu Clan.

"No, I need to find a way to make money. If we keep spending without earning anything, we might not even be able to afford Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's tuition."

Shi An sat on a stone bench beside the courtyard pond, propping up his chin as he considered a solution.

When he noticed Zhu Zhuqing cultivating nearby, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Zhuqing, come here. I need to tell you something."

Shi An gestured at Zhu Zhuqing, who was cultivating.

Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes and gave him a puzzled look. She rose and sat on the stone bench across from him before asking,

"Teacher, what is it?"

"Tonight, I'll take you to the Great Spirit Arena and help you hone your combat skills."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded without refusing or resisting.

After all, the Great Spirit Arena truly allowed one to fight all kinds of soul masters, which was greatly beneficial for combat skills.

At dusk, as the lights of Heaven Dou City began to glow, the streets became even livelier than during the day.

Lanterns drifted along the streams, while Kongming lanterns floated into the night sky, carrying wishes ever higher.

Some young couples held hands on the streets, brilliant smiles on their faces.

As Shi An and Zhu Zhuqing crossed a small bridge, she saw the couples setting afloat lanterns. A trace of longing and yearning flashed through her eyes.

Shi An also felt somewhat moved. It had been a long time since he had seen such a peaceful and tranquil scene.

Yearning was yearning, and sentiment was sentiment.

Neither of them was particularly sentimental, and they quickly adjusted their moods before arriving at the entrance to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.

Before they even entered, a wave of shouting and clamor reached their ears.

At the front desk, Shi An paid twenty gold soul coins, and the two of them registered.

Naturally, Shi An did not reveal his true strength.

With the assistance of the power of earth, it was incredibly easy for Shi An to conceal his real strength.

He controlled his soul power at level 31 and registered both himself and Zhu Zhuqing for one-on-one spirit battles and two-on-two spirit battles.

As for their names...

Shi An gave Zhu Zhuqing the name [Cool Mimi], while he chose [Tuofu] for himself.

After all, he was going to become the strongest earth-element master.

Ahem, more importantly, Tuofu was just too cool.

Sitting in a corner of the waiting area, Shi An and Zhu Zhuqing watched the spirit battle platform.

The fighters were two Great Soul Masters, one with a chicken beast spirit and the other with a ball tool spirit.

The two fought fiercely and evenly. In the end, the middle-parted young man with the chicken spirit defeated the other with a one-handed dribble and won the match.

"Next... the newly registered Soul Elder [Tuofu] will face [Clearwind Swordsman], who has already achieved three consecutive victories."

"Will the newly registered [Tuofu] defeat [Clearwind Swordsman], who is on a three-win streak, in one go? Or will [Clearwind Swordsman] defeat the newcomer and claim a fourth consecutive victory? Let us wait and see!"

The announcement rang out. The host's passionate voice ignited the atmosphere throughout the entire Great Spirit Arena.

Shi An stood and said to Zhu Zhuqing, "It should be your turn soon. Wait here for a moment."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and watched Shi An leave the waiting area.

On the spirit battle platform, Shi An stood facing a young man dressed in a long azure robe.

The young man was slightly surprised when he saw Shi An's youthful face.

But he soon announced his martial soul and rank.

"Clearwind Swordsman. Martial soul: Azure Wind Sword. Level 39 assault-type battle soul master. Please advise."

The corner of Shi An's mouth twitched. Why did these people all like to announce their names and soul power ranks before fighting?

Wasn't it embarrassing?

Shi An thought for a moment before saying, "Tuofu. Martial soul: Earth Soul. Level 31 assault-type, defense-type, control-type soul master."