Soul Duel

"You'll know who's better once we try."

Rather than stopping them, Bei Bei stepped half a pace forward and smiled as he encouraged them, "I think it's a good idea. Why don't the two of you have a spar?"

He had long learned from Tang Ya that Yu Chen was an eleven-year-old, four-ring, level forty-five Soul Ancestor. He had been itching to watch some excitement and dearly wanted Xu Sanshi to run into a tough opponent.

Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth and agreed, a calculating gleam flashing through his eyes. "Fine. Since even Bei Bei says so, I'll agree to spar. How about we put something on the line? Do you dare?"

"No problem. I'll wager a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."

The moment those words fell, the entire place went dead silent. Xu Sanshi was completely stunned and blurted out, "What?!"

Xu Sanshi's eyes widened as he asked in disbelief, "Are you serious? You're using a treasure like a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone as a wager?"

"I always keep my word."

Xu Sanshi took a deep breath, shock and greed mingling in his eyes as he immediately agreed. "Fine. Since you've brought out such a treasure, I won't be stingy either. I'll wager a Profound Water Pill!"

"Then I'll add ten thousand Gold Soul Coins. A Profound Water Pill plus ten thousand Gold Soul Coins should be enough to match your Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."

"Deal!"

The two answered in unison, and the stakes for this spar were settled. The watching students were all fired up.

The group headed together toward the Soul Arena and soon reached the center of the venue. The referee presiding over the spar was a six-ring Soul Emperor.

The crowd surged into the duel area. Tang Ya, Bei Bei, Huo Yuhao, and the newly arrived Wang Dong stood together. Wang Dong could not help turning to ask, "How confident do you think Yu Chen is of winning?"

Without even turning his head, Huo Yuhao held up all ten fingers and answered with certainty, "One hundred percent. He'll definitely win."

Wang Dong paused in surprise. "You're that confident?"

Bei Bei and Tang Ya knew Yu Chen's true strength. They merely exchanged a glance and stood quietly to the side without saying much.

Tang Ya turned to Huo Yuhao and smiled. "Little Yu Hao, is this your roommate? Why haven't you introduced her to us?"

Huo Yuhao immediately came back to his senses. He scratched his head awkwardly and hurriedly began the introductions.

He first looked at Wang Dong beside him and solemnly said, "Wang Dong, let me introduce you. This beautiful senior sister is Tang Ya, the sect master of the Tang Sect. This is Shrek's eldest senior brother, Bei Bei, and he's also the Tang Sect's chief eldest senior brother!"

Then he turned to Tang Ya and Bei Bei with a smile. "Senior Sister Xiao Ya, Senior Brother Bei Bei, she's my roommate, Wang Dong."

The instant his words fell, Wang Dong's pupils contracted sharply. The relaxed smile on her face vanished at once, and she froze completely before crying out in disbelief:

"What?! You... you're actually from the Tang Sect?!"

She had always thought they were merely outstanding seniors from Shrek Academy. Never had she imagined that these two young-looking senior students were actually the key figures responsible for reviving the Tang Sect!

Bei Bei raised an eyebrow at the stunned Wang Dong and asked softly, somewhat surprised, "What? Do you know of the Tang Sect?"

Tang Ya also tilted her head with interest, her gaze falling on Wang Dong. Curiosity filled her eyes. "You reacted so strongly. Have you heard of our Tang Sect before?"

Wang Dong was still deeply shaken. She had never expected to encounter genuine Tang Sect descendants in the vast Shrek Academy. She immediately reined in her lapse of composure and nodded solemnly.

Wang Dong quickly steadied herself, though reverence still lingered in her eyes. She answered earnestly, "Of course I've heard of it. The Tang Sect is a top-tier sect with a legacy spanning ten thousand years. Everyone on the continent knows of it. Its hidden weapon arts are unmatched in the world—it's a legendary sect!"

She had previously only read records of the Tang Sect in ancient books and rumors, believing it had long since declined and vanished completely. She never expected to meet the current Tang Sect master and chief senior brother in person today, and her heart was filled with shock.

Tang Ya's eyes curved into a pleased smile upon hearing this. Bei Bei also nodded slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of wistfulness for the sect's former glory.

Tang Ya's eyes lit up, and she immediately pressed her advantage, her tone sincere yet expectant. "Since you think so highly of our Tang Sect, would you be interested in joining us?"

Wang Dong paused slightly, obvious hesitation flashing through her eyes.

Her identity was special, and she bore many restrictions and rules. She could not casually join an outside sect. After thinking for a moment, she could only bow slightly and politely decline. "Thank you for your kind offer, Sect Master Senior Sister, but this is too sudden. I can't give you an answer right away. Please allow me to think it over carefully."

Tang Ya did not force the matter. She waved her hand casually and said with a smile, "All right, all right! Think it over properly. Whenever you've made up your mind and are willing, just tell Yu Hao."

Bei Bei smiled faintly without saying anything. His gaze had already shifted to the center of the Soul Arena as he awaited the imminent peak showdown.

Just as everyone finished speaking, the Soul Emperor referee in the center of the arena raised a hand, and his booming voice echoed throughout the entire venue:

"Both sides, take your positions! The spar officially begins!"

The noisy crowd instantly fell silent, every gaze focusing on the two figures in the center of the arena.

On one side stood Xu Sanshi, one of Shrek Outer Court's famed Twin Stars, known as Eternal Defense. He radiated confidence, and his defenses were unrivaled among those of the same rank;

On the other stood Yu Chen, an eleven-year-old level forty-five Soul Ancestor who had shocked the entire freshman class. He stood tall and calm, without the slightest trace of nervousness.

Xu Sanshi rolled his wrists, arrogant confidence gleaming in his eyes as he stared fixedly at Yu Chen. "Junior brother, let me remind you—my defense isn't just talk. It's not too late to surrender now."

Yu Chen stood with his hands behind his back and replied indifferently, "Talking is useless. Make your move."

As soon as the words fell, the duel was on the verge of erupting!

As the atmosphere in the arena suddenly tightened, light burst beneath Xu Sanshi's feet!

Heavy, murky black light surged from his body. A massive square shield, black and weighty with ancient patterns carved across its surface, floated before him. A chill faintly circulated around the shield—it was the top-tier defensive Martial Soul, the Xuanming Shield!

Two yellow and one purple Soul Rings rose in sequence, pulsing as they circled his body. The pressure of a three-ring Soul Elder steadily spread outward.

Gripping the Xuanming Shield, Xu Sanshi instantly formed a defensive barrier around himself. He sneered confidently, "Junior brother, look carefully! My Xuanming Shield is an impregnable iron wall. No one of the same rank can break it. It's not too late to regret this!"

The students throughout the venue gasped in low voices. Those familiar with him all knew that once Xu Sanshi activated his Xuanming Shield, he became an immovable mobile fortress.

Yu Chen remained calm and casually said, "Regret? What's there to regret? I don't even need to activate my Martial Soul to deal with you."

The moment those words landed, the entire venue erupted in an uproar. Everyone felt that this freshman was being far too arrogant.

Xu Sanshi's face darkened instantly. Veins bulged on the hand gripping his Xuanming Shield as rage surged within him. "You brat, you really don't know your limits! Since you're this arrogant, I'll teach you a proper lesson today!"