Soul Battle

"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 you two 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 was more than happy to see Xu Sanshi run into a tough opponent.

Xu Sanshi gritted his teeth and agreed, a calculating gleam flashing through his eyes. "Fine. Since Bei Bei says so, I'll spar with you. How about we add some stakes and make a wager? Do you dare?"

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

The moment those words fell, the entire venue fell silent. Xu Sanshi was completely stunned and cried 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 the stakes?"

"I always keep my word."

Xu Sanshi took a deep breath, shock and greed flashing through his eyes. He immediately agreed, "Fine. Since you're bringing out such a treasure, I won't be stingy either. I'll stake 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 the spar were set. The watching students all felt their blood race.

The group headed together toward the Soul Battle Arena and soon arrived at the center of the venue. The referee overseeing the spar was a six-ring Soul Emperor.

The crowd of spectators surged into the Soul Battle 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 said firmly, "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 Yuhao, is this your roommate? Why haven't you introduced him to us?"

Huo Yuhao immediately came back to his senses. He scratched his head sheepishly and hurried to make 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 Tang Sect's leader. This is Shrek's eldest senior brother, Bei Bei, and also the Tang Sect's chief eldest senior brother!"

Then he turned to Tang Ya and Bei Bei with a smile. "Senior Sister Xiaoya, Senior Brother Bei Bei, this is 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 assumed they were merely outstanding senior students from Shrek Academy. She never imagined that these two young-looking seniors were actually the core figures rebuilding the Tang Sect!

Bei Bei raised a brow at the stunned Wang Dong and asked with mild surprise, "What? You know of the Tang Sect?"

Tang Ya also tilted her head with interest, her gaze falling on Wang Dong. Her eyes were full of curiosity. "Judging by your reaction, have you heard of our Tang Sect before?"

Wang Dong was still deeply shaken. She had never expected to encounter true inheritors of the Tang Sect in the vast Shrek Academy. She immediately composed herself and nodded solemnly.

Wang Dong quickly steadied her emotions. Reverence still lingered in her eyes as she replied earnestly, "Of course I've heard of it. The Tang Sect is a top sect with a ten-thousand-year legacy. Everyone on the continent knows of it. Its hidden weapon arts are unmatched in the world—it's a legendary sect!"

She had only seen records of the Tang Sect in ancient texts and legends before. She had thought it had long since declined into extinction, yet today she had personally met the Tang Sect's current leader and eldest senior brother. Her heart was filled with shock.

Tang Ya's eyes curved into crescents as she revealed a gratified smile. Bei Bei also nodded slightly, his eyes carrying a trace of nostalgia for the sect's former glory.

Tang Ya's eyes lit up at once. She struck while the iron was hot, her tone sincere yet expectant. "Since you think so highly of our Tang Sect, would you be interested in joining us?"

Wang Dong's body stiffened slightly, and obvious hesitation flashed through her eyes.

Her identity was special, and she was bound by many restrictions and rules. She could not casually join an outside sect. After thinking for a moment, she could only incline her head and politely decline. "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader Senior Sister, but this is too sudden. I can't give you an answer right away. Please let me think it over carefully."

Tang Ya did not press her. 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 Yuhao."

Bei Bei smiled faintly without saying anything. His gaze had already shifted to the center of the Soul Battle Arena, where he awaited the imminent clash between experts.

Just as everyone finished speaking, the Soul Emperor referee at the center of the arena raised a hand. His booming voice echoed through the entire venue:

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

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

On one side stood one of Shrek Outer Court's famous twin stars, Xu Sanshi, known as Eternal Defense. He radiated confidence, and his defense was 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 hint of nervousness.

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

Yu Chen stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "Enough nonsense. Make your move."

As soon as his words fell, the duel was ready to erupt!

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

Heavy, dark black light surged from around his body. A massive square shield, pitch-black and thick with ancient patterns, floated before him. A faint chill circulated across its surface. It was his top-tier defensive martial soul—the Xuanming Shield!

Two yellow and one purple soul rings rose in sequence, circling around him as they pulsed. The pressure of a three-ring Soul Elder spread steadily outward.

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

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

Yu Chen remained calm and lightly said, "Regret? What is there to regret? I don't even need to summon my martial soul to deal with you."

The moment those words fell, the entire venue erupted. Everyone felt this freshman was being far too arrogant.

Xu Sanshi's face darkened at once. The veins on the hand gripping his Xuanming Shield bulged as anger surged within him. "You brat, you really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth! Since you're this arrogant, I'll teach you a proper lesson today!"