Unbowed in Victory, Unyielding in Defeat

Watching Yu Tianheng approach and observing the opening stance he took before attacking, Jun Xuehan had already basically predicted the trajectory of his attack in his mind.

As the silver spear in his hand thrust straight out, Jun Xuehan tilted his body to the left. Yu Tianheng dodged the incoming spear, his fist crackling with lightning as it slammed toward Jun Xuehan.

Yet Yu Tianheng's fist only brushed past Jun Xuehan's silver hair. The howling gale stirred his long silver hair, sending it dancing through the air.

Jun Xuehan swept his silver spear sideways, striking Yu Tianheng in the abdomen. The tremendous force sent Yu Tianheng staggering continuously to the left.

Jun Xuehan moved in close after Yu Tianheng, raising the silver spear in his hand from below and launching Yu Tianheng's body into the air.

His silver eyes fixed on Yu Tianheng in midair, predicting where he would fall. The Silver Dragon Spear lashed Yu Tianheng's body again, sending him flying before another Upward Slash launched him back into the air.

With fire feeding on the wind and the wind bolstering the flames, every strike of the Silver Dragon Spear against Yu Tianheng made him feel a scorching energy entering his body, as though it were about to ignite him from within.

Watching the Silver Dragon Spear rise again, Yu Tianheng crossed both arms before his chest, trying to block the blow. But the instant his arms touched the Silver Dragon Spear, the sound of shattering bones came from within them. The sharp spear tip tore through Yu Tianheng's clothes, leaving a massive wound across his chest. Crimson blood streamed out and dripped onto the floor of the Soul Arena.

Although Yu Tianheng's body was not sent flying into the air, Jun Xuehan changed the Silver Dragon Spear's Upward Slash into a direct thrust. The flaming spear tip pierced straight through Yu Tianheng's left shoulder.

As the Silver Dragon Spear plunged into his left shoulder, the Soul Power within Yu Tianheng's body was immediately absorbed by it, restoring Jun Xuehan's injuries.

Seeing this, the Soul Arena referee immediately announced, "The winner has been decided. The match is over. The victor of this match is: White Dragon."

Hearing the announcement, Jun Xuehan glanced at the referee, withdrew the Silver Dragon Spear, and gave it a light shake. All the blood slid off the spear without leaving even a trace behind.

Retracting his martial soul, Jun Xuehan stepped down from the Soul Arena and headed toward the Private Room.

Yu Tianheng stared fixedly at Jun Xuehan. He rose to his feet somewhat unsteadily and headed straight for a VIP private room.

Inside the VIP private room, a spirited middle-aged man dressed in a black robe, with long black hair casually draped behind his back, silently watched the direction Jun Xuehan had departed in.

"Big Brother, Tian Heng was beaten up like this. Should we stand up for him? No matter what, Tian Heng is the most brilliant genius in our clan," a voice sounded from behind the middle-aged man.

"Stand up for him? A Soul Grandmaster was beaten into this state by a Soul Master. How are we supposed to stand up for him? He was stronger than his opponent, and it was a fair match in the Soul Arena. If we intervened, would we have any face left? Luomian, we are not sore losers. Tian Heng may have lost now, but as long as he can win it back someday, that will be enough." The middle-aged man chuckled and waved a hand dismissively.

"Big Brother, but that kid was far too ruthless. Tian Heng's injuries will require him to recuperate for some time," Yu Luomian said softly, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Tian Heng is a Soul Grandmaster, while he is only a Soul Master. I have never heard of a Soul Master showing mercy to someone stronger than himself. Luomian, remember this: a dragon will always be a dragon. If someone beats you, beat them back yourself. Let the Younger Generation settle the affairs of the Younger Generation. But if any of the older generation shamelessly intervenes, then we cannot simply stand by." His indifferent voice echoed through the private room, which then fell silent.

Jun Xuehan had only just entered the private room when She Long looked over and asked softly, "How did it feel? Your opponent this time was a descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, one of the Upper Three Sects."

Hearing She Long's words, Jun Xuehan slowly replied, "Yu Tianheng was very strong, but he underestimated me too much. If he had not been so eager to force an attack and exhausted too much Soul Power, I might not have won."

She Long smiled. "Yu Tianheng is one of the Twin Stars of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. He is highly talented and around six years older than you. The fact that you defeated him despite the gap in rank is already very impressive. Besides, a win is a win and a loss is a loss. You used no schemes and struck no one in secret. Your victory was open and honorable, so there is no need to be overly modest."

Jun Xuehan gently shook his head. "I am not being modest. I am only stating the truth."

She Long looked at Jun Xuehan with approval. Unbowed in victory, unyielding in defeat—what a fine prospect, a rare piece of jade.

Jun Xuehan sat down in the private room and quietly watched the Soul Arena, waiting for the matches to follow. Yet in his mind, he was sorting through useful methods of attack, integrating them together, and considering how to apply them flexibly in battle.

After a while, She Long checked the time and said, "Xuehan, it is time for us to return. We will come to the Soul Arena again tomorrow. You can only participate in one match per day here, though you can enter different categories of matches. Since you are alone, even if you remain at the Soul Arena, you will not be able to participate in another match."

Hearing She Long's words, Jun Xuehan rose somewhat reluctantly and left the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena with She Long, heading back toward the courtyard.

The two returned to the Crown Prince's Palace through the secret passage in the courtyard and immediately headed for the dining hall. As soon as they entered, they saw all manner of delicacies laid out across the table, while maidservants continuously brought more dishes and placed them upon it.

Xue Qinghe looked at the two as they returned and smiled warmly. "Xuehan, how did you feel about your first visit to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena?"

Jun Xuehan looked at Xue Qinghe. Though he knew that the Xue Qinghe before him was Qian Renxue in disguise, he still found it somewhat awkward.

"It is a very nice place. I like it quite a bit," Jun Xuehan said, shifting his gaze to the dining table.

"I am glad you like it. Sit down and eat first." Xue Qinghe beckoned to Jun Xuehan, signaling for him to take a seat.

Meanwhile, She Long walked straight behind Xue Qinghe and gave him a detailed account of everything that had happened in the Soul Arena.