What a Word Spirit Means: I Decide What Counts!

"Battle over. Congratulations, you have won this battle. Victor Tang Li has become the current number one in the Eastsea Spirit Arena rankings."

The mechanical voice of the Star Dou Battle Net rang out, declaring Tang Li's victory.

"Continue matching. Cultivation requirement: Four-Ring Soul Ancestor."

After withdrawing his Eight Desolations Battle Qi, Tang Li was still fired up and wanted to strike while the iron was hot, challenging all the remaining upperclassmen at the Soul Ancestor level.

But the system poured cold water over him. "Matchmaking failed. There are currently no online members in the Eastsea Spirit Arena who meet the criteria. Would you like to switch to a simulated battle?"

"Switch to a simulated battle. Simulated target cultivation requirement: Five-Ring Soul King."

It was fine if there were no real opponents. Tang Li could accept simulated battles too; they just weren't as satisfying to chop down.

"The simulated battle will begin shortly. Please prepare!"

At the mechanical prompt, Tang Li summoned Gan Qi. Crimson-gold battle qi surged across his body, while the Demon-Sealing Pot floated behind him. Against a Five-Ring opponent, he naturally had to go all out!

A cluster of light-energy particles emerged not far from Tang Li and rapidly condensed into a human figure. The moment the mechanical voice announced, "Battle begin," the Soul-Refining Bind shot straight at the figure like a venomous snake striking.

Tang Li drove off with both legs, launching himself forward. His axe descended from above in a mountain-splitting blow, the lightning-fast attack cleaving straight down at the man's head. His Martial Soul had only just possessed him, leaving him no choice but to raise both hands in an attempt to block the strike head-on.

But before Tang Li, who was going all out, such a defense without the support of any Soul