Iron Pot's First Battle

Registering at the Suotuo Great Soul Arena was simple. They only needed to fill out a form with their name, age, birthplace, and Wuhun, then they could receive an initial Iron Soul Duel Emblem and ten Gold Soul Coins as registration fees.

Of course, Flender would not pay for them.

He was still as stingy as ever. An Chen thought as he edged to the side.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had registered long ago.

The four of them completed their registrations separately.

Afterward, Flender gave Dai Mubai a few instructions before leaving.

An Chen sighed in relief when he saw that. Finally, he was gone.

While they were in the resting area, Tang San and Xiao Wu discussed signing up for a two-on-two Soul Duel. They wanted to meet the point requirement sooner.

Dai Mubai naturally agreed with their decision.

After thinking it over, An Chen decided he also needed more real combat experience.

Then with Dai Mubai?

An Chen looked at Dai Mubai, his gaze burning.

Seeing that hungry look in An Chen's eyes, Dai Mubai hurriedly said, "I already have a partner. And I like women."

An Chen's mouth twitched. "I wanted to team up with you for a two-on-two."

"Oh, oh, that's what you meant." Dai Mubai sighed in relief, though he still seemed wary as he gestured toward An Chen with his eyes.

An Chen looked over and saw Zhu Zhuqing. She was sitting quietly there, watching the fights in the arena.

He suddenly recalled the thoughts that had surfaced in his mind when Li Yusong underwent his strange change that morning. He quickly coughed and said, "O... okay. I'll go find Fatty."

An Chen also knew that, according to the original story's development, Dai Mubai was currently pursuing Zhu Zhuqing.

I'll give him a chance, An Chen thought.

Then he walked toward Ma Hongjun, who was checking out the beauties in the nearby seats.

"Fatty, let's form a two-on-two team. I'll carry you." An Chen sat beside Ma Hongjun and put an arm around his shoulders.

"Sure, sure." Fatty shifted his gaze over and answered.

"Then let's go." An Chen stood and headed for the registration desk.

As soon as An Chen and Ma Hongjun reached the registration desk, they saw Tang San and Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu was pouting angrily while Tang San comforted her beside her.

Seeing this, An Chen knew that the San-Wu Duo had been registered as the Three-Five Duo.

"Please give your team a name."

The registration clerk said.

"What do you think, Fatty?" An Chen turned and asked.

"Ah, anything's fine. Whatever works." Fatty waved a hand with a grin.

An Chen thought for a moment. "Let's call it the Hot Pot Duo." He was combining his Iron Pot Wuhun with Fatty's greatest specialty, flames.

"Alright, the Hot Pot Duo has been registered."

An Chen and Ma Hongjun were handed their emblems, which now bore an extra line of engraving.

Before long, it was Xiao Wu's turn to fight.

An Chen and the others sat in the spectator stands.

Below them was a vast Soul Fighting Ring. On one side stood a sturdy, two-meter-tall man, while on the other was a petite young girl.

He was just here to make up the numbers, wasn't he? Watching Qing Bao receive the crowd's cheers, An Chen knew he was merely cannon fodder meant to highlight Xiao Wu.

Sure enough, in just a few moments, the hulking Qing Bao was instantly defeated by Xiao Wu's Waist Bow.

Soon after, Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing were drawn at the same time. The two would fight each other.

An Chen leaned back in his seat, watching the pair head into the arena. He also noticed the expression Dai Mubai made at Tang San.

Was he hoping Tang San would go easy on her? An Chen shook his head.

The result was much as he had expected.

Zhu Zhuqing accelerated toward Tang San from the start, while a flash of purple light gleamed in Tang San's eyes. An Chen knew that was the Purple Demon Eye.

In an instant, Zhu Zhuqing's attack path was seen through. Tang San used Binding to tie her up, and just like that, the match was over.

It seemed control-type Soul Masters somewhat countered Agility Attack System Soul Masters, though Tang San's Purple Demon Eye was also a factor.

An Chen analyzed the battle.

After a while, it was An Chen's turn.

Amid the cheers, An Chen entered the Soul Fighting Ring. Though they were not cheering for him, he still waved to both sides.

"Wasn't he supposed to be pretty cold?" Ma Hongjun asked.

"Well, maybe he's the reserved type with a showy side," Dai Mubai replied.

An Chen had no idea the two were talking about him behind his back and continued waving.

Then he walked to the center of the Soul Fighting Ring. Across from him stood a lanky man.

Zhang Wei, a level-twenty-five Soul Grandmaster. His Wuhun was a pair of Iron Gauntlets.

Zhang Wei? An Chen's expression turned strange, because before transmigrating, he had known no fewer than ten people named Zhang Wei.

Iron gauntlets appeared on Zhang Wei's hands, while two Soul Rings slowly rose beneath him, one white and one yellow.

"Kid, how old are you?" Seeing An Chen's youthful face, Zhang Wei smiled. "You're probably only around level ten. Why would you come to a place like this?"

Damn it, he was looking down on me.

"I can beat you without using Soul Skills." An Chen's expression remained calm.

"Oh? Pretty arrogant, aren't you? I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your elders." As Zhang Wei spoke, the white Soul Ring around him flashed, and he raised his gauntlets as he charged forward.

"First Soul Skill, Charge."

Zhang Wei was fast. A cold glint flashed across his gauntlets as they shot straight for An Chen's face.

An Chen swiftly dodged to the side, avoiding the strike. At the same time, he summoned the Iron Pot into his hand.

Two yellow Soul Rings rose around him.

"Again!" Seeing his attack miss, Zhang Wei turned and charged once more.

This time, An Chen did not dodge.

Clang.

The iron fist struck the bottom of the pot with a ringing sound.

"Your pot's pretty tough." Zhang Wei shook his hand, then noticed the two yellow Soul Rings around An Chen.

"Two yellow Soul Rings?" Zhang Wei was stunned. He looked at An Chen with a complicated expression. "I didn't expect someone your age to already be a Soul Grandmaster, and with two hundred-year Soul Rings at that. No wonder they matched me against you."

An Chen opened his mouth, about to say something.

Suddenly, the white Soul Ring beneath Zhang Wei flashed, and his iron fist came straight at him.

An Chen instinctively raised the Iron Pot to block.

Clang!

This time, Zhang Wei put more force into the strike. An Chen had blocked in a hurry, and he was pushed back several steps.

"So you're launching a sneak attack?" An Chen lowered the Iron Pot.

"The rules never said sneak attacks weren't allowed."

Zhang Wei said nothing more. White light first lit up around him, followed by a flash of Yellow Light.

"Second Soul Skill, Heavy Punch!"

Just as Zhang Wei was about to rush into An Chen's face, An Chen twisted his foot and shifted sideways. Then he swung the Iron Pot, slapping it toward Zhang Wei's shoulder.

Smack.

Zhang Wei's Charge was interrupted, and his body tilted to one side.

An Chen pressed his advantage, striking repeatedly with the Iron Pot.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Zhang Wei was beaten back again and again, without any chance to fight back.

This kid looked so young... how was he so strong?

Zhang Wei felt bitter inside. He wanted to open up the distance, but An Chen gave him no opportunity.

Smack!

An Chen struck Zhang Wei's chest with the pot, sending him flying backward.

Zhang Wei's expression changed drastically, and he gritted his teeth as he rushed forward.

"Heavy Punch!"

Zhang Wei roared, light flashing across his gauntlets.

An Chen held the Iron Pot in front of himself.

Clang!

An Chen was knocked back several steps again, but he quickly steadied himself.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He spun the Iron Pot and charged toward Zhang Wei.

Before Zhang Wei could react, the Iron Pot was already smashing down toward his head.

Clang!

Zhang Wei blocked with his gauntlets, but the tremendous force made his legs buckle, and he nearly fell to his knees.

An Chen pursued his advantage, slapping the back of Zhang Wei's head with the pot.

Smack!

Zhang Wei's vision went dark, and he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

"Winner, An Chen!"

An Chen put away the Iron Pot, nodded to the host, and walked off the stage.

A wave of cheers erupted from the stands.

After all, a Wuhun like an Iron Pot was simply too strange. No one had ever seen someone fight like that.

Ma Hongjun came over with a grin. "An Chen—no, Brother Pot—you were awesome! You said you wouldn't use Soul Skills, and you really didn't."

An Chen waved a hand. "Ah, I just got lucky."