Qian Daoliu: Old Man, Show Off and I'll Send You Flying!

The first rays of dawn had barely broken when the giant spirit arena in the center of Spirit City was already packed to the brim.

This circular plaza, covering tens of thousands of square meters, was surrounded by tier upon tier of spectator stands and could accommodate tens of thousands of people.

Though it had not yet reached the point of being packed shoulder to shoulder, representatives from various factions, mid- and high-ranking Spirit Hall deacons, and freelance Soul Masters who had rushed over upon hearing the news had already filled the eastern stands.

At the center of the plaza stood a raised spirit-fighting platform paved with hard Green Oak Rock, its surface spanning a full hundred meters in diameter.

Defensive array patterns had been carved all around it, clearly meant to prevent the aftershocks of Soul Masters' clashes from harming the spectators.

At the highest point of the western stands, Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, Qian Xunji at his side.

Both of them watched the Clear Sky Sect team slowly entering below, though their expressions differed.

Qian Daoliu's face was calm, yet a faint smile lingered at the corners of his lips.

The children had exposed an old matter from his past the night before. He had thought he would feel embarrassed, but after opening his mind to it, he instead felt completely at ease.

Now, as he watched that old fellow Tang Chen swagger into the arena with his grandchildren, only one thought remained in his mind.

Showing off?

Fine. Go ahead and show off.

With the card in my hand, I'm afraid you won't be able to show off for long.

On the eastern stands, Tang Chen strode at the very front of the group. His gray robes billowed, and the Clear Sky Hammer rested casually on his shoulder.

Two burly figures followed behind him.

Tang Xiao was steady and reserved, his calm gaze sweeping across the arena.

Tang Hao, meanwhile, held his head high, an unruly curve at his lips like a young tiger patrolling its territory.

Further behind them were four somewhat younger figures. Yang Wudi's stride was sharp, his gaze as keen as a spear.

Tai Tan was thickly built, every step making the ground tremble faintly.

Niu Gao was stocky, his arms hanging at his sides like two iron pillars.

Bai He was tall and slender, his steps light as his eyes discreetly swept the surroundings.

"Old Qian, I've brought them!"

Tang Chen laughed heartily. "How are things prepared on Spirit Hall's side?"

Qian Daoliu slowly raised a hand and pointed below.

"What's the rush? They're already here."

On the western side of the spirit-fighting platform, ten figures emerged one after another in neat, synchronized steps.

They wore matching fitted uniforms of white with golden patterns, the Spirit Hall emblem embroidered over their left breasts. They were the elites of the Spirit Hall Judgment Reserve Team.

At their head was Qin Poyue, twenty-two years old. His steps were steady, his eyes bright as torches, and he carried a long spear horizontally in one hand, radiating an imposing presence.

Nine people followed behind him, maintaining just the right distance from one another. They had clearly trained together for a long time.

The two teams faced each other across the hundred-meter spirit-fighting platform. Before either side spoke, the air had already tightened slightly.

Qian Daoliu glanced at Tang Hao.

A level fifty-four Soul King.

No wonder that old fellow had been so excited when he came running over yesterday.

Spirit Hall truly did not have anyone of Tang Hao's level among its younger generation.

But Spirit Hall had spread across the entire continent and gathered Soul Masters from all under heaven. It might not have the very best, but it was certainly above average.

It truly had no one in its younger generation at Tang Hao's level.

But among the younger generation of the Four Single-Attribute Clans, there were plenty at that level.

Spirit Hall had spread throughout the continent and awakened martial souls for all commoners free of charge. It had not done so for nothing.

As for Tang Hao...

Though Spirit Hall's younger generation could not handle him, Qian Daoliu still had a trump card in hand.

When the time came, the entire continent would surely be shocked.

He truly wanted to see that old fellow's stunned expression then.

Qian Daoliu's lips curled upward as he looked forward even more to seeing what expression that old fellow would wear.

High in the stands, Qian Renxue leaned over the railing and looked down eagerly. "They're here, they're here!"

Bibi Dong squeezed in beside her, half her body hanging over the railing. "Let me see, let me see! Which one is Tang Hao?"

"The one carrying the hammer with his head held high. The one who looks like he really needs a beating." Qian Renxue lifted her chin.

Bibi Dong followed the direction she pointed, then gave an "Oh." "He really does look like he needs a beating."

Ye Guyi stood behind the two of them and shook her head helplessly, though she could not help taking a few more looks herself.

At some point, Na'er had moved beside Luo Jiuyou. With a piece of candy in her mouth, she asked vaguely, "Senior Brother, is that hammer-wielding one Tang Hao?"

"Yes."

"He looks really fierce."

Na'er tilted her head. "But he probably isn't as fierce as Senior Brother."

Luo Jiuyou lowered his head and glanced at her. "When have I ever been fierce?"

Na'er blinked and thought for a moment.

"Mm... you've never been fierce, but I feel like if Senior Brother really got fierce, you'd be much fiercer than him."

Luo Jiuyou smiled without answering, his gaze returning to the arena.

All his attacks made people bleed.

They were just a little bloody.

Zi JI and Bi Ji stood in the row behind them, neither speaking.

Zi JI folded her arms across her chest. Her eyes rested on Tang Hao for a moment before shifting away.

Though this human's talent was not bad, reaching Soul King level at such a young age...

Compared with their target, however, he was far too lacking.

Bi Ji, on the other hand, watched very seriously, even tilting her head slightly as though seeing the rules of human spirit fighting for the first time.

Qian Xunji cleared his throat and announced in a ringing voice:

"Today's spirit fight will consist of two matches. The first will be the Spirit Hall Judgment Reserve Team against the younger generation of the Clear Sky Sect.

Both sides may form teams freely, with no limit on numbers. Victory or defeat will be decided when one side concedes or loses the ability to fight."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over both sides.

"The rules are simple. No killing. Everything else is allowed. Begin."

As his voice fell, the five from the Clear Sky Sect moved at once.

Tang Hao swung the Clear Sky Hammer onto his shoulder and strode onto the spirit-fighting platform, the four figures behind him following closely.

The five took their positions on the platform in a single line, their momentum astonishing.

Tang Hao stood in the middle, chin slightly raised. His gaze crossed the platform and landed on the ten figures in the western preparation area, a smile curling at his lips.

"Spirit Hall is sending these people? Fine, pick five first so you can't say we bullied you."

The disdain in his tone was undisguised, as though he were looking at a group of sparring partners not even qualified to sit at the table.

On Spirit Hall's side, Qin Pojun frowned and was about to step forward when Han Pojun pressed a hand onto his shoulder.

Han Pojun shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice, "Let the first group go first. Test their strength."

Qin Pojun took a deep breath, suppressing the flare of anger in his heart. He turned to the five members of the Red Star Group behind him and nodded. "Chu Yueyao, you go."

Chu Yueyao said nothing. She merely nodded, then took the lead in stepping onto the spirit-fighting platform.

Song Xinghe, Duan Qinghe, Lu Shuanghua, and Qin Poyue followed behind her. The five took their places on the platform and faced the five from the Clear Sky Sect from afar.

Chu Yueyao stood at the front, her posture straight as she calmly swept her gaze over the five opponents before introducing herself.

"Spirit Hall, Red Star Group. Chu Yueyao, martial soul Moonlight Bow, level thirty-nine agility-attack Soul Elder."

"Song Xinghe, martial soul Black Iron Heavy Shield, level thirty-nine defense-type Soul Elder."

"Duan Qinghe, martial soul Green Snake Blade, level thirty-nine agility-attack Soul Elder."

"Lu Shuanghua, martial soul Frostglory Butterfly, level forty-one control-type Soul Ancestor."

"Qin Poyue, martial soul Mountain-Splitting Spear, level forty-three Strong Attack Soul Ancestor."

After the five announced their names and levels, low murmurs rose around the spirit-fighting platform.

Three Soul Elders and two Soul Ancestors, with an average level close to forty. In any faction, they would be core disciples.

Spirit Hall truly lived up to its reputation.

It gathered Soul Masters from all under heaven.

On the Clear Sky Sect's side, the smile at Tang Hao's lips deepened after hearing them.

He tilted his head and glanced at Yang Wudi. Understanding his meaning, Yang Wudi stepped forward and announced loudly:

"Clear Sky Sect, Yang Wudi, martial soul Soul-Breaking Spear, level forty-one Strong Attack Soul Ancestor."

Tai Tan followed immediately after him, speaking in a deep, booming voice. "Tai Tan, martial soul Mighty Gorilla, level thirty-nine strength-type Soul Elder."

Niu Gao slapped his chest. "Niu Gao, martial soul Armored Giant Rhino, level thirty-eight defense-type Soul Elder."

Bai He's voice was brisk and crisp. "Bai He, martial soul Sharp-Tailed Swift, level thirty-eight agility-attack Soul Elder."

Finally, Tang Hao slammed the Clear Sky Hammer against the ground. With a thunderous boom, the platform shook.

"Tang Hao, martial soul Clear Sky Hammer, level fifty-four Strong Attack Soul King."

The moment Tang Hao spoke, the entire arena fell silent for an instant.

Level fifty-four.

A Soul King!