Defeated Again! Setting Out for the Soul Fighting Tour!

Dugu Yan stood up directly from below the stage.

"This is Tianheng's strongest move!"

Yu Feng widened his eyes as well, staring fixedly at the arena.

Facing the howling Lightning Divine Dragon, Gu Feng lightly tapped the ground with his toes and drifted twenty meters backward with the aid of levitation, opening a safe distance.

His expression remained calm as he held his right palm upward.

Two completely opposing, violent currents of wind converged in his palm, their forward and reverse rotations forcibly compressed together.

At the center of the highly compressed vortex, a visible deep cyan sphere of light formed, with four rapidly spinning cross-shaped wind blades extending around it.

Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!

(Douluo version)

The sharp friction of the airflow echoed across the arena, making the audience's eardrums ache.

The air around the entire Soul Fighting Platform surged madly toward Gu Feng's palm.

"Is that... a Self-Created Soul Skill?"

Qin Ming rose from the referee's stand, his breathing growing rapid.

He could clearly sense that the rotating wind sphere in Gu Feng's hand contained violent energy capable of tearing apart everything.

Yu Tianheng could no longer withdraw his move. The Lightning Divine Dragon hurtled toward Gu Feng's face with the force of shattering air.

Rather than retreating before the violent lightning, Gu Feng advanced, raising the shuriken in his right hand and meeting it head-on.

"Bang!"

The shuriken and Lightning Divine Dragon collided violently in midair.

The highly compressed wind blades shredded the Lightning Divine Dragon inch by inch in an instant, and dense explosions merged into a continuous roar.

The blue-violet lightning was completely swept apart and assimilated by the rotating currents.

The remaining high-speed storm flowed backward along Yu Tianheng's arm.

The dragon scales covering Yu Tianheng's proud arms were forcibly lifted and stripped away the instant they touched the airflow, turning into fragments that filled the sky.

The tremendous impact sent Yu Tianheng flying backward, smashing heavily into the guardrail at the edge of the arena.

The entire venue fell silent.

From the moment Yu Tianheng unleashed his fourth soul skill to the moment Gu Feng shattered it with one move, only a few breaths had passed.

A Level 41 top-tier Beast Martial Soul Battle Soul Ancestor's all-out strike had been utterly crushed just like that.

Gu Feng landed steadily on the ground. His palm was slightly red, but under the life force nourishment of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, it quickly recovered.

Yu Tianheng sat sprawled on the ground. The Dragon Transformation on both arms had been forcibly dispelled, and his entire arms were covered in fine cuts as blood dripped from his fingertips.

He stared blankly at his hands, his face full of bitterness.

"The gap is actually... this great?"

Gu Feng stood atop the uneven blue-black stone tiles, dispersing the wind pressure beneath his feet as he nodded toward the fallen Yu Tianheng.

"Tianheng, thank you for letting me win."

As soon as he finished speaking, his right hand hanging at his side spasmed uncontrollably several times.

The flesh between his fingers had split open, and several deep bloody gashes had cut through his palm bones. Blood dripped from beneath his fingernails onto the shattered stones, splashing dark red spots.

Although the self-created shuriken was incredibly powerful, its rotating airflow was too violent. The centrifugal force from detonating it point-blank had still sliced open his arm.

Even though the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone within him had already begun to produce its warm life force on its own, the speed at which it repaired his meridians could not keep up with the wounds cut by the wind blades.

"Brother Feng!"

Ning Rongrong lifted the hem of her white dress from the front row of the audience, vaulted over the railing in a few quick steps, and ran straight to the center of the arena.

She grabbed Gu Feng's bloody, mangled hand. Tears immediately welled in her eyes, and the tip of her nose turned pink.

"How did you get hurt so badly?!"

"Your entire palm is ruined! I can even see the bones!"

Gu Feng raised his uninjured left hand and patted the top of her head.

"This move is too powerful. Even I can't control it very well."

Ning Rongrong sniffed, her voice trembling with tears.

"Serves you right for showing off! Wouldn't it have been fine to use your Wind God's Finger properly? Why did you have to use a move that hurts yourself?"

Gu Feng let her scold him and quietly comforted her.

"Alright. Next time, I'll definitely throw it from farther away. I won't smash into someone at close range again."

Dugu Yan also quickly jumped onto the stage, crouching beside Yu Tianheng and helping the exhausted Yu Tianheng sit up.

"Dugu Yan, I'm fine. I just ran out of Soul Power."

Yu Tianheng panted heavily. Fine bloody cuts on both forearms were still bleeding, and he looked utterly disheveled.

Ye Lingling hurried over from behind in black cloth boots.

The Nine-Heart Begonia quietly appeared in her palm. Pale pink petals scattered in the wind, dividing into two gentle halos that enveloped Gu Feng and Yu Tianheng respectively.

A cool sensation entered his meridians through the wounds in his palm. Gu Feng's torn flesh quickly stopped bleeding and scabbed over. Combined with the continuous life force from his right leg bone, the dead skin fell away within a few breaths, replaced by fresh new skin.

The numbness in Yu Tianheng's body quickly faded as well.

"Thank you, Lingling."

Gu Feng flexed the fingers of his fully restored right hand.

Ye Lingling spoke softly.

"Gu Feng, although the flesh has healed, there are still injuries in your arm from the wind blades. It would be best not to gather Soul Power with full force for the next two hours."

Yu Feng held his head in both hands beneath the stage, his mouth hanging open.

"That was terrifying. Even the boss got blasted away head-on while using his fourth soul skill."

Osler patted his chest beside him.

"Anyone who spars with Gu Feng from now on is an idiot. What kind of wind-element Soul Master is he? He's practically a half-day bomb that blows up even himself."

The Shi brothers nodded silently, privately grateful that they had not been the ones beaten up onstage.

Qin Ming walked onto the stage, his expression extremely grave.

He first examined Yu Tianheng's arms and, only after confirming that his bones were fine, turned to Gu Feng.

"Tianheng, there was nothing wrong with your response or your Soul Power burst. You also pushed your ability to withstand frontal pressure to its limit."

Qin Ming pondered for a moment, his tone especially heavy. "But the final move Gu Feng used has already reached the threshold of Soul Emperor level in terms of sheer explosive and destructive power."

"Facing a concentrated burst with the power of a Soul Emperor head-on, your defeat was not undeserved."

Yu Tianheng braced himself on his knees and stood up. He tore off a corner of his clothes to wipe the dust from his face, then shook his head.

"Teacher Qin, you don't need to comfort me."

"A loss is a loss. I'm not that fragile."

He turned to Gu Feng and straightened his back.

"Gu Feng, this time, I concede wholeheartedly. When the Continental Soul Master Tournament begins, I'll be responsible for tearing open the enemy's front line. Leave the rest to you."

Gu Feng nodded. "It's a deal."

After the interruption, Qin Ming arranged for the team members to return and pack their luggage while adjusting their condition.

Gu Feng left Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Ning Rongrong, took a carriage into Heaven Dou City, and headed straight for the Crown Prince's Residence in the north of the city.

Since they were going out on a soul fighting tour, he naturally had to inform Xue Qinghe, who had secretly placed his bets on them.

In the rear hall of the Crown Prince's Residence, Xue Qinghe wore moon-white casual robes and personally poured hot tea for the two of them.

"Brother Feng, Rongrong, what brings you here today?"

Ning Rongrong sat carelessly in a cushioned chair, blowing on the tea in her cup.

"Brother Qinghe, Teacher Qin is taking us to the Great Soul Arenas in the major provinces for a touring competition. We came to let you know."

Xue Qinghe paused, then set down the teapot. "You're leaving Heaven Dou City?"

Gu Feng nodded and continued.

"With the tournament approaching, the academy's closed training has reached a bottleneck. Teacher Qin hopes the entire team can compete in Gold Soul Team Battles at the Great Soul Arenas in major cities to temper our practical combat experience."

Xue Qinghe spoke softly.

"Training at the Great Soul Arenas is a good thing. A true team cannot be cultivated in a greenhouse. Seeing more of the fighting styles of Soul Masters from different regions will greatly benefit your pursuit of the championship."

As he spoke, Xue Qinghe took out a travel document bearing the golden seal of the Heaven Dou Empire's crown prince and pushed it in front of Gu Feng.

"The city lords' residences in the major provincial capitals are a mixed bag, and the gambling interests behind the Great Soul Arenas run deep."

"Take this. When passing through any provincial checkpoint within the Heaven Dou Empire, the local military must let you through. If you encounter troublesome matters, you can also use it to directly mobilize the local garrison to assist you."

Ning Rongrong immediately reached out and took the gold token, weighing it in her hand with a grin.

"Brother Qinghe really is generous! Now when we eat and stay at inns outside, maybe we can put it on your tab."

Xue Qinghe smiled helplessly. "I don't mind if you put it on my tab. As long as you finish the matches safely and bring the championship trophy back for the Heaven Dou Empire, that will be enough."

Gu Feng put away the travel document and said seriously, "Your Highness, rest assured. The Imperial Fighting Team will not disappoint you."

Xue Qinghe examined Gu Feng for a few moments. Sensing that the flow of air around him had become increasingly concealed and restrained, he praised, "In just ten months, you've improved considerably again.

Be careful on the road. I'll wait for your triumphant return."

After leaving the Crown Prince's Residence, Gu Feng did not hurry back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's estate. Instead, he took Ning Rongrong to the small town at the foot of the sect's mountain.

In a small courtyard at the eastern end of town, several neat plots of green vegetables grew in rows, while a string of dried chili peppers hung beside the fence.

Old Jack wore a rough cloth apron and was bent over in the courtyard, turning dried bean pods in the sun.

"Grandpa Jack."

Gu Feng pushed open the gate and called out softly.

Old Jack straightened his slightly hunched back and narrowed his eyes to see who it was. The bamboo tray in his hands nearly fell to the ground.

"Oh! Little Feng! Rongrong!"

Old Jack hurriedly wiped his hands on his apron and quickly came forward.

"What brings you two down the mountain today? You didn't even send word ahead of time. I haven't even boiled a pot of hot water."

Ning Rongrong stepped forward and held Old Jack's arm.

"Grandpa Jack, don't fuss over us. We just came to see you."

"Grandpa, we're heading out on a long journey."

Gu Feng walked over to the water vat, scooped up a ladle of water to wash his hands, and helped place the bamboo tray on a wooden rack.

"The academy is organizing us to go to other major cities for soul fighting matches. We'll probably be away for several months."

The moment Old Jack heard they were leaving on a long journey, the smile on his face faded slightly. He patted Gu Feng's arm with concern.

"A long journey? Where are you going? Will you be able to get used to the food outside? Did you bring enough travel money?"

"Little Feng, when you're out there, never be ruthless with people. Endure what you can. Staying safe is what matters most."

He rummaged around in his clothes for a long while, then pulled out a small cloth pouch and forcibly stuffed it into Gu Feng's hand.

"This is the monthly allowance the sect gives me. An old man like me has food and drink and no use for it. Take it."

Gu Feng held Old Jack's rough hand and pressed the cloth pouch back into his pocket.

"Grandpa Jack, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is wealthy. They cover all our food, clothing, lodging, and travel expenses. I have more Gold Soul Coins than I can spend."

Gu Feng smiled and took out two bags of premium ginseng tea and soft pastries purchased in Heaven Dou City from his Storage Soul Tool, placing them on the stone table in the courtyard.

"Stay in town without worry. Grow vegetables if you feel like it, but don't tire yourself out."

Old Jack looked at the refined food piled on the table. His eyes grew misty as he nodded repeatedly.

"Good, good. Little Feng has made something of himself. This old man is truly living in great fortune."

Ning Rongrong tugged on Old Jack's sleeve beside him, her tone lighthearted.

"Don't worry, Grandpa Jack. I'll keep an eye on him the whole way and won't let him run around. If anyone dares bully him, I'll smash them with my tower!"

Old Jack laughed so hard he could not close his mouth. "Miss Rongrong has such a kind heart. Little Feng is fortunate to have met you."

They sat with Old Jack in the courtyard for more than half an hour. Only when the sun began to set did Gu Feng and Ning Rongrong bid the old man farewell and return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect along the bluestone mountain path.

Inside the main discussion hall, Ning Fengzhi was reviewing secret reports sent from the various branch halls, while Sword Douluo Chen Xin sat quietly in a chair nearby with his eyes closed.

The two explained that they would be setting out the next day for the touring Great Soul Arena matches.

Ning Fengzhi set down the sect's secret letter, raised his head to examine the two young people before him, and spoke gently.

"Teacher Qin's arrangements are sound. The two of you have been advancing your Soul Power too quickly and truly need intense real combat to consolidate your foundations."

"Rongrong, you are the support core of the team. Remember not to act willfully."

Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue. "Got it, Dad. With Brother Feng around, who would dare bully me?"

Chen Xin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Gu Feng's right hand as he spoke calmly.

"Your commotion at the rear mountain earlier was not small. Did you alter that shuriken move again?"

Gu Feng clasped his fists and answered truthfully. "Grandpa Sword, I added forward and reverse dual-spiral compression. Its close-range burst can barely be used, but it still has some backlash against the body's surface."

Chen Xin nodded slightly.

"The technique is viable, but your Soul Power and spiritual power have yet to become fully harmonious. During this training trip, do not be in a hurry to reveal such an incomplete killing move before others."

"During your journey, disciples of the sect's Hidden Hall will secretly provide support along the way. They will not reveal themselves unless it is a life-and-death crisis."

Ning Fengzhi stood and handed Gu Feng a storage ring.

"It contains various healing pills and one million Gold Soul Coins. There is no need to be frugal while traveling. Stability comes first."

"Thank you, Uncle Ning." Gu Feng accepted the ring and put it away.

The next morning.

Two Heaven Dou Royal Academy carriages were already waiting by the roadside.

The Imperial Fighting Team's seven main members and two substitutes were all present, dressed uniformly in neat academy combat attire.

The soul fighting tour had officially begun!