This Is Getting Hard to Keep a Straight Face

"Suotuo City! I'm back!"

Meng Yiran had remained in high spirits ever since entering the city. Or rather, ever since getting together with Gu Zhi, she had been constantly excited, like a young girl newly in love.

"Baby Yiran is so cute! The daily life over here is way more fun to watch! Over at Shrek, they're always getting tilted—I'm exhausted just watching them!"

"Finally back in Suotuo City! I almost forgot this was Douluo Continent! I was even wondering when I'd started following this travel blogger! (doge face)"

"Come to think of it, they only explored one-tenth of the Star Dou Great Forest this time, right? Gu Zhi and the others gained a lot, but without seeing a full exploration, my OCD is acting up!"

"Can't be helped! Gu Zhi's realm is way too unreal! We've watched for so long, but we've never seen him go all out! If he doesn't fight a few matches soon, Gu Zhi will turn into trash with nothing but realm!"

"The problem is, there aren't many people in the Great Soul Arena who can make him go all out! Do matches even still mean anything to him?"

"You've got to look at it this way! Even stomping noobs is a way to get familiar with combat!"

"Exactly! If you don't stomp and I don't stomp, when will the little fish ever grow up?"

The barrage neatly explained why Gu Zhi had been so eager to return for matches. First, he still had a beginner mission. Second, now that he was this strong, if he did not go stomp some noobs, what was the point of cultivating at all?

After returning to the city, the three did not head straight for the Great Soul Arena. Instead, Gu Zhi accompanied the two beauties as they paraded through the streets.

Because their trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had yielded such enormous gains, Meng Yiran could not resist going on a shopping spree as soon as she entered the city. Only after spending quite a bit of money did the novelty finally wear off.

"We've shopped around enough. Want to go have some fun at the Great Soul Arena later?"

Meng Yiran happened to see that suggestion in the barrage. Since it was still early, she planned to head over and have some fun. Especially since her current cultivation was just enough for her to team up with Gu Zhi. If they casually entered a two-on-two match, she could mooch another system reward.

"Sure. Sister Liu, do you want to come have some fun with us?"

Gu Zhi did not want to rest so early either, so he first asked Liu Erlong for her opinion. A Soul Douluo like her was not suited for participating in matches.

"Nothing else to do. It wouldn't hurt to go take a look."

Compared to visiting the Great Soul Arena, Liu Erlong actually wanted more to drag Gu Zhi out for drinks... But that was a little too subtle. In broad daylight, she still had to show some restraint...

The three hurried to Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena. It felt somewhat quieter than before, and the passing soul masters all wore exceedingly grave expressions.

"What's going on? Did something happen at the Great Soul Arena?"

She did not even need the barrage to point it out. Meng Yiran could see the oddity here herself.

"Let's find someone and ask?"

Liu Erlong took a moment to glance at the barrage and found that the viewers were equally clueless. It felt as though the matter was rather serious.

"Sorry for the trouble, but did something happen at the Great Soul Arena? Why does everyone look like they're facing a great enemy?"

Gu Zhi took the two beauties to the front desk to ask about the situation. The young receptionist's expression was frighteningly solemn as well.

"This isn't just an issue for our Great Soul Arena. Recently, people in Suotuo City have been disappearing every so often. No one knows whether they'll be next, so naturally everyone has been on edge..."

The receptionist did not know much either, but what she said sounded exceedingly bizarre.

"They haven't found even a single clue?"

Meng Yiran did not believe that a city as large as Suotuo City could fail to receive any information at all. Could some evil soul master be behind this?

"No one knows the exact circumstances. But Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou City have both sent people to investigate. I heard Spirit Hall sent an elite squad, while Heaven Dou City sent its eldest prince, Xue Qinghe, to take full charge of the matter... If you want to know more of the inside story, perhaps you can only visit His Highness Xue Qinghe."

The receptionist remembered Gu Zhi clearly and knew he was no ordinary soul master, so she pointed him toward a possible lead.

But this had nothing to do with Gu Zhi. Since both Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou City had sent people, there was no need for him to wade into this mess.

"We're here to register for a match. A two-on-two match. Miss Meng Yiran and I will be on the same team."

Although strange things had occurred in Suotuo City, most people were still living their lives as normal. The Great Soul Arena was the same; it had not shut down its matches because of these bizarre incidents.

"Very well. Please wait in the preparation area."

The receptionist quickly registered Gu Zhi and Meng Yiran. There were quite a few teams currently waiting in line, including many powerful teams that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Sister, look! That handsome guy over there must be Gu Zhi!"

The Shui sisters, who had arrived at the Great Soul Arena early to lie in wait, immediately spotted Gu Zhi's group while they were registering. Gu Zhi's trio was eye-catching enough already, and after comparing him to the barrage's descriptions, Shui Yue'er easily confirmed his identity.

"As expected, he's surrounded by beautiful women!"

Shui Bing'er looked at the graceful Liu Erlong, then at the equally beautiful Meng Yiran. Seeing how numerous and overwhelming the temptations around Gu Zhi were, she immediately began to lose confidence in herself.

"Ah! At a time like this, why are you still not getting it, Sister?"

Shui Yue'er was nearly frantic. How was Shui Bing'er supposed to establish herself by Gu Zhi's side like this?

"Let's wait a little longer... I-I'm not ready yet..."

Despite being one of the strongest geniuses of Douluo Continent's new generation, Shui Bing'er still had second thoughts when the moment came. She could only watch as Gu Zhi left with Meng Yiran and Liu Erlong, never daring to go up and speak to him.

"Let me see! Our opponents seem pretty popular!"

Completely unaware that many people were secretly watching her, Meng Yiran searched for the preparation area while checking her opponents' public information. She discovered that they were not only powerful, but also holders of a winning streak.

Unfortunately for them, their next match was against her and Gu Zhi. Gu Zhi would not even need to make a move—she alone would be enough to handle them!

"Next match! The Yiran Champion Team versus the Yanling Strongest Team! Let us all look forward to this clash between two powerful teams!"

It was soon time to take the stage. Meng Yiran strode ahead full of fighting spirit, intending to make Gu Zhi see her in a whole new light.

"Oh no! I didn't expect to run into him this time!"

In the opposing preparation area, Ye Lingling also recognized Gu Zhi at once. When she learned that her and Dugu Yan's next opponents were Gu Zhi's pair, her face immediately fell into a miserable little cat expression.

"What are you afraid of? Just because Meng Yiran has received so many benefits, does that mean she can definitely beat us?"

Dugu Yan was the vice-captain of the Imperial Fighting Team! How could she shrink back just because her opponent was powerful? Besides, they had intelligence from the barrage. They might not necessarily be unable to defeat Meng Yiran!

"You're right! If we lose, we can use the opportunity to cling to Gu Zhi! Hehe! I really am a little genius!"