Huo Lie Battles Meng Xi, Meng Xi's Soul Bone

Huo Lie stepped out from the group of upperclassmen, stood in the center of the square, and clasped his hands in salute toward the headmaster and teachers.

"Any upperclassman who wants to challenge Huo Lie may step onto the field."

Xie Chong's reminder rang out.

"I'll do it!"

A man's voice came from the upperclassmen's crowd. Immediately afterward, a red-haired young man in a school uniform stepped out of the crowd and strode onto the field. "Meng Xi is willing to challenge Huo Lie."

Xie Chong announced loudly, "Let me emphasize this to all participants: during the match, you must not kill your opponent, or you will be severely punished. Begin!"

Huo Lie and Meng Xi spread apart by roughly ten meters and faced each other, activating their Martial Souls at the same time.

Huo Lie assumed a stance and released his Martial Soul. The phantom of a fiery red leopard appeared behind him, while three Soul Rings—yellow, yellow, and purple—rose beneath his feet. He said in a deep voice, "Level thirty-seven Fire Leopard Battle Soul Elder, Huo Lie, assault type."

Meng Xi, standing opposite him, also released his Martial Soul. A wolf wreathed in flames appeared behind him, and he likewise had three Soul Rings: two yellow and one purple. He introduced himself as well. "Level thirty-four Fire Wolf Battle Soul Elder, Meng Xi, assault type."

"Brother, who do you think will win between these two?" Huo Wu asked Huo Wushuang with a smile.

Huo Wushuang looked at Huo Wu with a trace of puzzlement and replied, "There doesn't seem to be much suspense. Of course Huo Lie will win. Same attribute, same beast Martial Soul, same Soul Ring configuration, same assault type. The only difference is their levels. With a three-level Soul Power gap, it's almost impossible for Meng Xi to defeat Huo Lie."

"Xiao Lei, who do you think will win?" Huo Wu turned to look at her younger brother.

Huo Lei smiled. "I'm rooting for Meng Xi."

Huo Wu instantly perked up and asked curiously, "Why? Tell me your reasoning."

Huo Wushuang also looked at Huo Lei with curiosity.

Huo Lei wore a sly grin. "Because this is boring! Hahaha!"

Huo Wushuang failed to hold it in and burst out laughing as well.

"Oh, really? You dare mock me?" Huo Wu planted her hands on her hips and glared at Huo Lei angrily.

"Sis, the question itself is boring. Anyone with eyes can see that Huo Lie has the greater advantage." Huo Lei looked helpless.

"You don't know Meng Xi. I know he got something good not long ago. Although there's a three-level difference, I think Meng Xi still has some hope." A hint of confidence appeared on Huo Wu's pretty face.

"Something good? What is it? Hurry and tell your brother." Huo Wushuang looked curious.

"Hmph! I'm not telling you. Just watch for yourself!" Huo Wu crossed her arms, looking smug.

The conversation between the three lasted only an instant.

By then, Huo Lie and Meng Xi had already begun to move.

They spoke in unison. "Martial Soul Possession!"

Huo Lie and Meng Xi's bodies instantly grew larger, their muscles swelled, and their school uniforms stretched taut over them. Five fiery red claws sprang from their fingers as both rushed toward each other.

Huo Lie swung his leopard claws while Meng Xi controlled his body to evade.

When Meng Xi attacked, Huo Lie did the same.

Occasionally, their claws collided, sending sparks flying as they traded kicks and claw strikes.

Then Meng Xi let his guard down and nearly took a hit from Huo Lie's leopard claws. He flipped away, putting distance between himself and Huo Lie.

Meng Xi snorted coldly as his yellow Soul Ring lit up. "First Soul Skill, Fireball!"

Meng Xi swung his arm, launching fireballs from his hand toward Huo Lie.

Huo Lie dodged left and right, avoiding Meng Xi's fireballs while launching a Soul Skill of his own. "Second Soul Skill, Seven-Star Flowing Fire."

Seven fireballs shot rapidly toward Meng Xi.

"Damn it! Second Soul Skill, Burning Rage!"

"Third Soul Skill, Blazing Flame Line!"

Meng Xi's yellow and purple Soul Rings lit up one after another. A blazing stream of fire erupted from his mouth and shot directly at Huo Lie.

The watching crowd let out waves of startled cries.

"Meng Xi's second Soul Skill, Burning Rage, boosts his fire attribute. He used two Soul Skills in succession—he clearly wants to end this match quickly," Huo Wu analyzed from the crowd.

Hearing his sister's words, Huo Wushuang replied, "Huo Lie hasn't used his third Soul Skill yet. The outcome is still uncertain."

Facing the incoming attack, Huo Lie channeled Soul Power into his legs and swiftly dodged.

"That little attack isn't enough. Taste my third Soul Skill! Explosive Seven-Star Flame Bullets!"

Seven scorching, explosive fire bullets instantly shot toward Meng Xi. These seven fire bullets were clearly hotter and faster than the seven fireballs from Huo Lie's second Soul Skill.

At that moment, everyone watching worried for Meng Xi, unsure how he would deal with Huo Lie's third Soul Skill.

Damn Huo Lie! His third Soul Skill is too fierce. I can't dodge it. Looks like I can only use that move. Meng Xi cursed inwardly. At the same time, he made up his mind. Without further hesitation, he gathered Soul Power in his right arm and roared, "Blazing Fire Claw Blades!"

Meng Xi formed a claw with his right hand and violently swung it, sending five crescent-shaped flaming claw blades toward the seven incoming fire bullets.

"This is—? A Soul Bone skill!"

Both the watching students and the teachers on the platform were somewhat surprised.

"Little sister, is this the good thing you said Meng Xi got? He actually has a Soul Bone already?" Huo Wushuang's eyes widened as he looked at Huo Wu in shock.

"Brother! Look at you. That's why I asked you and Xiao Lei that question. Not long ago, Meng Xi's father got lucky and acquired a Century Soul Bone, so he gave it to Meng Xi. Meng Xi wanted to give it to me, but I don't like him, so I didn't accept it." Huo Wu glanced at Huo Wushuang as she explained.

"Oh! So that's how it is. You knew Meng Xi had a Soul Bone, which is why you asked us. Still, little sister, you really are quite charming." Huo Wushuang came to a realization and praised her.

"Meng Xi means well, but a Century Soul Bone is nowhere near worthy of my sister. At the very least, it should be a thousand-year one. Besides, anyone who wants to be with my sister has to be at least her equal in strength, right? This Meng Xi is far too weak."

Huo Lei voiced his thoughts from the side.

"I agree with that. Xiao Lei is right. He thinks he can court my sister with one Century Soul Bone? What is he dreaming of?" Huo Wushuang chimed in with a string of complaints.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of loud explosions rang out across the field.

Meng Xi's five claw blades collided with five of Huo Lie's seven fire bullets. However, two were not intercepted and flew directly at Meng Xi. Unable to dodge in time, Meng Xi was struck head-on and sent flying several meters before crashing onto the square.

Meng Xi rose from the ground unwillingly, clutching his chest. "I concede."

"Huo Lie wins this match and advances," Xie Chong announced loudly. Then he glanced at the list and called out the next participant. "Huo Yun, enter the field!"

Huo Lie walked out of the arena with a smile on his face.

A masked student stepped out from the upperclassmen's group, his true appearance hidden from view. In just a few strides, he reached the square and politely greeted Huo Feng, "Greetings, Headmaster. Greetings, teachers!"

"This guy and his younger brother both love putting on airs, wearing masks all day long." Looking at Huo Yun on the field, Huo Wushuang could not help complaining.

"Any student who wishes to spar with Huo Yun may step onto the field." Xie Chong looked toward the upperclassmen's crowd.

"I want to challenge Huo Yun." A sweet girl's voice rang out from the crowd. Then its owner pushed through the crowd and entered the arena.