Battle in Progress (Part One)

That was right. It was Tang Chen.

At that moment, the Ice Dolphin Sect's leader sighed. "Tang Chen is only eight, yet he already possesses such formidable strength. Given enough time, I fear he'll become a mountain no one in the soul world can cross."

Time flew. Night passed, and the sun rose quietly.

Early the next morning, several sect leaders took their seats of honor, ready to watch the day's matches.

The contestants also filed up to the front.

The host stood onstage and announced the rules.

"Lords Soul Master, today's matches are one-on-one duels. We'll hold two rounds and determine thirteen winners. Matchups will be drawn at random. Please come forward and draw your numbers."

The host brought out a box containing numbers from 1 to 50.

Tang Chen stepped forward to draw first.

Number six!

The remaining contestants drew their numbers.

The match order was soon settled.

The host stood to one side and announced loudly, "Let the matches begin! Number 1, Moon Shadow of Spirit Hall, versus Number 50, Ning Que of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

At the announcement, both men stepped onto the arena.

Ning Que spoke with a warm smile.

"Ning Que. Martial Soul: Wind-Thunder Sword. Level 34 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. I look forward to our match."

Moon Shadow looked stern. But with Ning Que greeting him so pleasantly, he could hardly strike a smiling face. "Moon Shadow. Martial Soul: Shadow Blade. Level 35 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Elder," he replied coldly.

They faced each other, then struck at the same time.

Moon Shadow was faster. His blade slashed toward Ning Que first.

Ning Que reacted in time. He slipped back just enough to evade the slash, then brought his sword down at Moon Shadow.

Moon Shadow dodged it easily.

After a long exchange of probing attacks, Moon Shadow abruptly retreated two steps.

"Second Soul Skill: Shadow Blade Continuous Slash!"

Moon Shadow unleashed his second Soul Skill. Several ink-black blade arcs shot toward Ning Que.

The attack was too fast. Ning Que dodged the first two arcs, but the third slashed across his body.

A great gash opened on Ning Que's chest, blood welling steadily from the wound.

Despite his injury, Ning Que had no intention of conceding. Instead, he activated his third Soul Skill, determined to meet Moon Shadow head-on.

"Third Soul Skill: Wind-Thunder Flying Swords!"

Countless flying swords shot toward Moon Shadow.

At the sight of them, Moon Shadow activated his own third Soul Skill.

"Third Soul Skill: Shadow Flash!"

Moon Shadow vanished into thin air. When he reappeared, he was behind Ning Que.

Ning Que sensed him, but Moon Shadow's blade was already at his throat.

Ning Que raised a hand in surrender.

Seeing that, the referee announced loudly:

"Number 1, Moon Shadow, versus Number 50, Ning Que. Moon Shadow wins!"

Ning Que showed no anger at his defeat. He still wore the same smile as before.

He offered Moon Shadow his hand. "Brother Moon Shadow, you're strong. Would you be interested in joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Moon Shadow did not take his hand. He only shook his head and answered firmly, "No." Then he turned and left.

Ning Que said nothing more. He turned and returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's group.

With the first match over, it was time for the second.

The host announced:

"Next, Number 2, Tang Ao of the Clear Sky Sect, versus Number 49, Zhou Shiyin of Spirit Hall!"

Unlike the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Clear Sky Sect had no wish to put on a friendly face for anyone from Spirit Hall.

Tang Ao leaped into the arena and called to Zhou Shiyin, "Hey, Spirit Hall guy! I suggest you surrender now. It won't look good when I give you a beating."

Zhou Shiyin was furious at Tang Ao's arrogance, but he kept his face expressionless.

"Zhou Shiyin. Martial Soul: Thick-Armored Flying Dragon. Level 33 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder."

"Tang Ao. Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer. Level 38 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder."

The air in the arena grew taut as a drawn bowstring.

Tang Ao lacked patience. Zhou Shiyin kept circling without attacking, so Tang Ao struck first.

"Second Soul Skill: White Elephant Power!"

Tang Ao's strength surged, and veins bulged along his arms.

He followed up with the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer.

Watching Tang Ao whip the Clear Sky Hammer through the air with a tiger's force, Zhou Shiyin dared not meet him head-on.

He could only circle and look for an opening.

Zhou Shiyin had no long-range Soul Skill. Unless he closed in, he could not attack Tang Ao.

But Zhou Shiyin was in no hurry. He kept circling, searching for a weakness.

Tang Ao had been using the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer for quite some time. When Zhou Shiyin still refused to attack, he stopped and simply watched him.

The moment Tang Ao stopped, Zhou Shiyin hurried two steps back and eyed him warily.

Seriously, is Zhou Shiyin always this cautious?

Tang Ao grumbled to himself.

He had hoped Zhou Shiyin would come closer so he could use his third Soul Skill.

But Zhou Shiyin had not taken the bait.

Tang Ao promptly switched tactics.

He charged straight at Zhou Shiyin.

Zhou Shiyin's heart jolted at the sudden rush, and he quickly retreated.

Tang Ao's eyes lit up. That was exactly what he wanted.

He sprang forward in a great leap and activated his third Soul Skill.

"Third Soul Skill: Earth-Splitting Strike!"

A gigantic hammer shadow crashed toward Zhou Shiyin.

Zhou Shiyin instinctively tried to retreat again, but his foot found empty air. He nearly fell out of the arena.

As he stepped forward to steady himself, the huge hammer shadow was already upon him.

Zhou Shiyin could no longer dodge. He poured all his strength into his third Soul Skill.

"Third Soul Skill: Multi-Layer Armor!"

Zhou Shiyin activated Martial Soul Possession, and layer upon layer of battle armor covered his body.

Boom! The armor shattered piece by piece, and the blow left Zhou Shiyin gravely injured.

Seeing that Zhou Shiyin could not get up, the host hurriedly announced, "Number 2, Tang Ao, versus Number 49, Zhou Shiyin. Tang Ao wins!"

As soon as Tang Ao's victory was announced, cheers erupted from the Clear Sky Sect's side. Even people from other sects joined in.

When the second match ended, it was time for the third.

The host announced again:

"Next, Number 3..."

Matches continued until the host announced once more:

"Next, Number 6, Tang Chen of the Clear Sky Sect, versus Number 25, Yu Bingcheng of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"

Tang Chen found it all rather dull, but when his turn came, he leaped into the arena.

Across from him, Yu Bingcheng's face blazed with fighting spirit.

"Yu Bingcheng. Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. Level 38 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder."