Yu Xiaogang's Ordeal

Lin Xiao and his two companions arrived inside Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena.

He led Xiao Wu straight to the counter.

"Hello, sign her up for one-on-one soul fighting."

The attendant looked at the two youngsters and spoke with a professional smile.

"Have you registered?"

Lin Xiao shook his head.

"Register her while you're at it. Use the name Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit."

The receptionist nodded. Before long, a badge was handed to Xiao Wu.

"This is an Iron Soul Fighter badge. You can participate in soul fighting matches to advance to higher ranks."

The receptionist explained with a smile.

"There's a one-on-one match coming up shortly. Would you like me to sign you up?"

Holding the badge, Xiao Wu nodded.

Soon, it was time for Xiao Wu's match.

Xiao Wu playfully stuck her tongue out at Lin Xiao and made a face.

Then she headed onto the stage.

That scoundrel Lin Xiao actually abandoned Sister Xiao Wu for so long without a word! Today, I'll show him just how formidable I am!

A burly man slowly stepped onto the other side of the arena.

Seeing the little girl before him, the man froze for a moment, then burst into wild laughter.

"Hey, little girl, go home, wash up, and get to bed. This isn't a place for children to play house!"

Then he activated Martial Soul Possession: a mad rhino martial soul appeared behind him, while two soul rings, one white and one yellow, proved that he was a Soul Grandmaster.

Brimming with confidence, the burly man began taunting Xiao Wu.

"See that? Did this big rhino scare you to tears? Hahahaha!"

Xiao Wu didn't respond to his taunts.

The Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit possessed her.

Yellow, yellow, purple.

The burly man was instantly dumbstruck. He hadn't expected the little girl before him to be a Soul Elder.

At once, everyone in the stands switched whom they were cheering for.

"Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit! Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit!"

Seeing that the crowd was no longer on his side, the burly man's vanity took a crushing blow. He no longer cared whether Xiao Wu had three rings or five.

His white soul ring gave off a faint glow.

Like a Dayun truck, he barreled straight at her.

Seeing that the little girl wasn't dodging, the burly man even fantasized about snatching victory from defeat.

But just before he struck her, Xiao Wu teleported behind him.

With a light kick, she sent the burly man off the stage.

The announcer flew overhead and declared the final result.

"Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit wins!"

Xiao Wu walked off the stage with her arms folded, looking at Lin Xiao as if to ask, Isn't Sister Xiao Wu amazing?

Lin Xiao didn't spoil her fun and offered some encouragement.

"Not bad, though your opponent was an idiot."

Faced with Lin Xiao's words, which sounded like both praise and a veiled jab, she looked at him.

Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks again.

"All right. Your goal today is twenty consecutive wins. Understand?"

Lin Xiao spoke with a serious expression.

"Oh, got it!"

Xiao Wu resented Lin Xiao's order, which treated her like an oppressed slave.

Xiao Wu attempted to resist.

Xiao Wu's resistance failed.

Xiao Wu accepted reality.

Watching Xiao Wu obediently sign up and take the stage to fight, Lin Xiao finally nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, Xuan Zi quietly appeared beside Lin Xiao.

"Young Master, the first stage of the plan targeting Yu Xiaogang is complete."

Lin Xiao nodded.

"Very good. Prepare to begin the second stage."

"Remember to activate the Image Recording Stones for complete coverage from multiple angles. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Xuan Zi's figure vanished into the shadows once more.

When he reappeared, he was already on the outskirts of Nuoding City.

Three figures lay prostrate on the ground.

They looked as though they were bowing down to Xuan Zi.

Xuan Zi spoke coldly.

"I pulled you out of Spirit Hall's prison. I only rescued you because your offenses were relatively minor.

"But there's one condition: act out this scene properly. As long as your performance satisfies my young master, each of you will receive not only your freedom but also a hundred Gold Soul Coins to settle down. Understood?"

The three kneeling men answered in unison.

"Understood!"

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang was walking down the street with a book in his arms.

A sinister gust swept over him, making him sneeze.

Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?

The thought surfaced in Yu Xiaogang's mind.

But he soon dismissed it.

I'm a grandmaster of theory, and Dong'er's old flame to boot. Who would dare lay a hand on me?

Just as he cast the thought aside and continued forward, something happened.

Two burly figures blocked his path.

"You're Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, aren't you?"

The burly man on the left spoke with a broad smile.

Yet somehow, that smile looked rather sinister.

Yu Xiaogang frowned, deeply displeased at having his path blocked. But the two clearly knew who he was and had addressed him that way. Perhaps they wanted to ask him for guidance?

So he spoke slowly.

"I am. What is it? Is there something you don't understand? Since I'm in a good mood, I can answer your questions for free."

Instead, the burly man rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Looks like we've got the right man. So tender."

The man on the right did the same, and both slowly closed in on Yu Xiaogang.

Anyone who wasn't an idiot could tell that something was wrong.

Yu Xiaogang began to panic. He summoned Luo Sanpao, and two yellow soul rings circled around him.

"What are you trying to do?"

He shouted angrily.

Looking at his pitiful two rings and the pig-like Luo Sanpao, the two burly men laughed even harder.

Buy one, get one free?

An incredible windfall had landed right in their laps.

Both men activated Martial Soul Possession.

The two burly men were clearly brothers.

Both their martial souls were Great Strength Gorillas.

One had six rings and the other four. Neither had the best soul ring configuration, but they weren't far off.

Whether out of panic or something else, Yu Xiaogang took a wrong turn and was driven straight into a narrow alley by the two men.

As the wall behind him drew closer and closer, Yu Xiaogang steeled himself and had Luo Sanpao unleash his first and second skills simultaneously.

This drained a considerable amount of his soul power.

Luo Sanpao only had enough strength for three blasts.

Having used two already, he naturally felt a painful pang.

Fortunately, the effects were obvious. After those two enormous farts, neither man dared take another step forward.

Just as he began to feel rather pleased with himself, something happened.

Two figures suddenly burst through the fart cloud.

"They're actually wearing masks!"

Yu Xiaogang's expression darkened. Damn it! Who exactly is targeting me?

They even know the characteristics of my martial soul!

He had now been forced into a corner. He wanted to climb over the wall, but couldn't.

He could only bellow, "I'm the young clan master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan! Aren't you afraid the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will kill you?"

"As long as you let me go, I can forgive your transgression!"

Just as Yu Xiaogang fell into despair, something happened.

A figure suddenly darted out.

"Don't bully him! Come at me instead!"

The somewhat thin, small figure spoke, then activated Martial Soul Possession.

A bear martial soul, just as small as he was, appeared behind him.

White, yellow, yellow.

After getting a good look at the newcomer, the two burly men laughed even harder.

"Well, if it isn't our Delicate Bear, Lang Yi (January's friend)! Doing good deeds again? Didn't you get beaten badly enough last time?"

Lang Yi visibly shuddered, looking rather uneasy.

But he still puffed out his chest.

"So what? It's my duty to protect the weak! I won't let you bully him!"

Lang Yi's appearance and actions moved Yu Xiaogang to tears.

This man was clearly far weaker than the two burly men opposite him, yet he was still willing to step forward bravely for his sake, unafraid of powerful foes.

At the thought that he had nearly dragged this man into danger, a feeling stirred in him.

Yu Xiaogang felt a pang of guilt.

"Get out of here! Don't worry about me! I've dragged you into this!"

Yu Xiaogang shouted at him.

Lang Yi turned his head and gave him a bright, cheerful smile.

"It's all right. My mother once told me that the power of martial souls was born to protect!"