Tang Feng walked to the center of the Soul Fighting Arena and flicked his wrist.
Whew! Whew! Whew!
The Golden Cudgel, weighing over 300 jin, spun three times in Tang Feng's hands, its afterimages forming a golden light curtain. The tip of the cudgel sliced through the air, emitting a deep hum.
Immediately, Tang Feng slammed the staff into the ground.
"Clang!"
Sparks flew as a black iron slab cracked into a spiderweb pattern.
The audience felt their hearts leap with that crisp sound, followed by a deafening roar of cheers.
" Sun Xingzhe! Sun Xingzhe! Sun Xingzhe!"
Whistles, screams, and applause surged forth, and beams of light spun wildly across the dome, pushing the atmosphere to a fever pitch.
Ning Rongrong in the stands was immediately stunned and shouted, "So handsome...!" This drew sidelong glances from Zhu Zhuqing and Oscar.
Seeing this, the host immediately shouted, "I declare the Soul Fighting to begin!"
After saying that, he immediately ran out of the Soul Fighting Arena.
The moment the words left his mouth, Tie Futu roared, and four Soul Ring— two yellow and two purple—flashed up simultaneously. His muscles bulged, and his iron-clad bear fur stood on end.
"Roar!" The Tie Futu activated its First Soul Skill, " Iron Armor Body Covering," its muscles bulging and its skin gleaming with a dark gold luster. With each step it took, the stone slabs of the arena shattered inch by inch. It swung its giant fist, bringing with it a whistling gust of wind, and slammed it straight at Tang Feng's face!
Tang Feng's eyes remained calm beneath his mask. His Ruyi Jingu Bang hummed, and with a slight flick of the end, Tang Feng slipped, his figure shifting sideways like Gui Mei. He swept the Golden Cudgel Bang out, its shadows layered upon each other, striking his opponent's fist.
Sparks flew as forces clashed, the recoil traveling along the staff, making Tang Feng's hands go numb and nearly causing him to drop the Golden Cudgel.
Tie Futu also staggered back two steps, but his punching momentum did not diminish, and his left arm swept out!
"Again!" Tie Futu roared, activating his Second Soul Skill, " Bear King Charge," transforming himself into a black gold light bullet and charging straight at the enemy!
Tang Feng flipped and leaped up, his Golden Cudgel spinning into a round shield. He struck seven times in succession, each blow precisely hitting the same spot on his opponent's knee.
However, the Tie Futu's defense was astonishing. The staff shadows only left a few shallow red marks, but the recoil force made Tang Feng's arms tremble and his knuckles bleed.
"We can't fight head-on!" Tang Feng gritted his teeth and used his physical advantage to circle around to his opponent's side and rear.
The Golden Cudgel was raised high, unleashing the first move of the staff technique, Thousandfold Waves! Ten layers of force converged into one point, slamming hard into the spine of the Tie Futu. Crack—a crisp sound of bones breaking rang out, and the Tie Futu roared, slapping the Golden Cudgel backhand!
Bang! Tang Feng was sent flying four or five meters by the force of the Golden Cudgel. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his arms trembled, and the Golden Cudgel almost slipped from his grasp.
Tie Futu's eyes turned bloodshot, and he activated his strongest Fourth Soul Skill, " Iron Armor Rainstorm," unleashing countless black bear hairs that transformed into steel needles, shooting down like a tidal wave!
Tang Feng's Soul Power surged, Golden Cudgel spun in a circle, the wind from the cudgel whipping up a violent shockwave. It was the third move of the cudgel technique, Protect Mountains and Rivers, to resist various Hidden Weapon and Soul Power attacks. However, there were too many steel needles, and he was still grazed by several of them, with Sisi of blood flowing from his left arm and thigh.
Just then, Tang Feng took a deep breath, a fierce glint in his eyes, raised his Golden Cudgel high above his head, and gathered the overlapping force of the fifteenth strike at the tip of the cudgel, like a raging tide crashing against the shore, slamming it hard into the same spot on the Tie Futu's arm!
Crack! The sound of bone breaking clearly echoed throughout the arena. Tie Futu roared, his arm wracked with pain. He went berserk, his fists pounding down like hammers. Tang Feng, however, no longer retreated. His figure moved like a dragon, his staff flashing, each strike precisely hitting the opponent's fractured bone.
The twenty-eighth strike! The Tie Futu's arm bones completely cracked, and his mountain-like body crashed to his knees, creating a half-meter-deep crater in the arena. Tang Feng, however, was also shaken by the recoil, causing his tiger's mouth to split open, and his Golden Cudgel flew out of his hand!
The audience gasped in surprise.
Tang Feng gritted his teeth and lunged forward, catching the Golden Cudgel in mid-air. He flipped over, unleashing his twenty-ninth strike, Thousandfold Waves! Just as he was about to continue his attack, Tie Futu, realizing his main attacking arm was injured and he was unable to continue, quickly shouted, "I surrender!"
Tang Feng immediately withdrew his stick, released his force, and looked at the host.
The entire arena fell silent for three seconds, then erupted in thunderous cheers. " Sun Xingzhe! Sun Xingzhe! Sun Xingzhe!"
The host excitedly jumped onto the stage and shouted, "The winner of this Soul Fighting is Sun Xingzhe!"
Tang Feng stood tall and straight, flicked his wrist, and the Golden Cudgel spun around him several times before he slung it over his shoulder and turned away with a flourish.
The cheers from the audience erupted like a mountain collapsing into the sea; the spectators were going wild for this spectacular Soul Fighting Arena of strength.
Tang Feng went to the front desk to settle his bets for the day and earned another 20,000 Gold Soul Coin. Feeling very pleased with himself, he had just stepped out of the Great Soul Arena when three figures came into view.
Ning Rongrong stood at the front, her moon-white short skirt making her look like a lotus Pheobe, the silver threads on the hem flowing like ripples under the glass lamplight.
Seeing Tang Feng come out, Ning Rongrong waved generously, the jewelry on her wrist jingling, and her eyes shining brightly.
Tang Feng couldn't help but sigh when he saw her; his income today probably wouldn't even be enough to buy her outfit.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing half a step behind, leaned against a pillar. The night breeze ruffled the stray hairs on her forehead, revealing her slightly red ear tips.
She didn't say anything, but nodded very slightly when Tang Feng's gaze swept over her. The smile was faint and fleeting.
Oscar stood beside Ning Rongrong, his peach blossom eyes curving into crescents, a lazy smile playing on his lips.
Oscar had a very good impression of Tang Feng. When everyone laughed at his Sausage Martial Soul, only Tang Feng remained calm and helped him out of the awkward situation.
"It was a privilege to witness Big Brother Tang's Soul Fighting tonight, it was truly spectacular!" Ning Rongrong spoke first, her voice rising playfully at the end.
Tang Feng waved his hand and said, "I've made a fool of myself."
"Thanks to your reminder last time, I didn't embarrass myself in public. I remember that favor. Tonight is perfect, let's have a big meal, it's on me!" Ning Rongrong patted her chest, displaying the boldness of a chivalrous heroine.
Upon hearing this, Tang Feng smiled and teased, "How could I refuse a treat from a rich young lady?"
"Let's go! To the best restaurant, we'll drink until we drop!" Ning Rongrong waved her hand and led the way.
The four walked side by side. As the night breeze blew by, Tang Feng could clearly smell the cool fragrance emanating from Zhu Zhuqing's hair, which mingled with the sweet and warm scent of orchids emanating from Ning Rongrong.
So the four of them went together to a luxurious restaurant next to the Great Soul Arena.
Ning Rongrong booked a quiet, luxurious private room on the top floor of the restaurant, from which one could see the golden dome of the Great Soul Arena.
She was very generous, serving up all the signature dishes in quick succession, and even opened a bottle of the most expensive fruit wine, the liquid shimmering with a honey-colored glow in the crystal glass.
"Come on, let's have a toast!" She raised her glass, her gaze lingering suggestively between Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing. "To celebrate Big Brother Tang's winning streak, and also to celebrate... that we've gained another friend!"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't reply, but silently took a sip of fruit wine, her long eyelashes drooping, casting a small fan-like shadow on her eyelids.
Oscar raised his glass first. " Big Brother Tang, let me toast you. Thank you so much for helping me out of that awkward situation last time."
Oscar spoke sincerely, leaning forward slightly, "Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Oscar, I'm fourteen years old, you can just call me Little Ao."
You're welcome. It's my honor to meet you.
Tang Feng picked up his wine glass, the two clinked glasses, and drank it all in one gulp.
Ning Rongrong rested her chin on her hand, rolled her eyes around, and suddenly asked with a smile, " Brother Feng, is it okay for me to call you that?"
"Whatever." Tang Feng put down his wine glass, his expression calm.
"My name is Ning Rongrong, you can also call me Rongrong." She leaned forward slightly. "Um... Brother Feng, may I ask how old you are?"
Tang Feng paused for a moment, then chuckled, "What's wrong with that? He just turned fifteen."
Oscar's eyes widened upon hearing this. " Brother Feng, you're already level 48 at fifteen? Shrek Academy teachers always call us Little Monster, but compared to you, we're not even little monsters!"
Zhu Zhuqing, who had been silent all along, also raised her eyes, her pupils slightly contracting. She knew Tang Feng; when he saved her, Tang Feng had killed a Soul Ancestor with a single blow.
Unexpectedly, at only fifteen years old, he had reached level forty-eight. This was beyond what could be described as merely "strong." It was practically challenging the common sense of cultivation on the entire continent.
Tang Feng felt a little uncomfortable under their gazes and waved his hand, "It's not that exaggerated. My talent is average, only level seven Innate Soul Power. It's just that I've had more training and luckily encountered some opportunities."
Tang Feng said, glancing at the bronze skin on his arm, "I've been out in the wild all year round, exposed to the wind and sun, so my skin is rough and thick, making me look older."
Ning Rongrong, resting her chin on her hand, exclaimed, " Brother Feng, you're absolutely insane! Our academy's Dai Mubai is about your age, and he has a level nine innate talent, yet he's only at level thirty-seven!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had misspoke, stuck out her tongue, and stole a glance at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing remained expressionless, only lowering her head to take a sip of fruit wine, her long eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions in her eyes.