The group walked through the bustling streets and entered the Soto Great Soul Arena.
Before Dai Mubai could even take them to register, he heard everyone in the hall talking about the same contestant.
"Did you guys watch those two games in the seventh division today? That new guy named Black Bamboo is really weird!"
Holding a green bamboo pole, without even activating his Soul Ring, he knocked out Tie Shan, who was over level 40, with a single shot!
"Even Mad Lion couldn't hold on; his Fourth Soul Skill was shattered by a single blow! I bet on Mad Lion yesterday and lost every single Copper Soul Coin in my pocket. If Black Bamboo has another match today, I absolutely have to bet on him and win my money back!"
"Count me in! You can sweep through your peers even without activating your Soul Ring? Can you find another one like me in Suotuo City?"
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun raised their eyebrows upon hearing this, assuming the gamblers were exaggerating and paying no attention.
Tang San suddenly stopped.
Black Bamboo, bamboo spear, defeating two level 40+ Power Attack System Soul Ancestor without even lighting up their Soul Ring...
A few days ago, Meng Yiran's cries in the forest echoed in his ears again.
He pulled out a long spear that looked like bamboo... and four Soul Ring!
"Two purple streaks, two black streaks!"
Is it really that much of a coincidence?
Tang San tightened his grip.
That day, he was convinced that Meng Yiran in a state of extreme shock and was talking nonsense.
But now, a mysterious Soul Ancestor wielding a bamboo spear has appeared in Suotuo City, and his battle record is equally astonishing.
The doubts he had previously suppressed resurfaced.
" Xiao San, why aren't you leaving? It's time to choose a show."
Dai Mubai turned around and patted him on the shoulder.
Tang San snapped out of his daze and took a deep breath.
" Boss Dai, don't rush to register. I just heard them say there's another competition in Black Bamboo this afternoon. Why don't we go check it out first and get a feel for the Soul Fighting level here?"
Dai Mubai was somewhat surprised, but there was no harm in observing, so he smiled and agreed.
In the afternoon, Xiao Xuan, wearing a mask and dressed in a dark-colored outfit, arrived at the waiting hall of the Seventh Soul Fighting Arena on time.
The branch manager was already waiting by the hidden door. When he saw him come in, he immediately greeted him with a smile and bowed.
"Lord Black Bamboo, you've finally arrived! After yesterday's two shows, tickets for today's seventh show sold out in just half an hour!"
The manager handed him warm tea and then explained the day's schedule.
"In the first match, your opponent is a level 46 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor, Scything Shadow Flying Swallow. If you win this match, there will be a second match later, against a level 47 Power Attack System Soul Ancestor, Rock-Shattering Mad Rhino."
Xiao Xuan nodded, took the number plate, and walked towards the passage.
As the heavy iron gate rose, cheers erupted.
The circular stands were packed, and the betting windows were also crowded with gamblers, many of whom were shouting " Black Bamboo will win!"
On a second-floor viewing platform with a wide view, the Shrek group was standing by the stone railing.
Dai Mubai crossed his arms, looked at Xiao Xuan who was slowly walking onto the stage, and asked, tilting his head:
" Xiao San, do you think he's the person Meng Yiran was talking about? He looks young, but he's so composed and doesn't seem arrogant at all."
Tang San braced his hands on the railing, his gaze never leaving the audience.
"It's not certain yet. He's also using a bamboo Martial Soul, and happens to be Soul Ancestor. Let's see how he makes his move."
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun exchanged a glance, then shook their heads with smiles.
They still didn't believe Meng Yiran's words. How could an unknown rogue cultivator participating in regular Soul Fighting in a branch arena possibly kill Soul Douluo was of a higher level?
At the center of the stage, the host had already raised the megaphone.
"The highly anticipated match of the seventh division, the first game, has officially begun!"
"The dark horse Black Bamboo, who has won both of his battles, faces Scything Shadow against Lue Ying, a level 46 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor!"
In the east passage, a lean, long-limbed man in gray clothes nimbly landed on the arena.
Scything Shadow's expression was serious as he stared intently at the Five-Star Lone Bamboo in Xiao Xuan's hand.
He watched the entire match between Tie Shan and Mad Lion backstage yesterday with a clear view. This bamboo spear was not only incredibly powerful, but also possessed a strong Armor Piercing hidden force.
We can't confront them head-on.
What he can rely on is speed and the ability to deliver a fatal blow once he finds an opening.
clang!
The gong sounded.
Without Scything Shadow, four Soul Ring— two yellow and two purple—rose beneath his feet, and a cyan whirlwind wrapped around his ankles.
He skimmed across the tabletop, changing direction repeatedly, leaving a trail of gray afterimages behind him.
The wind howled incessantly.
In just a few breaths, dozens of figures, indistinguishable from real ones, appeared on the arena, flitting left and right, surrounding Xiao Xuan in the center.
Xiao Xuan did not raise his spear to parry, but instead slightly bent his knees and slowly closed his eyes.
Since it's difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, then we shouldn't use our eyes.
After taking the " Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew," his spiritual power had been greatly enhanced.
Combined with the perception of airflow from the Great Accomplishment Spear Intent, even the slightest movement of dust within a radius of several dozen feet can be clearly reflected in one's divine sense.
On the second-floor stands, Ma Hongjun burst out laughing.
"Hey, Xiao San, see that? This guy's gotten dizzy from all the spinning, he's actually closing his eyes and pretending to be a coward. If he can kill Soul Douluo, I'll chew this railing up!"
Xiao Wu tugged at Tang San's sleeve and asked curiously:
" Third Brother, that person is so fast! Can you tell which one is the real one?"
Tang San straightened his back, a purple light appearing in his eyes.
The Purple Demon Eye, Minute Realm.
A few breaths later, he withdrew his pupil technique, put his hands behind his back, and said:
"I could barely sense his aura and discern his true location. However, he changed direction too quickly; even if I saw through his movements, it was difficult to intercept him accurately when he attacked."
He looked at Xiao Xuan, who was standing with his eyes closed, and spoke with certainty.
" Black Bamboo's perception is inferior to my Purple Demon Eye, and now that he has even closed his eyes, he will only become more passive in the face of this attack. He is already at a disadvantage and may be defeated at any time."
Dai Mubai and the others nodded, and their doubts dissipated.
On the arena, Scything Shadow had already circled around to Xiao Xuan's back.
Seeing that the other person kept their eyes closed, he was secretly pleased.
The opportunity has arrived!
The fourth Purple Soul Ring suddenly lit up.
Fourth Soul Skill: Mad Shadow Chaotic Claws!
The swirling phantoms around him solidified simultaneously, transforming into countless dense cyan claw-like rays that slashed down at Xiao Xuan's vital points with a sharp whistling sound!
In the stands, the gamblers who had bet on Black Bamboo all stood up, their expressions changing drastically.
When the claw shadow was within three inches of his face, Xiao Xuan opened his eyes.
Within his divine sense, the aura of the Scything Shadow shadow was clearly visible.
He lowered his wrist and exerted force, his spine connecting the entire body, and the Great Accomplishment Spear Intent burst forth along with the spear.
Demon-Breaking Heaven-Splitting Spear Art - Illusion Breaking!
The azure spear darted out, striking first despite being behind, leaving behind numerous afterimages of azure jade in the air.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The claw-like blades that came straight at them collided with the spear-like blades one after another, shattering completely.
Xiao Xuan shifted his feet slightly, but his spear did not stop. It followed the wisp of real airflow through the chaotic shadows and precisely swept towards the point of force where the true form of the Scything Shadow was located.
The afterimage faded away.
Before the sneer on Scything Shadow's face could disappear, his eyes were already filled with terror.
He couldn't understand how someone with their eyes closed could see his speed and Fourth Soul Skill so clearly!
boom!
The gun struck his chest squarely, the hidden force of the water pouring in.
Scything Shadow felt his internal organs churn, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He flew backward for dozens of meters, breaking the safety rope, and crashed heavily onto the floor tiles below the stage.
Xiao Xuan stood with his spear hanging down, then walked to the sidelines.
Scything Shadow collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood incessantly. Seeing the approaching black figure, his face turned deathly pale, and he hurriedly cried out:
"I give up! I admit defeat!"
Xiao Xuan stopped, holding his spear and clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"Thank you for your kind offer."
After saying that, he turned and walked backstage.
The referee announced the winner, and the brief silence in the stands was finally broken, with cheers and applause resounding throughout the stadium.
Tang San stood frozen in place beside the stone railing on the second floor.
He had just declared that Black Bamboo would surely be defeated when the opponent broke through the attack that even the Purple Demon Eye could not handle in the blink of an eye.
His fingers, gripping the railing, tightened further and further. The composure and arrogance on his face had vanished, and he was too ashamed to utter a single word.