In that instant, Dai Mubai's eyes turned ice-cold.
A faint trace of killing intent even emerged!
"Hmph! I hope you don't end up carried off on a stretcher like Qing Keke. Your opponent is a member of the Imperial Fighting Team and Yu Tianheng's best second-in-command!"
"Thanks for the warning," Xiao Yan said calmly.
"Heh!"
Dai Mubai glanced at Xiao Yan and strode out of the preparation hall, his steps exceptionally swift, reinforced by Soul Power!
"I'm going to the stands to see your strength for myself. You're just as arrogant as Dai Weisi. I hope you're as strong as my elder brother too!"
Shaking his head, Xiao Yan patted down his clothes.
The young man focused his gaze, strode forward, and pulled open the doors leading to the arena.
"Wow! Entering from the left is Xiao Yan of Spirit Hall!" The referee seized the opportunity and immediately began introducing him from the registration form.
"He's a newcomer to the intermediate arena, making his first appearance, and on his very first outing, he's facing a formidable opponent with Three-Ring strength! A newborn calf truly isn't afraid of tigers!"
Xiao Yan walked up the steps. Under the flashing lights, there were no blind spots in the arena, and the battlefield, over a hundred meters across, was more than enough for two intermediate Soul Masters to fight.
"Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan!"
"Go!"
Despite his newcomer status, he already had new fans in the stands shouting for him.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, sunny and warm.
Countless young women swooned as though struck by first love. "I'm done for. I don't think muscle men like Dai Mubai are so appealing anymore. Xiao Yan's my favorite type!"
Soon, someone entered from the right as well.
It was a tall young woman with long, slender legs, long dark-green hair, and vertical pupils tinged with a faint shade of jade. She looked exactly like Dugu Bo!
Xiao Yan was certain this was Dugu Bo's granddaughter.
They really looked too much alike.
Her upright posture, tall figure, dark-green hair, and pale skin bore a hint of unnatural sickness!
And, most importantly.
She was flat-chested!
This granddaughter's chest might not even be as big as her grandpa's, Xiao Yan remarked inwardly.
"On the right is a familiar face at our intermediate Soul Master arena, Dugu Yan. She's the vice-captain of the Imperial Fighting Team!"
Dugu Yan strolled forward at a leisurely pace, her expression composed.
She had been through dozens of matches like this.
Defeats?
None!
"Tonight's third match begins:"
"Xiao Yan of Spirit Hall versus Dugu Yan of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
Boom!
The stands erupted with excitement, and countless people sprang up to cheer.
Many of Dugu Yan's fanatical fans roared, "Take down Xiao Yan!"
"Goddess Yanyan will win!"
"Dugu Yan, if you win this match, I'll let you marry me!" someone called out, taking the opportunity to make a lewd remark.
His companion hurriedly pulled him down. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"Do you know who Dugu Yan's grandpa is?! Poison Douluo, a Titled Douluo, the best with poison in the whole world! Watch out, or you won't even know how you died!"
Of course, some people weren't afraid in the slightest.
"Take down that little poison girl!" an old voice shouted. It was Old Yu.
Someone noticed him and shot to his feet, staring blankly at Yu Tianming.
He was a young man with black hair and a capable appearance.
"Uncle..."
Yu Tianming glanced sideways and froze.
"Yu Tianheng!?"
"Xiao Yan, level twenty-six Power Attack System Soul Grandmaster. Please advise me!"
"Dugu Yan, level thirty-one Control System Battle Soul Elder."
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. "If you don't respect your opponent and lose, won't that be embarrassing?!"
Dugu Yan dismissed the idea. "I won't lose, so there won't be any such consequence!"
She wore hot pants that showed off her long, pale jade legs. Every movement carried a faint chill that kept people a thousand miles away.
She sized Xiao Yan up and frowned. "Level twenty-six!? Who gave you the nerve to challenge me!?"
"Could it be that the wretched woman from Blue Tyrant Academy knew she was bound to lose, so she picked a random scapegoat to come make a fool of himself!?"
"Whatever the reason, I won't hold back. It's not easy to recover from my poison, so there's still time for you to leave the arena yourself." Dugu Yan paid Xiao Yan no mind and had even started urging him to surrender.
Level twenty-six against her level thirty-one!?
A whole Soul Ring apart!
How did he dare!?
It had always been Dugu Yan challenging people above her level. Now, had she actually become someone else's target instead?
This wasn't a challenge. This was...
"You're courting death!" Dugu Yan said coldly.
She glanced back at the stands, hoping to find the figure she longed to see.
Yu Tianheng!
This match was meant for him to watch in the first place!
It had been arranged to keep that wretched woman from Blue Tyrant Academy from affecting their relationship!
And now Yu Tianheng had shot to his feet and was gazing affectionately at an old man!?
Xiao Yan noticed and smiled. "That guy isn't your boyfriend, is he!?"
Dugu Yan said nothing.
Xiao Yan continued on his own, "Looks like your boyfriend's a junior of my little brother. If that's the case, doesn't that mean you should call me Grandpa too!?"
Xiao Yan chuckled.
Dugu Yan looked away, her eyes cold. "Looks like you really are courting death!"
Boom!
The battle was about to erupt!
"Martial Soul, activate: Jade Phosphorus Snake!"
Two Yellow Soul Rings spread open first.
Then a ring of purple appeared, carrying powerful Soul Power.
Powerful and shocking!
"There it is, three rings! As expected of the Imperial Fighting Team's vice-captain, Dugu Yan has reached Three-Ring strength!" someone in the stands exclaimed.
Dugu Yan's hair grew an even deeper green. The phantom of a snake emerged behind her, and a cold, terrifying presence spread out.
A fishy stench filled the air, making Xiao Yan pinch his nose.
"A girl shouldn't smell so fishy," Xiao Yan teased.
He raised a hand slightly. Without even activating his Martial Soul, he sent a wisp of flame whistling before him, burning everything away and clearing the air.
"You damned lecher..." Dugu Yan's face instantly flushed.
Her long, jade-like legs moved like a snake as she kicked off fiercely, shooting forward like an arrow.
Dugu Yan crossed hundreds of meters, charging in at a speed at the limits of what an ordinary person could perceive, and struck at Xiao Yan's forehead with her palm.
The commentator roared, "Dugu Yan, a Three-Ring Soul Elder, has made the first move! Using the physical strength granted by her Beast Martial Soul, she's closed in on Xiao Yan. If this attack lands, Xiao Yan may be in grave danger!"
The wind from her palm rushed at him, Dugu Yan's movements nimble.
"Oh, hiding poison in your palm." Xiao Yan saw through it at a glance.
"So what if you saw it? Can you dodge it or what?!" Dugu Yan released more Soul Power and struck with her palm, leaving Xiao Yan no way to dodge.
Xiao Yan laughed heartily. "Who said I was going to block it!?"
Boom!
"Martial Soul, activate: Ultimate Fire!"
Hum...
Raging flames burned, covering Xiao Yan's palm.
Bang!
Their palms met. Xiao Yan stopped where he was, while Dugu Yan staggered back dozens of steps.
Pfft!
Dugu Yan spat out a mouthful of blood.
One strike!
She spat blood!
Countless people shot to their feet, and the entire arena was stunned.
(Second chapter. Sorry for the wait, brothers.)
(End of chapter)