Heaven Dou Imperial City's Great Soul Arena
"Before the former Pope of Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, was killed by Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, he issued two top-secret orders."
"The first was to wipe out the Nine Heavens Rainbow Phoenix Clan, one of the Lower Three Sects. The second was to hunt down Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao and his wife. As for why he wanted to hunt them down and wipe out the Nine Heavens Rainbow Phoenix Clan, that wasn't something I could find out."
Dugu Bo paused, a hint of hesitation on his face, but he still sighed and said, "I learned by chance that the Nine Heavens Rainbow Phoenix Clan was actually wiped out for a treasure. I don't know exactly what that treasure does, but it might have something to do with the hunt for Tang Hao and his wife."
After another pause, Dugu Bo comforted him. "Those two things happened one right after the other. There's no way they could be unrelated. So if you ever have a chance to meet Clear Sky Douluo, you can ask him about the secrets behind those two events. Of course, the current Pope of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong, must know as well. She was Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden at the time and the former Pope Qian Xunji's disciple. Spirit Hall hasn't made things difficult for you or Sword Douluo, so I think perhaps they've already obtained what they wanted."
"Then what about my parents? And Ye Hanhan's mother? Are they still alive or not?"
Dugu Bo looked at him with pity and patted Yu Tianshuang on the shoulder without a word.
His eyes red and his breathing a little strained, Yu Tianshuang steadied himself and thanked Dugu Bo.
"As long as you can pull yourself together. Ah, right, kid, where's my granddaughter? Why isn't she living with you?"
Dugu Bo asked, his eyes sweeping around with a hint of amusement.
"Please don't joke, Senior. Your granddaughter shares a dorm with Hanhan."
"Haha, you little rascal. Well, if you're not interested in Yan'er, so be it. I'll pick her up tomorrow morning. Kid, bury these matters in your heart for now. Wait until you have the ability to learn the truth before you try to part the mists."
Yu Tianshuang cupped his hands toward Dugu Bo as he stepped out through the window and nodded.
"I will."
Early the next morning, at Skywater Academy's Mimicry Training Ground.
"Tianshuang, you don't need to take part in sparring today. You have another training assignment."
"Bing'er, I'll leave the sparring to you girls. Find each other's weaknesses and familiarize yourselves with your companions' abilities."
With that, Shui Xinrou led Yu Tianshuang out of the training ground.
"You didn't go all out yesterday, did you? I could tell. Your strength has improved a great deal over the past year, not just your Soul Power Level, but also your sword Qi, which is far sharper than before. There's no point in having you continue sparring with Bing'er and the others. You're already very familiar with one another, so let them get familiar with Hanhan first."
After a pause, Shui Xinrou looked at the increasingly handsome Yu Tianshuang and said, "I can roughly gauge your current strength, but what you lack now is actual combat experience. So for the time being, I'll arrange for you to take part in Soul Master matches at the Heaven Dou Imperial City's Great Soul Arena to gain experience. Once Bing'er and the others are familiar with Hanhan, they'll come too and join you in team matches, to prepare for the Elite Tournament in the future."
"Teacher, what's a Great Soul Arena? Is it a place specifically for Soul Masters to fight?"
Yu Tianshuang, who had grown up in Hagen-Dazs City, had never heard of a place like the Great Soul Arena and couldn't help asking out of curiosity. "The Great Soul Arena was founded jointly by the seven most prestigious Soul Master families on the continent. It belongs neither to the Heaven Dou Empire nor to the Star Luo Empire, and it doesn't belong to Spirit Hall either.
"It's an independent power, but its wealth rivals that of a nation."
"Moreover, neither of the two great empires can do without the Great Soul Arena. Not every city on our continent can have one. Only cities of major city rank are qualified to have a Great Soul Arena."
"The reason you never heard of one in Hagen-Dazs City is that if there aren't enough Soul Masters in an ordinary city, there's no point in building a Great Soul Arena. It simply couldn't operate."
Shui Xinrou smiled and continued her explanation.
"At the Great Soul Arena, Soul Masters can fight one another, and generally those matches are sparring contests, not fights to the death. They don't threaten the Soul Masters' lives.
"That's very important to ordinary Soul Masters. After all, becoming a Soul Master is extremely difficult, so many Soul Masters cherish their lives. That's why the Great Soul Arena has become a place where many Soul Masters earn money. There are also many young Soul Masters like you who use it to gain actual combat experience."
"At the Great Soul Arena, Soul Masters can choose to fight one-on-one, which is the kind of match you'll be taking part in next. They can also choose two-on-two or team battles. As for team battles, after some time has passed, you can take part with Bing'er and the others."
As she talked, the carriage stopped beside the entrance to an imposing building.
"Come on, I'll take you to register."
Looking at the cold, handsome Yu Tianshuang before her, the young receptionist's pretty face turned slightly red.
"Please choose a nickname for yourself. Also, based on your Soul Power Level, we can arrange a match for you in the Iron Soul Fighter Arena."
"Tianshuang, choose a nickname. And register him for a match in the Gold Soul Fighting Arena."
"Um, are you sure? The matches in the Gold Soul Fighting Arena are all fought by Soul Ancestors above level forty. This young man is only level twenty-nine, so..."
The young receptionist looked at Shui Xinrou in disbelief.
"My nickname will be Frost Sword. As for the level, do as my teacher said and register me for the Gold Soul Fighting Arena."