Chapter 356: Familiar Faces
The first ever Continental Contract Soul Master Tournament officially began, set to last three days. Ten pairs of contestants had stepped onto their respective arenas. Using advanced soul tool technology, ten floating three dimensional screens captured and broadcasted each battle in real time, offering spectators a full view of the Contract Soul Masters' combat. These recordings would be preserved and later distributed globally as historical materials of great significance for the Contract Soul Master system. Contestants who performed well had the chance to be remembered for generations.
The massive square housed ten arenas, each equipped with a giant screen allowing spectators to choose which battle to watch.
In the VIP section, Ye Cheng and Qian Renxue sat quietly observing the matches. Among the ten pairs of contestants currently on stage, one particular match drew their attention it involved someone they knew.
On Arena 6, the screen displayed a young man and a young woman. As they stepped into the arena, the surrounding space distorted slightly. The sounds of the roaring crowd and the sight of the densely packed audience faded into a layer of mist, preventing external distractions from affecting the combatants.
The male contestant had an average appearance, broad shouldered and muscular, with five soul rings floating around him, signifying his Soul King level. Before the world's energy level increased, reaching Soul King before the age of 30 would have been an extraordinary achievement. But in the current era, where energy levels had risen, reaching Soul King before 30 was no longer remarkable. His contracted soul beast was an enormous, Tyrannosaurus like draconic beast, radiating a black soul glow indicative of a ten thousand year old soul beast.
His opponent was a seductive young woman with shoulder length orange hair and an alluring presence. She, too, possessed five soul rings, but unlike the conventional two yellow, two purple, and one black configuration, hers consisted of two purple and three black rings a clear sign of a God Ring Master who had cultivated her rings independently. Her unique ring configuration drew envy from her opponent, who was determined to win. He knew that only by claiming the championship or at least ranking in the top three could he request White Cloud City's help in converting to a God Ring Master. Otherwise, he would only receive consolation prizes such as medicinal pills or soul tools, which, while valuable, were not his primary goal.
"Please guide me," the young man said, maintaining his composure and cupping his fists politely. With the tournament being recorded and potentially used for promotional purposes, he wanted to present himself in the best possible light.
"Likewise," Hu Liena replied with a smile, her demeanor graceful and polite. Beside her stood a six tailed fox, covered in soft white fur, with striking ice blue eyes an adorable companion that would undoubtedly be popular among girls.
[Contestants, take your positions!]
[The match is about to begin!]
A voice, seemingly descending from the heavens, echoed through the arena.
[Ready…]
[…Begin!]
As soon as the referee signaled the start, the young man's previously small Tyrannosaurus like soul beast let out a thunderous roar. Its body rapidly expanded, growing over twenty meters tall in an instant. Fortunately, the arena's internal space was vast; otherwise, a single sweep of its tail might have destroyed the platform.
At the same moment, the young man swiftly retreated, putting several dozen meters between himself and Hu Liena.
Hu Liena remained calm, a faint smile on her lips. A pink glow briefly flickered in her eyes, while her six tailed fox companion gently swayed its tails, releasing an invisible pulse of energy.
The Tyrannosaurus roared, its body pulsing with a faint red energy before opening its massive jaws. A surge of fiery energy gathered in its throat before it unleashed a scorching red beam straight at Hu Liena.
Rather than dodging, Hu Liena remained motionless. Her fox companion's blue eyes suddenly glowed, and an ice crystal barrier materialized before them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The fiery breath collided with the ice barrier but failed to penetrate it.
Fire should naturally suppress ice, shouldn't it?
The young man was perplexed but quickly speculated that Hu Liena's soul beast likely had strong defensive capabilities, allowing it to withstand the flames. He assumed that she wouldn't be able to sustain the defense for long.
He signaled his soul beast to continue its fiery assault while activating his own martial soul. His pupils transformed into beast like eyes, and two black panther ears sprouted atop his head. His martial soul was a black panther, known for its speed and offensive prowess.
In an instant, his soul rings flickered, and his figure blurred into a black streak, traversing dozens of meters in a flash. He appeared behind Hu Liena, claws extended, aiming to tear into her seemingly defenseless back.
Slash!
Hu Liena's back was instantly marked with five deep wounds, fresh blood spraying forth. She let out a delicate cry of pain and staggered forward, collapsing.
Meanwhile, her six tailed fox, still focused on maintaining the ice barrier, was unable to come to her aid.
The young man wasted no time, pressing his advantage and relentlessly attacking Hu Liena as she lay on the ground. There was no hesitation this battle was crucial for his future. If he could transition to a God Ring Master, it would change his destiny. He had no intention of holding back just because his opponent was a woman.
Hu Liena was soon left battered and unable to rise.
Concerned for its partner, the six tailed fox faltered for a moment, and in that instant, its ice barrier weakened. The Tyrannosaurus's fiery breath shattered the defense, engulfing the fox in flames.
As the fire dissipated, the once pristine white fox lay on the ground, its fur scorched and its body twitching. It was still alive but had lost all ability to fight.
Seeing this, the young man sighed in relief, a triumphant smile forming on his face.
But at that moment something unexpected happened.
(End of Chapter)
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