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In Heaven Dou City, at the Great Spirit Arena, Ye Lan, who hadn't stretched his muscles for quite some time, found himself visiting the city's grand arena for the very first time.
He was currently alongside Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, observing a Spirit Emperor-level Spirit Fight. After this match concluded, Ye Lan planned to test out his newly developed spirit skill, "Flash"!
The Great Spirit Arena in Heaven Dou City was on a much grander scale than the one in Suotuo City.
After all, this was the Great Spirit Arena of the Heaven Dou Empire's capital, where the number of nobles alone was simply countless.
Nobility signified wealth, and the more affluent an area, the more it fervently revered the duels of Spirit Masters!!
Within the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, the most sensational Spirit Fights were not at the Spirit Honor or even the Spirit Ancestor level.
The most popular by far were the Spirit Emperor-level Spirit Fights!
Heaven Dou City was the city that boasted the highest concentration of Spirit Emperors.
Many senior instructors from advanced academies would come to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to participate in a Spirit Fight, earning some substantial extra income.
Contestants at the Spirit Emperor level and above were not required to pay a registration fee; instead, they received a fixed appearance fee for every match they participated in.
In addition to the appearance fee, they also received a share of the audience's ticket revenue.
This profit-sharing policy resulted in the Spirit Emperor-level Spirit Fights at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena becoming unprecedentedly popular!
This wasn't to say that Spirit Emperor matches were more popular than Spirit Saint matches.
Rather, the number of Spirit Emperor-level matches completely dwarfed those at the Spirit Saint level.
Ultimately, the number of people on the Douluo Continent who could advance to the rank of Spirit Saint was exceedingly small; the Rank 70 threshold was a barrier that held back a great many talented geniuses of common birth.
Therefore, within the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, the most popular competitions were, in fact, the Spirit Emperor-level Spirit Fights.
The Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena had also given rise to a number of star Spirit Emperor contestants.
The leader of Emperor Team One, 'Fiery Direwolf' Qin Ming, was precisely one of them.
In the stands, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong sat on Ye Lan's left and right, respectively, watching Qin Ming's match with great relish.
Dugu Yan and the others were currently in another ring, participating in a seven-on-seven Spirit Fight. Ye Lan didn't even need to watch their match.
Even without him, their captain, present, it was a foregone conclusion that Emperor Team One would secure yet another dull and uninspired victory.
The battle in the ring was just reaching its climax.
Ning Rongrong exclaimed in amazement, "Teacher Qin Ming is so strong!! That spirit skill is so cool!!"
"He is our team leader, after all!! At Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Teacher Qin Ming is also among the very strongest instructors," Ye Lan remarked.
Zhu Zhuqing murmured, "Teacher, are you also going to participate in a Spirit Fight later? I really want to see you compete!"
Seeing the look of anticipation in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, Ye Lan nodded and said, "In a little while. After Teacher Qin Ming's match is over, I'll have him help me register for a Spirit Honor-level Spirit Fight."
"Grandmaster-level Spirit Fights are simply far too boring for me at my current level!" Ye Lan stated.
"You're truly amazing, Teacher!!" Zhu Zhuqing praised, her eyes sparkling like stars.
"Zhuqing, you've become very strong yourself! You can probably defeat a weaker Spirit Honor now without relying on Rongrong's support, correct?" Ye Lan asked.
"Yes, the 'Spirit Avatar Adaptation Method' is incredibly potent! The sixty percent speed increase it provides in my normal state is already enough to compensate for the gap in spirit skills and spirit power when facing a Spirit Honor!" Zhu Zhuqing said with a smile.
"Rongrong, what about you? How far have you progressed with the 'Ultimate Spirit Power Infusion Method'?" Ye Lan asked with concern.
Ning Rongrong twirled her fingers together, saying embarrassedly, "I've achieved initial success..."
Ye Lan helplessly pinched Ning Rongrong's cheek. It seemed that in the days to come, he would have to increase her training regimen.
Ye Lan feigned anger and said, "Leng Leng started practicing a month after you, but she has already cultivated the 'Ultimate Spirit Power Infusion Method' to the major success stage!"
"Leng Leng is also a support-type Spirit Master. Aren't you worried she'll contend for the title of the strongest support-type Spirit Master?"
"The title of 'Strongest Support-Type Spirit Master' is still waiting for you on its throne!" Ye Lan said, dangling a tantalizing prospect.
Ning Rongrong's fighting spirit was instantly ignited. "I want to be the strongest support-type Spirit Master!! I must work harder!! I must strive for it!!"
Ye Lan looked at Ning Rongrong with a hint of helplessness, unsure if this was just a momentary burst of passion.
Zhu Zhuqing bluntly revealed the true reason for Ning Rongrong's slow progress: "Ever since Rongrong's last match against Oscar ended in a draw, she has slacked off considerably in her training."
"Zhuqing!!" Ning Rongrong grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand, exclaiming with a flustered look.
Ye Lan found Ning Rongrong's panicked expression rather amusing.
"Zhuqing is only saying this for your own good. From now on, I must supervise your training closely. Otherwise, I won't be able to answer to your father."
"Hmph, don't even mention my father," Ning Rongrong said. The thought of what Flender had done still made her quite irritated.
At that moment, Ye Lan heard the Great Spirit Arena's announcer declare the 'Fiery Direwolf' Qin Ming as the victor.
Ye Lan then led Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing towards the rest area.
Upon seeing Qin Ming, Ye Lan waved his hand and congratulated him, "Teacher Qin, congratulations on your third consecutive victory!"
"Huh!? Ye Lan, what brings you here with Rongrong and Zhuqing? This is your first time at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena, isn't it?" Qin Ming said with surprise. Ye Lan scratched his head.
Previously, when he was at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he was either cultivating his self-created spirit skills or being pulled away by 'Xue Qinghe' to consult on matters of governance.
But recently, 'Xue Qinghe' seemed to have vanished.
He hadn't received any invitations from 'Xue Qinghe' for days.
Staying alone at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, doing nothing but training, was honestly becoming a bit dull.
"Teacher Qin, I haven't been out for some exercise in a while. I came to the Great Spirit Arena today to stretch my legs a bit," Ye Lan said, scratching his head.
Teacher Qin Ming chuckled, "I just wonder which poor Grandmaster will have to suffer today."
Before Ye Lan could speak, Ning Rongrong instantly interjected, "Teacher Qin, not a Grandmaster, but a Spirit Honor!"
"A Spirit Honor!? Hmm, that's reasonable. Grandmasters are truly too little of a challenge for Ye Lan," Qin Ming nodded in agreement.
At this point, Qin Ming didn't find it the least bit unreasonable for a Grandmaster to challenge a Spirit Honor.
One had to remember, Ye Lan was the individual who had defeated the Spirit Honor Dugu Bo.
"Teacher Qin, could you help me contact an acquaintance at the Great Spirit Arena? I'm not very familiar with how things work here. I want to challenge a Spirit Honor, but I'm afraid they won't agree."
"Alright, wait just a moment," Qin Ming said with a nod, walking towards the registration hall.
"Wenwen, do you have a moment?" Qin Ming asked a service staff member in the registration hall.
"Lord Qin, is there anything Wenwen can help you with?" Upon seeing that the visitor was Qin Ming, the attendant immediately became enthusiastic.
Qin Ming handed Ye Lan's Grandmaster Gold Badge to Wenwen.
"Wenwen, this is my student's Great Spirit Arena Gold Badge. He's a Gold Spirit Fighter from Suotuo City. Could you see if you can arrange for him to participate in a Spirit Honor-level Spirit Fight," Qin Ming requested.
"A Gold Badge Spirit Fighter!?" Wenwen took the gold badge and examined it for a moment.
"Lord Qin, you know the rules of the Great Spirit Arena. According to regulations, a Grandmaster cannot participate in a Spirit Honor-level match. If the competitors' strengths are too unequal, the more such matches we hold, the more spectators we are likely to lose," Wenwen said apologetically.
After hearing Wenwen's explanation, Qin Ming laughed, "Hahaha, you mustn't underestimate Ye Lan. Let me tell you a little secret: Ye Lan is the true captain of Emperor Team One."
"Not long ago, he defeated Emperor Team One's very own 'Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon,' Yu Tianheng!"
"What!? Lord Qin, you mustn't tease me. Yu Tianheng is a Rank 38 Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!" Wenwen exclaimed in astonishment.
"Of course, I can vouch for Ye Lan," Qin Ming assured her.
"Since it's a guarantee from Lord Qin, then I can rest assured. I will arrange a Spirit Honor-level Spirit Fight for 'Azure Emperor' shortly," Wenwen said with a nod.
Subsequently, Wenwen submitted the information for 'Azure Emperor' to participate in a Spirit Honor match to find a suitable opponent.
However, just a moment later, a supervisor dressed in a formal tuxedo personally came to receive Qin Ming.
"Lord Qin, you may not have met me before. I am the newly appointed supervisor for Ring Number One at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena."
"Coincidentally enough, I previously had the honor of serving Lord 'Azure Emperor' at the Suotuo City Great Spirit Arena."
"I never imagined that not long after my arrival in Heaven Dou City, I would have the good fortune to witness Lord 'Azure Emperor's' first Spirit Fight here!"
Qin Ming looked at the tuxedo-clad announcer in surprise, somewhat stunned by Ye Lan's influence.
Could someone really be promoted and transferred to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena simply for having presided over the 'Azure Emperor's' matches?
"What a coincidence indeed. Does this mean Ye Lan can participate in a Spirit Honor-level Spirit Fight then?" Qin Ming inquired.
"Of course. The undefeated legend that Lord 'Azure Emperor' created in Suotuo City with his Blue Silver Grass Spirit caused quite a significant sensation."
"I believe Heaven Dou City will once again be shaken by Lord 'Azure Emperor's' rank-defying battle!"
"Lord Qin, this way, please. I have already sent someone to escort Lord 'Azure Emperor' to the waiting room."
"Greetings to our passionate audience!!!"
"Today, we bring you an incredible battle of the underdog! Let's give a massive cheer for the entering contestants!!"
"First to enter the ring is the Rank 38 Power Attack-type Spirit Honor, with the 'Vigorous Gorilla' Spirit, Tai Long!!!!"
"Vigorous Gorilla!!"
"Vigorous Gorilla!!"
"Challenging the 'Vigorous Gorilla' is the Rank 25 Life-type Grandmaster, with the Blue Silver Grass Spirit, the 'Azure Emperor,' Ye Lan!!"
"Are you kidding me?! What kind of ridiculous matchmaking is this?!"
"Didn't I come to watch a Spirit Honor match? Why are you putting a Grandmaster up there!!"
"@#￥￥, Refund!! Give me a refund!!"
Ye Lan ignored the clamorous noise from the audience. He hadn't expected that his first opponent in the Heaven Dou Spirit Arena would actually be Tai Long, the grandson of a Clear Sky Clan vassal.
Ye Lan's expression was complicated as he looked at the powerfully built, red-haired 'Vigorous Gorilla' Tai Long.
Upon hearing that his opponent was a Rank 25 Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master, Tai Long provocatively beat his hands against his explosive chest muscles.
"A Life-type Grandmaster? I don't care what type you are, you're ultimately just a Blue Silver Grass Grandmaster!"
"Use your full strength! Let's see if you can even force me to summon my Spirit!"
Ye Lan rolled his neck and muttered, "I'll return those exact words right back to you. Don't get eliminated before you even get a chance to use your Spirit! I can only hope the Strength Clan is as durable as the Defense Clan!"
In a Spirit Honor-level Spirit Fight, Ye Lan had no intention of releasing his own Spirit.
He had come to the Great Spirit Arena to stretch his body and to test the subsequent effects on his strength after improving the speed of his 'Flash' skill.
'Flash' was different from 'Flash Step' and 'Sonído'; it only consumed his spiritual power.
Moreover, the speed of 'Flash' could be completely controlled with the assistance of his 'Golden Eyes'.
Tai Long paid no attention to Ye Lan's harsh words, offering only a mocking smile.
The very next instant!
A golden flash streaked across the stage, and an immense force erupted in Tai Long's abdomen.
Gah!!
Tai Long's pupils turned white, and he instantly crumpled to the ground, dry-heaving.
"@#￥#!@￥, This is a damn fixed match! I bet my entire fortune on this!! You stupid gorilla, get up for me! Don't you dare lose to a Grandmaster!"
"Azure Emperor!!"
"Azure Emperor!!"
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
"Eight!"
Amidst the roaring countdown from the ten thousand-strong crowd, Tai Long finally managed to struggle back to his feet in the last two seconds.
Having gotten up, Tai Long wiped the foam from the corner of his mouth.
He stared at the golden-haired young man with a palpable sense of terror.
His speed is so much faster than Bai Chenxiang's!!
Although the single punch from Ye Lan made Tai Long want to concede, he was, after all, thirteen ranks higher than his opponent.
Tai Long simply couldn't bring himself to surrender to a mere Grandmaster.
"Aaarrghh!!" Tai Long roared, bolstering his own courage.
"Vigorous Gorilla Avatar!"
Tai Long's already massive muscles swelled once again, and in a moment, his entire skeleton expanded.
His original height of 1.9 meters instantly shot up to 2.5 meters as the 'Vigorous Gorilla'.
But transforming into the Vigorous Gorilla wasn't all. At this moment, Tai Long had completely abandoned his earlier disdain, and a purple spirit light flashed around his body.
"Demonic Ape's Golden Body!!"
The 'Vigorous Gorilla's' eyes instantly turned red, and its entire body was enveloped in a golden spirit light.
At this moment, the Vigorous Gorilla's power increased by fifty percent, and its defense increased by one hundred percent!
"Roar!! Roar!! Roar!!"
The instantaneous surge in power and defense caused Tai Long's strength to swell dramatically.
Now, having lost some of his rationality, Tai Long began to vent his frustration from being taken down instantly just moments before.
A smirk formed on Ye Lan's lips. Now this is a little more interesting. I didn't expect the Strength Clan to have a Spirit Master who also follows a defensive route.
You're the perfect test subject for the full power of 'Flash'!!
One hundred and thirty percent perfect spirit power infusion!!
Full-power 'Flash', one hundred and fifty percent speed increase!!!
Ye Lan's speed instantly soared to the level of a top-tier Agility Attack-type Spirit Ancestor!!!!
Ye Lan condensed all that speed into a single point in the center of his fist. As the yellow light flashed brilliantly, the 'Vigorous Gorilla' was sent flying dozens of meters into the air!
Before the 'Vigorous Gorilla' could even begin its descent, the yellow flash instantly appeared behind its back!
"'Flash Leg'!!"
Ye Lan used his 'Formless Form' to part the air directly in front of his leg.
The whip-like kick, which generated no sound of wind, transformed into a yellow afterimage.
BANG!!
The 'Vigorous Gorilla', its downward momentum now compounded by the force of the 'Flash Leg' and the acceleration of gravity, became a red-black blur that slammed heavily into the center of the ring in a split second.
CRACK!!!
The massive marble stage was shattered by the Vigorous Gorilla's impact, creating dozens of deep fissures.
But it wasn't over!!
"'Sonído'!!"
A violent fluctuation of spirit power erupted from the sole of Ye Lan's foot as a burst of energy instantly impacted the air.
Using the reactive force, Ye Lan shot towards the prone Tai Long on the ground.
THUD!!
Ye Lan's right foot viciously stomped the giant gorilla's head deep into the cracked arena floor.
To the audience, Ye Lan had suddenly vanished, leaving behind only streaks of brilliant golden light.
Then, the 'Vigorous Gorilla' abruptly appeared in mid-air, only to be smashed back into the ring again.
In the next moment, Ye Lan reappeared in everyone's sight, his foot pressing down on Tai Long's face.
Seeing the grandson of a Clear Sky Clan vassal being trod upon beneath his foot, the frustration in Ye Lan's heart lessened slightly.
At this point, Tai Long's eyes had rolled back completely white. He foamed at the mouth and was instantly knocked unconscious.
Ye Lan turned his head to the nearby junior announcer and said, "Have the medical staff treat him. He should not be dead."
Seeing the brutal 'Azure Emperor,' the young announcer subconsciously took half a step back.
"Ye-yes, of course. I'll go right away! Lord 'Azure Emperor'," the announcer stammered.
The audience was now completely silent of any voices questioning the Azure Emperor.
The thunderous cheers thoroughly drowned out the enraged cries of the gamblers.
"Azure Emperor!!!"
"Azure Emperor!!!"
Inside the Great Spirit Arena's lounge.
As soon as Ye Lan returned, Ning Rongrong rushed over to him.
With stars of adoration in her eyes, Ning Rongrong gushed, "Ye Lan!! You're just too strong!! So much stronger than you were a few months ago!!!"
"I couldn't even follow your movements! It was just like a flash of light—there one moment and gone the next!!"
Ye Lan chuckled, "Now you understand the importance of training, don't you? My speed is entirely the result of diligent training!"
"Mhm, mhm, mhm, I will absolutely train properly from now on!" Ning Rongrong nodded her head frantically.
Zhu Zhuqing sensed that Ye Lan had been somewhat different just now. The Ye Lan of the past was not as ferocious as he had been today.
Back in Suotuo City, even when facing Grandmasters, their teacher would only allow his opponents to display their full strength before eliminating them using even less spirit power than they did.
Today's teacher was very different; his actions seemed more like a form of venting.
"Teacher, are you alright?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, her wide eyes filled with puzzlement.
"Relax, my mood is absolutely wonderful right now," Ye Lan said, gently ruffling Zhu Zhuqing's hair.
"Where is Teacher Qin Ming?" Ye Lan asked.
Ning Rongrong replied, "Teacher Qin? He went on a date with a female Spirit King!"
"Then let's go as well. Zhuqing, Rongrong, I'll treat you to some delicious food today," Ye Lan said with a smile.
"Okay!! Teacher," Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong nodded in unison.
The reason he didn't go looking for Dugu Yan and the others was that Ye Lan had discovered that whenever he went out shopping or eating with both Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan, the two of them would constantly be at odds.
They always seemed to oppose each other; if one wanted to go east, the other would insist on going west.
If one of them tried to feed Ye Lan some food, they would immediately start competing to see who could feed him more, and in the end, Ye Lan was always the one who suffered.
So now, whenever he went out with them, he tried his best to keep them separate.
If he accompanied Ning Rongrong today, he would accompany Dugu Yan next time.
Zhu Zhuqing turned her head and asked Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, should we ask Sister Leng Leng to come with us?"
Ning Rongrong nodded, then shook her head. "Zhuqing, I'd like to hang out with Sister Leng Leng too, but right now, she's with that nasty woman, Dugu Yan."
"If we ask Sister Leng Leng to join us now, Dugu Yan will definitely come along too!!"
Ye Lan lightly tapped Ning Rongrong's head and said, "Don't speak ill of others."
"Oh," Ning Rongrong said, rubbing her head with a wronged expression.
"Pfft!" Seeing the endearingly silly Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but laugh.
The three had just exited the Great Spirit Arena and hadn't walked far when a burly figure blocked Ye Lan's path. The man's appearance was about eighty percent similar to Tai Long's.
A sleeveless jacket made his bulging muscles appear even more enormous. Just standing there, his imposing aura was immense!
Behind the robust middle-aged man was the bruised and swollen 'Vigorous Gorilla,' Tai Long.
Tai Long had a look of fear on his face and didn't dare to look at Ye Lan.
The muscular middle-aged man said, "Which one of you is the 'Azure Emperor,' Ye Lan?? You beat up my precious son and think you can just walk away like this?"
Ning Rongrong was completely taken aback. She never expected that simply winning a Spirit Fight would result in being confronted by the opponent's parent.
Ning Rongrong said angrily, "The rules of the Great Spirit Arena state that disputes are to be settled only within the ring. Why are you looking for Ye Lan? Does this mean that whenever your son loses a Spirit Fight, you're going to jump out and bully someone weaker than you?"
The brawny man was unconcerned. "My son isn't usually beaten to the point of unconsciousness. Since he was beaten so badly by Ye Lan, if I let you all walk away so easily, how can I, 'Vigorous King' Tai Nuo, maintain my reputation in Heaven Dou City?!"
Ye Lan glanced at Tai Nuo's solid physique and thought to himself, A 'Vigorous Gorilla King' should be quite durable, right?
"What do you propose? Whatever you have in mind, I'll take it on," Ye Lan said indifferently.
"Such big words for a little Grandmaster. I won't bully you."
"Fight a match with me. If you win, you can naturally leave," Tai Nuo said as if it were the most reasonable thing in the world.
Ye Lan rolled his eyes. Although Tai Nuo was being utterly shameless, this was precisely what he wanted.
Among the four single-attribute clans, only the Strength Clan was completely beyond saving, being absolute and thorough vassals of the Clear Sky Clan.
And Ye Lan would not let anyone from the Clear Sky Clan off easily.
Zhu Zhuqing grabbed Ye Lan's arm and shook her head, signaling for him to refuse.
This was the first time she had heard such a ridiculous demand. Wasn't this just forcibly trying to start a fight with Ye Lan?!
Ye Lan gently patted Zhu Zhuqing's head and said, "Zhuqing, don't worry, I'm confident."
"Rongrong, you and Zhuqing should stand far back in a moment. This battle won't end simply."
"Good luck, Teacher!!" Zhu Zhuqing said, giving Ye Lan a worried glance.
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, raised her fist and said, "Go, Ye Lan!!"
"Are you done discussing? If you don't make a move soon, I will!?" Tai Nuo said menacingly.
After seeing Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing move a safe distance away, Ye Lan said, "Fine. Since you wish to bully the weak with your strength, I will be happy to oblige you."
"Tai Long, go over there and watch how your old man gets revenge for you!" Tai Nuo said, turning his head.
Then, Tai Nuo proudly announced his rank.
"Rank 58 Power Attack-type Spirit King!! 'Vigorous Gorilla King,' Tai Nuo!!"
"Rank 25 Blue Silver Grass Grandmaster, Ye Lan," Ye Lan stated calmly.
A cruel smile spread across Tai Nuo's face.
"Spirit Avatar!!"
Just as Tai Nuo was summoning his Spirit Avatar, Ye Lan used 'Formless Form' to execute 'Flash!'.
He channeled all his spirit power into his legs, achieving a one hundred and thirty percent perfect infusion!
Ye Lan's speed increased dramatically. Leveraging this incredible velocity, he delivered a 'Flash Kick' that instantly struck Tai Nuo's abdomen.
Tai Nuo let out a muffled grunt and skidded back more than ten meters before stabilizing his body.
By this time, Tai Nuo had finally completed his Spirit Avatar transformation, becoming a 'Vigorous Gorilla King' that stood nearly four meters tall!
Having witnessed the explosive speed Ye Lan was capable of, Tai Nuo shed all his underestimation.
Tai Nuo slammed both fists on the ground and charged towards Ye Lan on all fours.
The first and second yellow spirit rings on his body lit up.
"Power Surge!"
"Power Condensation!"
The 'Vigorous Gorilla King's' arms swelled and grew even larger.
With the two spirit skills stacked, Tai Nuo's power instantly increased by one hundred and fifty percent!!
This pushed Tai Nuo's strength all the way to the level of a Spirit Saint!
"Take my fist!!" Tai Nuo roared.
(End of Chapter)