Dugu Yan and Yun Yibai exchanged a glance.
Yun Yibai was pleasantly surprised—it had practically fallen into their laps. Among the Four Great Mono-Attribute Clans, only the Po Zhi Clan and the Yu Clan hadn't bowed to the Soul Hall.
"I have no objections," Yun Yibai controlled the smile tugging at his lips. "Senior Yang, could you introduce me to the Yu Clan's chieftain?" This would solve his final piece of the team puzzle.
"Of course," Yang Wudi nodded. "After we return, I'll contact that old rhino guy." The Yu Clan lived outside Tiandou's territory, in Lengxing City near the border with the Xingluo Empire.
Upon returning, Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo headed to Haoyue City—Yang to settle his relocated clan and Dugu Bo as the head guest of the Po Zhi Clan.
With the antidote administered, Dugu Bo no longer needed to linger near the Ice–Fire Realm to suppress his internal toxins; he was finally free.
Tiandou City, Grand Arena
Dugu Yan sat on Yun Yibai's lap, her delicate hands entwined around his neck. Away from the Spirit King-level presences of Yang Wudi and Dugu Bo, they relaxed into each other.
Below them, in Arena 9's battle ring, a white-haired boy with cyan wings squared off against a fierce opponent.
"He's just returned, yet you put Oscar in a one-on-one duel?" Yang Wudi frowned. "Isn't that harsh for a food-attribute soul master?"
"This tournament spares no one—it's a fight to the death, student or not," Dugu Bo replied.
"Too much ease breeds complacency."
"Oscar is already Spirit Master level 39. I've trained him consistently—his combat basics are solid."
"And with his third soul skill, he can be competitive."
Yun Yibai's expression grew determined.
Later, away from the crowd…
Oscar, puzzled, asked, "Big bro, why did you bring me out here?"
Yun Yibai smiled: "Want to test a soul skill I designed for you?"
Oscar's eyes lit up: "Really? Tell me!"
"Your spirit is basic, but your soul skill needn't be."
"Even without a soul skill, elemental power can still hurt enemies." Yun Yibai demonstrated, concentrating lightning into a ball that he threw.
"Boom!" The blast shook trees. Oscar gaped in awe.
"Big bro, what should I do?" Oscar, excited.
"Use your third soul skill: 'Azure Winged Fury Mushroom'." Yun Yibai explained how he had studied Oscar's third skill—the mushrooms channeled wind power and lasted three minutes. By experimenting, he found a new application.
"Third Soul Skill: Azure Winged Fury Mushroom!" Oscar chanted, summoning several cyan mushrooms in his hand.
"Here!" He handed them to Yun Yibai, who consumed them. Two cyan energy wings formed behind him. He swallowed three more, and a wind-energy orb formed, mixed with his lightning attribute, crackling with electric sparks. His hair and clothes fluttered in the rising wind.
Oscar, stunned: "Omg!"
"This is your custom soul skill," Yun Yibai declared.
"I call it Spiral Sphere!" He laughed at his own taste for novelty.
"Can I learn it?" Oscar asked eagerly.
"The results are here," Yun Yibai replied. "But whether you can master it—and how well—depends on your fortune."
Back at the arena...
Oscar's opponent sneered: "A food-attribute soul master? You dare fight one-on-one?"
But as Oscar continued flying, swift and relentless, his opponent's face turned grim. Every attempt to hit Oscar failed—he darted in mid-air, prolonged the battle, and his supply of mushrooms sustained his aerial assault.