Ailan was, in fact, Oscar or rather, Oscar's avatar. However, this avatar was only at level forty five, created back when Oscar himself had reached that stage.
The reason this avatar appeared in Spirit City was partly to showcase the strength of the younger generation of the Frost Sword Sect. After all, for such a powerful sect, it would seem unreasonable if they had no talented youths.
Of course, the more important reason was that Oscar wanted to use this opportunity to make contact with Spirit City. After all, this was the holy land of soul masters, the very heart of the Spirit Hall.
Oscar invited Hu Liena and her two companions to sit in a private room. Fruits and pastries were laid out in abundance. Picking up a piece of cake, Oscar slowly brought it to his lips.
"Saintess, please have a taste of our sect's specialty Green Bamboo Cake."
Seeing Oscar take a bite, Hu Liena smiled gracefully. She reached out with her delicate jade like fingers, picked up a green pastry, and gently bit into it. At once, her eyes lit up.
"This flavor… Fresh and sweet, it melts instantly in the mouth, leaving a faint bamboo fragrance in its aftertaste. It is truly an exquisite pastry." She praised softly while nibbling.
Hearing her praise, Oscar smiled faintly.
"As expected, Your Highness has refined taste able to discern its essence with just one bite."
Beside them, Xie Yue and Yan also began eating. Xie Yue was still somewhat elegant, but Yan… was rather rough.
Especially after hearing Hu Liena's praise, Yan grabbed a piece, stuffed it into his mouth, and swallowed it whole, like Zhu Bajie devouring ginseng fruit.
Oscar didn't mind, but looking at Yan's careless manner, he couldn't resist teasing him a little.
After all, people with Yan's level of talent yet such simple thoughts were rare.
Moreover, since Oscar was destined to have conflicting interests with Spirit Hall in the future, he didn't need to care about Yan's feelings.
Of course, if Hu Liena and Xie Yue turned out to be worth befriending, Oscar wouldn't mind making friends with them through Ailan's avatar.
After all, in this world, there were no eternal enemies only eternal interests.
After sampling the refreshments, Oscar slowly rose and said gently to Hu Liena:
"Saintess, since you've come today with a mission, I won't take up too much of your time. Besides, I, too, wish to witness the strength of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. Why don't we head to the training arena for a match?"
Hu Liena's smile didn't fade, but before she could reply, Yan blurted out:
"I've been waiting for this. Let me fight you first!"
Hearing this, Hu Liena glared at Yan before turning to explain to Oscar:
"Brother Ailan, don't mind him. Yan has always been straightforward."
Oscar didn't even glance at Yan. He only smiled at Hu Liena:
"I understand. After all, not everyone is as reasonable as you and Brother Xie Yue."
Hearing this sarcastic remark, Yan glared at Oscar.
"You!"
But before he could erupt, Hu Liena stopped him.
"Yan! We came here today to make friends. If you keep this up, you can just go back first."
Hearing this, Yan took a deep breath, restraining himself, though he continued staring coldly at Oscar.
Oscar waved dismissively.
"It's fine. A fiery temper in the young is no bad thing. As soul masters, we must be fearless if we are to walk this path."
Saying this, Oscar led the three of them toward the training arena.
The Escort Bureau also had a training ground. With so many members most of them soul masters there needed to be a place for training and sparring.
And since this was Spirit City, the so called holy land of soul masters, the arena was not small at all large enough to let two Soul Saints spar.
When they arrived, many soul masters were already training and sparring inside. After all, they didn't have escort missions every hour of the day.
Seeing Ailan, they greeted him warmly and respectfully:
"Young Master Ailan…"
Oscar returned each greeting with a smile and introduced his companions:
"These three are talented youths from the Spirit Hall. They've come to visit today. In a moment, I'll spar with them in a friendly match. If you have time, come and watch."
Some of the crowd shouted excitedly:
"Finally, we get to see Young Master Ailan in action again! I heard he received personal guidance from Elder 'Ice Sword.' We'll be in for a treat today!"
Hearing such chatter, Hu Liena and Xie Yue exchanged a glance, understanding silently what the other was thinking.
Yan, however, thought much more simply. Ice Sword? Bah just showing off. Didn't they know that fire restrains ice?
Oscar walked to the central stage of the arena and said to the three:
"Saintess, please wait a moment. Soul skills can be dangerous. I'll invite Sister Luo Ying to oversee the match."
Luo Ying was a stunning woman in her forties, a free soul master whom Gai Yue and Dugu Bo's avatars had befriended while recruiting talent.
She had decent talent already a Soul Saint at her age and was now one of the key figures guarding the Frost Escort Bureau.
Hu Liena and her companions nodded. Oscar entered a nearby pavilion, and soon returned with the elegant Luo Ying by his side. She already knew Spirit Hall's Golden Generation was coming to "challenge," but since Gai Yue hadn't given her instructions, she had simply chosen to watch silently.
Now that Oscar had personally asked, she agreed to appear.
Before stepping out, Luo Ying softly asked Oscar, her alluring voice floating gently:
"Little Yue, I heard this generation of Spirit Hall's Golden Trio is the most talented in history. That little Saintess in particular is skilled in enchantment techniques. Are you confident?"
Oscar smiled lightly.
"Don't worry, Sister Luo Ying. Do you not know my strength? Even someone as beautiful as you cannot tempt me why would I fear a little fox?"
At this, Luo Ying rolled her eyes coquettishly.
"You brat! As long as you're confident, that's good. Just don't go too far. Remember, this is Spirit Hall's territory."
Oscar smiled and nodded, his long black hair flowing behind him, leaving her with a tall, handsome silhouette.
"I understand."
Watching his confident back, Luo Ying couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"This boy… really is just like the Escort Chief."
Oscar and Luo Ying walked onto the main dueling platform. Luo Ying spoke calmly:
"My name is Luo Ying, vice mistress of the Frost Escort Bureau and Frost Tavern in Spirit City. Since you want to spar with Little Yue today, I will serve as referee."
Hu Liena and her companions bowed respectfully. After all, Luo Ying was publicly recognized as the second in command here.
"Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan of Spirit Hall, greet Senior Luo Ying."
Luo Ying waved her hand softly.
"No need for formality. It's normal for young people to spar. Regardless of the result today, take it as a way to make friends."
Hearing this, Hu Liena's eyes sparkled as she responded with a flirtatious smile, almost as though competing with Luo Ying in allure.
But although Hu Liena's charm was natural, she lacked Luo Ying's maturity and experience. In terms of true allure, aside from Yan's biased gaze, Luo Ying as a mature enchantress outshone Hu Liena by several streets.
This was precisely why Oscar remained calm when he first met Hu Liena. Compared to Luo Ying, Hu Liena's charm hardly fazed him.
Hu Liena then said:
"That is exactly what we wished for. We've long heard of a genius of the Sword Sect who remains undefeated among his peers in Spirit City's Great Arena. Seeing you today, Brother Ailan, you are indeed extraordinary. I hope you won't disappoint us."
At her words, Luo Ying glanced at Oscar, who only smiled wryly.
"Of course. Since the Saintess has expectations, Ailan will not let you down."
Yan, however, wasn't listening. He leapt boldly onto the stage.
"Hey! I'll fight the first match. If you can't even beat me, then stop thinking about getting close to Nana."
In Yan's eyes, aside from himself and Hu Liena's elder brother Xie Yue, any male who showed closeness to Hu Liena was harboring ulterior motives.
After all, who could resist her charm? Even though Yan had briefly been stunned by Luo Ying earlier, in his heart, Hu Liena was still the most beautiful.
Thus, he wanted to teach Ailan a lesson not everyone was worthy of approaching his Nana.
This time, Hu Liena did not stop him. Instead, she apologized softly to Oscar:
"Brother Ailan, Yan has this temper. Sometimes even we can't persuade him. Perhaps… it's best if you defeat him."
Oscar raised a brow. As he thought though Hu Liena might be infatuated in the original tale, she was still the Saintess of Spirit Hall, not without her wits.
Was she really unable to persuade Yan? No she knew Oscar's martial soul was ice, so she let the fire earth dual type Yan suppress him instead.
But… Oscar, undefeated among equals in Spirit City with only level forty five strength, was not so easily dealt with.
Oscar smiled faintly.
"Very well."
He leapt gracefully onto the platform, landing opposite Yan like a celestial being. His long hair swayed, his bamboo embroidered robes fluttered, and his extraordinary presence matched Yan's fiery glare.
"Since you wish to fight, I'll grant you that. But if you lose, I won't tolerate you again." He then turned toward Hu Liena.
"After all, unlike the Saintess, I have little patience for the rude."
Yan exploded with fury.
"Lose? In my life, I've never even written the word 'lose'!"
At this moment, Luo Ying's alluring voice rang out between them:
"Enough. Words alone prove nothing. If you're unconvinced, show your strength. You have one minute to release and display your martial souls. After that, the duel begins."
She paused.
"I assume I need not explain the rules of a duel?"
Both Oscar and Yan nodded.
Yan stomped forward, flames erupting across his body, making the air around them sweltering hot.
Fire engulfed him, and his height surged from two meters to 2.3 meters.
Four radiant soul rings rose around him two yellow, two purple. His level forty six soul power erupted in a fierce wave, pressing down on Oscar.
With a proud, fierce expression, Yan announced:
"Yan! Martial Soul: Flame Lord! Level forty six Assault type Battle Soul Master!"
As his martial soul erupted, Oscar raised his hand. With a slight turn of his wrist, an icy blue long sword appeared in his grasp.
Instantly, his black hair turned icy blue, his eyes glittered like frost crystals, and the heated air Yan created froze under Oscar's gaze.
Four rings two yellow, two purple rose around him as well, releasing level forty five soul power that pressed back at Yan.
Unlike Yan's wild ferocity, Oscar transformed from a gentle nobleman into an aloof, icy prince, exuding not only chilling frost but also an indomitable sword intent.
Though his level was slightly lower, his aura faintly overwhelmed Yan.
At the sidelines, Hu Liena's lips parted slightly in shock.
If the earlier gentle Oscar was already superior to Yan, then this icy, commanding figure was someone even she had to look up to.
Curiosity stirred in her heart. Just what kind of person was Ailan, to wield such power?
But Oscar paid her no mind. He spoke coolly:
"Ailan. Martial Soul: Frost moon Sword. Level forty five Assault type Battle Soul Master. Please."
With both martial souls revealed and their soul power colliding, Luo Ying's voice rang out again:
"Duel… begin!"
As soon as the words fell, Yan launched forward in fury. How dare someone with only level forty five soul power suppress him in aura? When had he ever been overshadowed?
Though sword cultivators were said to have stronger spiritual power, in close combat, Yan believed he could easily crush Oscar. Thus, he chose to strike first.
Though not known for speed, with the foundation of level forty six soul power, Yan's explosive charge was still immense. In the blink of an eye, he had closed several meters.
But Oscar would not allow him to get close so easily. Sword cultivators weren't just elegant; they were cunning, using attrition and tactics to exhaust their foes.
With a wave of his icy sword, several arcs of sword energy slashed outward, forming a barrier of blades that locked onto Yan's charge.
Yan could have dodged but he didn't. Not because he underestimated the attack, but because he had absolute faith in his strength.
In his mind, a real man fought with fists and blood. Only then could true masculine strength be shown.
With no hesitation, Yan's first yellow soul ring lit up
Follow me on my patreon for 60 Advanced chapters and 3 chapter daily updates pat*eon.com/GodofTranslation889