"So strong!" In the resting area of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy, Ma Rulong looked extremely solemn.
"I thought I had already taken Ma Xiaotao seriously enough," he muttered, "but I didn't expect her strength to have reached this level. Her soul power must be at least Rank 68!"
"Not only that," the elder beside him added grimly, "her Fire Phoenix Martial Soul must be an Ultimate Fire." His aged face was filled with bitterness and frustration. "Heavens, why is Shrek Academy so favored?"
"An Ultimate Martial Soul?" Ma Rulong's expression changed, and even Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen's faces became heavy and sullen.
"That's right!" The elder nodded. "Righteous Heaven Academy's Ye Wuqing — we know his profile well. His Golden Leaf Martial Soul has a fire resistance almost akin to fire immunity, yet he still couldn't withstand Ma Xiaotao's phoenix flames. Other than Ultimate Fire, I can't think of any other explanation."
For the first time, Xiao Hongchen began to doubt himself. An Ultimate Martial Soul... was he truly more talented than someone with an Ultimate Martial Soul? That thought quickly faded from his mind.
'So what if it's Ultimate?' he told himself. 'My Three-Legged Golden Toad Martial Soul has mastery over gold elements that rivals Ultimate Gold. It's a divine beast martial soul too — it's not weaker than a Fire Phoenix.'
"So what you're saying is... after over ten days into the tournament, we've only figured out one person's martial soul from the Shrek team? And it's an Ultimate Martial Soul?" Meng Hongchen found it absurd.
"As unwilling as I am to admit it, that's the reality," the elder said with a troubled look. "They've barely shown themselves, and their matches end so quickly that our people haven't had the chance to gather any intel."
"The information we do know: Jiang Nannan is an agility-type Soul King, martial soul unknown, suspected to be of a moon-bloodline type. Huo Yuhao, Soul Grandmaster level, martial soul unknown, suspected to be spiritual-type. Then there's Beibei, the reserve team captain — Soul Ancestor level, martial soul suspected to be the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon."
"And now, we add Ma Xiaotao: Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, peak Soul Emperor, Ultimate Fire."
The Sun Moon group fell silent.
Back in the Shrek Academy resting area, Ma Xiaotao returned triumphantly.
"Well?" she grinned. "Said I'd finish the match in a quarter-hour, and it took exactly that!"
"Sister Xiaotao is unbeatable!" Wang Dong cheered, his eyes full of expectation as he looked at Wang Yan.
"Since the match is over, let's head back to the hotel," Wang Yan said reluctantly, unable to refuse under Wang Dong's gaze. "Let's go!"
"Yes!" Wang Dong whooped with joy.
Everyone returned to the hotel and went to their respective rooms to rest.
That afternoon, Zhu Ziyang was cultivating in his room when, surprisingly, Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan came in together and dragged him out of the hotel.
"So, you two asked Teacher Wang Yan for leave?" Zhu Ziyang asked helplessly as both girls clung to his arms on either side.
"Hmph! Like I need his permission to go anywhere?" Ma Xiaotao scoffed. "He's not worthy of a report from me."
"I did tell him. He said as long as we're back before dinner, it's fine." Jiang Nannan, in contrast, was well-mannered and respectful even to someone weaker than her like Wang Yan.
"So where are we going now?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Haven't decided yet!" Jiang Nannan smiled. "I want to go to Star Luo Terrace. Sister Xiaotao wants to go to the Nether Pavilion. Brother, you choose — where are we going?"
The two girls looked at him expectantly.
Zhu Ziyang instantly felt a chill run down his spine. 'This is a deathtrap. No matter who I pick, the other will be mad!' He quickly made a third choice.
"Actually, I'm not interested in either of those. How about I take you both somewhere else?"
Without waiting for their reply, he grabbed both of them and led the way decisively.
Before long, the trio arrived at the largest building in the southeastern corner of Star Luo City.
Staring at the structure, both Ma Xiaotao and Jiang Nannan were confused.
"Star Luo Great Soul Arena?!" they said in unison, staring at him. "Ziyang, why did you bring us here? Don't tell me you want to compete in the Soul Arena?"
"That's right," Zhu Ziyang said seriously. He pulled out three masks, put one on, and handed the other two to the girls. "Put these on. Let's head in."
Still bewildered, the two girls followed him inside. They expected him to head to the registration area, but instead, he walked toward a small side door that seemed rather unassuming.
Ma Xiaotao paused. As a disciple of Shrek's inner court, she had fought in the Soul Arena many times and knew exactly what that small side door meant.
"Ziyang… you're going to join the Unrestricted Soul Duel?"
"Yeah." Zhu Ziyang nodded without slowing down, leading them through the door.
Ma Xiaotao wanted to speak again, and Jiang Nannan was still unsure what 'Unrestricted Soul Duel' meant. But then the door opened into a dim corridor where a man in a black cloak stood waiting.
Seeing them, the cloaked man asked plainly, "Unrestricted Soul Duel, how many?"
"One," Zhu Ziyang answered calmly.
"Rank?"
"Soul Emperor level."
The man paused, then nodded. "One Soul Emperor duel, starting in one hour. Here is your token. At the end of the hallway, turn right for Rest Room Two, and left for the betting area."
He handed Zhu Ziyang a silver token engraved with the number '5'.
Taking it, Zhu Ziyang led the two girls through the corridor into a massive hall. In its center stood an enormous circular platform, much larger than the ones used in the tournament. Thick metal railings encircled it, stained dark with dried blood. Above the platform, private viewing boxes overlooked the arena.
In their assigned resting room, Ma Xiaotao finally couldn't hold it in.
"Ziyang, why are you suddenly entering an Unrestricted Duel?"
Unrestricted Duels were brutal. Ten soul masters of the same rank entered the arena, and anything was allowed — until only one remained standing. Killing was permitted.
"I read about it in books and got curious," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.
But of course, he was lying. His real goal was to complete the second test of the Death God — to kill five soul masters of the same level in one battle. What better stage than an Unrestricted Duel?
"I see." Ma Xiaotao nodded. "Then be careful. People in these matches are usually desperadoes. They may be weaker than elite soul masters like us, but they're cunning. Be cautious. If things go badly, just jump off the stage."
"Don't worry, Sister Xiaotao. Don't you know how strong I am?" he chuckled.
"Brother, I think Sister Xiaotao is right. You really must be careful!" Jiang Nannan said anxiously. "They're nine people, and you're alone. Better safe than sorry!"
"I will," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "Tell you what — I'll try to end the fight in five minutes. If I can't, I'll jump down. Deal?"
"Okay." Jiang Nannan finally relaxed a little.
Zhu Ziyang closed his eyes and began meditating to prepare himself. An hour passed quickly.
In the worried gazes of Jiang Nannan and Ma Xiaotao, Zhu Ziyang walked calmly to the arena.
He wore black battle gear and a fierce mask, leaving only his eyes visible. The nine other contestants looked at him with surprise.
In Unrestricted Duels, the contestants were a mixed bag — but it was rare to see someone come in masked like this. They scrutinized him, but Zhu Ziyang didn't spare them a glance. He was focused solely on his preparation.
In his heart, all nine of them were already dead.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.