The night in Star Lou City was more lively than ever before. Thousands of household lights glittered like a terrestrial Milky Way, making the imperial capital shine as bright as day. In the streets and alleys, taverns and teahouses, and even in the courtyards of ordinary people, everyone was fervently discussing and spreading the news of everything that had happened today at the Star Lou Soul Arena.
"Did you hear? The young sect master of the Body Sect—just one person—defeated the entire Spirit Hall team! And there were four Soul Kings!"
"That's not all! Did you see his soul rings? two purple, three black! Heavens, I've cultivated for decades, and this is the first time I've seen a millennium ring as someone's first ring!"
"The young miss of Spirit Hall is said to be terrifying! She looks like a fairy, but she started as part of the ruthless Star Lou team and is still rescuing others. The most important thing is, she's a Soul Emperor! Six-ringed Soul Emperor! Yet, she doesn't look more than a few years older than Chen Yi!"
"Chen Yi and Qian Renxue... if those two fought, who do you think would win?"
This was the hottest topic in Star Lou City tonight. The bustling taverns were packed to the brim, filled with the fragrance of ale and roast meat. Suddenly, a burly man with a beard slammed his wooden wine cup on the table, splashing wine everywhere, and roared in a low voice:
"If you ask me, the young miss of Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue, has to be stronger! She's a Soul Emperor, you know! The soul power level alone is enough to crush anyone—that's the iron rule of soul masters!"
"No matter how monstrous Chen Yi is, he's only a Soul King, and he's still standing at the edge of a higher realm!"
A thin middle-aged man nearby sneered and took a sip of wine before slowly saying, "That's a reckless opinion. Are you looking only at rank and not background? Qian Renxue has an excellent soul ring ratio—two yellow, two purple, two black—all first-rate, but compared to the unprecedented soul rings of Young Sect Master Chen, it's still inferior by a grade! The age of a soul ring represents basic attributes and the strength of soul skills!"
"Besides, Qian Renxue is a new Soul Emperor; her realm might not be stable yet. Do you really think she can fully display the power of a Soul Emperor?"
"Brother, you speak reasonably!" someone from another table echoed loudly. "Tomorrow's the team competition finals. Today, Spirit Hall's main force was wiped out by Young Sect Master Chen, and what are the substitutes going to do against the rest of Grand Martial Academy's team?"
"Niu Yun, Yang Zhantian, or Che Langg—which one? When the time comes, Qian Renxue will be pulled back, and the rest will collapse in an instant!"
The burly man was repeatedly refuted, his face red as he stiffened his neck and shouted, "You know nothing! Do you even know what the Seraphim Martial Soul is? It's the legendary god-tier martial soul! The symbol of invincibility in both heaven and earth!"
He went on to quote ancient texts and exaggerated lines such as, "Invincible in the sky," "Invincible among peers," "Invincible in the world," causing many in the tavern to burst into laughter, the atmosphere bright and cheerful.
At that moment, a slightly drunk youth in the corner, stimulated by the word "invincible," muttered, "Invincible? Didn't that get blown away last time? Wasn't that Clear Sky Douluo?"
Before the youth finished, his companion's face changed dramatically. He suddenly reached out to cover the youth's mouth, his eyes flashing with fear and warning as he hissed, "Are you crazy? Do you not want to live? Dare to talk like that?!"
The drunken youth sobered instantly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He nodded quickly at his friend in gratitude and fear. He knew he'd made a mistake—those words touched on Spirit Hall's greatest pain and taboo. If anyone with a heart heard them, the consequences would be unimaginable. He dared not stay any longer, hurriedly paid the bill, and left the tavern with his companions, heads down.
This sudden event cooled the previously lively discussion. Even the big man who'd been chanting "Angel Invincible" grew quiet, downed his wine in one gulp, tossed a few copper soul coins, and left silently. The heated debate was over, leaving only silence and deep anticipation for tomorrow's finals.
There were still unspoken topics hidden in Douluo Continent...
…
Grand Martial Academy's temporary residence in Star Lou City was a world apart from the outside commotion. The living room was brightly lit, and everyone was gathered, discussing the day's match, but the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious, full of confidence for tomorrow's contest.
"Boss, you were really handsome today! That one vs six got my blood boiling!" Jiang Hongfei exclaimed excitedly, gesturing wildly.
Du Guyan leaned against Chen Yi, smiling gently. "Yeah, and now everyone knows who I have a crush on."
Shui Bing'er analyzed in a calmer tone, "Spirit Hall's main force is gone, so we have a high chance of winning tomorrow's team match. But... Qian Renxue is still the biggest variable."
Yang Zhantian folded his arms and said in a low voice, "Don't worry. If we work together, it'll be enough to hold her back. As long as the young sect master deals with the others quickly, victory will be ours."
Ye Lingling sat quietly to the side, watching everyone with a faint smile.
At that moment, a clear knock sounded at the door, cutting off the laughter and conversation in the corridor.
Jiang Hongfei, who was closest to the door, stood up after a moment's hesitation. "Who'd come at this hour?"
He opened the door a crack and saw a middle-aged man in the uniform of a senior steward from Spirit Hall. Recognizing him as an instructor from Spirit Hall Academy, Jiang Honfei hurriedly looked back at Chen Yi and the elders, got a nod, and let the visitor in.
As soon as the instructor entered, he felt several strong gazes on him. Especially the seemingly gentle Grand Elder and the composed Ye Cien beside him, whose auras doubled his pressure. He quickly bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Dean of Spirit Hall Academy, His Exellency Wisdom Brain Douluo, His Exellency Nine Heart Douluo, and Young Sect Master Chen."
Ye Cien smiled gently and waved his hand, "No need to be so formal. What brings you here so late?"
The instructor straightened up, still bowing slightly, and replied respectfully, "Young Sect Master Chen, respected douluos, I am here on orders from my young miss. She wishes to change tomorrow's final to a duel between herself and Young Sect Master Chen, deciding the outcome in one battle, to avoid unnecessary harm to the other team members."
At these words, the room's previously peaceful atmosphere froze instantly.
Before Chen Yi or the elders could respond, the straightforward Yang Zhantian stepped forward with a sneer. "Hmph! What careful calculations!"
His meaning was clear: both Chen Yi and Qian Renxue were the strongest of the younger generation; their fight would be tragic for both, costing immense soul power and physical energy, possibly resulting in injury. If the team match went as normal, even if Qian Renxue barely defeated Chen Yi, she'd be in no condition to deal with Grand Martial Team's other main fighters like Yang Zhantian or Che Lang. But by deciding things in a duel, Spirit Hall gambled everything on Qian Renxue, hoping to reclaim lost ground for their side. Even if she won, she'd take the championship directly; if she lost, their face would be saved.
The others didn't speak up like Yang Zhantian, but their eyes showed clear disdain for Spirit Hall's clever maneuver.
Seeing this, the Spirit Hall instructor looked a bit embarrassed, but he was prepared. He hurriedly produced an exquisitely crafted jade box from his sleeve and offered it with both hands.
"This is indeed a difficult request, and I know it interferes with your academy's plans. Therefore, as a token of gratitude for your concession, we have prepared this small gift for Grand Martial Academy, as an apology and hope you will accept it."
The elders made no move to accept it, their expressions calm and ambiguous. Chen Yi thought for a moment, then stepped forward and took the jade box. It was warm to the touch, and clearly of extraordinary material. He opened the box.
A soft, rich radiance of soul power spilled out, powerful energy fluctuations instantly drawing everyone's attention. Chen Yi looked inside and his eyes flashed with surprise. He looked up and gazed deeply at the instructor, his voice tinged with a sigh.
"Spirit Hall... quite the grand gesture."
Inside the jade box, on a bed of dark velvet, lay a bone—the faint blue left legbone, crystalline like jade.
"A ten-thousand-year soul bone!" Jiang Hongfei couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice. Shui Bing'er, Du Guyan, and the others were equally shocked. Soul Bones were treasures in the soul master world, rarer even than soul rings, and could incite bloody conflict. A ten-thousand-year soul bone, even more so.
Indeed, in the long history of elite competitions among the continent's prestigious soul master academies, offering a ten-thousand-year soul bone as a prize was unprecedented. Even thousand-year soul bones had appeared only a handful of times.
This soul bone, judging by its energy, had just passed the ten-thousand-year mark—but "ten-thousand-year" itself was a guarantee of quality and value. Spirit Hall's price for this duel was not small.
Chen Yi sighed to himself at the deep foundation and wealth of Spirit Hall. He closed the box, letting the mesmerizing glow sweep over his companions' faces—Shui Bing'er, Du Guyan, Jiang Hongfei, Yang Zhantian, Ye Lingling—seeing trust and support in their eyes. Ye Lingling nodded lightly, signaling that he could decide for himself.
Chen Yi had already made up his mind. He turned to the instructor, who waited nervously, and spoke calmly, "Go back and tell Qian Renxue: I, Chen Yi, accept her challenge."
"Tomorrow, it will be decided in battle."
The instructor let out a long sigh of relief, bowed gratefully, and quickly took his leave.
After the outsiders had gone, Chen Yi played with the warm jade box in his hand. He glanced at the elders—who showed no interest—and then at Mu Xi, who looked at the box curiously before looking away. Her eighth soul ring came from a powerful ice-type soul beast, and her left legbone was a perfect match for her.
Chen Yi thought for a moment, then, with a flick of his wrist, tossed the jade box containing the ten-thousand-year soul bone to Yang Zhantian.
Yang Zhantian was caught off guard, reflexively catching the heavy box, and felt as if he was holding a soldering iron, shock and awe on his face.
"Young Sect Master, this...?"
Chen Yi looked at him seriously. "Zhantian, you are the strongest in the team besides me. In battle after battle, you've achieved miraculous results and helped us reach the finals. You are indispensable. This soul bone's attributes match your Soul-Breaking Spear martial soul. I hope you can fuse with it and further raise your strength."
Everyone was surprised at first, then nodded in approval. They all coveted the ten-thousand-year soul bone, but Yang Zhantian was the calmest and most reliable teammate, always taking on the toughest tasks.
Yang Zhantian stared at the jade box in his hands, then at Chen Yi's trusting gaze, and at his teammates' heartfelt blessings. Always firm and calm, his eyes now grew moist, warmth flooding his chest.
He gripped the box tightly and, voice slightly choked, bowed to Chen Yi and all his teammates. "Yang Zhantian thanks the young sect master for his generous gift! Thank you, brothers and sisters!"
The hall filled with sincere blessings and laughter, and the atmosphere grew warm once again.
…
Bonus chapter at 100 pS
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