The last of Yang Fan's Dou Qi surged violently—the Heavy Xuan Ruler's intricate patterns seemed to glow crimson.
Flame Splitting Tsunami!
He lunged forward, closing the distance in an instant. Explosive fire-attribute Dou Qi erupted like a ravenous beast pouncing on prey.
An Earth-Tier low-grade technique!
Even with most of his Dou Qi already spent on Chasing Stars · Blazing Fire, this move was far beyond anything a brute like Raging Rhino could withstand.
In the blink of an eye—
Raging Rhino realized he couldn't dodge. He braced himself, relying on his beast-soul body's raw toughness to take the hit.
But he'd gravely underestimated this seemingly unremarkable technique.
The impact caved in his sturdy chest like soft tofu, his massive frame shuddering violently.
His several-hundred-pound body crashed onto the arena floor—he retched a mouthful of blood.
The outcome was obvious.
If Yang Fan hadn't already used Chasing Stars · Blazing Fire, Raging Rhino wouldn't just be spitting blood—he'd be dead.
Even so, the sunken chest clearly showed how severe his injuries were.
He wouldn't be dueling again for at least six months.
Yang Fan stared at the fallen man—not with vengeance-fueled satisfaction, but with a racing heart.
He'd killed a Flame Tiger before, but this was different.
This was a human soul master.
At that moment—
The rest of the Raging Battle Team, seeing their captain critically injured, leapt onto the arena, eyes blazing with murderous intent.
Yang Fan felt their killing aura clearly.
For him, taking a life was still a psychological barrier—but for these blood-soaked mercenaries, it was routine.
"Don't be afraid," Yao Lao's voice echoed calmly in his mind.
"With your master here, I'd like to see who dares touch you."
Yang Fan hadn't been scared—but Yao Lao's words filled him with unshakable confidence.
Just as the six thugs prepared to swarm him, the air above the arena twisted violently.
A five-ring Soul King descended from the sky—black wings unfurled behind him, marking him as a flight-type expert.
"Do you not know the rules of the Great Spirit Arena?" the middle-aged man's voice rumbled, heavy with authority.
The Raging Battle Team instantly abandoned their aggression.
The Soul King turned to Yang Fan. "You may leave now."
Accidents in duels were common—and carried no liability. Otherwise, teams like the Raging Battle Team wouldn't exist.
Yang Fan departed freely—but the Raging Battle Team was detained by arena security.
This was the arena's way of mediating conflicts and protecting contestants.
(Of course, this protection lasted only until dawn. What happened tomorrow was none of their concern.)
…
Time flew—another ten days passed.
Since crippling Raging Rhino, Yang Fan hadn't stepped onto the dueling platform again. Instead, following Yao Lao's guidance, he spent his days observing brutal matches and death duels within the arena.
Staring death in the face.
Fortunately, these events mostly catered to commoners—so tickets were affordable.
Though inactive in duels, his fame had exploded after the Raging Rhino fight.
A Level 19 soul master repeatedly defeating higher-ranked opponents naturally drew attention from talent scouts.
Several minor sects from Tian Dou City approached him—most were instantly deterred the moment Yao Lao spoke. A few desperate ones even offered him a teaching position, all politely declined.
Recently, rumors questioned his identity and strength—until the arena itself publicly verified his soul power level, reaffirming their fairness.
Yao Lao knew this couldn't continue. He was already devising ways to alter Yang Fan's soul ring color.
…
That day—
As Yang Fan prepared to head to the Great Star Dou Forest to hunt a water-attributed soul beast (as a substitute for the Grade-2 demon core), his cultivation path took a dramatic turn.
"Is it true?"
"Of course! The auction house just announced—a 3,000-year Treading-Water Blue Wolf right arm bone will be auctioned tomorrow night!"
"How much could that be worth?"
"How much? Priceless!"
"Forget it—we'll never afford something like that in our lifetimes."
"…"
The news spread like wildfire through the arena—a hub for soul masters.
"Master!"
A 3,000-year water-attribute arm bone—even better than the 2,000-year one he needed.
Yang Fan knew he couldn't afford it… but he had to go. Maybe someone would overpay, and he'd get lucky.
"Let's return first."
Even a 3,000-year soul bone was "unavailable and priceless"—it would ignite fierce bidding wars among Tian Dou City's elite families.
"Master… I'm counting on you this time."
There were two ways into the auction house:
1) Pay the 10,000 gold soul coin entry fee, or
2) Become a seller.
If you possessed an item valuable enough for the auction house to handle, entry was granted.
Yang Fan hadn't used this method before—because he knew getting in was pointless without funds to bid.
"You foolish boy—no need to be so formal with your master."
For them, there was only one way in:
Alchemy.
It was the only thing the auction house would currently accept from them.
…
Back at their lodging, Yao Lao brought out the jet-black Black Demon Cauldron once more.
"The same herbs yield different pill grades depending on three factors," he lectured.
"First—flame control. This is the foundation of alchemy."
"Second—soul control over the pill. This is paramount. High-grade alchemists require immense soul strength."
"Third—flame quality. Pills refined with ordinary fire, beast flame, or Heavenly Flame differ fundamentally in essence."
…
Yao Lao hadn't shared this before—because Yang Fan lacked wood-attribute energy.
But the Blue Emperor Soul Bone Pill changed everything.
His disciple now had the potential to become an exceptional alchemist—and was progressing exactly as Yao Lao hoped, even delivering unexpected surprises.
Yang Fan leaned over the table, eyes wide with awe.
Growing up in the Breaking Clan, he'd always seen Yao Lao's alchemy as a visual masterpiece.
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