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Yu Xiaogang dismissed the idea with a snort. "If Xiao San wants to participate in a two-on-two soul battle, he'll naturally do so in the main arena. What is Ning Tianchen? He's nothing!"
"Xiaogang, it's not like that," Liu Erlong shook her head.
She didn't understand why Yu Xiaogang harbored such hostility toward the geniuses of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, but the fact that they were participating in battles at the central arena of the Tiandou Great Soul Arena was proof enough of their strength.
"Xiaogang, there are two conditions to participate in the two-on-two battles at the central main arena. First, you need a Gold Soul Badge. Second, you must have the strength of a Soul Ancestor or higher."
Yu Xiaogang immediately countered, "Erlong, when those two left the academy half a year ago, they were only at the early or mid-level Soul Elder stage. To break through seven levels of soul power in less than a year is absolutely impossible."
"Teacher, could it be that they're fighting above their level?" Tang San suddenly suggested.
After pondering for a moment, Yu Xiaogang nodded. "It's possible. We'll know more once we watch their soul battle."
With that, he and Tang San left the rest area and headed toward the spectator stands of the main arena.
Liu Erlong sighed and followed after them.
---
On the soul battle stage, the moment both teams appeared, the audience erupted in a tsunami-like roar.
Almost every holder of a Gold Soul Badge was a popular contender in the Great Soul Arena.
The Bear Out duo—both with the martial soul of Mighty Demon Bears—were already well-known veterans in the arena, making them extremely formidable opponents.
"Bear One, our opponents are two geniuses from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect," Bear Two said solemnly, though with a hint of resentment.
In Tiandou City, even a random swing of a brick could crush countless officials.
Surviving here meant avoiding offending powerful factions at all costs.
A colossal entity like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was not someone their brotherhood could afford to offend.
Bear One's expression turned serious as he reminded his brother, "Bear Two, just fight normally. Obtaining a Gold Soul Badge isn't something achieved solely through the influence of one's background. Those two must have real talent."
Ning Tianchen stepped forward, smiling warmly at the two. "Senior brothers, I hope you'll give it your all during this battle. Injuries are inevitable in a soul battle, and our sect won't hold it against you."
In previous battles, Ning Tianchen had often encountered opponents holding back.
But he wasn't some fragile flower—he could handle full-strength attacks.
Since then, in almost every match, he'd signal his opponents to go all out.
Sure enough, Bear One and Bear Two visibly relaxed and responded, "To have such strength at your young age, your potential is limitless. Today, let us brothers become your whetstones!"
At the referee's signal, both sides simultaneously unleashed their martial souls.
The Bear Out duo had optimal soul ring configurations, as did Ning Rongrong, though she had four rings instead of three.
When Ning Tianchen's soul ring configuration was revealed, the entire arena erupted in commotion.
"Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Black! Wait, a black soul ring?"
"Is that ten-thousand-year soul ring real or fake?!"
"A ten-thousand-year fourth ring—oh my god, what kind of monster is this?!"
"Swordmaster Tianchen, I want to bear your children~"
Amidst the chaos, there were some dissenting voices.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible," Yu Xiaogang muttered, appearing somewhat unhinged.
His theory, which he had believed to be infallible, had been utterly shattered by what he was witnessing.
Tang San was completely baffled. "Teacher, how is it possible to have a ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring? And why have Tianchen and Rongrong advanced to Soul Ancestors so quickly?"
Liu Erlong also couldn't help but look toward Yu Xiaogang.
In her eyes, Yu Xiaogang was the wisest person around. Such an inexplicable phenomenon surely had an explanation.
It wasn't until the soul battle began that Yu Xiaogang gradually came back to his senses.
"Forcing oneself to squeeze out potential to increase cultivation is not sustainable."
"Squeezing out potential? Teacher, forgive my ignorance," Tang San said, confused.
A sharp glint flashed in Yu Xiaogang's eyes as if he had found the reason behind their rapid advancement.
"Xiao San, squeezing out potential means forcing one's soul power to breakthrough unnaturally within a short period. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect has existed for a millennium, so it's likely they possess such secret methods. However, the cost is overextending their future cultivation potential. The further they progress, the slower their soul power will grow, and they may even hit insurmountable bottlenecks."
Liu Erlong raised a question. "Xiaogang, Ning Rongrong and Ning Tianchen are the top talents of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. How could Lord Ning allow them to take such risks?"
Yu Xiaogang shot her a glance, feeling irritated.
So, Liu Erlong, you dare to undermine me, huh!
Liu Erlong was no longer the naive girl she used to be. With age came changes in mindset, and she naturally sought answers to things she didn't understand.
"Perhaps there's another method."
After saying this, he coughed lightly and quickly changed the subject. "As for the ten-thousand-year fourth ring, I believe the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect might possess a secret technique to enhance the years of a soul ring."
"The conditions for using this technique are likely too harsh, which is why, up until now, only Ning Tianchen has succeeded."
Having learned from his earlier mistake, Yu Xiaogang's words were carefully crafted to leave no room for error.
Tang San understood and continued to focus on the battle arena.
However, for some reason, the longer his gaze lingered on Ning Tianchen, the more Tang San felt a sense of loss, as if something that should have belonged to him had been taken away.
After much thought, Tang San still couldn't figure it out.
As the soul battle reached its climax, Yu Xiaogang warned, "Xiao San, pay close attention. When the Soul Masters Tournament begins, the Seven Treasures team will be your rivals. This battle has no fluff—there's a high chance that Ning Tianchen will use his fourth soul skill."
"You must carefully observe the power and effects of the fourth soul skill. It will help us prepare countermeasures for the future."
Tang San nodded emphatically.
Not only him, but Liu Erlong was also keeping a close eye on the arena.
---
On the battlefield, Ning Tianchen rarely used soul skills. Relying purely on his sword techniques and Ning Rongrong's amplification, he held his own against the two opponents.
Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San had little understanding of swordsmanship but could tell that Ning Tianchen's sword techniques were exquisite. However, none of them could articulate exactly why.
The battle lasted fifteen minutes, and Ning Tianchen emerged victorious over the Twin Bears using pure swordsmanship.
As the match ended, Yu Xiaogang kicked the seat in front of him furiously, enraged. "Why didn't he use his fourth soul skill?!"
This trip had yielded no useful information, leaving him both angry and frustrated.
If he couldn't figure out Ning Tianchen's soul skills before the Soul Masters Tournament, they'd be flying blind when facing him later.
But while his anger was justified, the man sitting in front of him was innocent.
Suddenly being kicked, the large man's veins bulged on his forehead as he spun around, ready to teach Yu Xiaogang a lesson.
"You old geezer, how dare you kick me! Are you tired of living?"
The man was over two meters tall, glaring down at Yu Xiaogang, who instantly fell silent, not daring to utter a word.
Tang San immediately stepped in front of Yu Xiaogang, glaring menacingly at the man.
Meanwhile, Liu Erlong cursed loudly, "What's wrong with kicking you? If you don't want to die, scram. I'm in a very foul mood right now."
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