Chapter 27: Black Robe No.1, Empty Stand

It's about time.

Fulangde gulped down the low‑quality tea in the cup, paid for it, had them put on the head‑piece masks and Black Robe on the table, then led a few people to the Suo Tuo Great Soul Battle Arena.

When they got closer, Xiao Xian realized the Grand Battle Soul Arena was even larger than it had seemed in the tea shop. He guessed it could hold at least sixty to seventy thousand people, comparable to some massive stadiums from his previous life.

That's already pretty good.

Inside the Grand Battle Soul Arena, in the most conspicuous spot of the hall, stood a huge stone tablet engraved with a dense list of names.

It wasn't a list of honors.

It was the names of every Soul Master who died on the Suo Tuo Great Soul Battle Arena's arena.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun had already registered, so they didn't need to register again.

Xiao Xian and Oscar registered individually and each received their own Iron Battle Soul Badge.

Then, under Fulangde's direction, Xiao Xian separately registered a two‑versus‑two Soul Battle team with Ma Hongjun and Oscar, and Ma Hongjun and Oscar, of course, also registered.

Each registration cost ten Gold Soul Coins.

These teams, even Oscar's one‑on‑one badge, were mainly used by Xiao Xian, so Xiao Xian paid for them.

Fortunately, he didn't have big expenses normally, had saved a lot of Soul Master Subsidy, and could afford it.

After that, they signed up for the battle.

After Xiao Xian submitted his name, Fulangde took Oscar into the inner area of the Battle Soul Platform and left them alone.

Could Xiao Xian hold out? Fulangde thought there was hope, at least with Lao Shao's Sugar Beans and Oscar's sausage to help.

But it was only hope.

……

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun weren't idle; they also signed up for a one‑on‑one match.

The task Fulangde set for Xiao Xian did stimulate them to some extent.

They usually only came once every seven or eight days.

The Suo Tuo Great Soul Battle Arena has twenty‑four Sub Battle Soul Arenas and one Main Battle Soul Arena.

The three of them signed up together and were taken by the Grand Battle Soul Arena staff to the same Sub Battle Soul Arena's waiting area, awaiting their turn.

Xiao Xian and the other two, wearing the same tattered Black Robes and masks, attracted some attention from other Soul Masters.

Many people curled their lips, thinking they were just being pretentious, but it didn't concern them, so they kept their eyes closed, adjusting their state, waiting for the upcoming battle.

Soon, Ma Hongjun's name was called.

Fatty, go!

Go!

Dai Mubai and Xiao Xian cheered him on.

After Ma Hongjun entered the competition tunnel, Dai Mubai asked Xiao Xian whether to go watch.

The Battle Soul Arena provides a small Spectator Area on the side of the arena for participating Soul Masters to watch.

Xiao Xian naturally said yes.

Unfortunately, Ma Hongjun's opponent's martial soul was a vine, which Ma Hongjun's Purple Flame easily burned to ash, forcing a surrender.

Xiao Xian didn't really see Ma Hongjun's fight; he just saw him jump down from the arena, his face excited.

In the middle of the Battle Soul Platform, a middle‑aged host loudly congratulated Ma Hongjun and then announced the next match: "Next is the third one‑on‑one in our Seventh Battle Soul Arena! The contestants are still two Great Soul Masters! They are, the Battle Soul Master Heibao Yihau who wields the Beast Martial Soul Purple Hair Dog, and the Battle Soul Master Dulu who wields the Beast Martial Soul Youmeng Wolf and is on a four‑match winning streak!"

Now it's Xiao Xian's turn.

His name is simple and ordinary: Heibao Yihau.

Guided by the staff, he quickly stepped onto the Battle Soul Platform.

His opponent Dulu was even faster, leaping from the Spectator Area onto the arena.

The dashing move easily earned cheers from the audience on the stands.

Dulu looked unapproachable; in his thirties, his face bore only weariness and a sinister edge.

He stared at Xiao Xian's Black Robe and mask, rasping hoarsely, "Sneaky, tail‑showing rat!"

Xiao Xian gave a faint smile.

He wasn't disturbed by Dulu.

After the host stepped down, he made a quick move forward with a footstep.

He was here to train, not to enjoy battle or gain fame, so there was no need to waste time.

Dulu narrowed his eyes, white light rose around him, gray fur sprouted over his body, and a white and a yellow Soul Ring quickly appeared at his feet.

His yellow aura flashed sharply, a slight breeze seemed to stir around him, his feet tapped several times, and in the blink of an eye he retreated several meters to the side of the arena while his form blurred, maneuvering swiftly around the arena.

Dulu, as always, plans before acting and never recklessly meets an opponent head‑on.

Unfortunately.

Xiao Xian's speed was even faster!

A hint of purple flashed in Xiao Xian's eyes, and he easily locked onto the opponent's figure.

He lowered his whole body, leaned forward, planted his foot hard, and a Gale burst forth!

Boom—!

He shot out like a cannonball!

Dulu tried to dodge, but... Xiao Xian seemed to have a targeting ability.

His whole body traced a curve in the air!

In an instant he arrived in front of Dulu!

Dulu's face hardened, just as he was about to swing a claw.

And a dark‑jade hand, bearing massive impact, had already easily stamped onto his chest and abdomen!

Bang—!

Dulu flew out violently, slamming into the protective rope at the edge of the ring; his body was just propelled forward a few steps, his foot staggered, and before he could react, Xiao Xian executed a whip kick, easily sending him off the ring.

The clean, decisive moves silenced the Soul Battle arena for a moment, then even louder cheers erupted!

Without waiting for the host to announce, Xiao Xian silently jumped down from the ring.

"The palm's fine; my arm feels a bit numb from the vibration!"

"He actually wore inner armor…" Xiao Xian shook his head.

This is his weakness.

Beast Martial Soul cannot possess a host, does not grant a strong boost to the self, and also lacks the special abilities of weapon martial souls.

Ma Hongjun, on the Audience Seats, was a bit stunned; he knew Xiao Xian's strength should be quite high.

But he didn't expect that he was even stronger than he seemed that night?!

At this speed, even people would believe he's a fast‑attack type Great Soul Master, right?

And also, how did he turn in mid‑air?!

Dai Mubai also looked a bit stunned; he silently compared the two's burst power, and had to admit that this blink‑of‑an‑eye speed, even though he is a Soul Elder, is far inferior to Xiao Xian's.

Xiao Xian quickly greeted Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun on the Audience Seats.

Then he grabbed Ma Hongjun and went to sign up for a two‑versus‑two.

This was instructed by Dean Fulangde, and Ma Hongjun didn't hesitate.

The two‑versus‑two took place at another venue; the Audience Seats were fuller, and the popularity was higher.

The luck wasn't great.

Xiao Xian and Ma Hongjun waited a long time, and their opponents turned out to be two Rain Swallow Soul Masters, who also prized speed.

Xiao Xian stepped onto the ring, sparred with them in speed, but they could actually fly; previously they had only been toying with Xiao Xian and Ma Hongjun.

Watching the two Soul Masters soaring high, constantly flapping their wings.

Ma Hongjun felt a bit angry then, yet helpless; his flames could only reach at most five meters.

The audience let out a series of boos; it was unclear who they were booing.

Xiao Xian also felt a bit helpless; his soul power had already been consumed by two or three layers, and he no longer hesitated or left any ink traces.

He stared at the two swallows in the air; the Gale beneath his feet erupted violently, his body leapt straight toward them, a single bound covering seven or eight meters!

In the air, the two Rain Swallow Soul Masters exchanged a glance, a hint of smile flashing in their eyes.

With an easy flap of their wings, they evaded Xiao Xian's strike, simultaneously turning their bodies and flashing behind Xiao Xian.

Their coordination was perfect.

One look was enough for them to know each other's intent: wait until he begins to fall, with no place to draw power, then jointly strangle him from behind!

Only… they hadn't expected that as Xiao Xian's body began to descend, his right foot slammed hard into the air!

It was as if an air wall stood beneath his foot!

Xiao Xian's body tilted upward, flying one or two meters, just evading both of their attacks!

Seeing their backs just within reach, Xiao Xian hesitated not, thrust both palms forward, fiercely blasting out two Blowing Fire Palms!

…