Chapter 48: Oscar's Breakthrough

Mu Bai's match ended.

When the next round came, the opponent was sprawled on the arena, only muscles twitching.

But Mu Bai's own injuries were not light; his whole body ached, soul power trembled, under the Black Robe a mottled blue‑purple, and he could only barely walk off the stage like a normal person.

Tang San, Xiao Wu and the others left the bustling Grand Battle Soul Arena, still a little dazed.

Ning Rongrong, who had just returned to the group, was also a bit stunned.

She had just been with Oscar in the Audience Seats.

On the arena, that thunderous clash truly shocked these new trainees.

When did a Soul Master's battle become like this?

Walking a little farther away, the group found a corner and took off their Black Robes and masks.

Xiao Xian lazily explained, "Arena matches aren't just for winning. Simply seeking victory is easy, but it loses the purpose of training."

"Compared to honing combat techniques, raw hand‑to‑hand, direct soul‑power collisions, and bone‑crushing combat are what make your soul power tremble the most."

"Moreover, the arena is different from the academy. On the arena you face strangers, you feel danger, you become nervous; each opponent's soul power, under the influence of their martial soul, can be all sorts of bizarre, which further stimulates your soul power."

"Your breakthrough speed will be faster, and your soul power will be stronger."

"But…"

Xiao Xian paused, then added, "I don't really recommend you do this; just have normal matches. An occasional one won't hurt."

For them, simply to cultivate faster, there are far better methods; no need to use this wasteful way.

Xiao Xian called that "no way."

Mu Bai isn't always this crazy; he only does it occasionally.

Other times, he's mostly normal.

It might be related to his recent bad mood, Xiao Xian glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.

And their opponents today were quite unlucky.

Almost all of them surrendered.

Xiao Xian's previous desperate style was indeed a bit frightening.

If you're physically weak, even if you win you'll break a few bones; indeed few can endure that.

But Xiao Xian doesn't intend to appear in the Grand Battle Soul Arena anymore.

Probably soon, other Soul Masters will notice the situation changed and dare to strike again.

Moreover, the Soul Battle arena won't tolerate such outright surrender.

In fact, Fulangde had assessed their condition and planned to let them continue the 2‑vs‑2 matches.

However, given the current state of these Soul Masters in the Grand Battle Soul Arena, it was clearly unsatisfactory.

If they just spar a bit and the opponents keep surrendering.

It could give them a bad first impression, thinking outside Soul Masters are all like that, fostering contempt and disdain.

Fulangde even considered whether to move to another city.

For example, go to Balak.

"…"

On the way back to the academy, Tang San regained his composure and asked Oscar and Ning Rongrong, "Where's the Dean?"

Xiao Wu had just quietly asked him whether, since their opponents had all surrendered, the first lesson counted as a failure, and whether the Dean would pick on them when they returned.

Oscar shrugged, "Who knows? He let us go back first; I was actually thinking of teaming up with Pang Zi for a double Soul Battle… but the Dean said he was busy."

He gave Ma Hongjun a sidelong glance with his peach‑blossom eyes.

Ma Hongjun instantly perked up, "Oscar brother, why didn't you say so earlier!" He then looked at Mu Bai, "Boss Dai, are you going?"

Mu Bai's face darkened, "Do I look like I'm willing to help?" At the same time he cautiously glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Oh, oh, forgot, forgot—next time together, next time together!" Ma Hongjun didn't care about the details, his face flushed with excitement, and he darted off in a flash.

"Senior brother… where is he going? Does Ma Hongjun still need a private extra lesson?" Tang San was a bit puzzled.

Mu Bai couldn't help but laugh, "Private extra lesson…"

Xiao Xian shook his head, a smile tugging at his face.

Tang San and the others still didn't know the side effects of Ma Hongjun's martial soul.

Xiao Xian explained the meaning of the "Evil Fire Phoenix" and also clarified that there is a place in the world called Gou Lan.

"How can such a martial soul exist in this world?!" Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's faces clearly showed disgust.

Zhu Zhuqing seemed to recall something, glanced at Mu Bai, her whole demeanor turning colder, "Men are indeed filthy." She rarely spoke a word.

Mu Bai's expression stiffened.

Xiao Wu giggled, glanced at Tang San, about to say that Tang San wouldn't be like Mu Bai or Ma Hongjun.

At that moment, she looked again at Xiao Xian, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

She nudged Tang San with her elbow and whispered, "Hey, Xiao San, you've been with your senior brother and them for so long, soaked in their influence… it couldn't also…"

Tang San's expression also hardened, and he silently glanced at Xiao Xian.

He could hardly imagine Xiao Xian and Ma Hongjun going to such a place together.

Xiao Wu thought her voice was quiet enough.

But everyone is a Soul Master, sharp‑eared and keen‑eyed.

Mu Bai and Oscar's faces showed a subtly knowing smile.

Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes, staring at Xiao Xian.

Xiao Xian sighed helplessly, turned back, and pressed his hand onto Xiao Wu's head, giving it a hard, vigorous rub.

"Don't make up nonsense about me for no reason, understand?"

"Do you want to go bungee jumping again?" Xiao Xian's palm surged with Purple Radiance Soul Power.

"Stop! Brother Xiao Xian! Dear brother! I know I'm wrong!" Xiao Wu was startled all over, quickly begged for mercy, "Little Three!"

She certainly didn't want to be clutched by Xiao Jue, flung back and forth in the sky.

"Senior brother..." Tang San weakly spoke.

"I'll spare you this time." Xiao Xian let out a cold snort and withdrew his hand.

The whole way back to Slake was completely peaceful.

Ning Rongrong was terribly tired and had no mood to stir up trouble, nearly falling asleep as soon as she lay down.

Dai Mubai went to ask Teacher Shao for Sugar Beans.

Xiao Wu still bounced around lively, wanting to pull Tang San out to spar; today's Soul Battle sparked her fighting desire, yet also left her very disappointed.

But Tang San had made an appointment with Oscar to help him see how to control Sunlight Spore.

Oscar even, as soon as he returned to the academy, rushed straight into Tang San's dormitory.

Xiao Wu, seeing the situation, could only helplessly go back to the dormitory.

Xiao Xian glanced at them a few times, left two Water Sacs, then leapt onto the roof of Fulangde's residence and began cultivating together with Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue kept glancing at the Little Cabin where Zhu Zhuqing now lived, looking quite dissatisfied.

The many Little Cabins in the academy either leaked wind or rain and carried a musty smell; after inspecting, Xiao Xian thought they were no better than a roof, and that setting up a tent when there was time would be fine.

Zhu Zhuqing sometimes went through the window and happened to see on the roof Xiao Jue's fierce eyes…

She, for a long period, was not very daring to speak with Xiao Xian.

"…"

After researching for an hour or two, Tang San could only shake his head.

Without Xuan Tian Gong, they Soul Masters' control over soul power was indeed a bit lacking.

A little later, Fulangde returned with Ma Hongjun.

He happened to see that Tang San's dormitory was still lit.

Through the window, two silhouettes could still be seen.

His face instantly turned cold; Tang San wasn't living alone?

Not sleeping late at night?

Fulangde, just as he approached, heard Oscar's unusually excited voice.

"I broke through?!"

Xiao Xian, not far away, was cultivating with Xiao Jue; hearing the voice in the night, his eyes suddenly widened and he stared over.

"So, are we heading to the Star Dou Great Forest then…"

"Hope Little Three's luck is still that good."

Xiao Xian murmured softly to himself.

…