Chapter 108: Returning to Soto City

According to the plan, the group would start from the Hagen-Dazs Kingdom, then enter Fasinuo Province, and after that, the Ba La Ke Wang Guo.

In the Ba La Ke Wang Guo, the Imperial Fighting Team would run into the Imperial Fighting Team.

The entire itinerary was equivalent to taking Heaven Dou City as the center and making a counter-clockwise loop around the surrounding major principalities.

Two months later.

Fasinuo Province, Faxibeier Royal City Great Soul Arena, Central Main Soul Fighting Arena.

"I concede." Following a slightly helpless voice echoing out, the surrounding spectator stands suddenly erupted in intense cheers.

Where there are people cheering, there are naturally people wailing.

This battle was Shi Quan's battle, and his opponent was a Soul Elder powerhouse who had just broken through to Level 40 and had not yet obtained a Soul Ring.

Because Shi Quan had been in this Faxibeier Royal City for a few days, the news that he fought using only a long sword without using his martial soul was already known to many in the Soul Arena; as fellow Soul Elders, no one favored the former when he fought a Level 40 quasi-Soul Ancestor powerhouse without using a martial soul.

Although he could fight above his level, Shi Quan did not choose to challenge those of higher levels; after all, it was better not to show off too much at this stage.

Shi Quan smiled, "It's alright, it's alright."

Although he was clear that the relationship between Dugu Yan and Shi Quan was more like that of siblings, and Shi Quan also maintained a certain distance when getting along with Dugu Yan, he still felt very uncomfortable deep down whenever he heard Dugu Yan praising Shi Quan; after all, the two were not truly siblings.

Even if one only mastered the basic forms of the Nine Swords of Dugu, fighting above one's level was an easy feat.

"Mm, that's enough, adding this match makes it just right." Qin Ming nodded with a smile.

"Hehe, Xiao Quan, tell us, how much did you bet this time?" Yu Feng asked, sneaking up with a mischievous look.

"Yes." The group nodded in unison and stood up to leave the spectator area.

After more than two months of sword practice, the more he practiced, the more Shi Quan felt the profundity of the Nine Swords of Dugu. Aside from mastering the sword formulas and sword techniques, the Nine Swords of Dugu relied heavily on the practitioner's spiritual insight; therefore, the same Nine Swords of Dugu would feel different when performed by different people.

"Xiao Quan's sword is becoming more and more formidable." In the spectator area reserved for registered participants, Dugu Yan watched Shi Quan on the arena floor with glowing eyes.

On the other side, amidst the cheers of the audience, Shi Quan strode into the passageway and disappeared into the shadows.

The group did not notice Yu Tianheng's abnormality; after all, as teammates, they all felt very honored that Shi Quan had obtained a Gold Spirit Badge by winning consecutive matches as a Soul Elder without using his martial soul.

"Xiao Quan, you're amazing!" The moment she saw Shi Quan, Dugu Yan gave a thumbs up, her eyes filled with a bit of adoration.

Although the Nine Swords of Dugu were not restricted by Internal Energy, in this world of soul power and soul skills, if one faced an opponent who was too strong and they unleashed a burst of power, they could finish you off directly, and no matter how exquisite your sword technique was, you wouldn't be able to display it.

Shi Quan's prestige within the team was also growing higher and higher. Although he was nominally the captain of the Imperial Fighting Team, whether it was his lover or his teammates, they clearly trusted and relied on Shi Quan more; he felt that his position as captain was merely a title in name only.

Shi Quan's act of challenging others without using his martial soul was highly watchable wherever he went, and the same was true at the Great Soul Arena. With the staff intentionally promoting it, the odds were always ridiculously high.

"Calculating the points, after this winning streak, Xiao Quan should have advanced to a Gold Spirit Badge, right?" Yu Feng exclaimed in astonishment, "It's one thing to reach Gold Spirit in such a short time, but the main thing is that this kid hasn't even used his martial soul. If he had used his martial soul, wouldn't he have a chance at a Purple Gold Spirit Badge?"

Since the start of the tour, all of them could clearly feel that Shi Quan's sword technique was becoming more and more exquisite. While marveling at Shi Quan's aptitude, they had to admit that the gap between them and Shi Quan was gradually widening. Up until now, they could be said to have witnessed Shi Quan's progress the entire way.

These wails were because they had placed the wrong bets and lost money.

"Let's go, it's about time. Let's pick up Xiao Quan, we should also enter the arena to participate in the Team Match." Qin Ming turned his head and continued.

Therefore, even if he fought above his level, it was ultimately limited.

"..." Beside him, Yu Tianheng clenched his fists tightly. Listening to Dugu Yan praise Shi Quan, a trace of unwillingness and desolation flashed in his eyes.

Taking advantage of this, every time Shi Quan arrived in a new city, he would bet on himself to win, always earning a fortune.

Even though he was not short of money now, it did not stop him from earning more. Moreover, he had previously left a large amount of wealth for his parents, and the matches during this period had made Shi Quan a self-made rich man once again.

Information was shared between the Soul Arenas of the major main cities, so perhaps they were aware of Shi Quan's uniqueness.

But the local spectators did not know.

"Same as usual," Shi Quan said with a smile.

Yu Feng's eyes widened, "The odds this time are much higher than before, and you're still betting ten thousand?"

Shi Quan explained: "If I bet too much, it won't be easy for the Great Soul Arena to explain. It's enough that we make some profit."

"Yo, looks like you bet quite a lot today? Aren't you going to treat us to a good meal?" Dugu Yan suddenly spoke up out of the blue.

"A small profit, a small profit," Yu Feng shrank his neck and hurriedly apologized with a smile: "Since Sister Yanzi has spoken, what else can I say? After the Team Match ends later, let's go have a good meal! I'll pay."

The surrounding teammates laughed. In fact, they had also placed bets; with a powerhouse in the team, they also benefited, but since Yu Feng wanted to treat them, they naturally wanted to take advantage of it.

"Alright, the match is about to start, everyone hurry and enter the arena." Qin Ming's voice came at this moment.

Hearing Qin Ming's voice, the group stopped talking and walked toward the Soul Arena.

A quarter of an hour later, the team returned victorious.

"Hehe, if we can win a few more consecutive matches, our team can also be promoted to a Gold Spirit team." Yu Feng said with a beaming smile, following the team back to the spectator area.

Because Shi Quan did not use his martial soul, the tacit understanding among the group was constantly increasing. Although the win rate had improved, the winning streaks were not many, and if they lost, the team would lose points. Therefore, the speed of point growth had never been fast, and coupled with the fact that a lot of points were needed to advance from a Silver Spirit Badge to a Gold Spirit Badge, they were still short of points to advance to a Gold Spirit team as of now.

Shi Quan smiled and said: "Let's all work hard together. Sooner or later, we will be able to get the Gold Spirit. Not just Gold Spirit, but Purple Gold, Diamond—we aren't without a chance."

"Don't even mention Diamond, I'm afraid even Purple Gold is difficult for us. Among Soul Elder-level teams, Gold Spirit Badges are already very rare, and it seems like a Purple Gold one has never even appeared in the entire Great Soul Arena, right?"

Dugu Yan smiled and said: "Since it hasn't appeared, then we'll be the first!"

"That's right, we'll be the first!" Shi Mo, who was usually quiet, also said with high fighting spirit.

Not far away, Qin Ming smiled slightly.

It had to be said that after Shi Quan obtained the Gold Spirit Badge, it had a significant motivating effect on the team.

When the group approached, Qin Ming smiled and said: "Alright, let's end today's training here."

"Everyone get some rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will set off for the Ba La Ke Wang Guo, heading to the nearest Soto City first."

Soto City!

Hearing this name, Shi Quan's gaze couldn't help but flicker.

Comparing the timeline to the original work, the Shrek Team should still be in Soto City participating in Soul Fighting.

In the original work, the Imperial Fighting Team lost, but with him there, the Imperial Fighting Team could not possibly lose!

However, what Shi Quan was more concerned about was Dugu Bo.

He didn't know where Dugu Bo had gone; there hadn't been any news for over two months.

When they left Heaven Dou City, they had specifically left a letter for Dugu Bo. Now, they didn't know where Dugu Bo was. If Dugu Bo happened to find them in Soto City just as they arrived, then Xiao Wu's identity would be very easily exposed.

A hundred-thousand-year soul bone plus a soul ring; how could Dugu Bo possibly give up such a good opportunity? Even if he could not absorb them himself, he could prepare them for Dugu Yan.

Dugu Bo possessed a Soul Guidance Device capable of storing living things; he certainly would not do something like taking the bone without the ring, so captivity was the most likely possibility.

But the problem was, if Dugu Bo really captured Xiao Wu, he would likely be relentlessly and crazily hunted down by that fellow Tang Hao.

Dugu Bo was no match for Tang Hao.

"If Grandfather Dugu really comes, I must be sure to give him a good warning."

The night passed without incident.

The next day, they followed the Heaven Dou Team's carriage as it left Fashibeier City and headed straight for the Ba La Ke Wang Guo.

After a day's journey, the group finally arrived outside Soto City at nightfall.

Just as planned before, Qin Ming first took the group to find lodging; because they needed to participate in Soul Fighting, the accommodation was found directly near the Suotuo Great Spirit Arena.

That evening, the group was in no rush to participate in Soul Fighting, instead going to the most famous restaurant in Soto City to eat and drink their fill.

After the meal, the group returned to their lodging to rest and prepare for Soul Fighting the next day.

Everyone was preparing to return to their rooms to rest, but Shi Quan took his long sword on his back and walked toward the outside of the building.

Ye Lingling suddenly asked, "Are you going out?"

"Yes." Shi Quan nodded, "My Soul Fighting Badge is already at the Gold Soul Fighting level, and there are almost no Soul Elders at this level. I plan to go to the Spirit Arena to apply for a new Soul Fighting Badge so that it will be more convenient for my subsequent Soul Fighting."

"Let's go together." The cheeks beneath Ye Lingling's veil were somewhat flushed.

Shi Quan was also stunned for a moment; having known each other for over two years, this was the first time Ye Lingling had invited him anywhere.

"Together." Shi Quan nodded.

"It's not too late anyway, we can stroll around first. When we just arrived, I saw a shop selling veils, and some of the veils were quite pretty. Let's go take a look."

"Mm."

They walked out of the hotel.

Even at night, the flow of people on the streets was bustling and continuous.

Along the way, besides veil shops, there were quite a few clothing stores; since they were out strolling, naturally there was no shortage of shopping.

Shi Quan pulled Ye Lingling along to help him pick out some clothes that suited him, and he also chose some pretty outfits for Ye Lingling. Of course, all the money was paid by Shi Quan; although Ye Lingling was not short on money, how could Shi Quan let her pay?

After strolling for about an hour, the two finally arrived at the Great Soul Arena in Soto City.