This battle finally humbled Yu Tianheng, stripping him of the arrogance that stemmed from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. To be unable to dominate such an ordinary soul master—what pride did he have left to speak of?
Next up was the two-versus-two Soul Duel. Due to the nature of team battles, with more complex strategies and a wide variety of combat approaches, it was rare to see a match end instantly—unless one side had overwhelming power or was entirely inexperienced. As a result, these matches typically lasted longer than one-on-one duels.
Xu Yang sat beside Dugu Yan, watching the 2v2 rounds unfold.
Though the two of them had previously teamed up in the academy to fight alongside Yu Tianheng and the others and had developed a bit of chemistry, it wasn't nearly enough. Compared to the highly experienced duos they observed, they were sorely lacking. If they ended up facing opponents several levels higher in soul power, the fight would be even more difficult.
They watched several matches in a row, observing a variety of clever strategies and tactics, before it was finally their turn to step into the arena.
"Sub-Arena 32, Match 23 of the Two-vs-Two Soul Duel: Biyang Team versus Ironblood Team!"
As soon as they entered the arena, Dugu Yan's eyes widened in surprise at their opponents' attire. "They're from the military's Ironblood Banner?"
The name caught Xu Yang off guard as well. He had heard of the Ironblood Banner before—it was a versatile martial soul, and its development path depended entirely on the soul master's chosen direction. However, most users cultivated the support branch, specializing in large-scale amplification. This was because such a martial soul found its greatest utility within the military.
Their opponents were two soul masters who looked sharp and professional—undoubtedly military-trained. Both were around twenty years old, with the iconic cropped haircuts of soldiers and eyes full of steely determination.
But when they saw Xu Yang and Dugu Yan, their expressions revealed genuine astonishment. One even rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Are they... just kids?!"
They had fought many geniuses in the Heaven Dou Soul Arena, but even the youngest among them was at least fourteen. These two? They looked like children!
Xu Yang simply smiled at their reaction. After all, he was technically still a child. But Dugu Yan was less amused. She took a step forward, hands on her hips, and snapped angrily, "So what if we're kids?! Kids can beat you so hard you'll be picking your teeth up off the ground!"
She had been trained by Dugu Bo himself and was notoriously headstrong—bowing to no one. If someone crossed her, she didn't hesitate to throw hands.
The older of the two Ironblood soul masters chuckled coldly. "Little girl, don't expect us to go easy on you just because you're young."
Seeing the tension escalate, the host hurriedly stepped in and said cheerfully, "Looks like both sides are raring to go. Then let the match... begin!"
The Ironblood duo reacted instantly. At the sound of the host's voice, both shouted in unison. Blood-red light surged from their right hands as identical weapons materialized—massive crimson banners etched with intricate golden patterns, each surrounded by three soul rings: one yellow, one yellow, and one purple.
Xu Yang instantly recognized that these opponents were far more formidable than those they had watched earlier. Not only were they highly experienced in combat, but they hadn't underestimated them because of their age.
As their martial souls activated, Dugu Yan followed suit. The horn of her Emerald Scaled Horned Dragon emerged atop her head, and her legs fused into a single serpentine tail that swayed gently beneath her.
Xu Yang, however, still didn't reveal his soul rings. He simply summoned his Sun Sacred Blade and stood casually to the side.
"Careful!"
"First Soul Skill: Rally!"
Both Ironblood soul masters shouted in sync. The younger one lowered his Ironblood Banner, casting a beam of blood-red light that enveloped them. Immediately, their aura surged, and their eyes filled with fearlessness.
The older soul master then shot forward like a streak of blood-red lightning, his banner transforming into a spear as he thrust it straight at Xu Yang and Dugu Yan.
"One support-type, one power-type."
Xu Yang immediately deduced their combat roles based on their movement.
"Bring it on! You think I'm scared?!"
"First Soul Skill: Frenzied Venom!"
"Second Soul Skill: Paralytic Venom!"
Dugu Yan, clearly irritated, activated both of her soul skills simultaneously, applying them to herself. Then she charged forward to meet the attack head-on. Soul power gathered between her palms as she struck like a venomous snake, tangling with the blood-red spear.
After her martial soul evolved, the poison within her had also advanced, making her toxins unsuitable for buffing allies. Even her weakest venom—Frenzied Venom—could be fatal without an antidote.
For this reason, Qin Ming rarely allowed Dugu Yan to use her venom-based abilities in combat.
With no alternative, she could only apply both boosting soul skills to herself, temporarily converting from a control-type soul master into a power-type. Fortunately, her horned dragon martial soul provided buffs to strength, speed, and defense that rivaled those of traditional power-type martial souls. As a result, her overall combat ability didn't decline much.
She clashed fiercely with the Ironblood soul master. Despite his superior weapon reach, her snake-like flexibility and erratic strikes kept him off balance, forcing him back.
"First Soul Skill: Ironblood Thrust!"
"Second Soul Skill: Inspire!"
The Ironblood soul master leaped back to gain distance. Soul rings lit up beneath him, and another blood-red glow enveloped his body. The moment he landed, his soul power erupted beneath his feet, and he rocketed forward like a blood-red missile.
This was a classic thrust-type soul skill—an unavoidable, high-speed charge. Combined with the support-type soul master's amplification, it could easily take Dugu Yan out of the fight if it landed.
But Dugu Yan wasn't fighting alone.
Just as the Ironblood soul master unleashed his charge, Xu Yang casually swung his Tang Saber. A terrifying golden blade beam roared forth, aimed precisely along the path of the incoming strike.
The blade beam's trajectory was carefully calculated—if the Ironblood soul master continued his charge, he would be hit squarely. He could feel its deadly edge and knew it would leave him seriously injured if it connected.
Yet if he aborted the attack, he'd lose the perfect opportunity.
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Faced with no good options, the Ironblood soul master ultimately chose to retreat. He swung his spear, unfurling the banner to dissipate the golden blade energy bit by bit. Then he tapped the ground with his toe and leapt backward, trying to create distance from Dugu Yan.
But Dugu Yan's lips curled into a cold smile. She darted forward like a venomous snake, her body flashing emerald green as she closed the gap in an instant, sticking close to the Ironblood soul master, giving him no room to unleash his full strength.