The next evening, the sky was already dark.
After dinner, Lin Tianyang and his wife, Shu Manyun, brought Fang Ling to the Grand Soul Fighting Arena.
Registration was quick.
Since he was alone, he naturally signed up for a one-on-one match.
This was Fang Ling's first time fighting in the Soul Arena. He was a little excited, even trembling slightly.
Shu Manyun gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looked at him warmly.
"How are you feeling? Nervous for your first Soul Fight?"
"A little," Fang Ling replied honestly.
"Our little battle genius is still nervous?" she smiled lightly.
"They're all too weak. I'm afraid I might accidentally kill one of them."
The comment was arrogant, and nearby people couldn't help but glance over.
Some wanted to mock him, but when they saw Lin Tianyang wearing the uniform of a Battle King Academy teacher, they quickly held their tongues and walked away silently.
The Grand Soul Arena maintained basic order, but if someone got beaten up for talking trash, the organizers wouldn't intervene.
Everyone who heard Fang Ling speak thought he was a cocky cripple, but in Lin Tianyang's ears, the meaning was different.
He laughed and scolded, "You little brat, just don't go for vital spots. Death in a duel match is a bit troublesome."
"Compensation isn't the issue, I can cover that. But you'll have to work for me afterward."
"Yeah, don't worry, teacher. I won't aim for the vital points," Fang Ling replied casually.
He needed to warm up a bit before asking to participate in a life-or-death battle later on.
The one-on-one matchups were determined by random draw.
While other soul masters fought, those waiting could choose to rest or watch from the audience.
Fang Ling, full of energy, naturally chose to spectate.
He didn't need any last-minute meditation. To him, fighting just meant striking with his scythe and dodging attacks, nothing complicated.
The fights today were slightly better than yesterday's, so Fang Ling watched with interest.
Soon, he heard his name being called.
After a match ended, a host in a tailcoat stepped onto the arena platform again.
"Next up is the fourth one-on-one match in Soul Arena Six. The contestants are two soul masters."
"Representing the weapon soul scythe, a newcomer to the Soul Arena, Fang Ling. He'll face Tian Wen, who has already won two consecutive matches and possesses the beast soul: Blazing Fire Monkey."
"Who will win and who will lose? Let's wait and see."
First-ring soul master battles weren't very spectacular, so the stands weren't packed.
Still, people could be heard calling out Tian Wen's name.
His previous battles were explosive and flashy, leaving a strong impression.
A short, red-haired youth stepped onto the arena amidst the cheers.
His skin was tanned, his body not bulky, but the defined muscles showed his strength.
With arms crossed over his chest and a proud look on his face, he exuded the air of a seasoned fighter.
On the other side, Fang Ling tapped twice and easily leaped onto the platform.
Thanks to the effects of his digestion-enhanced growth, his body had been developing rapidly.
His arm muscles were now more defined. Though he couldn't match grown men, he still had the strength to slice a throat.
"There's a kid in a first-ring Soul Fight?"
"How old is he? So soon to enter the Grand Arena?"
"Look at his leg, he's a cripple!"
The crowd erupted instantly.
Nothing drew curiosity like the appearance of something unusual.
A crippled newcomer versus a two-win streak youth, definitely a show.
Lin Tianyang and Shu Manyun in the audience instantly focused.
This was their disciple's first fight, they couldn't miss it.
"Can he win?" Shu Manyun asked anxiously, hand over her chest.
"Look at the other guy's stance, it's a guaranteed win," Lin Tianyang said confidently.
Even though he hadn't seen the opponent last night, he was certain Fang Ling's agility and reaction speed gave him the edge.
That red-haired youth, Tian Wen, looked surprised to see a child across from him.
"Whose kid came to play in the Soul Arena?"
"I heard Battle King Academy just recruited."
"He's a student there, any issue with that?" Fang Ling asked, confused.
"You didn't sneak into the Grand Arena right after enrollment, did you?"
Tian Wen grinned and said jokingly, "Take my advice, kid. Go home and train properly. You're too young and even disabled, I'd feel bad bullying you."
Fang Ling wasn't affected by the mockery.
"When you lose to this disabled kid, you'll know what shame feels like!"
"Why act so cautious? What kind of fighter are you?"
Tian Wen was momentarily stunned.
"Hey, kid, you"
Fang Ling glanced at him with contempt, gripped his scythe tightly, and shouted,
"Cut the crap. Activate your soul and fight!"
"Winning two matches, and now you think you're someone? Give me a break."
This wasn't a life-or-death battle, he needed his opponent to go all out in a duel match so he could better test himself.
So, provoke him.
Fire-attribute soul masters tend to have hot tempers, and guys like this who show off right away have big personality flaws.
A couple of taunts would do.
Sure enough, Tian Wen took the bait, face twitching.
"Fine, I'll give your academy teachers a hand and teach you a proper lesson!"
A red glow flashed on his forehead. His body was covered in crimson monkey fur.
Flames burned atop his head. As the Blazing Fire Monkey soul master, he cracked his knuckles and let out a furious roar as he charged at Fang Ling.
Lin Tianyang gently held his wife's soft hand and whispered in her ear.
He wanted to show off a little and explained the scene:
"Normally, for future flexibility, beast soul masters choose enhancement-type skills for their first ring."
"See that fire monkey charging in? He's aiming for melee."
"Boom!"
Just as Lin Tianyang finished his analysis, a loud explosion echoed.
The fire monkey's yellow soul ring lit up as he spat a stream of flame toward Fang Ling, and then quickly leaped back.
Shu Manyun couldn't help laughing aloud.
Lin Tianyang's face froze. His voice turned slightly irritated.
"Fine, long-range technique. What kind of trash soul master setup is this? Watch how my good disciple schools him!"
Fang Ling had already activated his soul ring, doubling his already heightened reflexes.
He noticed the fire monkey's open mouth in an instant.
His natural combat instinct warned him of the trick immediately.
If the guy had to use a tactic to beat a crippled kid, then the provocation had definitely worked.
Too bad he was still too slow.
Fang Ling's expression was cold. Having predicted the move, he reacted early.
He didn't even turn his body, just stepped lightly to dodge the incoming fire.
While avoiding the flames, he dashed forward over ten meters.
The arena was only twenty meters in diameter.
The fire monkey soul master was still spewing flames when he suddenly realized his attack failed, and the opponent was already right in front of him!
Shocked, he hastily cut off his soul technique, tensed up, and threw a punch.
Fang Ling sidestepped precisely, dodged the punch, and brought his scythe down on his opponent's neck.
Minimum movement, maximum effect, that was his fighting style.
The cold touch of the blade sent a chill straight to Tian Wen's core. All his pride and smugness vanished.
Sweat poured down his face.
"Don't strike, I surrender!"
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