Chapter 45: The First Martial Soul Fight, Not Using a Martial Soul?
"Senior Sister, let's go watch the matches first."
The scale of the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena was far beyond comparison to other towns, and with so many Soul Masters competing every day, there were still several matches queued up before Su Mo and Bibi Dong.
However, there were many fighting rings here, including one main ring and twenty-four sub-rings, so they did not need to wait too long.
A moment later, the two arrived at the spectator stands of the main Great Spirit Arena.
They found two adjacent seats in the back row and sat down, preparing to watch the matches.
At this moment, two Spirit Kings were engaged in a fierce confrontation on the ring.
The two exchanged blows, fighting to a standstill, while the surrounding audience erupted from time to time in shouts and cheers.
Su Mo and Bibi Dong watched the match quietly, occasionally exchanging a few words in low voices.
After two Martial Soul Fights concluded one after another, it was finally their turn to take the stage.
Since both were competing for the first time, the battle grounds were not arranged on the central ring but were instead assigned to Ring 15 and Ring 20, respectively.
"Junior Brother, good luck."
"Mm, you too."
The two smiled at each other, then parted ways, each heading towards their own ring.
...
Ring 15.
The surrounding spectator stands were already seventy or eighty percent full, noisy and chaotic.
Above the ring hung a huge Martial Soul guidance screen, clearly displaying the information of the two parties about to appear.
Name: Tai Ge. Martial Soul: Magma Splitting Earth Tiger, Level 56 attack system Battle Spirit King. Record: 12 wins, 4 losses.
VS
Name: Asura. Martial Soul: Blood Sword, Level 55 attack system Battle Spirit King. Record: 0 wins, 0 losses.
In the center of the ring stood a middle-aged man wearing a brown suit; he was the host of Ring 15.
He held a microphone, his tone impassioned: "Next is the fifth match of the one-on-one Martial Soul Fight! Let us welcome—"
He drew out his words and pointed toward the west passage: "Battle Spirit King Tai Ge, Martial Soul: Magma Splitting Earth Tiger!"
The moment his voice fell, a figure as sturdy as a bear strode out from the west passage.
The person looked to be in his forties or fifties, his bare upper body showing knotted muscles, his face rugged, and his brows revealing a hint of ferocity; he was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
"Tai Ge! Tai Ge!"
As Tai Ge entered, the spectator stands erupted with shouts like a landslide or tsunami.
Tai Ge was a familiar face in this Great Spirit Arena, and many veteran spectators recognized him.
"Tai Ge is in good form today; his opponent is likely going to suffer."
"Nonsense, Tai Ge is Level 56, while the opponent is only Level 55."
"Plus, Tai Ge's Magma Splitting Earth Tiger has extremely strong burst power. In the last match, his opponent of the same level was beaten until covered in wounds, a miserable sight."
Just as the discussions rose and fell, the host pointed to the other side: "Next, let us welcome Battle Spirit King Asura, Martial Soul: Blood Sword!"
The next moment, Su Mo walked out from the east passage, his pace neither slow nor fast, calm and composed.
He wore a strange, dark red mask on his face, making it impossible to see his features at all.
Compared to the enthusiastic scene when Tai Ge appeared, Su Mo's entrance was much colder.
"Asura? What kind of name is that? It sounds quite intimidating."
"Why is that kid wearing a mask? What kind of mystery is he trying to put on?"
"I've seen plenty of these newbies; he's just playing tricks. Look at how scrawny he is; can he withstand Tai Ge's fists?"
"A newbie with zero wins and zero losses—isn't this just handing points to Tai Ge?"
"Haha, newbies are great. I bet everything on Tai Ge; this match is definitely a sure win."
The discussions surged from all directions like a tide, rising and falling.
Ninety-nine percent of the people present were supporting Tai Ge, not just verbally, but with real money.
Every match in the Great Spirit Arena could be bet upon.
For this match, the odds for Tai Ge were 1 to 1.2, while the odds for Su Mo were 1 to 3.
Although betting on Su Mo to win would earn more, very few people favored him.
However, there were a few scattered gamblers who hoped to make a killing and bet on Su Mo to win.
Seeing that both had taken their positions, the host announced loudly: "Will both sides please prepare!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a pair of Soul Power wings condensed behind him, and he flapped them to fly into the air, hovering steadily above the ring, looking down at the battlefield from a commanding position.
At this moment, Tai Ge stepped forward, and five Soul Rings in the best configuration descended one after another.
Following that, a wave of scorching heat erupted from his body, causing the temperature around the ring to rise suddenly, making even the air begin to distort and warp.
The next instant, a tiger's roar resounded throughout the arena.
A giant tiger phantom condensed into form, its whole body flowing with scorching firelight, its tiger eyes wide open, revealing a fierce glare.
"Tai Ge, Martial Soul: Magma Splitting Earth Tiger, Level 56 attack system Battle Spirit King, please advise!"
Tai Ge stated his name in a muffled voice, his eyes carrying a hint of disdain.
In his view, the masked kid on the opposite side was just a newbie who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.
However, Su Mo stood where he was, not moving an inch.
"What's wrong with Asura? Why isn't he releasing his Martial Soul?"
"Could it be that he's so nervous he forgot how to release it? Hahahaha!"
"I think he's scared stupid. It's his first time on stage, and the opponent is a powerhouse like Tai Ge; it's normal for his legs to turn to jelly."
The discussions in the spectator stands grew louder and noisier.
Some mocked, some were confused, and some were simply joining in the commotion.
On the ring, Tai Ge frowned, and the disdain on his face was gradually replaced by annoyance.
"Kid!" he roared, "Wearing a mask to play mysterious is one thing, but now you're not even using your Martial Soul? Are you looking down on me?"
Su Mo did not answer; his eyes exposed outside the mask were devoid of ripples, as calm as a pool of stagnant water.
And this indifferent attitude was more provocative than any words.
Tai Ge's face flushed red, and the veins on his forehead throbbed.
He had fought so many matches in the Great Spirit Arena; in which one had the opponent not treated him like a formidable enemy, fully prepared?
Never had anyone dared to treat him like this!
At this moment, the host looked at the situation on the ring, and his brows furrowed slightly as well.
According to the Martial Soul Fight rules, after the announcement to prepare, both sides could release their Martial Souls.
Now Tai Ge was ready, but there was no movement from Su Mo's side.
He cleared his throat and reminded: "Contestant Asura, you may release your Martial Soul during the preparation phase."
He thought Su Mo was participating in a Martial Soul Fight for the first time and didn't know the rules, so he kindly reminded him.
At this moment, Su Mo finally reacted.
He shook his head slightly and said calmly: "No need."
As soon as his voice fell, the entire arena was in an uproar.
"What? No need for a Martial Soul?!"
"Is he crazy? Fighting a Level 56 with a Level 55, and he dares not to use his Martial Soul?"
"It's over, it's over. I knew I shouldn't have bet on him. My gold coins..."
The spectator stands were in a frenzy; some were shocked, some were mocking, and those who had bet on Su Mo were filled with regret.
Loving Book So Far Check Out 40+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL