In Heaven Dou City, at the Great Soul Arena.
On the Soul Fighting stage, Cheng Xiao and Dugu Yan faced each other from a distance, awaiting the female announcer to declare the start of the battle.
Moments later, after introducing the basic information about Cheng Xiao and Dugu Yan, the announcer raised her microphone and loudly proclaimed, "Let the Soul Fight begin!"
As soon as the announcer's words fell, Cheng Xiao politely gestured for Dugu Yan to make the first move. Then, like a cannonball, his figure shot forward at such an incredible speed that only a faint black shadow could be seen streaking past.
"So fast!" Dugu Yan was shocked. Faced with a twelve-year-old Soul Elder, she was fully aware of the vast difference in talent between them. However, her current soul power was at rank 38, a full three ranks higher than Cheng Xiao's. Moreover, she was not some fragile flower raised in a greenhouse. She believed that she held an advantage against Cheng Xiao.
But now, with Cheng Xiao's sudden attack, the advantage she felt instantly crumbled. His speed—how could it be this fast? Despite her shock, Dugu Yan didn't give up immediately. She quickly summoned her Martial Spirit, the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Two yellow and one purple soul rings appeared, spiraling up from her feet, a clear indication of her rank as a three-ringed Soul Elder.
"First soul skill, Jade Phosphor Serpent Armor!"
With a soft shout, her first soul ring flared, releasing a bright yellow glow. A layer of green poisonous mist enveloped her entire body, and a green scale appeared at the center of her forehead. Behind her, the illusory form of a large green serpent swayed back and forth.
However, just as she released her first soul skill, Cheng Xiao had already arrived in front of her, his fist shrouded in black mist, mercilessly smashing towards her without any hint of hesitation.
Seeing this, Dugu Yan decisively raised her arms to block. She didn't believe that Cheng Xiao would dare take on her poisonous mist head-on, but soon, she noticed something strange—the black mist surrounding Cheng Xiao's fist seemed to be isolating her poison.
Although she was deeply shocked by this realization, she had no time to dwell on it, as Cheng Xiao's fists rained down on her like a storm.
Dugu Yan struggled under his relentless attacks, cursing inwardly. This was the first time she had encountered someone who dared to attack so recklessly while facing her poison. Usually, anyone who tried would only end up melting into a puddle of goo, succumbing to the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison.
But Cheng Xiao was different. The black mist around his arms seemed to completely nullify the poison. In other words, her Jade Phosphor Serpent's venom had been entirely countered!
Inside the Soul Arena's rest area, Qin Ming watched as Cheng Xiao completely dominated Dugu Yan. His expression turned somewhat peculiar.
"Her poison has no effect on him? Could his Martial Spirit have the ability to neutralize toxins?" Qin Ming pondered as he observed the odd scene unfolding on the stage. "That kid hasn't even used a soul skill yet. Could the black mist around his fists be a self-created soul skill?"
On the stage, Dugu Yan, who was being suffocated under Cheng Xiao's barrage, wore a look of shock. Not only was Cheng Xiao's speed overwhelming, but her soul power was rapidly dissipating!
At the moment when Dugu Yan's focus wavered, Cheng Xiao switched from fist to palm, slightly curving his hand. With a sharp release, an overwhelming force shot out.
Boom!
With a dull thud, Dugu Yan's body seemed to have been struck by a sledgehammer. She was forced back over ten steps before finally stopping, looking somewhat battered.
Clutching her aching chest, Dugu Yan found it painful even to breathe. Looking at Cheng Xiao, who appeared completely unharmed and without a change in expression, she couldn't help but ask, "You didn't use your soul rings or skills. What exactly is this ability?"
"I didn't use any skills. This is just a natural ability of my Martial Spirit." Cheng Xiao replied indifferently, lowering his raised palm. However, if one looked closely, they would notice a faint golden light flickering in his palm.
That palm strike just now had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Had he used his fist with full force and aimed for a vital point, that punch could have easily shattered her internal organs.
"A Martial Spirit's innate ability!" Dugu Yan was stunned. What kind of Martial Spirit could simultaneously block her Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison and drain her soul power? How was she supposed to fight against that? Seeing Dugu Yan's bewilderment, Cheng Xiao's lips curled into a slight smile. Since that was the case, it was time to end this match.
However, just as Cheng Xiao prepared to finish the battle, Dugu Yan, who had been standing with her head lowered, suddenly made a move. Her third soul ring shone brightly as a light green glow spread from her body.
"Third soul skill, Jade Phosphor Purple Poison!"
With the activation of her third skill, a dense purple mist spewed from her mouth, drifting toward Cheng Xiao.
Sensing the danger, the soldiers within Cheng Xiao's shadow stirred restlessly. As the most loyal protectors of their king, they would never allow anyone to harm him.
But Cheng Xiao didn't grant them permission to emerge. Instead, he calmly faced the approaching purple mist without flinching.
"You're crazy! My Jade Phosphor Purple Poison will turn you into a pool of liquid in mere moments if you even touch it!" Dugu Yan shouted in panic as she saw Cheng Xiao heading straight for the poison.
The entire audience froze in shock at this scene. It wasn't just the spectators; even the members of the Emperor Team were stunned. None of them had expected Cheng Xiao to face the Jade Phosphor Serpent's deadly poison head-on!
In the minds of the onlookers, there was only one thought: this guy was insane—a true madman! No one believed that Cheng Xiao could survive exposure to the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison. In the past, another soul master had foolishly tried to test it and ended up as a pool of liquid. Now, it seemed Cheng Xiao was about to meet the same fate.
However, as everyone thought he was doomed, the young man standing in the midst of the toxic mist merely sneezed. Then, casually wiping his nose, he smiled and said, "Senior Dugu Yan, it seems your poison doesn't affect me."
"No... doesn't work?" Dugu Yan stared at Cheng Xiao in disbelief, her eyes wide with shock. The poison that could turn people into liquid had no effect on him?
His words caused a stir in the arena. All eyes turned toward Cheng Xiao, as no one could believe that someone could survive the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison and emerge unscathed!
What the crowd didn't know was that when Cheng Xiao came into contact with the poison, his innate ability—originally a passive recovery skill—had evolved into the Grand Wizard's Blessing.
This ability not only boosted his recovery but also granted him immunity to all diseases, poisons, and abnormal states. Furthermore, it greatly enhanced his healing while asleep. This was why Cheng Xiao wasn't afraid to confront the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison head-on—because he was immune.
Dugu Yan stood there, stunned, her shock turning into disbelief. She never would have imagined that the smiling young man could completely shrug off the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison.
She wasn't the only one; even the Emperor Team members watching from the sidelines were dumbfounded.
They were all too familiar with the potency of Dugu Yan's poison. Even soul masters far stronger than her wouldn't dare provoke her lightly, for once touched by the poison, it could never be fully cleansed. Even her grandfather, Dugu Bo, couldn't completely neutralize it.
Initially, when they saw Dugu Yan use her third soul skill, Qin Ming, watching from the stands, nearly had a heart attack. After all, Cheng Xiao had been sent by the Crown Prince, and if anything happened to him, Qin Ming, as a teacher, wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
Yet to his surprise, Cheng Xiao showed no signs of being affected by the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison. It was as if he were immune to toxins!
The Soul Arena fell silent for a moment. Dugu Yan, unwilling to admit defeat, raised her head. Her eyes had turned purple due to the use of her third soul skill, and she bit her lip, saying, "I've lost."
After saying this, Dugu Yan turned around and left the Soul Fighting stage. It seemed that after losing, her pace quickened as she left.
Watching Dugu Yan's departing figure, Cheng Xiao shook his head slightly and then followed after her.
When Dugu Yan exited the Soul Master passageway, Yu Tianheng was already there waiting for her. After offering her some simple words of comfort, the two of them headed towards the two-on-two Soul Fight area. Since she had lost in the one-on-one match, she planned to vent her frustration on their two-on-two opponents!
When Cheng Xiao returned to the rest area, Ye Lingling was curiously looking at him. She couldn't figure out what unique trait the boy's Martial Spirit had that allowed him to be immune to the Jade Phosphor Serpent's poison. Such an ability was something even her Nine-Hearted Begonia couldn't achieve.
However, Cheng Xiao had no intention of explaining. Right after he returned to the rest area, Qin Ming instructed him to take Ye Lingling to the two-on-two registration area. They still had a two-on-two match tonight, and after completing it, they could go back to rest.
In response, Cheng Xiao could only comply with Qin Ming's request, leading Ye Lingling to the two-on-two Soul Fight area.
"Participating in the two-on-two Soul Fight, the registration fee is ten gold coins."