"Xiaoyan, let's head to the Tianhai Grand Stadium for the personal tournament," Jing Shaoyu called as he exited the competition hall, spotting Xu Xiaoyan sitting outside on a bench, swinging her legs in boredom.
"Big Brother Shaoyu, you're done!" She jumped up excitedly, her face lighting up with joy.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," he chuckled, ruffling her hair.
"Not at all!" she replied, shaking her head before sheepishly admitting, "Maybe... just a little bit bored."
"I thought so." Jing Shaoyu smiled, exasperated yet fond. "Alright, let's go."
"Yes! Let's go!"
They left the third venue and briskly made their way toward the Tianhai Grand Stadium. As they neared it, Xu Xiaoyan suddenly remembered and asked, "Big Brother Shaoyu, how did your competition go?"
"Don't worry. No one else stands a chance at first place but your Big Brother Shaoyu." Jing Shaoyu replied confidently.
"Wow! Big Brother Shaoyu, you're amazing!" Xu Xiaoyan's eyes sparkled with admiration.
The third round of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Tournament's Soul Master individual competition for the youth group would determine the top thirty-two, so only sixteen arenas were set up, divided into two groups. Jing Shaoyu was assigned to the third arena of the second group.
When they reached the stadium's interior, they happened to run into Gu Yue.
Gu Yue looked at Jing Shaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan holding hands. Without a word, she stepped between them, forcing their hands apart. Jing Shaoyu could only sigh at this, while Xu Xiaoyan felt a little annoyed.
"Gu Yue, aren't you in the first group? How come you're not competing?" Xu Xiaoyan asked with a teasing smile.
"I already won," Gu Yue replied simply, her words oozing confidence.
Xu Xiaoyan pouted and stopped probing.
"Haha, as expected of you, winning the third round with ease," Jing Shaoyu said with a laugh.
"The opponents were too weak," Gu Yue replied coolly, her tone exuding a surprising hint of pride that made Jing Shaoyu pause.
After a bit of banter, the first group's matches ended. As part of the second group, Jing Shaoyu headed to his assigned arena. Waving to the girls, he said, "Gu Yue, Xiaoyan, wait here. I'll be back soon."
"Good luck, Big Brother Shaoyu!" Xu Xiaoyan cheered with a smile.
"Mm." Gu Yue nodded, her face calm.
At the third arena, a green-haired girl was waving cheerfully to a blue-haired girl nearby. A closer look revealed something remarkable: the two girls had identical faces, like mirrored images. If not for their hair colors and different auras, they could easily swap places without anyone noticing.
Jing Shaoyu observed this with interest, realizing immediately, "Twins? Are they from Hailu Academy? If I'm not mistaken, she and her sister must have a Martial Soul Fusion skill."
Once both contestants were in place, the referee called, "Prepare."
The green-haired girl turned her attention to Jing Shaoyu, momentarily surprised. She covered her slightly parted mouth with a hand, saying playfully, "Hey, little brother, my name is Zhou Tian'er. What's your name?"
"Jing Shaoyu," he replied, smiling as he glanced briefly at her blue-haired twin. "Is that your sister in the audience? You two must be twins."
"That's right!" Zhou Tian'er smiled proudly. "That's my sister! You interested? Dating us twins could be exciting!" She winked flirtatiously, almost playfully seductive for a girl of her age.
Jing Shaoyu simply smiled back. "Sure. Beat me, and I'll consider it."
Zhou Tian'er pouted. "Hey! It's my sister, not me! And I should be the one making that offer, shouldn't I?"
He chuckled softly, his eyes curving in a gentle, inviting smile.
For a moment, Zhou Tian'er was caught off guard, almost mesmerized.
"Ahem!" The referee, unable to watch any longer, cleared his throat and announced, "Match, start!"
The command snapped Zhou Tian'er out of her daze. Her gaze grew serious, and a soft green light began to glow around her. Two yellow soul rings appeared behind her, exuding a refreshing, woodsy scent.
Zhou Tian'er, level twenty-seven Control Soul Master, Martial Soul: Wood Element, or simply, Wood Spirit. Jing Shaoyu recognized her immediately, stifling a laugh. An elemental Martial Soul, and it's Wood? Isn't this ironic—fighting wood against a master of all elements?
Jing Shaoyu remained motionless, which seemed to irk Zhou Tian'er. How dare he underestimate her like this! Suppressing her irritation, her first soul ring lit up, and a soft green glow appeared beneath her feet. Soon, a dense layer of thorny vines sprouted from the ground, lunging toward him.
First soul skill: Thorned Vines!
The thorned vines wrapped around him, closing the gap to just ten centimeters. Zhou Tian'er smirked. What a pretty but useless boy. He's all looks and no substance. How foolish of me to think he might be interesting.
Just as Zhou Tian'er thought the match was over, Jing Shaoyu's eyes glinted green. The vines halted midair, and to the shock of the referee, the audience, and Zhou Tian'er's sister, the vines abruptly turned around and, with even greater speed, coiled tightly around Zhou Tian'er, binding her securely.
"Eek!" Zhou Tian'er, now wrapped like a caterpillar, shouted in panic. "What's going on? Why aren't my vines listening to me? And why can't I use my second soul skill?"
"Too bad, sister. Looks like you won't be dating me after all," Jing Shaoyu teased, crouching beside her with a playful smile.
"You did this?!" she hissed, furious. "You're just a wolf in sheep's clothing, a pretender! Fine, you win. Now, let me go!"
"As you wish." He stood up and, without a backward glance, started walking off the stage.
Zhou Tian'er was stunned. Wasn't he going to untie her? Watching him step down from the arena, she shouted desperately, "Hey! Aren't you forgetting something? Let me go!"
"Don't worry, it's handled," he replied without looking back. On the final step, he snapped his fingers, and instantly, the vines loosened and slumped to the floor, as lifeless as discarded rope.
Zhou Tian'er climbed to her feet, realizing she could control the vines again. Her fingers twitched, and the vines rose obediently, leaving her confused but deeply intrigued. What just happened? Why did my vines listen to him? Could he have a Wood Spirit too? But if so, why didn't I know it could do that?
This question would haunt her for years until much later in the future…
"Gu Yue, Xiaoyan, let's go back," Jing Shaoyu said cheerfully, walking toward the two girls. Instead of smiles or praise, he was greeted by two hands, each from a different girl, with the same intent.
"Ow!" A sharp pain jolted through his waist, and he heard Xu Xiaoyan's sweet yet pointed voice.
"
Big Brother Shaoyu, we heard you loud and clear—you'll date whoever beats you, is that right?"
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