"To upgrade from Iron Badge to Bronze, you need 100 points.Then from Bronze to Silver, you need 1,000 points.When I was at Level 29, I got six straight wins. But after I reached Level 31 and went back, I lost four in a row.So generally, it's best to enter the Soul Battle Arena at Level 29 or around Level 38–39!"
Bald Bai explained with a bitter smile.
Ma Hongjun patted his belly and said:
"I've had 33 matches—21 wins, 12 losses. I've got 9 points."
"So that's how it is!"
Zhang Fan nodded thoughtfully. The others nodded as well.
Then, they all walked into the grand Soul Battle Arena together.
The Soto Grand Soul Arena was oval-shaped and towered at 120 meters. Inside, there was one main battle stage and 24 sub-stages.It could hold 60,000 spectators.
There were three types of battles:
Friendly Duels – Meant for sparring. No killing or lethal force allowed.
Life and Death Battles – Used to resolve irreconcilable conflicts.
Tournaments – 1v1, 2v2, or team battles. Team sizes were negotiable, usually 7–10 participants per side.
They walked to the registration counter to sign up.
After filling in their name, age, place of birth, and martial spirit info, they handed over ten gold soul coins and received their Iron Soul Badge.
Then it was time for the soul power test to confirm their rank.
"Wait... Zhang Fan, you're already Level 40? When did that happen?!"
Dai Mubai's eyes widened after seeing Zhang Fan's soul power result.
Even the testing staff stared at his form for a few seconds in shock:
"Twelve years old, f-fourty level?! What kind of monster are you?! Heaven-defying freak!"
He cried out in disbelief.
"Uhh... Zhang Fan, when did you hit Level 40?"
Ma Hongjun was equally stunned. Just a few days ago, this guy was still Level 38! How could he advance so fast?!
"Uhh..."
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, and even Flender were shocked.
Of course, Xiao Wu already knew Zhang Fan was at Level 40, so she wasn't as surprised.
"Just got lucky—had a little fortuitous encounter."
Zhang Fan said casually, glancing at a stunned Tang San.
Tang San frowned.Why is this guy looking at me?He was utterly confused.
The others completed their soul power testing.
Once the tests were done, the examiner left.
"You can participate in one match per day. So, who's going to try today?"
Bald Bai asked the group.
"But Zhang Fan, if you go in at Level 40, you'll be at a big disadvantage. You'll be matched against Soul Masters between Level 40 and 50."
"That's definitely unfair."
Xiao Wu nodded seriously, but then she smiled slyly and changed the subject:
"But with Brother Fan's strength, even Soul Masters are no match. Any opponent is just easy pickings."
"...Is that so?"
Ma Hongjun raised an eyebrow. He'd never seen Zhang Fan fight. He'd only heard rumors—like how even Teacher Zhao got wrecked by him once.
"Of course it's true!"
Ning Rongrong glared at him.
"Ignorant."
Zhu Zhuqing scoffed at Fatty Ma.
"Ugh... you three women!"
Ma Hongjun nearly fainted from frustration.What, I can't even question this guy now?!
"I'll give it a try. Good chance to build some real combat experience."
Zhang Fan smiled calmly.
"Brother Fan, wanna do a 2v2 team with me?"
Xiao Wu leaned on Zhang Fan's shoulder with a grin, trying to act cute.
"I wanna team up with Brother Fan too!"
Ning Rongrong batted her lashes and shyly joined in.
"Me too!" Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward with a cool face but eager eyes.
Three gorgeous girls all battling to team up with one guy—each one more beautiful than the next.
Even Flender laughed.
This kid Zhang Fan is way too popular.No surprise though—he's just that outstanding.
"You could form three separate 2v2 teams with each of them. That means you can enter four matches per day! You'll rack up points in no time!"
"..."
Bald Bai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing again, utterly shocked.
This cold beauty actually joined Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong in this little love war?He was super jealous. So many gorgeous girls, and none of them looked at him.
He nearly died from envy.
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Meanwhile, Tang San stood off to the side, his eyes dark as night.This damn Zhang Fan is seriously pissing me off! How did he level up so fast?! He's a freaking freak!
Oscar was also green with jealousy.
Zhang Fan went to draw lots and ended up in one of the sub-arenas.His opponent: Chen Hu, Martial Spirit: Iron Tiger, Level 49 Battle Soul Master.
"Kid, you're gonna fight me at Level 40? Are you brain-dead?""Don't you know Level 40 gets matched with Level 40 to 50 opponents?!""And I just had six wins in a row. You're out of luck—I'll break you with one punch!"
Chen Hu had a hulking, tiger-like build. He looked down on Zhang Fan with disdain.
He figured this kid was new and had no experience.
"Interesting..."
Tang San smirked from the sidelines.
After all, last time Zhang Fan only beat Teacher Zhao because of Xiao Wu's distraction and Ning Rongrong's support.This time, the situation's totally different.
Tang San could already imagine Zhang Fan getting brutally beaten.
"Buzz..."
Four soul rings lit up under Chen Hu's feet.His Iron Tiger spirit merged with his body—his muscles swelled, and his height increased.
"ROARRRR!"
He let out a deafening tiger roar, shaking the whole arena.
The audience cheered:
"Chen Hu! Mighty!""Crush that little brat!"
Chen Hu sneered:
"Come on, kid. Show me your spirit and rings."
"Buzz..."
Zhang Fan's hand lit up with purple light as his martial spirit appeared.
"...That trashy thing is your spirit? You joking?"
Chen Hu froze for half a second before bursting into laughter:
"HAHAHA! That spirit's garbage! What is it, Junk Sword?"
"You guessed it. It's called the Sky-Junk Sword!"
Zhang Fan grinned wickedly. He dismissed the sword, then activated Nine Yang Divine Art.
True energy and soul power surged toward his hand.
"Beating you won't even require a martial spirit!"
"Arrogant brat! Die!"
Chen Hu exploded in rage. His third soul ring activated and formed a massive tiger claw that shot toward Zhang Fan.
"Dragon Claw Technique!"
Zhang Fan raised his hand, transforming it into a claw.
"ROAR—"
A dragon's roar echoed as a massive claw slashed out. A golden dragon shadow appeared behind him as he struck with a devastating punch.
"Cocky fool! You dare not use your spirit?! You're begging to get destroyed!"
Tang San sneered, waiting for Zhang Fan's humiliation.
"AARGH—!"
But instead, what he heard was Chen Hu's scream.
He looked up in shock—Chen Hu's hand was bleeding and he was flying backward!
"BOOM!" He crashed off the stage.
"AAAGH! MY HAND!"
Chen Hu writhed on the ground, clutching his injured arm in agony.
No one expected that kid named Zhang Fan to be so terrifying.He didn't even use his martial spirit or soul rings—just one claw, and Chen Hu was done!
Some sharp-eyed spectators even thought they saw a golden five-clawed dragon shadow behind that strike.
(End of Chapter)