Chapter 170: First Battle, Phantom Peerless vs. Execution Duo
Inside the waiting area for the Grand Soul Master-level team battles—
After a period of waiting, the Grand Soul Master-level team battles finally began.
However, the first team called up wasn't Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying's Cherry Spirit Cat duo but another pair.
It wasn't until nearly ten teams had been called that it was finally Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying's turn.
As Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying walked through the contestant tunnel toward the battle arena, Lin Ye and Xie Lin left the waiting area and moved to an elevated corridor outside to watch the matches directly.
As registered combatants, soul masters were allowed to observe other battles—a privilege granted by the Great Spirit Arena to help fighters study their opponents.
On the battle stage, both teams entered after being introduced by the announcer.
However, compared to their opponents—the Beast King Duo, who had already gained some recognition in this league—Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying's newly registered team received almost no cheers.
Even their team name, Cherry Spirit Cat, lacked any sense of intimidation, sounding almost cute.
If not for a few male spectators cheering just because Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying were female soul masters, their entrance would have been met with complete silence.
But once the match began, the outcome left the entire audience stunned.
Even though Beast King Duo had an imposing name, their actual strength was underwhelming—both soul masters had the lowest-tier white-white soul ring configurations.
Moreover, their martial souls were ordinary—one had a Tiger Spirit, the other a Bear Spirit, and their soul power levels were only around Rank 24–25.
Against Zhu Zhuqing, who not only possessed the best soul ring configuration but had also leveled up to Rank 28 on her journey to Soto City, they never even had a chance to touch her before being completely defeated.
The battle ended so quickly that Su Ying didn't even get a chance to use her food-type martial soul.
Zhu Zhuqing alone demolished the Beast King Duo.
Amidst the cheers from the crowd, Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying left the battle stage.
Meanwhile, outside the waiting area, Lin Ye and Xie Lin were waiting for them.
---
"Zhuqing, how was the fight?"
Standing on the corridor outside the waiting area, Xie Lin smiled with interest as she looked at Zhu Zhuqing and asked.
"It was nothing," Zhu Zhuqing replied indifferently, arms crossed. "They were too weak. I didn't even get to use all my soul skills before they collapsed. I think my level is just too high for the Grand Soul Master tier."
"Haha! You're Rank 28, and Su Ying is Rank 29. For Grand Soul Masters, you two are definitely on the high end."
Xie Lin chuckled.
"Alright, let's go. Since your team battle is over, come with us to the waiting area for the Soul King-level matches."
With that, Lin Ye and Xie Lin led Zhu Zhuqing and Su Ying to the Soul King-level team battle waiting area.
Unlike before, this was a similarly well-furnished but noticeably less crowded waiting lounge.
That was expected—the higher the cultivation level, the fewer the number of soul masters.
After another period of waiting, the Soul King-level team battles finally began.
However, just like before, Lin Ye and Xie Lin weren't the first team called up.
It wasn't until five matches had passed that the announcer finally called their names.
---
"Match Five, Two-on-Two Team Battle—Phantom Peerless vs. Execution Duo!"
From the direction of the battle stage, the announcer—holding an amplifying soul tool—shouted out the names of the two competing teams.
Hearing the call, Lin Ye immediately stood up.
"Lin Ye, it's our turn."
Beside him, Xie Lin also stood up, chuckling.
"Lin Ye, Xie Lin, good luck! Zhuqing and I will be watching from the stands!"
Su Ying, reclining on a plush chair, made an encouraging gesture, flashing a mischievous smile.
"Good luck."
Even Zhu Zhuqing offered a rare word of support.
"Don't worry! With Lin Ye here, we'll finish this quickly."
Xie Lin smirked confidently.
Leaving the waiting area, they walked through the designated contestant passage, stepping into the arena tunnels beneath the battle stage.
---
At the top of the arena stands, the host's voice echoed loudly.
"Now that we've introduced our fan-favorite Execution Duo, let's welcome their opponents—the Phantom Peerless Duo!"
"Representing Phantom Peerless, we have two Soul Kings—'Peerless' and 'Phantom'!"
"Peerless is a brand-new fighter, registered just today, so we don't have much data on his abilities."
"However, Phantom has been part of Soto City's Great Spirit Arena for years! With over 302 wins and 108 losses, she has recently ranked up to Silver Spirit Fighter!"
"For Peerless to form a team with someone of Phantom's caliber, he must be extraordinary! Let's look forward to this match!"
"Now, let's welcome our two teams to the battle stage!"
As soon as the host finished speaking, the arena's massive multicolored soul tool lights began flashing rhythmically.
Under the dazzling lights, the two teams stepped forward from opposite sides, making their way onto the battle stage.
Ascending the stairs, they finally set foot onto the battlefield.
At that moment, the overhead lights shifted, shining two bright white spotlights on both teams—Phantom Peerless and Execution Duo.
---
Execution Duo consisted of one man and one woman.
The woman, known as "Purple Spider", wore a tight-fitting purple dress that accentuated her voluptuous figure.
The man, called "Absolute Sword", was dressed in blue, his frame lean and wiry.
Under the spotlights, Purple Spider and Absolute Sword smiled confidently, waving to the crowd.
The audience erupted in cheers.
In contrast, Lin Ye and Xie Lin remained composed, standing silently in their assigned positions—Xie Lin at the front, Lin Ye at the back.
---
"Tsk, bad luck for you two."
Absolute Sword smirked, shaking his head as he looked at Lin Ye and Xie Lin.
"First match and you're up against us, the undefeated Execution Duo. Five consecutive wins, barely any worthy opponents. You two just formed a team, probably don't even have synergy yet. What a shame."
"Haha! Losing your first match is normal. Every soul master experiences it. But to lose against us? That's an honor!"
Purple Spider giggled, her seductive face full of confidence.
Lin Ye: "…"
[Author's Note: This chapter was tough to write—feels like something is missing. But since we're in a new city, I guess that's normal. Sigh… gotta keep pushing forward]
(ヾ(`ω´)ノ゙)
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