Chapter 25 – VS Feng Xiaotian

That night, "Thunder Dragon"—none other than Yun Yibai—cleaned up at Shuiyue City's Great Soul Arena, walking away with a massive payday. After making his appearance in the Five Elemental Academy tournament, he resumed his rhythm of life, as if completing a side quest.

The next night, Yun Yibai returned to the Soul Arena once more, skipping the academy exchanges.

This time, however, he didn't tell Yu Tianheng—he came alone.

What Yun Yibai didn't realize was that, with the tournament nearing its end, everyone else had begun to let their guard down a little.

On the other side of the city, Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy had grown bored. Looking for something to do, she decided to visit the Soul Arena.

Naturally, her loyal pursuer Feng Xiaotian followed her.

Her older brother Huo Wushuang, also Feng's close friend, tagged along.

Along the way, the trio bumped into Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin, and with one word, the famed "Twin Stars" of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan joined them.

At the arena, Yun Yibai, clearly familiar with the process, handed over his golden Soul Badge.

But unlike before, the receptionist didn't assign him a match right away.

"Esteemed Gold Soul Badge holder, Sir Thunder Dragon, please wait just a moment.

We've prepared a private room for you. As soon as we've found a worthy opponent, we'll inform you."

Her words were careful, polite, and precise.

The staff had already witnessed Yun Yibai's strength the day before—he'd walked away with 300,000 gold soul coins in a single night.

Yun Yibai could tell the arena had become cautious. Still, he didn't mind. He had already secured his first big haul here.

He'd even intentionally lost a match during his last outing to avoid drawing too much suspicion—setting the stage for future wins at other arenas.

Not long after Yun Yibai settled in, Feng Xiaotian and the others arrived.

"Little Sister Huo Wu, want to team up? I'll carry you to victory!"

Feng Xiaotian said eagerly, smiling ingratiatingly.

"Hmph!"

Huo Wu ignored him completely and stormed off.

"Xiaotian, maybe worry about your match first,"

Huo Wushuang chuckled, teasing him.

But Feng Xiaotian wasn't offended. In front of anyone else, he still wore the demeanor of a confident Divine Wind Academy genius.

"Just don't get matched with me. Oh, wait—you're still Silver Tier, aren't you?

Can't match with me even if you wanted to! Hahaha!"

It wasn't a particularly harmful jab, but it was insulting.

Yu Tianheng stood off to the side, watching quietly and shaking his head.

He had little interest in Huo Wu, but Feng Xiaotian's relentless simping made him cringe.

"Let's go inside," Yu Tianxin said.

Meanwhile, in a private room, Yun Yibai waited quietly, resting with his eyes closed.

Before long, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in,"

he said calmly.

A staff member entered respectfully.

"Esteemed Gold Soul Badge holder Sir Thunder Dragon, your opponent has been matched.

The duel will take place at Arena Eleven."

Yun Yibai nodded, rose, and followed the staff member out.

On the other side, Feng Xiaotian and the rest had already been matched.

Huo Wushuang and Yu Tianheng had gone ahead to their assigned arenas.

Still in the room were Yu Tianxin, Huo Wu, and Feng Xiaotian.

Then the door opened.

"Esteemed Gold Soul Badge holder Sir Wind Demon Wolf, your opponent has been matched.

Your duel will also take place in Arena Eleven."

"Huo Wu, just wait—watch me wipe the floor with this guy.

I've improved a lot since last time,"

Feng Xiaotian said, eyes gleaming as he walked out.

Huo Wu rolled her eyes and didn't respond.

"Arena Eleven…"

Yu Tianxin's eyes flickered with interest. A few minutes later, he also left the room.

At Arena Eleven…

"Tonight's Soul Battle is bound to be electrifying—both combatants are Gold Soul Badge holders!"

The host's announcement lit up the crowd with anticipation.

"Without further ado, let's welcome our two contestants:

Thunder Dragon versus Wind Demon Wolf!"

Neither name was particularly well-known in Shuiyue City, but a gold badge was a gold badge—undeniable proof of strength.

Moments later, both stepped onto the arena platform.

"It's you!"

"You?!"

they exclaimed in unison, momentarily stunned.

But they quickly regained their composure.

"Hey… isn't that the guy from Thunderclap Academy?

I think he has the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon too!"

"No way… Feng Xiaotian's fighting him?

This should be good."

Each of them had their thoughts stirring.

Both unleashed their Martial Souls.

Golden lightning and emerald wind intertwined and clashed in midair.

"Begin!"

The two charged at each other instantly.

BOOM!

Their fists, wrapped in opposing soul energies, collided with explosive force—sending a shockwave rippling across the arena.

When you don't know your opponent's skills, physical combat is the best way to feel them out.

"Now this is getting fun,"

Feng Xiaotian grinned after the initial clash as the two bounced back.

BZZZZZT—!

His reply was a bolt of golden lightning from Yun Yibai's hand.

Outside the arena, Yu Tianxin had already arrived.

Huo Wu, now accompanied by Huo Wushuang and Yu Tianheng, who had just finished their matches, came too.

"Hey… isn't that the guy from Thunderclap Academy?

What's he doing fighting Feng Xiaotian?"

Huo Wushuang asked a hint of schadenfreude in his voice.

"You didn't know?"

Yu Tianheng said, perfectly timing his verbal jab.

"Yibai holds a Gold Tier Soul Badge."

"Him?! At his age?! That's impossible!"

Huo Wushuang couldn't believe it.

"Believe it. He's Gold, you're still Silver—and I'll be Gold soon too,"

Yu Tianheng replied smugly.

"Who even is this Yun Yibai guy?

I've never heard of him. He's not one of your clan's core heirs, yet he's matching Feng Xiaotian move for move…"

"Maybe… he's a hidden prodigy from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"

he speculated.

Yu Tianheng just smiled mysteriously.

"Watch and see for yourself."

Back in the arena, Feng Xiaotian launched another attack, engaging Yun Yibai in a rapid exchange to probe his depth.

"His lightning… it's different from the others at Thunderclap Academy,"

Feng thought as his arm tingled from the impact.

Even compared to Yu Tianxin, Yun Yibai's lightning felt more potent—its paralytic effect more pronounced.

This was no accident—Yun Yibai's lightning was boosted by full-attribute amplification, far exceeding ordinary results.

"If that's the case… time to go all out!"

"Third Soul Skill: Twin Wings of the Storm!"

Feng Xiaotian's third purple soul ring lit up as he took to the air.