"Has she lost her mind?"
"Still think I'm the same Xu Sanshi from yesterday's cafeteria, do you?"
In his armor, Xu Sanshi's face first showed a moment of astonishment, and then it was replaced by a cold smile. "Since you've actively given up your advantage, don't blame me for being merciless. Not taking your chance is against the heavens' will."
He suddenly stood up, his metallic fists lashing out fiercely at Meng Hongchen.
Seeing this, Meng Hongchen's expression became serious, but remembering Qin Xiao's words, she still swung her battle saber.
Swish!
The battle saber cut through the air, emitting a sharp sound and a dazzling cold light.
However.
As the owner of the saber, Meng Hongchen also saw a thread-like black glow on the blade of the saber.
"What is this?"
Meng Hongchen involuntarily thought with curiosity.
But, in the next moment, the battle saber had already collided with Xu Sanshi's metallic fists.
Clang, clang!
With two dull sounds, the fists were severed at the wrists.
"This..."
Shock filled Xu Sanshi's eyes, his back drenched with sweat in an instant.
If not for a sense of alarm in a crucial moment—if he hadn't timely retracted his hands into his battle armor—his hands would not have been spared.
"So close, just a bit closer and my hands would have truly been chopped off."
He was now terrified.
His eyes locked onto the battle saber in Meng Hongchen's hand, he asked with a quivering voice, "What level is that battle saber in your hands?"
"Is that any of your business?"
Meng Hongchen hummed with a cold face and, carrying the saber, charged forward once more.
The battle saber was not of a very high level, only level 5, but with Qin Xiao's mysterious enhancement, it might have the sharpness of a level 7 soul tool, no?
But, this secret was not something she would share with Xu Sanshi.
"Again?"
Xu Sanshi's expression changed drastically, and as he retreated, he bellowed, "Wait! Stop! I concede!"
What's the point in continuing this fight?
His prized defensive equipment was breeched by a single blow. His strategy of attrition was a direct failure, and continuing the fight, he figured, would surely result in Meng Hongchen completely tearing him apart.
Well... it wasn't impossible to be torn into nine pieces either...
Luckily he called it out on time as a blade glinting with cold light was frozen at the position of his chest.
Meng Hongchen held the battle saber in both hands, maintaining a thrusting posture.
It was clear that, without much effort, she could pierce through the armor and run Xu Sanshi through.
At this moment, the referee hurriedly announced, "I declare, the victor of this match is Meng Hongchen."
Following the referee's voice, Meng Hongchen slowly withdrew her battle saber.
Thump.
Xu Sanshi could no longer stand and, as if losing all his strength, fell to his knees.
He gasped for breath, relieved to have kept his life.
"Kid, remember to take a detour when you see this lady in the future."
Meng Hongchen dropped this cold remark and, with the poise of the victor, walked off the stage.
The crowd silently parted a path for her.
Many people didn't even dare to raise their heads to look at Meng Hongchen.
This was out of basic respect for a powerful individual.
"Uncle Master, did I win?"
Standing before Qin Xiao, Meng Hongchen's face showed a grin as if seeking praise.
Qin Xiao lightly tapped the young girl's nose and exclaimed, "Truly impressive."
Without a doubt, Qin Xiao had used the power of the Eyes of Destruction just now; that pitch-black glow that appeared on Meng Hongchen's saber blade was the destructive power.
With the enhancement of the destructive power, the level 5 soul tool battle saber easily gained the edge to cut through Xu Sanshi's battle armor.
"Eh, they're here too?"
Meng Hongchen spotted two acquaintances in the crowd, Ningtian and Wu Feng.
She pointed her finger at Wu Feng and called out, "Hey, Wu Feng, didn't you want to have a go at me before? Since you're here, how about we have a match now?"
Wu Feng: "Don't push people too far, you're really aggressive."
Her face immediately turned ugly.
She was well aware that she was no match for Meng Hongchen.
Before the whole incident, she would have liked to challenge Meng Hongchen on the stage to settle the score.
But, after witnessing Meng Hongchen's strength, she had dismissed this idea.
Unapproachable, absolutely unapproachable.
Especially after seeing today's combat performance, Meng Hongchen's skill had soared in her mind to the same height as those geniuses in the inner court of the academy.
At that moment, Ningtian's indifferent voice came to Wu Feng's ears, "Wu Feng, let's go."
Wu Feng, as if finding a pillar of support, promptly followed Ningtian and left.
Afterward, Qin Xiao and Meng Hongchen also left the soul fighting arena.
In just three short days, the legend of Meng Hongchen would spread throughout Shrek Academy; wherever she went, Meng Hongchen would become the focal point of attention and discussion.
On this very day, Guardian Douluo Cheng Gang of the Xingluo Empire and the first powerhouse of the Douling Empire, Tianyang Douluo, entered Shrek City together.
They both had serious expressions on their faces.
"May I know the purpose of your visit, sirs?"
Yan Shaozhe personally received them, his voice filled with puzzlement.
Titled Douluos from other forces visiting Shrek Academy was a rare occurrence.
And now, even the number one powerhouse of the Douling Empire had come, signifying the gravity of the situation.
"Senior, please go ahead."
Guardian Douluo Cheng Gang lowered his stance considerably.
In reality, hierarchy isn't strictly adhered to in the Soul Masters' community, but Tianyang Douluo was a level 97 Titled Douluo, deserving of respect.