Host Focalors

Upon hearing Ma Hongjun's challenge, Tang San's expression darkened. Did his earlier demeanor frighten Ma Hongjun into thinking he would only fight if Tang San refrained from using concealed weapons? Concealed weapons were part of his strength; restricting them would be unfair.

After a moment's thought, Tang San replied, "We're classmates; how could I use concealed weapons against you? Don't worry."

"I don't believe it!" Ma Hongjun retorted without hesitation.

Classmates? The bitterness of past events couldn't be so easily shared or covered by such a term. It seemed Tang San still had some principles; he didn't claim they were brothers, only classmates.

Tang San's face turned grim as he declared, "I, Tang San, swear on my Blue Silver Grass martial soul that in this fight, I will not use a hidden weapon against Ma Hongjun."

Ma Hongjun sneered. Tang San was desperate to win. What was his true intention in insisting Ma Hongjun enter the stage? He had said he wouldn't use hidden weapons for this fight... just this fight.

"It seems I must be vigilant in the future," Ma Hongjun mused, unaware that he faced a complete and utter hypocrite.

An oath? What did that mean to Tang San?

"Every time I use the soul ring and soul bone generated by Xiao Wu, it consumes her soul power. I will definitely not use it in the future!"

"Invincible Golden Body!"

"Invincible Golden Body!

"Invincible Golden Body!"

"Invincible Golden Body!"

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Xiao Wu rolled their eyes. They knew Tang San's grudge against Ma Hongjun all too well.

How could he not harbor resentment?

After receiving Tang San's oath, Ma Hongjun approached the first ring confidently, believing Tang San wouldn't use hidden weapons.

Tang San followed with a sinister smile. Not using a concealed weapon didn't mean he couldn't use other means. It just wouldn't be called a concealed weapon.

Both were surprised to see the same referee from their last battle. Neuvillette, too, was taken aback by their encounter. He hadn't arranged for the "protagonists" to come to him at the Heaven Dou City Great spirit Arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear your cheers and applause!" announced the commentator.

"In this tense and exciting arena, the Supreme Referee Neuvillette will ensure every duel is conducted with the utmost fairness and impartiality!"

"I, Focalors, will provide real-time commentary!"

As the commentator spoke, Neuvillette's eye twitched. Focalors, once worn out, seemed to have regained some humanity. Whether this was good or bad, he couldn't tell.

Focalors had been hosting for quite some time and had a natural talent for it. This time, Moffett decided to pair Focalors and Neuvillette to host the grandest arena in Heaven Dou City's Great Spirit Arena.

The crowd cheered as Focalors spoke. Though she was somewhat flat, her appearance was striking, and her voice carried an imperial tone, surpassing Furina's.

Focalors sat atop a bubble, floating at the edge of the ring, holding a soul guide resembling a microphone. This display made it clear to the audience that she was no ordinary host.

"The contestant on the left is Thousand Hands Asura..."

The audience hissed in disbelief.

"Don't be fooled by his codename; he's secured ten consecutive victories before!"

Tang San's expression darkened. Was his codename really that laughable?

Thousand Hands, his Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit, was like countless hands capable of miraculous feats.

Asura, a testament to Tang San's decisive nature, as lethal as any human Cultivator.

Thousand Hands Asura, how could it be considered foolish?

"This woman, she won't be presiding over the next match, will she?" Tang San sneered internally, clenching his fist.

"Thousand Hands Asura, a thirty-fourth level control system Soul Master!"

"Oh my God, his martial soul is actually Blue Silver Grass!"

The crowd jeered, Blue Silver Grass? Wasn't that the hallmark of a wasted martial soul?

"There are no wasted martial souls, only wasted Soul Masters!" Tang San retorted silently. Each time his martial soul was scorned, he recalled these words.

Yu Xiaogang had spent his entire life being labeled a failure.

After Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit awakened for the second time, those words were never uttered again.

To continue would be a direct insult.

The Blue Silver Emperor was a supreme martial soul with its own domain!

How could it ever be considered a waste?

In this world, where lineage dictates the worth of a martial soul, the notion of a 'wasted' one was nearly inconceivable.

"The contestant to the right is codenamed Evil Fire Phoenix..."

Nearly two minutes later, Focalors's announcement concluded.

With a light tap of her cane, Neuvillette sent an invisible threat rippling across the arena.

"Now is the preparation time for the contestants."

"Silence!"

At Neuvillette's command, the vast soul fighting arena fell instantly quiet, the murmuring crowd silenced.

"Each side has a minute to release their martial soul. After a minute, the match will officially begin!"

"I must remind you both, this is a contest of Martial Spirits. Should your opponent concede, you must cease your attack!"

His words seemed directed at both contestants but were clearly a reminder for Tang San, who had a history of such incidents.

Neuvillette glanced sideways at Tang San.

Both Ma Hongjun and Tang San grasped Neuvillette's implication. The latter's expression soured, though he remained silent.

Admit defeat? As if that detestable oaf would ever concede!

If asked who he wanted to kill most, Neuvillette would undoubtedly top the list, closely followed by Ma Hongjun.

Without a word, Tang San unleashed his Blue Silver Grass Martial Spirit.

His gaze fixed on Ma Hongjun's third leg.

Ma Hongjun thought, "Don't assume I'm unaware of your intentions!"

That incident had been a mere accident, yet Tang San had not only disregarded his explanation but had also taken the opportunity to accuse Ma Hongjun of verbal interference, squandering precious time for rescue.

Now enemies, Ma Hongjun wouldn't simply await his demise.

"Evil Fire Phoenix Possession!"

Three soul rings, two yellow and one purple, emerged.

Ma Hongjun's martial soul, post-possession, drew snickers from the audience.

Was this supposed to be a phoenix?

They were worldly spectators; they'd seen the likes of the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus and the Ice Phoenix.

But the Evil Fire Phoenix? It looked less like a phoenix and more like a chicken with mastery over fire...

Neither contestant bothered with introductions, their eyes locked in a mutual glare.

Time ticked by, and a minute swiftly passed.

"The duel begins!"

"The first soul skill:..."