Minor Issue

"Trouble?"

A trace of confusion flashed in Paimon's eyes, but when she came to her senses, her face was full of worry.

"What kind of trouble has Little Chi Yu and the others run into?"

Paimon asked anxiously, her emotions fully written on her face.

With a heart as pure as a child's, Paimon was never one to hide her feelings.

"No harm, it's just a minor issue."

Zhongli shook his head calmly and replied, his expression unchanged.

After saying this, Zhongli seemed to have thought of something and began walking toward the scene of the incident at a leisurely pace.

"Ah~"

"Wait, wait for me! If it's a small issue, why are you walking so fast!?"

Paimon stomped her feet in the air, shouting as she hurried to catch up.

Outside the city of Heaven Dou, a group of towering, muscular men blocked the path of Chi Yu, Du Siji, and their companions.

This was the only route back to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and these men had clearly been waiting here for some time.

Each of these hulking men was over two meters tall, walking with a slow but steady gait.

"Miss Chi Yu, we have no intention of causing trouble. Please don't misunderstand."

The leader of the group spoke solemnly.

"If you're not here to cause trouble, are you here to die?"

Chi Yu's face turned frosty as she spoke coldly.

She recognized this leader—although they weren't close, they had crossed paths before.

His name was Huyan Li, the grandson of the sect master of the Elephant Armored Sect, one of the lower four sects.

As for his strength, he was considered quite formidable among the younger generation.

In the eyes of ordinary people, Huyan Li would be seen as a prodigy among prodigies.

Blocking their path like this and claiming not to cause trouble—wasn't that a contradiction? Wasn't this precisely picking a fight?

However, Huyan Li did not display any anger upon hearing her words. He knew that even with his group, they stood no chance against Chi Yu.

If not for this, he wouldn't be speaking with such respect.

Strength was the foundation of respect.

Chi Yu, also known as Xiao Feilian, possessed that strength.

With a wry smile, Huyan Li finally said, "Miss Chi Yu, we are here to challenge the brothers from the Body Sect."

"You should be aware that the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is only six months away."

"Simple training and cultivation won't yield much progress in such a short time."

"Only through combat, by challenging stronger opponents, can we improve under pressure..."

Huyan Li explained his reasons, even praising the strength of the Body Sect members.

The Elephant Armored Sect wasn't just a bunch of brainless muscle heads. This much was clear from Huyan Zhen's earlier invitation to the Yu family.

Even though things had eventually fallen apart, Huyan Zhen had been very sincere in the beginning.

Chi Yu and Du Si Ji exchanged glances, somewhat surprised that the Elephant Armored Sect members were being so "polite."

Of course, they were only showing small courtesies while neglecting bigger principles.

Challenging someone—wasn't it proper to issue a challenge letter and set a time? How could they just block the road for a duel?

"Of course, we only want to challenge these six brothers. As for you, Miss Chi Yu, your strength is too overwhelming. There's no point in challenging you."

Suddenly, Huyan Li added this remark.

Challenge Xiao Feilian?

Haha, her spirit rings alone were intimidating enough!

Besides, they weren't even on the same level.

More than a year ago, she had already reached the rank of Soul King.

So much time had passed since then—her strength had probably become even more terrifying, right?

Their decision to challenge other members of the Body Sect was definitely purposeful.

It wasn't just about getting stronger. If that were the only reason, wouldn't it make more sense to challenge Huyan Zhen?

They were testing how much the others had improved over the past year—that was their true goal.

Chi Yu, Du Siji, and the others exchanged glances. Given how far things had progressed, refusing to fight seemed impossible now.

They hadn't gone looking for trouble, and this so-called challenge had been brought to their doorstep.

One thing to note: the members of the Body Sect, especially those who had undergone their second martial soul awakening, had quite explosive tempers.

If it weren't for the invisible "shackles" they bore, they would have already attacked when their path was blocked. They're the type who, if they can fight, won't bother with words.

"The Elephant Armored Sect is said to have unmatched physical strength. Today, I'll be the one to test it."

When Du Siji stepped forward, the others didn't move to assist; instead, they crossed their arms and watched.

Just seven people? It's worth remembering that during a brawl, Du Siji had single-handedly knocked out more than thirty opponents!

Nearly one-tenth of the younger generation had been eliminated by him alone.

"Brother Siji, you alone..."

Huyan Li was a bit stunned. Why had just one person come forward?

They were supposed to challenge six people, right?

Did the other side misunderstand? Was this supposed to be a team battle, not a one-on-one?

But after a moment of reflection, Huyan Li swallowed his remaining words. Whether it was a one-on-one or a group battle, as long as they could gauge the other side's strength, it didn't matter.

Taking a step forward, Huyan Li's entire aura surged to its peak.

The power of a Spirit Ancestor made the nearby grass and flowers sway in the wind.

"Huyan Li, forty-second-level defense system Spirit Elder, martial soul: Diamond Mammoth. Please guide me!"

With a stomp of his right foot, Huyan Li instantly entered his martial soul transformation.

Due to this transformation, his already towering body swelled even further, making him resemble a living fortress.

He didn't need a shield—his body *was* the shield.

Two yellow and two purple spirit rings quickly rose from beneath him, marking the true peak of his power.

"Du Siji, forty-ninth-level assault system Soul Ancestor, martial soul: Body. Please guide me!"

"???"

Wait, what did he say? Forty-nine?

Huyan Li and the others were completely bewildered.

This guy had actually reached level forty-nine?

Even though no one knew his exact spirit power level last year, he was definitely not a Soul Ancestor back then.

And now, in just over a year, not only had he reached the level of a Spirit Elder, but he had also almost hit the fiftieth level?

Yellow, yellow, purple...

At least his spirit rings weren't as ridiculous as Chi Yu's...

"???"

Black!

Two yellow, one purple, and one black spirit ring quickly rose from beneath Du Siji.

When the black spirit ring appeared, Huyan Li and the others felt their scalps tingle.

What was with this Body Sect and their disregard for logic? Were they all freaks?

In comparison, their sect master, Lord Martial God, suddenly seemed the most normal. After all, he only had a 100,000-year spirit ring, right?

"First spirit skill: Steel Bones."

After releasing his martial soul, Du Siji's appearance didn't change much, though his skin had a faint bronze sheen.

This was the result of his body martial soul's second awakening—the bronze-grade second awakening!

Upon using his first spirit skill, a flash of light enveloped Du Siji, and a tremendous force seemed to gather within his body.

Seeing Du Siji activate a spirit skill right away, Huyan Li instinctively prepared to use his own skill to counter it.

But was Du Siji's speed... a bit too fast?