Chapter 26: Heading to the Great Spirit Arena

After Xu Sheng and Qi Ruo walked out, the former asked with a puzzled expression, "Instructor Qi Ruo, did you need me for something?"

Qi Ruo nodded, his expression solemn as he replied, "Xu Sheng, His Holiness the Pope has already informed me that you have reached the level of a Titled Douluo!"

Xu Sheng pursed his lips thoughtfully, arched a brow, and asked, "And so? Am I to skip the training?"

Qi Ruo denied this, saying, "Ahem... no, that is not it. It is because the training plan the Pope has laid out for you is quite different from the one for Xie Yue and the others."

When he had first heard the Pope order such a young child to participate in the Great Spirit Arena, he had almost thought he was hallucinating. After all, casualties were extremely common in the Great Spirit Arena, especially within Spirit City, where the number of those who had perished was terrifyingly high. It was only when she later told him that this child had been born with innate full spirit power at rank ninety and was a Titled Douluo in name and deed that he could finally grasp the Pope's intentions.

Xu Sheng gave him a silent look. "Please continue, Instructor Qi Ruo. How does it differ from Xie Yue and the others?"

He was somewhat curious to see what kind of tasks Bibi Dong had set for him. Since she knew his spirit power was at level ninety-one, she surely wouldn't assign him anything useless. What kind of training could possibly be effective for him?

Qi Ruo spoke in a serious tone, "Xu Sheng, according to the Pope's instructions, you will spend every morning studying theoretical knowledge with Xie Yue and the others. In the afternoon, you are to go alone to the Great Spirit Arena in Spirit City for one-on-one duels, and you must reach the rank of Diamond Badge. In the evening, you are to hunt at least one spirit beast with a cultivation of over twenty thousand years on your own!"

After finishing, even Qi Ruo felt these training tasks were daunting. Furthermore, Xu Sheng was an Auxiliary-type Spirit Master; he feared that one careless moment could lead to him losing his life in the jaws of a spirit beast.

Xu Sheng listened with a calm face, showing no ripples of emotion. These tasks were not particularly difficult, especially the duels at the Great Spirit Arena. With his Titled Douluo level spirit power, he could basically achieve total victory. If the number of matches wasn't limited, he could earn a Diamond Badge in a single day.

"Is that all?" Xu Sheng asked, feeling a bit bored.

The corner of Qi Ruo's mouth twitched. *Huh? Is that all? Does this boy not realize the difficulty of these tasks? Even if he is a Titled Douluo, he is only an Auxiliary-type! Fighting a ten-thousand-year spirit beast is nearly impossible!* Otherwise, he would certainly be lamenting that, at nearly fifty, he was not even as good as a child of a few years.

Qi Ruo pondered for a moment, thinking that the Pope had only told him this much. "There is nothing else. Xu Sheng, you probably don't know where the Great Spirit Arena is, do you?"

Xu Sheng nodded noncommittally. He had only arrived a few days ago, so naturally, he was unfamiliar with Spirit City. "Indeed, I have only just arrived and am not yet familiar with the city."

Qi Ruo stroked his white beard and suggested, "That works out perfectly. Since Xie Yue and the others are currently resting, I shall take you there myself." Once he showed Xu Sheng the way, what the boy did afterward would be none of his concern.

...

Qi Ruo led Xu Sheng toward the Great Spirit Arena. Because Xu Sheng’s appearance was exceptionally handsome, he was highly conspicuous on the street, drawing constant exclamations from passersby.

"Wow, that boy is so handsome! I wonder which sect or family he belongs to?"

"So handsome! If only I could arrange for him to be betrothed to my little Qing—then this mother-in-law would have no regrets in this life!"

"Don't dream! Look closely at the middle-aged man with the white beard next to him; that is an instructor from the Spirit Hall Academy! He is a powerhouse at the Spirit Emperor level!"

Qi Ruo, walking beside Xu Sheng, twitched his ears as he heard these generous praises. He glanced at Xu Sheng with a hint of sourness in his tone. "Xu Sheng, it seems you are quite popular!" As an instructor at the Spirit Hall Academy and a Spirit Emperor, he had never received such attention. Clearly, the difference in appearance made a significant impact.

Xu Sheng smiled cheekily. "Likewise, Instructor Qi Ruo. Isn't your reputation well-known to everyone as well?" Being handsome was a gift from the heavens; he couldn't refuse it even if he wanted to.

Qi Ruo shook his head with a bitter smile and pointed to the looming circular structure ahead. "Ah, I'm getting old, I suppose. Look, Xu Sheng, that circular venue in front is the Great Spirit Arena!"

Xu Sheng lifted his gaze and could just barely make out its silhouette. "Hm, it doesn't look much different from the descriptions," he said faintly.

...

At the entrance of the Great Spirit Arena stood two rows of women who, while not stunning, were quite pleasant to look at. Seeing Xu Sheng and Qi Ruo approach, they bowed and said sweetly, "Welcome to the Great Spirit Arena! Please come in, guests!"

Qi Ruo nodded and led Xu Sheng inside.

They paused, and Xu Sheng looked up to survey their surroundings. They were currently on the ground floor corridor, and above them were three identical levels.

Seeing that he had recovered his focus, Qi Ruo began to explain patiently, "Xu Sheng, the Great Spirit Arena is divided into two sections. One is where participants register, which is where we are now; the floors above are resting areas. The other part is the spectator area; you must walk down that main path to find your seat..."

Xu Sheng noted this down. He then saw a shop front up ahead, equipped with computers and other items. A female attendant with light pink hair and a beautiful face was busy recording information for other Spirit Masters.

"I understand. That must be the place for registration," Xu Sheng said. He began to walk toward the shop, and Qi Ruo, seeing his impatience, followed.

The attendant wiped the sweat from her forehead and glanced at Xu Sheng; a look of surprise flashed in her eyes. *This little brother is so handsome. If he were a bit older, I might even be tempted to flirt with him myself...*

A group of people nearby saw the attendant staring at Xu Sheng and said displeased, "Hey, why are you staring at that kid? Hurry up and record our information!"

The attendant hurriedly regained her composure, took their cards, and apologized, "Ah, sorry, I will record it right away." She tapped on the computer and asked, "Please tell me the name of your team?"

The man who had scolded her earlier rested his chin in his hand and thought for a moment. "There are seven of us, so let’s call the team 'Seven Carrying a Coffin.' Let's go with that."

Hearing such a bizarre name, the attendant asked with a strange expression, "Sir, are you sure?"

The man sensed he was being questioned and retorted angrily, "Hey, can you not understand plain speech? I told you to fill it in, so fill it in!"

The attendant, having received his reply, couldn't be bothered to argue. If they wanted to be called that, so be it. *Hopefully, I wish for all seven of them to be carried away together!*

After finishing the registration, the attendant coldly handed the card back. "Registration successful. Please go to the spirit fighting area and wait!"

The man gave a cold snort and left with the other six.

The attendant took a deep breath and looked back at Xu Sheng. Seeing his handsome face, her irritable mood instantly improved. *This child has magic; after looking at him, I feel rejuvenated!*

She smiled gently at him. "Little brother, are you here to watch the matches? The spectator area is that way."