Chapter 31: Setting Out for the Sunset Forest

With a dull thud, the three creatures, deprived of the soul power sustaining them, collapsed limply to the ground, bursting into crystalline specks of light that vanished into thin air.

Also collapsing was the Coffin Bearer. His eyes were vacant, and he kept repeating the same words: "Damnable... How... exactly... did you do it? I... do not accept this!"

"I... do not accept this!"

Why, why had his soul power vanished into thin air? Why had the Nine-Heart Blood Begonia petals touched the creatures he summoned, yet drained his own soul power instead? He refused to admit he had lost! This guy must have used some despicable trick!

Xu Sheng gave him a calm, indifferent glance before looking up at Jiale in the air, saying softly, "Can you announce the result now?"

Jiale, standing on his hovering platform, was momentarily stunned. Being sharp-witted, he quickly recovered, clapped his hands rapidly, and announced passionately into the microphone: "I now announce that the winner of this match is... Nine-Heart Blood Begonia! Let us offer a round of warm applause to congratulate this powerful newcomer on winning their first match at this Grand Spirit Arena!"

As he spoke, the large screen in the arena instantly displayed Xu Sheng, who was wearing an eye mask and exuding a cold, composed air. It was as if he had suddenly become the most eye-catching figure in the Third Spirit Arena.

Encouraged by Jiale, the audience in the Third Spirit Arena stood up, filling the hall with thunderous applause.

"So cool... I didn't expect someone as young as this Nine-Heart Blood Begonia to be so powerful!"

"That's right, I'll bet on him next time. Maybe I can make a fortune while I'm at it!"

"Hahahaha! I’m rich! I’m rich! I bet five hundred gold soul coins on this Nine-Heart Blood Begonia! At ten-to-one odds, I’ve made four thousand five hundred gold soul coins! I’m rich, I’m rich!"

Where there was joy, there was naturally sorrow; those who had bet on the Coffin Bearer had lost a fortune.

A man with a dark expression spat on the ground. "That Coffin Bearer is a piece of trash; he couldn't even handle a kid!"

The woman beside him clenched her fists, pouting, "Hmph, he cost me a thousand gold soul coins. I really want to kill that loser!"

"It's over, my entire life savings! That was all I had!"

Xu Sheng stretched, glanced at Jiale, and said blandly, "Can I leave the stage now?"

Jiale, still in the air, nodded hurriedly. "Of course! The Grand Spirit Arena welcomes you back anytime!"

"I fear this kid will become a hot topic at the Grand Spirit Arena after today..."

"There will be chances," Xu Sheng murmured to himself. He turned around, ready to leave the stage.

Suddenly, a sinister voice sounded from behind him. It was the Coffin Bearer, who had been sprawled on the ground, now standing again. He pulled out a dagger and lunged toward the back of Xu Sheng's head.

Filled with murderous intent, he hissed, "Brat, go to hell! I could not have lost!"

Jiale’s heart skipped a beat in the air. Noticing the Coffin Bearer’s sudden move, he shouted into the microphone, "Watch out behind you!"

Xu Sheng, with his back to the attacker, paused and silently shook his head. Then, with a crisp "snap" of his fingers, he walked away without looking back.

Behind him, the Coffin Bearer, who had been inches away from piercing Xu Sheng's skull, was instantly engulfed by countless vines of the Nine-Heart Blood Begonia.

When the Nine-Heart Blood Begonia vanished, only a withered corpse, drained of all its blood, remained on the spot.

The arena was filled with gasps from the audience. "Hiss... he managed to wipe out the Coffin Bearer in an instant... was he holding back the whole time?"

"This method of instantly draining someone dry is terrifying. Thank goodness he wasn't my opponent!"

"Who would have thought the powerful Coffin Bearer would die just like that? Well, I suppose that seven-man team can disband now."

Who could have guessed he had been hiding his true strength all along? The Coffin Bearer had brought this upon himself.

...

Back at the counter, the familiar female attendant handed the card to Xu Sheng, smiling. "Little brother, here is the one thousand gold soul coins from your victory, already deposited into your card..."

The opponent of this handsome little brother had been the Coffin Bearer, who frequently tortured his rivals and possessed vast combat experience. That he had managed to win was something she hadn't expected.

Xu Sheng took the card and gave her a slight smile. "Thank you, big sister."

Looking at that handsome face that made one want to lose themselves, her hormones were nearly out of control.

She suppressed her surging emotions, thinking to herself, "Inhale... exhale... inhale... is this what it feels like to have one's heart skip a beat?"

A flush of reluctance appeared on her face as she asked, "Um, little brother, will you come back in the future?"

Xu Sheng blinked adorably. "Yes, I'll be coming every afternoon for a while. I’ll have to trouble you to help me reserve a 1v1 spirit fight in advance!"

Receiving Xu Sheng's confirmation, the attendant joyfully made an "OK" gesture with her fingers. "Don't worry, leave it to me. I guarantee the opponents I find for you will be more normal!"

And just like that, thanks to his outstanding appearance, Xu Sheng successfully "lived off a woman"—or rather, successfully bribed the attendant.

...

Walking out of the Grand Spirit Arena, Xu Sheng let out a lazy yawn. He looked up at the pitch-black sky and sighed, "Is it already night? The Star Dou Great Forest is still a long way off!"

If he were to set off for the Star Dou Great Forest now, he would likely only arrive by daybreak.

With his naturally lazy personality, the fact that he had even come to the Grand Spirit Arena for one fight was already doing Bibi Dong a favor.

How could he possibly spend more time traveling to the Star Dou Great Forest? Besides, the butterfly effect was a mysterious thing; he might end up running into a Titan Giant Ape or a Sky Blue Bull Python...

The next moment, an idea crossed Xu Sheng's mind. "How about trying my luck at the Sunset Forest?"

Compared to the Star Dou Great Forest, the Sunset Forest was much closer and a much easier place to find.

After weighing which option was less strenuous, he decided to set off for the Sunset Forest immediately.

...

Inside the main hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Sitting on the main throne was a man wearing a silver-glistening crystal crown. His refined and scholarly face made anyone who saw him feel an immediate sense of closeness.

He was the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi. Flanking him were the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, and the Bone Douluo, Gu Rong.

Both were Super Douluo above level 95, the very guardians that allowed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to stand firm on the continent!

Ning Fengzhi’s gaze was fixed intently on the young girl before him. She looked pure, with a slender figure, yet carried a rich, aristocratic air that kept others at a distance.

Ning Fengzhi said in a gentle tone, "Rongrong, why haven't you absorbed your first spirit ring yet?"

Hearing that her father didn't sound angry, Ning Rongrong bit her thin lip and retorted with great dissatisfaction, "Father, the spirit beasts that Grandpa Bone and Grandpa Sword hunted for me before were too ugly! I didn't want them at all!"

Ning Fengzhi frowned and scolded lightly, "Rongrong, you!"

Chen Xin glanced at Ning Rongrong, covered his mouth to cough, and said calmly, "Fengzhi, it was Old Bone and I who failed to consider Rongrong's feelings. Let's leave it at that. I will take Rongrong to hunt for other spirit beasts tomorrow."

Gu Rong also stroked his beard, smiling. "Indeed, it's a small matter, a small matter. As long as our Rongrong is happy!"

Hearing Chen Xin and Gu Rong speaking up for her, Ning Rongrong gained confidence and puffed out her chest, fearless of anything.

Seeing Chen Xin and Gu Rong doting on his daughter so much, Ning Fengzhi sighed. "Rongrong, apologize to Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone, and your father will let this pass..."

Ning Rongrong crossed her arms and said disdainfully, "I won't! It was clearly their fault!"

Hearing this answer, Ning Fengzhi, finally unable to contain himself, slammed his hand on the table and shouted angrily, "Rongrong, you are too presumptuous!"