Chapter 19: The Decisive Battle for Positioning

Waves of heat rolled in from behind. Nian Yun, having finished speaking, turned around leisurely.

Yan’s crimson eyes, which seemed intent on burning Nian Yun to ashes, were fixed firmly upon him. This time, Nian Yun did not choose to avoid the brunt of the assault, but instead chose to reveal his own edge.

The collision of purple lightning and scorching flames erupted, filling the space between them with a crackling roar. Those who had just emerged from the Soul Fighting Arena, seeing this scene, lost all interest in being mere spectators; instead, they wore expressions of anxiety and hurried away.

"Yan, both you and I are destined to become members of the Golden Generation. If we continue like this, only one of us will remain," Nian Yun said, clarifying the stakes of their duel.

"So, you want to settle things between us as quickly as possible?" Yan looked at Nian Yun with his usual arrogant demeanor.

"There is no need for our duel to be public knowledge. If I lose, I will never approach Nana again. If you lose..."

"If I lose, I will do whatever you command."

Nian Yun, who had originally intended to say 'we shall not interfere with one another,' was momentarily taken aback, then broke into a smile. "Very well. There is no better time than today; let us settle everything between us once and for all."

"Today? You just exhausted so much soul power. I don't want to take advantage of you. Let's wait until you've recovered." With that, Yan turned and walked in the opposite direction.

"Our business has dragged on long enough. It seems you aren't as concerned about Nana as you claim. Besides, do you really think you can win against me as I am now?"

"Are you truly determined to fight now?"

Nian Yun did not reply; he let out a cheerful sound and also turned to walk away.

...

Inside the Vice Dean's private soul fighting arena.

"Since you insist on fighting now, I will grant your wish."

"Level thirty-six, Assault System Battle Soul Grandmaster. Martial Soul: Flame Lord."

*Snap—pop—*

Lava began to seep from beneath Yan’s feet, and a dark red behemoth emerged from the molten rock.

System: "[Mission: Twin Martial Soul Battle: Ring-Blade] completed. Rewards being distributed..."

"Level thirty-five, Assault System Battle Soul Grandmaster. Martial Soul: Musou Isshin."

Purple lightning surged through Nian Yun’s right hand as the 'Musou Isshin' slowly manifested.

The exit gate was locked tight.

Shan Li leaned against a stool, watching the clash of thunder and fire in silence.

*Swish.*

Feeling a chill behind her, Shan Li stood up in haste. Upon seeing who had arrived, she immediately bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, the Pope."

Bibi Dong, dressed in simple attire, waved her hand slightly. Shan Li understood and stepped aside.

In the arena.

*Thud.*

Yan launched the first attack, throwing a punch. Nian Yun surged forward, side-stepping while raising the 'Musou Isshin' to strike across Yan’s arm. The blade only scraped against the rock-like limb, producing a metallic ring but causing no real damage.

As the blow landed, Yan shouted, "First Soul Skill: Hell Magma Rush!"

A wave of searing heat coated Yan’s body, and dark red flames erupted continuously.

"Second Soul Skill: Divine Mutation—Evil Omen!"

Nian Yun swung his blade forward, leaving a dark, jagged mark in the air. *Zzzzt.*

From the center of the dark mark, a thunder element symbol emerged. At the same time, a purple ring appeared behind Nian Yun, and the first orb of Willpower flashed.

At this moment, Yan had already closed the distance and threw a punch; Nian Yun dodged sideways once more. Standing firm, the Flame Lord behind Yan began to swell with gathered power.

"Martial Soul Switch: Zhongli."

"First Soul Skill: Jade Shield."

*Bang!*

A massive explosion erupted in front of him, and countless globs of magma splattered onto the ground. Yan looked toward Nian Yun’s position, seeing only a stone pillar standing there.

*Zzzzt—thud.*

Behind the pillar, Nian Yun had already leaped off it, his right hand crackling with purple lightning as he held the 'Musou Isshin.'

*Boom!*

The lava that had just splattered across the floor solidified and then erupted into a pillar of molten rock.

"Sever!"

The 'Musou Isshin' slashed horizontally through the molten pillar, the blade coated in purple electricity as it descended toward Yan.

*Bang!*

Yan crossed his arms, relying on the defensive nature of his Martial Soul to take the blow head-on. Nian Yun was also knocked back several meters.

Looking at the stone pillar and the grey shield that had appeared around Nian Yun, Yan was bewildered. Shan Li, watching from the sidelines, was equally shocked by the bizarre scene. "Three..."

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her brows relaxing, her gaze toward Nian Yun filled with delight.

"Nian Yun will be a great trump card for the Spirit Hall. Do you understand?" Bibi Dong said coldly, gesturing toward Shan Li.

"This subordinate understands," Shan Li replied, quickly expressing her resolve.

"A triple Martial Soul! What kind of monster are you?" Yan’s expression darkened.

"You have no chance of victory." Behind Nian Yun, the light spots on the circular ring continued to ignite.

"Argh!"

*Poof.*

The Flame Lord slammed its arms into the ground, and waves of thick magma rolled toward Nian Yun.

"Third Soul Skill: Shushō Defense."

Thunder elements gathered rapidly into the 'Musou Isshin.' Behind him, the purple ring flashed frantically, and the purple electrical currents reappeared on Nian Yun’s body.

"First Soul Skill: Musou no Hitotachi!"

*Zzzzt—zzzt!*

*Siss.*

The purple blade swung violently through the lava.

"Second Soul Skill: Granite Rock!"

*Sizz—*

As the wave of magma subsided, a deepening scratch appeared on the dark red rock armor covering Yan.

*Thud.*

Landing and spinning, Nian Yun swung the 'Musou Isshin' horizontally, unleashing a bolt of purple lightning.

*Bang!*

The dark red armor began to fall away. Yan did not hesitate; he turned and threw a punch backward, unleashing a burst of flaming rock-crushing power.

"Wind Wings, unfold!"

Nian Yun rose into the air, his black wings dancing through the flames.

"Third Soul Skill: Wind Bow—End of the Line!"

A gentle breeze brushed past, and the morning light scattered. Avoiding the flames, Nian Yun ascended high into the air, his form spinning as azure motes of light gathered in his hands.

"Third Soul Skill: Hellfire!"

Yan stomped his right foot hard against the earth. The ground, still flowing with lava, began to crack. Under Yan's command, chunks of orange-red volcanic rock shot outward.

"End of the Line—Divine Arrow!"

*Poof—*

*Poof—*

The azure divine arrow detached from the divine artifact and tore through the air.

*Bang—bang!*

The sounds were incessant. Nian Yun watched the dust cloud in the air in silence.

*Whiz.*

The target was struck, and the volcanic rock exploded, causing secondary splatter. No longer channeling the wind element, Nian Yun extended his right hand and twisted it gently.

*Whoosh—whoosh.*

Within the dust, a violent gust of wind swept up toward the ceiling. The volcanic rocks that had splattered toward Nian Yun were instantly caught and lifted.

"Disperse!"

He clenched his right hand into a fist. The whirlwind stopped abruptly, and the rocks fell to the ground. Feeling the aura of a divine presence emanating from the arrow, the sense of oppression continued to haunt Yan’s heart.

*Thud.*

Nian Yun landed slowly, retracted his wind wings, and watched Yan, who stood with his head bowed and eyes vacant.

"I lost." Yan, his spirit broken, uttered the words he thought he would never say.

"Let’s introduce ourselves again. My name is Nian Yun!"

Looking at the extended hand with vacant eyes, a pathetic smile appeared on Yan's face.

*Clap.*

Their hands clasped tightly. At this moment, the new Golden Generation had taken its initial form.

Seeing this scene, Bibi Dong’s sense of approval grew stronger. She tapped her foot lightly and vanished. Shan Li bowed as she departed.

...

"Your Majesty, the Pope."

In the Pope's Hall, Yue Guan and Gui Mei knelt on one knee.

"Accelerate the progress in Heaven Dou and Star Luo. Next time, I want the name of the Spirit Hall to be branded in the heart of every person on the Douluo Continent."

"Yes."

Bibi Dong’s fair, rosy face lit up with a smile once again. "Nian Yun."