Chapter 44: The Cloud Dance Duo

"Ding—"

"Welcome everyone to the Soto Great Soaring Spirit Arena. The team making their debut today is a new duo, the Cloud-Dance Duo."

Amidst the host's high-pitched shouts, Nian Yun and Xiao Wu strolled out. Not only were there no applause, but they also drew a wave of mockery because of their masks.

"Next, let us welcome their opponents, the Pig-Dog Duo, who have achieved a four-game winning streak in nearly a week."

Before the introductory voice had completely faded, passionate cheers already erupted from the surrounding audience seats, likely because many had wagered heavily in gold and silver.

"Pfft—"

When the host introduced that particular duo, Nian Yun couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Pig and dog? What a heaven-defying name."

The two men stepping onto the stage, one fat and one thin, lived up to their team's name.

Seeing Nian Yun's amused expression, the chubby man stepped forward and said, "In a moment, I'll make sure you can't laugh anymore."

Seeing that both sides were ready, the host shouted the start, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the venue.

The Pig-Dog Duo quickly summoned their martial souls. Both of them possessed a spirit ring configuration of one white, one yellow, and one purple.

The moment their spirit rings rose, the thin, small man dropped to all fours and lunged toward Nian Yun like a catapult.

"Nian Yun, do you have a plan?" Xiao Wu was already prepared, her three spirit rings rising neatly in succession.

"An overwhelming entertainment match is just pure fun. The system wants me to resolve this within five moves anyway," Nian Yun thought to himself, but he still answered Xiao Wu earnestly:

"The opponents are also one agility-attack type and one defense type. Although I don't know why their defense-type is hiding in the back just watching, it's fine—consider it practice for you."

Hearing this, Xiao Wu suddenly realized that a spirit duel of this level truly required no grand strategy for Nian Yun. She kept her gaze locked on the charging dog.

She secretly made up her mind: "This time, I'm going to finish him off before Nian Yun makes a move, so Nian Yun can see my strength too."

"Tap—"

Soon, amidst a flurry of rapid footsteps, the two sides engaged in combat.

The dog's first and second spirit rings rose, its eyes turning red as it lunged at Xiao Wu like a starving hound.

Xiao Wu smiled faintly, leaping off the lunging dog's momentum and flipping behind it. "First spirit skill: Waist Bow!"

With a direct kick to the man's waist, a heavy vibration echoed, kicking up a layer of dust and sand.

"Xiao Wu's kick isn't light at all. That pig on the other side sure knows how to endure." Nian Yun stared intently at the pig opposite him, the 'Zhongyan' in his hand ready at all times.

Suddenly, Nian Yun's line of sight was blocked by the rising dust.

"Whoosh—"

"Bang!"

A wisp of wind rushed into the dusty haze, slashing a claw toward Xiao Wu.

As the dust settled, Xiao Wu was surprised to find that a protective shield had been cast around her body, and at the same time, the chubby man had already appeared behind her.

Not far away, in Nian Yun's left hand, the 'Zhongyan' was radiating a brilliant light.

"Be careful. Their body shapes and martial souls are the opposite of what they look like."

"You figured that out long ago?" the chubby man behind Xiao Wu asked in astonishment.

"Not really. Your concealment is indeed quite good. If my martial soul had been just a split second slower, my companion really would have been in danger."

"What?!" Hearing this, the two men were even more shocked. To be able to instantly release a martial soul and provide support—is this really something a Spirit Elder can do?

"It's all your fault for launching a sneak attack and stopping me from showing off my strength in front of Nian Yun!" With that, Xiao Wu lashed out with a kick toward the literal dog.

Although its martial soul was of the assault type, the defense value of that dog-shaped form was not weak either. Xiao Wu's kick did not inflict heavy damage, merely forcing it to stumble back a few steps.

The pig, which had previously appeared to use its spirit skill for enhancement and offense, was actually just casting a shield on itself. At that moment, it rushed forward again to pincer Xiao Wu alongside the dog.

In the distance, Nian Yun watched the scene unfold with utter boredom. Even if the two opponents were Spirit Ancestors, they could never break through the old man's shield.

System: "Ding—Task progress: Three moves."

"What on earth? I haven't even made a move yet! Even if they put up a shield, that's still only one move."

"The task requirement is to win within five moves as a team."

Xiao Wu, who was still fighting two-on-one, remained full of excitement. With the rock shield protecting her and no worries for her safety, her opponents were nothing more than sparring partners.

"Big bro, that shield is too hard to break. How about we take care of that kid in the back first?" the dog panted, exasperated by the rock shield.

Looking at the several footprints left on the dog's body, the pig nodded repeatedly. "Alright, I'll cover you in a moment. Let's take down that kid in the back first."

"Where are you looking?" Just as the words fell, Xiao Wu teleported right in front of them, followed immediately by a sweeping kick.

Seeing this, Nian Yun hurriedly called out, "Duck!"

Because of the warning, the pig reacted too slowly and took the kick squarely with its face.

As Nian Yun approached, Xiao Wu asked, "Nian Yun, don't worry, I have teleportation; they can't hurt me."

"Fine, fine. You consumed too much spirit power just now, leave the rest to me."

"Ah, alright." Xiao Wu, who had been fighting to the point of losing herself, still felt a bit unsatisfied, but she nodded and stepped back.

"Big bro, are you alright?" The dog flusteredly stepped forward to shield the pig.

"To actually use a trick like that, you guys are truly devious." The pig rubbed its face and slowly got to its feet.

That remark finally provoked Nian Yun. "What do you mean devious? I literally told you to dodge, and now you blame me? Weren't you looking for me just now? I'm here, come at me together."

The pig and the dog exchanged glances. Combining their beast souls with their body types, the two charged from opposite sides with identical speed, their third spirit rings rising simultaneously.

"Boom—"

Nian Yun flipped his left hand, letting the 'Zhongyan' drop and merge into the ground. Then, with a heavy stamp of his left foot, the ground within a ten-meter radius instantly cracked open.

He stretched both hands toward the pair. "Rise, rocks."

With that command, countless rock fragments instantly rose, hovering around the two opponents.

"Converge."

Bringing his palms together, the rock blocks near the pig and the dog continuously gathered, enveloping the two of them into a spherical shape.

The 'Zhongyan' rose from the ground and returned to his hand. Nian Yun casually flicked his wrist and turned to walk away. With that casual flick of his, the two rock spheres rapidly smashed toward the edges of the arena.

"Bang!"

"Ding!"

System: "Task completed, distributing rewards."

Xiao Wu, who was walking toward the edge, wanted to turn around to watch Nian Yun's battle, but before she could even look back, she heard a loud crash. Turning around, she saw Nian Yun walking toward her.

The little rabbit's pupils dilated unconsciously, and along with the entire spirit arena, everything fell into a deathly silence.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Nian Yun reached the little rabbit, gently rubbed those soft rabbit ears, and then turned to face the upper viewing area. "Referee, aren't you going to announce the result?"

"Ah—oh! What a magnificent spirit duel! Let's congratulate the Cloud-Dance Duo for successfully defeating their opponents and winning this match!"

Driven by the referee's passionate announcement, the entire arena erupted into thunderous cheers and applause.

"Did you see that? In that last move, he didn't even use a spirit skill—he won relying purely on his martial soul."

"Yeah, it was truly amazing! It felt too short."

Soon, the spirit duels of the others concluded one after another. Although they weren't as effortless as Nian Yun and Xiao Wu's victory.

Over the next period of time, the Cloud-Dance Duo consistently resolved their opponents within five moves without any pressure.

"Slap."

Inside Yu Xiaogang's room:

"Next, you will undergo team spirit battles, seven-on-seven. This is also the training best suited for cultivating tacit cooperation among you. Your first opponents are..."

Before Yu Xiaogang could finish, a voice sounded from the crowd: "Grandmaster, seven people are enough for the spirit duel. I won't participate in this level of combat."

Everyone turned to look at Nian Yun.

"Give me a reason."

"My control over my martial soul is even more practiced than Rong Rong's. Furthermore, ordinary teams are simply incapable of breaking through my shield. If I'm on the field, everyone will have no worries, which is very disadvantageous for their future growth."

Listening to Nian Yun's well-reasoned analysis, Ning Rongrong and the other two, who had teamed up with Nian Yun before, felt a tinge of disappointment, but the facts were indeed as Nian Yun said.

"Alright." After pondering for a long time, Yu Xiaogang ultimately agreed with Nian Yun's view.

In another lounge:

"Yun Nian, you're back. Perfect, we were just getting ready for a seven-on-seven team spirit battle. Are you joining?" Qin Ming asked, looking at Nian Yun as he slowly walked in.

Nian Yun walked up to the desk, picked up the opponent list, and looked it over. "No, you guys need more training. I'll participate when there's a team worth watching."

Watching Nian Yun stride out of the room, everyone nodded repeatedly. As for Nian Yun's strength, no one dared to question it anymore.