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According to the plan, they would start from the Hagendas Kingdom, then enter Fasinuo Province, and finally the Balak Kingdom.
In the Balak Kingdom, the Heaven Dou Battle Team would meet the Heaven Dou Battle Team.
The entire itinerary was equivalent to making a counter-clockwise circle around the surrounding grand duchies, with Heaven Dou City as the center.
Two months later.
Fasinuo Province, Faxibeier Royal City Great Spirit Arena, central main arena.
"I concede." As a slightly helpless voice echoed, the surrounding audience immediately erupted in a fierce cheer.
Where there were cheers, there were naturally wails.
This battle was Shi Quan's battle, and his opponent was a Spirit Elder who had just broken through to Level 40 and had not yet obtained a spirit ring.
Because of Shi Quan, who had been in Faxibeier Royal City for several days, the news that he fought with only a long sword and no Martial Spirit had become known to many in the Great Spirit Arena. As fellow Spirit Elders, no one favored Shi Quan fighting a Level 40 quasi-Spirit Ancestor without his Martial Spirit.
These wails were from those who had placed their bets incorrectly and lost money.
"Shi Quan's swordplay is getting more and more formidable." In the exclusive viewing area for registered participants, Dugu Yan looked at Shi Quan on the field with shining eyes.
"If we calculate the points, after this winning streak, Shi Quan should have been promoted to a Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge, right?" Yu Feng clicked his tongue in amazement, "To reach Gold Martial Spirit Battle in such a short time is one thing, but the main point is that this kid hasn't even used his Martial Spirit. If he did use his Martial Spirit, wouldn't he even have a chance at a Purple Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge?"
… Yu Tianheng, standing beside them, clenched his fists. Listening to Dugu Yan praise Shi Quan, a hint of unwillingness and dejection flashed in his eyes.
Since the start of the Tour Battle (Xúnhuí zhàn - Tour Battle), all of them had clearly felt Shi Quan's sword techniques becoming increasingly exquisite. While marveling at Shi Quan's Comprehension Ability, they had to admit that the gap between them and Shi Quan was gradually widening. Up until now, they could say they had witnessed Shi Quan's progress firsthand.
Shi Quan's prestige within the team was also growing higher and higher. On the surface, he was the captain of the Heaven Dou Battle Team, but both his beloved and his teammates clearly trusted and relied on Shi Quan more. He felt like his position as captain was merely in name.
Although he knew that the relationship between Dugu Yan and Shi Quan was more like siblings, and Shi Quan maintained a certain distance when interacting with Dugu Yan, he still felt very uncomfortable whenever he heard Dugu Yan praise Shi Quan. After all, the two were not real siblings.
"Yes, it's enough. With this match, it's just right." Qin Ming nodded with a smile.
No one noticed Yu Tianheng's abnormality. After all, for Shi Quan, a Spirit Elder, to win consecutive matches without using his Martial Spirit and obtain a Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge, all his teammates felt extremely honored.
"Let's go, time is almost up. After picking up Shi Quan, it's time for us to enter and participate in the team match." Qin Ming turned his head and continued.
"Yes." Everyone nodded in unison and rose to leave the viewing area.
On the other side, amidst the cheers of the audience, Shi Quan strode into the passage, disappearing into the shadows.
"Shi Quan, amazing!" The first thing Dugu Yan did upon seeing Shi Quan was to give him a thumbs up, with a hint of admiration in her eyes.
Shi Quan smiled, "It's alright, it's alright."
After more than two months of practicing swordsmanship, the more he practiced, the more Shi Quan felt the profundity of Dugu Nine Swords. Dugu Nine Swords, in addition to mastering the sword art and sword techniques, relied heavily on the wielder's Spirit Understanding. Therefore, the same Dugu Nine Swords would feel different when wielded by different people.
Even just mastering the basic stances of Dugu Nine Swords made fighting above one's level an easy feat.
Although Dugu Nine Swords was not restricted by Internal Energy, in this World of spirit power and Spirit Ability, if one faced an opponent who was too strong, they could directly burst forth and finish you off, rendering even the most exquisite swordplay useless.
Therefore, even if one could fight above their level, it was ultimately limited.
Although he could fight above his level, Shi Quan did not choose to challenge opponents of a higher level. After all, it was better not to be too ostentatious at this stage.
"Hehe, Shi Quan, tell me, how much did you bet this time?" Yu Feng asked slyly, stepping forward.
Shi Quan's act of challenging opponents without using his Martial Spirit was always a highlight, no matter where he went, and it was the same in the Great Spirit Arena. With the intentional promotion by the staff, the odds were always ridiculously high.
Taking advantage of this, Shi Quan would bet on himself to win every time he arrived in a new city, always earning a fortune.
Even though he was not short of money now, it did not prevent him from earning more. Moreover, he had previously left a large amount of money to his parents, and the matches during this period had made Shi Quan return to his previous status as a self-made rich man.
Information was interconnected among the Great Spirit Arenas in various major cities, perhaps knowing about Shi Quan's uniqueness.
But the local spectators did not know.
"Still the same." Shi Quan said with a smile.
Yu Feng's eyes widened, "The odds this time are much higher than before, and you still only bet ten thousand?"
Shi Quan explained, "Betting too much would be difficult for the Great Spirit Arena to explain. It's enough for us to just make a profit."
"Oh, it looks like you bet a lot today? Aren't you going to treat us to a good meal and drinks?" Dugu Yan suddenly interjected.
"A small profit, a small profit." Yu Feng shrank his neck and quickly said with a smile, "Since Sister Yanzi has spoken, what else can we say? After the team match, let's go have a good meal! I'll pay."
The surrounding teammates immediately laughed. In fact, they had also placed bets. With a strong player in the team, they also benefited, but since Yu Feng was offering to treat, they naturally wanted to take advantage of it.
"Alright, the match is about to start, everyone hurry and enter." Qin Ming's voice came at this moment.
Hearing Qin Ming's voice, everyone immediately stopped talking and walked towards the Great Spirit Arena.
A quarter of an hour later, the team returned victorious.
"Hehe, if we can win a few more consecutive matches, our team can also be promoted to a Gold Martial Spirit Battle team." Yu Feng's face was beaming as he followed the team back to the viewing area.
Because Shi Quan did not use his Martial Spirit, the tacit understanding among everyone was constantly increasing. Although the win rate had gone up, there were not many consecutive wins, and if they lost, the team would lose points. Therefore, the speed of point growth had always been slow, plus the points required to advance from a Silver Martial Spirit Battle Badge to a Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge were many. Hence, as of now, they were still short of points to advance to a Gold Martial Spirit Battle team.
Shi Quan said with a smile, "Let's all work hard together. Sooner or later, we will be able to get the Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge, and not just the Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge, but Purple Gold and Diamond too. We are not without a chance."
"Don't talk about Diamond, I'm afraid we'll even struggle with Purple Gold. Among Spirit Elder-level teams, Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badges are already very rare. As for Purple Gold, it seems no one has ever appeared in the entire Great Spirit Arena, right?"
Dugu Yan, however, said with a smile, "Since no one has appeared, then we'll be the first!"
"That's right, we'll be the first!" Shi Mo, who was usually quiet, also said with full Battle Intent.
Not far away, Qin Ming smiled slightly.
It had to be said that Shi Quan obtaining the Gold Martial Spirit Battle Badge had a considerable motivating effect on the team.
As everyone approached, Qin Ming smiled and said, "Alright, today's training ends here."
"Everyone get some rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning, we will depart for the Balak Kingdom, heading to the nearest Soto City first."
Soto City!
Hearing this name, Shi Quan's gaze flickered.
Comparing the time with the original work, the Shrek Team should still be in Soto City participating in Martial Spirit Battle.
In the original work, the Heaven Dou Battle Team lost, but with him there, the Heaven Dou Battle Team would not possibly lose!
However, what concerned Shi Quan even more was Dugu Bo.
Dugu Bo had gone to an unknown place, and there had been no news for more than two months.
When they left Heaven Dou City, they had specifically left a letter for Dugu Bo. Now, Dugu Bo was still in an unknown location. If they arrived in Soto City and Dugu Bo happened to find them there, Xiao Wu's identity could easily be exposed.
A 100,000-year Spirit Bone plus a spirit ring—how could Dugu Bo give up such a good opportunity? Even if he couldn't absorb it himself, he could prepare it for Dugu Yan.
Dugu Bo had a spirit tool that could store living creatures. He definitely wouldn't just take the bone and not the ring; the possibility of him raising her was the greatest.
But the problem was, if Dugu Bo really captured Xiao Wu, Dugu Bo would probably be relentlessly pursued by that guy Tang Hao.
Dugu Bo was no match for Tang Hao.
"If Grandpa Dugu really comes, I must remind him properly."
…
A night without words.
The next day, following the Heaven Dou Battle Team's carriage, they left Faxibeier City and headed straight for the Balak Kingdom.
After a day's journey, they finally arrived outside Soto City at dusk.
As planned, Qin Ming first led everyone to find lodging. Because they were participating in Martial Spirit Battle, they found accommodation directly near the Soto Great Spirit Arena.
That evening, they were not in a hurry to participate in Martial Spirit Battle. Instead, they went to the most famous restaurant in Soto City to eat their fill.
After the meal, everyone returned to their lodging to rest, preparing for Martial Spirit Battle the next day.
Everyone was ready to return to their rooms to rest, but Shi Quan took his long sword and walked out of the house.
Ye Lingling suddenly asked, "Are you going out?"
"Yes." Shi Quan nodded, "My Martial Spirit Battle Badge is already at the Gold Martial Spirit Battle level. There are almost no Spirit Elders at this level, so I plan to go to the Great Spirit Arena and apply for a new Martial Spirit Battle Badge. That way, it will be more convenient for my subsequent Martial Spirit Battle."
"Let's go together." Ye Lingling's cheeks under her veil were a little flushed.
Shi Quan was also stunned for a moment. They had known each other for more than two years, and this was Ye Lingling's first invitation to him.
"Together." Shi Quan nodded.
"Anyway, it's not too late. We can stroll around first. When we came over just now, I saw a shop that sells veils, and some of the veils looked quite nice. Let's go take a look."
"Okay."
Walking out of the hotel.
Even at night, the streets were bustling with people, a continuous stream.
Along the way, besides veils, there were also many clothing stores. Since they were out for a stroll, shopping was naturally indispensable.
Shi Quan pulled Ye Lingling, asking her to help him pick out some clothes that suited him, and also selected some beautiful clothes for Ye Lingling. Of course, all the money was paid by Shi Quan. Although Ye Lingling was not short of money, how could Shi Quan let her pay?
After about an hour of shopping, the two finally arrived at the Soto City Great Spirit Arena.