The morning training ground was still veiled in thin mist. Under Qianjun Douluo's guidance, Marco was practicing soul power micro-control. He held a ball of azure flame in each hand—the left flame needed to remain as steady as candlelight, while the right had to flicker rhythmically like breathing. This extremely precise control demanded immense mental focus.
"Merge your mind and spirit, let your intent follow your thoughts," Qianjun Douluo's voice was solemn. "In battles between high-level Soul Masters, victory often hinges on the smallest details. Your Azure Flame is domineering, making it even more crucial to master meticulous control."
Sweat trickled down Marco's cheeks, but his gaze remained focused, his hands as steady as bedrock. Through relentless training during this period, his control over soul power had significantly improved. The wild nature of the Azure Flame was gradually being tamed, becoming as responsive as his own limbs.
During the morning theory class, Elder Bai Hexuan lectured on the essentials of Spirit Ring matching.
"Selecting Spirit Rings isn't about pursuing the highest age—compatibility is key," Bai Hexuan stroked his long beard. "Consider factors like compatibility with your Martial Soul, practicality of Spirit Abilities, and the Soul Master's personal development direction. For example, if an assault-type Soul Master blindly pursues control-type Spirit Abilities, it might become an awkward mismatch."
Marco listened attentively, finding deep resonance with his own experiences. Although his Fourth Spirit Ring was ten-thousand-year grade, the comprehensive enhancement effect of "Azure Flame Engulfment" perfectly complemented his combat style.
In the afternoon, while Marco was researching ancient Soul Tool relics in the library, Hu Liena's lively figure appeared at the doorway.
"Hey, bookworm! Don't you get bored training all day?" She wore light pink casual clothes today, shedding some of her usual willfulness for a more youthful radiance. "Come explore the city with me! I know a newly opened dessert shop that's really good."
Marco initially wanted to refuse, but seeing Hu Liena's expectant eyes and considering he needed relaxation after days of intense training, he nodded. "Alright."
The commercial district of Spirit City bustled with crowds, lined with shops and constant vendor calls. Hu Liena clearly knew the area well, flitting between stalls like a butterfly, occasionally picking up small accessories to ask Marco's opinion. Following behind her, Marco absorbed the rare lively atmosphere, feeling his mood lighten.
However, this harmony was soon broken. At a street corner, Xie Yue and Yan happened to approach from the opposite direction, bringing the four face-to-face.
Seeing his sister walking side-by-side with Marco, chatting and laughing, Xie Yue immediately frowned. "Nana, why are you with him?" His sharp gaze swept over Marco, filled with scrutiny and displeasure.
Yan stepped forward directly, positioning himself between Hu Liena and Marco, his tone aggressive. "Kid, stay away from Nana!" Having liked Hu Liena for a long time, seeing his crush close with another man made him fiercely jealous.
Witnessing this, Hu Liena quickly explained, "Brother, Yan, don't be like this! I invited Marco out myself. We're just friends!"
"Friends?" Xie Yue snorted coldly. "Nana, you're still inexperienced. Don't be deceived by people of questionable origins." His words carried clear implication toward Marco.
Yan burned with even greater anger, pointing at Marco. "You shady character, dare to fight me fair and square? If you lose, stay away from Nana!"
Marco's expression remained calm, but inwardly he sighed, knowing trouble had finally arrived. He had never intended to cause any issues, but with the other party being so aggressive, if he didn't resolve this now, there would be no peace in the future.
"Brother! Yan! That's enough!" Hu Liena stamped her foot in frustration. "Marco is a guest, and more importantly, my friend! If you keep this up, I'll never speak to you again!"
However, Xie Yue was driven by concern for his sister, while Yan was blinded by jealousy—neither was willing to listen to reason.
Seeing the situation unfold, Marco knew there was no avoiding it. He stepped forward, his gaze steady as he looked at Xie Yue and Yan. "Since you both have doubts, arguing won't solve anything. How about we head to the Soul Arena and settle this with our skills? One match to decide it all—what do you say?"
Xie Yue's eyes narrowed. "Fine! You've got nerve!" Yan was even more eager. "Perfect! Just wait till I knock your teeth out!"
Hu Liena wanted to protest further, but seeing all three so determined, she could only sigh in resignation. "You... Ah, forget it! If you must fight, then fight—but keep it civilized!" Deep down, she was also curious to see how Marco would handle her brother and Yan teaming up.
The four of them quickly made their way to the nearest Seventh Soul Arena of the Spirit Hall. News that Xie Yue and Yan of the Golden Generation were facing off against Marco, who had recently risen to prominence, quickly drew a crowd of spectators.
On the Soul Battle Stage, Xie Yue and Yan stood side by side. Xie Yue summoned two yellow and one purple Spirit Rings at his feet, the Moon Blade appearing in his hand, gleaming coldly. Yan, too, released his Flame Lord Martial Soul, flames roiling around him as his aura intensified.
Marco, in contrast, simply activated Soul Fusion, azure flames swirling around him. He didn't even release his Spirit Rings, maintaining a composed demeanor.
"Arrogant!" Yan roared, launching the first attack. "First Spirit Ability: Hell Lava Rush!" The ground split open, spewing scorching pillars of lava straight toward Marco.
At the same time, Xie Yue moved like a phantom. "First Spirit Ability: Slash!" His Moon Blade carved a sharp arc, cutting off Marco's escape routes.
Faced with attacks from above and below, Marco instantly activated Shave at his feet. His figure blurred, as if teleporting, slipping effortlessly through the gap between the lava and the blade.
"So fast!" Xie Yue's pupils contracted. Unwilling to admit defeat, Yan erupted again. "Second Spirit Ability: Granite Rock!" His body became coated in rocky armor, greatly boosting his defense, while his fists ignited with flames as he charged forward.
Marco still refused to engage head-on. Using Moonwalk, he stepped through the air, agile as a swallow, weaving through Yan's furious onslaught. Each time, he dodged the heaviest blows with precision, occasionally tapping Yan's joints or pressure points with his fingers. Though not lethal, these moves disrupted Yan's momentum, leaving him frustrated and off-balance.
Seeing this, Xie Yue swung his Moon Blade even faster. "Second Spirit Ability: Defend!" A barrier of blade light formed, coordinating with Yan to compress Marco's evasive space.
Below the stage, Hu Liena watched as her brother and Yan were led around by Marco as if they were mere playthings. Her initial worry gradually turned into schadenfreude. "Serves you right! I told you not to push it—now you see how tough he is?"
As the prolonged assault yielded no results, Xie Yue and Yan grew increasingly impatient. Xie Yue unleashed his "Third Spirit Ability: Phantom Image," splitting into multiple illusory forms that were hard to distinguish from the real one. Yan, in turn, erupted with "Third Spirit Ability: Hell Flames," engulfing nearly half the stage in a sea of fire.
Yet, in the face of Marco's Double Pupil Eye and Observation Haki, these tricks were utterly useless. He could always predict their moves in advance and pinpoint the weakest spots to break through.
Having toyed with them enough, Marco's eyes sharpened as he decided to end this farce. He ceased evading and abruptly accelerated!
"Thwack!" A whip-like leg struck like lightning, smacking Yan's cheek and sending him stumbling backward, leaving a red mark on his face.
"Smack!" Almost simultaneously, Marco backhanded a palm strike that precisely hit Xie Yue's nose bridge. Though not using full force, it made his nose sting, nearly bringing tears to his eyes.
Marco deliberately targeted their faces, both to deliver minor punishment as a warning and to demonstrate his effortless control. His attacks came like a swift wind and sudden rain, focused solely on their faces, with continuous slapping sounds echoing. Despite possessing Spirit Abilities, Xie Yue and Yan couldn't even touch the hem of Marco's clothes, instead being beaten black and blue, left in utter disarray.
Finally, Marco swept both of them down simultaneously with a low leg sweep, ending the fight. He stood with his hands behind his back, breathing steadily as if he had merely warmed up.
Xie Yue and Yan sat slumped on the ground, touching their burning faces and looking at each other's comically bruised and swollen appearances. They felt both humiliated and furious but had nothing to say. The gap in strength was too vast.
Hu Liena ran onto the stage and, seeing her brother and Yan's pitiful state, couldn't help but let out a giggle. Immediately realizing it was inappropriate, she quickly suppressed it and said to Marco, "Your strikes were too... precise."
Marco smiled faintly. "A minor punishment. I hope the two of you will refrain from provoking trouble without cause in the future."
After this battle, though Xie Yue and Yan harbored resentment in their hearts, they clearly understood that Marco's strength far surpassed theirs. Moreover, he had shown mercy, so they temporarily dared not openly cause trouble again. Meanwhile, Marco's reputation among the younger generation of Spirit Hall grew even more prominent.