As expected, Zhu Zhuqing was no match for Tang San and ultimately lost their one-on-one match.
Soon after, it was time for the two-on-two Soul Battle.
The audience for this round was nearly double that of the solo matches—clearly, team battles were more popular. Their opponents were already waiting on the arena stage.
The announcer was in the middle of announcing the matchups.
"Round Three of the two-on-two division: Blade and Hammer Duo versus... Night Bamboo Duo!"
That's right—the "Night Bamboo" team name had been chosen by Lin Jie, much to Zhu Zhuqing's initial distaste.
Lin Jie took out two masks from his soul tool ring, handing one to Zhu Zhuqing before putting the other on himself. With the mask on, a hint of mischievous charm and mystery clung to him. As for why Zhu Zhuqing had to wear one too? That was just a little trick of Lin Jie's—he preferred to keep her identity a secret.
The announcer's voice echoed loudly:
"Now entering the stage, the Night Bamboo Duo! This pair consists of a 32nd-rank Soul Elder and a 28th-rank Grand Soul Master. Their opponents are the Blade and Hammer Duo—two Soul Elders at Rank 33. How will this match turn out? Let's wait and see!"
The Blade and Hammer brothers squinted at their masked opponents. Though they couldn't see their faces clearly, it was obvious they were just kids. The two men rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Even the announcer paused for a moment, but the match continued. After all, anyone who could stand here had passed the Soul Arena's verification.
"It seems the Night Bamboo Duo is truly young and promising. Let the battle begin!"
Lin Jie turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "I'll support you during this match. You handle the offense—this is a good opportunity for you to hone your combat skills."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly but still replied with a soft "Mm."
The brothers' initial surprise quickly faded. They both took a steady step back, letting out a synchronized low growl. Their movements were eerily in sync, like mirror images.
Thick gray soul light surged from their right hands as their martial spirits materialized—a massive ring-bladed broadsword for one, and a heavy iron hammer for the other.
Though tool-type martial spirits didn't alter a Soul Master's appearance, the sheer presence of the burly brothers was overwhelming. With synchronized steps, they charged forward with a thunderous aura, weapons raised high over their heads.
Despite their size, their speed was anything but slow. In the blink of an eye, they reached Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing instantly leapt into the air. Her martial spirit activated, soul rings flaring. Her eyes shifted—one dark green, one bright blue. Feline ears perked up atop her head, and razor-sharp claws extended from her fingers. Her figure flickered as she darted toward the two men.
Lin Jie knew Zhu Zhuqing couldn't take on these two power-type Soul Elders alone. That was why he planned to support her—immobilizing their opponents while she attacked. After all, helping her grow stronger would only benefit him in the long run... and okay, maybe he was a little attracted to her too. He'd already made it to "first base"—wasn't "second base" close behind?
Sidestepping their initial assault, Lin Jie conjured two chains of lightning with a wave of his hand and whipped them toward the brothers.
They reacted swiftly—dodging to the side to evade the chains. But to their surprise, the lightning shifted mid-air, twisting like snakes and weaving together into a crackling Lightning Web, which wrapped around them like a spider's trap.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't miss the chance. Her claws blurred as her second soul skill, Hell Hundred Claws, activated. She lunged, slashing toward the trapped duo.
The brothers struggled, but the lightning web bound them tightly. Even when they surged soul power to break free, they only managed to weaken it slightly—it still held them fast.
Zhu Zhuqing's claws tore across their chests, leaving several bloody gashes.
Seeing the opening, Lin Jie surged his soul power, causing the Lightning Web to contract and squeeze tighter.
The two men staggered back in disbelief, clutching their wounded chests.
"They're heavily injured. They're all yours," Lin Jie said calmly, stepping back.
Zhu Zhuqing acknowledged with a soft grunt and immediately lunged again.
Gritting their teeth, the injured brothers roared. The swordsman stomped the ground with one foot, muscles swelling even further, his already burly frame growing more imposing.
"Third soul skill—Heavy Strike!"
The hammer wielder called out, and the two exchanged a glance that spoke volumes.
Zhu Zhuqing shot toward the hammer-wielder, but suddenly realized—the swordsman had vanished from her field of vision.
Too late.
A heavy blow landed squarely on her back, sending her flying straight toward the other brother.
Lin Jie, watching from the sidelines, had been keeping an eye on everything. He saw the swordsman vanish behind Zhu Zhuqing and thought about warning her... but ultimately didn't. Sometimes, a little pain was the best teacher. She needed to understand her limitations.
As Zhu Zhuqing was flung through the air, the hammer-wielder swung his massive weapon toward her midair figure.
If that blow connected, even if it didn't leave her half-dead, it would certainly leave her in bad shape.
Would Lin Jie allow that?
Of course not.
Just as the hammer was about to strike her, Lin Jie's body flickered with lightning and he appeared beside her in an instant. With a forceful kick, he sent the hammer-wielder flying, then caught Zhu Zhuqing gently in his arms and landed smoothly.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly.
Zhu Zhuqing clutched her chest and coughed, a trickle of blood at her lips. "I'm fine," she murmured, standing with Lin Jie's help.
The man who took the full force of Lin Jie's kick collapsed offstage and passed out cold—already weakened by Zhu Zhuqing's Hell Hundred Claws, that blow had finished him off.
A mixture of cheers and curses erupted from the audience.
The swordsman tried to launch a sneak attack, but Lin Jie dodged easily, still holding Zhu Zhuqing. A massive clang echoed as the man's blade slammed into the arena floor, cracking it.
Furious, the man charged again. Lin Jie gently set Zhu Zhuqing down, then blurred forward with lightning speed. In a flash, he appeared beneath the man and punched upward into his chest.
With a thunderous boom, the man was sent flying. Lin Jie vanished and reappeared above him, raising one leg and slamming it down with crushing force.
CRASH—
The second Soul Elder crashed offstage and joined his partner in unconsciousness.
The announcer, stunned for a moment, quickly snapped to attention and shouted,
"Congratulations to the Night Bamboo Duo for their victory in this match!"
The crowd exploded in a roar—cheers, jeers, and scattered applause filling the arena.
Lin Jie walked over, helped Zhu Zhuqing up once more, and calmly exited the stage.