Time flew by, and three days later, at the Vast Sea Grand Spirit Arena,
Ignaz led the six others to the registration desk.
"Register our levels. We want to enter a seven-person team battle. Here's our information."
He placed all their Spirit Battle Emblems on the desk: one gold, three silver, three bronze—a total of seven emblems.
The moment the gold emblem appeared, Shui Xing'er and the others froze in shock.
"Ignaz, I don't remember you ever competing in the arena before. How do you already have a Spirit Battle Emblem? And a gold one at that?"
"Before I met you, I'd already competed in Vast Sea City's arena. Isn't that obvious? Why has your intelligence dropped so suddenly, little sister?"
At this, Shui Xing'er and Lingling covered their mouths to hide their laughter. They understood things clearly; only Dugu Yan still retained a trace of innocent naivety.
As the registration staff entered each emblem's information, the one holding the gold emblem couldn't believe what she saw. It took several moments before Ignaz tapped the table twice, prompting her to straighten up and apologize respectfully:
"Mr. Bai Mo, our manager is your biggest fan. Please wait a moment while I consult the Vast Sea Grand Spirit Arena manager."
"Alright."
Within minutes, a man dressed in blue hurried over.
"Mr. Bai Mo, do you remember me?"
"Uh… who are you?"
The manager didn't show any anger. Bai Mo, once a peerless Grandmaster Spirit Master with 53 consecutive victories, was not someone to provoke lightly.
"It's natural you don't remember me. I'm the manager from the underground arena who invited you to compete against Mianhuan Yao back then."
"Seeing Mr. Bai Mo in person, I didn't expect you'd be so handsome."
"So it's you! I didn't know you transferred to Vast Sea Grand Spirit Arena."
Ignaz remembered him fairly clearly—after all, he had earned 100,000 Gold Spirit Coins from this man.
"Since you know my request, arrange a Spirit Battle for us!"
"Sorry, Mr. Bai Mo, there's currently no gold-level team in Vast Sea City's arena. Given your current level, it's not suitable for you to compete."
The manager was astounded. In just six or seven years, Bai Mo had broken through from Grandmaster Spirit Master to Spirit Emperor.
Vast Sea City's arena only hosted battles for Spirit Kings and below. A Spirit Emperor wouldn't compete in the arena—it would be degrading, like a clown for others to watch and critique.
"Fine. In that case, let my teammates participate in 2v2 battles. That's acceptable, right?"
"Of course. Follow me."
The manager personally selected opponents. Soon, Ignaz took his seat in the VIP area, quietly observing the arena below.
"This will be the most anticipated match yet, as Vast Sea City welcomes a new batch of inland Spirit Masters."
The announcer pointed to a side entrance as he spoke. Two beautiful girls emerged: Dugu Yan and Shui Xing'er. They were the most suitable for water-based combat among the six.
Yang Yong, wielding the Broken Spirit Spear, had learned Ignaz's Wave-Crossing Sea Step, but hadn't mastered standing on water as if on land, making him unsuitable for sea battles. Niu Nan and Zhu Zhuqing were in the same situation. Ling Ling, as a healer, couldn't face Sea Spirit Masters head-on, except perhaps in a 2v2 with Ignaz.
Their goal at the Vast Sea Arena was to familiarize them with Sea Spirit Master combat, preparing for sudden attacks from Sea Spirit Beasts.
As the two girls appeared, the crowd of male Spirit Masters erupted in excitement.
"These two inland Spirit Masters are stunning! I almost want to jump in there myself."
"I just hope they aren't maimed in front of the Hai Po brothers. If their faces get hurt, I'd be heartbroken."
The Hai Po brothers jumped onto the circular arena from the side entrance.
"2v2 battle: the Yan-Xing sisters versus the Hai Po brothers. Begin!"
The Hai Po brothers dove into the water, summoning two horned sea seals beneath their feet, riding them toward Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan's second Spirit Skill, used to manipulate terrain, was ineffective in water. She quickly activated her first skill.
The Red Sand Domain had some effect, but only for Spirit Masters on the surface. The Hai Po brothers were submerged, so flying sand dissolved in the waves and sank.
Seeing the moment, Dugu Yan leaped from the water, activating her third skill.
"A massive dragon tail crashes across the sea surface!"
"Fourth skill, Demon Spirit Arrow Rain!"
The Hai Po brothers swam swiftly, shooting countless water arrows at Dugu Yan, reducing the impact of her Dragon Tail skill.
Although Demon Spirit Arrow Rain was wide-ranging, its power was modest. The Dragon Tail still struck the submerged brothers.
When it hit the water, the Dragon Tail's force displaced the arena's water dozens of meters high, but the energy was absorbed by the surrounding water. The Hai Po brothers, in the water, were knocked back.
Water Xing'er, who had yet to act, shouted,
"Perfect opportunity!"
"First Spirit Skill, Ice Seal!"
If not for Ignaz wanting them to experience Sea Spirit Master combat, she believed using her first skill immediately would completely counter water-based Spirit Masters with her extreme ice attribute. Even now, it was enough to freeze the Hai Po brothers once executed.
But she underestimated the Hai Po brothers. As her first skill froze some water, they unleashed their strongest technique:
"Spirit Fusion Skill—Forbidden Water Tornado!"
Using the unfrozen water, a massive tornado formed, covering a wide area and breaking the ice that had formed.
(End of Chapter)