Chapter 71: The Return of the Strange Magician
At the Great Spirit Arena, the glamorous host was in the middle of announcing a match when a staff member hurried over to whisper something in her ear.
She froze, then blushed with excitement.
Before the match on the stage had even ended, she stepped onto the podium, her voice trembling with barely contained thrill.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I have just received a shocking piece of news!"
The sudden announcement drew every eye in the arena. Even the two combatants paused mid-fight, startled.
The sword-wielding spirit master seized the distraction and blasted his leopard-type opponent straight off the stage. He raised his arm to celebrate his victory—
Yet no one paid him the slightest attention.
The host didn't even announce the winner. She continued, voice ringing with excitement:
"I have just been informed that the legendary Strange Magician, the very man who earned the Diamond Spirit Badge at the Spirit City Great Arena, will be holding a match right here in Soto City!"
"He will soon choose a team to face him in a one-versus-seven battle!"
The words hung in the air for a heartbeat—then the entire Great Spirit Arena erupted.
The crowd went wild, their roars shaking the stands.
The Strange Magician—his name was practically legend. In three years of fighting, he had never lost a single match and had achieved the once-mythical Diamond Badge.
Everyone who had ever set foot in an arena had heard the name that symbolized mystery and victory.
And now, that legend had come to Soto City.
Among the spectators, Ning Rongrong froze for a split second, then turned instinctively—only to find that Luo Ling had vanished.
"Who's the Strange Magician?" Tang San asked, glancing at Xiao Wu. Both wore puzzled expressions as the entire arena thundered around them.
"You don't even know who he is?" Ma Hongjun gaped.
"Should we?" Tang San frowned, unsettled by the frenzy around them. The scene felt like madness—the host had mentioned one name and sent thousands into hysteria. It had to be exaggerated.
Dai Mubai, staring at the feverish audience, felt an involuntary pang of jealousy. Still, he explained patiently,
"The Strange Magician appeared three years ago at the Spirit City Great Arena. His Martial Soul is some kind of mysterious puppet—bizarre and terrifying."
"He fought there for three years, over three hundred matches—never lost once."
"His final battle, barely a month ago, had him as a rank forty-six Soul Sect facing a full team—one Soul King and six Soul Sects."
"And he won easily."
"No one could even tell how he won."
As Dai Mubai spoke, Tang San and Xiao Wu stood frozen, disbelief filling their faces.
Especially Tang San. "That's impossible! A Soul Sect defeating a team with a Soul King?"
He simply couldn't accept it. Even with the Xuantian Record from his past life, he couldn't achieve that. How could someone in this world possibly be that strong?
"You may not believe it, but facts speak for themselves," a deep voice interjected.
Flender approached slowly, adjusting his glasses.
"That last battle was witnessed by observers from several major powers. The Strange Magician truly won. His soul skills include exceptionally potent buffs and—more importantly—a bizarre spiritual attack."
"Those who fought him that day ended up turning on each other under mental manipulation. No one survived unscathed."
Flender's voice lowered. He didn't mention the full truth—that even those watching from the stands had nearly fallen under the Magician's influence.
It was too unbelievable to voice aloud.
"What are you all talking about?" came a calm voice from behind them.
Luo Ling strolled over casually.
Ning Rongrong looked up at him, eyes shining knowingly but saying nothing. She smiled and ran over. "We're talking about the Strange Magician!"
Her tone was teasing, but no one noticed the subtle glance that passed between them.
Tang San folded his arms. "I still don't believe it—unless I see it with my own eyes."
As if on cue, the host's voice rang through the arena once more, more excited than before.
"Ladies and gentlemen! To choose his next opponents, the Strange Magician has decided to hold a preliminary one-versus-one match—starting now!"
"All Soul Masters wishing to participate may register immediately! The arena will select the strongest contender, based on rank and record, to face the legendary Strange Magician!"
This time, silence blanketed the entire space.
Watching a show was one thing; challenging him was another matter entirely.
Reputation aside, no sane spirit master stepped lightly into a deathtrap.
"Those who wish to sign up may head to the registration office. The chosen opponent will be announced in two incense sticks' time!" the host added.
Gradually, the noise returned—whispers, gasps, and a few bold voices.
Even so, some dared to take the risk. Losing to the Strange Magician meant nothing—but defeating him would make you famous overnight.
A handful of confident fighters began heading toward the office.
Watching them go, Ning Rongrong leaned closer to Luo Ling and whispered, "Brother Ling… are you really going to fight here?"
Luo Ling glanced at her, smiling faintly, and nodded once.
"But is there even anyone here worth your time?" she asked curiously, tilting her head.
Across the stands, the members of Shrek Academy were buzzing about the announcement too.
Dai Mubai smirked. "Headmaster, why don't you go? You could flatten that guy with one hand."
Flender rolled his eyes. "Me? A Soul Saint beating up a Soul Sect? Do you want the entire continent to call me shameless?"
At the Great Spirit Arena, the highest battles allowed were between Soul Kings. Soul Emperors never bothered with such low-level venues—and Soul Saints? Too dignified to even consider it.
"That's true," Tang San said thoughtfully, then looked at Luo Ling. "You're a Soul Sect too, aren't you? Why not try challenging him yourself?"
The table went still. Everyone turned toward Luo Ling.
He could feel Tang San's hidden malice behind the words.
If only the boy knew.
Luo Ling glanced back at him with calm indifference. "I'm not his match," he said simply.
Tang San blinked, caught off guard. That wasn't the answer he'd expected.
He had intended to provoke Luo Ling—to make him go up, embarrass himself, and leave the crowd laughing.
"But even if I wanted to, they wouldn't pick me," Luo Ling continued mildly. "I've got no recorded matches at the Soto City Arena—and only rank forty-six. They'll choose higher-ranked fighters first."
He pointed toward a nearby contestant—a Soul King already signing up.
"See? They'll pick someone like him."
as usual, his voice was calm as still water, his expression unreadable.
None of them suspected that the mysterious legend they spoke of was standing right before their eyes—with a faint, knowing smile hidden in shadow.
(END CHAPTER)
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