"Across the entire continent, almost every country or larger town has a Soul Fighting Arena."
"The initial purpose for the existence of Soul Fighting Arenas was to resolve disputes!"
Gui Mei crossed his arms, his expression solemn as he explained the original purpose of the Soul Fighting Arenas to Wang Zhong, who stood directly opposite him.
Wang Zhong, meanwhile, listened while idly playing with two iron tokens, shaped like wings, that Ling Yuan had sent over.
The craftsmanship of the badges was not great; they were even somewhat crude. When touched, they felt distinctly low-quality and uneven.
"Resolve disputes?" Wang Zhong repeated the last four words with a hint of doubt, feeling something was amiss.
"That's right, to resolve disputes."
"In the early days of the establishment of the two great empires, to ensure peace and stability within the nations, and to preserve their vital forces, they prohibited Soul Masters from fighting or killing each other for any reason whatsoever."
"But this rule was soon abandoned, because where there are people, there are conflicts, and Soul Masters are no exception."
"Sometimes it might just be to save face, sometimes to prove oneself, and sometimes for certain benefits. Various reasons led to Soul Masters, who were already proud, disliking each other. But due to the existence of imperial law, this dislike had to be suppressed!"
"However, anger, as time passes, will erupt. When it can no longer be contained, Soul Masters will inevitably fight to the death once they engage."
"To resolve this issue, the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas then came into being."
Ling Yuan shifted her gaze from Mu Fen, who was moving freely around them, to Wang Zhong and explained.
"But the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas, which were originally meant solely to resolve conflicts among Soul Masters, gradually transformed into something else over time."
Wang Zhong quietly focused his gaze on Ling Yuan, listening intently.
"Beast Arenas!"
"Precisely, every Soul Master who steps onto the stage is like a wild beast, wildly flaunting their claws and fangs!"
"Even if two individuals have no conflict, they will step onto the stage for unknown reasons, showcasing their muscles and strength."
"This display quickly attracted some greedy nobles, families, empires, and sects. They became the hidden puppeteers, transforming the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas into public arenas for Soul Masters to resolve disputes and gain benefits."
"Families, empires, and sects displayed their strength and power on the stage, while nobles and wealthy individuals gathered money at the edges of the arena!"
"As this model grew larger, ordinary duels were no longer enough to satisfy the needs of Soul Masters and the thrill-seeking audience. Thus, in the places meant to resolve disputes, death matches emerged!"
"In other words, on the death match stage, even if you kill your opponent, no one will trouble you. This is a stipulation within the rules of the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas, and no one dares to defy the combined forces behind the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas; not even the empires can!"
Ling Yuan's tone carried a hint of disdain. Something that was created with good intentions had ultimately devolved into this state, which was truly disgusting.
Moreover, can the killing between Soul Masters be stopped by a single law? Countless Soul Masters have died in secret, and those who die in the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas are less than ten percent of that number.
Those so-called bloodbaths and slaughter were merely disgusting performances, existing solely to satisfy the perverse desires of certain individuals.
These were mostly nobles, royalty, and the wealthy! Only those who considered themselves superior, adorned in fine silks and looking plump, would watch these death matches, manipulated by rules, with the detached gaze of an audience member.
Without these rules, no one would watch these death matches! Because they were people who valued their lives, and without rules, it meant that even the spectators could be killed at any moment!
But this was the most authentic form of conflict among Soul Masters; for survival, they would disregard all rules!
Thinking of this, Ling Yuan found the fights on the arena outside the window extremely boring. If the duels were just ordinary challenges, she wouldn't mind. But if they were death matches, she had always felt utterly contemptuous of them.
"You don't need to concern yourself with these matters, but what I'm about to tell you, you must accomplish."
Gui Mei spoke, drawing Wang Zhong's attention back.
"Within the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas, you must obtain two Golden Douluo badges within six months. One symbolizing the individual, and one symbolizing a team."
"Although in the Grand Soul Fighting Arenas, individual points are accumulated through personal battles and team battles, I have a separate scoring system for you."
"Personal battles are personal battles, and team battles are team battles!"
"If, after six months, your points do not meet these two requirements, you will face a punishment!"
Gui Mei's tone became extremely stern at this moment, as he would be Wang Zhong's instructor during this half-year period.
This was also Bibi Dong's command!
"Punishment?"
Wang Zhong blinked, this was something he hadn't expected.
To this, Gui Mei chuckled, "Wang Zhong, do you think the Holy Maiden's bestowed soul bone is so easily obtained!"
"In the Spirit Hall, benefits are linked to responsibilities and glory! Without these, you gain nothing!"
"And as a disciple chosen by the Holy Maiden, the demands placed upon you will only be more stringent."
"Do you understand the implications of this?"
Gui Mei did not answer Wang Zhong's confusion but instead spoke of Spirit Hall's reward and punishment system.
Pressing his lips together, Wang Zhong touched his forehead, feeling the mental concentration of the Wisdom Skull hidden beneath. He let out a strange laugh.
Bibi Dong's expectations and care for him were selfless, but the thoughts and gazes of others were not. They were waiting for Wang Zhong to make a fool of himself, or rather, they were anticipating seeing Bibi Dong make a fool of herself.
Look, what is the use of bestowing a soul bone upon such a person? He cannot bring glory to the Spirit Hall, nor can he make significant contributions, yet he has gained such a precious item for nothing.
The Holy Maiden, using her authority to force it upon someone, gave it to a piece of dross.
From the moment Wang Zhong accepted the soul bone, he was no longer the solitary individual he once was. Bibi Dong had extended the light and glory of her position as Holy Maiden to him. All the expectations placed upon him were simultaneously extended to Bibi Dong.
From that moment on, Wang Zhong's actions were inextricably linked to Bibi Dong. His honor and disgrace were no longer his alone but were intimately connected to Bibi Dong.
The words "Holy Maiden" were imprinted upon him!
"Ah, that's right. I haven't quite adapted to this yet, almost forgot!"
Wang Zhong tilted his head, smiling gently, no longer bothered by the so-called punishment.
He had no choice! He could only keep winning to prove that Bibi Dong's judgment was right and correct, and that the Holy Maiden's authority and glory remained as dazzling as ever.
"But it's okay if I forgot, because I never lose!"
"I will keep winning!"