Chapter 207: Twin Martial Souls, Are They Rare?
When Xiao Xiao arrived at the Soul Palace, a Soul Saint-level guardian immediately informed her, "The Soul Palace is no longer in need of saints."
"I was personally invited by the Palace Master before, and…" Xiao Xiao replied, revealing her martial spirits—the Nine Phoenixes Arriving Flute and the Three Lives Soul Calming Cauldron. Her twin martial souls glowed with spirit power as she continued, "I am a soul master with twin martial souls. As a Soul Saint, you should understand what that means."
The Soul Palace guardian hesitated. Xiao Qiang had explicitly said he did not wish to meet anyone from Shrek. However, Xiao Xiao's talent as a twin martial soul user made her an exception he dared not dismiss lightly. To bring her to Xiao Qiang might be a breach of orders; to turn her away might mean losing a generational genius. It was a dilemma he couldn't easily resolve.
Luckily, he didn't need to choose. Xiao Lan arrived with Nana and an eight-ringed Soul Douluo-level elder from the Soul Palace.
"Miss, Saint, Elder, this girl is a genius from Shrek. The Hall Master stated clearly he didn't wish to see anyone from Shrek, but she's a twin martial soul user," the guardian reported, bowing respectfully.
"I see. Return to your post. This matter is no longer your concern," Xiao Lan said with a wave of her hand. Though she was the youngest and least cultivated among the three, her status as the Soul Hall Master's sister gave her unquestionable authority.
"Yes, Miss," the guardian replied before stepping back.
Xiao Xiao looked at the young girl before her. "You are…?"
"Xiao Lan. The Hall Master is my brother. You said he invited you?"
"Yes, back then—"
"No need to explain. Since you didn't come when he called, you don't get to stroll in now just because you want to."
Xiao Xiao's brow furrowed. "Twin martial souls give me a significant edge when it comes to souls. If I meet Xiao Qiang, maybe he'll change his mind."
"You want to see my brother?" Xiao Lan smirked. "Fine. Duel me. If you can last three minutes, you win."
"Huh? Are you serious?" Xiao Xiao blinked. She was fourteen; Xiao Lan looked about twelve. Wasn't this bullying? And why was the time limit only three minutes—shouldn't that be reversed?
"Why, are you scared?" Xiao Lan teased.
"What's there to be afraid of? You got it backwards! I may look small, but I'm already fourteen. How old are you?"
"Twelve. But that's still enough to deal with you. If you're done talking, let's head to the competition stage."
"Fine!"
The Soul Hall Master's sister gave the order, and the arena was swiftly cleared. By the time the group arrived, everything had been arranged.
"Little girl, don't cry when your big sister beats you up," Xiao Xiao quipped as she stepped onto the stage. Her two yellow and one purple soul rings emerged, radiating the strength of a thirty-eighth level soul master.
Xiao Xiao had every right to be proud. A Shrek Seven Devil and a twin martial soul user, she had been promised the position of Outer Court Dean and future Sea God Pavilion leader. Being challenged by someone younger and less experienced struck her as an insult. This battle was her chance to prove her worth and show that Shrek's geniuses were not to be underestimated.
From the stands, Soul Palace envoys shouted encouragement.
"Miss, teach this Shrek girl a lesson!"
"Miss Xiao Lan will win for sure!"
Xiao Xiao ignored the cheers and instead felt her fighting spirit surge. If she could defeat Xiao Lan here and now, she would earn respect and force them to reconsider her rejection.
"Alright, I will—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Lan's soul rings appeared.
Purple, purple, purple, black, black!
Five in total. Each one radiated power far beyond Xiao Xiao's. Even the purple rings had deeper color saturation, suggesting much higher years than her own. These weren't ordinary soul rings—they represented cultivation, experience, and overwhelming strength.
Before Xiao Xiao could process it all, the referee announced the start of the duel. Xiao Lan didn't bother activating any soul skills—she simply burst forward with terrifying speed.
The deceleration from the Nine Phoenixes Flute barely affected Xiao Lan. As a Soul King, she effortlessly overpowered the controls of a mere three-ring Soul Elder. Her palm swatted away the Three Lives Soul Calming Cauldron, and her foot landed squarely in Xiao Xiao's stomach with crushing force.
Xiao Xiao was sent flying.
She hit the ground hard, the pain in her abdomen making her want to vomit. But more than the pain, what shook her was Xiao Lan's power. Five soul rings—at the age of twelve.
"You lost," Xiao Lan said coldly, standing above her. "You're not worth my brother's time… or Shrek's hopes."
Xiao Xiao stared at the ground, humiliated. Her earlier arrogance now weighed heavy on her shoulders. Was this the kind of genius that the Soul Palace nurtured?
Just as Xiao Lan turned to leave, Xiao Xiao called out.
"Wait! I still have twin martial spirits! In the future, I'm not inferior to anyone!"
Xiao Lan stopped. For a moment, it seemed like she would turn back. Instead, the soul rings on her body vanished—only to be replaced by a single red soul ring.
A 100,000-year soul ring.
"Twin martial souls? Are they rare?" Xiao Lan asked, her voice calm but laced with undeniable authority.
Xiao Xiao's eyes widened, her pride crumbling. At that moment, she understood: in the world of the Soul Palace, twin martial souls were just the beginning.