Douluo Continent: Martial Soul - Dragon Abyss Sword, Peerless Prodigy

The Papal Martial Arena was still bustling with activity.

The shock of Lin Han splitting the ten-thousand-year-old black iron with a single sword strike yesterday has not yet dissipated, and today the arena is even more packed with people.

Everyone in the Spirit Hall had heard that the Pope's personally taught disciples were going to have a public sparring match.

On one side is Bibi Dong, the senior sister with twin martial souls and innate full soul power, who is already a level 19 soul master and has been the most talented person on the continent for many years.

On one side was Lin Han, the junior brother with the Dragon Abyss Sword, innate full soul power level 10, who absorbed a 500-year-old sub-dragon soul ring and whose combat power at level 15 could crush a three-ring cultivator. He suddenly appeared and shocked the entire audience.

Everyone wants to see this showdown.

Qian Xunji sat calmly on the high platform, his expression indifferent, but his eyes held a hint of amusement.

He knew Lin Han's true combat strength better than anyone else. Let alone Bibi Dong now, even if two more of the same level came, Lin Han could win in just one or two sword strikes.

"Today, let's just have a friendly spar as fellow disciples. Let's stop here and not let things get out of hand." Qian Xunji said calmly, his voice echoing throughout the entire venue.

"Yes, teacher."

Lin Han and Bibi Dong responded at the same time and stepped into the center of the training ground one after the other.

Bibi Dong took a deep breath, her usual liveliness replaced by a serious expression.

She knew very well how terrifying her junior brother was, but she was, after all, her senior sister and the only prodigy in the Spirit Hall. Her inherent pride wouldn't allow her to admit defeat directly.

"Junior brother, I won't hold back." Bibi Dong raised her small face, her purple martial soul quietly appeared, and her first soul ring lit up.

"Senior Sister, please feel free to make your move." Lin Han held the Dragon Abyss Sword, his posture upright, his tone calm and composed, without a trace of sharpness, which only made him appear more at ease.

"I am coming!"

Bibi Dong let out a shout and suddenly rushed out.

With his level 19 soul power unleashed at full force, his yellow soul ring flashed, and his first soul skill was activated instantly. His soul power condensed into a sharp energy that rushed straight at Lin Han!

She was extremely fast and her moves were swift and precise, clearly showing the foundation she had received meticulous instruction from Qian Xunji.

The disciples on the sidelines held their breath.

"Lady Bibi Dong is so strong! No wonder she possesses twin martial souls!"

"I wonder if Lord Lin Han can catch it easily!"

Lin Han's eyes remained calm. He lightly stepped forward, his body shifting slightly to the side like a willow catkin, easily dodging the attack.

With a gentle flick of the Dragon Abyss Sword, Bibi Dong's soul power was deflected to the side, without any direct confrontation or counterattack.

"What ingenious footwork!"

"Lord Lin Han didn't use any force at all!"

Some of the more senior cardinals and platinum elders exchanged glances, already understanding the situation.

Lin Han... intended it to be waterproof from the very beginning.

Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback when her attack missed, but then became even more serious, her figure flashing repeatedly as she unleashed her soul skills and soul power techniques in turn.

She was, after all, a genius, with a fighting spirit far exceeding that of her peers. Her attacks were relentless and she looked incredibly powerful.

Lin Han consistently defended more than he attacked.

The Dragon Abyss Sword seemed to come alive in his hands. He could block, deflect, guide, or parry with perfect timing, neither getting hit nor retaliating too heavily.

His swordsmanship is elegant, handsome, and domineering, yet he holds back some of his strength. He could easily break through all attacks with a single sword strike, but he and Bibi Dong engage in a back-and-forth battle, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

Bibi Dong grew increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed.

She could clearly sense that Lin Han had kept his hand hidden from her from beginning to end.

His sword energy, speed, and power were all suppressed to a level that was "evenly matched" with hers.

It's not that we can't beat them, it's that we don't want to win.

Those seasoned veterans on the sidelines saw it all clearly.

"Impressive! This child is not only strong, but also very thoughtful."

"We must give face to our senior sister. Winning too decisively in public would only damage the friendship between fellow disciples."

"A draw would make the senior sister look good, the junior brother show his magnanimity, and His Holiness the Pope would be pleased as well—a win-win-win situation."

"Lin Han's thinking is far beyond that of a six-year-old."

On the high platform, Qian Xunji's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

His disciple possessed extraordinary strength and was incredibly adept at understanding human relationships; he was even more mature and reliable than he had anticipated.

Publicly crushing Bibi Dong may seem impressive, but it's actually unnecessary and will only make Bibi Dong resentful.

This is just right.

The competition continues.

Bibi Dong's breathing became slightly rapid, after all, the continuous activation of her level 19 soul power had taken a toll.

Lin Han remained calm and composed, his white robes fluttering, his swordplay unhurried, and even his breathing remained steady.

After several dozen more rounds...

Lin Han seized the opportunity, and with a slight tremor of the Dragon Abyss Sword, the sword energy collided perfectly with Bibi Dong's soul skill.

Bang-!

The two streams of soul power dispersed simultaneously, creating a powerful gust of wind that swept around.

Bibi Dong was shaken and took three steps back. Lin Han also took two steps back, his body swaying slightly as if he had consumed a lot of soul power.

Both of them stopped fighting at the same time.

The room was completely silent.

Moments later, the entire venue erupted in cheers.

"A draw! It's a draw!"

"The two disciples are evenly matched; this is amazing!"

"The two prodigies of the Spirit Hall truly live up to their reputations!"

"That battle was so exciting to watch!"

The newly initiated young disciples were all very excited, feeling that the two were both unparalleled geniuses with equally matched strength.

Only those truly high-ranking and veteran employees know the truth perfectly well.

A draw?

That was a draw that Lin Han conceded.

If it really comes down to a fight, Bibi Dong will be defeated within three moves.

Bibi Dong stopped and looked at Lin Han, a complex smile appearing on her small face.

She walked up to Lin Han and lowered her voice, so only the two of them could hear: "Junior brother, you let me win on purpose, didn't you?"

Lin Han smiled slightly and replied softly, "Senior Sister is already very strong; I was just lucky to be on par with her."

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him, but didn't expose him; instead, she felt a warmth in her heart.

She knew that Lin Han hadn't revealed his true strength in public because he was considering her senior sister's feelings.

This thoughtfulness made her feel more comfortable than winning against her directly.

"Alright, it's a draw then. I won't lose to you next time." Bibi Dong raised her little face, regaining her usual proud demeanor.

"I'm ready anytime." Lin Han sheathed his sword with a clean and dashing movement.

On the high platform, Qian Xunji stood up, his voice authoritative and satisfied: "This battle was fought to a draw. The bond between the senior and junior disciples is deep, and their strengths are evenly matched. They can truly be called the twin pillars of the Spirit Hall! Excellent!"

With just one sentence, he set the tone for the competition and gave Bibi Dong plenty of face.

The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.

Lin Han and Bibi Dong walked out of the martial arts arena side by side, attracting countless awe and envy along the way.

Bibi Dong stood tall and proud, as if she were truly evenly matched with Lin Han.

Lin Han remained calm and composed, his demeanor steady, saying nothing more and showing no sign of concern.

Back in the palace training room, only the two of them remained.

Bibi Dong finally couldn't help but speak up: "Junior brother, you could have easily beaten me just now."

Lin Han smiled and said, "Senior sister is senior sister. In a public sparring match, a draw is the best outcome."

He knew that the martial arts world wasn't just about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and social interactions.

It doesn't matter if I suffer a little loss.

Anyway, he knew he was strong enough to easily defeat Bibi Dong, which was enough for him.

There's no need to worry about the rest.

Bibi Dong felt a warmth in her heart and stepped forward to gently pat his arm: "You're sensible. I'll protect you from now on."

Lin Han shook his head helplessly, but didn't say anything more.

He knew very well that maintaining harmony with Bibi Dong and protecting her pride within the Spirit Hall and under Qian Xunji's tutelage was more important than showing off his prowess for a time.

Moreover, his goal was never to compete with Bibi Dong.

His path is to reach level 20, to obtain the second soul ring of a thousand-year-old dragon, and to step by step reach the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent.

This draw was merely a mild and steady interlude in his journey.

The sunlight outside the window was perfect, and the palace was filled with a rich spiritual atmosphere.

Lin Han sat down cross-legged and entered a meditative state once again.

With his cultivation speed increasing tenfold, his internal soul power continued to rise steadily, bringing him closer and closer to the threshold of level 20.

His true whirlwind has only just begun.

.....