Douluo: Martial Soul Thunder Dragon, A Century of Glory

Just as Dugu Yan stepped into the ring, there was a knock at Yun Yibai's room.

Three knocks, then the door opened — just as the Grand Arena staff always explained to VIP clients: if no one verbally refuses entry after three knocks, they will assume permission is granted and enter.

It was the same attendant as before, but this time she was joined by another maid carrying a tray covered with a red cloth.

"Lord Thunder Dragon, this is the item you requested."

The maid carrying the tray stepped forward and set it beside Yun Yibai.

"Mm."

"And one more thing, Lord Thunder Dragon—your opponent for tonight has been confirmed.

Your match will take place in the Main Soul Arena."

"We hope you enjoy the match. Please head to the staging area shortly."

The two attendants bowed respectfully before turning to leave. Their generous curves were impossible not to notice.

Even if Yun Yibai didn't want to look, it wasn't exactly easy to ignore — and he didn't see a reason to deny his instincts.

"The Main Arena, huh? That's quite the arrangement…"

After the maids left, a notification message appeared on the public displays throughout the Heaven Dou Grand Arena, accompanied by a clear voice broadcast:

"Coming up at 8 o'clock, a special soul battle will be held in the Main Arena!"

"In one corner: the nineteen-match winning streak holder—Molten Rhino!"

"In the other: the fifteen-match streak holder—Thunder Dragon!"

"Both fighters are Silver Soul Badge holders.

Let's look forward to what promises to be an incredible match!"

The broadcast echoed across the entire arena.

"Molten Rhino? Thunder Dragon? Aren't they both recent streak champions?"

"Weird… aren't they just Grand Soul Masters?

How'd they end up in the Main Arena?"

"Who cares! We're paying the same whether we watch in a sub-arena or the main one.

This is a steal!"

"I gotta go research these two before the odds go live — need to place my bets smart."

Veteran bettors knew that matches in the Main Soul Arena came with better odds than regular fights, making this a rare opportunity. Bigger risk, bigger reward.

Meanwhile, the last of the Heaven Dou Academy Four, Shi Mo, had just finished his match. The four regrouped afterward.

"Thunder Dragon?"

"Dugu Yan, by your logic… that's Yun Yibai, right?" asked Shi Mo.

Back then, they weren't yet close enough to use first names casually.

"If you don't believe me, check for yourself," Dugu Yan replied coolly.

"Well, we're done here anyway. Still early.

Let's go watch."

"If he is Yibai's cousin, then as his elder cousin, I've got to be there to support him," said Yu Tianheng.

The Main Soul Arena was massive, capable of holding 12,000 spectators.

By the time the group arrived, the place was already filling fast — and the crowd kept growing.

They found good seats near the front and settled in.

As the sub-arena fights wrapped up, even more spectators began flocking to the Main Arena.

Half an hour before the match, Yun Yibai used lightning instead of fire to warm the whale gel. In no time, the century-grade gel softened, and he swallowed it in one go.

"Urgh…"

The taste… was something else.

A single word echoed in Yun Yibai's mind:

"Intense."

He quickly sat down to meditate and begin digesting it.

Thanks to his clear mental state, the century-grade whale gel didn't overwhelm him — it wasn't enough to make a soul master lose control.

Time passed.

Just before the match, another three-knock signal came at his door.

His eyes opened immediately.

He stood up, grabbed his coat from the sofa, and threw it over his shoulders.

His chiseled abs were still fully exposed.

It was the same attendant again.

"Lord Thunder Dragon, it's time to enter the arena."

The maid's eyes couldn't help but drift toward Yun Yibai's bare chest, and when she accidentally glanced just a bit lower…

Her face turned bright red, flushed with heat.

"Mm."

Yun Yibai stepped past her, the raw masculine presence radiating off him making her knees go weak for a moment.

He didn't need an escort — he already knew where the Main Arena was.

In truth, taking whale gel before a match was like giving yourself a temporary stimulant — some might even call it cheating.

But Yun Yibai had two very clear reasons:

He couldn't guarantee total dominance at the Grand Soul Master level.

His opponent, Molten Rhino, was also on a major win streak.

Yun Yibai had looked into the guy: pushing 30 years old, with years of combat experience.

His Soul Badge was nearing gold, and his Martial Soul was a Molten Rhinoceros — combining explosive power and high defense.

Last known soul power level: 29.

And Yun Yibai suspected he might have already broken through to Level 30.

He wanted to use the battle to help absorb the whale gel's energy — maximizing its effectiveness.

By now, the Main Arena was 80% full — almost 10,000 people in the stands.

"Thanks for waiting, everyone!"

At exactly 8 p.m., a crisp, melodic voice echoed across the Main Arena.

"Hello, everyone!

I'll be your announcer tonight — my name is Qingyin.

It's a pleasure to meet you."

Qingyin, a Grand Soul Master with the White Sound Crane Martial Soul,

floated onto the stage as lights illuminated the platform. Her elegant figure was framed by long, white feathered wings sprouting from her back.

"I'm sure you're all just as excited as I am.

It's not every day we get to use the Main Arena.

Tonight, I'm honored to bring you what promises to be a thrilling battle."

"So without further delay — let's welcome tonight's stars!"

"First up… Molten Rhino!"

From the left side of the arena, a towering man strode forward.

He was massive — nearly two meters tall, with a rugged, muscular build like chiseled stone.

Every inch of him radiated explosive strength.

The scars etched across his face told the story of countless battles, symbolizing his power at the Grand Soul Master rank.

Molten Rhino walked with the heavy steps of a juggernaut and soon stood center stage.

Cheers erupted from the crowd — especially those who had bet on him.

"Next… let's welcome — Thunder Dragon!"

Yun Yibai rolled his shoulders and then walked calmly into the arena.

"It's him…"

Shi Mo's voice carried a note of disbelief.