The following day, Su Yan sat at the courtyard table with Nihilister and 2B, Pod hovering ever faithfully by her side.
Ah Yin's pot had also been placed on the table, pushed into a patch of morning sunlight beside them.
A small pile of gold and silver soul coins sat in the middle of the table, neatly stacked by denomination. It looked respectable at first glance, at least until one remembered how long it had taken him to manifest it the previous day.
Su Yan looked at the coins.
Then he looked at Nihilister.
Then he looked at 2B.
"We are broke."
Nihilister raised an eyebrow and glanced at the pile of soul coins.
"You have a strange definition of broke."
"I mean we are practically broke," Su Yan said with a sigh. "I can make more, but the efficiency is bad. If I spend every night draining myself just to manifest coins, I'll barely have enough to cover food, lodging, travel, and whatever else comes up."
As he spoke, he reached over and nudged Ah Yin's pot a little farther into the sunlight without thinking.
2B's gaze followed the motion for half a second, then returned to him.
Su Yan tapped the table with one finger. "So I've come up with a solution."
Nihilister leaned back in her chair, looking only mildly interested.
"We are going to the Great Spirit Arena in the next city over."
Su Yan waited for a reaction.
He was met with silent gazes.
Then he realized they had absolutely no context for what he was talking about.
Su Yan coughed into his fist.
"Right. Neither of you would know what that is."
He leaned back slightly and began explaining.
"The Great Spirit Arena is basically a formal fighting venue for Spirit Masters. People register, get matched against opponents around their own level, and fight in front of an audience. There are rules, rankings, rewards, and betting pools."
Nihilister's expression sharpened.
"A fighting arena, huh?"
Then, just as quickly, her interest dimmed.
"You're not actually going to let me fight, are you?"
Su Yan grimaced.
"No. I am not. You and 2B will not be fighting."
Nihilister narrowed her eyes.
"Then what is even the point of us going?"
"You two are too conspicuous," Su Yan said. "People will expect Spirit Power, Soul Rings, and Soul Skills. You have none of those. If I let either of you step onto an arena stage, we will have people asking questions I do not have answers for."
Nihilister clicked her tongue.
"How dull."
"We are going for several reasons," Su Yan said, choosing to ignore her for the moment.
He raised one finger.
"First, combat experience. From the fights I've had so far, I feel like I am woefully unprepared. I need to fight real Spirit Masters, not just classmates or Soul Beasts."
He raised a second finger.
"Second, information. I know the broad ranks, but knowing them in theory and seeing them in actual combat are two very different things. I want to at least watch Spirit Elders and Spirit Ancestors fight. Their speed, their strength, how they use Soul Skills, how much damage they can take, how quickly they recover. All of it."
His gaze moved from Nihilister to 2B.
"That also gives us a better baseline for how the two of you compare to this world's Spirit Masters."
2B gave a small nod, seemingly agreeing with the logic.
Su Yan raised a third finger.
"Third, money. The arena pays winners, and there are betting pools. If we are careful, we can make enough to cover travel, lodging, food, and supplies without me wasting every night squeezing coins out of Gatekeeper."
Nihilister crossed her arms.
"And I assume she and I will be in charge of the betting?"
"Well… maybe more 2B than you."
"Excuse me?"
Su Yan raised both hands in a placating gesture.
"You did spend all our money."
Nihilister jabbed a finger at him.
"I brought you food back."
"By spending all our money."
She huffed and looked away.
"Fine. See if I waste my generosity on you again."
Su Yan sighed.
"Moving on. You two will handle the betting side. Watch the fighters, judge their odds, and place small bets where it makes sense."
He paused, then added, "That includes my matches. If you genuinely think I am going to lose, bet against me."
Nihilister looked back at him, one eyebrow raised.
"I am surprised. I thought you would have unwavering faith in your own victory."
"I am not so prideful that I cannot admit my limits," Su Yan said. "I believe I am strong for my level, but that does not mean I can guarantee victory every time."
A sudden thought came to his mind.
He looked directly at Nihilister.
"If anyone tries to harass you or 2B and refuses to back off, you are welcome to break a few limbs."
Nihilister gave a bark of laughter before settling into an easy grin.
"Now you're speaking my language."
Su Yan glanced between them.
"Right. Any objections?"
2B gave a small shake of her head.
Nihilister only continued smiling.
Su Yan took that as agreement and stood.
"Then let's go."
After collecting their belongings from the rented property, the group left the small town behind. It took them about a day to reach the nearest city large enough to have a Great Spirit Arena.
Stonegate City was a regional trade city.
It was not famous enough to be spoken of in the same breath as the major cities, nor prosperous enough to become a true centre of noble power, but it sat on a useful road between several smaller towns and the larger routes heading toward the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Caravans passed through Stonegate often. Spirit Masters came and went with them, some as guards, some as hunters, and some simply looking for coin. Small merchant families kept branch shops inside the city. Weapon stores, medicine halls, inns, gambling houses, and repair stalls crowded the busier streets, feeding off the constant movement of people.
That same flow of people was what kept Stonegate's Great Spirit Arena alive.
The arena was not the grandest in the empire, but it was active enough to draw fighters from nearby towns and academies. Young Spirit Masters came to sharpen themselves. Older ones came to earn money. Mercenaries came to keep their edge. Nobles came to watch. Merchants came because wherever nobles and Spirit Masters gathered, money followed.
Upon entering the city, Su Yan immediately went to find a property to rent.
He found one quickly enough, though the landlord apparently decided that a young traveler with two beautiful companions was either rich, foolish, or both.
The price rose the moment Su Yan showed interest.
Nihilister solved the problem by menacing the landlord until his sense of honesty made a miraculous recovery.
By the time the agreement was signed, the price had returned to its original amount, and the landlord had even thrown in a small discount.
What gave the man the courage to try scamming people in a city full of Spirit Masters, Su Yan would never know.
After putting away their belongings and placing Ah Yin's pot in a sunlit inner room, the group took some time to rest.
They had spent most of the day on the road, and Su Yan had no intention of walking into the Great Spirit Arena tired.
The arena could wait until later in the afternoon.
When the time finally came, the group left the property.
Nihilister wore her now familiar casual clothes, while 2B kept the long black cloak she had worn since entering the city, covering most of her body. As beautiful as she was, her outfit really was a little too eye-catching for a busy city street.
Su Yan had originally wanted to bring Pod with them to the arena. 2B could probably have held it in her arms beneath the cloak without anyone noticing.
After remembering the landlord's earlier attempt at scamming them, however, Su Yan decided against it.
The man had already proven he was willing to make one foolish decision. Su Yan saw no reason to leave their belongings and Ah Yin completely unguarded while giving him a chance to make another.
So Pod stayed behind.
As they walked down the street, they could already make out the arena. It towered over the surrounding buildings, a vast circular structure that reminded Su Yan, in more ways than one, of the Roman Colosseum from before his transmigration.
When they finally reached it, the entrance had been divided into separate paths. One led toward the spectator stands, while the other was reserved for competitors.
Su Yan was still looking between the two when a heavy slap landed on his back and nearly sent him stumbling forward.
When he looked back, Nihilister was already walking toward the spectator entrance with 2B.
She glanced over her shoulder and called back, "Break a leg, Su Yan."
Su Yan was not sure whether she meant that literally or metaphorically.
Knowing her, it could genuinely go either way.
Shaking the thought out of his head, Su Yan went to register.
The process should have been simple, but the staff member's expression turned doubtful the moment Su Yan gave his rank.
A twelve-year-old Spirit Grandmaster was not impossible, but it was apparently uncommon enough that the man asked for proof before continuing. His tone was not openly rude, but it was close enough that Su Yan noticed.
Su Yan produced the Spirit Hall certification he had updated after obtaining his second Soul Ring.
The staff member checked it once, checked it again, then looked at Su Yan with a completely different expression.
After that, the process became much smoother.
Name, age, Martial Soul, rank, system, number of Soul Rings, and match category were all recorded one after another. Su Yan registered as a Rank 23 Control System Spirit Grandmaster with a tool-type Martial Soul named Gatekeeper.
By the time the registration fee was paid, the staff member's attitude had become almost painfully polite. He handed Su Yan a plain iron badge, explaining that all newly registered fighters began from the same point.
Perhaps as an apology for his earlier doubt, he personally led Su Yan to one of the cleaner waiting rooms instead of sending him along with the rest of the newly registered fighters.
It was not luxurious by any means, but it had chairs, tea, and fewer people staring at him.
The fact that Su Yan was by far the youngest person there still drew some looks.
He ignored them and sat to the side, away from the others. After calming himself, he waited to be called.
Every so often, a roar of cheers leaked through the walls.
The monotony of the wait was broken by staff members entering the room to call competitors out one after another.
After half an hour passed, a staff member finally came for Su Yan.
He was led to the end of a dark tunnel and told to walk forward when called.
A few moments later, his name was called.
Su Yan stepped forward.
When he reached the end, bright light spilled down from above the arena, forcing him to raise a hand to shield his eyes.
Then the crowd erupted.
As his eyes adjusted, Su Yan finally saw the stands.
They were packed with people. Some cheered. Some jeered. Others shouted things he could not make out over the overlapping wave of noise.
If Su Yan was being honest, it was disorienting.
It was nothing like the crowds back in Nuoding.
When he finally reached the stage, Su Yan saw his opponent waiting for him.
Chen Hu was a young man with close-cropped hair and a muscular build, standing a good two heads taller than Su Yan. His arms were crossed, and the sneer on his face made it clear what he thought of being matched against a child.
Before either of them could speak, the announcer's voice rang out.
"Our next match is a one-on-one match in the Spirit Grandmaster division."
"To our right, newly registered Iron Badge fighter, Su Yan. Rank twenty-three Control System Spirit Grandmaster. Martial Soul, Gatekeeper."
A few eyes turned toward him, followed by some polite applause, but most of the audience was clearly waiting for the fight to begin.
"His opponent, Iron Badge fighter Chen Hu. Rank twenty-three Assault System Spirit Grandmaster. Martial Soul, Stoneback Boar."
That name drew a louder reaction.
Unlike Su Yan, Chen Hu had apparently fought here before.
"The competitors may begin when ready."
Wait what.
By the time Su Yan processed the words, Chen Hu had already moved.
Two yellow Soul Rings shone beneath the young man's feet. The first flashed, and his already thick muscles bulged further. The second followed, spreading a dull metallic sheen over his skin as he charged straight across the stage.
Su Yan threw himself to the left, barely avoiding the charge.
He hit the ground in a roll and pushed himself back to his feet, immediately locking onto Chen Hu, who had slammed both feet into the stage to stop himself from sliding too far.
"Ha! You're so green you barely managed to dodge me." Chen Hu turned, his sneer widening. "Putting me against someone this weak should be an insult, but I'm more than happy to take the free win."
He lowered his shoulder and charged again.
Like a cannonball, he shot forward even faster than before.
This time, Su Yan was ready.
As Chen Hu drew close, Su Yan's second Soul Ring lit up.
His first followed half a breath later.
"Shift, then Bastion."
It was something Su Yan had discovered during testing. If he activated Shift before Bastion, the barrier did not have to appear in its default shape first. It could take form already altered, as long as the shape was something he could have moulded normally.
A small golden cube materialised directly in front of Chen Hu's moving foot.
Chen Hu's foot clipped the cube mid-charge, and all the force driving him forward turned against him at once. His stride broke, his upper body pitched forward, and both feet left the ground as his own momentum threw him into the air.
Su Yan's eyes sharpened.
A second golden cube materialised low against the stage, and Su Yan sent it shooting forward beneath Chen Hu's falling body.
As it drew close, he drove it upward.
Then, at the moment of impact, he expanded it into a full-sized barrier.
The barrier smashed into Chen Hu from below, adding even more force to his already uncontrolled flight.
It knocked him higher into the air and sent him tumbling.
Now above Su Yan, Chen Hu had no way to stop himself.
His original momentum carried him up, over, and past the edge of the stage.
Straight out of bounds.
Chen Hu landed badly.
A massive crash rang out, followed by a very distinctive crack.
A scream of pain came a heartbeat later.
Su Yan went to the edge of the stage and looked down.
Chen Hu was on the ground below, clutching his left leg, his earlier sneer nowhere to be seen.
The medical staff rushed over immediately. After a quick check, one of them called out that his leg was broken.
Su Yan grimaced.
He had only been aiming for a ring-out.
Still, he could swear he heard Nihilister's boisterous laughter rising over the announcer declaring him the winner.