Participating in Soul Battles

"Very tasty. Don't just stand there—sit down and have some."

Ning Rongrong sat in her chair without touching the pastries on the plate. She had made them especially for Liu Yi; how could she bear to eat them herself?

"Teacher Liu Yi."

"Hm? What is it?"

"I wanted to ask, what is your relationship with Sword Grandfather?"

Facing Ning Rongrong's question, Liu Yi merely smiled. "Sword Saint Chen Xin is my uncle."

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong was visibly disappointed. Uncle—by seniority, that would make him her uncle as well.

At that thought, Ning Rongrong felt a wave of disappointment in her heart.

When Liu Yi saw Ning Rongrong's expression, he understood that the girl had some feelings for him.

Otherwise, she would not have been so disappointed.

"Don't worry. Although Sword Grandfather and I are uncle and nephew, I'm only eighteen. I'm just five years older than you. If we go by age, you can call me Brother."

Sure enough, joy appeared on Ning Rongrong's face when she heard that. Brother sounded far more intimate than uncle.

"Can I really call you Brother?"

"Of course."

"Brother~"

Before long, Liu Yi had swept all the pastries from the plate clean. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his stomach contentedly.

Ning Rongrong covered her mouth and giggled. Then she turned, picked up a tissue from the table, and wiped the crumbs from the corner of Liu Yi's mouth.

"Brother, why don't you go back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"Why should I go back?"

"That's your home."

Liu Yi stared at the ceiling, briefly lost in thought, but he quickly returned to normal.

"I don't have a home. My home disappeared ten years ago."

But when he thought of Qian Renxue, the corners of Liu Yi's lips rose involuntarily. Perhaps, to Liu Yi, Qian Renxue was now his home.

Night soon fell.

Led by Headmaster Flender, everyone entered the Soto Great Soul Arena.

At the entrance to the Soto Great Soul Arena, Liu Yi could clearly hear the cursing, screams, and pleas for mercy around him with his strength.

Looking around, he saw several staff members brazenly carrying more than a dozen corpses out through the rear entrance of the Soto Great Soul Arena. These bodies belonged to people who had lost in the Soul Arena.

The one thing Soul Battles did not restrict was killing. You could kill your opponent in the arena, or humiliate them.

Those were the rules.

At this moment, Flender and the others also stopped and turned to look at the Shrek Seven Devils.

"Children, I advise you to be careful. Here, no one can save you. And don't think a Silver Soul Badge is so easy to obtain. This is part of your training.

Listen carefully. We at Shrek only accept monsters. If you think you're not up to the task, you may leave now."

"I don't want you aiming too high. If you fail, surrender immediately. Don't fight to the death. Understood?"

Dai Mubai and the others nodded one after another. Of course, they knew the rules of the Great Soul Arena. If they could not win, they would surrender directly. Otherwise, they would lose their lives here.

Under Headmaster Flender's lead, everyone registered their names at the counter.

"Brother Liu Yi, you should go too. Give it a try."

"All right. I'll see whether there's a suitable Soul Battle for me." Liu Yi nodded, then walked to the counter. "Hello, I'd like to participate in a one-on-one Soul Battle."

The clerk looked at Liu Yi and asked, "Hello, may I have your name and Soul Power level? We'll arrange a Soul Battle for you."

"Liu Yi, Level 65 Power Attack System Battle Soul Emperor."

When the clerk heard Battle Soul Emperor, he froze for a moment, but did not show much reaction. It seemed that there were quite a few Soul Emperors at the Soto Great Soul Arena.

Soon, a black badge was tossed out.

"This is an Iron Soul Badge. Someone will arrange your Soul Battle shortly. Anyone who has reached Soul Emperor level or above gets a private room and may bring others with them."

Flender said, "No need. We have a room."

Soon, everyone had finished registering and arrived at their room. It was excellently positioned, offering a clear view of the Soul Battle arena and the surrounding stands.

Flender sat on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other and said to Dai Mubai and the others, "Listen carefully. The Soto Great Soul Arena is represented by the words 'Soul Battle,' and it is divided into several ranks. I won't go into those ranks now. Your current task is simply to obtain a Silver Soul Badge before graduation."

Dai Mubai patted his chest with a wicked grin. "Don't worry, Headmaster. It's only a Silver Soul Badge. We'll all get one before long."

Ma Hongjun picked up the menu, intending to order some food, but Flender snatched it away.

"You're already fat enough. Still eating?"

"But I'm hungry."

Ma Hongjun rubbed his barrel-thick belly aggrievedly.

Oscar narrowed his eyes and waved his right hand. Two sausages appeared in his palm. "Fatty, want one?"

"Get lost!"

Watching them bicker, Flender looked toward Liu Yi.

"Brother Liu Yi, don't worry. With your strength, you'll definitely win."

"Heh, it's fine. I also want to see what kind of Soul Emperor the Soul Arena will arrange for me."

Those with Iron Soul Badges were generally Great Soul Masters or Soul Elders. Soul Emperors were rarely at this rank.

But it was not impossible. Top-tier experts like Soul Emperors generally already possessed Gold Soul Badges or higher.

After an unknown amount of time passed, the Shrek Seven Devils were all led into the arena by attendants.

Yet no one came to notify Liu Yi for a long while.

Zhao Wuji laughed. "Looks like no one dares to fight Brother Liu Yi. Hahaha."

Just as Zhao Wuji finished speaking, an attendant entered from outside.

"Hello, which one of you is Liu Yi?"

"I am."

The attendant nodded and said respectfully, "Hello, Liu Yi. We have arranged your Soul Battle. Is now convenient for you?"

"Yes. Let's go."

"All right, please follow me."

Led by the attendant, Liu Yi arrived at one of the Soul Battle platforms in the Soto Great Soul Arena. When the surrounding spectators saw a newcomer, they immediately began shouting.

Ordinary people rarely had the chance to witness a clash between Soul Emperor-level experts. Naturally, they shouted excitedly.

"Hey, hey, hey! Today marks the first Soul Emperor-level battle at our Soto Great Soul Arena! I am today's host, and I will be your commentator for this match!"

At that moment, a black figure silently appeared in the center of the arena. Almost in an instant, he had appeared before Liu Yi.

Zhao Wuji was stunned by the sight. "What kind of speed is that? How is it so fast?"

Flender narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Grandmaster.

"This is a Martial Soul similar to Gui Mei's. I was fortunate enough to see it once. They can turn themselves into shadows!"