The Art of Killing

The Art of Killing

The next day, before nightfall, they arrived at the next major city, Silvis City, ensuring they would not have to camp in the wilderness.

When they entered the city, Flender did the unprecedented and took the Shrek group sightseeing. Not only did he treat them to a good meal, but he also put them up in a rather expensive hotel.

Just like in the original story, the baptism of blood began.

After the Shrek group used the Godly Zhuge Crossbows Tang San had distributed to instantly kill the Fierce God Team, just as in the original story, the Shrek teachers brought them to the stands. Meanwhile, Shi Yi was already preparing to enter the arena.

Yu Xiaogang had specifically signed Shi Yi up for a Deathmatch.

Upon hearing this, the Shrek teachers all stared at Yu Xiaogang in astonishment. Even Flender could not help saying, "Xiao Gang, isn't this a bit too much?"

"Both involve killing opponents. What difference is there between a Deathmatch and a team battle?" Yu Xiaogang countered.

"But..." Flender trailed off.

Yu Xiaogang sighed softly. "Flender, you still don't understand Xiao Yi well enough. I'm doing this for his own good."

Everyone's gaze fell upon Yu Xiaogang. Even the grisly scenes from the Fierce God Team's deaths, still lingering in the Shrek group's minds, were somewhat dispelled by curiosity.

"Xiao Yi became my disciple two years before Xiao San did. Perhaps in your eyes, Xiao Yi isn't a good person. He is calculating, scheming, aloof, and looks down on everyone. But from what I have observed, he is a kind child. He possesses such strength, yet the number of fights he has had over these nine years can be counted on one hand. The last time he injured someone was when he hurt Dai Mubai. He cultivates because he wants to do what he wishes to do. But one day, someone may stand in his way with their life to stop him from doing what he wants. What should he do then? This is a lesson he must go through," Yu Xiaogang said slowly.

At that moment, everyone watched the figure slowly entering the arena with complicated expressions.

Led by a staff member, Shi Yi slowly walked toward the Soul Arena platform. He was slightly uneasy. He had watched the Fierce God Team get shot full of holes, and the gruesome sight of their deaths remained vivid in his mind.

Shi Yi knew Yu Xiaogang quite well. This was an examination Yu Xiaogang had set for him as his teacher.

As he stepped onto the Soul Arena platform, Shi Yi let out a long breath and adjusted his state. Though the battle had yet to begin, the vicious aura rolling off his opponent was already bearing down on him.

An exam, huh? I've done more test papers than you've read books. This answer sheet may not satisfy you, but I wrote it myself. Even if I have to kill, I won't become a slaughter-crazed madman like that.

His opponent appeared to be a man around thirty years old, tall and muscular, with a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes. As he walked toward the center of the platform, he clenched his fists, his bones cracking with an ear-piercing series of pops.

"Tall and muscular. Most likely a Beast Soul Master. His upper body is more developed than his lower body, so he's undoubtedly an Assault System Soul Master. That vicious look and aura... he seems experienced."

Shi Yi looked at him, his eyes full of determination. He knew that no matter what kind of person his opponent was, once one entered a Deathmatch, it was either kill or be killed.

The man smiled at Shi Yi and stuck out his tongue to lick his lips. "So you're still a virgin."

As he spoke, his body nearly swelled with the release of his martial soul. For a moment, it was as though a bloody giant maw capable of devouring everything had opened behind him.

"A crocodile," Shi Yi murmured as he looked at the man's martial soul.

Shi Yi merely summoned his Soul Rings, immediately putting his opponent on guard, because he had no idea what Shi Yi's martial soul was.

Just then, the Host, who had already flown into the air, shouted, "Deathmatch! Shuang Yi versus Mad Crocodile! Begin!"

"Kid, I'll tear you apart!" Mad Crocodile roared as the bloodlust in his eyes intensified and he charged at Shi Yi.

Though he did not know Shi Yi's martial soul, Mad Crocodile knew that as an Assault System Battle Soul Master, close combat had always been his specialty.

Seeing this, the Hair Crystal in Shi Yi's hand instantly stretched into strands as fine as cow hair. He then twisted his body and hurled the Hair Crystal forward with all his might.

The instant Mad Crocodile heard the whistle through the air, he raised his arm and used a soul skill to block it. The Hair Crystal, like a streak of golden light, pierced through his arm and brain in an instant.

Why can't I move all of a sudden? Mad Crocodile found it strange. His body seemed to have stopped obeying him. That was the last trace of awareness he had in this world.

Then Mad Crocodile's eyes gradually lost their light, and he crashed heavily onto the Soul Arena platform. The wound where the Dragon Beard Needle had passed through his head was extremely small. Even after his life force dissipated, there was no overly gruesome scene, nor was there even any blood.

Tang San's eyes glowed purple as he witnessed this, and a storm rose in his heart. This is... a Dragon Beard Needle! How is that possible?

To Tang San, Shi Yi's technique was extremely crude. However, he had used Disorder Splitting Wind's method of generating force from the calves, and combined with Shi Yi's own strength, it was enough to rival a powerful bow or heavy crossbow. Yet Tang San simply could not understand how Shi Yi had shaped the Dragon Beard Needle. Even he needed the Tang Sect's special techniques to fire a Dragon Beard Needle as thin as cow hair.

For Shi Yi, the solution had originally been very simple: engraving a Core Formation into the Hair Crystal. With the Core Formation, Soul Power could easily seep into the metal itself and perfectly bring out the metal's properties.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang sighed softly. "Even in a Deathmatch, Xiao Yi chose such a clean method to deal with his opponent. He must have prepared this weapon long ago to deal with me."

At that moment, the Shrek group gained a deeper understanding of Shi Yi.

Shi Yi looked at the Host in midair and said calmly, "Can you announce the result now?"

Only then did the Host snap out of his daze. "Deathmatch! Shuang Yi versus Mad Crocodile! Shuang Yi wins!"

Having received the answer he wanted, Shi Yi smiled and nodded. He walked behind Mad Crocodile's corpse, picked up the Hair Crystal that had already turned into a small sphere, and headed toward the entrance of the Soul Arena platform.

Shi Yi soon saw the Shrek group.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi and sighed softly. "As a Soul Master, killing is something you will have to face sooner or later. Do you understand, Xiao Yi?"

Shi Yi nodded and chuckled. "Of course, Teacher. But killing is sometimes an art. This world has no shortage of pain, bloodshed, madness. Pain and bloodshed can make opponents afraid. Madness can make people cast aside their lives and fight without restraint. But in my view, great strength can also make opponents afraid. Single-minded focus on achieving one's goal, as well as the conviction to protect what matters, can also make people cast aside their lives and fight without restraint. Letting the other side make a perfect exit is also a fine performance."

Flender nodded upon hearing that. "Well said."

Zhu Zhuqing also looked deeply at Shi Yi. Suddenly, she felt that those bloody scenes from before were nothing to her. She had to win, just as Shi Yi had said—through single-minded focus on her goal.

Yu Xiaogang glanced at Flender, somewhat helpless. "Fine. It's enough that you understand."

Tang San suddenly spoke up. "Senior Disciple Brother, can I take a look at the weapon you used just now?"

Shi Yi smiled and casually took out the bead of Hair Crystal from earlier. Seeing the patterns on it, Tang San understood how Shi Yi had managed to control the Dragon Beard Needle.

"This is called Hair Crystal, a metal with unusual properties. Under my design, it can become as thin as cow hair while retaining extremely high strength. It specializes in piercing defenses. Just a casual creation," Shi Yi said with a light laugh.

Tang San nodded slightly. Of course he understood the value of the Dragon Beard Needle. He looked reluctantly away from the Hair Crystal in Shi Yi's hand. Naturally, he wanted it, but Tang San also knew very well that it was not easy to take advantage of this Senior Disciple Brother of his.

The Dragon Beard Needle was quite valuable. If Shi Yi made some demand, then with everyone watching, Tang San would be hard-pressed to refuse as the junior disciple brother.

"Alright, you should all be tired today. Go back and rest early. We'll continue our journey tomorrow," Flender said to everyone.

The night passed without incident. For the Shrek group, it was a sleepless night. Even when they closed their eyes, those bloody scenes surfaced in their minds.

Early the next morning, before dawn had broken, the group quietly left Silvis City and continued toward their destination, the Capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.

The Shrek group still looked somewhat pale, especially Ning Rongrong, who had vomited the worst. After an entire night, only Zhu Zhuqing and Shi Yi appeared as calm as usual. This greatly surprised Flender. Looking at Shi Yi, then at Zhu Zhuqing, Flender felt it was only natural. Shi Yi and Zhu Zhuqing's willpower was undoubtedly among the strongest in Shrek.

Over the following days of travel, everyone gradually shook off the fear in their hearts. Flender made a fortune at the Great Soul Arena, allowing the Shrek group to travel rather comfortably over the next few days.

Time passed swiftly. Three days later, when night fell, under Ning Rongrong's guidance, they finally arrived at their destination: Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

"Rongrong, are you sure this is the place?" Flender asked, his tone somewhat strange.

Ning Rongrong nodded. "Yes, that's right. Heaven Dou Royal Academy wouldn't have changed locations, would it? I'm sure this is it."

"But this is a mountain!"

"This entire mountain belongs to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Oh, and so does the forest behind it, as well as the lake at the foot of the mountain to the left. They are all within the academy's jurisdiction. We're about to enter the academy grounds," Ning Rongrong said with a light smile.

Seeing Flender staring in stunned silence, Yu Xiaogang smiled leisurely. "Mountains and water. It truly is a fine place."

The other teachers also nodded in admiration.

The scenery here was indeed beautiful. Especially now, with the sun setting and the evening clouds filling the sky, the lake at the foot of the mountain and the thousand-meter-tall mountain covered in all manner of vegetation were bathed in the western crimson glow, creating the feeling of a paradise removed from the world.

"It's all money," Shi Yi sighed, glancing at Flender.

Flender's face darkened. "Are you master and disciple going to keep this up?"

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing could not help smiling at that.

Shi Yi chuckled and stopped provoking Flender. As he admired the surrounding scenery, the group slowly climbed the White Marble Steps of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The plants around them were arranged neatly and with great aesthetic appeal, clearly the work of powerful Plant Soul Masters.

Flender said indignantly, "What's so great about a nice environment and lots of space? Have they produced any strong experts? They're nowhere near as good as our Shrek Academy. Our place may be small, but we have plenty of monsters."

Shi Yi smiled. "Dean, geniuses are called geniuses because Heaven grants them exceptional talent. With innate Soul Power at level eighty or ninety, how bad could they possibly be?"

Yu Xiaogang nodded in deep agreement and added, "Flender, to be honest, I still don't understand why so many children with outstanding potential were fooled into entering your Shrek Academy. What exactly did you use to trick them in?"

Zhao Wuji grinned. "There are plenty of methods."

Flender hurriedly covered Zhao Wuji's mouth and shot Shi Yi a glare.

"I refuse to believe Heaven Dou Royal Academy's teachers could be better than Shrek's," Flender said to Shi Yi and Yu Xiaogang.

Shi Yi nodded with a smile. "That much is certainly true. Three Soul Saints teaching a handful of children—looking across the continent, perhaps only Spirit Hall Academy is stronger than us."

"Exactly." Shi Yi's words immediately put Flender in a better mood.

The next moment, Shi Yi turned to Yu Xiaogang and joked, "Teacher, why didn't you put your remaining influence to use back then and send me to Spirit Hall Academy? Xiao San couldn't go, but why couldn't I? You can't put all your eggs in one basket."

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened at those words, though he asked curiously, "How did you know I could get you into Spirit Hall?"

"Could you hide your background from others and still hide it from me? Which book in your room haven't I read? That Fusion Flow theory of yours was originally Spirit Hall's theory, wasn't it? When I went to collect my subsidy at Nuoding City Martial Soul Hall, I found out. You're an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall," Shi Yi said with a smile.

For a moment, everyone stared at Yu Xiaogang in surprise.

Yu Xiaogang glared at Shi Yi with a dark expression. "You really wanted to go to Spirit Hall?"

Shi Yi smiled ingratiatingly. "If you had given me the choice back then, maybe I would have chosen Spirit Hall. But now, this isn't bad either. There's no one powerful to cling to, but being freer is good too. The Dean and the teachers live pretty well."

The Shrek teachers laughed upon hearing that.

"You understand, kid. If you want to do what you want, freedom is the most important thing," Zhao Wuji said to Shi Yi.

"But we're old now. It's time to find somewhere to retire," Shao Xin said softly with a sigh.

As they chatted and laughed, trouble arrived after only a few more steps.

"Stop! Who are you people?" Several Soul Masters around eighteen or nineteen years old blocked their path. Though they had not summoned their martial souls, their goose-yellow academy uniforms made it clear that they were students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.