Suo Tuo Great Soul Arena

After handing over the captured Ridgeback Pig to the cafeteria, Zhao Xuan returned to the dormitory, and Hermione also went back to the girls' dormitory.

Tang San was nowhere to be seen, and the training ground was empty. Zhao Xuan didn't think much of it, collapsing onto the bed and falling asleep. Though they say there's no point in sleeping too much in life, as eternal slumber awaits after death. But then again... lying on the bed does feel better.

He was woken up by Tang San at noon. After a delicious meal made from the captured Ridgeback Pig in the cafeteria, Zhao Xuan, in a good mood, surprisingly dedicated himself to cultivation until Flander called everyone to gather in the evening.

"Looks like I'll be able to break through level thirty-five soon."

Feeling the abundant Soul Power within him, a surging sensation like a babbling brook, Zhao Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

"Little Xuan, hurry up," Tang San urged from the doorway.

"What's the rush? It's only a few steps away," Zhao Xuan lazily got up and slowly followed.

Arriving at the training ground, the others were already there. Flander glanced at the two latecomers without saying much.

"Hmm? Where are Ning Rongrong and Oscar?"

Zhao Xuan asked Tang San beside him. Almost everyone was present, except for Oscar and Ning Rongrong.

Before Tang San could speak, Flander interjected. He looked at Zhao Xuan and said calmly, "I have other arrangements for those two."

Zhao Xuan simply said "oh" and didn't pay it much mind, turning his attention back to Flander.

Flander nodded. "Since everyone is here, I have a few words to say. While they might not be pleasant to hear! This is Shrek Academy, and I am its Dean. My word is the rule here. I don't want anyone defying my orders within the academy. You've already seen the consequences for Ning Rongrong and Oscar."

"Huh?"

Everyone present nodded thoughtfully, except for Zhao Xuan, who looked confused. What exactly happened to those two?

"Today's first lesson might be a surprise for you all, but no matter what! Since you're here, I expect you to take it seriously. If you're careless, you'll be lucky to escape without losing a layer of skin, even if you survive."

Seeing Flander's serious expression, the students felt an inexplicable awe, and their hearts grew solemn. Yet, their anticipation also grew; they wondered what mysteries this first lesson held.

"Now, follow me closely. Our destination is Suotuo City." With that, Flander waved his hand and turned, his toes barely touching the ground before he shot forward a considerable distance.

As expected of the Four-Eyed Cat Eagle; he moves like he's gliding.

Zhao Xuan marveled inwardly. Although his physical fitness was extremely high and constantly improving, he knew his speed was no match for Flander's.

Following Flander, the group trailed behind. Along the way, Zhao Xuan asked Tang San about Ning Rongrong and Oscar. The story surprised him; he had thought Ning Rongrong was a quiet girl, but she turned out to be a spoiled young lady, and her acting skills were quite impressive.

Shrek Academy wasn't far from Suotuo City. The group arrived in less than half an hour.

The prosperity of Suotuo City was evident. Even at night, the streets were brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Flander led everyone to a tea shop and ordered the cheapest tea available.

The students couldn't help but silently complain; This guy is too stingy.

Flander ignored their expressions and pointed a finger at a building across the street from the tea shop. "That is where your first lesson will take place."

"Huh?!" The crowd was surprised. They had noticed the building across the street when they arrived.

It was a massive structure with black outer walls, appearing grand and solemn. Under the night sky, they could faintly see light emanating from within and hear muffled sounds.

While the newcomers didn't know what this place was, Dai Mubai clearly did. His expression changed the moment Flander finished speaking. "Dean, are you really sending them to that place for the first lesson?"

Dai Mubai seemed worried, his gaze subtly shifting to Zhu Zhuqing beside him.

Hermione, who had been silent, seemed to recall something and exclaimed, "Could that be the Great Soul Arena?"

"That's right," Flander replied calmly, taking a sip of the coarse tea.

"Great Soul Arena? What's that?" Xiao Wu asked, looking confused.

Hermione took a deep breath. "The so-called Great Soul Arena is where Martial Souls are put to the test, a place for Soul Masters to battle. Both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire have a saying: the Soul Fighting Arena determines the rise and fall of a nation."

"So, it's a place where Soul Masters fight?"

Zhao Xuan turned to look at the Great Soul Arena, lost in thought. It was his first time hearing about such a place.

"Precisely, this is where you will fight!" Flander nodded, his gaze profound.

"Remember, you are all monsters, not ordinary people. And monsters have their own way of training."

The Suotuo Great Soul Arena was extraordinarily vast, not only above ground but also with a level below. The two layers housed hundreds of arenas.

After spending ten Gold Soul Coins to register, everyone received an Iron Soul Badge.

Zhao Xuan held the badge, hesitated for a moment, and then asked Flander, "Dean, besides contests, deathmatches, and gambling matches, are there any other forms of combat?"

Flander was taken aback, and the others looked at him in surprise. Tang San seemed about to speak, as if he had already guessed Zhao Xuan's intentions.

Flander quickly understood. Based on the rules he had just mentioned, Zhao Xuan would only face Soul Elders within level thirty. With Zhao Xuan's strength, he was practically unrivaled within level thirty, even within level forty! Zhao Xuan was clearly not satisfied with this.

Flander hesitated. He knew Zhao Xuan's strength, and in reality, there was almost no one at Shrek Academy who could truly teach him. Perhaps the Great Soul Arena, a place to hone combat experience, was the most suitable for him.

After much consideration, Flander slowly spoke.

"Actually, besides these three types, there are two other dangerous methods."

"One is called Indiscriminate Competition. The danger level of this competition is only slightly less than a deathmatch. It randomly pairs two Soul Masters, regardless of their Soul Power Level, for a match. Sometimes, a Soul Grand Master in their twenties might face a Soul King in their fifties. Although surrendering is allowed, when the Soul Power difference is too great, you might not even get the chance to surrender."

"The other is called Battle Royale. It also doesn't limit Soul Power Levels and selects ten Soul Masters for a match. The battle continues until only one remains. Its danger level is second only to a deathmatch."

"Both of these methods are extremely dangerous. Do you have any thoughts?" Flander asked Zhao Xuan earnestly.

"I want to give it a try." Without any hesitation, Zhao Xuan looked at Flender just as seriously.

"Xiao Xuan!"

Tang San couldn't help but call out, Xiao Wu and Hermione also looked towards Zhao Xuan, their faces filled with anxiety.

Zhao Xuan was unmoved, as he had his own considerations. It wasn't that he was bragging, but his strength was very high, far surpassing that of his peers at the same level. He had always been unsure of his own standing, and this was not a good thing.

"Then… alright!"

Flender was moved by the serious look in Zhao Xuan's eyes. He called over a staff member from the Soul Fighting Arena, spoke to him in a low voice for a moment, and then took out a mask from his pocket, handing it to Zhao Xuan.

At the same time, the staff member walked over to Zhao Xuan, sizing him up with a look of surprise. "Come with me."

Watching Zhao Xuan follow the staff member, Tang San couldn't help but ask, "Dean, why did you agree?"

There was a hint of anger in his voice, as if he was blaming Flender for agreeing and putting Zhao Xuan in danger.

Flender's expression was calm. He scanned the crowd and noticed that everyone, more or less, had a strange look on their faces. He spoke faintly, "I am just a Dean. I will not stop a student's ideas. I am merely a guide on your path, and I will not interfere with the choices you make."

"Besides… do you all really think Zhao Xuan is in great danger? He is more powerful than you imagine."

Recalling Master's description of Zhao Xuan in his letter, Flender couldn't help but sigh.