Oscar's Breakthrough

Dai Mubai's match was over.

As he left the arena, his opponent lay sprawled on the stage, with only his muscles still twitching.

But Dai Mubai's own injuries were no light matter either. His entire body ached, his Soul Power trembled, and beneath his black robes, bruises covered him in shades of blue and purple. He could only barely walk off like a normal person.

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others left the bustling Great Soul Arena, still somewhat dazed.

Ning Rongrong, who had returned to the group, was a little dazed as well.

She and Oscar had been in the stands just now.

The thunderous collisions on the arena stage had truly shocked these new students.

When had battles between Spirit Masters become like this?

After walking some distance away, they found a corner and took off their black robes and masks.

Xiao Xian explained lazily, "Arena matches aren't only about winning. If all you want is victory, that's simple, but it loses the point of training."

"Compared with honing combat techniques, more straightforward hand-to-hand combat, more direct clashes of Soul Power, and fighting styles where every punch lands solidly on the flesh are what make your Soul Power tremble the most."

"And the arena is different from the academy. Your opponents there are strangers. You'll feel danger, you'll grow nervous, and every opponent's Soul Power will take on all kinds of strange forms under the effects of their martial souls. That will stimulate your Soul Power even more."

"You'll break through faster, and your Soul Power will grow stronger too."

"But..."

Xiao Xian paused, then continued, "I wouldn't really recommend that you do this. Just fight normally. Doing it once in a while won't hurt."

For them, if they simply wanted to cultivate faster, there were far better methods. There was no need to use such a draining approach.

Xiao Xian had no choice.

Dai Mubai was not always this crazy. He only acted this way occasionally.

Most of the time, he was probably still normal.

Maybe it had something to do with how upset he had been lately. Xiao Xian glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.

Besides, their opponents today had been particularly unfortunate.

Almost all of them had surrendered.

Xiao Xian's desperate fighting style earlier had indeed been rather frightening.

If someone had a weak physique, even winning would mean breaking several bones. Not many people could endure that.

But Xiao Xian did not plan to appear at the Great Soul Arena anymore.

Before long, the other Spirit Masters would probably realize that things had changed and dare to fight again.

What was more, the arena would not simply tolerate people surrendering outright like this.

In fact, Flender had assessed their condition and intended for them to continue participating in two-on-two matches.

However, judging by the current state of the Spirit Masters at the Great Soul Arena, they clearly were not up to the task.

If they fought a little and their opponents kept surrendering again...

It might give them a bad first impression, making them think that all Spirit Masters outside the academy were like this and causing them to become contemptuous and dismissive.

Flender was even considering whether they should change cities.

For example, they could go to Balak.

"..."

On the way back to the academy, Tang San finally recovered his senses and asked Oscar and Ning Rongrong, "Where's the Dean?"

Xiao Wu had quietly asked him earlier whether their opponents surrendering on their own meant that their first lesson had failed, and whether the Dean would come back and give them trouble over it.

Oscar shrugged. "Who knows? He told us to head back first. I was originally planning to enter a doubles spirit battle with Fatty... but the Dean said he didn't have time."

He glanced at Ma Hongjun with those peach-blossom eyes of his.

Ma Hongjun immediately understood and grew excited. "Brother Oscar, why didn't you say so sooner?" He then looked at Dai Mubai. "Boss Dai, are you going?"

Dai Mubai's expression darkened. "Do I look like I can go?" At the same time, he cautiously glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.

"Oh, right, right, I forgot. Next time, we'll go together next time!" Ma Hongjun did not care about any of that. His face flushed red with excitement as he ran off in a flash.

"Senior Brother... where is he going? Does Ma Hongjun need extra lessons by himself?" Tang San asked, somewhat confused.

Dai Mubai could not help laughing. "Extra lessons by himself..."

Xiao Xian shook his head, unable to keep a smile off his face as well.

Tang San and the others still did not know about the side effects of Ma Hongjun's martial soul.

Xiao Xian explained the meaning behind the Evil Fire Phoenix, then explained that there were places in this world called brothels.

"How can there be a martial soul like that?!" Disgust was obvious on Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's faces.

Zhu Zhuqing seemed to think of something. She glanced at Dai Mubai, and her entire presence turned even colder. "Men really are all filthy." It was rare for her to speak so much at once.

Dai Mubai's expression stiffened.

Xiao Wu giggled and looked at Tang San. She was just about to say that Tang San would never be like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.

Then she looked at Xiao Xian again, and suspicion suddenly appeared in her eyes.

She nudged Tang San with her elbow and whispered, "Hey, Xiao San, your Senior Brother has been around them for so long. With all that influence... could he also..."

Tang San's expression froze as well, and he quietly glanced at Xiao Xian.

He truly could not imagine Xiao Xian going to such a place with Ma Hongjun and the others.

Xiao Wu thought she had spoken quietly enough.

But they were all Spirit Masters, with sharp ears and keen eyes.

Dai Mubai and Oscar wore knowing smiles.

Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes as she looked at Xiao Xian.

Xiao Xian sighed helplessly, turned around, and directly pressed a hand onto Xiao Wu's head, giving it a fierce rub.

"Don't make things up about me when there's nothing to talk about, understand?"

"Do you want to go bungee jumping again?" Purple Soul Power surged in Xiao Xian's palm.

"No! Brother Xian! My dear brother! I know I was wrong!" Xiao Wu shuddered and hurriedly begged for mercy. "Xiao San!"

She did not want to be carried by Xiao Jue and swung around in the sky.

"Senior Brother..." Tang San spoke weakly.

"I'll spare you this once." Xiao Xian snorted and withdrew his hand.

The rest of the journey back to Shrek was peaceful.

Ning Rongrong was exhausted and had no mood to stir up trouble. She practically fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Dai Mubai went to Teacher Shao for some sugar pills.

Xiao Wu was still full of energy and wanted to drag Tang San out to spar. Today's spirit battles had stirred up her desire to fight, yet also left her deeply disappointed.

But Tang San had promised Oscar that he would help him figure out how to control the Sunlight Spore.

The moment Oscar returned to the academy, he even rushed straight into Tang San's dormitory.

Seeing this, Xiao Wu could only helplessly return to her own dormitory.

Xiao Xian glanced at them, left behind two Water Skins, then leaped onto the roof of Flender's residence to cultivate with Xiao Jue.

From time to time, Xiao Jue stared at the small wooden house where Zhu Zhuqing was staying, looking highly displeased.

Most of the extra cabins in the academy either let in wind or leaked rain, and they all carried a musty smell. After looking them over, Xiao Xian decided they were not even as good as the roof. When he had time, setting up a tent there would be perfectly fine.

Whenever Zhu Zhuqing passed by the window, she would sometimes happen to see Xiao Jue's fierce eyes on the roof...

For a long time afterward, she did not really dare speak to Xiao Xian.

"..."

After studying it for an hour or two, Tang San could only shake his head.

Without the Mysterious Heaven Skill, Spirit Masters like them truly lacked sufficient control over their Soul Power.

A little later, Flender returned with Ma Hongjun.

They happened to see that Tang San's dormitory was still lit.

Through the window, they could even see two figures inside.

Flender's expression immediately turned cold. Didn't Tang San live alone?

Why was he still awake so late at night?

As Flender approached, he heard Oscar's exceptionally excited voice.

"I broke through?!"

Xiao Xian was nearby, cultivating with Xiao Jue. Hearing the sound in the night, his eyes suddenly opened as he stared in that direction.

"So, it's time to go to the Star Dou Great Forest..."

"I hope Xiao San's luck is still as good as ever."

Xiao Xian murmured softly to himself.

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