Wager

Entering the Cafeteria, Dugu Xianmeng led him straight to the Third Floor. The Third Floor was the third tier, accessible to holders of Purple Rank Soul Arena Badges.

Soul Arena Badge ranks matched the colors of soul rings: white, yellow, purple, black, and red.

Currently, only one person possessed a red badge: Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan. According to what was known, even the most basic meal allowance at Red Rank included at least one delicacy made from Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast ingredients every month.

Dugu Xianmeng had reached the third, Purple Rank in only a year, which was enough to prove just how formidable she was.

After all, she was only Level 48 now.

White Rank was the lowest and was granted upon entering the Inner Court. Yellow Rank required one hundred points, Purple Rank five hundred, Black Rank fifteen hundred, and Red Rank more than three thousand...

Winning a Soul Arena match only earned one point. However, points doubled after five consecutive wins, tripled after ten, increased fivefold after fifteen, and tenfold after twenty...

The Academy's current highest record was twenty-three consecutive victories, set by Zhang Lexuan.

Like Flame Maniac Ma Xiaotao, Ye Guyi's highest streak was eighteen consecutive wins.

Win streaks were actually very difficult, because although your opponents held the same Soul Master title as you, there could still be a gap in their levels.

There were two types of Soul Arena matches in the Inner Court. One was open registration, where participants could choose their opponents. As long as both sides agreed, the match could begin.

The second was hidden Soul Arena matches. Those who registered would be randomly assigned opponents, meaning that even if you were only Level 43, you might be matched against a Level 49 opponent.

However, this had one advantage: if your Soul Power Level was at least five levels below your opponent's and you still won, the points you earned would be doubled.

But that was almost impossible, because everyone who entered the Inner Court was a genius. Only a rare few could challenge opponents above their level.

As it happened, Dugu Xianmeng, who was savoring the food beside Zhou Sichen, was one such person.

Her Jade Phosphorus Five Poisons was several times more powerful than the already highly toxic Jade Scale Snake Poison. At Level 48, unless a Soul Master's martial soul countered hers or they possessed particularly high poison resistance—

Otherwise, even Soul King powerhouses around Level 55 might not be able to withstand her Jade Phosphorus Five Poisons.

That was why she had been able to obtain a Purple Rank Soul Arena Badge in just one year.

As he ate, Zhou Sichen suddenly thought of a question. "Senior Sister, by your reasoning, doesn't that mean I can go straight to the top floor and try the exquisite delicacies reserved for Red Rank?"

Dugu Xianmeng froze for a moment, then shot Zhou Sichen a glare. "That's right. All new students get one chance to try Red Rank food, but I can't go up there. Are you going to leave me here all by myself?"

The corner of Zhou Sichen's mouth twitched. That was indeed a problem, but wasn't she the Poison Witch?

What was with that mature beauty face acting coquettishly?

Was this how they tested officials?

What official could withstand a test like this?

Zhou Sichen was no fool, and he was highly sensitive when it came to emotions. Otherwise, he would not have made Elder Sister unable to forget him.

Although he had only been in contact with Dugu Xianmeng for a few hours, he could clearly sense her affinity toward him.

In fact, it was not just Dugu Xianmeng. Yesterday's senior sister, as well as the beauty who had just entered the Inner Court, had all felt close to him.

There was no other reason.

He was just too handsome!

Sometimes, good looks were justice. What was more, Zhou Sichen's talent and strength had been recognized by everyone!

A handsome man with talent and strength—who wouldn't like him?

Just as Zhou Sichen liked beautiful women.

Of course, it was merely pure appreciation, nothing suggestive.

Zhou Sichen chuckled. "Then I'll go another time when I'm free. I have a whole month, anyway."

"That's more like it." Dugu Xianmeng smiled slightly. "If you can't finish it all then, you can pack some up and bring it back for me to help you deal with. After all, we can't waste food."

Zhou Sichen chuckled. She was practically clicking her abacus beads right in his face.

But since Dugu Xianmeng had put it that way, Zhou Sichen became even more curious about Red Rank food.

Of course, if he had the chance, he would definitely bring some back for Dugu Xianmeng. She had taken the initiative to ask, and he had no reason to refuse.

What was not to enjoy about sharing a fine meal with a beautiful woman?

Honestly, Shrek's food was truly excellent. Even a Purple Rank breakfast included Soul Beast treasures that exceeded the Thousand Year Level, leaving Zhou Sichen thoroughly satisfied.

Though he had eaten like this since childhood...

After breakfast, Zhou Sichen did not go familiarize himself with the Inner Court, because there was simply no need. He would naturally become familiar with it after wandering around more in the future.

Dugu Xianmeng had already verbally gone over everything he needed to know.

After leaving the Cafeteria, Zhou Sichen said softly, "Senior Sister, shall we go take a look at the Soul Arena?"

The Inner Court also had dedicated Soul Arena grounds, and their scale and facilities far surpassed those of the Outer Court.

Hearing Zhou Sichen's words, Dugu Xianmeng thought she had misheard him. "What did you say?"

Zhou Sichen smiled. "Since we have nothing better to do, why not go to the Soul Arena and see how powerful the senior brothers and sisters are? It'll broaden my horizons."

Dugu Xianmeng looked speechless. "I know you're strong, but you've only just entered the Inner Court. There's really no need to push yourself so hard. You'll have plenty of time to train harder in the future. Wouldn't it be better for me to show you around the Inner Court properly and admire Sea God Lake?"

Zhou Sichen could not even be bothered to expose her little thoughts. Having a beauty by his side was indeed pleasing to both body and mind, but what Zhou Sichen needed to do now was draw the serious attention of Shrek Academy's higher-ups. It would be even better if they could raise him like their own son.

He did not even dare imagine how satisfying it would be to use other people's resources to make himself stronger.

"Senior Sister, do you want to eat Red Rank delicacies?" Zhou Sichen asked.

Dugu Xianmeng froze for a moment, then nodded somewhat uncertainly.

Zhou Sichen smiled. "There you have it. If I reach Red Rank sooner, won't I be able to bring you Red Rank food?"

Hearing Zhou Sichen's words, Dugu Xianmeng could not help but laugh. "You? You are very strong. You defeated me with a single soul ring, but that was because your ability happened to counter my poison."

"And what level are you? Do you know how many powerhouses there are in the Inner Court? With your current strength, you should just dream about reaching Red Rank!"

"Senior Sister doesn't believe me?"

"I don't!"

"Then how about we make a bet?"

"What are we betting on?"

Zhou Sichen thought for a moment. "We'll bet on whether I can advance to a Red Rank Soul Arena Badge within a year. If I succeed, you grant me one request. If I fail, I'll grant you one request. How about it?"

Hearing Zhou Sichen's wager, Dugu Xianmeng could not help but smile, her heart full of excitement. "Sure! A gentleman's word is irrevocable!"

Dugu Xianmeng extended her jade-like hand, and Zhou Sichen high-fived her to seal the wager.

"A promise once made cannot be taken back!"

Dugu Xianmeng was practically laughing out loud inside. Forget Zhou Sichen—even Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan could not possibly have gone from White Rank to Red Rank in a single year. Did he think he was a god?

Unless he kept winning without interruption and his points kept multiplying, no one could reach Red Rank within a year!

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I promised extra chapters—let's play again next time!