One Against Two

The Soul Dueling Arena was an extremely important area within Shrek Academy. It was located in the northwest corner of the Martial Soul Department, close to Shrek City.

Private fighting was forbidden within Shrek Academy, yet battles occurred constantly among soul masters.

Thus, this became a place for students to spar and settle personal grudges.

The Soul Dueling Arena had dedicated teachers serving as referees, responsible for determining victory and defeat, protecting students, providing aid and treatment, and so on.

For every soul duel, both sides had to pay at least ten Gold Soul Coins as the venue fee. In the end, the academy took half, while the other half went to the victor. The losing side paid the venue fee for the winning side.

In other words, the victor could actually earn quite a bit of money.

However, if someone deliberately struck with malicious intent during battle and seriously injured or killed their opponent, dedicated inspectors would punish the offender.

The severity of the punishment depended on the circumstances. At the lightest, they would receive a disciplinary mark that affected graduation; at worst, they would be expelled. As for the most severe punishment, there was no need to say more—execution!

It was currently nighttime. Most students had finished their classes, and quite a few had gathered here during their free time. Some had come to compete, while others were simply here to watch the show.

As the wealthiest profession on the continent, soul masters naturally would not care about a mere ten Gold Soul Coins—unless they were freshmen like Huo Yuhao, who had just entered the academy and had no backing.

Ye Chen and his group arrived at the 2v2 Soul Dueling Arena. After paying the venue fee, they stepped onto the dueling platform beneath the referee's strange gaze.

The reason for that strange look was that only three people had entered the arena!

Since there was no dedicated 1v2 platform here, the three of them had no choice but to use this one.

"Xu Sanshi, how about we make a bet?"

Before the match began, Ye Chen's eyes gleamed as he looked at Xu Sanshi with a half-smile.

"Sure. How do you want to bet?" Xu Sanshi was interested as soon as he heard that.

Given Ye Chen's status, he believed the kid would not be short on good things.

Wang Dong, meanwhile, was utterly uninterested. Her expression had not changed at all. Her pretty face remained frosty as she glared furiously at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen did not dare meet her eyes, much less speak with her.

He could not help it. After all, he really had seen everything, and his guilty conscience was getting the better of him.

"If I win, you give me a Profound Water Pill. Simple as that!"

Ye Chen folded one arm across his chest and rubbed his chin with the other. After thinking for a moment, he spoke slowly.

"Cough, cough!"

Xu Sanshi nearly choked on his own saliva when he heard that.

Seeing Ye Chen deep in thought, he had assumed the kid was considering some novel wager. So after all that thinking, this brat just wanted to get something for nothing!

"How can there be such a good deal in this world? You want a Profound Water Pill? Fine, but you have to put up something of equal value as your wager!" Xu Sanshi said indignantly.

"Xu Sanshi, that's enough. There are two of you, and you're so much older than me. Even if you win, would you really have the nerve to take something from me?"

Xu Sanshi was rendered speechless by Ye Chen's retort. When it came down to it, he really did hold every advantage.

"Fine, then. Stop talking and start already. I refuse to believe you can beat the two of us!" After saying that, most of his interest was gone.

There was no benefit in winning, and people would call it an unfair victory. Losing would be even more humiliating!

Wang Dong remained silent, her expression unchanged.

Having gotten the result he wanted, Ye Chen chuckled.

He wanted Xu Sanshi to know that he was trying to get something for nothing, while leaving him unable to refute it.

By then, quite a few students had gathered outside the platform to watch. First, because of Xu Sanshi's reputation in the Outer Court; second, because battles like this—one against two—were not something one usually got to see.

What was more, Xu Sanshi was on the two-person side.

This match looked like it would be quite a spectacle.

Once the referee saw that the three had finished discussing matters, he walked to the center of the platform and began introducing the participants.

"First-year student Ye Chen challenges first-year student Wang Dong and fifth-year student Xu Sanshi. You have already made a private agreement regarding the wager for victory and defeat. Are you all ready?"

As soon as the referee finished the introductions, a wave of loud booing erupted from the crowd.

Many students who knew Xu Sanshi had already begun cursing him for being shameless.

Not only was a fifth-year student challenging a first-year student, he had even brought along a helper. That was truly disgraceful.

But their words were wasted. The platform was completely sealed off by a Soul Power barrier, so those inside could not hear anything from below.

Ye Chen and the other two nodded to the referee at the same time, each retreating to the edge of the platform as they faced one another from afar.

With the referee's shout of "Begin!", Xu Sanshi and Wang Dong simultaneously released their martial souls.

Xu Sanshi's body rapidly expanded, stretching his school uniform taut. A massive tortoise-shell shield appeared in his right hand.

As one of Shrek Academy's outstanding students, experience had taught him to remain sufficiently steady no matter what he faced.

Even a lion used its full strength to hunt a rabbit. Even against someone as much younger as Ye Chen, he would not show mercy.

That was the respect soul masters owed one another.

Yet before he could make a move, a bright blue figure shot out from beside him, its impatient manner leaving him slightly stunned.

The instant she released her martial soul, Wang Dong charged forward at top speed. Two soul rings rose beneath her feet, and the purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring in the position of her second ring shone brilliantly.

The golden patterns on the wings of the Light Goddess Butterfly fired out clusters of tiny light orbs toward Ye Chen.

Her second soul skill, Butterfly God's Light!

But that was not all. After releasing her second soul skill, Wang Dong's yellow soul ring flashed. A golden edge of light covered the wings behind her as she dove down at Ye Chen from the air.

Seeing this, Ye Chen's eyelids twitched wildly, and the corner of his mouth began spasming.

Do you hate me that much? You used your first and second soul skills together. Are you trying to kill me outright?

On the other side, Xu Sanshi's tiny eyes widened like bells. While marveling at Wang Dong's decisiveness, he also began moving.

How deep is the grudge between these two? At their age, it can't be some feud over a woman, can it?

Xu Sanshi thought doubtfully. Both of them were so handsome that the more he considered it, the more likely it seemed.

With that thought, he moved even faster.

Now, he was not trying to rush in and finish Ye Chen off. He was worried that Wang Dong might kill Ye Chen outright.

Ye Chen forcibly suppressed the distracting thoughts in his heart and instantly adjusted his state.

Once he entered battle mode, some of his flamboyant arrogance vanished, replaced by greater composure.

He did not rush to release his martial soul. This was the perfect chance to test the power of the Tang Sect's Secret Arts.

Facing the Light Goddess Butterfly's rapidly approaching second soul skill, Ye Chen's mind raced.

Those golden light orbs looked harmless enough, but Ye Chen knew exactly what kind of energy they contained.

If they exploded on him, his physique would keep him from suffering any serious injuries. But his glossy black hair? There was no need to think about it—it would definitely be gone.

My typing speed is so slow that writing ten chapters would honestly make me cry. I can only guarantee five chapters a day for now.

This is only the beginning. I'll slowly increase it later. Maybe ten chapters a day will be possible in the not-too-distant future.