One Against Two

Chapter 25: One Against Two

The Soul Dueling Arena was an extremely important area within Shrek Academy. It was located at the northwestern 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 emergency aid and treatment, and so on.

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

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

However, if someone maliciously attacked during battle and seriously injured or killed their opponent, dedicated supervisors would punish the offender.

The severity of the punishment depended on the circumstances. At the lightest, they would receive a disciplinary record that affected graduation. At worst, they would be expelled. The most severe punishment needed no explanation—execution!

It was evening, and most students had finished their classes. Quite a few had gathered here in their spare time. Some had come to compete, while others were simply there to watch the excitement.

As the wealthiest profession on the continent, soul masters naturally did not care about a mere ten Gold Soul Coins—unless they were new students like Huo Yuhao, who had just joined the academy and had no background to speak of.

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 strange part was that only three people had taken the stage!

Since there was no dedicated 1v2 arena 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 faintly amused smile.

"Sure. How do you want to bet?" Xu Sanshi immediately became interested at the mention of a wager.

Given Ye Chen's status, he was sure to have plenty of good things.

Wang Dong, meanwhile, showed no interest whatsoever. His expression had not changed from the beginning. His handsome face was filled with fury, and his angry gaze remained fixed on Ye Chen.

Ye Chen did not dare meet his eyes, much less speak to him.

He could not help it. After all, he really had seen everything, and his guilty conscience made him nervous.

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

With one arm folded across his chest and the other rubbing his chin, Ye Chen pondered briefly before slowly speaking.

"Cough, cough!"

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

Seeing Ye Chen deep in thought, he had assumed he was considering some novel form of wager. So after thinking for so long, this brat was trying to get something for nothing!

"What kind of good deal is that? If you want a Profound Water Pill, fine—but you have to put up something of equal value as your stake!" Xu Sanshi said indignantly.

"Enough, Xu Sanshi. 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 left speechless by Ye Chen's retort. Come to think of it, he really did have every advantage.

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

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

Wang Dong still wore the same expression, saying nothing.

Having gotten the outcome he wanted, Ye Chen chuckled.

He wanted Xu Sanshi to know that he was trying to get something for nothing, yet be unable to argue against it.

By now, quite a few students had gathered outside the platform to watch. One reason was Xu Sanshi's reputation in the Outer Court; the other was that battles like this, one against two, were rarely seen.

What was more, Xu Sanshi was on the side with two people.

This match looked like it would be quite entertaining.

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 agreed upon the stakes privately. Are you all ready?"

After the referee's introduction, a wave of enthusiastic 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, but he had even brought a helper. It was truly disgraceful.

However, their words were wasted. The platform was completely isolated by a Soul Power barrier, and those inside could not hear anything from below.

Ye Chen and the other two nodded to the referee at the same time. Each retreated to the edge of the platform, facing one another from afar.

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

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

As an outstanding student of Shrek Academy, his experience had taught him to remain sufficiently steady in the face of anything.

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

That was the respect soul masters owed one another.

But before he could act, a bright blue figure shot out from beside him. The impatient display made him pause in surprise.

The instant Wang Dong released his martial soul, he charged forward at high speed. Two Soul Rings rose beneath his feet, and the purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring in the second position shone brightly.

The golden patterns on the Light Goddess Butterfly's wings fired clusters of tiny lights toward Ye Chen.

Second soul skill, Butterfly God's Light!

That was not all. After releasing his second soul skill, Wang Dong's yellow Soul Ring flashed. A layer of golden light formed along the edges of his wings, and he dove toward Ye Chen from the air.

Ye Chen's eyelids twitched furiously at the sight, and the corners of his mouth spasmed.

Does he really hate me that much? He used his first and second soul skills at the same time. Is he trying to kill me outright?

On the other side, Xu Sanshi's small eyes widened like bells. While marveling at Wang Dong's resolve, he began moving as well.

What kind of grudge do these two have? They're so young. It can't be a feud over a wife, can it?

Xu Sanshi wondered in confusion. Both of them were so handsome that the more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

With that thought, he moved even faster.

He was not rushing over to finish Ye Chen off. He was worried Wang Dong might kill Ye Chen outright.

Ye Chen forcefully suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind and instantly adjusted his state.

Once he entered combat, some of his wild arrogance and frivolity vanished, replaced by greater calmness.

He did not rush to release his martial soul. This was the perfect opportunity 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 clusters of light appeared harmless, but Ye Chen knew exactly what kind of power they concealed.

Even if they hit him, his physical constitution would keep him from suffering severe injuries. But his glossy black hair? There was no need to think about it—it would definitely be gone.

At my current writing speed, ten chapters really would make me cry. I can only guarantee five chapters a day.

I've only just begun. I'll gradually increase it later. Perhaps ten chapters a day will be possible in the near future.