Return to the Great Soul Arena

Eight figures stood on Shrek Academy's training ground, casting long shadows beneath the moonlight.

Flender's narrow eyes were slightly narrowed, like those of a cat or an eagle—sharp yet cunning. His dark green pupils reflected an eerie gleam.

He was secretly astonished. Good heavens, I never expected a single sentence to calm Ning Rongrong down. And that spoiled young lady didn't even talk back to her? This Fu Hua is no simple person.

He gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged.

"Since you understand now, go back and think it over properly!"

Ning Rongrong did not wish to linger either. She turned and headed back to the dormitory.

Only then did Flender turn to Dai Mubai. "Go bring Oscar back! Leave Ning Rongrong to him."

"Got it."

Before long, Dai Mubai returned and nodded at Flender, indicating that he had called Oscar back.

With that, the group of seven set off. Flender led the way, moving lightly at a steady pace. The others had to use Soul Power just to keep up with him.

Dai Mubai took the lead among the students, followed by Zhu Zhuqing. Fu Hua, Tang San, and Xiao Wu formed a row, while Ma Hongjun brought up the rear.

That was with the other five using Soul Power. Since Fu Hua had promised Flender not to use Soul Power, she relied entirely on her own speed. Yet she looked completely at ease, as though this pace was far from her limit.

Dai Mubai's gaze turned solemn. It seemed he had still underestimated her.

Tang San was the most shocked of all. Even in his previous life, without profound inner strength, trying to match Flender's current speed would have been pure fantasy. Yet Fu Hua was able to keep pace with him, accomplishing all of this through her physical body alone. Just how strong was she really?

Tang San could not begin to estimate it.

The only one feeling miserable was Ma Hongjun. Fu Hua clearly was not using Soul Power, yet she was still faster than him. It dealt a serious blow to his pride as a man.

His round body pumped harder and harder, his chubby face flushed bright red from the effort, but it was still useless.

With a body so lacking in training, trying to compete with Fu Hua was like showing off before an expert.

The journey was not long. Before long, they saw their destination: Suotuo City.

After entering Suotuo City, the bustling streets stood in stark contrast to the quiet country path. Vendors along the roadside called out from time to time, trying to keep passersby from leaving.

But Flender did not slow down. He headed straight for the center of Suotuo City, where the Great Soul Arena was located.

Fu Hua understood. So class meant practical lessons.

That made sense. In a village like that, there were no proper facilities or places for instruction. The only place that could be considered suitable for teaching was Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena.

For Soul Masters, real combat was the best teacher.

There was still a quarter of an hour before the Great Soul Arena reached its liveliest period of the night. Flender did not bring them over so early. Instead, he sat with them in a nearby tea stall and explained things to them.

The Great Soul Arena was a manifestation of a nation's foundation and could influence its rise and fall. Like the ranks of Soul Masters, soul battles were divided into different grades.

From lowest to highest, there were eight ranks: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Purple Gold, Sapphire, Ruby, and Diamond.

Each rank required a certain number of points to advance.

From lowest to highest, the point requirements were as follows: one match, one point; five matches, ten points; ten matches, one hundred points. After reaching Bronze: one match, ten points; five matches, one hundred points; ten matches, one thousand points.

And so on.

A person could only participate in one soul battle per day. Soul battles were further divided into one-on-one, two-on-two, and team battles, but one could enter all of them at the same time. In other words, a person could participate in three matches, so earning points to advance was not particularly difficult.

Someone like Fu Hua, who had won all twenty-four of her matches and advanced to Silver Soul through one-on-one battles in half a year, was extremely rare in the Great Soul Arena—perhaps even nonexistent.

Even Dai Mubai only had one point at the moment, while Ma Hongjun, who was doing comparatively well, had merely nine. That showed just how difficult it was to upgrade one's Great Soul Arena badge.

"And the task I'm giving you is to reach Silver Soul before graduation." Flender's gaze swept across the group before lingering on Fu Hua.

"As for Fu Hua, I remember that you grew up in Suotuo City, so you should know about the Great Soul Arena. You've even reached Silver Soul already, haven't you?"

The others were astonished once again. Even Dai Mubai, a level thirty-seven Soul Elder, had not obtained Silver Soul, while Fu Hua had. They could not help but look at her differently.

"Yes, Dean Flender. Since I have already met the requirement, may I cultivate in my own way from now on?"

Flender pondered for a moment. When it came to Fu Hua, he truly could not think of any good way to train her. First, he had never discovered her limits. Second, he had no idea how strong she really was.

Judging by her apparent Soul Power? That would be foolish. If she really were only a level thirty Soul Grandmaster, Zhao Wuji would not have lost.

After the assessment, Flender had asked Zhao Wuji about the details. Yet even Zhao Wuji's explanation had been unclear. It seemed that she really had won merely by enduring one incense stick's worth of time.

In the end, Flender nodded helplessly.

"You may."

"Then, Dean, may I go back and take a look? I may stay in Suotuo City tonight."

Flender frowned. Since she had entered the academy, he naturally wanted every student to follow its rules. But Fu Hua seemed somewhat special.

"Don't worry, Dean. I only need to take care of some family matters. After that, I will follow the academy's rules."

"Very well. Be careful outside. Once you've handled everything, return to the academy."

"Thank you, Dean."

Flender watched Fu Hua's figure disappear into the distance, considering how he could maximize her strength in the future. After thinking for a long time, he came up with nothing. Even as the dean of an academy, his methods of teaching were still inferior to those of the other instructors.

Moreover, Fu Hua's situation was unusual. If he acted recklessly or used his own methods to train her, he would only bury her talent.

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

If only Master were here.

His sharp gaze could not help falling on Tang San. The disciple Master had accepted to prove his theories had turned out to be so exceptional.

Xiao Gang, it's time for you to come back.

"Let's go!"

As the group disappeared into the distance, Flender did not notice that Fu Hua, who had already left, appeared there once more.

Resting her chin on her hand, she pondered. "Grandpa Sol needs some money to settle down. As for the library, I should just buy it outright. If Grandpa Sol is willing to stay there, it would be a good place for him to spend his retirement. It's just..."

The nobles near the library came to mind. She shook her head, her gaze steady, and strode toward the Great Soul Arena.

At that moment, Manager Ao and Song Qingshu were waiting anxiously in an office inside the Great Soul Arena, their faces filled with worry.

"Didn't you say Crimson Kite would come collect it three days later, Xiao Wang? Why haven't they shown up yet?" Song Qingshu asked stiffly.

He had been constantly thinking about how to apologize to Fu Hua and make her overlook what he had done. Yet no matter how he thought about it, he could not find a way to completely ease her anger, leaving his face rigid.

"Lord Crimson Kite said they would come in three days. They may arrive a little later."

"Xiao Song, have you made up your mind?" Manager Ao suddenly asked.

Song Qingshu's body stiffened, panic flashing through his eyes.

"Manager Ao, I really don't know what to do. As long as they spare me, I'll do anything."

"Don't say anything when the time comes."

"Yes, yes, yes. Thank you, Manager Ao, thank you, Manager Ao."

"The person you should thank isn't me."

"I understand. I understand."

The Great Soul Arena's main hall remained lively and bustling. Flender and the others were nowhere to be seen, presumably having gone to participate in soul battles or watch the matches.

At the entrance, a striking figure appeared. The black-and-white attendant's uniform accentuated the newcomer's upright posture. Her back was straight, her eyes spirited, and the silver mask seemed to be her signature, causing the Soul Masters passing nearby to stop and stare.

"It's Crimson Kite."

"Crimson Kite is here again."

"Lord Crimson Kite is so cool!"

"Heh! Looks like the Great Soul Arena is going to suffer heavy losses again today."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Maybe that was just an accident."

"An accident? Then go and have an accident for me."

Voices rose and fell around the hall. The previously quiet registration desk was instantly surrounded by a crowd, most of whom wanted to see whether Fu Hua had come to participate in soul battles.

Seeing this, a staff member behind the registration counter immediately connected to the communication Soul Tool in Manager Ao's office.

"She's here."

"Yes, she's in the main hall."

"Invite her up. Remember, be respectful."

"Yes, yes."

After ending the communication, he stood up. Watching Fu Hua approach, he gave a slight bow.

"Lord Crimson Kite, Manager Ao wishes to see you. Please follow me."

After exchanging a glance with the staff beside him, he led Fu Hua upstairs toward Manager Ao's office.

The stairs wound upward, and they soon arrived at the top floor of the Great Soul Arena. This area was reserved for the arena's staff, and Manager Ao's room stood at the end of the corridor.

The staff member knocked lightly on the door. Only after receiving permission from within did he lead Fu Hua inside.

"Manager Ao, Lord Crimson Kite has arrived."

Manager Ao and Song Qingshu were both in the room. As they watched Fu Hua approach from the doorway, Manager Ao could not help but feel surprised.

He had assumed Crimson Kite would at least be a young adult in their twenties. He had not expected someone so young. Though the mask obscured her face, her fair skin and the still-inconspicuous Adam's apple indicated that she was at least still in her teenage years.

Yet this was the person who had defeated a level thirty-seven Soul Elder with the strength of a level thirty Soul Grandmaster. If he had not witnessed it himself, Manager Ao would never have believed it.

"Lord Crimson Kite, please come in."

Manager Ao personally stood to greet her, waving away the staff member beside him with a smile across his face.

"There's no need. I only came to collect what is rightfully mine."

Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying a tone that made one feel alert. Simply hearing her speak seemed to bring clarity.

Manager Ao's heart tightened, and he nodded repeatedly.

Even if she was not from a noble family, she was certainly no ordinary person.

"Please sit. This is Song Qingshu, the branch manager responsible for managing your Great Soul Arena."

Manager Ao led Fu Hua to sit on the leather sofa in the room, then pointed at the man standing nearby.

"Lord Crimson Kite."

Those sky-blue eyes looked directly at him. Her gaze was calm, yet it made Song Qingshu shudder, as if they held an icy spring within them.

Yet Fu Hua was merely looking at him calmly.

"Regarding what our Great Soul Arena did to you before, I would like to apologize on behalf of the Great Soul Arena. Of course, you will still receive your share of the winnings from the wagered match."

Fu Hua nodded to show that she understood.

Seeing that Fu Hua remained unmoved, Manager Ao sighed inwardly. As expected, it would not be that simple.

"The soul battle arranged for you two days ago was my mistake. Headquarters has been quite busy recently, so our management of the Suotuo Great Soul Arena was lacking, which led to that situation. Fortunately, nothing happened to you, Lord Crimson Kite. Otherwise..."

"Manager Ao, I understand. You do not need to beat around the bush. I do not want anything extra. Give me the original thirty percent, and for the rest, I need you to agree to a few requests."

After leaving the Great Soul Arena, Fu Hua let out a long breath. With that, everything had been arranged. From now on, she could devote herself to academy life and cultivation without worries.

Inside Manager Ao's office on the top floor of the Great Soul Arena.

Manager Ao sipped his tea, his thoughts churning. Song Qingshu, meanwhile, let out a great sigh of relief, though his face still bore a puzzled expression.

"Manager Ao, what does Crimson Kite mean by this?"

"You should be grateful that she isn't a petty person."

Song Qingshu gritted his teeth, his gaze uncertain. "Then... that matter..."

"If I told you to handle it, then handle it. Do I need to do it myself?"

"No, no, no. That's not what I meant. I'll send people to take care of it right away."

Bang!

The sandalwood door slammed shut. Manager Ao raised his eyes toward the window. From here, he could directly see the main soul arena, where an exciting soul battle was currently taking place.

"Why does Crimson Kite want Suo Tuo Library? Still, trading such a small price for a future powerhouse isn't a loss."

Merchants valued profit, and Manager Ao was no exception.

PS: I pulled Double Wolves today! I'm so excited, so I've decided to post two updates today.

PS1: Let me state this again: this story has no conspiracies, open schemes, or secret plots. Everything is an accident, so there is no mastermind and no final boss. Everything will follow the plot of Soul Land I.

PS2: Also, if I pull any equipment, stigmata, or characters related to Fu Hua in the future, I'll add updates based on their rarity.

PS3: Also, I'm taking tomorrow off to think about the upcoming daily-life chapters. I still feel like I really enjoy writing climaxes, while my daily-life scenes always feel strange. Don't you think the recent chapter was written pretty poorly? I clearly reread and revised it many times, but it still doesn't feel good.