Soto Grand Spirit Arena

Flender shook his head. "No, you're wrong. Although I don't like places like the Great Soul Arena either, I have to admit that it is an important place for demonstrating a soul master's worth. You're thinking of it too simply. The Great Soul Arena has its own complete system and can be considered a special force in its own right. It was jointly established by the seven most prestigious soul master families on the continent. It is not subordinate to either of the two great empires or Spirit Hall, so it can be considered a third-party power. Its wealth rivals that of a nation. Soul masters who become famous in the Great Soul Arena will become dazzling stars throughout the country. Not only can they gain enormous benefits, but they can also earn tremendous prestige. Moreover, the Great Soul Arena is a relatively fair place. Here, even if you kill the heir of some great family, you need not worry about retaliation. That is its fairness."

At this point, a brilliant light gleamed in Flender's eyes. "The grade of one's spirit soul is a mark of a soul master's strength, and Soul Rings are the best way to display it. But that does not represent a soul master's true ability. Only a title earned through one's own efforts in the Great Soul Arena is the best reflection of one's strength."

"After entering the Great Soul Arena, soul masters of any rank are collectively referred to as Spirit Duelists. After winning their first match, they receive a badge. Thereafter, each victory earns a certain number of points, and once the points reach a certain level, the badge advances in rank. This badge represents one's rank in the Great Soul Arena, and it is accepted in every major city across the continent. Higher-ranked badges bring countless benefits, which I won't explain in detail. Badge ranks are divided according to the quality of minerals. The lowest is the Iron Badge, known as Iron Spirit Duelist. Above that are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Purple Gold, Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, Glazed Crystal, and Amethyst. There are ten ranks in total."

Flender's gaze swept across the five people before him. "The task I'm giving you is to obtain at least a Silver Spirit Duelist Badge before graduation. Understood?"

"Don't think obtaining a Silver Spirit Duelist Badge is easy. Mubai and Hongjun have already spent more than a year here gaining real combat experience. Mubai, tell the other three about the requirements for advancing badge ranks here, as well as your records."

As he spoke, Flender calmly took a sip of the cheap tea before him. He had founded Shrek Academy twenty years ago, so he naturally knew what kind of teaching method was easiest for students to accept. It was to spark their interest. No matter what one did, if interest came first, everything would yield twice the result with half the effort.

Those who could enter Shrek Academy were undoubtedly children as monstrous as monsters. These students, whether called monsters or geniuses, simply could not be taught by ordinary methods.

Dai Mubai said, "I began competing at the Soto Grand Spirit Arena when I was level twenty-nine. I've fought fifty-six matches in total, with twenty-nine wins and twenty-seven losses. I currently have two points. Advancing from Iron Spirit Duelist to Bronze Spirit Duelist requires one hundred points. You gain one point for every victory, but if you lose a match, one point is deducted accordingly. If your winning streak exceeds five matches, then every additional consecutive victory grants ten points directly. Once the streak exceeds ten matches, another victory earns one hundred points. Even if you successfully advance to Bronze Spirit Duelist after reaching the required points, you'll lose your Bronze Spirit Duelist qualification as soon as your points fall below one hundred. Advancing from Bronze Spirit Duelist to Silver Spirit Duelist requires one thousand points. In battles between Bronze Spirit Duelists, each victory grants ten points, while each loss deducts ten points. The bonus point ratio for winning streaks is the same as for Iron Spirit Duelists."

Tang San knew something of Dai Mubai's strength. Hearing this, he was secretly shocked. "Mubai, with your strength, you only have twenty-nine wins and twenty-seven losses? How is that possible? Your spirit soul should be among the most powerful Beast Spirit Souls."

Dai Mubai gave a wry smile. "There's nothing impossible about it. The Great Soul Arena isn't an easy place to get by. There are three forms of competition here. One is simply called a duel, and it is sparring in nature—the rules I just described. Participants are grouped by rank, or rather, by the number of Soul Rings they have. Once you gain another Soul Ring, you can only compete in the next group. When I was level twenty-nine, I won four matches in a row. Just as I was about to begin earning the tenfold bonus for consecutive victories, my strength rose to level thirty and I obtained my third Soul Ring. After that, I lost more than ten matches in a row, and my points went negative. With three Soul Rings as well, how could a level-thirty me possibly defeat opponents at level thirty-eight or thirty-nine? To build a winning streak here, I would have to compete for a while at level twenty-nine, then stop once I reached level thirty and resume only after reaching level thirty-nine. That would give me a chance. But our goal is real combat experience, so naturally we can't do that. That's why my record is rather poor. My points are even lower than Fatty's."

Ma Hongjun chimed in, "So far, I've fought thirty-three matches: twenty-one wins, twelve losses, and nine points."

"I've already reached Amethyst, you know." Lan Xue sent her voice in a line to Flender.

"Then register another one," Flender said speechlessly.

Flender glanced at the sky outside. "It's about time. Let's head over first. I'll tell you the rest once we get there."

After paying for the tea, the group of six left the tea shop and headed toward the Soto Grand Spirit Arena.

From up close, the Great Soul Arena's imposing presence was even more astonishing. When Tang San had first arrived in Suotuo City, he had never come to this part of the city, so he had not discovered that such a magnificent building stood within it.