The Challenge

Inside Shrek Academy.

Seeing Ma Hongjun come running back, panting and beaten into a pig's head, Dai Mubai sneered, "What happened? Did those old broads beat you up for trying to mooch off them?"

Ma Hongjun looked aggrieved. Pointing at his face, which had nearly swollen into a pig's head, he cried, "Boss Dai, I got beaten up. Aren't you going to do something about it?"

The two shared the same hobbies, so naturally they got along well.

Among Shrek Academy's current students, Dai Mubai was the strongest. He had rightfully become their big brother.

How could he stand by and do nothing when his brother had been bullied?

"Fatty, explain it clearly. Who beat you up? And weren't you going to see the dean? Didn't you tell him?"

Ma Hongjun explained what had happened, then added, "That kid's Martial Soul is a flying creature too. Master probably wants to take him as a disciple."

"Boss Dai, if you don't teach that kid a lesson, once he comes to the academy, he might take your place."

Dai Mubai's expression darkened.

He had been the big brother for so long. How could he possibly become someone else's lackey?

After pondering for a moment, he said in a deep voice, "Fatty, where is that kid? I need to let him know who the real big brother of this academy is!"

Ma Hongjun had not asked where Wu Qi lived, so he could only say that he would search the city with Dai Mubai.

As the two left the academy, they ran straight into Flender.

After greeting him, they hurriedly fled, like mice that had encountered a cat.

Flender knew what they were thinking without needing to be told.

As a Master, he naturally encouraged his students to spar with one another.

Wu Qi was a Soul Elder, and Dai Mubai was one as well. Although there was a gap in Soul Power between them, Dai Mubai was undoubtedly the best possible opponent for a trial.

Since they would be classmates in the future, there was no harm in letting them get acquainted ahead of time.

If Wu Qi could defeat the stronger Dai Mubai despite being weaker, would that not mean he had found a treasure?

By evening, after the city's residents had finished dinner, they all made their way toward the Great Soul Arena as if by prior agreement.

There were not many forms of entertainment on Douluo Continent. For ordinary people, watching Soul Masters battle in the Great Soul Arena not only offered exciting matches, but also satisfied their fantasies about Soul Masters.

Sometimes, the audience was even willing to pay a high price for a thrilling match.

In front of the Great Soul Arena, Wu Qi and Qian Gu Changkong arrived on time.

"It really is livelier at night. Wu Ge, are you nervous?" Qian Gu Changkong was greatly looking forward to the upcoming match.

Back in Spirit City, he had watched countless Soul Fighting matches as a spectator.

Sometimes, competitors were clearly very strong, yet because they were overly nervous, they repeatedly made mistakes during battle and ultimately lost.

Wu Qi glanced at him and shook his head slightly.

The two of them had even experienced life-and-death battles. How could they be nervous in the Great Soul Arena?

As they entered the Great Soul Arena, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, who happened to be passing by, caught sight of them.

"Boss Dai, it's them!" Ma Hongjun pointed at their backs and said bitterly.

They had searched all afternoon until their legs were nearly broken, but they had finally found the right people.

Naturally, they intended to vent the anger and resentment in their hearts on Wu Qi.

However, the Great Soul Arena was no ordinary place. It was said that even Soul Saints were beneath the notice of the Experts behind it.

Causing trouble in the Soul Arena? Even several lives would not be enough to lose!

Dai Mubai frowned deeply. "Fatty, let's go in and take a look first."

The two quickened their pace and caught up, but continued to keep a certain distance.

Within the Great Soul Arena, the only place where conflicts could be settled was the arena.

If Wu Qi had come here to compete, Dai Mubai would not mind challenging him to a match.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's stalking was incredibly clumsy. Qian Gu Changkong had noticed them long ago.

"Wu Ge, there are two idiots following us. Should we shake them off?"

Wu Qi thought for a moment, then turned to glance back. "No need. Since they came, let's choose them as our opponents."

He had long wanted to see what Shrek Academy's big brother was capable of.

Ma Hongjun had sought out Dai Mubai, and his purpose was obvious. Since that was the case, why not have a match on the arena?

When Wu Qi and Qian Gu Changkong headed toward the Soul Fighting registration desk, Dai Mubai hurried over in a few large strides.

"Iron Soul Fighting badges? How about we have a match?"

Dai Mubai held his head high, putting on an arrogant, disdainful air.

Naturally, the Great Soul Arena staff were happy to see this. Contestants who registered for matches had to manually find their own opponents.

Dai Mubai had specifically challenged Wu Qi to a match. If their Soul Battle badges were the same, it would undoubtedly save the staff some work.

"What, too scared?"

With someone backing him up, Ma Hongjun spoke with confidence. "Know what's good for you and apologize to me, then compensate me for my medical expenses. Otherwise..."

Qian Gu Changkong rubbed his fists and gave a wicked smile. "Fatty, you and I are both Soul Grandmasters. How about we have a match too?"

"I didn't get my fill of fighting during the day. I hope you won't surrender later."

Ma Hongjun shrank back and retreated behind Dai Mubai.

Knowing he was no match for him and still agreeing to fight—wasn't that just asking for a beating?

Seeing that Wu Qi had yet to respond, Dai Mubai impatiently said, "What, scared?"

Without changing expression, Wu Qi placed his Soul Battle badge on the counter and asked, "Do we get points for winning a scheduled match?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, he urged, "What are you waiting for?"

Dai Mubai laughed in fury. "Fine. I hope you'll still be this tough on the arena!"

With the registration process complete, all that remained was to wait for the match.

Dai Mubai snorted coldly and left with Ma Hongjun.

"Where did this Double Agent come from? Could we have been targeted?" Qian Gu Changkong could not help but worry.

Although Ma Hongjun was not particularly strong, he already possessed twenty-six levels of Soul Power at the age of twelve. His talent was by no means poor; calling him a genius would not be an exaggeration.

Dai Mubai was also quite young, yet the Soul Power fluctuations around him were exceptionally solid. He was surely even stronger.

Looking across the entire continent, Suotuo City was merely a second-rate city. How could so many geniuses appear here?

Could these two be from some great clan?

"If I'm not mistaken, they should be from Shrek Academy."

"When Senior Golden Eagle entered the city, he investigated the distribution of forces within it. If they belonged to some major power, he would definitely have warned us beforehand."

"He gave no warning, and the only place Senior Golden Eagle did not investigate was Shrek Academy outside the city."

Qian Gu Changkong did not doubt it. Before coming here, Golden Eagle Douluo had "briefed" them on the situation within the city.

"If it can produce two geniuses, then Shrek Academy must have something to it, right?"

Heh heh.

Wu Qi sneered inwardly.

Turning geniuses into geniuses—that was Shrek Academy's way.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun already had high Innate Soul Power. Even if they cultivated on their own, their Soul Power Levels would not be lower than they were now.

The purpose of Soul Masters joining an academy was to learn combat techniques.

Yet Shrek Academy's teaching methods themselves had enormous problems.

When Zhao Wuji taught combat techniques, he treated the students like punching bags. At first, Dai Mubai might have been motivated and willing to improve his strength.

But after getting beaten so badly every time that he could not even get out of bed, he would inevitably develop a resistant mindset over time.

Such a teaching method was utterly meaningless.