The Allure of the Gold Soul Badge

Flender stood on the rickety Training Ground and adjusted his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses sweeping over the seven "little monsters" sprawled about in exhaustion.

"What? You can't handle this little bit of training?" His tone carried its usual harshness. "If you collapse now, don't call yourselves Shrek students in the future."

Dai Mubai was the first to climb to his feet, dusting off his clothes. "Dean, just tell us what the task is." His Evil Eyes glanced at Zhu Zhuqing beside him. Though the girl's face was pale, she stood perfectly straight.

The corner of Flender's mouth curled up as he took several badges from his robes. "These are badges from the Suo Tuo Great Soul Arena. Starting today, each of you will participate in spirit battles there."

"Spirit battles?" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she instantly perked up. "That sounds fun!"

"Fun?" Flender snorted. "Let me tell you this: one of the graduation requirements is earning a Silver Soul badge. Your first-stage goal is to obtain Bronze Soul qualification before the end of the month."

Oscar let out a wail. "Bronze Soul? How many matches would we have to win...?"

"So from now on, you train during the day and go to the Great Soul Arena at night." Flender's gaze passed over them. "Mubai, you'll lead the team. Remember, Shrek people may lose matches, but never their spirit."

Xiao Xiaoxiao quietly glanced at Tang San. He was carefully examining the badge in his hand, his expression focused as if lost in thought.

"Tang San," Flender suddenly called out, "do you have a question?"

Tang San looked up. "Dean, can we use any means necessary to win a spirit battle?"

Light flashed across Flender's glasses. "As long as you don't violate the Great Soul Arena's rules, any method is allowed. Remember, winning alive is better than losing dead."

Everyone fell silent at those words.

Night fell, and Suotuo City was ablaze with lights. A crowd had gathered outside the Great Soul Arena, with Spirit Masters of every kind coming and going.

Dai Mubai was clearly a regular. He led them through registration with ease.

"Spirit battles are divided into challenge matches, gambling matches, and death matches," he explained. "We'll only take part in challenge matches, where people stop short of killing. The formats include one-on-one, two-on-two, and team battles."

Xiao Wu excitedly tugged on Tang San's arm. "Xiao San, let's form a two-on-two team!"

Tang San nodded, then looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Do you want to find someone to team up with too?"

Before Xiao Xiaoxiao could answer, Oscar hurried over. "Xiaoxiao, how about me? I may be Food System, but my sausages are delicious!"

Ning Rongrong chuckled from the side. "Xiao Ao, are you here to compete or sell snacks?"

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

Suddenly, a mocking voice came from behind them. "Well, if it isn't those poor little brats we ran into on the street earlier. What, you dare come to the Great Soul Arena and make fools of yourselves too?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao turned around and saw several richly dressed young Spirit Masters. The leader was staring at them with open contempt.

Dai Mubai's expression darkened as he stepped in front of the others. "I was wondering who it was. Turns out it's a defeated loser."

The young man's face immediately turned ugly. "Dai Mubai, don't get cocky! I was careless last time. Got the guts to fight me again?"

"Anytime." Battle intent flashed through Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes.

Tang San gently held back Xiao Xiaoxiao, who wanted to step forward and argue, then shook his head at her.

Just then, an announcement rang out through the Great Soul Arena. "Please report to Arena Three: 'Evil Eyes White Tiger' Dai Mubai for a one-on-one spirit battle. Please report to Arena Five: 'Asura of a Thousand Hands' Tang San for preparation..."

Dai Mubai looked at Tang San in surprise. "Asura of a Thousand Hands? When did you register that alias?"

Tang San smiled faintly. "I just thought of it during registration."

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart stirred. Asura of a Thousand Hands... Somehow, that alias suited him perfectly.

Dai Mubai's match came first. His opponent was a level thirty-eight Assault System Battle Soul Master whose spirit was an Armored Rhinoceros.

The match began, and Dai Mubai held nothing back. The Evil Eyes White Tiger possessed him, and three soul rings shone brightly. His opponent was no weaker in spirit. Iron armor covered his entire body as he charged forward fiercely.

"Can Mubai win?" Xiao Xiaoxiao asked with some concern.

Tang San's gaze remained fixed on the battle. "The Armored Rhinoceros has extremely strong defense, but speed is its weakness. Boss Dai has the advantage in both speed and attack. As long as he isn't struck head-on, his chances of winning are high."

Sure enough, Dai Mubai used his speed advantage to keep dodging the opponent's charges. His Tiger Claws scraped against the iron armor with ear-piercing screeches. At last, he found an opening and struck the opponent's abdomen with a White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, winning the match.

Tang San's match came next. Xiao Xiaoxiao nervously clutched the corner of her clothes.

Tang San's opponent was a level twenty-nine Control System Spirit Master whose spirit was Poison Ivy.

When the match began, the Poison Ivy lashed toward Tang San like countless tentacles. Tang San remained unhurried and released his Blue Silver Grass. The two vine-type spirits tangled together, creating an eerie sight.

"Blue Silver Grass against Poison Ivy? Tang San's at a disadvantage," Oscar said worriedly.

But Xiao Xiaoxiao noticed that Tang San's expression was unusually calm. His footwork shifted as he used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, skillfully avoiding the Poison Ivy's attacks. At the same time, a faint green light flowed along the Blue Silver Grass.

"His Blue Silver Grass is poisonous?" Xiao Xiaoxiao realized in surprise that the Poison Ivy began to wither after coming into contact with the Blue Silver Grass.

Tang San seized the moment and activated his first soul skill, Entangling. Several mutated strands of Blue Silver Grass tightly bound his opponent. The Poison Ivy Spirit Master struggled a few times before collapsing weakly to the ground.

"The victor, Asura of a Thousand Hands!" the referee announced loudly.

Tang San stepped down from the arena and calmly explained to the surprised looks of his companions, "My Blue Silver Grass absorbed the soul ring of a Mandala Snake, so it carries a paralytic toxin."

Xiao Xiaoxiao praised him sincerely. "You're amazing."

Tang San looked at her, and his gaze softened for an instant. "Your match is coming up soon. Get ready."

Xiao Xiaoxiao's one-on-one match was arranged for the second round. Her opponent was a level twenty Agility Attack System Spirit Master whose spirit was a Lightning Ferret.

Before she went onstage, Tang San quietly told her, "The Lightning Ferret is extremely fast, but its defense is weak. Don't let it get close. Use your interference skill to create an opening."

Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded, her heartbeat quickening.

The match began, and the Lightning Ferret was as swift as its name suggested, turning into a streak of lightning as it rushed at her. Xiao Xiaoxiao hurriedly released Mental Interference, but her opponent was too fast, greatly weakening its effect.

After narrowly dodging several attacks, Xiao Xiaoxiao was drenched in sweat. Below the stage, Tang San's gaze followed her every movement closely.

"Interfere with its path of movement, not the ferret itself!" Tang San's voice cut through the clamor.

Xiao Xiaoxiao suddenly understood. She no longer tried to interfere with the Lightning Ferret directly. Instead, she cast Mental Interference over the area it was about to pass through.

Sure enough, the moment the Lightning Ferret charged into the affected area, its body abruptly stalled, as if it had crashed into an invisible swamp. Xiao Xiaoxiao seized the chance and unleashed Mental Shock with all her strength.

The Lightning Ferret let out a miserable cry and fell to the ground, unable to get back up for the moment.

"The victor, Phantom Moon Fox!" the referee announced.

Xiao Xiaoxiao sighed in relief. Her legs went weak, and she nearly fell, only to be caught by Tang San, who had somehow arrived beneath the stage.

"Well done," he said simply, his arm steady and strong.

Xiao Xiaoxiao blushed and quickly straightened herself. "Thank you for the reminder."

At that moment, the announcement sounded again. "For the next two-on-two match, please report to Arena Two: 'Three-Five Combination' and 'Spirit Eyes Combination.'"

Xiao Wu skipped over excitedly. "It's our turn! Xiao San, let's go!"

Tang San nodded and told Xiao Xiaoxiao, "After you watch our match, you can try two-on-two with Oscar."

Xiao Xiaoxiao watched Tang San and Xiao Wu walk side by side toward the arena, and for some reason, she felt a little uneasy.

"Hey, Xiaoxiao, how about we form a team too?" Oscar came over with a grin. "What do you think of calling ourselves the 'Sausage Fox' Combination?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao laughed at the ridiculous name. "Fine, but we have to change the name."

Tang San and Xiao Wu's Three-Five Combination won their first match. Their coordination was flawless. Xiao Wu's close-range Soft Skill and Tang San's long-range control complemented each other perfectly, allowing them to defeat their opponents with ease.

Next came Xiao Xiaoxiao and Oscar's two-on-two match. Oscar named their team the Chicken Soup for the Soul Combination. Though it sounded unreliable, its actual results were surprisingly effective.

Oscar continually produced Recovery Sausages and Detoxifying Sausages from the rear, while Xiao Xiaoxiao controlled their opponents from the front with Mental Interference. Whenever Xiao Xiaoxiao's Soul Power was overly depleted, she would eat one of Oscar's sausages to recover before continuing her interference.

This "shameless" style of fighting exhausted their opponents, who eventually had no choice but to concede.

After the match, Oscar danced about excitedly. "We won! Xiaoxiao, we really are a golden duo!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao could not help smiling as well. She looked below the stage and found Tang San watching them, a trace of approval in his eyes.

The first day of spirit battles ended, and the Shrek Seven Devils had achieved outstanding results. Most of them had earned points.

On the way back to the academy, Xiao Wu chattered nonstop about the exciting moments from the matches. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were also quietly sharing their insights. Dai Mubai and Oscar walked with their arms around each other's shoulders, discussing tactics.

Tang San walked beside Xiao Xiaoxiao and suddenly spoke. "Your control of Spiritual Power has improved quickly."

Xiao Xiaoxiao was flattered. "Really? I still feel like I have a long way to go."

"Spirit System Spirit Masters are weak in the early stages, but they become very powerful later on," Tang San said. "Keep training. You'll become stronger than many people."

This was the first time Tang San had praised her so directly. A warm current surged through Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart. "Mm! I'll work hard!"

Under the moonlight, the seven youths' shadows stretched long. Though their bodies were exhausted, every one of them had bright eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

Xiao Xiaoxiao secretly glanced at Tang San beside her and silently made up her mind: I have to become stronger, so I can keep standing by his side.

Their journey through the Great Soul Arena had only just begun. What they did not know was that high in the stands, a pair of eyes was watching these young "monsters," the observer's lips curling into a meaningful smile.