Simulated Matchmaking Opens

With those words, the enthusiasm in the crowd instantly cooled by half. Still, there were those who refused to believe it – Ning Hao, a level 33 Soul Elder from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, whose Martial Soul was the "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda," thought he could try relying on support buffs. He teamed up with a level 34 assault-type Soul Master and entered the arena together, challenging two virtual Soul Elders at level 33.

The result was still a crushing defeat. The two virtual Soul Elders cooperated seamlessly, one attacking and the other controlling. As soon as Ning Hao finished buffing his teammate, he was forced to retreat repeatedly by the virtual Soul Elders' Soul Skills. Before long, his teammate's Soul Power was depleted, and the two could only surrender, earning a combined total of 1500 points.

"Support is useless too!" Ning Hao said, wiping sweat from his brow with a bitter expression. "The virtual monsters' tactics are too tricky; they specifically target support, giving us no chance to properly buff."

The atmosphere in the plaza grew increasingly solemn. Over thirty Soul Elders from the Martial Soul Hall, Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been defeated. Some lost due to level suppression, others to attribute counters, and still others to tactical disadvantages. The virtual monsters were like a tough bone – they looked chewable, but in reality, they could break your teeth.

In the Shrek Academy team, Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his expression grim. He was level 37, and his White Tiger Martial Soul was a top-tier beast-type Martial Soul. However, seeing the miserable state of those who went before him, he lost his earlier confidence. "Dean, aren't these virtual monsters too strong? Even people from the Martial Soul Hall can't beat them. Can we do it?"

Flender frowned, deep in thought. He glanced at Tang San beside him and suddenly his eyes lit up. "Xiao San, aren't you good at observing tactics? Why don't you try challenging at the same level and see if you can find the virtual monsters' weaknesses?"

Tang San hesitated. He was level 34, his Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass, and he wasn't at an advantage in terms of offense. But thinking about the points that could be exchanged for pills, he nodded. "I'll try."

Tang San entered the arena. His opponent, a level 34 virtual Soul Elder, had the "Poison Spider" Martial Soul, specializing in poison and entanglement. As soon as the system notification sounded, the virtual Poison Spider spat out webbing, which snaked towards Tang San.

Tang San was prepared. He released his first Soul Skill, "Blue Silver Grass Entanglement," and pale blue grass blades instantly entangled the webbing while he dodged to the side. He didn't rush to attack but focused on the virtual Poison Spider's movements, activating his Purple Demon Eye to carefully observe its Soul Power flow.

"After it releases the webbing, its Soul Power pauses for a moment!" Tang San quickly discovered the opening. But before he could counterattack, the virtual Poison Spider suddenly released its second Soul Skill, "Poison Mist." Pale purple mist instantly enveloped the arena. Tang San hurriedly used his Blue Silver Grass to cover his nose and mouth, but he still inhaled a bit, and his whole body immediately went numb.

The virtual Poison Spider seized the opportunity to pounce, its third Soul Skill, "Poison Claw," slashing towards Tang San. Tang San's pupils contracted sharply. He immediately released his second Soul Skill, "Blue Silver Grass Parasite." Grass blades wound along the webbing, latching onto the virtual Poison Spider's leg, while he rapidly retreated, evading the poison claw.

However, the virtual Poison Spider reacted extremely quickly, forcefully tearing off the Blue Silver Grass and pouncing again. Tang San's Soul Power had already been depleted by nearly forty percent, and the numbing effect of the poison mist was growing stronger. He knew he couldn't hold on for long, so he gritted his teeth and released his third Soul Skill, "Blue Silver Grass Restraint." A large amount of Blue Silver Grass entangled the virtual Poison Spider's body, temporarily restricting its movements.

"Now!" Tang San retrieved a hidden weapon from his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges Night and shot it towards the virtual Poison Spider's eyes. But the virtual Poison Spider seemed to have predicted it, sharply turning its head to dodge. At the same time, it broke free from the Blue Silver Grass restraint and swiped a claw towards Tang San's chest.

Tang San had no way to avoid it and could only use his Blue Silver Grass to protect his chest. With a "bang," he was sent flying backward, his Soul Power completely exhausted.

"Challenge failed," the system notification sounded, and Tang San was sent back to the plaza. Xiao Wu immediately rushed forward, supporting him and asking worriedly, "Tang San, are you okay? Does it hurt?"

Tang San shook his head, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I'm fine, just ran out of Soul Power. This virtual Poison Spider's reaction is too fast, and it can predict attacks. It's much harder to fight than a real Poison Spider Soul Elder. The system gave me 2000 points."

Flender looked at Tang San's appearance and sighed. "It seems this simulation arena is much harder than we thought. Even Xiao San's tactics didn't work. The virtual monsters' AI is too high."

The atmosphere in the plaza had completely turned cold. The Soul Masters who were eager to try earlier were now dejected. Bai Feng of the Martial Soul Hall frowned and said to his disciple, "It seems we can't rush into challenging higher-level opponents. Let's start by practicing at the same level and figure out the virtual monsters' patterns first."

The leading teacher from Heaven Dou Royal Academy also nodded. "We'll go back and organize the disciples to study tactics. Pair up two by two and cooperate with each other; perhaps that will help."

Ning Hao of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also said, "We need to find an assault-type Soul Master to act as a meat shield, to draw the virtual monsters' firepower. Only then will support have a chance to buff."

Although the major powers had all lost, they hadn't given up. After all, the lure of 50,000 points was too great. Even if it was difficult, trying a few more times would surely reveal a way. Lin Ye of the Martial Soul Hall rested for a while, then took his token and entered the arena again. This time, he chose to challenge a virtual Soul Elder at level 38, his own level; Zhao Lei of Heaven Dou Royal Academy also found a teammate, and they challenged two level 34 virtual Soul Elders together; Dai Mubai of Shrek Academy also gritted his teeth, preparing to enter the arena to try – even if he lost, he wanted to figure out the virtual monsters' weaknesses.

Inside the auction house, Lin Yue stood by the window on the second floor, watching the scene in the plaza. A smile played on his lips. The strength of the virtual monsters was set by him – 20% stronger than real Soul Masters of the same level, and 50% stronger for challenging higher levels. This was to prevent Soul Masters from winning too easily, forcing them to rely on tactics and cooperation to win. This way, it ensured points wouldn't be easily farmed while also pushing Soul Masters to improve their strength and study tactics – killing two birds with one stone.

"Master, over fifty Soul Masters have participated so far, all failing. The longest they lasted was thirty moves. The Martial Soul Hall and Heaven Dou Royal Academy have already begun organizing team challenges, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is studying support tactics," Mo Chen reported the latest situation, standing by his side.

"Very good," Lin Yue picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip. "Let them try slowly. Once they figure out the patterns, the volume of point exchanges will naturally increase. Prepare the inventory of low-level pills; don't run out when they need to be exchanged."

"Sufficient Second-grade Pills have been prepared and can be put on the shelves at any time," Mo Chen replied respectfully.

Lin Yue nodded, his gaze returning to the plaza. He could see that the factions, originally wary of each other, were now exchanging experiences due to the strength of the virtual monsters. The Soul Masters who originally relied only on brute force were now pondering tactics and cooperation. This was exactly what he wanted to see – the simulation arena was not just a place to farm points, but also a "furnace" for tempering the strength of Soul Masters.

As the sun set, the words "Simulation Arena" on the golden light screen remained conspicuous. The Soul Masters in the plaza continued their challenges. Although most still failed, a newfound determination appeared on everyone's faces. Lin Ye finally defeated the level 38 virtual Soul Elder, earning 5000 points; Zhao Lei and his teammate, through cooperation, also defeated the two level 34 virtual Soul Elders, earning 4000 points; Tang San, though he didn't challenge again, was observing others' battles from the side, analyzing the virtual monsters' weaknesses.

The major powers had all understood – although the simulation arena was difficult, it was not unbeatable. As long as they were willing to spend time studying tactics and cooperating with teammates, they could always earn points. And this was precisely the result Lin Yue desired. As more and more Soul Masters began to adapt to the strength of the virtual monsters, the point system of the Otherworld Auction House would gradually integrate into the world of Soul Masters on the Douluo Continent, becoming an indispensable part.