Great Soul Arena, Before the Duel

"Dean, Ning Rongrong and I have a great relationship. Once I reach the Soul Elder rank, I want to be paired with her!"

"It's only been a day, how deep can your relationship possibly be..." Flender recalled the scene from the day before where Ning Rongrong had risked her life to save Zhu Zhuqing. He sighed and turned his gaze toward Ning Rongrong. "Forget it, I can understand the two of them, but what about you?"

"I don't have any plans for a duo match. I'm here today to test out my new soul skill, so I'll be fighting solo."

Ning Rongrong's voice was sweet, but her words were like a bomb. While everyone was still digesting the implications of Flender's previous remarks, this statement detonated instantly.

"Ning Rongrong, what level are you now?"

Ma Hongjun felt a bit aggrieved. Everyone was leveling up at an astonishing speed; how did it feel like he was soon to be not just the bottom of the three seniors, but the bottom of all seven in the academy?

"Me? I'm level 33 now."

Upon hearing this, Ma Hongjun found it completely unacceptable. He stumbled backward a few steps before being caught by Dai Mubai.

"Don't panic, Fatty. I'm only level 37 myself."

Dai Mubai patted Ma Hongjun's shoulder in comfort. However, the words only sounded more grating to Ma Hongjun, who retorted irritably:

"Boss Dai, I think you're about to be surpassed too."

"I shouldn't have caught you."

Dai Mubai let go, and Ma Hongjun immediately started to tip backward, though he eventually managed to steady himself.

"Absorbing a soul ring increases soul power. I feel like this level isn't entirely unacceptable, is it?"

Tang San also began to comfort Ma Hongjun.

Ma Hongjun nodded at that.

"Rongrong, what is your new soul skill like?"

Zhu Zhuqing was curious and leaned in close to Ning Rongrong.

"Hmm... it's a secret. I'll tell you all after tonight is over."

Ning Rongrong thought for a moment and said.

A flash of disappointment crossed Zhu Zhuqing's face, but her curiosity remained piqued.

"Ahem, since it is your own wish, Ning Rongrong, then you shall fight in the solo matches today."

"Wait!" Tang San only just realized that Ning Rongrong intended to fight solo and couldn't sit still. "Dean, Ning Rongrong is an auxiliary-type soul master; are you really going to let her fight solo? Although a Soul Elder's physical fitness is beyond that of an ordinary person, an auxiliary-type Soul Elder definitely cannot win a one-on-one against other Soul Elders!"

"That's right, Dean. I gave it my all this morning and only managed to kill a century-level Wind Wolf."

Oscar said from the side, feeling a bit proud as he noticed the shocked gazes of the others.

"Not bad, Oscar." Ma Hongjun patted Oscar on the back. After learning the specific process of how he reached level 30, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but feel admiration.

"An auxiliary-type soul master soloing a Wind Wolf—that's quite impressive."

Dai Mubai and Tang San nodded in agreement.

"Hmph." Flender looked at the four of them and let out a cold snort.

These brats really didn't know that there was always someone better; he would have to teach them a lesson later.

He looked at Ning Rongrong, who showed no particular reaction.

Thus, Flender decided to give them a taste of reality:

"Ning Rongrong killed a thousand-year Man Faced Demon Spider all by herself!"

"A Man Faced Demon Spider?"

Tang San had heard the Grandmaster speak of this soul beast; it was an extremely ferocious creature. In terms of strength, a Man Faced Demon Spider of the same age was definitely stronger than a Wind Wolf.

"A thousand-year one?"

Oscar's eyes widened as well. She must have used the power of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he comforted himself.

"Rongrong, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

Zhu Zhuqing tugged at the corner of Ning Rongrong's sleeve.

"I'm fine, Zhuqing. Look, I'm perfectly alright."

"Wow, Rongrong, can I learn your techniques next time?"

Xiao Wu was also surprised.

"Sure."

Flender looked at the group and then at the sky.

"It's getting late, let's go in."

The group entered the Great Soul Arena.

Among them, the one-on-one matches were the first to take place. After Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing finished their fights, the one-on-one matches for the Shrek Academy Soul Grand Masters were concluded, and the group began to watch the Soul Elder level matches.

Dai Mubai's opponent was quite weak and was knocked down within a few rounds. Among the group, only Ning Rongrong had yet to take the stage.

"Next, we invite the level 33 Tool Soul Elder, Ning Rongrong, to face off against the level 38 Battle Soul Elder, Liu Jiayi!"

Beside the small soul fighting platform, quite a few spectators had gathered—certainly more than there had been during the Soul Grand Master matches earlier.

On the Soul Arena stage stood a young girl who had not yet fully matured, alongside a man in his thirties.

The entire arena erupted in an uproar.

"A Soul Elder this young? Is there some mistake?"

"Liu Jiayi! That's Liu Jiayi, famous for his ruthless methods!"

Someone had recognized the burly man.

"I heard that in his previous matches, his opponents either ended up dead or crippled. He's already on a three-match winning streak! Sigh, such a pretty little girl, what a pity."

"The match hasn't even started yet, what are you shouting for?"

"Huh? My name is Ma Jiasan. What's the matter, brother? Do you know that little girl?"

Ma Jiasan looked at the refined man before him, feeling a bit confused.

The man merely smiled faintly, shook his head, and said, "I do not know her, but don't you think this match will be very interesting?"

"Forget it, what could be interesting about it?" Once Ma Jiasan heard the other party didn't know her, he became uninhibited again, but then he felt a surge of killing intent and obediently shut his mouth.

Soul Arena.

Liu Jiayi had intended to finish his opponent off quickly this time as well, but upon seeing that the other party was just a girl of about twelve, a remnant of humanity stirred within his heart.

"Little girl, I don't really want to hurt you. Just forfeit the match; I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself, and it would be hard to answer to your family."

Ning Rongrong frowned: "Why do you base that on the assumption that you will definitely defeat me? What if I win?"

"You cannot possibly win."

Liu Jiayi shook his head, recalling a deal he had made before coming to the Great Soul Arena. That deal had significantly boosted his strength.

"I don't believe it."

Ning Rongrong responded righteously, her Martial Soul lighting up.

Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.

Many people present recognized this Martial Soul, and another wave of uproar broke out.

"Are you kidding? Since when can Support-type Soul Masters fight one-on-one? Even if it is the number one support Martial Soul on the continent, so what?"

"Could it be a legendary case of pulling strings? But this is the Great Soul Arena!"

"Is it a recruitment attempt to get her to join his sect? Could it be that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has taken a liking to Liu Jiayi? If so, Liu Jiayi won't have to worry about his livelihood in the future, right?"

"Shut your mouths."

As the crowd began to argue, that refined man spoke a single sentence, causing everyone to fall silent.

All of this was being observed by Tang San and his companions on the opposite side.

"Who is that man? Why did everyone shut up the moment he spoke?"

Tang San asked Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai scratched his head, shook it, and said, "I'm not sure either. I've never seen him before. Perhaps the Dean knows."

The group turned their gaze toward Flender. Flender adjusted his glasses and peered carefully at the opposite side, his expression tightening.

He certainly recognized this person, but he could not fathom why he would appear here.