The First Match, Tang San Was Shocked

It wasn't long before the children were escorted to the preparation room, where they enjoyed the arena's highest level of service.

With nothing else to do, they started cultivating on their own, showing none of the awkwardness one might expect.

Time passed quickly. Aside from Ning Fengzhi's frustrated grumbling, nothing unusual happened. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciples weren't usually so diligent, let alone inclined to cultivate of their own accord.

"Dean, it's about time."

Meng Shu's voice roused Chen An from his closed-eyed rest. He checked the time; it was indeed about time. The spectator seats outside were already full, and Ning Fengzhi was nowhere to be seen in the room.

He'd probably gone to the VIP seats while Chen An was asleep. Judging by this, the arena must have spent a great deal on promotion.

The atmosphere was far more intense than usual. It felt like one of those top-tier sporting events from his previous life, especially a heated derby.

"Kids, time to wake up."

Chen An called out, and the students in the preparation room gradually came to. He called awake the few who didn't stir on their own.

"Your opponents today are xxx."

Today's schedule featured a two-on-two duel between the direct disciples, while the remaining three members of their elite team would compete in singles and another two-on-two match. The other team, the Phantom Star High-Rank Team, had only one match: a seven-on-seven group battle.

The schedule wouldn't be easy for them. Chen An had picked no weak opponents; this wasn't some easy match where they could bully rookies. He'd also told Di Ao to keep arranging matches at this level from now on.

At the time, Di Ao had nearly blurted out, Is this really the dean's own team? From his perspective, the opponents Chen An had picked were all way above the usual level. The arena would normally only arrange matches like these for particularly promising talents.

"Master, we're up first."

Chen An led the seven members of the elite team to the staging area. Now that the arena had become more organized, it had preparation rooms for seeded teams and staging areas for those about to compete.

The first match would feature the Cat-Snake Duo. Since Tang San was already level 30, they could be put up against him. What was strange was that he was now level 36. It felt as if something was pushing him to improve.

"Be careful. You know how tough that Thousand-Hand Asura is, Meng Yiran. That Soft-Bone Charm Rabbit is level 29 and favors close-range attacks."

Chen An gave them a few brief instructions. He didn't need to coach them in detail for a two-on-two or a singles match; this wasn't a group battle. Besides, if he had to guide them through everything, what would be the point? They wouldn't get any chance to hone their skills.

Still, he was ready to step in. Believing his disciples could win was one thing; being prepared to protect them was another.

"Got it, Master. Just watch us."

Zhu Zhuqing smiled at Meng Yiran, then spoke with confident flair before leading the way to the arena.

The Shrek side was far less composed.

"Xiao San, be careful."

Dai Mubai reminded him with a complicated expression. He seemed troubled by seeing Zhu Zhuqing again, perhaps feeling guilty.

Tang San understood. After the enrollment, he'd asked Dai Mubai about it and learned of his relationship with Zhu Zhuqing. After all their training lately, though, Tang San had grown tremendously conceited.

He'd risen so many levels in such a short time that he believed he was no weaker than Zhu Zhuqing. Besides, before the match, he'd learned that both opponents had lower Soul Power Levels than he and Xiao Wu, in terms of both their highest level and their average.

"Don't worry, Boss Dai. I'll go easy on her."

After saying this, Tang San led Xiao Wu toward the arena.

Just then, the announcer's excited voice rang out.

"Let's welcome the team that's recently claimed five consecutive victories—the Three-Five Duo!"

The moment the Three-Five Duo's name was announced, the audience erupted in cheers. Most of them were supporters of the team.

"Now, here come the arena's rising challengers: the Cat-Snake Duo!"

When Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran made their entrance, the cheers were already quieter. Seeing that both of them were beautiful women only made the crowd more subdued.

As the rules dictated, the competitors had a chance to exchange taunts before the match, followed by the reveal of their Soul Rings.

"Don't worry. I promised someone I wouldn't go too hard," Tang San said with a light laugh.

"No need." Zhu Zhuqing replied with just two words.

She said it offhandedly, but with a hint of disdain, as if to say that the person he'd made the promise to was trash, and he wasn't much better. Tang San frowned, but the scheming old fox kept his composure and said nothing.

"Both sides, reveal your Soul Rings!"

The moment the Soul Rings appeared, Tang San was dumbstruck. So was the audience, and even the host. He hurriedly tried to call off the match, but remembered the instructions he'd been given beforehand and pressed on.

"No signs of cheating. The match will continue."

The audience erupted, everyone talking over one another.

"A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as the third ring? Isn't that cheating?"

"Yeah, that's cheating! Fucking give us our money back!"

Even Ning Fengzhi and Meng Shu, who had seen it before, found it hard to accept, though they weren't as shocked as the spectators.

"How can this be? My theories can't be wrong!"

Seeing that pitch-black Soul Ring, Yu Xiaogang seemed to lose his bearings. He didn't want to admit that his theories were wrong—not that he believed they could be.

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang too, his expression complicated.

"I demand an inspection!"

Flender stepped forward, releasing his full aura as he tried to negotiate. But when he saw Chen An and Ning Fengzhi in the distance, his confidence faltered, and his tone softened.

He couldn't help it. A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as the third ring was too terrifying. No—he'd seen Chen An covered in red Soul Rings. Remembering that day, Flender broke into a cold sweat. He hadn't imagined that one of Chen An's disciples could do the same.

"The inspection found no problem. The match will continue." Di Ao was ringside, and quickly took control of the situation, calming everyone down.

"Please."

The Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring put Tang San under immense pressure. He'd planned to hold back, but now he didn't dare. He immediately used his full strength, lighting up all three Soul Rings and unleashing his two control Soul Skills—Blue Silver Entanglement and Spider Web Restraint.

But how could Tang San, who wasn't using Hidden Weapons, restrain Zhu Zhuqing now?

True, her speed wasn't as extreme as it had been in the original story. But her abilities had improved. The Shadow Flow Profound Truth encompassed the entire skill set of the one called Zed from Runeterra.

Using Shadow Substitute was a piece of cake. After breaking free, she remembered what Meng Yiran had said before the match and went off to play with Xiao Wu.

And she really was playing. How could toying with her opponent not count as playing?

"Damn it."

Tang San had been forbidden by his teacher from using Hidden Weapons. So even though he wanted to help, there wasn't much he could do.

The two of them were tangled up together. If he used a Soul Skill, he'd almost certainly hit Xiao Wu by mistake.

And there was still Meng Yiran to deal with. He didn't know why, but she seemed different. It was as if she wasn't the same person he'd met in the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Use your Hidden Weapons. Your Soul Skills alone can't beat me now."

Tang San was stunned. Why had this girl suddenly become so bold? Where was she getting that confidence? If he'd been a modern person, he might've added, Was it Fish Leong?

But Meng Yiran's next words changed his expression completely.

Meng Yiran called out, "I am Meng Yiran of the Southern Tang Shu Tang Sect. Please instruct me."