Ning Rongrong withdrew her Martial Soul and turned to walk off the arena.
She did not smile, but her steps were lighter than before.
She had won a match. Though it had been a difficult victory, a win was a win.
Backstage, Flender looked at the four children and nodded in satisfaction.
They had all won, and none of their victories had come easily.
The Great Soul Arena was not an academy. There was no mercy, no holding back.
Every step had to be earned on their own.
And they had done it.
After the four one-on-one matches, the atmosphere backstage visibly relaxed.
Ma Hongjun was still immersed in the excitement of victory, repeatedly muttering the words, "I won."
Oscar sat in a chair, rubbing the side of his waist where the iron pot had struck him. He grimaced in pain, but there was a smile on his lips.
Ning Rongrong was bandaging the scratches on her arm with practiced movements. Clearly, this was not her first injury.
Fu Wen leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, seemingly resting, though his ears remained attentive to the sounds around him.
"Alright, now that the individual matches are over, it's time to collect your rewards."
Flender adjusted his glasses.
"Follow me."
The four followed Flender to the prize counter.
An elderly man sat behind the counter. He glanced at their match cards and checked them against the registry.
"Sea Crocodile, one victory. Points +1. Prize money: ten Gold Soul Coins."
Fu Wen accepted the ten Gold Soul Coins and tucked them into his clothes.
Then came Ma Hongjun.
"Light Phoenix, one victory. Points +1. Prize money: ten Gold Soul Coins."
Ma Hongjun took the Gold Soul Coins, weighed them in his hand, and grinned from ear to ear.
Oscar and Ning