Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Outer Court Inter-grade Challenge Tournament had arrived.
The Shrek Spirit Fighting Zone was already packed to the brim. The noise rose and fell in waves, and the entire arena was steeped in a feverish atmosphere. After all, this was Douluo Continent—nothing set people's blood surging like an intense, thrilling Soul Fighting match.
The stands on the upper level were filled with many of Shrek Academy's senior figures. All four deans were present, and quite a few Sea God Pavilion Elders could be seen among them.
"I didn't expect that little Gui Yun would enter the tournament too. This year's Inter-grade Challenge Tournament should be interesting."
Yan Shaozhe still wore his usual beaming smile. Beside him, Xian Lin'er couldn't help feeling annoyed by it.
Hearing this, Qian Duoduo gave a hearty chuckle. "The Outer Court's been producing some fine students over the past few years. A few of them would be among the very best even in the Inner Court. Gui Yun won't have an easy time claiming the championship."
After speaking, Qian Duoduo looked at Yan Shaozhe, then changed tack. "Old Yan, however you look at it, you ought to let the Spirit Tool Department have a few of this year's promising students, shouldn't you?"
A cunning old fox, Yan Shaozhe saw through Qian Duoduo's little scheme at a glance.
"Ah, Old Qian, that's not very fair of you. Whether a student joins the Spirit Department or the Spirit Tool Department is up to them, isn't it? How can we teachers interfere too much?"
Yeah, right!
Yan Shaozhe's righteous air made Qian Duoduo grit his teeth in fury.
"How about this? The Spirit Tool Department only wants Gui Yun. If you let him join us, I promise we won't ask the Spirit Department for another student for the next three years. What do you say?"
"No deal!"
Damn it...
When Yan Shaozhe flat-out refused, Qian Duoduo's eye twitched. If his own strength had allowed it, he would have charged over and beaten Yan Shaozhe to a pulp long ago!
Meanwhile, the Soul Fighting Arena's competitors' area was crowded with figures. Every one of them was an elite from Shrek's Outer Court. After all, the format was terribly unfair; anyone without absolute confidence in their strength wouldn't enter the tournament.
"How about it? Are you confident?"
Tang Ya sidled up to Mu Guiyun with a cheeky grin. "I'm planning to wager everything I own on you. If you happen to lose, I'll really have to go begging for scraps!"
Mu Guiyun smiled. "Don't worry. A tournament without a single Soul King is a piece of cake for me. If I really lose, I can always support you from now on."
"Pah, pah, pah! This Sect Master doesn't need you to support me!"
Tang Ya's pretty face flushed. She took hold of Mu Guiyun's arm, then said shyly, "Could you lend me just a tiny bit more Gold Soul Coins? I... I don't have enough money right now. Even if you win, I won't make much."
"Don't worry, I won't borrow it for nothing. We'll split the winnings nine to one!"
Huh? Gambling isn't allowed here!
Seeing the eager look on Tang Ya's face, Mu Guiyun couldn't help trying to dissuade her. "Tang Ya, with gambling, you should only wager what you can afford to lose. Things can go wrong, and you could end up losing everything!"
"I've already lost everything!"
Tang Ya planted her hands on her hips and retorted with complete confidence, "Besides, gambling means not knowing the outcome. If you know how it'll turn out, that's investing!"
Mu Guiyun: ...
"That's all you're getting. Take it or leave it."
With a helpless sigh, Mu Guiyun took a small pouch from his Soul Tool and tossed it into Tang Ya's arms.
As for Mu Guiyun, he had already placed a bet on himself: more than twelve million Gold Soul Coins, his entire fortune. He had even borrowed quite a bit from Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and the others.
Mu Guiyun's opponent in the first round was a fairly well-known Soul Elder from the Outer Court. With the information gap on his side, he was sure to make a killing.
Taking the money pouch, Tang Ya beamed. "Heehee, you're the best! Mwah~"
"Get away! Don't kiss me!"
In a corner of the Outer Court competitors' area, a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome young man watched the two with a knowing grin. His good looks, paired with his flippant tone, gave him a rather sleazy air.
"Hey, Bei Bei, look! They kissed, they kissed! Hehehe!"
The young man nudged Bei Bei beside him, completely oblivious to the anguished look on his best friend's face.
"Huh? Really? Hahahaha!"
Watching Tang Ya and Mu Guiyun whispering sweet nothings at a distance, Bei Bei felt his heart seize.
He'd always thought that with his talent and looks, winning a girl over would be a breeze. But all this time, he hadn't managed to get any closer to Tang Ya. She didn't even want to talk to him much.
Mu Guiyun, who had been joking around with Tang Ya, naturally noticed their stares. Bei Bei's heartbroken expression in particular left him feeling strange.
Tang Ya and Bei Bei weren't together now, but wasn't this still a kind of cuckolding...?
At the thought, Mu Guiyun gave a crooked grin and pulled Tang Ya into his arms.
"Ah! W-what are you doing...?"
Mu Guiyun's sudden, bold move left Tang Ya's mind utterly blank.
But strangely, she felt no resistance at all. Instead, a wave of weakness washed over her, and she found herself falling into Mu Guiyun's arms. Her face, which had been all smiles a moment ago, was now crimson with embarrassment.
"Bei Bei, look! They're still hugging! Wait... isn't that girl Tang... Tang Ya?!"
Only then did the young man catch on. He hurriedly turned to look at his best friend, Bei Bei.
Wasn't that the girl his best friend had been pursuing?
His best friend had already turned to stone. For a moment, it almost seemed like snowflakes were falling from Bei Bei's head.
"Th-this..."
The young man didn't know what to do. He could only stand there, looking awkward.
It felt just like going to a foot spa, only to have his best friend's girlfriend walk in a little while later...
"It's fine, Bei Bei. Watch me teach him a lesson! Damn it, he dares steal my Xu Sanshi's friend's girl? He's got a death wish!"
The young man rolled up his sleeves and looked ready to charge over and give Mu Guiyun a beating.
Bei Bei, who had already given up on life, hurriedly grabbed his best friend and tried to stop him. "Sanshi, don't do anything rash! Three punches from him and your turtle shell will crack!"
Huh? Is he that strong?!
Hearing this, Xu Sanshi's aggressive stride slowed and slowed until he finally stopped in his tracks.
He knew Bei Bei's character all too well. Bei Bei never exaggerated. In other words, this guy could damage his Martial Soul in just three punches...
At the thought, Xu Sanshi's mouth twitched, though he still found it hard to believe.
He was an Outer Court elite and a core disciple of the Spirit Department, for one thing. And Mu Guiyun looked about his age. Xu Sanshi couldn't bring himself to believe it.
"He's a Soul Elder!"
"A Soul Elder?! Gasp~"
Xu Sanshi sucked in a sharp breath, then said sheepishly, "Um, well, I'm not feeling too good today. Next time, I'll definitely help you teach him a proper lesson!"