Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the Outer Court Inter-grade Challenge Tournament was upon them.
By then, the Shrek Spirit Fighting Zone was already packed. The clamor rose and fell without pause, and the entire arena was steeped in a feverish atmosphere. After all, this was Douluo Continent—nothing got the blood pumping like an intense, thrilling bout of Soul Fighting.
The upper-level viewing stands were filled with Shrek Academy's many senior officials. All four deans had arrived, and the figures of quite a few Sea God Pavilion Elders could be seen among them.
"I didn't expect that little Gui Yun would enter the competition too. This year's Inter-grade Challenge Tournament should be interesting."
Yan Shaozhe still wore his usual beaming smile, which made Xian Lin'er beside him feel an irrepressible surge of irritation.
At those words, Qian Duoduo gave a naive chuckle. "The Outer Court has had some fine talent these past few years. A few students could stand at the very top 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, surely you'll let the Soul Tool Department have a few of the promising students this time?"
As an old fox, Yan Shaozhe saw through Qian Duoduo's intentions at a glance.
"Ah, Old Qian, that's no way to put it. Whether students join the Spirit Department or the Soul Tool Department is up to them. We teachers can't interfere too much, can we?"
Like hell I believe you!
Yan Shaozhe's righteous expression made Qian Duoduo grit his teeth in anger.
"How about this? The Soul Tool Department only wants Gui Yun. If you let him join us, I guarantee we won't ask the Spirit Department for anyone else for the next three years. How does that sound?"
"Not happening!"
Damn it...
When Yan Shaozhe flatly refused, Qian Duoduo's eye twitched. If his strength had been up to it, he would have charged over and beaten Yan Shaozhe to a pulp long ago!
Meanwhile, the competitors' area of the Soul Fighting Arena was packed with figures. Every one of them was an elite from Shrek's Outer Court. After all, the rules of this tournament were extremely unfair; anyone who didn't have absolute confidence in their own strength wouldn't enter.
"So, are you confident?" Tang Ya sidled up beside Mu Guiyun and asked with a cheeky grin. "I'm planning to bet everything I own on you. If you lose by accident, I'll really have to go begging for scraps!"
Mu Guiyun smiled. "Don't worry. In a competition without a single Soul King, winning will be a piece of cake for me. If I really lose, I can always support you from now on."
"Pah, pah, pah! Your Sect Master doesn't need you to support her!"
Tang Ya's pretty face flushed. She grabbed Mu Guiyun's arm, then bashfully asked, "Could you lend me just a tiny bit more Gold Soul Coins? I, I don't have that much money right now. Even if you win, I won't make much."
"Don't worry, I won't borrow it for free. We'll split the winnings nine-to-one!"
Huh? No advertising here!
Seeing Tang Ya gazing at him with eager anticipation, Mu Guiyun couldn't help advising her, "Tang Ya, with gambling, you should only wager what you can afford. It can really ruin your family if things go wrong!"
"My family's already ruined!"
Tang Ya put her hands on her hips and retorted confidently, "Besides, it's only gambling if you don't know the outcome. If you know how it'll turn out, that's an investment!"
Mu Guiyun: ...
"That's all you're getting. Take it or leave it."
With a helpless sigh, Mu Guiyun pulled a small pouch from his Soul Tool and tossed it into Tang Ya's arms.
As for Mu Guiyun, he had already bet on himself: more than twelve million Gold Soul Coins, every last bit of his fortune. He had even borrowed quite a sum 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. Thanks to his information advantage, he was sure to make a killing.
Tang Ya took the pouch, her face instantly lighting up with delight. "Hehe, you're the best! Mwah~"
"Get away from me! Don't kiss me!"
In a corner of the Outer Court competitors' area, a tall, sturdy, handsome young man watched the two with a suggestive grin. His flirtatious tone clashed with his originally dashing looks, lending him a rather lecherous air.
"Hey, Bei Bei, look! They're kissing, they're kissing! Hehehe!"
The young man nudged Bei Bei beside him, completely oblivious to his good friend's pained expression.
"Huh? Really? Hahahaha!"
Watching Tang Ya and Mu Guiyun whispering together in the distance, Bei Bei felt his heart suddenly tighten.
Bei Bei had always thought that with his talent and looks, winning over girls would be a piece of cake. But so much time had passed, and not only had he failed to get closer to Tang Ya, she didn't even want to talk to him much.
Mu Guiyun, who had been joking around, naturally noticed the two watching them. Bei Bei's forlorn look in particular left him feeling rather strange.
Tang Ya and Bei Bei weren't together yet, but wasn't this still a kind of NTR...
At the thought, Mu Guiyun crooked his mouth into a grin and pulled Tang Ya into his arms.
"Ow! Y-you, what are you doing..."
Mu Guiyun's sudden, bold move left Tang Ya's mind completely blank.
But strangely, Tang Ya didn't feel the slightest resistance. Instead, a peculiar weakness spread through her body, and she fell involuntarily into Mu Guiyun's arms. Her face, which had been smiling just moments ago, was now crimson with embarrassment.
"Bei Bei, look, he's still holding her! Wait... doesn't that girl look like Tang... Tang Ya?!"
Only then did the young man realize what was going on. He hurriedly turned to look at his good friend Bei Bei.
Wasn't this the girl his good friend was pursuing?
His good friend stood frozen on the spot, as if turned to stone. It almost seemed as though snowflakes were drifting down from above Bei Bei's head.
"Th-this..."
The young man didn't know what to do, and could only stand there with an awkward look on his face.
It was like going to a foot massage parlor, only for your good friend's girlfriend to walk in a moment later...
"It's fine, Bei Bei. Just watch me teach him a lesson! Damn it, he dares to steal a woman from my brother Xu Sanshi? He's got a death wish!"
The young man rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge over and teach Mu Guiyun a lesson.
Bei Bei, who had already given up on life, hurriedly grabbed his good friend and tried to stop him. "Sanshi, don't be rash! Three punches from him and your turtle shell will crack!"
Huh? He's that strong?!
At those words, Xu Sanshi's aggressive stride slowed more and more until he came to a complete stop.
He knew Bei Bei's character all too well. Bei Bei never exaggerated, which meant this guy could damage his Martial Soul in just three punches...
At the thought, Xu Sanshi's mouth twitched. Still, he couldn't quite believe it.
He was an Outer Court elite and a core disciple of the Spirit Department. Besides, Mu Guiyun looked about the same age as him. Deep down, Xu Sanshi just couldn't believe it.
"He's a Soul Elder!"
"A Soul Elder?! Hiss~"
Xu Sanshi sucked in a sharp breath, then said sheepishly, "Well, um, I'm not feeling well today. Next time, I'll definitely help you teach him a proper lesson!"