The Acting Master!

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Outer Court Inter-grade Challenge Tournament arrived.

At this moment, the Shrek Spirit Fighting Zone was already packed to the rafters. The roar of the crowd rose and fell in waves, and the entire arena was immersed in a fiery atmosphere. After all, this was the Douluo Continent; nothing got people's blood pumping quite like a tense and thrilling spirit fight.

The high-level spectator stands were filled with the upper echelons of Shrek Academy. All four deans were present, and many elders from the Sea God Pavilion could also be seen among them.

"I didn't expect that little fellow Mu Guiyun to participate as well. This Inter-grade Challenge Tournament is going to be interesting."

Yan Shaozhe still wore that smiling expression, which made Xian Lin'er, standing to the side, feel an uncontrollable sense of annoyance.

Upon hearing this, Qian Duoduo chuckled honestly: "The quality of the Outer Court students these past few years has been quite good. There are a few whose talent would be top-tier even in the Inner Court. It won't be so easy for Mu Guiyun to take the championship."

After saying this, Qian Duoduo looked at Yan Shaozhe, his tone shifting: "Old Yan, no matter what you say, you should let a few of these good seedlings join our Spirit Tool Department this time, right?"

As an old fox, Yan Shaozhe saw through Qian Duoduo's little scheme at a glance.

"Sigh, Old Qian, that's not fair. Whether the students join the Spirit Department or the Spirit Tool Department is their own choice. How can we, as teachers, interfere too much?"

I believe you, you old ghost!

Yan Shaozhe's righteous and stern appearance immediately made Qian Duoduo's teeth itch with frustration.

"How about this, our Spirit Tool Department only wants Mu Guiyun. As long as you let him come to us, I guarantee that the Spirit Tool Department won't ask for anyone else from your Spirit Department for the next three years. How about that?"

"Not happening!"

What the hell...

Seeing Yan Shaozhe flatly refuse, Qian Duoduo's eye twitched. If his own strength hadn't been insufficient, he would have rushed up and given Yan Shaozhe a sound beating!

Meanwhile, in the contestant area of the spirit fighting arena, a dense crowd of figures had gathered. Without exception, they were all elites of the Shrek Outer Court. After all, this tournament format was extremely unfair; those without absolute confidence in their own strength wouldn't have come to participate.

"How about it? Are you confident?"

Tang Ya leaned in close to Mu Guiyun, grinning cheekily: "I'm planning to bet my entire fortune on you. If you accidentally lose, I'll really be left out in the cold!"

Mu Guiyun smiled amusedly: "Don't you worry. A competition without even a single Spirit Elder is child's play to me. If I really lose, I'll just have to support you from now on."

"Pfft, pfft, pfft! This Sect Master doesn't need you to support her!"

Tang Ya's pretty face flushed red. Her delicate hand grabbed Mu Guiyun's arm, and she said embarrassedly: "Can you lend me a tiny bit more Gold Soul Coin? I... I don't have that much money right now, and even if you win, I won't earn much."

"Don't worry, I won't borrow it for nothing. We'll split the winnings nine-to-one!"

Hmm? No unauthorized advertisements allowed here!

Seeing Tang Ya looking at him with such anticipation, Mu Guiyun couldn't help but advise her: "Tang Ya, when it comes to gambling, you should only play with what you can afford. If things go wrong, it can really ruin a family!"

"My family is already ruined!"

Tang Ya put her hands on her hips and said righteously: "Besides, it's only called gambling if you don't know the outcome. If you know the outcome, that's called an investment!"

Mu Guiyun: ...

"That's all there is. Take it or leave it."

Helpless, 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 bet on himself—a full 12 million-plus Gold Soul Coin, his entire net worth. He had even borrowed quite a bit from Zhang Lexuan, Han Ruoruo, and the others.

Mu Guiyun's first opponent was a fairly well-known Spirit Elder from the Outer Court. Relying on the information gap, he was certain to make a killing.

Taking the money bag, Tang Ya's face immediately lit up with joy: "Hee hee hee, you're the best, mua~"

"Get away! Don't kiss me!"

In a corner of the Outer Court contestant area, a tall, sturdy, and handsome youth was watching the two with a motherly smile. His naturally dashing appearance, paired with his frivolous tone, made his entire demeanor seem somewhat lecherous.

"Hey, Bei Bei, look! They kissed, they kissed! Hehehe!"

The youth poked Bei Bei, who was standing beside him, completely oblivious to his good brother's teary-eyed expression.

"Ah? Is that so? Hahahaha!"

Watching Tang Ya and the other man whispering to each other in the distance, Bei Bei felt his heart tighten abruptly.

Bei Bei had originally thought that with his talent and looks, wooing a girl would be a piece of cake. Yet, so much time had passed, and let alone deepening their relationship, Tang Ya didn't even want to speak to him.

Mu Guiyun, who was busy joking around, naturally noticed their gazes. In particular, the look of a jilted lover on Bei Bei's face made his mood feel rather strange.

Although Tang Ya and Bei Bei weren't together, wasn't this, in a way, a form of NTR...

Thinking of this, Mu Guiyun smirked and pulled Tang Ya into his arms.

"Ouch! You, what are you doing..."

Mu Guiyun's sudden, bold move instantly left Tang Ya's mind blank.

But strangely, not only did Tang Ya not feel the slightest resistance, but a strange, weak sensation washed over her entire body. She fell into Mu Guiyun's embrace involuntarily, her previously smiling face now flushed with intense shyness.

"Bei Bei, look! He's still holding her! Wait a minute... why does that girl look like Tang... Tang Ya?!"

The youth finally realized what was happening, his gaze snapping toward his good brother, Bei Bei.

Wasn't this the girl his good brother was currently pursuing!

He saw that his good brother had already petrified on the spot, and vaguely, he could almost see snowflakes drifting down from above Bei Bei's head.

"Th-th-this..."

The youth was somewhat at a loss, standing there with an awkward look on his face.

The feeling was akin to going for a foot massage, only for one's good brother's girlfriend to walk in a moment later...

"It's fine, Bei Bei, watch how I teach him a lesson! Damn it, daring to snatch a woman from a brother of Xu Sanshi, I see you have already chosen the path to death!"

The youth rolled up his sleeves, making a show of stepping forward to teach Mu Guiyun a lesson.

Bei Bei, who had already lost all hope for life, heard this and hurriedly grabbed his good brother, persuading him: "Sanshi, you must not be impulsive! Three punches from him, and even your tortoise shell will crack!"

Huh? Is he that fierce?

Hearing this, the once aggressive Xu Sanshi slowed down, eventually stopping in his tracks.

He knew Bei Bei's personality too well; he never exaggerated. That meant this person could damage his martial soul in three punches...

Thinking of this, Xu Sanshi's mouth twitched uncontrollably, though he still found it hard to believe.

He was, after all, an elite of the Outer Courtyard and a core disciple of the Spirit Department. Plus, Mu Guiyun looked about the same age as him, so Xu Sanshi didn't believe it in his heart.

"He is a Soul Elder!"

"A Soul Elder?! Hiss~"

Xu Sanshi gasped, then sheepishly said: "Well, you see, I'm feeling unwell today. Next time, I will definitely help you teach him a good lesson!"