Shrek Pre-Academy

Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena.

It had only been established a few thousand years ago. At first, it was just a small venue, and not many Soul Masters took part.

As time went by, the Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena began to expand in earnest. Now it was a massive complex covering nearly ten thousand square meters, with hundreds or even thousands of Soul Master battles held there every day.

None of this would have been possible without Li Changsheng's advice and planning.

There was no helping it. The world outside was too dangerous, so he had simply urged the village chief to bring all the interesting things from outside into Spirit Soul City.

Whenever he felt like watching something, he could go at any time.

Night fell.

The streets were noisy.

Li Changsheng moved through the crowds, practicing his still-clumsy Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

From the notes Tang San had left behind, he knew:

Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track could be divided into two stages.

Ghost Shadow and Perplexing Track.

The first stage was mastery of the Ghost Shadow, which multiplied and overlapped into countless layers.

A single ghostly figure meant one had only just begun, but it could also represent the pinnacle. Some people could use a single ghost shadow to dodge all things under heaven and conceal the secrets of fate. Others could surround themselves with thousands of ghost shadows, yet still have their movements seen through at a glance.

That was the difference—the difference in understanding.

Once one reached the Perplexing Track stage, one could numb an opponent's senses and create illusions, turning retreat into attack.

Li Changsheng's steps were stiff and crooked, like those of a child just learning to walk. Fortunately, he hadn't bumped into anyone nearby, or he might have caused himself unnecessary trouble.

"Against someone of the same level, once Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track is used, the only ones who can hurt a Soul Master who has mastered it are agility-type Soul Masters—or someone using an indiscriminate attack that covers every direction. Otherwise, they won't be able to hurt them in the slightest, or even catch sight of them."

"In other words, every skill passed down by Tang San, once cultivated to its peak, is practically like gaining another Martial Soul trait... or even more than one."

You thought Tang San had Twin Martial Souls? On the surface, that was true. But in reality, every skill he used contained the traits of a Martial Soul, and they were all top-tier traits.

Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track—agility type.

Purple Demon Eye—control type.

Mysterious Jade Hand and Hidden Weapons—power attack type.

Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon—power attack and defense.

"That's why Tang San was so powerful..." Li Changsheng thought as he practiced Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

Before long, Li Changsheng arrived at the Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena.

An ancient beast-fighting arena!

That was right. The vast building standing before him, covering ten thousand square meters, had been modeled after the massive beast-fighting arenas of antiquity.

The Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena was shaped like a ring. Its outer walls were made of special metal bricks stacked to a height of three hundred meters.

Inside were nearly ten thousand spectator seats, a main Soul Fighting platform covering a thousand square meters at the very center, and hundreds of smaller Soul Fighting platforms.

All the platforms were made of specially crafted metal.

The main Soul Fighting platform, in particular, was a Level 8 Soul Tool platform specially commissioned from the Sun Moon Empire in recent years. It had special defensive properties: once Soul Power was injected, it could activate a protective barrier. It could withstand attacks from an ordinary Titled Douluo for a time, as well as a joint assault from several Soul Douluo experts.

The scale of the undertaking was truly jaw-dropping.

Since ancient times, Soul Fighting Arenas had been the best places for Soul Masters to hone their skills. They were also venues where various factions could show off their strength.

As time passed and Soul Tools advanced, areas specifically for Soul Engineers to battle in were added to Soul Fighting Arenas.

There were also rules made just for them.

Li Changsheng didn't care much about those rules.

It all came down to who had the bigger fist and the higher Soul Power.

Li Changsheng was very interested in Soul Tools. He felt that, if their development continued, some truly high-tech products might appear.

He entered the arena.

Compared to the Soul Fighting Arenas of ten thousand years ago, today's arenas had changed beyond recognition.

A massive Soul Power projection screen shone across the sky.

It recorded the ongoing matches and announced the names of the participants.

It also displayed various rankings.

Combat Power Ranking.

Winning Streak Ranking.

Rising Star Ranking.

"Ten thousand years ago, the entrance to every Soul Fighting Arena had a list of Soul Masters who had died in battle. That custom has long since disappeared. Soul Masters today believe the dead are gone for good. Dead is dead—there's no point commemorating them."

Li Changsheng fixed his gaze on the entrance to the arena, his eyes turning cold.

Li Changsheng took out the key to his private box and rode the automatic Soul Power lift up to the top floor of the arena.

Li Changsheng had helped design the arena back then. He had specifically set aside nearly a hundred private boxes and sold them at a high price for a hefty profit.

In reality, it was just so he wouldn't have to squeeze in with everyone else to watch the Soul Fighting matches.

After all, the benefits Spirit Soul Village had gained from having Tang San among its people were simply too many!

The arena was especially lively tonight. Li Changsheng had no idea why, so he picked up the communication device in the private box and called for a server to attend to him.

Soon, there was a knock at the door. When Li Changsheng called for the person to come in, the knocking stopped. A little while later, a female server in a uniform entered.

As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Li Changsheng standing in front of the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. Confusion flashed in her pretty eyes, but then she understood.

He was probably the child of some VIP, here to watch the Soul Fighting matches before awakening his Martial Soul.

"Dear guest, what can I do for you?"

Though he was only a child, the woman still came over to Li Changsheng with a gentle, respectful manner and asked him.

Li Changsheng didn't look at the server. His gaze remained on the crowds below.

There were many, many children—at least several dozen, by his estimate. They were probably there to watch the matches, since their Martial Souls would be awakened tomorrow.

That meant nothing to Li Changsheng. There was no way he would call a server over for something he already knew.

His gaze shifted bit by bit, then settled on the center of the Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena: the platform that symbolized a Level 8 Soul Tool.

The Level 8 Soul Tool arena covered a thousand square meters and had been forged from dark metal. It usually remained inactive, looking like a patch of black earth. To activate it, several dozen Soul Emperor experts had to inject their Soul Power together to keep it running.

So the central Soul Fighting arena was mostly just for show. It would only be activated when a highly ranked Soul Master team came to battle, and even then, it wouldn't be fully activated. A few Soul Emperors could easily switch on the defensive barrier.

But at that moment, sixty Soul Masters stood in perfectly neat rows of three on the central Soul Fighting arena.

Six shimmering, rainbow-colored patterns adorned each of them, and the Soul Power radiating from every person was astonishing.

Soul Emperors!

They were all staff members of the Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena, every one of them a Soul Emperor!

"Is there some major event today? Why is the central Soul Fighting arena open too?" Li Changsheng asked.

The female server froze, glancing at Li Changsheng's back in surprise before quickly answering:

"Today, the talented Soul Masters from Shrek Academy's Pre-Academy will hold a simulation battle here. They'll be fighting a team of Soul Elders from the Spirit Soul Grand Soul Fighting Arena."

Her words left Li Changsheng momentarily stunned.

Memories unfurled, and familiar yet unfamiliar terms crashed over him.

Shrek Academy!

The Pre-Academy?

"The Pre-Academy? The one that only accepts Soul Masters with Innate Soul Power above level eight, after they awaken their Martial Souls at six?" Li Changsheng asked without turning around.

The server nodded behind him and answered, "That's right."

Shrek Pre-Academy!

It was a branch affiliated with Shrek Academy, established only after the Sun-Moon Continent and Douluo Continent had gone to war a few thousand years ago.

If Shrek Academy was the pinnacle among advanced Soul Master academies,

then Shrek Pre-Academy was the peak among lower-level Soul Master academies.

Its entrance requirements were even higher than Shrek Academy's.

First, it only accepted students who had just awakened their Martial Souls. Their Innate Soul Power had to be at least level eight, and their Martial Souls had to meet a certain standard of strength.

Second, they couldn't be afraid of dying!

That so-called fearlessness referred to the specific system in place at the Pre-Academy...

Shrek Academy trained great monsters.

Shrek Pre-Academy was where they first selected the Little Monsters.

What people longed for most was that anyone who graduated from Shrek Pre-Academy could go straight on to Shrek Academy. They had even heard that the top graduate could go directly to Shrek Academy's inner court for training...

Shrek Academy! Who didn't yearn to attend? Anyone who graduated would count among the top experts on the entire continent. It was like their ancestors' graves had started smoking!

"Interesting. Why have Soul Masters from the Pre-Academy come to Spirit Soul City? I don't remember them coming before." Li Changsheng was suddenly quite intrigued.

Many people knew of Shrek Pre-Academy, but few could get in.

The requirements were simply too high.

Innate Soul Power had to reach level eight! Level eight! And their Martial Souls had to be strong enough too. That alone shut out four-fifths of all candidates.

The benefits of getting in were obvious as well. At the very least, there was no need to worry about obtaining Soul Rings...

The female server smiled and said sweetly, "They're here to recruit students and show off their talents. They've never come before, but I heard that this year, the child of an important figure is coming to Spirit Soul City to awaken his Martial Soul..."

The woman didn't finish her thought. Perhaps she wanted Li Changsheng to figure it out for himself, or perhaps she simply couldn't be too explicit.

"An important figure's child? How old is he? Seventy or eighty?" Li Changsheng joked with a smile.

"Hehe, you're quite funny, dear guest. It's probably the son of some sect leader. Are you also awakening your Martial Soul tomorrow?" The female server smiled like a painting, lightly covered her mouth, and asked.

"Mm." Li Changsheng watched as the Soul Power barrier rose around the Level 8 Soul Tool platform below and nodded.

"Then I hope you awaken a good Martial Soul, achieve full Innate Soul Power, and get to study at the Pre-Academy."

In this era, there were no "congratulations on passing the imperial exams" wishes for children. Instead, people said, "May your Soul Power reach the innate peak, and may you take the first step into the Pre-Academy!"

Li Changsheng still didn't turn around. He only said with a teasing note, "Forget it. The Pre-Academy reeks of corruption. I'm afraid I'll get choked by the stench."

"Do you mean the Pre-Academy brought its elite team all the way here to put on a show just for a sect leader's son?"

Li Changsheng waved his hand and said with a smile, "No, don't get me wrong. I didn't mean that. I'm just curious which sect's Soul Master hasn't even awakened his Martial Soul yet, but can still get people from the Pre-Academy to come here..."

As he spoke, Li Changsheng slowly turned around. At the same time, the God of Wisdom took control of his body, and his absolute ocular art, Purple Demon Eye, activated!

His gaze met the female server's rather pretty face. The God of Wisdom's cold pupils flashed with a vast, concentrated purple light, which stabbed into the woman's mind like a blade.

Crack.

With a crisp sound, her consciousness was seized in an instant. She shook her head in a daze and uttered a few words:

"The Clear Sky Sect."