"Flatten all nations!"
As soon as Mydei's voice rang out, a massive, dark-red fist-shaped shadow of a lion surged from his hand.
He swung with all his might, meeting Phainon's descending blade.
Boom!
A deafening crash erupted inside the Soul Fighting Hall.
The violent shockwave swept outward, making the hems of the spectators' clothes flutter wildly.
On the arena, the two fighters were sent flying a hundred meters by the collision, nearly tumbling off the platform.
Phainon caught his breath, raised his head, and looked at Mydei across from him.
Blood had begun to seep between Mydei's fingers, dripping from his gauntlet onto the stone platform.
Yet his face wore a thoroughly exhilarated grin.
"Again?"
Phainon smiled too.
"Of course."
In the next instant, they both moved.
The battle that followed turned into a war of attrition, each strike meeting the other head-on.
Wang Sheng and the others in the stands watched, stunned.
The same thought came to all of them.
These two were both real hardcases.
On the arena, Mydei's attacks came in wave after wave, each one fiercer than the last.
He seemed unable to feel pain at all. Even when his gauntlet shattered, he kept hammering at Phainon with his bare fists.
Phainon's sword strikes grew faster and faster, too. Unlike the near-instant victories he'd scored in his previous Soul Fighting matches, this time he was finally having a proper fight.
It stirred in him a powerful urge to recruit his opponent into his academy.
After all, having an opponent like this would make his student days far more interesting.
They fought for a long time, neither gaining a clear advantage.
Only when both were nearly spent did they decide to unleash one final attack with everything they had.
They would settle the match with one blow.
"Let's see who's left standing on this battlefield!"
"It definitely won't be me."
Sword and fist collided once more at the center of the arena.
Then an enormous surge of energy exploded.
The shockwave ripped up the floor of the Soul Fighting Arena. Shards of stone flew everywhere as dust and smoke billowed through the air.
Everyone on the platform was shocked by the sight and sprang to their feet. Even Anaxa and Cerydra, usually so composed, had a flicker of surprise in their eyes.
But before they could think it through, Phainon and Mydei were sent flying at the same time, each tumbling off the arena.
As the dust cleared, the two struggled to their feet.
Phainon glanced at Mydei, then noticed they had both fallen off the platform. He gave a faint smile.
"You're formidable."
Mydei spat out a mouthful of blood and grinned.
"You're not bad either. That was a good fight."
Ye Qiong dropped down from the stands and landed between them.
"All right, that's enough. This match is a draw."
After speaking, Ye Qiong turned to Phainon.
Phainon immediately understood. Leaning on his sword, he walked over to Mydei and held out a hand.
Mydei stared at it in silence for two seconds, then reached out as well.
After Phainon pulled him up, Mydei turned to Ye Qiong.
"That was a hell of a fight. Your academy really is impressive, but I have a request."
Ye Qiong understood, though he kept his expression calm.
"Go ahead."
"I want to join your academy."
Mydei spoke briskly, without the slightest hesitation.
Ye Qiong watched him for a moment, then smiled.
"Welcome aboard."
With that, Ye Qiong turned and flashed back to the stands. He looked at the others.
"Let's go. We're heading back."
The group began filing out in twos and threes.
Phainon and Mydei walked side by side, chatting as they went.
"I didn't expect your sword to be so formidable."
"Your fists are every bit as good as my sword."
"Want another match next time?"
"Heh. Anytime."
The group left the Soul Fighting Arena and headed outside.
Ye Qiong walked at the front of the group.
Just as he was about to head back to the academy, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of an alley across the street.
He stopped in his tracks.
At the mouth of the alley across the street,
a man was furtively glancing around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he immediately grabbed someone and ducked into the alley.
The moment Ye Qiong spotted them, the corner of his mouth twitched.
The two were none other than Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun from Shrek Academy.
It was the middle of the night, yet these two weren't staying at the academy. Instead, they'd sneaked off to this place.
They were obviously up to something they didn't want anyone to see.
[New mission triggered: Seize the opportunity to undermine a rival academy and foil its scheme. Reward: 500 Stellar Jades and one special card.]
What the—A new mission?
A rival's scheme. An opportunity...
Ye Qiong furrowed his brow.
What kind of scheme was Shrek Academy plotting against his academy?
And what did it mean by "opportunity"?
As he pondered this, Ye Qiong's gaze sharpened as he watched the alley.
If he remembered correctly, there was a brothel in that alley, wasn't there?
A few seconds later, the corners of Ye Qiong's mouth curled up. He turned to the others behind him.
"You all head back to the academy first. I have something to take care of."
Phainon and the others looked a little puzzled, but still nodded.
"All right, Teacher."
After watching them leave, Ye Qiong turned his gaze back to the alley.
"Since I've stumbled across this, it'd be a shame not to have a little fun."
Pathstrider of Elation, activate.
Listening Rain Pavilion.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun walked in with their arms slung over each other's shoulders.
The madam spotted them and immediately greeted them with a broad smile.
"Gentlemen, it's been a while."
Dai Mubai casually tossed her a few Gold Soul Coins.
"Get us those twin sisters from last time."
The madam took the money, her smile growing wider as she hurriedly bowed and scraped.
"Certainly, gentlemen. Just wait a moment and I'll arrange everything."
She gave a signal to the staff behind her. Several attendants immediately turned and ran upstairs to pass on the word.
Dai Mubai glanced back at Ma Hongjun and lowered his voice.
"Let's make it interesting this time. We'll switch partners."
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands together and let out a lecherous chuckle.
"Boss Dai, you're the man."
The madam led them to a private room at the far end of the second floor. She pushed open the carved wooden door. The room was lavishly furnished, with red candles glowing and the atmosphere just right.
"Please take a seat, gentlemen. The girls will be here shortly."
Dai Mubai sat in the main chair like a lord, crossing his legs.
Ma Hongjun sat in a chair nearby, already glancing at the door every few moments.
A little while later, the twin sisters entered.
They wore sheer gauzy robes and delicate makeup. As soon as they came in, they bowed slightly.
"Young Master Dai~"
Dai Mubai beckoned to them.
"Come here."
The sisters exchanged a glance. Though reluctant, they could only shuffle closer.
As the two women approached, Ma Hongjun had already impatiently reached out an arm to put around one of their shoulders. Dai Mubai slapped his hand away.
"What's the rush? The game hasn't even started."
Ma Hongjun gave an awkward smile and drew his hand back.
"Yes, yes. I'll listen to Boss Dai."
Dai Mubai stood and walked up to the two women, looking them over from above.
"My brother and I are both feeling restless. You understand?"
The two bit their lips and nodded.
Dai Mubai frowned.
"What? You're not willing?"
They hurriedly shook their heads.
"N-no, we wouldn't dare."
Only then did Dai Mubai give a satisfied snort and turn toward the bed.
"Then let's begin."
The four women had no choice but to steel themselves and approach.
But just as they were about to reach Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, their legs suddenly went weak, and they fainted.
Dai Mubai shot to his feet.
"What's going on?"