"Pacify All Nations!"
As soon as the words left Mydei's mouth, a massive dark-red fist shadow shaped like a lion surged from his hand.
He swung with all his might, meeting Phainon's descending blade.
Boom!
A deafening crash erupted through the Soul Fighting Hall.
The fierce shockwave instantly swept outward, whipping the hems of the spectators' clothes into the air.
On the arena, the two were sent flying a hundred meters apart by the collision, nearly tumbling off the platform.
Phainon caught his breath, then looked up at Mydei across from him.
Blood had begun to seep between Mydei's fingers, dripping from his gauntlet onto the stone platform.
But his face held a thoroughly exhilarated grin.
"Again?"
Phainon smiled too.
"Of course."
The next instant, they moved at the same time.
The battle that followed became a war of attrition, with the two meeting force with force.
Wang Sheng and the others watched from the stands, dumbfounded.
The same thought arose in all their minds.
These two were both monsters.
On the arena, Mydei's attacks came in waves, each one fiercer than the last.
He seemed unable to feel pain. Even when his gauntlet shattered, he kept swinging at Phainon with his bare fists.
Phainon's swordplay grew faster and faster. Compared with the near-instant victories he'd scored in his previous Soul Fighting matches, this was the first time he'd truly enjoyed a fight.
It made him desperately want to recruit Mydei into his academy.
After all, having an opponent like this would make his academy life far more interesting.
They fought on and on, each gaining and losing ground.
Only when they were both nearly spent did they decide to unleash one final, all-out strike.
They would settle the winner with a single blow.
"Let's see who's left standing on this battlefield!"
"It certainly won't be me."
Sword and fist clashed violently once more at the center of the arena.
A tremendous wave of energy exploded.
The force tore up the floor of the entire Soul Fighting Arena. For a moment, rubble flew everywhere as dust billowed through the air.
The spectators leaped to their feet in shock. Even Anaxa and Keleradra, who were usually so composed, showed a flicker of surprise in their eyes.
Before anyone could think further, Phainon and Mydei were flung away at the same time, both tumbling off the platform.
As the dust settled, the two struggled to their feet.
Phainon glanced at Mydei and saw that they'd both fallen off the platform. He gave a faint smile.
"You're impressive."
Mydei spat out a mouthful of bloody phlegm and grinned.
"You're not bad either. That was a good one."
Ye Qiong dropped down from the stands and landed between them.
"All right, that's enough. I'm calling this match a draw."
After speaking, Ye Qiong turned to Phainon.
Phainon understood at once. Leaning on his sword, he walked over to Mydei and held out a hand.
Mydei stared at it 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 crisply, 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, where 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 here and there as they went.
"I didn't expect your sword to be so good."
"And your fists are every bit as good as my sword."
"Want to fight again sometime?"
"Heh. Any time."
The group left the Soul Fighting Arena and headed outside.
Ye Qiong walked at the front.
Just as he was about to return to the academy, the corner of his eye caught the mouth of an alley across the street.
He stopped in his tracks.
Across the street, at the alley's entrance—
A man was furtively looking around. Seeing that nobody was paying attention, he immediately pulled someone along and slipped into the alley.
Ye Qiong couldn't help twitching at the corner of his mouth when he saw them.
They were none other than Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun of Shrek Academy.
It was the middle of the night, and instead of staying at the academy, the two were sneaking around here.
They were obviously up to something they didn't want anyone to see.
[New mission triggered: Seize the opportunity to strike a rival academy and foil its scheme. Reward: 500 Star Jade and one special card.]
WC, a new mission?
A rival's scheme. The opportunity...
Ye Qiong furrowed his brows.
What sort of scheme was Shrek Academy planning against his own academy?
And what did "the opportunity" mean?
As he wondered, Ye Qiong's gaze sharpened as he watched the alley.
If he remembered correctly, there was a brothel in there, wasn't there?
A few seconds later, Ye Qiong's lips curved slightly as he looked back at the others.
"You go on back to the academy. I have something to take care of."
Phainon and the others looked a little puzzled, but nodded.
"All right, Teacher."
After watching them leave, Ye Qiong turned his attention back to the alley.
"Since I've stumbled across this, it'd be a shame not to have a little fun."
Pathfinder of Elation, activate.
Rain-Listening Pavilion.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun walked in with their arms slung around each other's shoulders.
The madam spotted them and immediately greeted them with a wide smile.
"You two haven't been by in ages."
Dai Mubai casually tossed her a few Gold Soul Coins.
"Get us the same two pairs of twins as last time."
The madam took the money, her smile deepening. She bobbed and bowed eagerly.
"Right away, sirs. Just wait a moment, and I'll arrange it."
She signaled to the staff behind her. Several attendants immediately turned and hurried upstairs to pass along the word.
Dai Mubai glanced back at Ma Hongjun and lowered his voice.
"Let's make things exciting this time. We'll switch."
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 the innermost private room on the second floor. She pushed open the carved wooden door, revealing ornate furnishings, bright red candles, and an atmosphere charged with anticipation.
"Have a seat, sirs. They'll be here soon."
Dai Mubai sat down in the main seat with a swagger and crossed his legs.
Ma Hongjun took a chair beside him, already glancing toward the door again and again.
A moment later, the twin sisters entered.
They wore sheer gauzy dresses and delicate makeup. As soon as they came in, they bowed slightly.
"Young Master Dai~"
Dai Mubai crooked a finger at them.
"Come here."
The sisters exchanged a glance. Though reluctant, they could only step closer.
As the two women approached, Ma Hongjun could no longer wait. He reached out to put an arm around one of their shoulders, but Dai Mubai smacked his hand away.
"What's the rush? The game hasn't started yet."
Ma Hongjun gave an awkward smile and pulled back his hand.
"Yes, yes. I'll listen to you, Boss Dai."
Dai Mubai stood and walked over to the two women, looking them up and down from above.
"My brother and I are both burning with desire right now. You understand?"
The two bit their lips and nodded.
Dai Mubai frowned.
"What? You're unwilling?"
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?"
Before you continue