The Imperial Fighting Challenge

Mimi seemed to understand Ye Qiong's words; her ears drooped, her little head bowed, and she let out a low "Mimi."

Ye Qiong hurriedly rubbed her head. "It's alright, no rush."

Mimi lifted her head and rubbed her cheek against his palm.

Looking at the fluffy little ball in his palm, Ye Qiong couldn't smooth out his furrowed brows.

Iron Curtain had awakened.

He did indeed still have time, but not much.

According to what the Fire Dragon King said before dissipating, that rift barrier could not hold for long.

Presumably, when the time came, Iron Curtain would certainly invade the Douluo world through that rift.

Not only that, but with his arrival, those ancient beasts might also descend upon this place.

The two might even join forces, with Iron Curtain corrupting all those ancient beasts into terrifying Black Tide Creations.

Facing such a crisis, if he didn't prepare, he truly wouldn't be able to cope when the time came.

Therefore, he had to make Omphalos Academy strong as quickly as possible.

It's time to give the academy a new stage; Soto City is, after all, just a small city.

As he thought this, a system notification suddenly popped up.

[New mission released.]

Ye Qiong immediately clicked to view it, and the mission clearly read:

[First Battle Against Imperial: One month from now, issue a team Soul Fighting challenge to the Imperial Fighting Team in the name of the academy team. Victory reward: 3000 Star Jade. District-level qualification promotion.]

Ye Qiong looked at the mission, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

The Imperial Fighting Team? They would serve perfectly as the first whetstone for Omphalos Academy.

One month later, Soto City Soul Fighting Arena.

Tonight, the spectator stands were packed to capacity.

The host stood on the high platform, his voice louder and more resonant than ever before.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The first team battle of the night has concluded! Shrek Academy team versus the Imperial Fighting Team—the Imperial Fighting Team is victorious!"

A burst of cheers erupted from the crowd below.

In the Shrek resting area, Flender's face was ashen.

He looked toward the group, only to see them hanging their heads in silence.

He sighed helplessly at this. "Let's go. We'll talk when we get back."

In the Imperial resting area, Yu Tianheng plopped down into a seat.

"Shrek was a bit more troublesome than I imagined, but that's all. We still won easily, didn't we?"

Dugu Yan leaned into his arms and laughed. "Indeed. To think they'd dare come out and embarrass themselves with that level of skill."

"The boss is just awesome, making them scurry away like rats."

"Exactly, exactly. And that Tang San—although his realgar wine was indeed powerful and broke Sister Yan's poison mist, he himself is just a glass cannon. That Blue Silver Grass binding really cracked me up."

Standing at the doorway, Qin Ming frowned slightly upon hearing these words.

He raised a hand to stop their chatter. "That's enough. This is my alma mater, after all; show a little respect."

Dugu Yan pursed her lips and said nothing more.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Qin Ming sighed inwardly.

To be honest, the strength Shrek displayed today was truly a bit disappointing to him.

However, just as he was about to call everyone to head back and rest, someone walked in.

It was Ye Qiong.

"Teacher Qin Ming. We, Omphalos Academy, would like to challenge you, Imperial, to a team match."

Qin Ming was stunned for a moment.

Omphalos Academy?

It felt a bit unfamiliar, but he seemed to have heard the city folk mention it; it appeared to be a newly opened academy that had been quite prominent lately.

"Are you sure?"

Ye Qiong smiled.

"What, afraid we'll lose?"

Dugu Yan's gaze landed on Ye Qiong's face.

Upon hearing the name Omphalos Academy, she was reminded of the person her grandfather had mentioned.

Grey hair...

Dugu Yan bit her lip, a flash of malice crossing her eyes.

It was this person.

Her grandfather's injury was all thanks to him!

But Dugu Yan did not speak, merely staring coldly at Ye Qiong.

Yu Tianheng, standing beside Dugu Yan, let out a direct scoff.

"Omphalos? Never heard of it. Where did this backwater academy crawl out from?"

The brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo echoed him.

"Exactly. Won a few matches at the Soul Fighting Arena and think you're something special?"

Qin Ming raised a hand to interrupt them.

"Do not underestimate the enemy. Anyone who comes knocking to challenge us must have at least some confidence."

He turned toward Ye Qiong, remaining silent for a moment before speaking.

"It is possible. If you want to fight, the Imperial Fighting Team is not afraid to accept."

Ye Qiong smiled and set down a letter of challenge.

"Very well. I will give you half an hour to rest. Half an hour from now, we shall meet at the Soul Fighting Arena."

After Ye Qiong finished speaking, he swept a glance at Dugu Yan and slowly walked away.

Dugu Yan, who had been staring at him the entire time, naturally noticed his gaze, and her heart skipped a beat.

Why look at me?

What exactly is he planning?

Half an hour later, the host shouted once again:

"Ladies and gentlemen! The second team battle of the night is about to begin!"

"The two sides are the seven members of the Imperial Fighting Team and the Omphalos Academy team! Consisting of one person!"

The crowd below erupted instantly.

"One person? Did I hear that right?"

"Omphalos is sending only one person to fight seven? Are they insane?"

"Wait, isn't that Keleradra? The support-type who blew up the chessboard last time?"

"A support-type fighting seven people alone? What a joke!"

The sound of discussion surged like a tide.

Dugu Yan stood on the Soul Fighting Arena, her expression turning cold the moment she saw only one person walk out from the opposite side.

Yu Tianheng also furrowed his brows tightly, cursing under his breath:

"Just one person? Who do they think they're looking down on?"

Qin Ming stood at the edge of the arena, his expression equally unpleasant.

He had originally assumed the opponent would at least field a full team; he had not expected them to send only one.

He looked toward Ye Qiong in the Omphalos team's resting area not far away, a hint of hostility flashing in his eyes.

Could this person be trying to humiliate the Imperial Fighting Team?

Regardless of the outcome, the Imperial Fighting Team would lose face.

But he could not stop it; he could only clench his fists and watch the arena.

At this moment, Keleradra walked unhurriedly to the center of the Soul Fighting Arena, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

Just after sitting, she swept a calm gaze over the seven people opposite her and spoke indifferently:

"To deal with you, I alone am enough."

"How arrogant!"

Yu Tianheng could not take it.

It was clear the opposing side didn't take them seriously at all.

He swore he would use his Great Might Heavenly Dragon to teach this ignorant child a harsh lesson!

The referee, seeing this, immediately blew his whistle:

"Soul Fighting begins!"

The moment the whistle sounded, the seven members of Imperial Fighting instantly scattered, forming their standard formation.

Yu Tianheng stood at the very front, Dugu Yan was protected in the center, and the Shi Brothers were positioned to her left and right.

Yu Feng flew into the air to provide support, Oslo stood on the flank, ready to harass and attack, while Ye Lingling remained at the rear, ready to heal everyone.

But facing them, Keleradra merely raised her right hand gently.

The next second, the Scales of Justice appeared in the air, then shattered into countless blue light points.

As the light points fell, a giant chessboard instantly unfurled.