Fate

When Zhu Zhuqing returned to the dormitory, the sky had not yet completely darkened.

She closed the door and drew the curtains, and the room immediately dimmed considerably. After turning on the light, she sat down by the bed and took out the reward Wu Zhangkong had given her from her storage bracelet.

Wu Zhangkong had not gone back on his word. Everyone who had completed the training before dark had received two pills.

And from morning until night, everyone had successfully obtained their pills.

Zhu Zhuqing placed the two bottles on the bedside table, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the two pills.

She reached out and first picked up the Mystic Water Pill.

"Absorb the Mystic Water Pill first."

She remembered Wu Zhangkong's advice.

The Mystic Water Pill's function was to cleanse the tendons and marrow, remove impurities from the body, nourish the meridians, and improve cultivation potential.

It was like repairing a river channel: first, the silt and debris in the channel had to be cleared away, then the channel widened and reinforced, and only after that could the water flow smoothly through it.

The Soul Ascension Pill was the water, and the Mystic Water Pill was the river channel.

Zhu Zhuqing held the Mystic Water Pill in her palm, took a deep breath, then placed it in her mouth and swallowed it.

The instant the pill entered her stomach, she felt nothing in particular.

It was like swallowing a warm pill, sliding down her esophagus into her stomach, and then a wave of warmth spread outward from her stomach.

That warmth was neither fierce nor scorching, like soaking in water at just the right temperature, cozy and warm. A faint blue light soon appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's body. It could be seen that a thin layer of mist seemed to drift over the surface of her body, and within the spreading mist, a faint, refreshing fragrance was released.

The mist exchanged between the inside and outside of Zhu Zhuqing's body. Very soon, the mist turned fishy and foul. Zhu Zhuqing's brows creased slightly, but she still endured the stench and continued absorbing the medicinal power. She knew clearly that the impurities inside her body were now being expelled.

When Zhu Zhuqing could no longer feel the medicinal power, she quickly got up, took her clothes, and went into the bathroom to wash up. After coming out, Zhu Zhuqing once again sat cross-legged on the bed and began circulating her soul power. She discovered that the speed at which her soul power circulated had increased, and her meridians had also been widened.

A smile finally appeared on that perpetually icy face. This Mystic Water Pill's effects were truly powerful. Immediately afterward, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze quickly fell on the Soul Ascension Pill to the side, and once again, she sent it into her mouth without the slightest hesitation.

Unlike the Mystic Water Pill, the instant the Soul Ascension Pill entered her stomach, a vast surge of energy erupted from her stomach and roared toward every limb and bone. This medicinal power was extremely fierce; compared to the Mystic Water Pill, it could be said to be quite formidable.

Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes again, then began circulating her soul power to digest the pill's medicinal power.

This medicinal power could be said to be extremely formidable, and Zhu Zhuqing spent several hours before finally absorbing all of the Soul Ascension Pill's effects completely.

After fully absorbing both pills, Zhu Zhuqing discovered that her soul power rank had leaped directly to rank twenty-nine. She was already not far from rank thirty.

Zhu Zhuqing's breathing grew slightly quicker. She stood up and took a few steps around the room. Every step was extremely light, landing without a sound.

One had to know that she had only entered this Shrek Academy a little over a day ago, yet she had already gained such an improvement.

From the bottom of her heart, Zhu Zhuqing was grateful to this Shrek Academy. This Shrek Academy had given her an opportunity to keep growing stronger, an opportunity to seize her own fate.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes became extremely resolute. She would take hold of this opportunity and become stronger and stronger.

Suo Tuo City, night. Wu Zhangkong walked out of Shrek Academy with Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.

"Hehe, Teacher, are we going to Suo Tuo City's Grand Spirit Arena?"

Xie Xie stood beside Wu Zhangkong and said with a smile.

"That's right. It's said that this place can cultivate a soul master's practical combat ability. We'll take a look at how things are first."

Wu Zhangkong spoke calmly.

"Can't we also directly carry out spatial battles through the Virtual Pods inside our academy?"

Xie Xie could not help asking in confusion.

"Xie Xie, you almost laughed today, didn't you?"

Wu Zhangkong did not answer Xie Xie's question. Instead, he spoke to Xie Xie coldly.

Hearing this, Xie Xie had a bad feeling.

"The soul masters in this place differ greatly from what we understand, and they even know very little about soul devices. So, our purpose in coming to the Suo Tuo Grand Spirit Arena this time is also to learn a little about their way of fighting, and whether it is purely a clash of martial souls."

Wu Zhangkong thought of Zhao Wuji, whom he had fought yesterday. He had been ridiculously weak. Wu Zhangkong had not even activated his battle armor, yet the other party only knew how to use the characteristics of his martial soul and a single soul skill, and could not even vary his soul skills.

"So, your goal today is to achieve a winning streak in this Suo Tuo Grand Spirit Arena. I'll arrange the exact streak for you depending on the situation, but you need to remember this: if you fail to complete it, then... extra training."

After hearing Wu Zhangkong's words, Xie Xie revealed a bitter expression.

Very soon, the three of them walked into the Suo Tuo Grand Spirit Arena.

Wu Zhangkong first brought Tang Wulin and Xie Xie to register. After all, they were both newcomers, and it was also their first time coming here.

The combat modes here included ordinary battles and life-and-death battles. The former did not allow killing, while the latter did.

The duel formats were divided into one-on-one, two-on-two, and group battles.

The process of handling the formalities was extremely quick, and during this time, Wu Zhangkong also gained a slight understanding of the battle rules.

Each person could only compete once per day, but they could participate in different categories.

"Only once?"

Wu Zhangkong asked the staff member.

"Yes, sir. These are our rules. We hope you understand."

When the staff member beside them heard Wu Zhangkong's question, he hurriedly answered.

Xie Xie could not help feeling relieved. If they could only fight one match a day, then it would not be too tiring.

But just then, Wu Zhangkong's gaze swept over Xie Xie. A chill ran down Xie Xie's back. He had not said anything at all.

"Then today, you'll be taking part in the individual matches and the two-on-two matches."

"Go take part in the individual matches first."

"Yes, teacher!"

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged a glance and agreed, then quickly followed the staff member to the backstage area of the competition.

At that moment, Flender brought Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar to the Suotuo Grand Spirit Arena.

"The Grand Spirit Arena is absolutely an important place that reflects a spirit master's value. You're thinking of it too simply. The Grand Spirit Arena has its own complete system, and a very special one at that. It was jointly founded by the seven most prestigious spirit master clans on the entire continent."

"It belongs neither to the two great empires nor to Spirit Hall. It can be called a third-party power, wealthy enough to rival nations. Spirit masters who make a name for themselves in the Grand Spirit Arena..."

"Here, even if you kill the heir of some great clan, you don't need to worry about retaliation. That is its fairness."

Flender spoke at length here, introducing matters concerning this spirit arena.

"All right, Xiao Wu, Tang San, you two go register for the individual matches first, then register for the two-on-two matches."

Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded, then began registering. After registration was successful, the two of them entered the waiting room as well.

Tang San's gaze fell on Tang Wulin and Xie Xie. Those two... did not look very old either.