VIP Challenge

The invitation to the VIP Challenge was politely worded.

The handwriting was beautiful, too.

The message itself was anything but polite.

Three days from now.

The main stage of the Soto Great Soul Arena.

The Shrek Eight Monsters versus the Silver Blade Team.

The appearance fee was high.

So high that Flender fell silent for quite a while after reading it.

Zhao Wuji watched him.

"Don't tell me you're tempted."

Flender put the letter away.

"I'm the Dean. Of course I have to consider my students' safety."

Yuan Yu said, "And the money."

Flender glared at him.

Yuan Yu wisely shut his mouth.

Tang San picked up the information sheet.

The Silver Blade Team.

Captain Silver Fang, a level forty-two Assault-type Soul Ancestor.

Vice-captain Shadow Blade, a level thirty-nine Agility Attack-type Soul Elder.

The information on the other five looked unremarkable.

A little too unremarkable.

There was no record of consecutive wins.

No account of any losses, either.

Just names, levels, and Martial Souls.

The sheet looked complete, but it left out everything useful.

Dai Mubai had spent some time at the Soto Spirit Arena. He spotted the problem at once.

"Any team that fights regularly leaves traces of how they fight. Even if their records are incomplete, you'll find their usual Soul Skills and patterns in wins and losses."

Tang San nodded.

"They left out exactly what we needed."

Tang San turned the sheet over.

The back was blank, too.

Dai Mubai said, "If they've really fought in the Spirit Arena, their record wouldn't be this clean."

Ning Rongrong looked at Flender.

"This match is aimed at us?"

Flender did not deny it.

"Most likely."

Ma Hongjun immediately said, "Then we're still fighting?"

Xiao Wu snorted.

"What are you afraid of?"

Ma Hongjun glared at her.

"I'm being cautious."

Oscar said quietly, "You sounded pretty shaky just now."

Ma Hongjun spun around.

"Oscar!"

Yuan Yu tapped the table.

"We can fight, but we can't plan around the information they gave us."

Tang San looked at him.

"You think they're hiding someone?"

"Either they're hiding someone, or they're hiding what they can do."

Yuan Yu said, "Last time, they wanted me to lose. This time, they know I won't play along, so they'll go after our back line."

Ning Rongrong clenched her hands.

"I'm fighting."

Everyone looked at her.

Ning Rongrong raised her head.

"I'm a support-type. Of course they'll come for the back line. I can't hide behind everyone whenever it gets dangerous."

Flender looked at her, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

Zhu Zhuqing said evenly, "I'll protect you."

Ning Rongrong looked at her.

"I'll be faster this time."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

Tang San quickly began assigning roles.

"Yuan Yu, cover the front, but don't take over the opening."

"Boss Dai and Fatty, keep their assault fighters occupied."

"Xiao Wu, wait for me to give you an opening."

"Zhuqing, stay near Rongrong. Watch for their hidden Agility Attack fighter first."

"Oscar, prepare your sausages in advance."

Oscar raised his hand.

"Do I charge this time?"

Everyone turned to look at him.

Oscar immediately said, "Just kidding. Free for teammates."

Yuan Yu looked around at them.

"One more thing."

Everyone looked at him.

"If I don't act right away, it doesn't mean I haven't noticed."

Xiao Wu frowned.

"Half a step late again?"

Yuan Yu nodded.

"They're definitely coming for the back line. Rongrong needs practice, Zhuqing needs practice, and so do the rest of you. I'll be there if things go wrong, but I won't take your chances away."

Ning Rongrong took a deep breath.

"All right."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded as well.

Tang San said, "Then I'll spread Blue Silver Grass within three steps of the back line."

Dai Mubai looked at Yuan Yu.

"Leave the front to me."

Yuan Yu smiled.

"Boss Dai, don't get too confident."

Dai Mubai snorted.

"Just watch."

Three days later, the Shrek Eight Monsters returned to the Great Soul Arena.

This time, the atmosphere was different.

The stands were packed.

The cheers were loud, too.

But there were quite a few unfamiliar faces outside the waiting area.

They weren't watching the stage. They were watching Shrek.

Ma Hongjun glanced outside.

"Those people don't look like spectators."

Oscar murmured, "They don't look like they're here to buy sausages, either."

Yuan Yu turned his blade over.

"Look at their shoes."

Tang San followed his gaze.

The soles of their shoes were spotless.

It had just rained lightly outside. Ordinary spectators coming through the entrance would have picked up at least a little mud around their shoes.

These people had none.

They hadn't just arrived.

They had been waiting here all along.

Tang San's gaze darkened.

"This was arranged."

Yuan Yu nodded.

Ning Rongrong's expression turned colder when she heard that.

"Then they've been watching us since we came in."

Zhu Zhuqing said, "Maybe even longer."

Dai Mubai glanced toward the waiting-area entrance.

"Once we're onstage, no one stray too far from the back line."

Ma Hongjun thumped his chest.

"Don't worry. I'll block their path with fire."

Oscar said quietly, "Just don't block ours, too."

Ma Hongjun glared at him.

No one laughed this time.

The mood grew heavier.

Even Xiao Wu stopped fooling around.

Yuan Yu sat in a chair, slowly wiping down his blade.

The Rosy Cloud Pattern glimmered now and then.

He could sense that many people were holding something back when they spoke.

When the manager came in, his smile was even more courteous than last time.

"Rest assured, everyone. Tonight's rules will be absolutely fair."

Ning Rongrong said coldly, "That's what you said last time."

The manager's smile stiffened.

Flender adjusted his glasses.

"Fair rules are one thing. Compensation is another."

The manager's face tightened further.

Yuan Yu nearly laughed aloud.

When it came to getting paid, the Dean never lost.

An announcement rang out.

"Special VIP Challenge match."

"The Shrek Eight Monsters versus the Silver Blade Team."

Everyone rose.

In the passageway, Ning Rongrong walked at the rear.

Her palms were sweaty.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at her.

"Scared?"

Ning Rongrong did not pretend otherwise.

"A little."

Zhu Zhuqing said, "If you're scared, keep an eye on where I am."

Ning Rongrong nodded.

"Okay."

Yuan Yu walked ahead without turning around.

"Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong looked up.

"Hm?"

"You're part of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and you're part of Shrek."

Yuan Yu said, "Fight as either one tonight. Just don't let it rattle you."

Ning Rongrong froze for a moment.

Then she nodded gently.

"Got it."

The lights came on over the Dueling Platform.

All seven members of the Silver Blade Team stood ready opposite them.

Their captain, Silver Fang, looked at Yuan Yu with a faint smile.

"Myriad Phenomena. I've heard a lot about you."

Yuan Yu said, "You're too kind."

Silver Fang turned to Ning Rongrong.

"The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is here too. Tonight's match should be worth it."

Ning Rongrong's expression turned cold.

Dai Mubai took half a step forward.

Silver Fang smiled and said no more.

The host raised a hand.

"The duel begins!"

Both sides released their Martial Souls at once.

Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lit up.

"Seven Treasure Mantra, First: Strength!"

"Second: Speed!"

Light fell over Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu.

Yuan Yu did not draw his blade right away.

He stood at the front, studying the opposing team's formation.

Silver Fang charged with two assault-type Soul Masters.

Tang San spread his Blue Silver Grass across the platform.

Ma Hongjun sent a line of fire sweeping in from the side.

Zhu Zhuqing did not charge far ahead.

She stayed near Ning Rongrong.

In the next instant, a patch of light on the Dueling Platform suddenly went dark.

Not the whole platform.

Only the area behind Ning Rongrong.

A faint rush of wind sounded.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes sharpened.

"Behind you!"

A flash of silver blade light appeared behind Ning Rongrong.